Tues., 9/20/22, Vikki came over and we went to Kimmy's, Bill went with Charlie, Went to Rescue Mission Dinner

 

Jacob, me and Adam...I am looking shorter all the time

Tall Adam above...short Adam below lol!

Wyatt enjoying the view outside 

Kimmy's gardens are beautiful!

Isaac and Peyton.  Bill picked them up from school so we could spend more time at Kimmy's.  

Asked Vikki if she wanted to go to Costco, Kohl's and Kimmy's with me.  She did, so said she would get ready.  I went to Kroger and got gift cards that were 4x fuel points.  Made it back quickly and watered the new grass.  Vikki came and we went to Costco, but their return services were not working, so I couldn't take the extra light I purchased back.  Then I realized, I didn't bring the Kohl Cash coupons, so we headed right to Kimmy's.  We had fun visiting and hanging out with Kimmy, Adam and Jacob.  I took Jacob to school when he needed to go.  It was raining out, which hadn't been in the forecast.  I stopped and picked up candy bars for everyone.  Kimmy had lunch all ready when I got back.  Yummy fried rice and sandwiches.  Thank you Kimmy.  We had our candy bars for dessert.  It sure was nice having the boys home.  I certainly will be glad when Adam doesn't have anymore symptoms from his concussion.  We girls took a walk outside and Vikki put pepper all around Kimmy's house to keep ants out.  We enjoyed seeing all of Kimmy's plants.  Then we went out and saw their new tractor.  So happy for Jared to have that.  It sure is a nice one.   We called Bo and Kimmy gave him some grain to have him come up by us.  Loved petting him.  Vikki and I left around 2:40 and went to Costco.  This time I could return the light.  We walk around the store and got some samples to eat.    Vikki found some slacks and I found a top.  

I picked up some Starbuck's coffee beans that was 14.89 for a 2 1/2 lb. bag.  A guy by us told me they had coffee grinders in the front of the store.  Vikki and I took the coffee and ground it after we paid for it.  Super fast and easy.  Such a great savings too.  We came home and I was happy to see Peyton and Isaac and get my hugs.  They all left, then Bill and I got ready and went to the Rescue Mission Dinner.  Such great things they do for people who need help in our community.  We sure enjoyed the testimonies and stories.  Enjoyed seeing all of the things they are doing now.  So thankful to be a part of helping support what they are doing and the mission of winning souls for Jesus.  

Sept 19, 2022, Slept in, Got the camper unhooked and set it up, emptied the camper and washed bedding, met Vikki for lunch, and hung out, went to Delta to give Jared a charge,

Kit Kat is glad we are home.  She happy the cushions are back on the swing.

Happy to see the grass is coming in.  Thank you Vikki and Evan for watering it for us while we were gone.  It was pretty much bare dirt a few days before we left for Indiana.  We seeded it two days before we left
 

Grass coming in where flags are too

Nice breeze coming in those two windows...curtains were flying

Bill and Jared jumping Jared's car battery

Little Caesars Individual pizza from kit for dinner.  Yum!

Zinnias are beautiful

Kit Kat cuddling up by me this evening when I sat on the swing and was talking to Melissa on the phone

We got to sleep in this morning which was so nice after getting up so early while we were camping.  We got the camper set up and then I worked on emptying it while Bill mowed the lawn.  He brought in most of his stuff last night.  I just brought his hanging clothes in for him.  I washed the bedding and hung it on the line to dry.  It always smells so good afterwards.  Charlie stopped over.  I went out by the shed to see him.  

I met Vikki at Subway and treated her to a Cali Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Sub.  I had been telling her how good they were.  She really liked it too.  We went to Walmart after that and walked around looking for leggings.  I took her back to her car after that.  I sure enjoyed hanging out with her.  I came home and started putting things away that I brought in this morning.  I texted with Adam, talked a couple of times with Melissa, Vikki and Kimmy.

Kimmy called at 10:41 p.m. and wanted to know what we were doing.  Jared was waiting at Delta to pick Jacob up and his car wouldn't start.  We went over with the truck and Bill gave him a jump.  It started right up.  We waited a few minutes to see if Jacob would be coming out, but he didn't so we headed for home.  We were happy to hear from Kimmy saying they were home safe and sound!  

 

Sunday, 9/18/22, Packed the last minute stuff. Sat with Bev and Jim while waiting for someone to clump our tanks, Left the campground at 11, Nice ride home!

Bev, Me and Bill waiting for the guy to come dump our tanks so we could leave

Peanuts (the dog) Bev, Jim and Bill

Our cousin and his family have been working on remodeling their home.  This is the before and after of the living room.  Just such an amazing difference.  They did a beautiful job

Bev and Jim eating their ice cream at Applebees after dinner.  They both have birthdays, so Bill told the waitress.  There was a place to hitch up horses and a shovel and pail to take care of any mess they made outside at this Applebees.  Not used to seeing that.

