Wed., 1/28/26, Put worship on, Made our coffees, Bill went to his doctor appt., I went to my last therapy appt., cleaned brick on fireplace, went to Bible Study

It sure cleaned up well!  Took three times of washing it, but what a difference it made.  So thankful to be done with hauling pellets, messy cleanups and extra work.

We didn’t get up until 9.  I guess I’m making up for all the sleep I lost out on and also the time getting up so early in Iowa. Maybe it’s just I’m so comfortable again now in bed.

Bill took his shower.  Kenzie and Rehvyn FaceTimed me, and Rehvyn had been saying very clearly he wanted to call Nana and Papa.  I talked to them until Bill got done with his shower and ready.  Then he talked to Rehvyn.  Rehvyn was so happy when he saw him.  He is just the cutest little sweetheart!  Bill left to go to his doctor appt. at the VA.  I got ready, then scrubbed the hard floors after he left.  Made my coffee, ate a chocolate covered strawberry, grabbed a pack of BelVita Blueberry crackers and headed to therapy.  My last day!  Yay!  She really worked me out, then measured my hip strength.  She said great job after all three strength tests.  Then she said she has probably never seen a hip that strong at this point after hip surgery.  That sure made me happy.  She gave me some home exercises, than took me to the leg press to do more exercises and then I was done.  She did such a great job making sure I was using the right muscles to make my operative leg so strong.  I am very thankful.   Before I left, I went in the gift shop and bought Bill and I each a bag of their yummy popcorn. I got home and started eating mine.  Then Bill got home and I told him I put one on the cupboard for him.  He told me he brought me a cookie from Panera.  I guess we are thinking of each other today.  

We both read our Bibles and did our prayer/devotion books.  I am finally in the New Testament on my reading plan.  Today I read Luke 1 and 2.  I loved reading it and the Holy Spirit is talked about so much in those two chapters of the Bible and the awesome things He did.  I loved it and the Holy Spirit even made it touch my heart even more than the other times I’ve read it.  I love learning more about the Holy Spirit in our Bible Study.  We both practiced our memory verse for tonight which is, 2 Cor. 1:21-22, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ.  He has anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  What a great verse to commit to memory.  

Bill took a nap and I decided to clean some things out of the furnace room in the basement.  I got rid of some things, then brought some of Bill’s stuff up for him to go through.  He threw it all away because it was junk too.  Doing a little at a time.  Next I decided to wash the soot off from the fireplace brick.  I used a Swiffer duster on it three times before today and all three were as black as can be.  Today I did it two more times before washing it.  They were still black.  I used vinegar water on it after googling it.  I had to wash it three times, but it sure came out good.  Not too messy doing it either.  I thought it would be.  

I made eggs, fried potatoes, bacon and toast for dinner.  Bill likes me to mix the eggs in with the potatoes, so I did.  It was so good.  He helped clean up the table and cupboard, then we got ready to go to Bible Study.  

We had a great Bible study tonight.  We all read a Scripture and then answered questions about how the Holy Spirit moved.  Powerful!  Then someone asked if anybody ever had a vision from God.  No one had, so they were wanting to know about visions.  I told them Bill had a vision and talked a little about it, and told them God confirmed it.  Then they wanted to know how God confirmed it.  They loved hearing how God did that.  Bill is in a men’s group in a different room.  There are many ladies’ groups and men’s groups meeting ing the sanctuary, in the lobby and in the rooms of the church.  When we left our groups and went back to our seats in the sanctuary, Pastor talked and mentioned that we should read Luke 1 and 2 before next week and see how much the Holy Spirit is in those chapters moving.  I love it when God does that.  That was my reading for today.  Out of all the Scriptures in the Bible, that’s what I read.  God is awesome.  244 children and adults registered for kids ministry and adult Bible Studies.   The Holy Spirit is on the move!

I talked to Vikki on the phone for a long time.  We sure had a good talk about the goodness of God.

We came home and  relaxed and I worked on my blog. 

