Tuesday, 10/20/26, are breakfast at the pavalion. Sat with Russ,Marsha, Mel and Betty, went on ride at 1 through the Rich Mountains and Talimena Mountains. So much fun on this beautiful 80 degree day, stopped at Queen Wilhemena Lodge for a bathroom break, decided to go to Taco Tuesday in Hatfield, Went by our campground on the way and Ron, Barb, Wes, Gayla, Jim and Bev were all waiting to pull out after us as we went by. They followed us to the Taco place. This taco place was the best and was authentic Mexican food, went to a new place in town after that, then back to campground

Had leadership sessions again today

Beautiful day for a ride.  Sunny and in the 80’s

Marsha, Russ, Bill, Cindy, Lew, Paul, Debbie and Ziggy. 

Ziggy, me and Bill

Taco Tuesday...Wes and Gayla ordering, Bill talking to Ziggy, Lew and Cindy across from Marsha and Russ, Ron standing and Barb sitting in the background, Paul and Jim too

Jim, Bev behind him, Ron, Barb, Ziggy waving, Cindy behind him, Lew on right, Debbie at end of first table, Paul

Bill and I on blue motorcycle, Paul and Debbie on maroon motorcycle,Bev on white Spider, Jim on red bike next to her 

Us and Ziggy riding to get ice cream

We went to the new ice cream shop in Mena.  They had little Jesus’s around, some in cars, and a cross on the wall.  They get their ice cream from Michigan.  Super good ice cream and fun time.  Jim, Bev, Debbie, Paul, Me, Bill, Marsha across from me,  Lew and Cindy at far table.  Ron and Barb at table on right.  Ziggy and Russ still getting ice cream at counter.

Had breakfast at the pavilion.  We sat with Russ, Marsha, Mel and Betty.  At 1 we went on a ride through the Rich Mountains and Talimena Mountains.  The day was so beautiful, with  beautiful skies, warm temperatures.  After we had gone some distance and stopped at two not usable bathrooms, we stopped at Queen Wilhelmina Lodge and used their nice bathrooms.  We decided not to eat there, but went to Taco Tuesday in Hatfield, John and Holly Ogden’s favorite taco place.  We went by our campground on our way and Ron, Barb, Wes, Gayla, Jim and Bev were all waiting to pull out when we went by to follow us.  The taco place was so good with amazing food.  We had such a fun time.  After we left there, we went to a new ice cream shop in town and had ice cream.  Everyone but Wes and Gayla came.  What a great day enjoying God’s nature and his people.

 

Monday, Monday10/19/26, Went to breakfast at pavilion at 8, Had training till noon, then lunch, then back at 1:30 for more classes til 3, an supper at 5:30, then back for worship and prayer, Ziggy got here during worship and prayer and joined in for an hour, then we came back to camper and Ziggy got his stuff all in and put away.

Ben and Rachael did a great job as National Youth Leaders explaining the generations and describing each one and encouraging us to reach out to youth

Bill listening to the speaker

Kimmy with her new Bible. It’s so pretty.   I love that my girls are excited about their Bibles.

Bruce, Jack and Melissa on Kaylin’s prom night.  Jack looking great for his date.

Jack and Kaylin ready to go to her prom this time

We went to breakfast at the pavilion at 8.  They had pancakes, scrambled eggs, oatmeal with lots of toppings, sausage and biscuits and gravy.  It sure tasted good.  It’s so nice that they feed us all of our meals during leadership training.  Nice that we get to camp the two weeks or as long as we want for free too.  We had training until noon, then we ate lunch.  We went into the goodie store and shopped with our gift certificates.  After our hour and a half lunch break, we went back for more classes until 3.  We visited with friends, then went back to the pavilion for dinner and had ice cream for dessert.  When worship and prayer started at 7.  It was an awesome service.  Ziggy got here about an hour before it was over, so came in and joined in.  He came and greeted us with hugs and visited with everyone.  Then Bill, Ziggy and I walked up to our camper and Ziggy got settled in and got his sleeping bag and pillows put on the bed that lowers.  We all talked for a long time, then read our Bibles. We decided what time we would each get up, so we could have bathroom time.  It was about 10:30 when we went to bed.  

