3/30/25

 Dear family,   

 

               To have a youth group descend on our yard to place and rake 5 yards of bark dust was delightful!  Bobby was a bit overwhelmed because the team of 16 was so fast that they finished in an hour.  I have to say thank you to all of you.  I am very grateful, as this year I wasn’t even there.  I was at work.  (I didn't add faces because I didn't ask each family's permission.)

                Spring break was just another work week for me.  I enjoyed it and brought a co-worker to the ER on one of those days.  I am glad she is all better now.  That was a little scary.

               Bobby and I enjoyed some quiet evenings.  Seth and Adriel remain sweet and are both plugging away at school.

               The church workday was a success.  I didn’t last long because my back hurts when I pull weeds, but I saw many people happily working away.  The church looks beautiful now.  Not a weed or plant out of place, there are clean windows, dusted lights, and I don’t even know all the stuff that was done.    

               Just for fun, I’ll include the most bizarre conversation I had one morning.  I was getting up at 4 AM, my usual time, and Bobby said, “I dreamed you were scaring Seth.”  He sounded a little angry.  I said, “No, I dreamed I was helping him find a bee for homework.”  Bobby disagreed, “No, I dreamed I told you to stop scaring him, and you did it again anyway.” Now, I was getting a little frustrated.  “No, I dreamed it had to be a live bee, and I was helping him.”  Bobby ended the conversation with, “You are lucky I didn’t push you out of bed.”  I left, and I knew this would happen . . . guess what . . . Bobby doesn’t remember the entire conversation because he wasn’t awake.

               May you be way less combative while you sleep.  May you enjoy the people around you and find grace and forgiveness always.  May you find help with the garden if you need it, and may you be glad for the flowers.  I didn’t cry this year because of the weeds.  Yay!  The garden is under control with way less fruit and mostly bark dust that I can poison.  Yay!!!!

Love and Hugs,

 

 

Cristy

3/24/25

 Dear family,

 

               Tuesday night youth group was fun.  When a youth was not singing during song time Bobby asked him to sing.  The young man mentioned, ”I’m actually deaf and mute.”  That was just silly.  When you know someone since birth, and their parents, and their entire family’s history – you know if they are deaf or mute.  He . . . is not.

               The snack that night was tiny burger-shaped gummies.  People were excited about these but it struck me as funny when Bobby mentioned that Rich was wanting more burger options and here, was one.  It was amusing to hear Rich laugh about that one.

               Bobby mentioned, “The Government tells me I need glasses to drive.”  A student had to say, “Don’t listen to the government!”  Bobby said, “I’m going to obey the government.”  As we should.

                I enjoyed talking with Adriel several times this week.  Her life is so interesting.  She definitely has a lot going on.

               I enjoyed giving away some free kittens with a youth.  It took about five minutes and there was so much joy in the process.  Holding a baby is special and I enjoyed sharing that joy with several people.  How precious new life is.

    Also, that pinwheel is a picture of God's future blessing.  While I'm at work tomorrow Bobby and the youth group will help spread barkdust wherever there is a pinwheel (ground showing).  How sweet of them.  The proceeds from that fundraiser will go toward youth group snacks (which anyone can also help with).  It's a win-win since they will also get pizza and a movie.  Yay, God.

               Bobby mowed the lawn some and I enjoyed spending Saturday with him.  May you also enjoy spending time with those you love.  Hugs,

 

Cristy  

3/17/25

 Dear family,

 

               Daylight Savings Time changed things so much!  I was bicycling in the dark again.  No shades this week.  And the rain was so intense that it turned to hail on Thursday.  The power went out at work, and they sent us all home.  By then the sun was out and it was nice to garden in the middle of the day.

               Tuesday night, we enjoyed a lot of youth gathering, but most of them were boys.  This brought out a very exciting idea.  Bobby said, “If we have 8 girls at youth group, I’ll order pizza.  I don’t know if this is a long-standing or limited offer, but one girl is brainstorming and is very excited and motivated to invite others. Food is a huge motivator.

               Bobby was making an illustration about how he would get nickels before going to the nickel arcade, but the coins were heavy and would weigh down his pocket.  A middle schooler interrupted with, “Wait, you used real nickels?”  This ended the entire story.  Yes, we are old, so old that we used actual nickels at the nickel arcade, not credit card-swiping machines.  Sigh.

               When Bobby made an illustration about not comparing ourselves to others, he mentioned that if someone got a little bit of ice cream but Sammy got a lot, the person might say, “Why is Sammy getting all the ice cream?” Sammy had no problem piping in, “Because I’m the favorite!”

               When Bobby mentioned that our sins are paid for because of “Him who has no sin,”  Someone had to add, “Sinless Steve?” No, it’s Jesus we are talking about, not sinless Steve.

                I enjoyed talking with Adriel and Seth this week.  They are both very loving and kind.  I am glad they respond when I reach out 😊.          Seth had pastor Ed shadow him on Friday.  I was praying they got to know each other better and good would come.  I loved hearing from our pastor that Seth was eager to please and responded well to any new feedback about the job.