 

Tuesday, 1/27/26, Very cold windy day again, -12 Feels like temp. Bill took trash out, I vacuumed the floors, watered my plants, gave Kit Kat some attention, went to Tim Horton’s with Melissa, went to Meijer, did my exercises, walked on walking pad

Today, I read Malachi.  The whole book is so good at least to those who love God and read His Word and with the help of the Holy Spirit follow Him and try to obey His word.  He is so merciful, He tells us to repent when we sin and He will forgive us and be there for us.  “If you return to Me, I will return to you” the Lord says.  It says this on the other side of the page. 

Wonderful scripture in my prayer book when I was praying for my grandkiddo’s.

Vader and Riley when I was at Melissa’s.  These dogs are so sweet.  I got to give them a couple of treats while I was there

Melissa played two Christmas songs while I was there.  I wanted her to play them during the Christmas season for me, but I was recovering from my hip surgery.  She did a great job and they both sounded beautiful

We slept in until 9.  It’s so wonderful to be sleeping good in bed again.  So thankful.  Bill took the trash out.  I gathered the upstairs trash for him.  I felt bad it was so cold out and he had to be out in it.  I vacuumed the floors.  I also watered my plants.  I saw Kit Kat outside the back door, so I gave her some treats.  I feel bad for her too, but she is staying in her igloo house lots.  I put heavy blankets over it, and she has warm blanket inside and her favorite soft blanket on top.  

Melissa called me and wanted to know if I wanted to meet her at Tim Horton’s and she would treat me.  Of course I said yes.  We met and she got me a French Vanilla Cappuccino with whip and a honey glazed donut.  She got a Mocha with whip and a Vanilla Dip donut.  We sat there and visited.  She called her dad to see if he wanted her to get him a donut.  He had eaten quite a few chocolate covered strawberries, so he told her no.  I was glad he made that choice because rarely does he turn down a donut.  It was sweet of Melissa to think of him.  We went back to her house and tried her Electric Blanket that’s her Christmas present.  Finally got the right one.  It worked great and she loves how soft it is just as much as Kimmy and I love ours.  We visited, then she played her two Christmas songs on the piano for me.  I videoed a little tiny part of one song.  She’s such a miracle and I am so thankful she is here to play the piano for me.  She always loved playing it.  

I went to Meijer after that and got some groceries to make a meal for Maddy and family on Thursday.  Someone from her church was bringing dinner to them tonight.  I am glad they are helping them out.  Kimmy called me while I was still shopping.  Vikki wasn’t answering her calls and she was a little nervous, because she was fasting and had a bad headache.  I was going to drive over and check on her, but she answered when I called.  She had been sleeping and her alarm went off to get the kids, so she woke up.  We were glad she was ok.  We love our Vikki!

Baby got off some medications today.  He is headed in the right direction the doctor said, but still has lots of things to be healed.  Continuing to pray for this little sweetheart.  

Made burgers, mashed potatoes, and peas for dinner.  

 

Monday, 1/26/26, Had eye appt., need cataract surgery so they scheduled a diagnostic appt., Bill returned one my pillow, picked Peyton and Isaac up from school, today, I could go upstairs without hanging on to rail

 

Baby CJ did much better today.  Praise the Lord.  Prayers are being answered!

Brielle and Mason...two sweet kiddos.  Maddy sent me these.  They were sleeping when I got there.

Going to stay at Maddy’s while she goes up to see the baby.  The kids will be sleeping, but Winston, the dog will be company for me.

Bill and I both got up at 8:30.  I took my shower, then ate some yogurt with peaches and granola it it.  I made coffee for both Bill and I.  We read our Bibles and did our prayer/devotion books.  Maddy let me know that baby did much better last night.  I was so happy and thankful to hear that. 

I went to my eye appointment.  My eye doctor is so nice and does a great job.  I did find out my cataracts have gotten worse and it’s time for me to have surgery.  They set up an appt. for a diagnostic appt. where I will have the surgery. My glass frames I picked out will have to wait until after that.  I had drops put in, so they gave me plastic rolled sunglasses to wear on the way home.  We haven’t had much sunshine, so I didn’t have mine with me.  