 

Sunday, 10/18/26, Happy Birthday Kimmy and Vikki, We love you so much and wish we were there with you! Went to breakfast, went to the Crossing for church, came back to the camper, left at 1:20 to ride up to Queen Mt. Wilhemena for dinner, to Pavilion at 5, but we didn’t eat the free dinner, we were too full. Had a piece of cake. Jerod and Jeniffer led worship and did an awesome job, John Ogden Sr. welcomed us and gave a good message

Happy Birthday my beautiful twins....I love you both so much and I am so thankful for you both

They got their free Starbucks drinks

Kenzie stopped over with sweet Rehvyn so they got to enjoy them on their special day

Adam holding Rehvyn, Kenzie

Adam and Vikki

Bill in front of the Skyline Cafe where we ate 

We rode up the mountain to Queen Wilhelmina
State Park

Bill, me, Mel, Cindy, Lew, Betty on the bike, Gayla, Barb, Ron, Wes, Lucy and Al at Scenic Overlook on our way up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park

Ron and Barb 

Cindy and Lew

Me and Bill

Cindy taking a picture of Ron and Barb with Lew watching

Barb and Susie at their campsite

 We made sure to call Vikki and Kimmy to wish them happy birthday.  We called Vikki and didn’t get her so she called back while we were at the Skyline Cafe during breakfast.  We sang happy Birthday to her and everyone at our table joined in.  We were with Mel and Betty, and Al and Lucy.  Then we called Kimmy and sang happy to her.  Jared took the day off so we got to talk to him too.  I sure miss being with them on their birthday.  Thankful for being able to FaceTime with them.  I love that they celebrate together and that Melissa and Hailey got to hang out with them too.

We went to the Crossing Church after breakfast.  Worship was absolutely awesome.  Jared, his daughter and son in law were all on the worship team, plus lots others.  They sang some Elevation songs and were so anointed.  The message was a great one too.  The pastor was led to the Lord by Herb Shreve’s when he was 7.  Herb was the founder of CMA.

After church, we came back to the camper and relaxed.  At 1:20, a group of us left to ride up to Queen Mount Wilhelmina State Park, which is one of our favorite mountain rides.  It was a beautiful day in the high 70’s.  We ate lunch at the Lodge restaurant.  I had my favorite chicken Alfredo there.  I took half home with me for later.  We had a nice ride back to Iron Mountain and went and sat in the pavilion lunch area.  They were serving a free meal for us, but we were too full still, so we just had a piece of cake.  

Jerod and Jennifer led worship and Jim played the piano.  It was awesome worship.  Then John Ogden Jr. welcomed us and gave a great message.  We went back to the camper and played 3-13 and a game of dice.  Both were close games.  

I organized some pictures for my blog.  We went to bed at 11:30.

Wed. 10/17/26, Cold morning 40 degrees, got up to 65 degrees and sunny, last day for sleeping in, lots of friends arrived today and more arrive tomorrow and Monday, dinner at Pavilion in the evening, did a couple of walks

We set up our table in the morning...green is land, blue is water under the Mackinaw bridge

Evan and Lydia

Beautiful Maple cake Bruce made.  Melissa said it was delicious and sent me a picture.  She is blessed with great cooks and bakers in her family

We slept in for the last day.  It was 40 degrees out when I got up.  It was toasty in the camper.  I turned the electric fireplace on and it was nice and cozy.  Bill got up a half hour after I did.  I had my coffee made and my Bible almost read and had his coffee all set to just press the button.  

We got a text from Jane saying she had our tables for the North Central Region marked.  I dried my hair and did it after my shower, then we went down and decorated our Michigan table.  Then a while later we got a text from Jane saying we couldn’t decorate until 5:30.  It was too late.  A few states had already decorated their table by the time that message came out.  Oh, well, we know for next year now as they announced it at dinner in the evening.

