Wednesday, 9/17/25, Breakfast with Bev and Jim at Cracker Barrel, visited Lela and Doug and had so much fun and great food, went to Rosie’s after our drive around Carmel, chili at food tent for dinner, Great message from Tim Grifham and baptism afterwards, Bill beat me at 3-13 and dice

Riding to Kokomo with Bev and Jim.  We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrell

Me, Lela and Doug enjoying sitting on their patio enjoying a great visit, the nice weather and the beautiful and plants they have planted.  

Selfie time!  I love my new case with the built in stand.  I sure hope I find my old phone still.  That’s the only reason I have the new phone case 

The flowers on the table and vases and pots were beautiful.  Nice to see everything in person that I’ve seen on Lela’s blog

This was our very fun chauffeur for the day!  She’s hired!!!!!  

Lela picked the best restaurant for us to eat lunch at.  It was called Bru burger bar

Lela’s delicious salad...we both ordered a small, but it was huge

My delicious salad was the same as Lela’s except the waiter asked me if I wanted protein on mine.  I asked what kind and he named chicken first and that was exactly the kind of protein I wanted

This was the only picture I got of Doug’s burger.  Bill got his food last.  He finished second though.  Lela was third and I was fourth.  She told our waiter that we had to do a lot of chewing with our salads.  She sure had him laughing and the rest of us too.

Bill’s Burger looked amazing and he said it was the best!

This a picture of the restaurant.  The parking lot was full when we got there.  It was all that chewing that made us be practically the last ones in the restaurant.

We enjoyed our drive around town seeing all of the life sized people statues. 

There were a few moments when I was wondering is that a person or a statue

There is a statue like this in Sarasota Florida only it’s huge and not life sized.  It was so fun to see them all

We went by this one but I didn’t have time to get a picture.  I found this picture online.

This is in the center of the roundabout by the Library.  Those are books!  It lights up at night.  

This one is beautiful of Queen Anne’s Lace.  It lights up at night too.  It was just beautiful with the sun shining on it.

Bill and I on our trike, ready to leave and go back to the Veteran’s Reunion.  Lela took these pictures

This man was talking to one of the workers in the food tend and she was telling him about Jesus.  We were eating our chili at the table near where they were standing.  I heard her ask him if he wanted to receive Jesus and he said yes.  Then she started praying.  I quietly joined  in prayer as they prayed.  After we ate, Tim Grisham gave a great message and then afterward the man that got saved, got baptized.  He had to pull the golf cart under the tent so he could get close as he had some trouble walking.  So touching to see God working.

We all rejoiced with him afterwards

We left early to ride our motorcycles with Bev and Jim into Kokomo to eat breakfast at the Cracker Barrel.  We did some shopping afterwards.  After that Jim and Bev went back to their camper because the guy was coming to empty their tanks.  We headed to Carmel to visit Jared’s parents, Lela and Doug.  We got there and sat out on their patio and visited.

Lela and I pulled their cute comfy swing up closer to the table by where the guys were sitting and we all had a nice visit.  We enjoyed seeing all the chrysalises in her butterfly cage. Wow!  It’s just amazing how many!  I am going to have to get me a butterfly cage, because this is so much fun to watch.  We took some pictures, then Lela drove and I sat up front with her and the guys rode in the back.  She was probably the best Chauffeur we’ve had.  We went through at least 155 roundabouts was what I think she said lol.  I did look it up and when I googled it, it said that Carmel is the roundabout Capital and has the most in the United States and possibly in the world.  Wow! That is pretty amazing.  She took us to some that had beautiful art pieces in the center.  I got pictures of 2 of them which are above.  We really enjoyed seeing all the people statues in the city too, besides seeing all the beautiful flowers and hanging plants.  She showed us the road they lived on when Jared was born and she took us through the old area where the big houses are.  She is sue the best tour guide too, and boy was their new vehicle ever comfy.  

We went to Rosie’s Greenhouse, which I have read about on her blog, but didn’t realize how big it is and how many unique plants.  It sure was fun looking at them all.  It was fun looking at the amazing rocks in the gift shop and also all the unique gifts for sale.  We rode around some more and then ended up back at their house.  We were so happy it worked out to get together.  We always like to go to their house when we are at the Veteran’s Reunion in Kokomo.  A big thank you to you Lela and Doug for being so hospitable and making our visit so fun.  We love you guys!  