Vikki started her 3 day fast today with her church.  She did good today and didn’t have any problems with her blood sugar, which she has to test more often during the fast.

She had a dentist appt. at the time the kids get out of school, so I picked them up.  She asked if I could pick them up and of course I said yes.  I went home and Bill was gone taking a my pillow to UPS to return it.  I walked on the treadmill and went one mile at 2.6 mph.  Yay!  My therapist told me the first day I went that if I could walk a mile I didn’t need therapy.  Wednesday is my last day and I will tell her.  Kimmy called me so I talked to her for a while.  She picked Eli up from school so I talked a little with him too.  My alarm went off, so I left to pick up the kids.  I took them packs of Blueberry BelVita crackers.  Isaac told me he really liked them  when he spent the night here.  They were happy when I gave them a pack.  I took them to Vikki’s dentist and she had just got in her car, so she met me in the driveway and the kids got in with her.  She told me she has to have a root canal.  Bummer!  I am praying for her.

I came home and texted with Maddy.  I am going there to stay with the kids at 7:45 tonight.  They will be sleeping, but she will be going up to the hospital to see the baby.  Bill got home and ate chili.  I wasn’t hungry yet so we both took short naps.  

Bill had to go to an Elder’s meeting at church in the evening.  I worked on my blog.  

I called Debbie Davis and talked to her for a while.  She is doing much better now after her knee surgery.  I left and went to Maddy’s after that.  She and Alex went up to see baby Chandler.  He’s still doing better!!!  Their dog played for a few minutes, then fell asleep on the couch until they got home.  Maddy had me text her when I got home to make sure I was home safe.  

This is Winston while I was there.  He sure sleeps good.

Sunday, 1/25/26, Went to both services at church, prayer at altar after both services, went to Olive Garden for lunch, Vikki met us there, took nap, made chocolate covered strawberries,

Maddy sent me this picture this morning....Baby looks so cute and peaceful, but she said if his electrocardiogram doesn’t get better, they are going to send him to U of M and put him on life support.  I put him on the church prayer list and many are praying for him, churches and individuals.  I’m believing for a miracle for sweet baby CJ.  

I made yummy chocolate covered strawberries

We got ready and I made our coffees, then we left for the first service at church.  It was snowing and slippery out.  The worship was awesome and the message was so good.  Many of us were at the altar kneeling and bowing before the Lord and worshipping.  Bill and I couldn’t kneel, him because of his knee replacements and me because I got on my knees at Melissa’s to look at her shampooer to see if I could fix it and my knee hurts since then.  It was sharp pain.  It’s my operative leg, so I probably shouldn’t have done that so soon.  It doesn’t hurt to walk on it but if I bend it just so it does.  It’s getting lots better though.  We bowed our heads and hearts instead.  There was prayer at the alter afterwards, but no one came up for prayer on our side.  We walked back to our seats to get our stuff and Francis stopped me to pray with her and Chris one of our elders joined us.  I had told her about baby CJ, so we all prayed for him in the aisle.  I am so thankful for praying friends.  Then I went out to the lobby and saw Nancy and talked to her.  She has the same kind of eczema I had and we always pray together, so I prayed for both of us, for us both to be completely healed and no more symptoms.  I have been symptom free for 2 months, and whenever a little itch happens, I speak the Word over me and declare my healing.  It’s amazing how God has it not feel like I need to itch it when I go to.  We went to the 2nd service too.  It was as awesome as the first service.  After service, we prayed for David, Jeremiah’s dad’s request.  Jeremiah is 6 and is in my Sunday school class.  He told his dad he wanted to go into missions to sing the songs about the Lord he loves and help people.  His dad wanted prayer on how to encourage him regarding that.  After church, we talked to people and then left and went to the Olive Garden.  I called Vikki to see what they were doing.  Rody and the kids were still at church, so Vikki said she’s meet us by herself.  We sure enjoyed time with her, and hearing all about her church service.  She loves her church and God sure is working in her heart.  I love it when He does that!  

