Sunday, 3/3/24, 60 degree and sunny day, a little windy, but a beautiful day! Went to church early, went to prayer, great worship and church service, went to CMA National Day of Prayer, went to outback

Peyton standing in the middle by the wall in the background...She and her youth group served people at the pancake breakfast the youth put on to raise money for their mission trip this summer.  Isaac was helping too, but didn’t get a picture of him.

Group picture in front of the Police Station...Mark, Harden, Lydia, on far left, In front, Ann, Michelle, Elaine, Brad and Jen, Lew, Don, me and Bill 

Faith Riders and Trinity Riders praying at the City Police Station 

All of us singing a worship song  at the Police Station.  Bill finally got there so I shared my paper with him.

Peyton standing in the middle by the wall in the background...She and her youth group served people at the pancake breakfast the youth put on to raise money for their mission trip this summer.  Isaac was helping too, but didn’t get a picture of him.

Praying for the school, Unite, in the City of Saginaw

Elaine, Lew, and Brad

 

 

Group picture when we prayed at Unite.  Michelle, Lew, Cindy, Elaine, Jen, Brad, Don, me, Ann and Mark - Bill took the picture

Another group picture at Unite.  Bill, Mark, Ann, Elaine Lew, Cindy, Don, Bev, Jim, Jen, Brad and Michelle - I took this picture with the school in the background.  It is in the building process

 Praying at the Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene 

Cutest picture of Rehvyn

The smile that melts your heart

 

Evan face timed me to play a song he is learning.  He did a great job!  We have talented musicians in our family

 Evan got on to say hi to me when he was finished

Beautiful sunset tonight

Bruce and the boys were having a nerf gun fight when I was talking on the phone to Melissa.  She sent me a picture of Bruce shielding and protecting himself with a chair!

Ha Ha!!!

I had to be in church 10 minutes before prayer started so I could meet with the head of our children’s ministry, Cassie.  She wanted to go over some new procedures for our K-1 class.

It didn’t take very long, and we met in the prayer room, so right afterwards, we started our intercessory prayer.  Such a privilege and honor to pray for the people in our church, the pastor, the leaders, the ministries and whatever else the Holy Spirit puts on our hearts.  

After prayer, we went into the service.  Kristen, Grant and Thomas were sitting behind us, so I talked to them for a while until worship started.  Thomas is in my class now.

I taught Sunday School.  My helper wasn’t there because she was sick, but Peyton is always my youth helper and does a great job.  The kids were a little hyper today!  Must be the nice weather.  Bill said Pastor’s message was really good.  I will listen later.  We came home for a short time, then Bill drove the motorcycle and I drove the car to go to the police station to pray.  Well we got to the one we thought it was at and no one was there.  I forgot my phone, so I Bill tried to call Elaine to see where they were.  She didn’t answer, so he put the address in his phone and gave it to me and said he would follow me.  I was trying to watch the directions, plus drive, plus make sure Bill was behind me.  His phone screen went blank, so I started getting concerned about leading him there, since I didn’t really know where it was. I looked and he was no where to be seen.  I turned around to see if I could find him, but I didn’t.  The directions came back on so I decided to just keep going to where they were praying.  I was the 2nd and 3rd one praying for Israel and then for Ukraine.   I finally got there and was about 5 minutes late.  I got there before the first person prayed though, other than Elaine opening in prayer.  I put Bill’s phone in my pocket while I prayed.  I was concerned about where he was and how he was doing.  A few minutes after I started praying, I felt him take his phone out of my pocket and heard him say he was here.  Thank you Lord.  I had been praying.  After those of us assigned to pray for things there were finished, we left and went to the school being built called Unite.  Michelle’s husband and little girl left to go home.  Michelle rode with me to go continue praying.   Everyone one who signed up to pray for things at the school, took their turns praying.  Sometimes others added things they wanted to pray in addition.  We left there and went to Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene.  Once again, everyone assigned to pray for churches, families and any different things prayed, and the rest of us prayed in agreement.  Elaine closed us in prayer, then 7 of us headed to Outback for lunch.  We had a nice lunch and a great visit.  I took Michelle home after that and Bill went to Menards to get the part he needs for our ceiling fan.  

