Tues, 2/28/23,

 Beautiful peaceful morning.  Pretty Cardinal looking pretty in the sunshine!

Hailey, Melissa and me at Buffalo Wild Wings before the concert!

Me, Melissa, Brenda and Dan

Hailey in the middle, ready for the concert to start

Hailey playing her French Horn in the University of Michigan Band.  She did a great job!

Picture after they were done playing

Hailey's Grandma and Grandpa Royce, Hailey and me

Dan, Brenda, Hailey and Melissa

Melissa and Hailey after the concert with the music building in the background

Deer along side the road a little ways before our driveway on my way home.  I had just been telling Hailey grandma and papa about how I always pray that God holds the deer back and how he has always done that for me.  The first time I started was in the 1980s when about six deer surrounded my car when I was driving and it was almost unbelievable how I didn't hit any of them  I thanked God and I have been praying and seeing him protect me from them ever since.  I had been telling them about God's protection after the concert when Brenda mentioned hoping they wouldn't hit any deer on the way home.  She had hit one not too long ago.  This was exciting to have happen the same night and see them just stand there for a long time and go back the way they came.

They took about 4 minutes to decide where they were going to go so I took more pictures

They finally ran back the way they came.

Our friends, the Wades use to live in this house on the blueberry farm.  Yesterday it was on fire.  So sad!

It was a beautiful morning, in the mid 30's with the sun shining.  Bill took the garbage out, then went to meet Ross for mentoring.  Ross ended up calling him to say he couldn't make it til later, so Bill went to Sam's to get protein drinks.  I had my coffee and oatmeal which was yummy.  Kimmy's boys didn't have school because the roads were still bad.  They got lots more snow and wind than we did.  I'm glad Kimmy didn't have to drive on the roads.  Yesterday was stressful enough for her and many others too from the pictures I've seen.

Bill came home and we did our Bible reading and study.  We watched a couple of Ozzie and Harriet episodes, then Bill left to meet Ross and shortly after I headed to Aldi, then Salvation Army Store, then to pick up Melissa at 4:15.  It was 39 and sunny out and just a beautiful day for a drive.  We got to U of M around 5:20 and picked Hailey up by the Library.  Hailey picked Buffalo Wild Wings to go eat at. She got a burger and Melissa and I each got the 3 piece chicken tender meal.  Yum:  Best chicken tenders I've eaten.  We also got the sampler nacho chips with Salsa, Guacamole, and Queso.  Yum again!  We all were sure full when we left there.  Hailey showed us how to get to the Music Building, then we took and dropped her off at her dorm so she could get ready and we went back to the Music Building to get good seats.  The wind band, the Symphony Band and then Hailey's band played.  They were all amazing.  Hailey did great and I am so proud of her.  She's going to both services at her church now so she can teach 5th graders and then in the other service, just be in the service.  She is going on Spring Break with her Christian friends to Tennessee.  

She is pretty excited about that and I am excited for her.  When the concert was over, we waited for her to finish talking to her friends, then we took pictures with her.  Melissa and I went to dropp her off at her dorm after she said goodbye to her other grandma and papa after the concert.  They had a 2 hour drive back to Muskegon.  We got to Hailey's dorm, and Bruce called asking us to drop her off at Texas Roadhouse.  Her other grandparents decided they wanted to spend more time with her instead of going home right away.  So nice for all of them.  Hailey ran her French Horn and Music upstairs to her dorm, then came back down and we took her to drop her off to eat with them.  Melissa and I headed home.  When we got to Hemlock, we used a coupon and Melissa treated us to Mocha Frappe's.  We talked to Vikki before we stopped there and then again after we were on the road again.  It was such a fun night.  Bill was sleeping when I got home at 11:15.  I went to bed around midnight.

 

Monday, 2/27/23, Ice/Snow storm mix, I walked on the treadmill, Bill went to breakfast with Charlie, cleaned kernel burner

Oatmeal with honey, raisins, blueberries and bananas for breakfast and coffee in a Kimmy mug. 

Brielle's eye is doing so much better

It was snowing such big flakes and was so beautiful I took a video out the laundry room window

This picture was posted by a friend of ours.   This isn't far from where Kimmy was driving. Yikes!

I walked two miles in the morning.  So thankful for the treadmill because it really gets my heart rate up there.  I listened to songs on my playlist and worshipped while I was walking.  That sure makes time go fast.  Bill yelled down goodbye, then left to have coffee with Charlie and to do some errands.  I made my oatmeal and had my coffee after walking.  Then I cleaned the Kernel burner good.  It started right up, so that was great.  Did a few loads of laundry and heard it really start sleeting out, then started snowing super big flakes.  It was beautiful out, even though I don't really want sleet or snow.    

I did my praying and Bible Study lesson on James 3.  Talked with Kimmy, Vikki and Melissa and texted with Maddy. 

