Wed., 1/21/21, Vikki came over, Jared dropped Kimmy off so we could take her for her Colonoscopy, I had therapy at the same place 15 minutes earlier, Furnace guys came and put furnace and hot water heater in, went to pick out my glasses, Vikki picked up the kids, picked Kimmy and I up from eye place, took kids home, went to Chic Fil A,, went to Bible Study,

Me waiting in the waiting room while they were prepping Kimmy for her colonoscopy.  I had therapy so didn’t get out in time to go in with her, but since our appointments were at the same place, I can see her when she gets in recovery.  Yay!

Vikki and I eating our popcorn while waiting for Kimmy to get into recovery

After Kimmy got out, we went to my eye doctor’s office and they helped me pick out new frames for my eye appt. on Monday.  I always have drops and can’t see to pick them out, plus Kimmy ad Vikki are much better at picking them out.

I got to ride in the back with my sweet kiddos.  I was so happy to see them.

Kimmy, me and Vikki at Chick fil A after Kimmy’s colonoscopy.  We were all hungry.  We ate popcorn before to hold us over and it tasted so good because we didn’t have breakfast so were really hungry.  Our meal tasted delicious too

Jared and Bill eating their dinner from Chick oil A.  We brought them a meal to go!  

I got up early and started the fireplace so it would warm the family room up.  Jared dropped Kimmy off so she could ride with Vikki and I to her Colonoscopy appt.  The furnace guys got here around 8:30 and started working.  They hauled the old furnace up, then hauled the new one down.  Then they hauled the old hot water heater up and took the new one down.  They are putting the hot water heater where the furnace was and putting the new furnace next to it.  We will have more room in that room now.  We girls sat in by the fireplace and enjoyed it until the guys had to turn the gas off.  Then Kimmy plugged the heater in and turned it on.  Vikki drove and we left at 10:50 for mine and Kimmy’s appt.  My therapy was 15 minutes before her appt.  We walked in the gift shop, and saw they were making yummy popcorn.  They make it until 2, so we decided to go back and get some later.    The girls walked me down to therapy and stayed a few minutes, then they went upstairs to Kimmy’s appt.  I had Shannon today for therapy and she sure gave me a work out.  I like that she knows her muscles so well and can tell if I’m compensating and will have me do the exercise the right way and right speed so it works the right muscle to help me,  I’m sore tonight.  After my therapy, I went up to the waiting room and Vikki texted me that they were going to come get Kimmy after she talked to the anesthesiologist.  She sent me a picture of Kimmy which made me happy.  It wasn’t long and Vikki came out to the waiting room while Kimmy had her procedure.  Vikki and I walked to the gift shop and got popcorn for us and for Kimmy and Vikki had me get one for her dad too.  Then we got ice waters and went back to the waiting room and ate our popcorn.  They were small bags, so Vikki went to get another one.  It wasn’t long after that and we were called back to go see Kimmy.  She looked good when we saw her, but a little tired.  She was a little dizzy too.  It wasn’t long and she got gingerale and cookies.  She felt better after that.  Vikki also asked for a warm blanket for her and she loved that because she was cold.  She got a good report and doesn’t need another colonoscopy for 10 years.  Yay!  She got ready and then got her discharge papers.  We got a water for Kimmy while she went to the bathroom.  Then we went to my Eye Doctors office and I tried eye glass frames on.  They were so helpful in helping me decide on a pair.  Vikki left to pick up the kids from school, while Kimmy and I still looked and I tried on frames.  I ended up getting the ones we all three really liked and picked out before Vikki left.  The girl wrote down which ones they were, so Monday I will be all set after my appointment.  Vikki picked us up and we took the kids to her house, then we went to have our dinner at Chick fil A.  It was so good.  Before we left, I ordered meals for Bill and Jared to take to them.  We headed to my house after that.  The guys were still there working on the furnace.  Bill and Jared were happy we brought them food and really liked it.  Jared went down and checked the furnace out.  Then he and Kimmy had to leave to take Eli to youth group.  Vikki had to leave to go to the prayer/worship service at her church.  Bill and I had to leave at 6:15 to go to Bible study at church.  The guys were still working when we got back and we went downstairs to check out how they were doing.  Everything looks so nice.  Lots to do for putting in a hot water boiler furnace.  We came back upstairs and started the living room electric fireplace, then but a heater in the kitchen and one in the family room.  Maddy texted me and she is in the labor delivery department at the hospital.  She had a blood test today to check because they thought her liver could be damaged and she could get liver failure.  She said the blood test wasn’t good and her OB doctor was ordering her some medicine.  Now they are going to induce her tonight because she has severe preeclampsia.  It’s about two weeks early for the baby.  Bill and I prayed and I got the girls praying.  Vikki prayed for her at her church tonight and I prayed for her at our church.  Praying her heart doesn’t go into A Fib, and praying for an easy delivery and baby and mom to do well. 