We passed by this buggy waiting for traffic

We went to Bob Evan’s for breakfast. Everyone had eggs, but I had blueberry pancakes with blueberry topping. When we got back, Bill walked around to sign us up to be dumped. I finished the little bit of inside stuff that was left. We took out chairs and sat at Jim and Bev’s camper. The guy was taking a long time to come so the guys went to find him again. It was going to take a lot longer, so we left and decided we would stop on our way home and dump. We drove as far as Goshen, the found a Love’s Truck Stop that had a dumping station. It was easy to pull up to with lots of room in the parking lot. From there we went to Sturgis, MI and ate at an Applebee’s. It was yummy. Bill led the way, and we had some wonderful new roads to ride on.  A car pulled right out in front of us and Bill almost wasn't able to stop.  He laid on his horn to warn the person.  Good thing we got the brakes fixed.  Then we hit 69 and it was just as awful and bumpy as last year.  Terrible they wouldn't have it fixed after a year.  We got home, unloaded a few things, I watered my new grass that's coming up, and let the kid's know we were home.  It was 8:30 when we got here.  Yay, Home Sweet Home.  I texted with Adam and Hailey.  Going to bed early to catch up!  We are unpacking when it is light tomorrow.  

Sat., 9/17/22, Great day here today! Beautiful weather, good friends and many opportunities from the Lord!

Bill visiting Jim in the morning.

My handsome Marine!

Bill signing his name and dates of service

Bill and I helping in the CMA booth this morning 

Person who parked behind our camper sure parked close!

Jim and Bev’s camper ahead of us

 We read our Bibles and listened to good worship, then went to breakfast with Bev and Jim. They served pancakes, scrambled eggs and ham this morning.  A volunteer named Gabby came and asked if she could sit by me.  We had a nice talk and I found out her daughter was the one serving food today.  Yesterday she had asked if she could take the picture I was taking so we all could be in it.  She was so kind and she looks just like Hailey’s friend, Mikayla who is very kind too.  This young girl is on the worship team at their church by Lake Lelanau in Michigan.  I was telling her mom about Hailey being at college and getting the opportunity to be on her church’s worship team.  

Bev and Jim decided to go into town.  Bill and I went and sat in the CMA booth until someone from the Indiana Chapter got there.  We came back and relaxed at the camper, then sat outside for a while.  When Bev and Jim got back, we went and got a snack and ice tea where we eat our meals.  We were just finishing when a big man came flying and fell right at the end of our table.  He had tripped and his mouth was bleeding.  He couldn’t move because his shoulder was in pain.  People were gathering to help and I put my hand on his shoulder and started praying for him.  The medics came and called for an ambulance.  Bill and Jim helped lift his legs so the could get him on the stretcher.  We all felt so bad for him. He fell really hard. We could see that he had had knee surgery on both knees too.  

We decided to walk through the merchandise tent one more time.  While we were in there Bev, Jim and I talked to a Marine veteran who has been through so much in his life.  He talked with us a good hour and when sharing about the death of a combat friend, started crying.  We shared about Jesus and were able to pray with him and encourage him. His name is John.  I want to remember so I can continue to pray for him.

We walked around more and the came back to our camps.  Bill went to sit at Jim’s camper.  I stayed sitting outside at ours.  We hadn’t seen the guy that parked so close to us yet, but I saw him come out of his camper and he came and said hi as he walked by me.  He came back a few minutes later and we talked and I found out he was from Whitecloud.  We go to the Shack in Whitecloud at Thanksgiving, so I asked if he knew Marv.  He did and said he has done some work there.  I mentioned Marv being a Christian and I asked the guy if he believed in Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  He said yes and started sharing about God’s beautiful creation and how even many scientists are believing in God as creator because of all the new discoveries in space.  

After Bill got back we all went to dinner.  A guy named Rick sat next to me and we started talking.  Come to find out that the guy who fell was his cousin.  He did break a bone in his shoulder.  So amazing that God would sit him next to me so we could find out.  Then Rick was telling me that he had a mini stroke that didn’t do any damage, and then had a stroke which made him lose use of his right arm. His wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. He’s just a young guy in his 40’s.  I asked him if we could pray for him and he said yes, so I prayed right then.  What an amazing God.  I have been praying for God to show me what he wants me to do and asked him to lead me.  Today he brought so many opportunities and gave me boldness because I’m quiet around strangers usually and never know what to say. God gave me the words today. I never want to forget this day! No greater joy that to be used by God and know it’s Him , not me.

Friday, 9/16/22, Had breakfast, We took truck in for brake work, volunteered to work in CMA booth, Cake and ice cream for Bev’s birthday

 

Huey flying around.  We aren’t riding in it this year, but loved it when we did!

Where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served by Tim Grisham Ministries.  Many volunteers come and serve the whole week. Some drive from Colorado, Texas and all offer. Really awesome servants of the Lord.

Bill, me, Bev and Jim eating our dinner. Tonight they served Shepherd’s pie, two slices of homemade bread, salad and cake.  It was delicious!

Bill in front of the tent we eat under

Celebrated Bev’s birthday with cake and ice cream.  

Found that cute light up Happy Birthday at Walmart today for $2.97.  It has three different settings for the lights. Perfect for COVID where when we don’t want to blow possible germs on the cake lol!  It sure looked beautiful in person.

