Sat. 9/30/23, Ride and Seek 130 mile motorcycle ride, Hopevale Jesus Movement Food Trucks and concert,

Mark, Don, Sherry and Jeff

Barb and Gayla

Registration

 

 

Lots of bikes

 

Veteran's Memorial in Midland

Sabrina, Bill and Bill

 

Memorial in Coleman

Memorial in Bay City

We met up with other riders from Faith Riders at the Bay City memorial

Bill, me, Kathy's sister and brother in law.  She's a triplet.

Isaac, Peyton, Bishop Richard Murphy and Vikki

Lunch with Bill, Sabrina, and Ken

Peyton, Rody, Vikki and Isaac sat at the table next to ours

Memorial stone in Saginaw.  We had to finish the sentence on our paper of what it said.

 

 Frankenmuth Veteran's Memorial

Ride through beautiful Frankenmuth

Gathering back together after the ride

Honeytree singing with the Petra Reunion Band

Vikki with John DeGroff and Greg Hough from Petra

 We got ready, then rode the trike to Roberts Park for Faith Riders First Annual Ride and Seek ride.  It was a 150 mile ride to 5 different towns/cities.  The theme was Veteran Memorials and we had to go to different memorials and write down answers to questions.  We hung out together until the ride at 10.  We went with Bill and Sabrina because they wanted to go the the Michigan Jesus Movement Reunion at Hopevale church too, so we thought we could do part of the ride, got to lunch at Hopevale and get food from the food trucks, then do the rest of our ride and make it back before 5.  We went to Midland first, then to Coleman, then to Bay City.  We ran into Wes, Gayla, Ron, Barb, Elaine, Jim and Jerry at that memorial.  They had already been to Saginaw and Frankenmuth and were headed Cops and Donuts and then to the ones we had just went to.  We headed to Hopevale, met Vikki, Rody, Peyton and Isaac there and ate delicious food.  We got to see Bishop Richard Murphy and some other friends.  They played music outside while we ate.  We met Kathy Wheeler's sister and her husband while we were there and took a picture to show Kathy.  After that, we headed into Saginaw to the Veteran's memorial there.  It was the nicest one!  Then we went to Frankenmuth and then stopped at McDonalds for a bathroom break.  We all got ice cream and sat and relaxed for a while.  Then we headed back to where we started and turned in our papers.  Names were drawn for prizes.  We won a $25 gift card for gas.  $330 was raised for Run for the Son which was a blessing.  They had hot dogs cooked for us and chips for us.  We were very thankful for those in Faith Riders who organized this fun ride.  It was nice because the weather was in the mid 70's and got to 80 degrees.  

We came home and changed, then went to The Michigan Jesus Movement Reunion Concert at Hopevale.  Honeytree sang and shared her testimony and it was so enjoyable.  We always loved going to hear her in the 80's.  Then there was another band that played.  Too loud and couldn't understand the words good for that one.  Another band called Petra Reunion played.  2 guys from Petra played in it.  They did a good job and we could understand the words.  Wish they would have played more of their songs we knew.  I took Vikki's picture with the two guys.  God used Petra to draw many youth to Jesus.  After them, Hopevale's worship team played worship songs and that was amazing.  A pastor shared the Scriptures and did a great job too.  It was a very fun day/night!!! 

Friday, 9/29/23, Vacuumed rest of house, went to Sam's Club, Kimmy and Eli came over, Melissa and Badger came over, went to Texas Roadhouse on a date

Beautiful picture of Peyton that Vikki sent me

Eli and Badger...Melissa and family's newly adopted dog.  Such a great dog!

Hydrangea's are beautiful

Going to plant small zinnia's next year...these are pretty, but they sure take up lots of the garden

Kit Kat chillin on the swing

 

Pumpkins from the garden

On our date at Texas Roadhouse

Bill went for coffee with Charlie.  I finished vacuuming the rooms downstairs.  Ate oatmeal and had my morning coffee.  Then I went to Sam's Club to pick up some fresh blueberry muffins and bagels. I saw Kathy Townsend when I was going in to shop.  I was so happy to see her. I had heard her tell someone she was in a hurry. Bill called me and told me Kimmy was at our house already.  I knew she was coming after she picked Eli up from school.  He had a half day today.  I thought she was picking him up at noon, but I was wrong.  I headed home right away.  I was so happy to get to spend time together and have Eli be there too. We had toasted bagels, muffins and coffee.  We watched Jacob's concert at MSU on our television.  We talked to Melissa and I told her she should come over til she had to go pick Evan up from school.  I told her she could have a bagel and muffin here too.  She came and we all watched Jacob's concert again.  Bill and Melissa had their bagel's and coffee together while watching it.  Melissa had a muffin too.  We all loved Jacob's concert.  He did amazing and they all sounded amazing.  Kimmy had to leave to get Adam after that and then Melissa had to leave to get Evan.  I started watering the new grass under the trees where the rain doesn't wet the ground as much.  