I talked to Vikki and also talked to Melissa.  I texted with Kimmy.   

It’s 11:24 p.m. and the guys just got done.  They are coming back tomorrow to work one more half hour and clean up.  I know they have to be tired.  The furnace is on now so that’s exciting.  BIG JOB!

.  

Tues., 1/20/26, Guys came at 8:30 to put fireplace insert in, Bill had long dentist appt. at the VA, picked up pizzas for us and the 2 workers, talked to Vikki, the guys finished and had the township inspector come inspect it,

This guy had a huge drill.  Couldn’t go down through the fireplace to run the line to the crawlspace because there wasn’t a space box like usual, so he went through the side and down through the bottom of that cupboard and it worked fine.  He explained it and asked me if it was ok.  

This picture was take through the screen upstairs.  They put a new tube in the fireplace and then put this cover on.  Shouldn’t be any more bats getting in.  We usually have one or two in the pellet burner each year.  They were dead at least.

With lights on

With lights off

My friend Sue, from Kalamazoo made each of us ladies at our table in Iowa a paper calendar like the one in this picture.  It was so thoughtful of her and is so pretty.  

We got up at 7 and got ready.  The guys putting the fireplace insert in were supposed to be here between 8 and 9.  It was around 8:30 when they came.  I didn’t hear them at the door because the ring didn’t go in.  They called Bill and he called me and told me they were here.  Guess our doorbell doesn’t work either.  I was right in the kitchen so it was weird I didn’t hear them.  I had worship music playing softly, but should have still heard them.  

I moved my car out of the garage because they wanted to come through that way so they did’t have to track through by the front door.  They covered all the floors from the inside garage door to the fireplace.  They asked me what my name was and called me in and would show me things and asked me some questions.  They were so nice.  The one asked me if I had the close the door sign on the basement door to keep the cat out of the basement so it wouldn’t get my fish down there.  I told him no, it was for the grandkids to keep the door closed so our 2 year old great grandson wouldn’t fall down the steps.  I told him one of the grandkids wrote keep the devil out and the other guy said he noticed that.  They worked together so good, I commented to them about it and they said they’ve known each other since they were 10 and have worked a long time together.  They sure are a good team. One had to crawl in our crawl space that is by the ceiling next to the refrigerator.  Not easy to get into, but he said it wasn’t bad.  He just had to move lots of cobwebs out of the way.  He fastened the line up good as he went.  It looked great in the basement.   The other guy had a huge drill and was drilling the hole for the gas line to come upstairs and through to the fireplace.  They put a new pipe down the chimney and a cover on it.  They told me they went up on the roof, then had to have another ladder to get up to the top of the fireplace.  They said it was so cold their faces hurt.  It was 2 degrees out and very windy.  Bill got back from his appointment and running a couple of errands.  When it was 12:30, I asked them if they wanted pizza if I picked some up.  They said they had been snacking so were ok.  I went and got two large pizza’s for usand a small with no cheese or Bill from Hungry Howie’s.  They were thanked me and were very happy because they were hungrier than they thought.   There were 4 pieces left of each pizza, so I put 2 pieces of each kind in both boxes and put it out in the garage on the shelf for them to take home with them.  

They had said they would take another piece with them when Bill told them to eat more.

They were happy about that too.  They finished at about 2:30 and gave us instructions on how to use the remote.  The furnace had been off and the fireplace warmed it up in there pretty quick.  I FaceTimed Vikki and showed her when she was out of work.  Then I FaceTimed Kimmy.  I had tried Melissa but she didn’t answer, so I showed her later.