We went to breakfast around 8:30.  They served us pancakes and scrambled eggs with ham cut up in it or plain ones, and coffee!  A pastor who drove from Colorado opened with prayer.  He came and talked to us for a while.  He was the oldest of 10 kids and was raised in a Christian home.  The only things his mom and dad let them watch was the Christian rv station.  He said he watched Gospel Bill and when he was 5, prayed the salvation prayer at the end of the show.  Our kids used to watch Gospel Bill.  

Bill and I took the truck in to Belle Tire, and they fixed the brakes and put a new tie rod in.  Good thing we went.  The brake pads were worn super thin.  It took 5 hours.  We walked around Meijer, Sam’s Club and Walmart for 2 1/2 hours.  We went back to Belle Tire and waited longer.  I finally decided to walk to a McDonald’s 1/4 mile down the road to use my free reward points for a frappe.  I didn’t know I was going to have to cross a divided highway with a light but no crossing signal.  It took a long time and was pretty scary with all the traffic from different directions.  Bill called and said the truck was being taken for a test drive, and then the were going to align it.  He called me and I told him he could pick me up at McDonald’s so I didn’t have to cross that highway again. Fred sent us a video and Freddy and Ashton are having a baby!  It’s their first, and we are so happy for them and their parents.  

We got back to the campground and walked around.  We went to see the “Eyes of Freedom Memorial “ here.  It was life sized pictures of Marines wo died in action in Iraq.  These guys were so young and their eyes it’s in the pictures looked so real.  There was a video explaining about the memorial.  It was a very touching memorial.

We ate dinner under the tent, then walked around some.  The 4 of us sat in the CMA booth for a while and got to talk to a few people.  We came back to our camper and had a little birthday celebration for Bev.  It made her so happy!  

We played 3-13.  Bill had 70 and I had -47.  I am having a winning streak. 

Thursday, 9/15/22, Left at 6 a.m. for Indiana to camp at the Howard County Veteran’s Event.

Jim, Bev and I by the CMA booth.

Bill in the jeep like he drove in the war

Bill with the beautiful sunset behind him!

I got up at 4 a.m. and showered and got ready.  Packed the last minute stuff and left at 6 and went to Flint to meet Bev and Jim at 7.  Jim led the way.  We stopped at a Cracker Barrel in Ohio and had breakfast.  Yum!  We arrived at the Veterons Event at 2:15.  It was a hot 82 degrees out. We got parked and set up, then Bill started the generator.  No electricity or water here, so we filled the water tank part way at home for the time we’ll be here.  After we were done settling up, Bill and Jim went for a walk while Bev and I finished the inside stuff in our campers.  Bill called me and had me go get Bev so we could meet them for dinner.  Tim Grisham Ministries are here for the 17th year feeding veterans and their families 3 meals a day for free.  They witness to people, pray with people and minister to people as God leads them.  Tonight for our dinner we had a big baked potato, pulled pork with barbecue sauce, salad and a delicious stuffed pumpkin cookie.  It was delicious, and they are very safe when they serve the food.  We are definitely giving a donation online to this ministry.  We read our Bible’s, then sat outside for a while.  Bill and I walked around the whole place and looked at all the campers.  He was sweet and grabbed my hand to hold while we walked.  Lots of nice people and also lots of loud party people.  11,532 steps today and we were riding lots.  We sat outside more when we got back.  Came in at 8:30 to relax and play 3-13.  I texted Gayla tonight to check on how Joel was doing.  Wes was just going to pick him up at the hospital.  He’s coming home on oxygen so he needs prayer still.  Gayla tested positive today, so she needs prayer too. Wes needs prayer so he doesn’t get it.  Bill had -12 and I had -44 in our game of 3-13.  Pretty close game!

Wed., 9/14/22, Dawn's funeral, packed for camping trip, Jack and Evan came over, Bill hung out with Max

 No pictures to post.  I forgot to take any today. Adam sent me a couple of cute videos late so,. I did get to post those.  Packed the refrigerator and freezer stuff in the camper.  Watered where we planted grass seed in the morning.  Went to our friend, Dawn Vargas's funeral.  She lost her battle with cancer after 2 years.  She was only 55.  We are very sad for her husband, Mike, and her six children and families.   Her daughter is getting married on Saturday which will be so hard now, but her mom would want her to go on with it.  She was very excited about this wedding.  Joel is still in the hospital.  They took him off oxygen and his oxygen dropped.  Lots of prayers needed.  

Barb sewed my CMA back patches on my two leather jackets.  She does an amazing job and donates all the money to Run for the Sun.  

Bill went to pick up Max and hang out.  Jack and Evan came to spend time with me which was nice.  We hung out for a while, then they studied their spelling and I gave them a practice test. They did great.  They had to know the meaning of the words too.  They watered the grass seed for me, so I could finish packing the camper.  We are leaving at 6 in the morning, so Bill wanted to hook the truck up tonight.  

Adam sent me a couple of cute videos of him asking Claire to homecoming and her saying yes!  He wore a cute shirt asking her to homecoming and she wore a sign over her shirt saying it would be her goal to go to HOCO with him.  

Adam asking Claire to homecoming!

Claire accepting!

Going to bed early now since I have to get up super early.