11/30/19...Bill was honored to do the memorial service of Sergeant Major Ken Rice today.

Beautiful big woodpecker on the feeder this morning

Bill getting ready to do the memorial service

Bill did an amazing job on the Memorial Message

Pat and Rich Dudek (He borrowed Bill's coat, that's why his name says Bill)  He was in the army, but is an honorary Marine Corp. League Member.  He just finished chemo and 28 radiation treatments and was able to be at the service and dinner afterward today.  He's a miracle for sure!

I cleaned out the kernel burner.  I read up on the ash vacuum, and found out it probably quit because the motor overheated.  I went out in the garage where Bill was going to work on it and just plugged it in and it worked great.  It worked great and I was able to get it vacuumed out good.  It took a few minutes for the fire to start up because the wind was blowing down the chimney, but it started up.  Talked to Vikki and she was taking Peyton to see the movie Frozen.  I would have went with them, but had to be at the memorial service.  Went to the funeral home, and the Patriot Guard was lined up by the door.  I saw Ralph Loux in the line.  He said hi to me as I passed by.  Pat and Rich told me they saved a seat by them for me.  Then Dorothy Franz came and told me she and Dutch saved a seat by them.  Luckily it was in the same row and their was only one extra seat.  

I talked with Ken's 93 yr. old wife and also their daughter before I sat down.  The service was very touching with all the military ceremonies and testimonies of Ken's life.  Bill did so good on giving the Memorial Message.  I was very proud of him.  He sure glorified the Lord, and asked people to repeat a salvation prayer after his message.  Most everyone did!  What a wonderful man of God he is.  Abby was happy to see me when I got home.  She was happy to see Bill too and followed him right in the bathroom when he went in there ha ha.  It was sprinkling when I came home, so I called texted Melissa to see if she wanted me to drop Abby off at their house so they didn't have to drive here to get her.  I dropped her off and left the light on so she could see.  She sure was a good dog, and I loved having her around.  I called Melissa after I dropped her off, to let her know the rain stopped here.  Bill and I watched a Hallmark Christmas Movie.

Fri., 11/29/19...Ate breakfast and then left the Shack.

On our way home we were outnumbered by Amish Carriages on this road

Abby found a comfy spot right away

She sure is a hard dog to take care of ha ha!

We went to the main building for breakfast and had scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal, toast, peaches, yogurt and fresh fruit.  Booked our room for next year before we left.  Bill drove Charlie's Flex, and we headed to Blanchard.  We went to Loafer's Glory, and Sue and I did some shopping while Bill and Charlie had coffee and cinnamon rolls.  Bill ordered me a cinnamon roll to take home because I was still too full.  Sue and I walked next door and went to two other shops we always go to.  We used to go to Blanchard for Praise Unto Jesus when the kids were young.  

We had a nice drive back.  Picked up our car from Charlie and Sue's and came home and unpacked.  

Moved furniture and got the tree up branches spread out.  Will decorate it in the morning. 

Thanksgiving, Thurs., 11/28/19...Another blessed Thanksgiving with friends at the Shack

Bill walking to breakfast

Snowing out our room window

Building in background will be the new kitchen

Adam in Georgia

Eli in Georgia

Love this picture of the Russell Thanksgiving in Georgia

Guest house where the Russells all stay in Georgia

Eli

Eli

Eli and Jared in Georgia

Bill, Charlie and Sue eating Thanksgiving Dinner

Sue, Bill, and Charlie.  We played Euchre and Bill and I sure got the good cards.  We won all the but last game and only lost it by 1 point.

Some serious card players

Bill helping again.  Charlie and Sue getting their banana splits

Our room this year...Hot tub in far corner.  Fireplace and television

Looking from our building to the main building where we eat

Read my Bible and started thanking God for who He is and all of His Goodness and mercy.  We walked over for breakfast at 8. Ate with Charlie and Sue.  The ground was white with a light layer of snow!  It’s supposed to be 38 degrees today.  Watched the Thanksgiving Parade.  We took a drive to Big Rapids. Saw a Tom, hen and lots of young turkeys cross the road in front of us. We waited for them to cross in front of us.  Came back and relaxed a little before dinner.  We went to the main building to play euchre.  Dad and I got great cards and won 2 out of 2 games.  We ate tender roast beef, turkey casserole, potatoes, salads, cranberry jello and bread pudding. Everything was delicious.

Went back and played more cards until it was banana split time.  We won another game and then Charlie and Sue won the last game by a point.  Bill sure was happy and I was pretty happy myself.  Banana Splits were delicious again.  Marv, the owner, was dishing up the ice cream tonight.  We watched a movie on the Christian Network and then went to bed.

