Thus., 12/7/23, Moved a shoe rack upstairs to the closet, then moved summer shoes upstairs and winter shoes downstairs, went shopping with Bill, cleaned Kernel Burner, made chicken noodle soup

Chicken noodle soup all made

Kernel burner all back together and burning nicely.  

Charlie picked Bill up to go to breakfast.  I made yummy oatmeal and had coffee with it. The “Total Clean” message came on the screen of the Kernel Burner.  Bill said it was going to be pretty warm out today, so I decided to turn it off, let it cool down and clean it after we went shopping.  We went to T.J. Max, then Burlington’s, then Meijer.  We were looking for something for our area reps. for Sunday’s Christmas Party.  We ended up getting wafer roll ups at Burlington.  We got Lydia a toy for Sunday’s party too.  We wanted her to have something to open when we grown ups play our gift exchange game.  I ran off 21 trivia games to play at the party.  

We read our Bibles and did our Advent devotion.  Such a good devotional.  My Bible reading in Joshua was really good too.  

Kenzie called me.  I was happy to talk to her on her due date.   She has so many things to decide with her sick, Travis sick and Vikki sick.  I feel bad for her.  She was feeling better today so I was happy about that.  It’s just hospital rules make you stay away for 7 days after you’ve been sick if you aren’t the parent.  I have been praying because I know how much Vikki was looking forward to seeing her first grand baby be born.  I know how much Kenzie wants her there too.  Kenzie and Travis had to go to Med Express so Kenzie could be tested for Covid and the Flu.  She had to have this done before her doctor appt. today.  She gets the results tomorrow.  I just want her healthy when she has the baby and want the baby to be born nice and healthy and stay that way.  Continuing to do lots of praying.  

I talked to Vikki and she still isn’t feeling well.  No one else at her house has gotten it, and none of the rest of us have been around her.  

I covered all the furniture, cleaned the Kernel burner.  I don’t think I got one of the pieces in correctly last time, even though it looked like it.  We had super big flames and it looked a little weird.  I was happy to get it cleaned really good and have the pieces go in the right way.  It started right up and had a nice even flame.  Nice job to have done before Christmas.

I made chicken noodle soup after that.  I put carrots, celery, potatoes and chicken in it.  Bill sampled it when it was done.  I added a little more salt and poultry seasoning.  Then he said it was just right.  I had a bowl after it cooled.  

He had a zoom meeting after that with our National Evangelist, Jay, and all of the State Coordinators for CMA.  It went well and they all prayed for each other’s family needs at the end.  Great group of godly men who lead well.

Wed., 12/6/23, Went to Walmart, cleaned bird feeders and fed the birds, went to Melissa’s for cake and ice cream

Celebrated Max’s Birthday tonight

Jack and Badger

Max and Papa

Evan

Jack, Papa and Evan

Max opening his gifts

 

 

 

 

Bill got up early and went to two appointments at the VA.  I slept in til 8:30.  I called Kimmy to see if she would look and make sure she didn’t have my Humana cards.  I remembered telling her I had to keep them, but then we were both tried to pay the $3 extra.  I was sure I had put the cards away, but thought I would check with Kimmy to see if she remembered what I did with them.  Well, I called Walmart and they had my cards.  I went to Walmart to pick them up and I sure did thank God.  I had prayed lots for Him to show me where they were. 

I got home and cleaned out the bird feeders, then filled them with the bird seed I got at Walmart.  Bill got home and ate cereal and I had oatmeal.  He had a coffee and I had an iced coffee Latte I got from Aldi's to try.  They looked good and are lots cheaper than Starbucks.  It was really good and I liked it just as well.  I don’t buy them often, but they are so good once in a while.  We read our Bibles and did our Advent devotions afterward.  

In the evening, we went to Old Town Drive In for coney dogs, fries and root beers.  I had two coupons to use there.  It was delicious as always.  One of our favorite places.  We went to our church afterward, and Bill gave a retired pastor who goes to Haiti and trains pastors over there, money the church donated combined with some Bill raised for a motorcycle for him to present to a pastor in Haiti.  So thankful for how God provided so quickly and very proud of Bill for how he lets God use him and thankful for our church being so generous.  We went to Melissa and Bruce’s afterwards, and celebrated Max’s birthday. The cake was delicious and so were the cake and coffee.  We had fun watching Max open his gifts and visiting with everyone.  Bill had fun playing ping pong with Jack and Evan and said they had really improved a lot.  