We came home and both took naps.  Before Bill got up, I got up and made chocolate covered strawberries.  Bill put a new faucet end on in the kitchen because the one we had broke.  He took it apart and tried to fix it but couldn’t.  I took the day off walking on the walking pad.  I’m not going to walk on Sundays.  I will be back at it tomorrow.  

We read our Bibles and prayer/devotion books.  Then I worked on my blog.  Praying all this freezing rain and icing in the US stops and people get their power back on.  

 

Saturday, 1/24/26, Stopped at Crumble and got cookies, Went to the hospital to park for Maddy’s baby, Kimmy picked up Eli, went to chili cookout, member training at 6 at our house

Bill ordered something for Rehvyn and is putting batteries in it.  So sweet of him.  

Maddy tested us that baby was in critical condition but stable today.  She had us come to the hospital so Bill, since he is a chaplain, so could go into the NICUcould dedicate and pray for sweet baby CJ.  I stayed with Maddy’s mom in the waiting room and shared all the things God did for Melissa when she was sick for the 8 years.  So many miracles!  Tried to encourage her and give her hope because nothing is impossible with God and he proved that with all he did for Melissa.  Bill took this picture of Maddy by the baby and the one below.  

Precious baby boy

I got up at 8:30 and got the chili heated in the microwave, then put it in the crockpot and kept it warm until time to go.  I walked on the walking pad for a half mile and walked faster today.  Maddy called and wanted Bill to come to pray for Baby CJ since he can get in because he is a chaplain.  She was happy I was coming with him, even though I couldn’t go in the NICU.  We went to Crumbl after Maddy texted me and said baby was getting and ECHO done.  Isaac was happy to get the same Oreo Cookie he got yesterday.  We dropped him off and then went to the hospital.  We visited with Maddy and her mom for a few minutes, then Bill and Maddy went to see the baby and pray for him.  Maddy’s mom and I had a great talk while we waited. I’m sending Maddy my schedule so I can help out with the kids and whatever else is needed.  Vikki was sweet and offered to help with the kids if she needed her too.

We went to the chili cookoff at Wes and Gayla’s after that.  There were 5 crockpots of chili.  

Most were pretty spicy.  I tried two but both were hot and the others were even hotter.  I decided to just eat mine.  Don won 1st and Sabrina and Gayla tied for 2nd.  It was a fun get together and I got to pray for a lady named Gerry who had recently had back surgery and her sciatica pain went away.  It felt like it’s coming back she told me, so I asked her if I could pray for her and she really wanted prayer.  I prayed for her, then we both got in line to eat because everyone else had gone and Bill was waiting for me.  She was such a nice lady.  I got to talk to a guy named Phil too, who was born breach with the cord wrapped around his neck.  He has mild Cerebal Palsy and was only supposed to live to be 20.  He is 59 now and is helping so many handicapped  kids plus other people who need help.  I shred with him about my nephew Matthew and the miracle he is.  We visited with lots of friends.  There were 22 people there and over $200 raised for Run for the Son.  Such a blessing!  

We went to Menards, then ACE Hardware to find a replacement end to our kitchen faucet. 

Menards didn’t have any, but we found one at the hardware store next door.  

Max went back to the Bavarian Inn to swim this morning.  Then they took Evan’s friend home at 3 and went back and swam until 9 pm.  They all had so much fun.  I am so happy to see them get away and have this family fun trip for free.  What a huge blessing.  

At 6, Elaine, Karen, Julie and Jim came over.  Karen and Julie are becoming members, so Bill did the membership training at our house.  So exciting to get such nice people joining Faith Riders.  It went well and we enjoyed visiting some too.  After they left, we relaxed and I finished reading my Bible.  Bill had read his earlier.  Then I worked on my blog.

