Revernd Joseph A. "Joe" Rangen, was born on May 2, 1917, to Rasmus and Alma (Ploium) Rangen at the family farm in Maddock, ND. [Uncle Joseph told me his grandmother was Indian and chewed tobacco, if I recall rightly!!--Ed.] He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at North Immanuel Lutheran Church of Maddock. Joe attended grades one through five in a one-room country school and graduated from Maddock High School. He attended the Lutheran bible Institute in Minneapolis from 1937-1939, and at the same time worked at the Curtis Hotel. In 1944 he graduated from the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls. [Does anyone know why he did not go into the service during World War II?--Ed.]

On October 13, 1940, he married Estelle Alsida Stadem in Waterloo, Iowa. Following their marriage the couple lived in Waterloo where Joe worked for his brother-in-law, William Svanoe, who owned a landscaping business; at the Rath Packing Company, and also at the John Deere factory. They were parents of four children, Paul, Chloe, Janelle, and Miriam "Mim". Following graduation from seminary he began his ministry of planting new Lutheran Brethren churches and pastoring established churches in the following communities: Grand Forks, MN, Fairhaven, MA, Eau Claire and Colfax, WI, Moorhead, MN, Fullerton, CA, Fergus Falls, MN, Olympia, WA, Holiday, FL, Kennewick, WA, Portland, OR, and Yuma, AZ. In 1990 the family mov ed to Fergus Falls where he served as director of student life at Lutheran Brethren Schools Alpha Way and in 1992 to Fort Shaw, MT where Joe did pulpit supply [which I understand would be pitch-hitting in in the pulpil and pastoral ministry for pastors who were will or gone on trips-- Ed.] and along with Estelle, enjoyed helping care for their grandchildren.

Joe was very active in the Department of Home Mission of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren, in addition to serving as the first full-time director. he was president of the Board of Home lMissions from 1968-1972 and 1978-1979. He was vice president of the board for 15 yea rs and board member for 30 years. In addition to his involvement with Home Missions, Joe was active with the Lutheran Brethren Bible camps at Inkspiration Point near Clitheall, and Lake Geneva in Alexandria. he had a love of the outdoors, sports and enjoyed working in the yards of the homes where he and Estelle lived. Joe designed gardens, planted trees, shrubs, vegetables and flowers - which all thrived. He was an avid follower of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, also in his early years he enjoyed playing softball.

[Needed mention, Joe attended the Stadem Plain View Farm reunions faithfully, year after year, with Estelle, and he also visited the Stadem families regularly with her, and was much appreciated and appreciating of his relations and his relationships with them all. He was a much beloved uncle, by Rangen and Stadem alike! He took part in the Stadem Reunions, not taking a back seat, and performed as a pastor and brought brief messages as well as hared his unique humor and cheerfulness. He never showed he was there only because Estelle wanted to be present, he was a blessing and made himself so.--Ed.]

After Estelle's death in December 2002, Joe stayed on in Fort Shaw until the following summer when he moved to Fergus Falls. There he resided at the Sheridan House until moving to the Broen Memorial Home in 2008. [it was most congenial there, as his daughter Janelle and son-in-law Dave Swenson resided and worked in health care there in Fergus Falls, so they could visit him and see to his needs. Besides, he had his former congregation and also his school and church ties close at hand.--Ed.]

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Estelle, a son, Paul, sisters Cora Backstrom and Medora (in infancy), brothers Reuben and Philip, granddaughter Lisa Swenson, and grandson Jake Patch. [through these deaths, particularly the loss of his granddaughter, grandson, and son, he maintained an equanimity and reassurance in Christ, not grieving as the world grieves, but grieving in hope of the Resurrection and the soon=appearing of the Lord in the Second Coming, or in heaven, when a most blessed reunion with loved ones is assured all believers in Jesus as Savior and Lord.--Ed.]

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 Joe passed away at the Broen Memorial Home at the age of 92 years, 11 months, 22 days. His family includes three daughters, Chloe (Gary) Koslowsky of Anaheim, CA, Janelle (David) Swenson of Fergus Falls, MN, and Miriam "Mim" (Dave) Patch of Vaughn, MT; daughter-in-law, Tess (John) Soholt of Golden Valley; eight granddaughters, Karen (Raymond) McMahon and Karla KIoslowsky of Orange, CA, Sonja (Scott) Crabtree of Fargo, Emioly Swenson of Moorhead, Molly (Ryan) Blauer of St. Paul, Kimberly (Albert Haugland) Rangen of Eagan, Laura (Nathan) Thomas of Butte, MT, Katie Patch of Vaughnl; two grandsons, Brent (Jackie) Rangen of San Diego, CA and Mark Rangen of Golden Valley; 11 great-grandchildren, Holly, Jared, and Megan McMahon, Trista (Brendan) Giese, Tyler (Sarah) Crabtree, McKayla, Madison, and Taegan Crabtree, Taylor Rangen, Bailey and Noah Thomas; two great-great-grandsons, Gavin and Logan Giese; four sisters, Margaret (Charles) Backstrom of Fergus Falls, Helen (Joe) Boney of Roswell, GA; Adeline (Maurice) McKibbon of Maddock, and Mary Ann Swanson of Glendale, AZ; three sisters-in-laws, Lydia Rangen of Brainerd, Pearl Ginther of Puyallup, WA and Cora Taylor of Brazil; a brother-in-law, Leroy (Elisabeth) Stadem of Sioux Falls, SD; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Joe Rangen is buried beside his wife Estelle in Manchester Cemetery, Manchester, Montana.

