Tues., 12/3/19...Went to breakfast, More Christmas Decorating, Small Group

Got the family room decorated today. Only the stair rail to do now.

We went to breakfast.  Nancy and Randy were there today and are going to start coming which was nice.  Bill went to pick Charlie up from the hospital as he called and said he was being discharged.  

I went to Jack's and then came home and put more Christmas decorations up.  My friend, Vikki, called me.  She has been working on getting her parent's house sold and them moved, so we haven't been able to get together in a while.  She said she was missing me lots and needed to at least take to me on the phone.  She was so sweet.  It sure was nice catching up with each other.  Charlie didn't get discharged until 3 so Bill had a long wait.  I had the decorations up by the time he got home.  We got take out from Tony's and then got ready for Small Group.  Had 10 of here and it was a good study.  Bill also shared his Vision which was so nice and brought back so many memories.  Love hearing him tell it.

Monday, 12/2/19...Took Lisa to hospital to visit Jason, Put Christmas tree up

Our Christmas Tree is up

Sue posted on my Facebook page to call her when I got up.  I did and she told me Charlie was in the hospital.  His blood pressure was very high, so she took him in.  They said he had a mild heart attack but weren't sure when.  He has been real tired lately.  They did a heart cath and here is no blockage praise God.  He didn't want any visitors, but Bill.  Bill went up at 11:30 and stayed until 4.  I picked up Lisa J. and took her to visit Jason, her boyfriend who is in our small group.  He was having a test when we got there, so we went to the gift shop and looked around.  We came back up and he was in his room, but having an EEG.  We visited for a few minutes and then went and sat in the waiting room until he was finished.  Visited some more and prayed for him.  I left, but Lisa stayed and got a ride home with his mom.  I came home and cleaned out the refrigerator.  Put the Christmas tree up and Bill carried the heaviest tubs downstairs for me.  Bill went to Trinity Riders to let them know we will be their Area Reps.  I didn't go, because I have a very busy Dec. schedule, so needed to get Christmas Decorations up.  Love having the tree up!  

12/1/19..HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY TO MAX! Woke up to ice and snow this morning, Went to church, Went to CMA Leadership Christmas party in Owosso, Went to Boar's Head Dress Rehearsal

Happy 14th Birthday Max!  I love you so much!

Max loves Cheez-its and was happy when Bruce and Melissa gave him his own box

He went to his favorite restaurant...Taco Bell

Loved the snow we got

Hailey in the Boars Head 

Max and Jack as Huntsmen

The end where everyone is worshipping Jesus

Max, Jack, Jacob, ?, Hailey and Evan

Hailey

Hailey and Ally (BFF's since preschool)

Max and me on his birthday!

We went to church.  Phyllis and I were the only ones in the prayer room before prayer.  No one else made it because of the storm.  It was a great Advent Service in which we also were reminded of the Second Advent when Jesus comes again.  Exciting Message!  Kimmy texted me in the morning that they were in Kentucky and wanted to get home because their power was off from the storm.  We went to Owosso in the truck after church for our CMA Leadership Christmas party.  It was fun and everyone was so nice and they all welcomed Bill and I.  We ate some good food and then did the Chinese Christmas Gift thing.  I got a $25 gift card to Barnes and Nobles (we were only supposed to spend 20) and Bill got a $20 lottery ticket.  Boo Hoo, he didn't win anything.  We had fun and then helped clean up and then left.  Kimmy had texted me that they were in Michigan, and then again that they had picked Wyatt up.  I was sure glad when I got that final text that said they were home.  We got home, and after putting everything away and changing, I headed to the Boar's Head Dress Rehearsal.  Bruce was helping with kids downstairs, so I met Melissa there and sat with her.   My grand kiddos did great.  Love going to this to start the Christmas Season off with the true reason for Christmas.  Going on again on Thursday and taking Peyton and Isaac.

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