Kenzie called and said she was still sick.  They called and wanted to know if she wanted to be induced today.  She told them she wasn’t feeling well and said no of course.  Praying she feels better fast and so does Travis.  Want her to feel good when she has the baby.  Tomorrow is her due date.  Sure am praying for her, Travis and baby.  Texted with Adam.  So thankful for my family! 

Tues., 12/5/23, Did some knitting, made an ornament, went to prayer

 

This peace plant was from my niece’s wedding shower in 1999.  It was just a very small plant and she gave everyone there one.  It has grown so much this year. It is looking amazing and is getting the biggest blooms on it.

We ate breakfast and had our coffee, then read our Bibles and did our Advent Devotion.  I worked on knitting a dish cloth.  Bill took the garbage out.  We took a little nap in the afternoon.  I did more knitting.  Bill went to meet Alec and I went to intercessory prayer at church.  

When I got home, we watched a movie.  It was pretty boring, so we started a different one.  It was boring too, so we started a 3rd one which was based on a true story.  It was a true story about a young husband and dad that got sepsis.  He survived, but had to have hands, feet and part of his face cut off.  His wife and family stood by him, but it was so sad what he had to go through.  I am thankful Melissa had heard Dr. Oz talk about sepsis on his program, so when Hailey had symptoms, even though Bruce thought it was nothing, Melissa knew she needed to go to the hospital for treatment.  She had it in her hip, but they caught it fast and she was fine in a few days.  So thankful to the Lord.  

I didn’t know anything about it before that.  It’s good to know what the symptoms are because it has to be treated really fast or organs begin shutting down.  I didn’t know it could get as awful as it did for the person in the movie.  

Monday, 12/4/23, Went shopping, Stopped at Melissa’s, typed up trivia game for Christmas party Sat.

 

Hailey’s back from Nebraska

Made my oatmeal with walnuts, raisins and bananas.  Had a cappuccino with chocolate on top and broken up candy cane.  Put worship music on.  Bill went with Charlie for coffee.  Sue called and talked to me for a while.  

Bathroom drain needed to be cleaned out, so I helped Bill work on that.  Got the live trap from outside and put it under the pool deck.  It is so we outside it was like walking on a sponge.  It was a beautiful sunny day today so I was very thankful for that and that the rain stopped.  

I went to Aldi, to Burlington’s, the Dollar store, the Home Goods Store,  and TJ Max.  I went to Melissa’s for a few minutes after that.  All three Shelties greeted me at the door with Melissa.  They are watching Ricter this week.  I was happy to get to see Hailey.  She was doing her laundry and was heading back to college after it was finished and she ate dinner.  I saw Jack when I was leaving.  He was going on a bike ride.  I couldn’t get a picture though.  I called Bill to see if he wanted to meet me to eat somewhere.  He had picked up Max and was heading to Flint.  I talked to them for a while, and told Max I should have sent his birthday gift for him with papa.  He told me there was cake at his house and I would have to come over.  He was so sweet.  I asked them if they were going to eat at 5 guys, but Max ate pizza before Bill picked him up, so he wasn’t hungry.  I ended up getting an olive burger and fries at Culver’s and taking it home to eat.  It was yummy.  

I checked batteries in some candles I have out and the first one didn’t turn on, so I thought the batteries were dead.  I tried the next three and they all worked, so I tried the one that didn’t work once again after taking the batteries out and putting them back in.  Yay, it worked.  

Kenzie called me and talked to me for a while.  I called her back while I was shopping to see if baby needed anything.  She said no and Travis confirmed it.  I found a couple of things while I was out thought, so got them.  I can always get diapers for baby when he comes home because babies always need lots of those.  

I messaged with Brittany from church afterward.  She started singing on the worship team a couple of Sundays ago.  I wanted to let her know she is doing an awesome job and how much I love the way she worships while she is singing.  

I put on worship by Jesus Image.  It is so worshipful and lifts Jesus up in such an amazing way.   His presence just fills the room whenever I play it and worship to it.  So Awesome! I read my Bible and did my Advent devotion after that.  Bill got home right as I was finishing and then he read his Bible and did his devotion.  