After soaring with the eagles, Pearl took the day and trip in stride, coming home to the mundane job of doing dishes, as well as loads of questions from her daughter, Roberta and other children. Her enjoyment of the trip was all about trusting in God. Son Lorin took pictures and video of the event, and Wayne has been asked to give a talk on gliders at the church.

The Ginther family plans to mark the grave of their Grandmother Anne Ginther [wife of Grandfather John Ginther after losing his wife Ardella and family, except Robert, to divorce--Ed.] when they come to SD in June. They have purchased a stone marker through Osthus Funderal Srvice of Bryant and DeSmet [through a mixup the stone marker was not made and set in place for the June family visit, and Osthus made up this mistake by adding crosses to decorate the stone, at no additional cost to the Ginther family, which greatly enhanced the marker--Ed.]. The marker will be p0laced next to Grandfather John Ginther's in the cemetery of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church north of Bryant. This is the same cemetery in which Robert Ginther [John's son or Ardella's only, but John and Robert loved each other as father and son--Ed.] is buried, as well as the Stadem grandparents and other relatives.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Pearl Ginther for a $40.00 check, and a $10.00 check, both for postage stamps for the Samtaleran,. Also thanks to Ron Ginther for a $20.00 comtributio9n for Samtaleran expenses. Thank you to Karla Koslowsky for the gift of $20.00 handed to me at Joe's service, to help- defray the costs of sending out the Samtaleran newsletter. Thank you to Jerry Ginther for a check for $25.00 given to cover postage costs. All of these contributions are appreciated very much.

CORA STADEM TAYLOR AND FAMILIES

Carleen Taylor Newton sent a remembrance of Cora's from 68 years ago. Cora and Carl Taylor were married in Alaska in December of 1940. They also began their missionary work there. The day was Easter morning of 1942; the place was a log cabin up the mountain from Homer, Alaska. Cora remembers the excitement in the air as her little cabin filled up with new believers for the Easter sunrise service. Cora recalls, "I had planned to play my trumpet at the service, but baby Carleen, six weeks old, needed to be fed at that very hour. The sun was just coming up. Across the bay you could see the snow covere3d mountains. It was cold out there on that mountain, but breathtakingly beautiful. We sang so many wonderful songs about the Lord Jesus and remembered His coming alive and the joy of our salvation because of His death and resurrection. Carl preached while we stood together because the snow on the ground kept us from sitting down.

"Everyone knew that they were invited for breakfast. Fresh bread and hot coffee hit the spot. We had 14 laying hens at that time, so we must have had eggs. The fellowship together was so wonderful. many shared testimonies. Mrs. Edens had a full heart as she testified of God's faithfulness to her. At that time her husband her husband still was not a Christian. I can picture in my mind's eye a certain man that had the nerve to ask me if we just might have enough potatoes to have everyone stay for the noon meal. We kept potatoes throughout the winter months in the dirt below our cabin. "Yes, of course," I answered. There were about 20 of us. We ladies cleaned up from breakfast and chatted happily while making potato salad. It was early enough that we could set it outside to be getting cold. The snow bank was the perfect spot. Before it was time to eat the noon meal, one of the men noticed that a dog was helping himself to our potato salad. oh my, we laughed about everything that day, even about that!"

Sixty-eight years later it is Ken Newton who is preaching at the Easter sunrise service, at a church that was started by Carl Taylor in Jacutinga, Brazil, After celebrating the Lord's table, there was "Brazilian" coffee and bread for all to enjoy.

SVANOE FAMILY UPDATES

Rennard & Grace Svanoe plan to attend the Stadem reunion in June, then remain at the farm a few extra days before traveling to Wisonsin for the Canyon Scholars annual meeting.

Mim Svanoe Rinderknecht received a letter from brother Victor Svanoe. The following is part of the letter.

