Sunday, May 4, 2025, Went to church, taught Sunday School, went to Shield of Faith 35 yr. celebration service, went to Evan’s birthday celebration

The grass is really coming in around the tree after that nice 2 inches of rain we got

Picture of Evan when Melissa played pickle ball with him.  She forgot to send it to me until tonight

During testimony time!

Pastor Weldon, Kathy, me and Bill. We started Shield of Faith together and we celebrated 35 years with them today.  Great service..worship and message were awesome.  Great heartfelt testimonies and then a wonderful lunch afterwards.  Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac came later and ate.  We talked about lots of memories with Pastor Weldon and Kathy.  Special people to us with great hearts for the Lord and love for people.  They speak the Truth of God’s Word and encourage others to also.  They have been a huge blessing in our lives.  

Kathy and I....long time friends and sisters in the Lord

Celebrated Evan’s Birthday...The Big Birthday Chocolate Chip Cookie Bruce made was delicious

Bruce, Evan and Melissa...Bruce with his hand that had surgery under the table.  Next picture, his hand is on the table...did this for the memory of it

Took these for Hailey since she loves Abby so much and I tease her that she’s my dog lol

We drove separate to church. Worship was awesome!!! So was communion...love remembering what Jesus did and partaking of communion.  Love remembering that He is coming again.  Pastor Ken does such a great job with the Scriptures he reads and the way he has us examine our hearts before taking communion.  So thankful for such a great pastor.

After the announcements, Bill left to go to Shield of Faith and I went back to teach Sunday School.  It was so cute because my teen helper Marika came in the room and asked me if I could do the name on the board thing again.  I told her yes.  Last week I started writing names on the board and giving one check when one of the kids talked during the time they needed to be listening.  Then if they disrupted the class again, I would put another check by their name.  If they got a third check they would have to talk to the head children’s ministry leader.  Three names went on and only one check per name.  This week same thing only 3 different names.  It is so nice having the kids listening and paying attention.  I had done this when I was the only teacher.  It was getting so bad, I decided when I am in there I would do it again because it worked so well.  Bentley came up and gave me a hug this morning, then during class another little boy I didn’t really know yet, came up and gave me a hug.  I think the kids like it being orderly too.  The lesson was a good one on the Holy Spirit.  There were fun things to do as activities too.  Kristin stayed in with Thomas and Erica was my adult helper.

After Sunday school I talked to Erin and John while we walked down the hall.  I told her I was thinking of retiring, but since we went to two services wanted to wait till there were more teachers.  Also I love the kids and being in there telling them about Jesus.  She told me she just quit being a teacher because their youngest son isn’t in Sunday school any longer, so she is going to be a baby snuggle during service when it’s her turn.  I have been thinking how fun that would be too.  Praying for now.  I have been teaching Sunday School since 1981.

I got to Shield of Faith, and worship was still going on.  I saw Bill sitting in the back row waving at me.  Worship was so good and so was the message.  It was the 35 year celebration.  Pastor Weldon had Bill and I stand because we helped start the church and Bill was an Elder and I was the first secretary.  There were so many great testimonies.  We went to the lunch afterwards.  They had taco fixings and salads.  We sat with Lynn Ahrens who is 87 now and had a good time catching up and also talking about memories.  Pastor Weldon came and talked to us a long time.  He was funny because he came up to me and said he thought I was one of our girls.  He didn’t know I had gone blonde...lol.  I told him it was grey.  He did make my day though ha ha.  Vikki, Rody and the twins came and Pastor Weldon talked to them a long time too.  He had them go fix a plate quickly before the food was put away.  We were all wondering where Kathy was, and when Vikki was getting her dessert, Kathy walked in and gave us big hugs.  She had taken her sister, Sue, back to her car  because she was at the service this morning and lives in Kalamazoo.  Her sister is the one who taught Vikki to whistle really loud.  It was when we were all at a Tiger game.  It was a fun memory Vikki reminded us of.  We all talked and reminisced, so many memories came back of special and fun times.  We all love Pastor Weldon and Kathy and Shield of Faith.  They had a large part in our Faith walk, reading the Word of God and having a relationship with Jesus.  We all are so thankful for them and for the school and the amazing chapels that taught our kids to worship, memorize scripture, and love Jesus and seek Him through His 

Word.  

We got home and Melissa called and let us know we could come celebrate Evan’s birthday at 5.  Bruce made sloppy joes and a veggie chopped salad so we were invited for dinner too.

We got there, visited for a while, then ate.  Everything was delicious.  There was chips and dip too.  Afterwards, Bruce and Bill lit the candles and we sang Happy Birthday to our 14 year old birthday boy.  Dessert was really good too.  We sure were full.  We had fun watching Evan open his gifts and guess the ones his mom and dad got him.  He read all the cards.  He was cute trying to add more nice things about him.  He always brings us joy by his cute sense of humor.  We visited more, than left.  We stopped at Walmart and Bill got some Magnesium pills.  Then we came home and I organized pictures and worked on the blog.  It was a fun and special day.