I walked on the walking pad for 1/2 mile,  I am glad to be able to do that and will be working up to a mile.  I wanted to see how I felt tomorrow and then will decide when to move my distance.  Kimmy and Vikki are walking too and it will be good to join them.  My hip started hurting right after I got the walking pad, so I haven’t been able to use it til now.  Yay for my hip feeling so good.  

I got ready and went to prayer at church.  It was a cold walk into the church.  Burr!  Pastor was just coming to start his truck and got the door for me.  There was a good group at prayer especially for it being so cold out.  Prayer was good and so was worship.  

Vikki FaceTimed me and wanted me to show Rody and the kids the fireplace.  They liked it too.  Our life is going to be much easier with not hauling and stacking pellets, Bill hauling them in the house, and me not having to clean the kernel burner.  It was good for 8 years, but  now it will be good not to have to do it anymore.

Monday, 1/19/26, Texted with Maddy..lots of health issues, prayed for her., prayed for Kimmy and Jared’s safe trip to see their puppy, Bill snow blowed the driveway and walkways and shoveled the deck, went to Melissa’s to take her blanket, Vikki, Peyton and Isaac came over, Kimmy and Jared came over,

When I got up this morning, I noticed my Crown of Thorns plant had fallen completely over.  I cleaned up the mess and stuck it in the corner so it could lean on the wall and shelf.  Moved my other plants to vacuum good.

The package Melissa’s blanket came in had return written small and in pencil on the top and the box was damaged.  

Jack

Evan

Kimmy with her new puppy! Isn’t he so cute!

Jared with his puppy

I think this is so cute the way he is looking at Jared.  I think he’s saying take me home please.

Peyton

Isaac

I got up to go to the bathroom at 8 and noticed my Crown of Thorns plant fell over.  I picked it up and moved it to the corner and picked up most of the mess and then vacuumed.  I started a load of laundry we bought home from our trip.  Then I went back to bed which is unusual for me.  Bill was getting up and then asked me if I was going back to bed.  When I told him yes, he got in be again.  We slept until 9.  We had to make up for the time change adjustment.  

He snow blowed the driveway and walkways and shoveled the deck,  He took his shower in the morning too.  I took my shower and then dried my hair and did it.  Then I took Melissa her electric blanket I got her for Christmas.  It has taken a month to get here.  I was a little concerned because of the damaged box and the word return on it.  She took the blanket out of the box and the cord was just in the bottom of the box not in any packaging.  She plugged the blanket in and we both sat under it waiting for it to get warm.  It never did.  Kimmy and mine both heat up so quickly we have to turn them off or we get too warm.  We put it back in the box and I left and went to Walmart to get a pot for my Crown of Thorns.  It has outgrown its old one.  I called Vikki to let her know when I left Melissa’s.  When I got on our road, I saw a car way ahead of me.  It turned into my driveway, so I called Vikki and let her know I was going to be pulling in behind her so she didn’t block the garage.  The kids helped me carry in stuff from my car.  We had fun hanging out together.  Peyton helped me with everything today and was so sweet.  Isaac did too and he told me what I needed to do for our Roku in the living room. I prayed with Vikki about her test results.  Kimmy and Jared came over on their way home from meeting their new puppy.  It was fun seeing all their pictures.  He sure is cute.  I can’t wait to meet him.

Vikki set my walking pad back up for me.  It fell on her shoulder and clunked her good.  Poor Vikki.  I could tell it hurt bad.  Jared came and helped her get it set up.  I got on it and could walk at 3.  I will be starting walking a mile with the girls tomorrow morning.  I’m glad I can get more exercise now.  We snacked on chips, candy, and jello with fruit.  I didn’t get groceries so pretty much our refrigerator was on empty.  It was nice hanging out for so long.  Kimmy and Jared had to leave, so we said goodbye and then Vikki, Peyton and I went into the family room and watched House of Worship with Michael W. Smith and lots of other worshippers.  It was so awesome.  We watched all of the ones they have.  On the 23rd another will come out.  So good to worship the Lord.  I love how Vikki loves to worship.  I do too.

They left, after Vikki had Isaac bring her keys in s they could warm up and work.  She used the blowdryer which helped.  They left.  I made eggs, fried potatoes and bacon for us for dinner.  I only have 4 eggs left.  I will be getting some groceries tomorrow.  