"...I submitted my appeals brief to the Arizona Appeals Court just one week ago...then, raised a prayer to heaven, Proverbs 16:33. The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord. Mim, you might report, on your website, (I don't have one, so I'm telling you this way) about the existence of that appeal brief, and invite interested parties to request a copy. Wouldn't that be a good way to handle things? Were reversible errors made in that trial that convicted me, Mimsie? Yes, indeed. Not just the single reversible error required to invalidate the guilty judgment, but no less than eight such reversible errors. [if there is ever a retrial, and that would be a good thing if it happens, to clear up this question, whether or not our cousin Victor received justice, and whether he was given that sentence unjustly due to a false charge. He has also been an exemplary inmate, took, that should be considered.--Ed.].

My feet are on solid ground, dear sister. The law is clearly on my side. No gray region in this case of mine. My brief is carefully and expertly crafted, wonderfully persuasive, praiseworthy in its spirit (forgiving) and noble in the statement of my goals (the removal of an irrational and unrighteous law from the law books). Meanwhile, I'm finding life in prison as intensely meani9ngful experience. I stay upbeat because I have superfine reasons to be upbeat. My mood is catchy and ever so welcome. I'm friendly to all, inmates and staff, and reciprocity is universal. I'm well liked. I'm low profile, reserved, keep my own counsel, work at my desk, stay busy. One task follows another with a sense of urgency, like there's no time to waste. In a day I handle 25 visits to my cubicle. I rarely run out of sugar, candy, cigarette papers, paper, pens and coffee. I turn no one down, refuse to be compensated, accept compensation when someone insists. [(Mim says, He makes little cars, all of which is exceptional!)] Last week, after I'd finished my 5-month long appeal brief project, I made a cardboard model of the Venturi car that I now intend to send to Vice President Joe Biden. Here's what the model looks like. [(Mim says, He has drawn the car, with solar cell panel, and given the full aerodynamic explanation of how the car works and saves 50% on fuel.)] Thanks to my family's witness of my unabated interest in this invention over a 15 year period of time, I can deny patents to any pretenders, and I will not seek patent privileges for myself. The Earth's environment badly needs some relief from all our fossil fuel burning, and my patent demand would radically stall that promised relief. All car makers need to make the switch together, a six-months head start to America's trouble, behind the 8-ball, car industry. Well, Mimsie, as you can see, this man's train hasn't slowed down at all, and its whistle, has, if anything, maybe become more cheerful. I'm well led. My Boss is both smart and powerful. I'm where He, just now, wants me to be. Love, Victor

Tiffany Rinderknecht is getting better by leaps and bounds, dealing with her celiac disease and avoiding gluten, which is alike a poison to her body. She has been eating gluten free for four months and her stomach aches have disappeared. her boyfriend, Barry, from New York, has visited here three times.

Mim sends her love to all, especially the Rangen relatives, as "I considered Uncle Joe to be a GEM!"

[DAILY REUNION 2010 SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENT ROSTER AND REGISTRATION FORM omitted for space constraints--Ed.]

STADEM REUNION

by Gloria Ginther Brown

Fifty descendants of Alfred and Bergit Stadem and five guests met June 25-27, 2010 on the family farm near Bryant, SD. Family members traveled from six states and camped on the farm or stayed ibn local motels. Pearl Stadem Ginther from Puyallup, WA, oldest daughter of Alfred and Bergit Stadem and brother, Rev. Leroy Stadem from Sioux Falls, (youngest of the nine Stadem children) were two out of the three remaining siblings in attendance. Cora Stadem Taylor, a missionary in Brazil, was unable to make the arduous trip. Some family members arrived earlier in the week, and also planned to stay later in order to help lay the foundation of a new building [which was to be a "Stadem heritage center" in the form of a barnlike structure to replace the former barn that went down in a wind storm--Ed.] on the farmstead.

Numerous activities and celebrations were on the agenda, but due to Saturday's unscheduled "Mother Nature" events (rain, lightning, hail and tornado-like winds) some had to be postponed/cancelled. A Ladies Tea was held with lefse and other goodies served. Many little ones were seen peering in windows and doorways to check for possible leftovers! Pearl later entertained all the children with stories and anecdotes about early farm life before electricity, running water, TV and cell phones. The children were amazed that she, at such an early age, drove her sisters to school by horse and buggy and helped her father with all the farm chores. They questioned her about all aspects of farm life and wondered if she ever had any fun...

After the storm had passed, the previously scheduled Silent Auction to help support the building fund was changed to a Live "wet" Auction. Everyone chuckled and laughed and gallantly bid on the soaked and somewhat mauled goods. Children lined up for a "whack" at the Pinata and happily gathered all the flying candy treats. In celebration of Pearl's 100th birthday last September, a thoughts/prayers hot air-like balloon was sent aloft. A slight miscalculation of wind direction sent the balloon into the tree tops near the house where it exploded causing some concern regarding the new roof. One of Pearl's nieces said, "Well, since all our prayers for Pearl [aged 100 and 9 months] didn't get past the treetops, she must be meant to stay here awhile longer!" Fireworks were the last excitement for Saturday and, of course, everyone "oood and ahhd".