We left and had a nice motorcycle ride on the expressway which felt good because the wind cooled us off.  It was 90 degrees and not so cool if we were stopped or were going slow.  We 

hung out in the camper until we went down for some chili at the food tent.  Then we visited with some of the workers and got to share Melissa’s testimony of all the miracles God has done.  We also listed to Tim share a great message and watched a baptism.  Then we came back to the camper and played 3-13 and dice and Bill won both games although both were very close.  It was a great day.

 

Tuesday, 9/16/25, Happy Birthday to our friend Bev, Had breakfast at the food tent, walked around and went through buildings, got to pray for a veteran who said he’s agnostic,

Our campsites

Bill took this of me waiting to get in line at the food tent

Cole, freshman college student, getting to know a service 

Our selfie at breakfast

This display of things from all of the different wars was amazing.  It sure makes me appreciate all those who fought for our freedom.  My “Thank you for your service” will have even more meaning from now on.

Two Vietnam vets in this picture.  I’m so thankful for their service!

Finding the places they were at in Vietnam on the map

Bill showing me the kind of radio he used for his job in Vietnam as a radio controller 

Someone painted this banner.  It’s pretty amazing because everyone I have ever seen has been a print bought through CMA

Bev by Indiana’s chapter’s banner

Bill and Jim in the CMA Booth

Bev, me and Jim in the CMA booth

Bev and Jim at dinner in the food tent.  Everyone just sang Happy Birthday to Bev because Bill went and asked Tim Grisham if they could sing to a birthday girl. 

Our dinner selfie

Jim, Bev and Bill  between our camper

Jim, Bev and I

Happy Birthday to Jim...his birthday is coming up this month too

Happy Birthday to Bev.  It’s her special day!  We got her a cake and she used the light up Happy Birthday sign I got use for her birthday a couple of years ago.

Bev and Jim with the light up Happy Birthday sign

Teaching Bev and Jim to Play 3-13.  They loved playing it.  We taught them how to play dice after that.  We had so much fun.

We got ready read our Bibles, then headed to breakfast at the food tent with Jim and Bev.  Pancakes and eggs were served today.  It was yummy again.  We walked through the venders and then into the building with the CMA booth in it.  We visited for a while then walked through the next building with stuff for sale in it.  After that we walked through the building with all of the military exhibits in it.  It was amazing to see stuff our guys used and see how very heavy it was and all they went through as young guys over there.  Very interesting hearing them talk of things they remembered as they saw different displays.  This was so meaningful and touching.  

We went to the CMA Booth and sat a some picnic tables in front of where it was.  Bill started talking to a Vietnam veteran who was there at the same time as he was.  He was the same age and got married the same year.  He has had lots of health struggles and sat with all of us and was telling us about them.  We all shared different things about Jesus and our faith with him.  He told us he was Agnostic (a doubter he said)  We talked to him for a long time.  It was such a blessing from God.  He let us pray for him and said he’s not ready to accept the Lord yet.  We are all continuing to pray for him (his name is Jim).  We also put his name in the CMA prayer box so it will be prayed for.  We are going to walk around and talk to him and see how he’s doing again and he wanted to know where we were camped.  the Bible says one sows, another one waters and another reaps the harvest.  We just have to do our part and God finishes it.

Bev and Jim went to eat at the food tent.  Bill and I had leftovers we didn’t want to go to waste, so we ate at our camper.  Then I was working with my doctors office on the phone to get an appt. set up with an orthopedic doctor.  The one with a 5 star review doesn’t do hips.

He recommended someone, but they are in Bay City and I would rather not travel that far.  I messaged my doctor to see if I could get a referral to Wes and Gayla’s doctor who did their hip surgery.  She’s a 5 star too.

Bill fell asleep in the recliner while I worked all that out.  I went outside to visit with Jim and Bev and was going to wake Bill in 15 minutes, but he got up and came outside.  We all walked over to the CMA booth and spent an hour and a half there, because the CMA person who was there, left at 3:30.  We enjoyed a bag of popcorn that he had popped and had on trays.

We went to dinner at the food tent at 5.  Tonight they served delicious meat loaf, mashed potatoes, corn that was cut off the cob that was super delicious, green beans and a brownie for dessert.  A man named Adam who is from around here joined us at our table.  He is a farmer and also has an RV company.  He knows Jesus as his Lord and Savior and is serving this week by fixing RV Generators for anyone camped here so their week goes well.  Everyone has to use generators because there is no electrical here for campers.  He was super nice to talk to and our second Adam we have met.  One last night and then tonight him.  I love that name Adam and sure miss my Adam.