Going to bed now as I have to get up really early.  Kernel burner guy is coming at 8 to start working on the fireplace insert.  Yay!  I am excited to get it put in.  It is going to be getting really cold in a few days.  

 

Sunday, 1/18/26, Said some goodbyes, left at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast, ate at Grandma’s Restaurant with six couples, left for home, stopped at rest stop and 2 other couples stopped right after us, Bill drove most of the way home, I drove a little over an hour in Michigan, stopped at Culvers, got home and unpacked

The manager at the hotel on our way to Iowa, gave this duck in a red Jeep to Bill.  That was so sweet of her.  I had a yellow one that I gave to Rody because it was his color of Jeep.  Nice to be blessed with our color.

At Culvers for chicken strips for Bill and an olive burger for me.  Fries and a Concrete Mixer for both of us too.  It was 6:15 and our first time eating since breakfast.

I let Kenzie know we were going through her town and Vikki sent me this picture of her, Kenzie, Rehvyn and Peyton

I got this nice picture of Melissa and Bruce with Rehvyn too.

We went to the lobby, talked to Al and they were ready to leave.  Went into the breakfast area and filled our coffee mugs, then told people goodbye.  We saw and left with everyone but Russ and Marsha.  The sun was shining and I-80 was nice and dry.  We still saw six cars/trucks crashed and off the highway.  Must have been during the blowing snow yesterday.  We got to the restaurant first, so filled up with gas next door for $2.35.  Then we saw other couples getting to the restaurant.  We all ate in the back room.  Russ and Marsha got there about 10 minutes later than us.  They had got up early and left before us so they could walk around the I-80 truck stop.  We’ve already all done that.  It’s a big place with lots of stuff.  

We had yummy breakfasts and then looked around the gift shop section.  Then we said our goodbyes and headed out again.  About 60 miles later, we stopped at a rest area.  Al and Lucy came in the building as we were getting ready to leave.  We visited a few minutes, and Debbie and Paul came in.  We visited more, then all got on the road again.  Bill and I listened to our church service live stream.  Then I took a nap and woke up in Michigan.  We just got into Michigan so Bill asked if I wanted to drive for an hour or until it got dark.  I said ok.  Then I remembered truckers telling us on other trips home from Iowa not to take I-94 because of lake effect snow and whiteouts.  I asked Bill why he went that way, while everyone else except two couples that live just off I-94 took the safer route.  He said because he knew it was dry. lol.  It was wet where he said that and it was 20 degrees.  It wasn’t slippery though.  However, when I started driving, I didn’t get far and there were a couple of police cars with their flashers going and an accident.  I pointed it out to Bill.  Then I saw a flasher sign, plus probably 6 more while I was on I-94 saying Winter Weather Warning.  Snow, high winds from  now until 9 p.m.  I pointed that out to Bill too.  God blessed us and we didn’t get into any snow or icy roads.  I sure thanked Him.  We made good time and got to Culver’s by our house at 6:45.  We ate and then left and got home around 7:30.  We carried stuff in from the Jeep and hung the hanging clothes in the closet.  Bill got the results of his MRI in a letter.  No change.  Praise God.  Answered prayer.  Bill unpacked his suitcase.  I talked to the girls and unpacked my suit case afterwards.  We tried our My Pillows that came, but mine gave me a back and neck ache, so I sept on my memory foam pillow.  Bill slept on his big hard stuffed my pillow.  I slept really good again.  

 

Saturday, 1/17/26, breakfast at hotel, church for worship and training, awesome move of the Holy Spirit during the last 1 1/2 hours, Just amazing, Lew, Cindy and Lucy came to our room to visit, Bill and I were going downstairs to visit, only saw guys, so I came back to our room, read Bibles

Our Michigan leadership…Doug and Sue, Bill and Teri, Russ and Marsha, Lew and Cindy, Paul and Debbie, Bill and me, Mel and Betty, Al and Lucy!

Al and Lucy

Eric and Stephanie, our former prayer partners sharing about building relationships and getting to share Jesus.  They did a great job.