Melissa, Bruce and the boys went and spent the morning in the waterpark again at Bavarian Lodge.  They had so much fun.  Then they had to take Evan’s friend Jamie to his house, then came back and swam and hung out in the waterpark until 9 pm.  When they would go to the outside part of the hot tub, their hair would freeze because it was so cold out.  They still felt hot from the water, but would have to splash warm water up on their ears and face to keep from getting frost bite.  She sent me more pictures which are below.  I’m so happy they could have this fun family time they were blessed with.  

Friday, 1/23/26, Jared dropped Kimmy and Eli off at 8, Vikki and the kids came around 9,, Great news from Maddy about baby!!! Nice and warm and cozy in here, Melissa was packing to go to Frankenmuth, Debbie invited us all to Applebee’s and paid for our meals, Peyton and Regen stayed at my house, and had chili with I made today, Isaac and Eli went to our church movie night and spent the night at our house

Peyton relaxing at my house

Eli and Isaac at Applebees

Vikki, me, Debbie, Tom, Bill and Kimmy at Applebees

Eli’s cookie at Crumbles

I remembered to take a picture of these two at my house

I took this picture of Kit Kat outside

Then Isaac took this great picture of her outside on the table

Ava, Peyton and Regen at Airborne

I got up at 6:45 and got ready.  I prayed for Kimmy and Jared’s safe trip here.  Jared dropped

Kimmy and Eli off at 8 and we sat and visited and drank our coffee.  Eli drank chocolate milk.  Vikki, Peyton, and Isaac got here at around 9:00.  It sure was warm and cozy in here.  we had nice heat from our new furnace and also heat from the fireplace.  I am so thankful. It was -5 in the morning and got up to 10 degrees, with high winds.  Our hot water heater works great too and is well insulated.  .

The boys went with Papa to a resale electronic store.  Bill came home with a computer.  His is pretty bad.  They went to Crumbles after that which. is Max’s favorite place to get cookies.  They each got a cookie.  They are pretty expensive at $15 total for their three cookies.  They had lots of fun and bonding time though.  I made chili for the chili cookout tomorrow at Wes and Gayla’s,  Vikki and Kimmy tested it for me. Vikki picked up Peyton’s friend, Regen who stayed with Peyton and had some chili for lunch.  Ava’s dad dropped her off a little later and the 3 girls hung out at my house.  Debbie called Bill and wanted all of us to meet at Applebee’s for lunch.  She wanted to pay for everyone’s meal. That was so sweet of her. We were surprised and happy to see Tom there too.  Our food was great and we had a wonderful time visiting.  

I texted with Maddy a lot and prayed and encouraged her.  They had to intubate baby today and put him on a ventilator.  So hard on a mom not to be able to hold her baby.  I remember how hard it was with Peyton and Isaac.  Later in the day, we did get a good report.  He doesn’t have anything wrong with the roof of his mouth.  It’s only the lip and that is much easier to take care of and baby can eat much easier if the roof of the mouth isn’t affected.  I was in tears and was praising and thanking God.  We called Vikki on her way home and told her, then I called Melissa and let her know.  They had just gotten to Bavarian Inn Lodge.

Kimmy filled all of my bird feeders in this freezing cold.  I told her not to, but she bundled up and went out and fed them.  I do appreciate it and love watching them, even though I would rather have her stay in and nice and warm.  It didn’t take long and there was a bird on the window feeder. Kit Kat was outside on the deck while she fed them.  Isaac sure got a good picture of her.  

Jared got here and I had him get a bowl of chili out to heat up in the microwave.  Bill took him down and showed him the furnace.  He was pretty impressed with the job they did. Vikki had to leave, so headed home with the girls.  Kimmy and Jared had to leave to go sell a fish tank.  Eli and Isaac wanted to spend the night and go to the movie with us.  We had a couple from Faith Riders stop over and she wanted to do her CMA training.  Elaine got the days and times mixed up, so we set up to do it tomorrow night instead since we were going to the movie.  Isaac was happy to walk around and see all of his friends and Eli was looking for two of his friends, but they weren’t there.  They picked the first row for us to sit in.  Our popcorn was yummy.  It had animal crackers, pretzels, and M & M’s mixed in.  It was a really good show called King of Kings.  