We came back to our camper and visited outside for a while, then Bill brought the cake out for Bev and I bought out the flashing Happy Birthday.  We came inside our camper to eat the cake and play 3-13 and dice.  They thought both of these games were so much fun.  Bill won 3-13 but Jim was close.  Bill went out in 3-13, then Jim and I both went out on our turn we get to shake and see if we get 10,000.  Never had that happen where 3 of us tied.  

They left and Bill and I ate a bowl of delicious watermelon.  It is so sweet and juicy and we love it as a snack.  He caught up on his phone and I worked on this blog.  

We are excited because I texted Lela and we are getting together with them tomorrow and visiting with them then taking them out to eat.  She has a good restaurant all picked out for us to go to.  Can’t wait!  They are our son in law Jared's parents.

Monday, 9/15/25, Went to Tim Grisham Ministries food tent for breakfast, walked around and registered, visited at our campsite with Bev and Jim,

They have different cards on the tables at mealtime for people to read or take.  This on

Meal times

 

I took a picture at breakfast...That is the baptism tank in the background under the sign about baptism

Jim took this picture, but it is a little blurry

AdamFriend of Matt and Sara’s we met here

Me reading my Bible looking out the door at Jim and Bev’s camper.  Pretty close quarters...good thing we are with friends sharing our space.

Bev and Jim

Bill and Jim

Bill and I

Our ride into Kokomo

Bill prescription glasses flew out of his pocket so we all searched.  Jim found them Praise God!

Where we are camping

Homemade cart Bev and I got in.  Bill took our picture!

Jim and Bev ready to ride into town

Went into town and enjoyed having ice cream

We had our breakfast and coffee at Tim Grisham Ministries food tent.  The served us ham and eggs, pancakes, and coffee.  It was so good.  Such nice people, from older down to kids, serving with smiles on their faces.  They were quick to see if we needed anything, or needed them to take our plates when we were finished.  We walked around and then went to the office but no one was there.  We want to pick up our registration bracelets. We came back to the camper and sat and relaxed and visited.  We are enjoying our new chairs Bill got for his birthday.  They are super comfortable and super light.  

We were walking back to check to see if the office was open, and noticed they were serving lunch.  It was already noon.  We decided to eat while we were there.  They served beef or pork nachos and cookies for dessert.  We went to the office afterwards, and they sent us to the entrance of the campground to get our bracelets.  We came back to our campsite and then decided to ride into Kokomo and check things out.  Before we came home, we went to Walmart.  Jim kept Bev busy, while Bill and I got a cake and had it written on.  It’s Bev’s birthday tomorrow and Jim’s is at the end of the month.  We are celebrating them both tomorrow.  Bill managed to put the cake in the trunk of our trike without Bev noticing.  Jim doesn’t know we are celebrating his birthday too.  While we were riding back to the campground, Bill’s glasses flew out of his pocket.  We walked looking, but didn’t find them.  Then Jim walked further down from where Bill thought he lost them and found them.  We sure were happy.  We came back to the campground after that and relaxed until dinner.  At 5:30, we went back to the food tent and had Lasagna, salad, corn on the cob, garlic bread and pudding.  Everything was super delicious.  A guy came to our table and introduced himself.  He sat and we started talking.  He was one of the workers and this is his third year taking his vacation at this time and serving.  He was from Mancelona and knew some pastors we know. Then I told him my nephew was under sheriff in Gaylord and he said, Matt Mulladore.  We said yes and he said he was one of his supporters when he ran for Sheriff last year.  He told us he was Facebook friends with Sara, Matt’s wife.  I texted Sara and showed her a picture of him and Bill together.  She said yes he’s a wonderful Christian man and he supported Matt.  It sure is a small world.  We really enjoyed talking to him and sharing about the Lord.  We walked around more after that and went to the silent auction and into a military store.  The big shed store and venders start tomorrow.  They had one vender open today. We came back to the camper and visited more, then decided to go not town and get ice cream.  Bill passed the ice cream shop when we were on our ride earlier.  

We went to a cute ice cream shop in Greentown.  There was a couple next to us who were eating ice cream and had a cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.  She was such a cute dog.  