One of our sessions 
    

We got up early for breakfast at the hotel.  We sat with Marsha and Russ.  We left after breakfast and got to the church before 8 for the worship service.  It was an awesome worship service.  There are quite a few bids on our 3 Michigan Silent Auction Baskets.  I should have taken a picture.  We had great sessions and teachings again.  We also had great fellowship on our breaks and at lunch and dinner time.  We have the best leadership team in Michigan.  We had pulled pork sandwiches and cheesy potatoes with a salad for lunch.   For dinner, we had chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and a salad.  Both meals were delicious.  The people who volunteer to make and serve the food are all so nice.  We are blessed we get all of our meals free during our leadership training weekend.  We finished the training early, so had worship and Jay called people up for prayer.  Whoever of us wanted go up and pray for people did.  We prayed for Lew and Cindy.  Then Jay knew there were more that needed prayer for things.  We went up and prayed for more people.  People shared testimonies of the miracles God has done and other things.  Bill went up and shared about what God showed him about Pharaoh representing the forces of evil and Moses telling him to let his people go so they could go worship the Lord.  Bill did that regarding his sisters many years back and spoke that scripture out loud and they both confessed Jesus as their Lord and savior within 2 weeks.  Relationships were restored too.  When he shared, our prayer partner from 2 years ago, Stephanie, who I had talked a long time with the day before, came up to me and just hugged me for a long time and told me God had heard her cry and sent Bill up there to share that.  We hugged, cried, and prayed together.  The Holy Spirit moved in an amazing way.  Then our other friend, Linda, who had planned our State Coordinator get together in Minnesota two years ago, needed prayer across from us and needed to be anointed with oil.  Bill found his oil and then we, and another friend of hers, anointed her and each of us prayed for her.  God was moving like that all over the sanctuary.

It went on for 1 1/2 hours, but seemed like only a half hour.  A couple of our new area rep ladies came up to me and gave me hugs during this time too.  It was such an awesome experience.

It snowed and the wind really blew hard while we were in the church.  We only got an inch of snow, but it sure was blowing around and it was so cold out.  The roads were a little slick, but we took it slow.  Only had a few miles to go to get to the hotel.  We packed up everything we could for when we would leave in the morning.  Lew and Cindy came to our room and we sat and visited for a while.  Then Lucy came to our room and brought our two Yeti coffee mugs and my Thermos water bottle we had left at the church.  Our area reps had got done eating faster and had all the table covers off and pretty much every thing packed in the tubs to go back with us.  We didn’t see our mugs or thermos, so didn’t think of them til I got back to our room.  I called Lucy to see if they were still at the church and they were.  She was going to look for them for us.  We got a call about 30 minutes later and she had them and was in the hotel lobby.  She brought them up to us.  We were very happy to have them and not have to make a trip back to church.  Lucy visited with us too.  After everyone left, Bill and I started going down the stairs.  I noticed only the guys were in the lobby, so I went back upstairs and Bill went down.  I packed up some more stuff and read my Bible while Bill was downstairs.  He came back up to our room and read his Bible.  We went to bed around 9:30 because we had to get up super early to haul our stuff to the Jeep and leave by 7:30 a.m.  Six couples left when we did and we drove 1 1/2 hours and stopped by the I-80 truck stop and ate at Grandma’s Kitchen right across the street.  We got gas for $1.35 next door too, since we were the first ones there.  The road was clear getting there, but we did see 6 cars/trucks crashed bad along our way.  Last year we saw about 150 crashed vehicles though, so this year was much better.

We ladies texted along the way and kept in touch until we all let the others know we were home.  Marsha and Russ from Indian River were the last ones to get home.  Bill and I stopped in Shields to get a food and a concert mixer.  It’s not a real CMA trip unless you have ice cream sometime during it.  Lew and Cindy had sent me a picture of Lew enjoying his Concrete Mixer.  We took a selfie and posted it on the page.  

We got home at 7:30 and unpacked everything.  We talked to the girls between me unpacking stuff.  It sure was good to talk to them.  I saw that Melissa’s electric blanket I got her for Christmas was on the cupboard.  I told her I would drop it off tomorrow.  I was a little nervous, because the box was damaged, and on the top of it return was written in small letters.  We read our Bibles.   

We tried our My Pillows that came.  I felt like I was getting a back/neck ache, so went back to my memory foam pillow.  Bill slept on his but only slept ok.  His is really stuffed and is called hard and mine is medium.  