As in past years, the family contributed special music at the Sunday morning services at Our "Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bryant singing "Amazing Grace". After the church service, family members held remembrance ceremonies at the cemetery for Rev. Joseph Rangen (recently deceased husband of Estelle Stadem Rangen) and Ann Ginther (Stepmother of Robert Ginther who was the husband of Pearl Stadem Ginther). Prayers were given for all family members interred in the Bryant Cemetery and past happy events were noted and remembered. From the cemetery, a seven-car caravan proceeded along the wet and muddy roads to view the old sod house/property of the Stadems in the area. Much to our chagrin and miscalculation again, most of the seven got mired down in the mud, but laughter and hard pushing got the seven vehicles going again!

After Sunday lunch on the farm, a business meeting was held with the same officers agreeing to serve until 2012. At this 24th reunion, the Stadem family again had a wonderful and blessed time together, thanking and praising God for his goodness to them.

TREASURER'S REPORT

[To be given, but for now, "the Total Amount of Barn Funds (Included is $1,000.00 in Heritage Center Bank Account), $11,918.44"--Ed.]

Although the above financial report includes data only through August 31, 2010, I can report that in September additional funds were received in the amount of $120.00 for the Barn fund from Jerry Ginther, honoring the memory of Carl Taylor and tribute to Cora Taylor [please go see the note on Jerry's giving by using the link below.--Ed.].

PEARL GINTHER

The summer in WA was warmer than usual, which suits Pearl just fine. She just has to work at staying hydrated, like with water, she's a sipper, not a drinker! She gets most of her moisture in the morning, when she eats a lot of fruit for breakfast along with HOT water. She weighs only 100 pounds, and there is no fat on her arms and legs anymore, so we hope she does not lose anymore weight. She keeps busy letter and card writing, and answering calls. People visit her too. She goes to the Seamen's Mission, and Aglow, and Church. She is still involved with everything going on. Is this not amazing at her age?

Pearl flew to South Dakota with son Lorin to attend the Stadem reunion. While In SD she visited Canton, stopping at the Augustana Academy grounds, and walking around the house in which she was born. [That house belonged to Albinus & Katherine (Tena) Lundring, sister of Bergit. In 1910 Alfred, Bergit & Pearl Stadem left Canton and moved to Bryant.].

PEARL GINTHER'S LETTER ABOUT LEVERE GRAY, HIS FAMILY HISTORY CONNECTING WITH THE GINTHERS, AND 100TH BIRTHDAY

In July Pearl sent a gift of $30 to the Barn fund in honor of LeVere Gray's 100th birthday. Pearl wrote that 66 years ago upon leaving Sioux Falls, moving to WA, and joining Mt. View Lutheran Church, LeVere Gray was the first man they met. She says that husband Bob Ginther was waiting for her to ride home after church. He said, "I invited LeVere & Gladys to our house for lunch." "Oh! You did? What will I feed them!" It worked out, I found food!! We truly had a good visit and have been friends for years. Bob died in 1947, and Gladys died in 1996. LeVere worked as a carpenter, barber, fisherman, and at various wood working mills. He attends the early church service every Sunday. LeVere's five children, 10 grand-children, and 10 great-grandchildren, plus other family members celebrated his 100th in July (10 months younger than me). They all truly love the Lord like my family does. Praise the Lord!!". Recently Pearl celebrated her 101th birthday with family at a restaurant. it was reported that a Banjo group would play their music. She also had other Glider ride, going up with son Wayne on August 28th, another perfect day, once the sun emerged from behind the clouds.

RON GINTHER

Ron Ginther was instrumental in inviting Evangelist Robert Krebs to drive to PVF to be a speaker at the 2010 reunion. Mr. Krebs mentioned his trip from Colorado to SD in his newsletter. "That night I stayed in my van at a truck strop in Valentine, NE. It has been 103 degrees that day, and it cooled down to 90 degrees - the mosquitoes kept me from having the doors open. The next day, nearing the area of Bryant, SD, there was such a downpour that my wiper blades could not keep up. I traversed a muddied road, and arrived at the farmstead amid downed limbs and children exiting the basement where they had retreated because of concern about a tornado. It was a privilege to meet and talk with the families, and to see all the young people. I had my picture taken with Pearl Ginther, 100, the oldest member of the Stadem family,."

As previously mentioned, a remembrance time was held for Ann Ginther at the Cemetery. Ron wrote a poem to honor the memory of his grandmother. He says they have two beautiful plates that once belonged to her. But her valuable gift is the memory of her great, sacrificial love. She stood by the difficult John Ginther, and loved him too, and was happy in those somewhat hard circumstances with bare necessities on a farm. We couldn't stand that hardscrabble farmlife today, but she flourished there as John's wife. Humble, humble, humble! And no complaining either. She hardly spoke. I don't recall a single word from her. She just lived to serve people and love her husband and her grandkids as her own. Ron also mentioned that Grandpa Alfred Stadem led Grandpa Ginther in the Sinner's Prayer. The poem is as follows:

to mark a life we hold yet dear.