Wed.,11/27/19, Went to the Shack

Hailey in front of Bruce and Melissa's new car...she is hoping it is hers someday

Bill all settled in our room

My Banana Split..YUM!

Bill serving water during banana split hour

Sue and Charlie enjoying their banana splits...Lots of Amish people eating theirs too! 

Went to Charlie and Sue’s at 8:15 a.m.  Bill drove us in their Flex.  We stopped at Chrystal fountain Restaurant for breakfast. It was delicious.  It rained a little on the way and was windy.   We went to the Amish store in Fremont.  Bought some Christmas cards, molasses cookies and candy.  Also got a surprise for Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki for Christmas.  Loved our room 163 at the Shack.  Charlie and Sue are right next to us.  Marc, the owner,  was happy to see us.  He told us how every night he tells Jesus he can’t wait to see him  and spend eternity, and also see his sweetheart again, his wife Jeanette.  He’s so sweet.  We talked to some very nice people.   Ate a great roast beef, chicken and fish dinner. We played Euchre.  At 8 we all had banana splits.  Relaxed in the hot tub before bed

Tues11/26/19., Went to Special Friend day At Bethlehem School. Bill and Charlie took Roy home from the hospital

Me and Evan in Chapel.  Love this sweet boy!

Charlie, Max and Sue in chapel...love this sweet boy too!

Evan and I made this turkey trap...everyone had to come up with  their own design

Evan had to give a demonstration how it worked.  He shared that the sticks could be raised to let the turkey back out.  Kindhearted boy!

We had juice and cookies afterward

Bill, Iain and Jack

Iain got them both good ha ha

Ornaments Jack and Papa made

Bill and I went to Special Friend Day.  Charlie and Sue were already there.  There was a lineup out the door and halfway down the parking lot.  Special friends all went to chapel and found our students.  Jack came looking for Papa,  I went and got Max for Charlie and Sue, and Evan was asking his teacher if he could come sit by me when I went to find him.  The chapel was really a good one with a great message.  Mr. Holcomb gave the message and also led us in worship.  He sang really good worship songs.  We prayed for our student and the student prayed for their Special friend which was really nice.  We went to their classroom afterward to make something together.  

Bill and Charlie left the school to go pick Roy up from the hospital in Bay City and take him home. I took Sue home.  Packed for our trip.  I called Adam to see how many steps he had, thinking I would beat him because he was riding so much.  He still had twice as many as I had from gym in the morning.  We went to see "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and then went to Culvers for a burger and concrete mixer.  Love how kind Mr. Roger's was and how he sincerely reached out to people.  Kimmy and Jared made it to their motel in Tennessee.  

Monday, 11/25/19...Took Roy to hospital for stent procedure

Roy...such a sweet, kind, sharp man of God

Peyton with the balloon she made...Very cute!

Rob, Shannon and James

Shannon and James 

Isaac with his balloon..most made animals, but Isaac made an I phone 11. He is so much like Rody

We went to pick up Roy at 6:20 a.m.  He was supposed to have stent put in at 7:30, but it was 9:15 before they took him back to do it.  We went to the cafeteria and had breakfast while we waited.  We went through the gift shops. I found a cute snowman with clips to hand pictures for my gift to take to our CMA leadership Christmas party.  We walked out to the car and put it in.  Went back up to the waiting room.  When they called our names, we went back to recovery to see Roy.  When we went to see Roy in recovery, the nurse said the doctor only did one stent, Roy was bleeding around the plug, his blood pressure dropped and he had to lay flat and be in recovery for six hours. We were a little nervous.  We prayed for God to work it out for good because Roy loves him and is the called according to his purpose.  We called Roy's wife, Marie and had her pray too.The doctor came in and said he only did one stent because when he got in there, the one they thought was 90% blocked was 80% blocked, the one they thought was 70% blocked was only 40%.  They put a sheath in to put and instrument in on the left side, to check and see if the plug which was bleeding closed and it did.  His blood pressure stabilized.  God sure did work it out for good.  We are thanking and praising God. Talked to my friend Vikki.  Sure was good to talk to her.  Melissa called to say she got called for Jury Duty again.  They sure call her a lot.  She also told me Hailey got her Brio Magazine and was so happy.  Peyton and Isaac had a cute balloon parade with the balloons the kids all made.  It was so cute.  Love their balloons.  Bill and I took naps when we got home from the hospital.  Mailed some cards out.  Ate turkey leftovers.  Talked to Kimmy.  She showed me her beautiful Christmas tree up.  Bill and I watched Hallmark movie.  I did my blog and newsletter and Bill did the funeral he will be doing. I was happy to get pictures of Shannon, Rob and James today.