Thursday, 9/12/24, Happy heavenly birthday to my dad in heaven! Bill went to the VA at 8 and had breakfast with Jim F., both had 9 a.m. appointments, we met Barb and Ron at Pat’s Food Center, then they followed us to Luce Campground in McMillan for a CMA event Bill is speaking at. Set up next to Ron and Barb, beautiful campground, Alice and Belinda made chicken casserole and salad for everyone, I took banana cream pudding dessert, Bible study after, walked down by the lake, played 3-13

Happy Birthday to my dad in heaven!  He was the best!  He was a gift from God and changed my life.  

Ron and Barb, our wonderful traveling buddies 

Color on US 10 near Kimmy’s 

At the rest area

Color in the UP

It was beautiful by the Mackinac Bridge 

I always love crossing the bridge 

Mackinac Island 

We love the drive in US2 too

Our campsite before we set up at Luce Campground.  It’s beautiful here

We have a beautiful view! 

Got up early and got ready, then packed last minute things for our trip while Bill went to the VA to meet with Jim before their 9 a.m. appointments.  I made sure Kit Kat has a double supply of food in case a raccoon gets the back porch food on her.  Filled bird feeders, then fed my goldfish in the pond. Bill loaded the motorcycle onto the trailer, then we left to meet Ron and Barb, and Susie their cute little black dog.  Bill let the way, and did a great job.  We stopped once at a rest area, then went the rest of the way. What a beautiful day for a ride.  

We arrived at the campground and were blessed to see how beautiful it is.  I love being by the lake.  We got set up, relaxed for a bit and ate some delicious refreshing watermelon,  Alice called and invited us all to come have chicken casserole.  I quickly made banana cream pudding dessert to take.  We left and went to the church which is right around the corner from the campground entrance.  If was fun seeing people we know and meeting ones we didn’t know.  The pastor of the church had a good Bible Study on the fruit of the Spirit, so we stayed for that.

Alice took us on a tour of the church and other facilities.  It is really nice.  We came back to our campsite and talked to Ron and Barb for a while, then walked down by the water. I should have taken a picture but didn’t think of it.  

We read our Bibles and then played 3-13.  We were both negative, but I lost by 6 points.  It was fun though!  

We sat on the couch and relaxed after that.

 

Tues., 9/11/24, Charlie’s Memorial Service was today! It was very nice. We sure are missing him! Packed all but last minute stuff in the motor home

 

Bruce put their new Stove in today

Melissa cooking on their new stove...She’s so cute!  She said it’s amazing! I’m so happy for them.

Sunset tonight...It was so orange and so beautiful.  Picture doesn’t capture all the beauty.

I got ready, then headed to Vikki and Rody’s to get the USB that Rody loaded pictures on for Sue to be used at Charlie’s Memorial.  Went to the church for the visitation at 9:30 and gave it to Brian.  We saw lots of long time friends and it seemed like a family reunion.  A little taste of heaven.  It was so nice talking to everyone.  Our family sat together, except Kimmy, Jared and the kids couldn’t come because they were still testing positive.  We all felt bad that they couldn’t be there.  Bob and Jan sat ahead of us and we had a really nice visit while we were waiting for it to start.  Bill shared some memories about Charlie and then read what I wrote out about my memories, and the girls memories.  Bruce added a memory too.  I knew I would have cried so I was thankful Bill could read it for us.  He read the obituary too.  The U.S. Navy had a flag folding and honored Charlie and then presented the flag to Sue.  Sue did good through the whole service.  There were lots of people there.  They announced that the meal was for family and close friends.  Because Charlie was so kind, everyone thought they were a close friend; he had a way of making everyone feel special.  They ran out of food and people were standing up eating.  Sue had only planned for 60 people and there were well over a hundred there.

We came home and loaded the Weber electric grill in the camper, then packed everything except for our last minute things we will put in tomorrow morning.  Bill mowed the lawn.  I watered plants because it has been so dry here.  I cooked up some burger to take with us to make pizzas on the grill.  Bill cut up a watermelon from our garden and it was so good.  Not used to having seeds anymore, but it was worth picking all those out because it was juicy and delicious.  

Melissa was happily cooking on her new stove.  Such a blessing.  It didn’t even look like it had ever been used when we picked it up.  

We read our Bibles in the evening.  Going to bed early as Bill has a VA appt. at 8 in the morning.  

9/10/24, Met Sue at noon and set up the lobby and sanctuary for Charlie’s Memorial, came home and packed refrigerator and freezer stuff in the camper, Got the groceries I need for our camping trip,

 I didn’t take any pictures today.  Sue called and wanted me to meet her at our church at noon and help set up the pictures, etc for Charlies Memorial service tomorrow.  Her niece Yvonne, and husband Ron met us there too.  Pastor Ken was there to help us too and got all the easels to hold the picture out for us.  He was so kind and helped so much.  He got a call from Pastor Jeff who is helping with the memorial service tomorrow and he said he missed two steps in his basement and fell and sprained his ankle really bad.  They put him on the prayer page right away to get everyone praying.  