She did not have a claim to fame,

A loving wife was her chief aim.

But there is more she left behind,

She was so gentle, giving, kind.

Her legacy lives in our hearts,

Her faithful love that never departs.

We have our memories too that last

Of visits and childhood joys long past.

A dollar thrust in each small hand,

Good meals with pears that she had canned.

Ponies and horses, beautiful, well-trained -

Those were bright days it never rained.

Grandpa made horses do any trick,

But even he couldn't stop death or getting sick.

He lost our dad when his plane crashed;

It broke his heart, his strong will smashed.

One day as John lay low in bed,

Two grandsons to his side were led.

Grandma stood back and heard them plead,

"Grandpa, the Lord is your greatest need!

We want you in heaven! Please make it sure!"

And Grandma watched the fish circle round hook and lure.

His politics and arguments at last fell flat,

Like a tire rolling over his stove pipe hat.

His grandsons' tears he could not resist,

To God he turned, unclenched his fist.

The few days remaining his soul knew full peace --

It came from salvation that cannot cease.

and...Grandma, too, came to Christ, we can say?

We know some just need [children] to show them the Way.

A NEW GENERATION

A baby boy, Jayden Walter Lyttle, was born on February 26, 2010 to Amy and Jon Lyttle, Mt. Joy, PA. Amy is the daughter of Hudson & Resa Taylor. Cora Taylor is the great-grandmother.

LETTER FROM ALLISON & EMILY LUNDGREN

Dear Friends and Family,

July 2010,

We have returned from our adventures in the great southwest and wanted to let you know how the mission trip to serve the Navajo in the desert of New Mexico succeeded - and succeed it did! Emily Grace and I raised a total of $1,800.00 for the trip - $200.00 over the required amount! All additional monies helped pay for the services we were able to offer, such as, Vacation Bible School, Bingo, Construction Projects, and the Sports Camp. Our many thanks to each of you for your donations, your support and, most of all, your prayers.

Pueblo Pintado (PP) is located in north central New Mexico between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. For the past five years, the Navajo community had enjoyed the yearly visit by members of Sugarloaf United Methodist Church and were, therefore, familiar with this group from Georgia. Numerous Navajo, however, are still reserved and hesitant to initiate conversation or even eye contact and visitors must ask permission to take individual photos. Most Navajo were agreeable to having their picture taken except for a few of the older generation and we resp0ected their wishes. Many people in the community are extremely poor, living with dirt floors and shelters made of various materials such as tarps, clothing, fencing, plastic sheeting, wire, string, yarn, and anything that might provide some protection from the elements. This was an eye-opening for both Emily Grace and me. Sheep, goats, horses, and llamas seem to run freely wherever they wished - sometimes down the middle of the road! Most homes had at least three dogs or more running loose in their yards. The dogs are unvaccinated and unaltered. Due to the distance between homes, the community rarely gets together as a group. The high school, which served as our central location, was new and well-kept. There was a gas station which sold a few basic needs and a senior center, but that was about it. Most Navajo are Christians, however, due to the distances between homes and churches, church attendance was minimal. When we attended the Baptist service on the reservation, there were about three to five other Navajo in attendance in addition to the pastor's wife and daughters. The 86 of us about burst the church wide open!

I worked through the week tiling the floor of the home of an elderly Navajo man and his wife. Mr. Montoya lived in a shack that had been condemned, but his wife who had congestive heart failure had to stay in her daughter's trailer due to the intolerable conditions in her own home. It was her wish to be able to live with her husband in their own home before she died. We laid concrete board the first day and the following days laid square tiles. I made a four-hour round trip drive to the closest Home Depot one day for supplies and prayed I made the right purchases! In addition, five doors had to be returned to the same Home Depot (another four-hour trip) and when the proper sized doors were received later in the week we were able to install them in Mr. Montoya's home. His gratitude for all our wok was heart-warming! Emily Grace helped with the children at Vacation Bible School, community night activities, and "water day" events.

"Bugs for Christ" is an organization that brought out an old beat up VW beetle to refurbish during our one week stay. The plan was to completely repair the vehicle and give it to someone in need on the reservation. This was an inspirational addition to our trip and is a great story to tell. Ben, a Navajo from PP with a wife and two little boys, had hit rock bottom after being out of work for 18 months. He heard that we had arrived and felt that he could no longer sit around his house so he wandered up to the high school and asked if there was anything he could do for us. Quickly, he was put to work on the VW. He had some welding skills but as the week progressed he learned about automobile mechanics. It was decided that due to his unrealities giving to the project and his personal situation that he should be given the car. He was so surprised and thankful! I know that having this car will help him obtain work and get his life back on track for hkis family and himself. That is how God works in the lives of all of us - all we have to do is open our eyes and see the blessings that abound. How happy and thrilled we were for him!