 

Friday, 1/16/26, Ate breakfast at the hotel, went to church for worship at 8, lots of good teachings, great fellowship with old friends and made new friends,good foand lots of yummy snacks, ,

The worship team leading worship! They did an awesome job!

Community Alliance Church where the regional leadership training was held

Al and Lucy at their table with all their fun stuff they were giving away 

Our Michigan table.  We had to add a table.  We only had two couples missing.

Breakout session with our Michigan leadership

Our Michigan
An table from the front

Goodies

Jay sharing his message 

I slept good again last night.  We ate breakfast and sat with Jay and Jane.  Sue and Doug came down and sat with us and than Al and Lucy joined us too.  Breakfast was good!  We went to the church afterwards to be there for worship at 8 a.m.  The worship team was amazing and sang such great songs.  After worship, we did the pledges to the flag, to the Christian flag and to the Bible.  Then we had different sessions where Jay taught, state coordinators, and area reps taught.  There were many good messages.  We had breaks in between and there were many snacks to choose to eat between sessions and at ur tables during sessions.  There was meat, cheese, crackers, fruit, and lots of other snacks and desserts. 
At lunch, we had a choice of potato soup or chili and a salad.  We had 1 hour for lunch, then it got increased another half hour because we finished our sessions early.  We had three baskets we put out for the silent auction.  We had people bring made in Michigan food items.  Debbie divided them into three baskets and auctioned each on.  The money all goes to Run for the Son.  Bill and I picked up a beautiful round big basket and then went to the Maple Grill and got some of their homemade products...popcorn, popcorn seasoning, Creatio Coffee and homemade steak sauce.  Bill also picked up an 8 pk of Vernon’s.  
We had more sessions and breaks, then went to dinner at 5.  There were nachos, tacos, rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, and salsa.  Everything was delicous.  They had cookies for dessert. We went back in for one more session and then left for our hotel.  We read our Bibles and I worked on doing part of my blog and getting pictures on.  Went to bed around 9 because we were tired from the time change and also I need to get up at 5:45 in the morning. It was a really fund day hanging out with everyone and getting to know all of our area reps and goodie reps better.  We have an amazing group who love the Lord and have servant’s hearts.  We had a good breakout meeting with our group today before lunch.  We got lots accomplished in the area of planning things for this year.  

Thursday, 1/15/26, had breakfast at he hotel, Cindy texted me and let me know where they are, went through car wash, listened to Wirship/Prayer service at Vikki’s church from last night, nice sunny day driving through Iowa, cold 16 degrees in the morning

I’ve never seen the Jeep this dirty!!! Had to take pictures before we went through the car wash this morning

Our hotel, the Comfort Inn Across from the Mississippi River!  Great hotel

8he church. He wanted me to get a  picture of the church, but it’s blurry!  He looks cute though!

Enjoyed the movie I Believe in the evening!

Isaac and his friends at school!

 I slept so good and even woke up in the night and thanked God for how comfortable I was!  I got up at 6:45 and took my shower and got ready. Bill got up at 7:45, then did the same.  We went and had the free breakfast at our hotel. It was really good. I had scrambled eggs, ham, a banana nut waffle with blueberry topping, and a pear.  We talked to a nice couple from Texas.  He just got his Masters in photography and he loves taking pictures of eagles.  

We read our Bibles, then loaded our stuff and headed to the car wash.  Nice to have a clean Jeep again.  We listened to the family Prayer/Worship. Night at. Vikki’s church last night.  It was so moving!!! 

We got to Newton to our hotel at noon. Kimmy called and shared some exciting news and sent a wonderful picture!  It made my day!  We were able to check in right away.  We thanked the manager for not having snow here, but he said it’s coming tomorrow!!! He doesn’t know how much though.  We drove by the church.then Al and Lucy called and wanted to meet at Culver’s for lunch.  They were just getting into town. We had a nice lunch and saw Ron and Rikki there too.  We went to our hotel and relaxed for a while, then we went downstairs and saw Doug, Sue. Marsha, Russ, Mel, Betty and Lew and Cindy!  We all went to the church and set up our table.  Then we state Coordinators went in one of the rooms for a meeting with Jay and Jane.  We had pizza afterwards, then went in the other room to all watch the movie, I Believe.  We’re seen it many times but it’s been along time!  Such a great movie!  We came back to the hotel, I worked on my blog.