At 4:30, Bill and I went to the Texas Roadhouse with one of our gift cards from our party.  It is always fun and the food is always delicious there.  We had a really sweet and very good waitress.  When we were done we went to the Ashely Furniture Store and walked around.  They had some beautiful furniture in there.  We were just enjoying looking though and didn't need to buy anything.  We headed home and read out Bibles when got comfy in our loveseat recliners.  I talked to Vikki and Kenzie.  Texted with Jacob and Hailey.  

 

Thurs., 9/28/23, Cleaned the family room, Jared, Adam, Vikki, Peyton, Isaac, Kimmy and Eli came over, Bill picked Max up and target practiced, Kimmy and Jared went to Jacob's concert, I took Eli to his game

Peyton, Adam and Isaac

Eli

Bill and Max

They used my dad's shells from the 70's.  Pretty big holes!

 

Eli started the game as goalie!...ready with his gloves on!!!

There wasn't much action while he was goalie.  He told me later he was moving lots just to keep warm.

The coach putting Eli back in.

Half time

                                                      Eli making one of his 2 goals

Jacob in his first concert at MSU.  Can't wait to see and hear the videos.  He is such a handsome talented grandson.

Jack and Hailey at his soccer game

 

Jack playing

Hailey taking .5 of her and her mom and dad!  Fun girl!

Took my shower, listened to worship music, ate breakfast and read my Bible.  Bill was finished reading his Bible by the time I got done with everything and started.  Cleaned and vacuumed the Family room.  Walked around outside for a while.  Another cool, 64 degree day but no wind today.  

I told Vikki I was missing her because I haven't seen her in a week.  That's the longest we've gone except when we were in Florida.  She called me and said she was coming over for a while when the kids got out of school.  I was so happy.  Jared and Adam got here right before Vikki did.  I was happy to see Adam too, because it's been before we went camping that I saw him last too.  Kimmy and Eli got here a little while later!  More happiness and then Bill brought Max over, so more happiness yet. Jack had a soccer game in Mt. Pleasant at 6 tonight.     It was so nice having everybody here.  I put lots of snacks on the table and plates, so we all ate some except Max.  He had just eaten and was full.  He and Bill went out back and shot the guns, using my dad's shells.  

Vikki and the kids left first, then Kimmy and Jared had to leave to take Adam home and then go to Jacob's concert.  I can't wait to watch the video's and hear him.  Bill and Max left next.  Eli had already eaten, so didn't want to eat before his game.  Eli and I went to the soccer field at 7 and his game started at 7:30.  Eli waited until he saw someone he knew, then he got out and started walking with him.  He came back in a minute and said he wanted to help me with what I needed.  He carried my chair for me.  Such a gentleman.  They played under the big lights which was very cool and great to be able to see everything.  They won 14 to 2.  Eli played great.  It was pretty nice sitting out there as it stayed in the 60's with no wind.  We were both hungry, so we stopped at McDonalds.  I went through the videos I took.  Kimmy called and told me to have Eli lay on the couch and have his phone off.  He fell asleep right away.  They got here about an hour and 10 minutes later around 11:20.  Jared is using my car again as he has to be at his company's booth for a job fair at SVSU tomorrow.  We have a busy weekend with a motorcycle ride and a Jesus Movement event and concert at Hopevale, so we told him to just keep it until he gets his car back.  It was nice driving it to Eli's game though.  I like Bill's truck lots, but a Prius is my favorite.  

Melissa posted pictures of Jack's soccer game so I borrowed them for my blog. Hailey was very happy it was there so she could go.  Looks like lots of fun and looks like Jack played great!

Wed., 9/27/23, Cool cloudy day in the 60's and breezy, Cleaned part of the house, picked Jack up and took him to Culver's, went to Jack's soccer game

Jack when I dropped him off at home after we went to Culver's for lunch

The birds love the water feeder Vikki made for me.  I love watching them on it.  Sometimes two at a time will sit on it.