When I got home, I did laundry and packed things in clothes baskets that had to be taken out to the camper.  Bill picked up Max and he came over to practice shooting.  Max is liking college a lot.  Vader did tricks for me and I gave him some cheerio’s for treats. He’s such a great dog.  I watched him while the target practiced because it’s too loud for Vader.  He stayed right by me.  Bill took Max to an appointment, then home.   I went to Prayer at church.  It was awesome.  God is moving in so many ways in so many lives.  

We watched the debate when I got home. 

 

Monday, 9/9/24,, Up early today, went to Post Office, took one of Peyton’s Birthday gifts to Kohls to return to Amazon, went to Aldi’s, shampooed family room, did some cleaning, picked garden, Vikki and kids came over,

Roses Bill surprised me with yesterday!  He got me the sweetest card too!  He had them sitting in the garage.  I was FaceTiming with Kimmy and Jared and noticed them.  Kimmy thought maybe he was going to take them in the house, but I could tell he had set the card up for me to find them.  In the morning we had said we each hadn’t gotten each other a card or gift with being so busy, so wouldn’t.  Then he went and did this.  

Happy to have the carpet shampooed.  It looks so nice.  Lots of shadows in this picture.

The zinnias are so beautiful now

Big watermelon we picked today.  It’s in the refrigerator getting cold.  Then Bill will cut it up.

Our pumpkin and squash patch.  15 nice sized pumpkins in it.

Our carpet rose has sure grown and has so many blossoms

I love this picture Isaac took of some blossoms on it

I got up early today.  I filled out my friend Vikki and her hubby’s Anniversary Card so I could get it in the mail today.  Their anniversary is on the 11th.  I listened to worship music while I did my hand exercises. Bill and I read our Bibles.  I went to the post office to mail the card since I had to return an Amazon package I am returning of Peyton’s.  Then I went to Aldi’s for a few quick things.  I ate the other half of my Slim Greg Sandwich when I got home, then I shampooed the family room carpet.  Bill reversed the door on my washer, but it wouldn’t work when I tried it.  He took it apart and tried to fix it, but it still wouldn’t work.  He put it back on the other side and it worked perfect. Weird.  I pulled a few weeds in the flower garden today.  Sat on the deck with Kit Kat for a while and enjoyed the nice weather.  Also put some things in the attic and put some stuff upstairs away.  Washed all of the light fixtures in the upstairs bathroom.  They were looking pretty dirty.  Bill got them down for me so I could wash them.  I did more hand exercises.  Then Bill and I took an hour nap.  He had to do a zoom meeting with Jay and the National Children’s Leaders.  It went well.  I picked the garden and got lots of tomatoes, peppers, and we got quite a bit of corn.

Also picked two watermelons.  I had Vikki come pick up some.  It was nice seeing her and the kids.  We talked to Kimmy while she was here too.  We also listened to a great worship song.  Vikki loves the kind of worshipful worship I love. 

 

Sunday, 9/8/24, Our 51st Anniversary today! So thankful God brought us together and has blessed our life together. Went to prayer, than church, Rehvyn went in the nursery with Peyton,then Maddy, Alec and the kids came over, Went to Lansbury to pick up a washer, dryer and stove someone is giving Melissa and Bruce

Brielle loved the barn yard toys

She’s two now

Mason is going to be 4 months 

Melissa and Evan relaxing while the guys loaded the washer, dryer, and stove in the trailer.  

Nice view from the deck

Me, Bill, Melissa, Evan and Bruce.  We stopped at Greg and Lou’s Restaurant on our way home.  I love their Slim Greg’s, like Big Boy slim Jim’s only even better.  Nice way to celebrate our anniversary.

Our friend Lisa from church got us this really great smelling candle for my candle melter.  We enjoyed it in the evening.  She got us some pretty Thanksgiving wooden decorations too.  Bill also got a couple of candy bars for his birthday...she had checked to see what his favorite are.  It was so sweet of her and the cards were just so nice.  She’s a great friend!

We went to prayer before church, than to our church service.  Worship was awesome this morning and the message was a great one.  Rehvyn went to the nursery before I got out of preservice prayer, and then Maddy and Alec can over to look at the washer and dryer we are selling, so we had to leave church before I could see Rehvyn because Vikki hadn’t picked him up yet.  She was helping Thomas in Sunday School so had to wait til she was done.

I missed seeing him, but I know he was in good hands.   Peyton loves being back there with the babies.

Maddy and Alec came over and liked the washer and dryer so will be getting it.  They came in and visited for a while which was nice.  Brielle sure love the toys.  I got to hold Mason for quite a while and Bill held him too.  We had a nice visit too.

We went to Bruce and Melissa’s afterward and we all rode in the truck to go to Lainsburg to pick up the washer, dryer, and gas stove.  We had fun riding together, except Evan’s legs were too long for the middle in the backseat.  We had some good snacks on the way.  Melissa brought some and I brought some.  We got to our destination and the guys loaded the washer, dryer and stove in the trailer.  We sat out on the deck while they did that.   We walked around the yard too and went through the house.   I let Evan sit on the side and I sat in the middle on the way home.  My legs fit good.   We stopped at Greg and Lous and enjoyed some good food and a good visit.  Bill and Bruce had breakfast, Melissa and Evan had burgers and fries/onion rings, and I had my Slim Greg.  Everything was so good.