Kimmy called me when she got done at Meijer's and came out and saw she had 4 inches of snow on her van window.  She only had a small scraper, but some nice man cleared her windows with his big scraper he had.  She was nervous driving because she couldn't

see because of whiteouts and the roads hadn't been plowed so she couldn't really tell where the edge of the road was.  I sure prayed for her and for everyone else in our family driving in that awful stuff.  Prayed for all who had to be out in it to be safe.  Jared was in whiteouts too, but made it home before Kimmy, because Kimmy was stuck in traffic at the boy's school because cars were getting stuck.  She called me when she got home and I sure was happy to hear they were there safe.  Jared had the driveway plowed, since he had gotten stuck and Adam had to push him.  Glad Kimmy could get in without getting stuck.  Good thing Jared's got that nice tractor so he could get it done fast.  What a relief to hear that everyone was home safely.  Didn't hear about Kenzie until 9 but was happy to hear then.  

Melissa called and invited me to Hailey's concert tomorrow night.  She only has 2 more concerts so we are excited to get to go.  

Sunday, 2/26/23, Met Ziggy for breakfast at the hotel, went to Ogemaw Hills Free Methodist Church, snacks afterward, left for home, stopped at Kimmy's, stopped at Midland Hospital, went to see Jesus Revolution

Wyatt wanted to be in the picture with Jacob

Adam

Eli and Jack having fun.  

Jacob, Jared and Bill...nice day, almost 40 and sunny

Watched this squirrel while eating at the Riverside

We met Ziggy for our continental breakfast at the hotel.  After breakfast, we went to the 8:45 church service. Great worship and a great message.  They had snacks, coffee, chocolate milk and orange juice after church for everyone.  We said goodbye to our friends, then headed home.  We listened to our church service online on our way home.  We stopped at Kimmy and Jared's on our way, since we were close to their house.  I sure was happy to see them all.  

It was a special treat to see Jack too, since he was there spending time with Eli.  We stopped to pray for Lew at the hospital on our way home.  He is our friend who will be having 3 bypasses done this week some time.  He is only 62 and just found out at his regular doctor appt. he has heart problems and has had 2 small heart attacks.  We also thanked God for his protection over him and not having a major heart attack.  His wife Cindy was there and prayed with us.  We all had a nice visit.  Before we left, their daughters came so we got to meet them too.  

We stopped at Riverside Restaurant and Bill had breakfast and I had a Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwich that was so good.  We were happy to get home sweet home.  Kit Kat came to greet me.  I gave her some snacks. 

We unpacked everything, called Vikki to let her know we were going to the Jesus Revolution movie so she could go with us if she wanted, then took a short nap, until it was time to go to the movie.  Mike and Katie were coming out of the movie theater when we were going in.  We were happy to see them.  Mike told us to take lots of kleenex in with us.  They loved the movie.  We saw his mom, dad an sister Ann inside.

The movie was so moving.  I did cry through it and God used it to touch my heart.  We both thought it was an awesome movie.  It was a based on a true story, and we remember all this happening.  This movie needs to be seen by everyone.  We saw Pastor Rick Webb on our way out and talked to him.  He had his son with him and 3 other kids he said were like sons. They had seen the movie and loved it too.  He had taken a large group of youth to see it on Friday in Midland, but these kids didn't make it so he didn't want them to miss out.  He has an amazing ministry to youth.  What a blessing!

We watched a couple of You Tube videos Vikki had sent us to watch which were very good too.  

 

Sat. 2/25/23, Breakfast at the hotel, last day of Seasons at church, dinner At Lumberjack’s, Ziggy passed on State Coordinator stuff to Bill

Kimmy and Jared’s sheep had twin lambs today.  They are so cute!

Our Faith Riders group at Seasons- Luis, Eva, Bill, me, Ron, Barb, Elaine, Don, Isaac, Jerdon, Michelle, Gayla, Mike, and Wes

Kathy and Jeff leading worship 

Great picture someone took of worship time

Ziggy with motorcycle in background. Last event as state coordinator.  He did a great job!

Bill leading the pledges and mission statement.

We got ready, did our Bible reading and prayer time, then went and had breakfast with Wes and  Gayla in our hotel.  Went to the church afterwards and had time of prayer, worship, and a great message from Jay.  Lots of other good stuff from our Run For the Son ministries we support.  This year CMA will probably reach the 100 Million Dollar amount that has been raised through RFS for the Jesus Film, Mission Ventures and Open Doors. There were 170 registered for this including children which was great, especially with the snow storm!

The youth put on a wonderful potato bar and chili for our lunch.  The lunch was just by donations that all went to the youth of the church. They cleared $2,000 after expenses were subtracted.   

After the closing service, the officers had their training.  Most of the rest of us helped pack up Goodies and then the guys loaded Al and Lucy’s trailer with the stuff.  

22 of us went to Lumberjack’s for dinner.  We had a fun time visiting.  We came back to our hotel room and Ziggy came to bring Bill the State Coordinator stuff he had.  Bill is going to be acting State Coordinator and they submitted an application for him to be approved by the Board of Directors to become the State Coordinator.  I am very proud of him and how he is always willing to serve the Lord.  We prayed over Ziggy as he will be taking care of his 96 year old mom with his sister to keep her in her home that she loves.  