When I got home, I FaceTimed with Melissa and Evan and then called her back and just talked on the phone for a while.  I could hear lots of excitement as Bruce and the boys were getting ready to have a nerf gun fight outside.  Vikki called me after that and I hung up to answer her call.  I thought maybe she was still at Kenzie’s with baby boo.  I talked to her and Peyton for a while, then hung up so I could start my blog.  Bill and I are going to have ice cream and watch a movie when I finish.  

We watched “Gold Through the Fire”.  It was a good movie about a Russian boy who escaped an orphanage after his parents were put in a prison camp for believing in Jesus.        

Saturday, March 2, 2024, Happy 14th Birthday Elijah! We Love you! Our new stove and microwave were delivered, met Kimmy and family at Culver’s for ice cream for Eli’s birthday,

Happy Birthday Eli!  We love you so much and we’re so thankful God blessed us with you as our grandson!

Eli sent me these pictures of them taking Basil to the pet store to get a new collar and leash

 

Pretty new collar

Curious about all of Eli’s birthday treats

Our new stove above and our new microwave below.  The guy called today and said he will install them for us on Thursday.  Yay!

 

Eli our 14 year old now at Culver’s where we had concrete mixers and celebrated his birthday

Adam...he’s our very active grandson now doing lots of fun things

Me, Eli and Papa

Reading his card

Opening his gift

Papa is looking at his new ping pong paddle.  He’s probably worried Eli is going to beat him now lol.

 

                                             Me, Eli, Bill, Adam, Jacob and Jared

We got up at 8:30.  Sue called right as I was getting up.  Charlie was picking Bill up for coffee.  Bill told me the guy texted and is going to install the stove and microwave on Thursday.  I was very happy to hear that.  I made oatmeal and put strawberries, blueberries and raisins in it.  I made a coffee to have with it too.  I relaxed and ate while I listened to worship music and watched the birds.  Did a couple of loads of laundry.  Bill got home and we read our Bibles.  We called Eli and FaceTimed to see his Kitty’s new collar and leash and his new target Jared and Jacob made and his throwing knives.  We set up to meet them all at Culver’s at 1 if our stove and microwave were delivered on schedule.  They delivered them at about noon, so I wrapped Eli’s gift and filled out his card, then we got ready and headed to Culver’s.  We had fun with everyone and enjoyed our Concrete Mixers.  Eli really liked his new ping pong paddle and case.  Watch out Jack, Papa and Jared.  Eli will be winning now!  Jacob left when he was finished to go to the high school music festival.  We visited longer and then we all left.  We stopped at Costco on our way home and walked around.  We picked up a ceiling light/fan for our room. This is the picture.  It is LED lights and a fan in the center.  We looked up reviews and they were 5 stars. We worked together taking the old light down.  I assisted and Bill did the hard part.  I washed everything after it was taken apart.  He needs to go get another part before he can finish hanging it now.  We will do that Monday.   I talked to Vikki and Melissa.  I also worked on my prayer for Israel and for Ukraine so I am prepared when I pray for both tomorrow at CMA’s National Day of Prayer.  Bill is praying for schools.  I also went over my Sunday School lesson again.  Tomorrow morning I have to meet Cassy who is over the elementary age kids 10 minutes before I go to prayer.   At 1 pm, we meet for our prayer and go to the police station, a high school and a church to pray.  We all are praying for different things, so will cover a lot.  Afterward, we are going to Outback for lunch.  Trinity Riders is joining Faith Riders for this time of prayer.

Friday, March 1, 2024, HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY KODY...WE LOVE YOU!!! Kimmy and Jacob came over, Kimmy and Jacob helped Bill with burning the tree that fell, went to the dentist with Jacob, went to celebrate Kody’s birthday

Happy Birthday to our Bonus Grandson Kody!  We love him so much and are so thankful God made us his Nana and Papa

Kimmy and I sure had fun face timing with Kenzie and Rehvyn...Look at that precious smile and those eyes!!!!

Another view of the fallen tree

Jacob blowing on the fire to perk it up

It worked!!!!

Jacob helping papa burn the tree branches

 

Papa and Jacob working

That is quite the fire next to them

Me dipping strawberries in chocolate for us to have for a treat

Jacob relaxing at Nana's

Celebrating this sweet boy’s 11th birthday at his house in the evening.  We had so much fun there!  He’s holding the over the door basketball hoop and balls we got him.  He really wanted this.  He had so much fun playing and was very good at making baskets.  Papa, Stacie and I tried playing, but we weren’t that good.  We need practice.  We sure had fun and got exercise though.