Melissa called me and they were having so much fun at the splash park.  Max decided to swim and go down the water slides too.  He really loved the hot tub and especially that it went outside too.  He thought it was so neat that his hair froze that he told his mom she had to take a picture.  He even stayed in it with all the rest of people while Melissa and Bruce had to go someplace else. All the kids had so much fun and so did Melissa and Bruce. This is Max’s prayer month and it was such a blessing that he went and wanted to swim.  He hasn’t wanted to swim since Covid.  

 

 

Thurs., 1/22/26, Bill met Jeremy S. to mentor him, The furnace guy came back, I went to therapy, then Jack’s, then Meijer, Maddy had her baby, He’s precious, Bill to Max to his appt. and to Culvers, Furnace guy (Tyler() left around 9 pm. He got everything done except needs to put in a new thermostat in basement, house is warm and comfy, played Donkey

Maddy had her Baby.  5 lbs. 7 oz., named Chandler.  Congratulations Maddy and Alec!  He’s so precious.  He was born with a cleft pallet, and will need some surgeries.  He is one loved little baby and has the best mommy and daddy.  I can’t wait to get to see him and hold him.  I love him already. 

 

 I got up early so I could be ready before Tyler, the furnace guy got here.  Bill got up shortly after me because he had to meet with Jeremy S. and mentor him.  I was supposed to meet Maddy and go to Chic fit A today, but she’s having the baby instead.  Bill, I and the girls are doing lots of praying.  

I had to go to therapy at 11:30, so Bill came home.  Tyler got here right at the same time.  I left right after he got here.  Our road was slippery, and the wind was blowing so hard snow was blowing over the main roads too.  It was 9 degrees out.  It was even hard walking into therapy with that wind so strong.  I had Shannon today.  She worked me hard and gave me a new exercise today.  She gave me homework, but told me to wait until tomorrow to do it because she didn’t want me to overdo.  While I was there, they cancelled tomorrow already, because of the very cold weather and wind chill of possible -25 degrees.  I went to Jack’s afterwards to get stuff to make chili for our CMA chili cook off at Wes and Gayla’s on Saturday.  I also got some Safflower seeds for the birds.  I went to Meijer after that and got some other groceries and lots of fruit which was on sale.  I got home and parked pretty far behind Bill in the driveway so he could get out to go and take James to the VA to see if he can get him some more benefits.  He left and I checked with Tyler to see if my car would bother him in the garage because I wanted to pull in and unload groceries where it wasn’t slippery.  He just needed to move one thing and then I pulled in.  Yay!  It feels so good to be back in the garage.  He wasn’t coming upstairs much because he didn’t have to go out to his truck, so I closed the garage door too.  We have had it open for 3 days and with the wind, it cools off the house fast.  Tyler had to turn the heat off again while he finished working on the furnace and got it all set to work off all of the thermostats instead of just one like last night.  He labeled every pipe so we would know which one goes to which room.  He took us down to show us when Bill got home.  It looks pretty amazing.  Now when it warms up, we are cleaning out that room and painting the floor in there too.  Adam got a job at the Dollar Store today, so hopefully he will be able to. still paint it for us.  I am so happy for him!  He has wanted to work there for a while and had an interview today and got hired.  Such a great kid and a hard worker.  

Bill brought me a big chocolate chip cookie from Panera.  It was so good.  I ate left over pizza from the other day that was really yummy.  Tyler left and then Bill and I played a game he made called Donkey.  It was fun, but after we played, he found out more about how to play.  We will have to play again as it will be more fun playing it right.  

I walked a half mile on the walking pad after that.  Next week I will start walking a mile.  since I’m doing therapy now, but next week I only have one day and will be done.  

I worked on my blog after that.  Jared is bring Kimmy and the boys tomorrow at 7:30.  I am happy they can still come.  I didn’t think Kimmy should drive, but Jared doesn’t mind driving so he’s being a blessing.