We left and had a nice ride home.  When we got to their house, I got in my car and left for home.  Bill backed the trailer in the driveway to unload.  I decided to go to Pat’s to get some cards I need.  I still beat Bill getting home.  I saw that Kimmy had tried FaceTiming me a couple of times, so I FaceTimed her.  She and Jared were on their deck swing and wished me a Happy Anniversary.   We talked for a long time while we were all on our decks.  Then I was showing her how nice our electric grill fits on the stand we all got Bill for his birthday.

After that I went in the garage and showed her the new replacement grill for the one that melted.  As I was walking back in the house, I noticed roses and a card on top of a storage cart with drawers.   I was so surprised.  I took them in the house and was talking to Kimmy about them and called Bill to see if he was in the house, but no answer.  He listened to me telling Kimmy how sweet it was and how I hadn’t gotten him anything and told him so in the morning and he said he hadn’t either.  Then he said something.  I gave him a kiss and told him how much I loved the card and flowers.  I hung up from Kimmy and  went in and sat by Bill after putting my flowers in water.  I am so blessed with having Bill to do life with.  He is so good to me and is so caring.  Plus he loves the Lord so much and leads our household well with the love of Jesus.  

 

9/7/24, 48 degrees out in the morning...burrrrBreakfast at Bringer Inn with Faith Riders, Bikes on the Bricks

It was a cool 48 degrees out when we got up this morning....Fireplace took the chill off.

We rode our motorcycle and met Faith Riders at Bringer Inn for breakfast.  Lew, Wes, Don and Jerry

Lew, Wes, Elaine, Gayla next to Elaine but not in picture, Don and Jerry

Lined up and ready for take off

Wes and Gayla at the Harley Dealership.  We blockers had to wear orange vests

Elaine giving the Bike Blessing.  She did a great job and Jesus was glorified.  Jim is next to her

Bill at the Harley dealer

Gayla and I visiting

Me.....lots of layers on

Lew and the rest of Faith Riders ready to ride and block

Blockers lined up after Jim instructed us on what to do

Ron

Policemen on motorcycles were ahead of us blockers so, some could escort the ride and others would ride into intersection and the bike behind would follow and remain there while the police went back into their place

Bill Blocking our intersection

Lots of cool bikes in Flint at Bikes on the Bricks

Bill, Wes, Ron and Gayla at the CMA Booth there

Bill and I in the booth.  We got to pass out tracks and Bibles, and talk to people about Jesus.  So Blessed!

Bill on our trike

This is the grill they sent us to replace the one that melted.  It is so nice and the grates are much heavier than the grates that melted.  This is their top of the line.  It came with a stand too.

Revhyn was so tired he fell asleep when Vikki left the room for a minute.

We got up and it was cold in the house, so I started the electric fireplace.  It took the chill off pretty quickly.  We got ready and got all of our layers on and jackets, then left and headed to the Bringer Inn.  We had a great breakfast with Faith Riders, then got on our motorcycles and left for Flint on the back roads.  With all of my layer and my heated seats, I stayed nice and warm.  We got to the Harley Dealer and parked where they wanted those who were blocking intersections to park.  We walked around the Dealership and looked at bikes and things for a while, then went outside because Elaine from our Faith Rider Chapter was going to do the bike blessing.  The prayer she prayed and the things she shared about Jesus were amazing.  She did such a great job.  Jesus was definitely glorified.  

We blockers went to where our bikes were parked and listened to the instructions from our friend Jim and another person.  We have blocked for many years, but it is always good to get a refresher.  We lined up and left after that.  It was a fifty mile long parade route with many motorcycles and lots of people outside cheering for us as we traveled.  When we had gone about 40 miles, we came to the intersection they wanted us to block while the parade went through.  Bill videoed the bikes as they passed by.  When we saw the Police car and the ambulance with their flashers going, we knew we had to get back in line ahead of them.  

It was a very nice and a very organized ride.  We ended up in town at Bikes on the Bricks.  

We walked around and found the CMA booth.  Debbie and Paul were covering it, so Gayla and Wes received them so they could walk around.  Bill and I went and got Koegel Hotdogs and ate, then we walked around some more. We went and relieve Wes and Gayla after that o they could go eat.  We enjoyed talking to people, giving Bibles to those who wanted them and giving people rag tracks...microfiber cloths to wipe their bikes down with at track inside.

There were two other booths with people sharing the Gospel.  I folded the microfiber cloths with the track inside when we got low.  Debbie and Paul, and Wes and Gayla came back to the booth.  We hung out for a while, then walked around one last time and then left for home.  We were going to stop for ice cream on the way home, but I told Bill on the way home that we could just have ice cream with bananas when we got home.  I play my worship music when we ride.

We got home, read our Bibles, I did my hand exercises, then we took naps and slept til 9.  Then we woke up and I made banana splits for us.  Yum!  We stayed up til almost midnight.