Mostly, I felt the trip was about service to others and being the hands and feet of Christ. We were there to support and lend a hand, not to judge or convert but to lift up these people in love and kindness [the full historic Gospel preaches both the death and expiation of Christ on the Cross for our sins, and his resurrection, plus the hands-on help in practical compassionate aid and feeding and clothing the poor and the widow and orphan, this is historically the classic Wesleyan Gospel preached by John and Charles Wesley of the Methodist church in earlier times--but where the message of salvation is missing today, you get the Social Gospel, but the true saving and reviving Gospel is full-orbed, and conversion, if that occurs, is the will of God, for God cannot be called a white imperialist colonizer, since he is our Creator and Maker, and he is first of all in the business of saving souls, not just bodies; Christ said at one point, "the poor you always have with you," meaning they would not always have him,, so the Father was sending His son not to raise living standards or deliver the people from the Roman oppressors and make them all rich and happy in this world,, but first of all to set free and save souls through the truth of his Grace and birth the Kingdom of God within their sin-darkened hearts and lives.--Ed.] We were also there to offer fellowship. Too often they had no one to worship with or attend a Bible study with - SUMC provided just that and it was received with open hearts and gratefulness. Emily Grace and I are both thankful to have been a small part of something so wonderful. We thank you and we thank God for safe travel., fellowship, and the time spent on the reservation.

CORA STADEM TAYLOR AND FAMILIES

This past February Cora received word of Great Grand Baby Number 31. A boy, Jayden Walter Lyttle , was born on Feb. 26, 2010 to Jon and Amy Lyttle, weighing in at 10 pounds. What a great start! Grandparents are Hudson and Resa Taylor.

Earlier this year Hudson Taylor had a prostate biopsy which showed cancer, but while awaiting a second surgery, news was received that there was NO cancer. What a relief and a great answer from the Lord.

Calvin Taylor reported that he and wife Gwen spent the month of June in Brazil caring for Cora again this year. They helped with the receiving of visitors, and general housekeeping tasks. Calvin, with the help of our sharp missionary candidates, finished translating the first of fourteen volumes of the new revision of "Building on Firm Foundations." Also, the book "Stranger on the Road to Emmaus" was finished for the Muslims who live in Portuguese speaking countries. It is called "All That the Prophets Have Spoken" from GoodSee.com.

Earlier this spring Calvin & Gwen's oldest granddaughter, Amanda Peebles, age 12, had surgery for scoliosis. It was a big surgery on her back, but should be doing well before long.

Carleen Taylor Newton wrote in June that they are again accumulating documents and sheets of information in order to apply for visas in Brazil - this time retirement visas. A side note just learned - on September 20th, a dear lady, Fatima Garcia, who is knowledgeable in government paper work, will be meeting with Dona Ilza, from the Div. of Immigration in the Misterio De Trabalhko e Imprego (Dept. of Work and Labor) to see what can be done regarding the Newtons' visas, which had been denied and placed in the nation's archives. Hopefully the correct answer will come forth after many prayers. We will be sure to let you know with "Great Excitement" when our visa status changes. "Don't give up on us! Mom is doing great. She felt the cold weather, but loved the wonderful care and attention that Calvin & Gwen Taylor gave her during the month of June." In the meantime, Ken & Carleen continue to work and minister to those in need. The following Bible verse spoke to the hope they have as they go where t he Lord leads. "The Lord God hath given me the tonue of the learned, that I should know ho to speak a Word in season to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." Isaiah 50:4

Carleen also relayed a story which is an amazing testimony. Two of our former students in Columbia, a husband and wife team who serve as missionaries in a mountain tribe, were in a bad accident while returning to their home among the Indians. After months of intercessory prayers while the wife, Jacqueline, seemed to be at death's door, her right arm needed to be amputated. This was heartbreaking to us as well as her husband. Now we just received a letter from them, quoting: "We went to the mountains to start getting back into the work. upon our arrival, our house filled up with Indians and their reaction just amazed us. We were surprised and deeply touched as they hugged and kissed me over and over again (It is not their custom to show visible emotion). After the tears, came the questions - wanting to know about the accident six months earlier. They stared at me with sadness. In their culture, you are considered useless if you lose a limb and they truly thought that my days of service were over. Much to their surprise, I was carrying out the same tasks I n our home that I had done before. Above all, they saw inner strength and peace in my life when they expected to see a sad or depressed person. It really is something supernatural, it's the peace that passes all understanding, evidently, it is something they cannot comprehend. It is a testimony to them to witness what God can do in a person who is going through situations that have no quick or logical solutions. That is why I praise Him." Carleen adds, "This beautiful woman, mother of 2 children, blessed with an extra dose of fun and excitement, is the same lovely missionary with an even greater ministry than before. Only God could bring her through this difficult ordeal as He has done. That is why we praise Him and share this with you."