Texted with Adam.  I am so glad his concussion is better and we text more now again.

Sunday, 12/3/23, Went to church, went to Faith Rider’s Christmas party, went to our Church Leadership Christmas Party

Pictures from Faith Rider Christmas Party

Cindy taking a selfie of all of us at the Faith Rider Christmas Party

 

 

 

 

 

Faith Riders Officers for 2024

Elaine sharing a devotion about Christmas

We went to prayer, then to worship.  I taught Sunday School and Peyton was my helper.  Briana taught with me.  She is learning to lead teach.  It was a good lesson with fun things to do.  Bill, Rody, and Isaac sat together in the service.  Vikki had breathed in a lot of dry wall dust and cat hair when she helped Kenzie clean their house that has been being 

remodeled. 

After church, we went to the fire station next door to our Faith Rider’s Christmas Party.  It was lots of fun with great friends celebrating the birth of Jesus and good food being shared.

We played fun games and did some fun stuff with the kids who were there.  We appreciate this CMA chapter and all they do so much.  We helped clean up afterwards, then went home for a couple of hours.  I listened to our church service on line.  Bill worked on changing lights in Joseph and a shepherd in the outside nativity.  

We went to our New Life Leadership Christmas Party at 5:30 at Timbers.  We sat with Debbie, Dale, Harmony, Matthew, Dan Dickerson (who is going to be ordained as our associate pastor soon) and his wife Amber.  The food was great and the pies were amazing.  We played a fun trivia game about toys.  They gave prizes away.  I just made getting a prize with 6 right answers.  I got a gift certificate to Chic Fil A.  We are getting one in our town soon so I was pretty happy about that.  Debbie had 8 answers right and Amber had 6 like me.  We all won the Chic Fil A gift cards.  We had a choice of an Amazon gift card, or Home Depot gift, of Chic Oil A.  We had such a nice time visiting and seeing everyone.  We came home and watched a good Christmas Movie about a boys orphanage.  Forgot the name of it.  We read our Bibles and started our Advent devotion.  So thankful God has given us His Word both in book and in Jesus being the Word.  So awesome!

Kenzie decided to not go in the hospital and be induced tomorrow.  She’s going to wait to see if the baby comes naturally.  I’m happy she’s waiting for a little while and praying lots for her to have an easy safe labor and delivery and healthy baby.  I sure love that girl and her baby.  I’m so excited to meet him.  

 

 

Sat. 12/2/23, Went to Jim Estep’s funeral, went to Living Nativity, went to see the City Christmas lights on the way home

My Cappuccino this morning.  Chocolate and broken up candy cane for my topping today.  Used the mug Maddy gave me because all my big Kimmy/Jared mugs were in the dishwasher because of making the girls cappuccinos yesterday.

Waiting to go into the church

In the church

Beautiful packed church....Many who have been coming and many 1st timers.  It’s out in the country and since starting 27 years ago there have been 66,700 people come to it.

We always love it when the angel appears.

Outside listening to shepherds talk about a new king being born 

Our family traditional picture afterwards.  Miss that Jacob and Hailey couldn’t be there.  They were missing being there.  Missed having Melissa and family there too.

Had Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast this morning and a cappuccino.  I went over my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow again.  Bill went to town, so picked up what I need to make my banana cream pudding dessert for one of our Christmas parties tomorrow after church.  I will make it in the morning.  We read our Bibles and then got ready and went to our friend, Jim Estep’s funeral.  We gave our condolences to Peggy and the family, and then sat with friends from Trinity Riders.  It was a moving service with his son sharing about his dad’s life and crying at times.   He loved Jesus and followed Him, so it was a comfort to know he’s with Jesus and not suffering any longer.  There was a wonderful meal afterwards.  We sat with Jim and Laurel who we haven’t seen in a long time, and loved catching up with.  We also sat with a teacher at Peyton and Isaac’s school and her husband.  He was a grandson of one of our friends.