I talked to Vikki and FaceTimed with her and messaged with Kenzie!  

Friday, 2/24/23, Breakfast at our hotel, set up Goodies, Lunch at Big Boy, Seasons of Refreshing started, went to Made in America store, Worship and Service, Pizza

Posting of the Colors 

Jane sharing a message 

Michelle and Lydia…Lydia in her CMA Kid vest

Evan’s first time skiing! He did great. His clas went to Snow Snake Sik Resort. Bruce went too.

 

Thursday, 2/23/23, snow billowed and shoveled again, Bill had VA appt. , Came to West Branch, ate at G’s, relaxed, went to Lumberjack restaurant for dinner

Looking out our sliding glass door this morning 

Me at G’s by the bear.  Reflection of window from behind Bill

Bill relaxing! We are sleeping close to the bridge tonight!

Bill snow blowed the driveways and I shoveled a path on the deck and the front porch. I talked to Vikki for a while.  Bill showered and then went to his VA appointment.  It was a good appointment.  All his pre test results for his upcoming bladder and prostrate tests were good and they told him his chances of having cancer are small.  Great news!  Thanking Jesus!

When he got home, we finished packing, had some toast and coffee, and left for West Branch.  The roads weren’t too bad, slushy in some spots.  We got to our destination at about 1:40.  We couldn’t check in to our motel until 3, so we looked for a car wash because the truck had so much dirty snow on the sides of it.  One looked too small and the other car wash was closed.  Bill decided to go in one where you wash it yourself.  Nice to have all that cleaned off.  We went to G’s pizza and each got a 7” pizza!  Yum! It was delicious.

We checked into our motel and relaxed in our nice room for a while.  In the evening we went to the Lumberjack Restaurant and ate dinner with Ziggy and Tiny.  I had the half order of pan fried cod.  It was so good.  Jay and Jane called to say they and Al and Lucy were coming to the restaurant we were at in a half hour.  We waited for them and while they ate, we had half desserts.  I had strawberry shortcake and Bill had brownie and ice cream dessert.  We visited for a long time, then came back to our hotel and relaxed more.

Wed., 5/22/23, All the schools in our area were closed, Bill had an appt., I worked lots on my Bible Study, made cookies, watched a movie

Big difference from sunshine yesterday.  Today it's snow on the windows.

A squirrel decided to eat with the birds.  Cardinal and woodpecker on the feeders

I shoveled the deck off to help Bill.  He tried to come finish,  but I had him go in because I was almost finished

Bill snow blowing with the tractor.  All the paths are what he did, plus the driveway, sidewalks and back by the shed

Baked Chocolate Crackle Cookies 

We slept in this morning.  We had about an inch of snow and it was still snowing and really started blowing.  Bill had a follow up  appointment at the pain clinic.  I worked a lot on my Bible Study lesson, and got lots done.  So good studying the book of James. 

I fed the birds early so they could eat lots before the really bad weather came.  There were so many birds eating out there.  I need to get more bird seed now.  

Talked to all of the girls!  Nice they didn't have to drive in this weather.  I baked cookies after dinner to take with us to Seasons of Refreshing.  We watched a couple of movies.  One was another Left Behind movie.  

 

So nice eating lunch and seeing the sun shine brightly in.  Cardinal is on the bird feeder out the window.

Vikki found these three things at Goodwill for me.  She always finds the best stuff.  Below are pictures of where I put them.

 

 

 

Bill went out with Charlie for breakfast.  I'm so glad Charlie can swallow better since his surgery.  He is also feeling much better after they took almost 2 liters of fluid off one lung and I'm not sure how much they got off the other.  I made a couple of eggs and some toast for breakfast to have with my coffee this morning.  I called the doctor to make an appointment.  I was able to go a couple of hours later.  I got a really itchy rash on my back from something.  She said we may never know what it's from, but ordered me a prescription for some itch cream and also had me get Zertec to take.  We are planning on going to our Season's of Refreshing for CMA on Thursday, so wanted it taken care of before then.  

I got some groceries while I was out since it looks like a good storm is coming for certain tomorrow and Thurs.  I got everything I needed from Aldi's, then headed home.  Read chapter 3 in James for my Bible Study lesson. 

Bill and I went to get gas for 90 cents off a gallon, went to the bank, went to the township hall, and then went to Midland to drop some papers off.  Vikki called me.  She found some really nice stuff for my house at Goodwill.  She is always so good at remembering what everyone of us needs or is looking for when she goes there.  She finds great deals for us.  Today was no different.  She found great stuff for great prices.   Got a car wash on the way home because after Jacob's concert last night, someone passed us on the expressway and they were spraying oil all over and our car got covered.  It looked like a cloud around them it was spraying so much.  It smelled so bad when we pulled into our garage.  I was sure glad to have it nice and clean again.  

In the evening, Bill met with Alec to mentor him and I went to intercessory prayer.  Prayer time was amazing and Bill said his meeting with Alec went great.  When I got home, Bill and I watched a movie.  We didn't like it and didn't like the swearing in it, so turned it off.  It sounded like it would be a good one.