HELLO FROM LIZ & LEE

Perhaps it would interest you to know where I get this "Lee" name. Well, it happened when I went to Green Bay, Wisconsin on my one year of Internship from Luther Seminary. The head pastor of the church I n Green Bay was not very excited about the name Leroy (or LeRoy as it is often spelled, but that is a different story) so he asked what some of my nicknames were. He really didn't feel drawn to any of them either, so he asked if I would like to be called "Lee". I said that would be fine. Now, since Green Bay is where I met my wife, that is the only name that Liz knew for me, until we were among my relatives, that is!

Now, about the name Liz. Even though her folks gave her the name Elisabeth (spelled with an "s" as in the King James version of the bible), her school friends and people in the youth groups called her Liz, so that is how I came to know her name. When she worked at the Mobridge Care Center as Activities Director back I n the early 1980s, one lady resident always called her "Liz Taylor". Uffta!!

So now you know why you know why you hear us called by the names "Liz & Lee". We don't mind our real names. After all LeRoy means THE KING! And Elisabeth is THE QUEEN! Love, Lee--LeRoy, THE KING --And I get burned offering for breakfast once in a while to celebrate that high position!

SVANOE FAMILY UPDATES

Rennard & Grace Svanoe had planned to attend the Stadem reunion until Grace was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumors in May of 2010. He has submitted the following letter to update the relatives on Grace's situation. She entered the hospital shortly after the middle of September.

Dear Family Members,

1103 Avenida Chihuahua

31600 Anahuac, Chihuahua, Mexico

September 21, 2010

"I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be removed." Psalm 16:8

Grace and my relationship began when we worked together in a youth service agency I n 1982, when I was asked to resign as the director. She was one of the only three that stood by me in the staff, and we became personal friends. We worked together in church youth work, a statewide association or runaway children, and with mentally ill men. We volunteered together for a ministry to persons in public housing, including immigrants. Finally with her ability with "Spanish and her knowledge of cultural anthropology, we began leading student groups to a spot in Mexico where we found a small fraternity of Christians with outstanding work in the community. This led to our getting married in 1996 And moving to Mexico in 1999. We have continued our joint ministries, a scholarship program and a family gardening club. Several of you, our dear family, have similar goals in life, and have sponsored Mexican students in the scholarship program called Canyon Scholars.

As many of you know, Grace has cancer pronounced in curable by the specialists here right from the start in May. She underwent ten weeks of chemo & radio therapy at a state-of-the-art oncology center one and a half hours from our home. She is in her third week of rest and is scheduled for testing in 10 days to see if she is strong enough to sustain another course of treatment. She needs to reverse her weight loss, and seemed to do so slightly a week ago. We are living day by day, like the loin cloth of Hosea, and read the Psalm quote at the head of this letter two mornings ago, a favorite of us both.

Since the diagnosis in May, Grace's brain functioning has been normal, but now some confusion has set in. She is struggling both to eat and to walk. We are hoping for two doctors to certify her for writing a will early next week. We have assistance from a neighbor who is a nurse, and a housekeeper with experience also in personal care. "We lack nothing.

The scholarship students have written letters to their sponsors, which needed to be translated before being sent. Grace has now translated 82 of 121 letters from students to their sponsors, with me taking dictation due to the effects of the cancer on her handwriting. This week she stopped even being able to do this. She loves our students, and loves the work. This has kept her going.

if you wish to write her, you may do so at canshol@hotmail.com our new address, or at the address at the head of this letter. She has been the vital link in our program between the American sponsors and the Mexican students for these 10 years. Prayers and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Love, Rennard & Grace, Anahuac, Chihuahua, Mexico

COOKBOOK

Ron, Roberta, & Pearl Ginther have considered putting together a cookbook with Stadem family recipes. They have toyed with only having it available over the internet PVF site, or actually making a book and then either recipes on paper, or a real cookbook.

A number of years ago Eloise Hefty collected quite a few family recipes, and still has them. They would be available to anyone who is willing to work on a cookbook. The cookbook project took back burner, and never advanced! So if anyone is interested, make it known to Eloise Hefty or Ron Ginther.

Thank you to all who provided news for this issue.

On 6 States & 2 Continents,

from Plain View Farm,

Feb. 15, 1950

It was in her heritage collection since 1950, and she may well have read it a number of times, as she was accustomed to rereading her mail, no matter how ancient, to remind herself of past doings and God's blessings lavished over the year on the Stadems as they sought to serve and love God and man.

At the top is written in ink by Alfred, "You sure do not have to read this scrib. Anyway not till you get time to spare."