Our area reps, Mel and Betty, drove by and told us where they were going to set their tent up.  We met our neighbors that pulled in next to our spot.  They are goodie reps. and know our good reps. Al and Lucy.  Coleen told me that she and Dan got here and unloaded their goodies, then saw our goodie reps and helped them unload.  Shortly after, we saw Al and Lucy pull in, so we went to see them and helped them while they were setting up.  We visited with their neighbors who were area reps, but aren’t any longer.  Their names were Bev and Barry.  They were so nice.  CMA is a great place to meet the nicest people.

Lew and Cindy got here tonight too.  They came to our camper around 5 and we all walked down to the pavilion for dinner.  We saw lots of friends there.  We got to hug and talk to our previous National Evangelists, Raylean and Roger.  They are always the sweetest and make everyone feel special. We sat with Al, Lucy, Lew, Cindy, Mel and Betty for dinner.  They had nacho and taco bars to go to, then had ice cream cones or dishes of ice cream for dessert.  We visited with our State Coordinator friends, Tracy and Bear, and also talked to Ben who is the National Youth leader.  As we were leaving we saw Brian, Eric, Jim and Linda.  We are going to volunteer with Jim and Linda and others for hospitality sometime this week.  Waiting to hear what day.  

Bill and I played 3-13 and he won, but not by a lot.  Then we played dice and I won.

Friday, 10/16/26, Windy and Cold, Only got up to 53 degrees here in Arkansas, went for two walks, ate at Papa’s Mexican Restaurant, played 3-13, so much fun just hanging out together. Tomorrow many of our friends get here, praying for their safe trip

One of these three puppies will be ours.  They are all so cute!

Bill relaxing outside.  We had to put our awning in because it was so windy with 44 mph gusts

We took a beautiful ride on another amazing country road

Max and Wookie in Muskegon. They went there to look at the huge waves.  Melissa took videos.  So amazing to see waves like that.  Wow! 

It was cold and wet there.  Melissa knows how to bundle up

The waves were going right over the lighthouse.  They were also going over the pier not to far behind Melissa and Bruce

Melissa took this picture of the beautiful sunset

This kiddo looks so cute.  I sure am missing my sweet boy!

 Got up at 8:30 today.  It was cold outside in the low 50’s with high winds and gusts up to 44 mph.  We put our awning in last night when it started getting windy.  We saw it was supposed to get really windy today, so we kept it in.  We got ready and ate cereal for breakfast.  At noon, we went for a walk around the whole campground so got a mile walk in.  We walked extra trying to find Al and Lucy’s spot so Bill could take a picture of it and send it to them.  We came back and played a game of 3-13.  I won by over 100 this time.  We went for another walk after we were done.  I talked to Vikki and Kimmy on the phone a lot.  We had a group call.  They were excited that they got their free birthday breakfast at Denny’s and it was so good.  I love how they can go together and get the same birthday treats.  Another nice thing about being twins.  We met a lady named Karen here who is a twin.  She loved that our twin had twins.  She and her husband Dan were so nice.  We came back to the camper for a while and sat outside.  It was very nice out there with the sun shining.  In the evening, we went on some rides down back roads.  They were so much fun to ride on.  We had seen these roads and wondered where they went, so decided to explore.  What a fun time.  They were in the woods so the wind didn’t bother us.  Just enjoyed riding on them.  We went to Papa’s Mexican Restaurant after we were done riding.  Bill had nachos and I had a wet burrito.  I got the lunch special, since we were there before 5.  The food was really good and we both brought some home.  We also brought lots of chips and salsa home.  

It was starting to cool down more on our ride back to the campground.  We were both dressed warm though and I have a heated seat so didn’t get cold.  We played another game of 3-13 which I lost by a few points and then played dice which I won by a few points.  We sure are enjoying our time together.  

I worked on my blog after that.