After we talked for a while, I asked them if they knew Jesus as their Lord and Savior and they said yes.  We had a nice visit with them.  It’s amazing when you meet other Christians how God makes you feel close right away.  They invited us to their church if we were going to be around Sunday.  He was a policeman.  He just sold his motorcycle, they sold their house, and bought and RV and are going to travel.  Their pastor asked them to camp at the church for now because they have full hook up and electric there.  It was so much fun talking to them.  

We came back to the campground, sat outside for a while, then came in and I did my blog and Bill caught up on his phone stuff.  Now we are going to play games.   I beat him in 3-13,  

-95 to 85 and he beat me in dice 10,000 to 8000.

 

 

Sunday, 9/14/25, Went to early church, came home packed last minute stuff, closed up camper and hooked on trailer, put bike on, left at 12:15 to meet Bev and Jim, stopped at Cracker Barrel for dinner, arrived at our destination and got set up quickly and settled in

Me sitting in the back in the shade waiting for Bill to 

Bill getting ready to drive again

Bill and I at Cracker Barrel relaxing on the porch

Bill passing a camper trying to keep up with Jim...they both did a great job driving

Before church started, Gene called me aside and said he had something to share with me.  He shared a testimony of his son and wife, getting saved and baptized after we’ve prayed many hears for him.  Praise the Lord!  God is awesome!

I met a new person sitting behind me, Jennifer.  She had come to church once many years ago, and this was her first time back since then.  She was really nice.  

I walked over to Debbie to give her a crossword book from Marie, and she was telling me she had to see an orthopedic doctor for her knee because of pain.  I told her about my leg and that I have to see an orthopedic doctor too.  We prayed together for both of us and spoke the Word over us.  Then when pastor was preaching later he quoted the scripture about if any two agree, it shall be done for them.  

Next, I talked to Nicole whose granddaughter, Lauren, comes to Bill and I for prayer every time she visits then.  She is the sweetest girl and she always wants prayer for her Papa.  We pray for her also for her school year to go well.  She has had some not so good experiences.  Her grandma said she’s doing great this year.  She told me about her background so we would know how to keep praying for her better.  She also shared that her husband, Lauren’s Papa, was having a PET Scan to check and see if his cancer has spread.  I told her we would be praying.  

Worship was awesome and pastor preached a really good message.  After service we went up to pray for people and Nicole’s husband came up to us for prayer.  We have met him once, but don’t really know him.  He said he is feeling really good, but told us about the PET Scan and wanted healing.  We prayed for him and then we talked for a while.  He told us Lauren has a beautiful singing voice.  We told him how she always asks us to pray for him when she comes up.  We love that girl!  

After church we talked to Chris and he said Tina stayed home because she wasn’t feeling good.  We added her to our prayers.  Then he told us their daughter gets induced tomorrow.  We’re so excited for this baby to come.  I prayed more for Tina that she would feel great tomorrow when her first granddaughter is born.  

What a day of the Holy Spirit moving.  God is so amazing!  

We left and came home, packed the last minute stuff, I put the slide outs in, then I halped Bill hook the trailer up to the camper.  He loaded the bike on while I went in the house and heated up our meals from Outback.  He started eating his while I heated mine up.  Then we went outside and got in the motorhome.  I ate my lunch and when we met Jim and Bev and were waiting for them, he finished his.  They sure were yummy meals.

We had a beautiful day for travel and light traffic which was great.  No construction backups either.  Bill did a great job driving.  We stopped to eat dinner at the Cracker Barrel and Bev and I shopped while we waited for the food to be delivered to our table.  Bill was going to call and let me know when it came.  I found something for Kenzie since she is my grandchild I am focusing more on prayer this month.   Kenzie & Rehvyn, Vikki and I, and also Papa got in on it while we were sitting still at a gas station.   Rehvyn was as cute as always.  

We got to Kokomo at around 8:30 at night.  Got to our campsites and looked them over.  A guy came buy hauling water and said he could fill our water tank right then.  We unloaded the motorcycles and then went and dropped our trailers off.  Then we came back and parked our campers.  It was getting pretty dark, so Jim shined his lights on our spot and he and I helped Bill park, then we helped him see to park.  He pulled in forward so we can be facing each other.  The new things Bill put the boards on, were so easy to put under the Jacks with those long handles.  It was amazing how fast we got that done.  Then Bill leveled it and that went really quick after he pushed the buttons.  Then we organized the inside.  Everything went so fast and was so easy.  Such a blessing from the Lord. 

We played 3-13 and Bill won and then we played dice and I won.