Bill in his cool hat driving us to Jack's soccer game

Jack playing on the end and in front of where the team hangs out when not playing

Me, Jack and Bill...Great job playing Jack!

Jack and his Papa Dan

Bill went with Charlie for coffee this morning.  I called Outdoor Adventures because we wanted to go camping today through Monday, but they are filled up except for 2 spots because of Halloween.  We don't want to go when that's going on, so we decided to stay home.  

I had my coffee and oatmeal.  Pumpkin Spice creamer sure tastes good this time of year.  I cleaned the living room and dining room. I talked to Melissa for a while too.  She let me know Jack and his team from school were volunteering at the Children's Museum to clean and wash windows.  She was getting ready to take Max to school and wondered if Jack could text me when he got back to school and I could pick him up.  Of course I said yes.  

I put on good worship music and finished cleaning.  Melissa called later and said Jack was at the school.  I took the truck to go get him.  He was outside waiting, but wasn't used to me coming in the truck.  I waved at him and he came right away with a big smile on his face.

I asked him if he was hungry and would like to go to Culver's and he said yes.  We ate in the parking lot.  I finished first and he finished eating while I drove him home.  We had a nice visit.  He sure is a nice kid.  I'm glad he's my grandson.  I dropped him off and he was very happy to see the light sabre he ordered had been delivered.  I told him to be sure and send me a picture of it.  

I made sirloin burgers and sliced baked potatoes on the grill for dinner.  We ate, then had to get ready to leave right away for Jack's soccer game.  We parked right next to Bruce, Melissa and Dan.  We were very happy to see them.  We sat in our chairs and Melissa and I stayed nice and warm in our layers.  Melissa brought a blanket...I forgot mine, but wore my Copper Harbor super warm sweatshirt and also had a warm coat I used as a blanket.  They won their game 7 to 1.  The ref couldn't see well anymore because it was getting dark, so they called it with 5 minutes still to go on the clock.  

 

Tues., 9/26/23, Bill took the garbage and yard waste out, 38 bags of yard waste!!!, He went to breakfast with Ross, I cleaned Kernel burner, Went to prayer in the evening

 

All ready to clean Kernel Burner.  

Bill has been working hard and the grass has been growing fast.  38 bags of yard waste from the yard and garden!!!

Slept in til 9.  Bill took the garbage and yard waste out, then went to breakfast with Ross, a friend who goes to our church to spend time with him.  He was just diagnosed with Mesothelioma stage 2 or 3.  Praying for him and appreciate other's prayers for him.  

Is rained in the morning.  I ate my oatmeal for breakfast and had my coffee.  Then I covered the furniture and carpet in the family room, and started cleaning the Kernel Burner.  I was thanking the Lord a lot today, because it call went so well and the pieces went back together so easy.  

After lunch, I read my Bible, worshipped and prayed.  Bill got home and worked out in the shed.  It stopped raining so I put some things I had washed out in the camper.  I worked on labeling some CMA pictures from our chapters in Michigan.   Bill has to send them into our National Evangelist for the Changing of the Colors Rally in Arkansas in Oct.  We ate dinner, then I went to intercessory prayer in the evening.  Great turnout and powerful prayer time.  I took the truck and enjoyed the heated seats and heated steering wheel.  Jared texted me and they are making good progress on their car now.  They sure have went a long time now with just one vehicle.  I am happy it is almost done.  Bill and I had ice cream with nuts and he had chocolate chips and I had M & M peanuts.  

Monday, 9/25/23, Bill went to coffee with Charlie, I slept in, 15 turkeys roamed in the yard, watered grass seed, fed birds, Jared stopped over, Bill had Elder's meeting

Had 14 turkeys come spend lots of time today

They were looking for leftovers in the garden

Bill got up early to go meet Charlie for coffee.  I slept in.  Made my oatmeal with raisins, nuts, bananas and blueberries and drank my coffee with Pumpkin Spice Creamer.  I brought a couple of coolers up from the basement and took everything out of the refrigerator and freezer and cleaned it good.  Then I put everything back and put the coolers back downstairs.  That is a job I'm glad to have done.  Tomorrow I am hoping to get the Kernel Burner cleaned.  I started watering the new grass right away in the morning and moved it around.  It is quite a big area they seeded.  When Bill got home he mowed the grass.  We were reading our Bibles, and I went out when the timer went off and moved the sprinkler.  Jared had pulled in the garage with my car and said hi and startled me a little.  I had just texted Kimmy that they should keep my car at least until Friday.  I texted Adam to tell him to have her look at my text.  Jared said I should have texted him.  I don't like to bug him because I don't know when he is working or at meetings.  We had a nice visit and Bill and I told him to keep the car.  There is rain in the forecast and we don't want him having to walk a mile each way in rain.  He said no, but then I told him I had texted Kimmy.  He called her and she was saying no at first, but when I talked to her and told her rain was in the forecast, she agreed to keep the car.  We don't need it and it sure helps them to have 2 vehicles.  Bill had to leave to go to an Elder's meeting at church.  Jared hung around and was visiting.  