We took a short one hour nap, then we got ready and went to the Living Nativity.  We have been going for 20 years.  I loved it when my mom and dad used to go with us.  Love having the kids and grandkids love it as much as we do.  Kimmy said Jacob would have come home for it and was missing being there.  I would have picked him up if I would have known he could have come home and so would they have.  Hailey went to Nebraska with her friend’s parents and sister, to visit Brianna.   She would have been there otherwise.  We sat in the church listening to some sing, and some play instruments, and at times the congregation gets to pick Christmas songs out of the book and we would sing them.  Then when it’s our turn, our family goes outside and our shepherd takes us on a journey to Bethlehem.  It is so amazing!  They have shepherds along the way and we stop and warm up by their fire while they talk to our shepherd and ask him if he has heard about a king being born.  They said there was a bright light and an angel and they sent shepherds to Bethlehem to check it out.  Then we move along to another fire stop with more shepherds.  After that, we run into the Roman soldiers who are very gruff and say they are going to search us, and say we smell from our journey.  Adam tried to hide by becoming very short, but the soldier saw him and pulled his sweatshirt hood and checked him over.  He told him he was smelly.  We got to a tent and went in to get our parchment rolled up to take and get stamped at the next tent after our shepherd pays our taxes.  Then we go through the marketplace which is so amazing with all the things they are selling and all the animals they are selling.  They have chickens, ducks, rabbits, donkeys, and even a camel.  They are also selling merchandise and camel tongue soup (yuk). We don’t have money to spend, so we pass through and then come to the inn.  The innkeeper tells us there is no room and no food, but tells us about a young couple he just sent to his stable for shelter and she was with child.

He told us there may be room for us there.  We walk a little farther and there are children and others all excited because the savior has been born.  We go around the corner and there is Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  There are donkeys and cows in stalls too.  What a great way and a wonderful tradition to focus on the real meaning of Christmas.  Jesus was born as the savior of the world to take away our sins.  At the end, our shepherd prays with us and we go into the fellowship hall for cookies, cocoa, orange drink or coffee.  I love this family tradition so much.

On the way home, Bill asked if I wanted to go see the Christmas lights.  We went and saw the ones in the city, then went by Brad and Jen’s house because they put up lots and lots.  Then we went by a gated community which a house that had more than even the city lights.

We got home and our lights Bill worked so hard on putting up in the cold, were just beautiful and our nativity the kids got us looked amazing.  We have much to be thankful for.  Jesus is number 1.  

 

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, Happy 18th Birthday Max! We love you! Kimmy, Melissa, Hailey and Vikki came over today, Made applesauce

Happy Birthday Max!  We love you so much!  You are an awesome grandson!

These are all the pictures we took this morning.  Hailey’s .5’s lol.  We look like giants in this one.  

Always fun with Hailey.  She is so expressive.

This 

attachment to my Kitchenaid sure makes peeling and slicing apples easy

 

Made applesauce

Made a cappuccino and oatmeal for breakfast.  Kimmy called because she wanted to come over for our Friday hangout day.  I was so happy.  I called her back to see if she wanted me to make her a cappuccino.  She said yes and said she was getting close.  I made it and she got here right when it was ready.  We called Melissa to see if she wanted to come over.

Hailey was home, so she asked her if she wanted to come.  She did.  Melissa waited for her to get ready, then called us so we could meet them at Walmart and I got a few groceries while they got their over the counter stuff.  We all came to my house afterwards and hung out.  We made carved turkey sandwiches for lunch.  We had chips with it.  I had dip with mine and remembered how last night I had Fritos and dip in a bowl and I set it down between Bill and I.  He reached in to take some of my Fritos and stuck his fingers in the dip.  Then asked me to get a napkin and said what is that.  I had to laugh.  He will be careful when he reaches into my bowl next time.  He would never try dip.  It’s like cheese to him.

I told the girls about it today and they had a good laugh too.  When Vikki got out of work, she came over too.  We had such a good time talking and spending time together.  Hailey had to leave first.  She went to pick up Jack and Brianna’s sister from school.  Kimmy left next.  Bill came home to get the number he needed to pick Evan up from school for Melissa.  Vikki had to pick the kids up, so she took Melissa home since she goes close to her house.  Bill texted me and said he was taking Evan to Culver’s.  So happy they got to hang out and spend time together.  Bruce took Max to Chicago for the day for his birthday, so he could see how Vader does in the big City.  Can’t wait to hear how it went.  I decided to do the apples I had bought.  It went so fast with the peeler/slicer attachment.  I was done in no time and made applesauce and also put some sliced apples in the freezer.  We watched a Christmas movie after that.  It was really good.