               Saturday, Bobby and I enjoyed a Quinceanera.  It was lovely to celebrate someone so thoroughly and get to know her better. 

               I dreamed that our cat made the morning announcements at church on Sunday.  Many people were taken aback.  I had to admit that I hadn’t taught her how to talk.  That was all God.  But I did teach her to read, so when she stumbled on a word, that was my bad.  It was a fun dream and shows how important Skyra is to me.  She also loves meowing so much that I can see her doing the announcements at church.  Can’t you?

               May you enjoy your days and your dreams.  May your time on this earth bring testimony to God’s love, goodness, and grace.

Hugs,

 

Cristy

3/9/25

 Dear Family,

               The crocuses are happily blooming with so much sunny, warm weather!  May we also delight in our Lord and shine forth happy, pretty faces towards the sun.  I have had to bring sunglasses on my bicycle rides now.  The ugliest glasses I could find!  And I am glad to have them – that way, no one wants to take them (Yes, my kids were the worst swipers, but it’s been a long time with these glasses).

               Tuesday night was a great crowd of energetic love and bounciness.  It was just Bobby and I, so when Bobby began tilting his head during the songs, I wondered if his hair was getting in his face.  The thrashing of his head became so pronounced and frantic that I almost thought he had developed a twitch.  Then the poor guy had to stop the music and tell me, “Two people went to the bathroom and I don’t trust them together – go check on them.”  “Ohhhh! We have got to work on our communication.”  Everything was fine – I’ll know what Bobby’s erratic head nods mean next time.  That was pretty funny.  We were down three leaders.

               The kids were a delight. Bobby talked about temptation and how the world pressures us to become soft, like a pressure cooker makes hard potatoes and meat softer. One student had to mention, “Yeah, you push a button on the pressure cooker, and that’s where the steam comes out. Then you put your face in the steam.”  Noooo, I had to let the youth group know that is NOT what we do with steam. 

               The lesson included a part about “Removing yourself is the best solution.”  One student joked about, “Leaves now,” and walking out.  That would have been funny, but I am glad they didn’t do that.

               Another student had an interesting desire.  They were biting the bottom of the water bottle.  Bobby had to insist, “Don’t bite water bottles and drink like a gerbil.”  Others had to insert, “Or like a badger . . . or racoons.”  That was an interesting rabbit trail.

               Bobby enjoyed throwing marshmallows into the air.  Students wanted to catch them.  This was fun for all and a very short game time.

               High school group had a more interesting twist.  When someone says, “I have the verse,”  Bobby becomes suspect.  “What version are you reading from?”  One favorite – and a version that makes everyone smile – is the Y’all version of the Bible. Good times.  I’m glad for the Bible app.

               Bobby mowed the lawn before taking a trip with friends.  That was nice of him.  That way, if he gets lost on the mountain, at least some work on the home is done 😉.  I’m glad he had fun and bonded with some guy friends.

               May you also enjoy time with friends, family, or anyone you encounter 😊.  May your joy bring a smile to everyone’s face around you.  Much love,

 

Cristy

3/2/25

 Dear Family,

 

               I am so delighted by how funny our youth are.   The things I overhear crack me up.  “Why did you bring a golf ball?” “For safety reasons.”  No other explanation was given!  Also, Bobby let one person hand out flyers.  That person started charging $.05 each.  That did not go over well.  Can you imagine?

               Before the message, someone approached me privately to ask how to become a Christian.  This was fun because “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!”  This person agreed to all that but was going to wait until they got home to pray (possibly with a parent) because the three people talking with her mentioned we were with a parent.  It was a serious discussion, but it was beautiful and profound at the same time.

               The High School group is always less rowdy yet so much fun in their own right.  During the lesson, Bobby mentioned that one of the blanks was a big word.  An essential part of praying to God was modeled in the Lord's prayer.  The verse was 1 John 1:9, “As we seek the c----------- of our own sinful debts, we must offer the same towards others.”  A person asked if the big word that started with a C was “Carbohydrates?”  Nooo, I’ll share the word at the end of blessings.

               I enjoyed several conversations with Adriel this week.  She is getting things done but is still excited to enjoy skateboarding in the sunshine with friends.  Please continue to pray with me that she stays injury-free.

               The stories at Genny’s funeral were such a blessing.  She was a lovely lady and will be missed.  I enjoyed warming Bobby’s hands for a change.  He was cold from sitting while I was warm from running around and volunteering at the UGM mission store.  I LOVE that thrift store. 

               I also must say how delighted I am with ingenuity.  My water bottle handle is perfect for wrapping around a Bicycle!  Check this picture out.  I may have had a flat tire in the morning, but we have two bicycles.  I am so blessed that I could electronically pump up the tires of the other bicycle and ride that one to work.  I made it on time.  After some thought, I am glad that a YouTube video showed me how to take the flat tire off and that my backpack has straps to hold a broken tire as I rode to work again.  Then, after work at Northwest Hub, the tire was fixed.  Ta daa!  So much to be thankful for in Salem.  We are so blessed!  Yay God!

               May your life reflect the one we love the most. May you be a blessing to all you encounter, and may you find joy in doing God’s will.