I told him to take fruit slices home with him for all of them to have.  Jared ate a few here while he was waiting, because he still thought Kimmy was coming.  He thought I was joking about her saying yes.  He called her and she verified it.  Then he noticed I changed the John 61:3 back to John 3:16.  I never noticed it, but Kimmy told me last time she was here.  He called her to find out why she told on him.  He wanted to see how long it would take me to notice I guess.  It might have been a very long time.  He left for home.  It was raining out so I didn't have to move the sprinkler any more.  Yay!  Thank you God for rain. I read my Bible more than when Bill got home he read his Bible more.  I talked with Vikki lots today and talked with Kenzie.   

 

Sun., 9/24/23, Breakfast at the Hen House, stopped in West Branch on way. home, met guy named Bill and got to pray with him, Max, Bruce, Melissa came over,

We all went to breakfast at the Hen House Restaurant in the morning.  We had to wait outside for about 15 minutes for a table big enough for 8.  Bill, Jean, Kathy, Jeff, Mel, Betty, Bill and I went out by the road to wave when we saw Phil and Julie going by with their 5th wheel.  They rolled down their windows and were yelling back to us and waving.  We got a table shortly after that.  Our breakfasts were yummy. 

We all packed up after we got back to the campground.  It didn't take long to be ready to go.

Bill drove the motorcycle up and got it latched in right away.  I helped put the tie downs on.

Mel and Betty came over to say goodbye.  We finished the last minute stuff, then went to everyone's campsite and told them goodbye.  Then we went and dumped our tanks and left for home.  We stopped at a Walmart in West Branch to find UTZ brand chips.  All they had was pretzels, so we got those.  Kathy told us she get them at a Walmart in Florida and they are so good, especially the barbecue chips.  On our way in, were walking and saw a guy getting off his motorcycle.  We said hi and started talking.  He told us how his dad just died and how he had 10 days with him before he passed to talk with him.  He also started telling us about his grandma who was a Christian.  He had lots of good memories of her.  We asked him if he believed in Jesus and he said yes.  He said he hadn't been going to church though. We told him about CMA and how there was a chapter in West Branch.  He was excited to get the information so he can go.  He wanted nice people to ride with.  I asked him if he wanted us to pray with him and he said yes.  We prayed about all the things we had talked about and for God to lead him and guide his steps.  It was definitely a God moment and we were so thankful for God doing that.  He was going in for snacks and so were we.  When we came out he was by his bike again and we said goodbye.  Then we left and headed the rest of the way home.  I went back and made ground bologna sandwiches and got some chips to go with it.  Also got a few Milky Way miniature sized bars for our dessert.  So nice to be able to fix lunch while traveling.  I did wait for Bill to get off the expressway and on a country road.  We got home and unloaded the camper right away.  It went so fast and isn't so tiring with only two steps instead of 5.  Bill carried the heavy baskets of freezer and refrigerator stuff.  I did laundry right away.  Melissa called and Bruce and Max were heading over to shoot with Bill.  She was driving separate because she was going to stop at Tim Horton's and get a coffee and wanted to know if I wanted one.  I had already drank coffee so didn't have her get me one.  It sure was sweet of her though.  She and I played 3-13 in the camper while the guys got everything ready to shoot and practiced using the skeet shooter.  They called us to come watch after we were done with the Kings.  It was fun watching them shoot and hit some of them.  That seems like it would be very hard to me.  

We all picked up the pieces we found in the yard afterward.  It was lots of fun.  Max is so happy getting to do this and so good at it.  I love his big smile while doing it.  He held Kit Kat on the deck after they were done cleaning the guns.  Melissa and I finished our last hand of 3-13.  I won, but she sure caught up and almost tied me.  We had so much fun.  I talked to Vikki a couple of times.  I texted with Jacob and I'm praying he feels better quickly.  I sure do love my family.