Kody opening his LED Alarm Clock from us

 

Stacie lighting his candles

 

He blew them all out

Papa, Kody and me

Nice picture Gayla sent me of their campsite in Florida

Bill had to go to Auburn to pick up a cord.  Then he picked up Olipop drinks from Kroger.  I went to Pat’s and got bread, lunchmeat, and cheese.  Bill got home right when I did.  He read his Bible.  Kimmy and Jacob got here at around 10:20.  I made them a cappuccino.  I made one for me too. We face timed with Kenzie and our sweetie Rehvyn.  It was so fun! Papa came in and  had regular Oreos and Jacob had mint Oreos.  

Jacob had a broken wire that was poking into his mouth and was painful.  He stopped at his Orthodontist yesterday, but the sign said they were closed because they were at a conference.  They weren’t open today either because of it being Friday.  I tried calling our friend who is an endodontist, to see if he could cut the wire, but he wasn’t in either.  Then I called my dentist and talked to the receptionist who was very nice and said they were booked full, but she would ask the dentist and see if he could do it and call me back.  We sure prayed.  I told her that Jacob had to go back to college Sunday and plays the clarinet.Kimmy and I went outside to watch Jacob and Bill by the fire working.  I took my phone out with me.  We sat for a while and visited, then I got a call back from the receptionist and she said we could come in at 1:45 and the dentist would take care of the wire.  We ate lunch.  Bill and I had ground bologna sandwiches, Kimmy had pot pie I got out of the freezer, and Jacob had a turkey, lettuce and cheese sandwich.  Melissa couldn’t come today because they are having 4 boys spend the night who are traveling from a different state and are in the choir/band and putting on a concert at Valley.  She was washing bedding and getting everything ready for them to stay.  I made some chocolate covered strawberries to have when we got home.

We got to my dentist at 1:45 and Jacob and Kimmy filled out the forms.  They realize they don’t have their new dental insurance cards, so Kimmy was a little worried at first.  She called Jared and he didn’t have one either.  He was going to call their dentist, but they are closed on Fridays.  The receptionist said she just needed the company and their SS number.  My friend Shiela, came into the waiting room.  She was cleaning for them and enjoying it.  She said they are all so nice and she can set her own hours.  The receptionist got everything all set up then and came and got Jacob and Kimmy to go back to the room.   Kimmy said when the dentist came in he said he would need to do a tooth extraction.  Jacob could tell he was joking and said that would work and then Kimmy got that he was joking.  They said he was really nice and after he was done and Jacob told him he went to MSU, he said, If you’re a Spartan, I’d better get my tools back out and do some more work.  He was being funny.  

He’s such a nice dentist and his office staff are all so nice too.  Jacob sure felt better when that was taken care of.  What a relief for all of us to know he wouldn’t have to go back to college in pain.  We all love that boy so much!   When they were in the room, I was getting nervous because I know Kimmy was supposed to leave by 2:15 to get Adam.  I called Bill and asked him to go get him.  Kimmy messaged me just then and said Jared was able to pick the boys up.  I called Bill back to tell him not to go.  Kimmy and Jacob came out and we came back to my house.  Kimmy and I walked around outside and looked at plants sprouting up.  So much fun.  It was in the mid 40’s and sunny.  We came in and Kimmy and I had the strawberries.  I asked Jacob if he wanted more Oreos and he said he already had some.  I’m glad he knows to help himself.  I got ready to go pick up Vikki’s kiddos because she was at a doctor appt.  Kimmy left right before me to go home.  I was just a little ways down our road when Vikki texted and said she was out and could get Peyton and Isaac.  I turned around and came back home.  We read our Bibles and devotions and then ate dinner.  At 6:30, we went to Stacie and DJ’s to celebrate Kody’s birthday.  He gave us big hugs when we got there.  He loved his gifts and was so polite when he opened them.  We sang Happy Birthday after he blew out his candles, then ate delicious cake.  Then Kody wanted DJ to put up his basketball hoop and he played the rest of the time we were there.  We played too.  We had so much fun.  We are so thankful to have them as part of our family. 

Melissa texted me and let me know the 4 boys and Jack and Evan were having so much fun playing ping pong in their basement.  It helped break the ice and gave them something to talk about.  We are so glad we gave them that ping pong table.  They sure use it lots and love it.