Much love,  Cristy

PS The word was cancellation.

2/24/25

 Dear Family,

               Having a day off to spend time with Adriel was so pleasant!  She is fun to be around and I enjoyed meeting her roommates.  As she continues to work hard and do her best, I am glad to be part of that for a snippet of life.  It’s incredible how much we can love another person.  I enjoy seeing her, conversing, and her hugs.  She was so sweet when she picked my favorite restaurant for us to eat and then even bought me something on our shopping trip.  I feel like she is growing up and maturing every day.  I enjoyed some of her outrageous in-city stories and how, “This is just normal,” there.  Goodness.

               Middle school group had definite excitement about a donated duck egg.  It was black under the shell!  Blegh!  That sounded very yucky, which meant much excitement and trepidation.  Bobby promised a free soda to anyone who could down a fourth of the egg.  More excitement.  He was going to do this at the end of youth group just in case it made the whole room stink.  Bobby had concerns.  Prayer time had several requests for the health of those who would later consume the egg.  It went off well, no huge smell, lots of excitement, and fun.

               As part of the middle school lesson, Bobby used people from the crowd for his illustration.  Let’s say Rich is beaten up and lying on the side of the Road.  So and so is a Pharisee and sees Rich.  He chooses to cross on the other side of the road.  He doesn’t even want to look at Rich.  Later another youth also sees Rich.  He too doesn’t want to watch a man die.  He crosses on the other side to pass by.  Then Lucas, who is a hated enemy sees Rich.  He is concerned and Rich might die and he magically has a donkey!  So, Lucas, he uses his superhuman strength to lift Rich onto the donkey, bring him to a hotel, and give the hotel person money.  Then he says, “I’ll be back to pay more if this man needs it”.  That is the story of the good Samaritan.  After this delightful rendition the person next to me asked.  “Rich, do you remember that?”

               High school group has an interesting weekly ritual for some.  They sit on the cold hard ground.  I do not know why.  Anyway, that group sat and Bobby said, “We do stand for the songs.”  They said, “We know, we always do.”  For some reason, Bobby mentioned, “But so and so is very tall.”  This made me laugh.  Is it harder for tall people to stand up?

               Several things have been endearing with Seth.  I do have a perpetual popcorn bowl that I like to keep full.  One day Seth texted with, “I think I ruined the popcorn.”  This interested me and he responded that he had added butter.  I immediately thought of how popcorn sometimes melts when you pour butter on it and assured him he was fine.  I just thought it was sweet of him to be concerned.

               Another incident was his concern about fraud on his card with an Amazon purchase.  “Mom, did you use my card on Amazon yesterday?”  I had not so I thought he should report the fraud.  Later that day, “False alarm – it was a return.”  There are so many firsts in life.  It’s interesting to be part of Seth’s as he is a young adult. 

                 May you also delight in being part of your family’s life.  May you enjoy your interactions, keep lines of communication open, and do God’s will in all things.  Love and hugs,

 

Cristy

PS The picture is of Wallace Marine Park Bridge.  Part of my commute that I delight in.

2/16/25

  Dear family,

               Bobby cracks me up.  He was describing how each person gets one candy at the Middle school Youth Group.  “You are one person, when you come in and find a treat under your chair it is for you.  If you move chairs and think, ‘Oh, look, the Lord has provided!’  No, you just get one, that’s how it works here.  You are one person no matter how many times you change chairs.”

               Later when we were going to do game time Bobby mentioned, “We are going to do something dangerous.”  The person next to me said, “Like eating, expired yogurt?” No, that is not what we did, we used bows and foam tipped arrows to knock down cups.  This is dangerous in Bobby’s mind.  We could poke an eye out.

               The High school group had some fun answers for Bobby’s fill in the blanks.  Bobby chose to talk about Jacob and Rachel’s courtship which brought up a lot of things wrong with the world.  Either way Bobby wanted to highlight their similarities as stated in Genesis 29:1-13.  Jacob finds someone from his r_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with a similar o _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.  What made me laugh was when someone said, “They had a similar Orthodontist?”  You can look below to find the right answers.

               After talking about how Laban switched Leah for Rachel, Bobby asked if the youth could find anything wrong with this situation.  One student had to say, “If it’s OK to marry your cousin then why not have more than one wife?”  Such a yikes situation – all of it.  Let’s not mention that finding the wrong person in your bed the morning after your wedding wouldn’t be a crazy feeling.

               Thursday brought excitement and joy with the snow.  Bobby also felt high in demand with someone asking for him at 8:45 AM.  Bobby was excited to walk to someone’s house, board games in tow on a sled behind him.  I enjoyed taking pictures.

               Hopefully you might have enjoyed a day or two of snow.  I finished a book, enjoyed relaxing more and didn’t feel a need to go out in the snow at all.  We even enjoyed Valentines Day together.  How fun.  May you delight in God’s mighty hand with snow, sleet, hail.  May the heavens declare the glory of God, and may we marvel and delight in all He has for us.

               Love and hugs, Cristy

 

 

The right answers were Jacob finds someone from his relatives with a similar occupation (not orthodontist).