The letter is first typed on a mimeograph, and the blurry blue copy is poor, so Alfred wrote over the illegible words to make them clear, only it is tough going, but worth the trouble anyway. I really like his testimony about depending on grace, unmerited grace for personal soul salvation, not works of any kind. This proves he knew what soul salvation is based upon--Christ alone, not our own works or righteousness or goodness. The letter is not going to be very preachy, he says, and gets down to very practical descriptions of farm life, and also references to letters already read from loved ones, and Alfred's responses. Yet he is asked for spiritual counsel, and gives some, based on his readings of good books, a devotional, and his own reflections.

This gives us a picture of the whole family at that time, how it was doing spiritually and the things they were concerned with. We are very grateful it was preserved so it could be offered on-line.--Ed.

I have come to realize this is not the kind of a letter you want or expect, but guess it will have to serve the purpose [the mimeographed copy].

Happy to inform you we are well and happy. Have not even had a cold yet this winter, no snowbound yet or floods, blizzards nor cyclones as we hear of elsewhere, no, not even a strike of any kind, but plenty to eat, a good place to sleep, work to do, good books and lots of literature to read and messages of good cheer from friends and dear ones.

What more could a person wish for? True enough all of this would not be worth living for, unless we inclued in the word "happy" the peace with God unmerited on our part. Yet it's there. Yep, it's a good thing the plan of Salvation is not based on works or "do's" and "don'ts", otherwise there sits one here who would be "skunk" on the day of reckoning.

Yet it is evident to me where there is "do's" or "don'ts" the first transaction has not been made! Nope, I'm not going to preach but just write a letter.

Taylors...thanks a 1000 for all we have heard from you. It's all been read and reread with much interest. The "chivante," the round robin through three Hills, the personal letter of Feb. 1st, also of last year. Yes, the "Brown Gold" is read with more interest now that we are better acquainted. And the box arrived and all done as directed, but do not mention that cash item any more unless you want to fight.

To be sure we followed every move at Coohabomba at the family reunion [so this proves there were family reunions going on at PVF back in the late forties!--Ed.]. You were not the only ones bawling!!! Indeed it was sad to hear of the 5 young soldiers for Christ [the five missionaries, Tate, and Jim Elliott, and three other young men of the missionary New Tribes Mission team, killed by the Auca Indians as they were then named--Ed.], have to give their lives. Yet they are to be envied wearing the Martyr's crown to be sure. We are thrilled to hear about "the first nugget." [his reference to "Brown Gold" and an Indian convert?] Expect to meet him in heaven some day.

Now this is the next day allready, 9 p.m. Possibly you say, "what are you doing on P.V.F. anyhow? Well, it's the usual program of course, such as dusting the barn and what goes with 27 head of cattle, 5 horses, 6 hogs, 8 sheep, dog and cats, and 200 hens, etc. It takes a tremendous lot of water every day, 10 to 15 gallons for hens alone. Hope my young lady does not help me with this either. She has her stoves, dishes, food and patching, etc. And of late she has been writing letters to the lawmakers of Washington. She gets answers too [so is her Mama where Ruth got her example to write publicly with a Christian viewpoint to express on issues? If only we had copies of those letters and the responses from lawmakers!--Ed.].

Well, the other day to Co-op, and tied a quilt. Today she made two big boxes of soap.

I just mended water-pails and tin cans and put a iron band on the butterchurn for extra.

Loren [Lorin Ginther, recovering from rheumatic fever] is allowed to be outside now so he goes down and gets the mail, and visit Waldows. He is feeling O.K. but his temp. runs irrigular yet. Dr. said Fri. to try a month without remedie now. Am sure you all know by now Darrel expect he will pass the 8th Gr. this spring. Sure a different boy then he ever was.

It's 9 p.m. on the day after the day yesterday. The daily grind was not so different, only for the extra an old man and a man-to-be [Lorin] drove down to the old Bill Brown place with two plugs on the twowheel trailer and brought home an old binder I bought on an auction sale last fall.

We took along the rifle for protection as we do not want the big jackrabbits to run over us. Well, one just would not get up and go, so we took and shot him. My [aim] did not do so much extra to crow about. Just washed dirty cloths.

AND this is the day after the day after that. Yes, Sonney Bill [son-in-law Bill Svanoe], your letter from Tucson is at hand and read thrice, also the group letters and cards sent by Myrtle and it will all be on the way tomorrow. Thanks for it all, not the least for wanting our humble opinnion about the whole matter.

Frankly, I must say I do not know what to say about it, and I'm curious to see this what follows myself. Yes, indeed we have prayed about this in particular in addition to asking God every day to guide all our dear ones in all they do and say, and direct us all in our individual problems, but most of all to the wellfare of our immortal souls.

Will say at the outset, that we do believe you are following the right course so far. We are indeed happy you have the desire to step out more fully for the Lord and of service in His kingdom. We believe in the Christian's life the Lord creates the desire. What I mean is "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord"--Ps. 27:14

And the result will be "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."--Is. 40:31. That's to be in His will.