4/21/24

 

Dear Family,

 

          I feel blessed that I can be helpful.  I enjoy working overtime always and am glad to be of service.  Yay!  I am enjoying 10 hour days and still have energy after that to help with youth group.  God is showing me so much about what I can handle and what does and doesn’t wear me down.  I am excited to consider a future where I have more energy!  Please pray with me as I interview for desk jobs.  I figured out my sitting pain is mostly because we have bad chairs and a wood bench at home.

          Youth group remains a great place to seek, learn about, and grow in God.  I was encouraged Wednesday night when several students came even though their friends did not.  One even told me that they are getting closer to God and felt called to come!  Yay!  God is at work all around us! 

          Funny things are also still said during group time.  I recall someone asking where so and so was.  The answer, “He’s probably annoying a small child,” was silly.  Also, when Bobby said, “Guess the theme for camp.”  Someone answered, “Pineapple.”  Sometimes random answers are the best.  When someone tried to answer a blank with, “Hellish” for We live in a H----- world.  Someone else had to mention, “It’s because he’s public schooled.”  I enjoy the laughter and fun we have.  Joking around and learning about God!  Bonus!

          Our children are working and in school.  They are productive members of society and I also get to hear from them an, “I love you,” or a, “Hello.”  How blessed I feel when they pick up the phone.  I am glad that there is some connection even in the business. 

          I enjoyed working 57 hours this week and look forward to doing it again next week.  My favorite thing is that Bobby mowed the lawn and took the garbage to the curb and back without me even mentioning it.  I am amazed that I still had energy to watch a play and am still enjoying life.  I thought I might be a lot more tired but life remains wonderful.  This is because of Bobby.  He’s thankful and loving 😊 Yay!  Also, the ability to keep on reminds me of Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  Because the kids no longer need me as a caregiver, I have opportunity to work and I am so glad I can.

          May you also find joy in your journey.  May you work as unto the Lord and find it a privilege to do the tasks set before you.

 

Much love,

 

 

Cristy 

By the way the answer to the fill in the blank is, “Hungry.”

4/15/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Nice weather is so pleasant!  I have been glad to walk in my favorite weather – cloudy.  Sun hurts my eyes but cloudy is just right!  I have met interesting people, enjoyed that I am able and avoided paying parking fees.  I remain very thankful that Bobby drives me in the mornings.  Yay, It’s working out to have two jobs.  Buuuut, if any female is going from West Salem over the bridge at 6:15 AM, and wants to give me a ride to or near the Department of Revenue let me know.  It would be fun to chat with you as well.

               Both youth groups were fun this week.  My favorite part about middle school group was when Bobby was describing how we cast our cares upon God.  He was trying to illustrate throwing and seemed to not find the best word for “cast.”  He noticed I was smiling and asked what word I was thinking of.  “Yeet” was a fun word for “toss” and we did have a laugh about that.  A fun joke in High School group was when Bobby brought out some marshmallows that were in the shape of Bunnies, Chicks or Eggs.  One student yelled out, “Chicks, I love chicks!”  This brought some chuckles.  Later a student wanted to flick one of the chicks and call it a “Chick flick.”

               One blessing is the emergence of new life.  When someone gifts us a flower bulb, that is potential.  When the bulb is planted, watered by God and then starts emerging that is exciting.  Bobby and I are both anticipating new flowers and it’s fun to see that they didn’t die in the ground, no, they are alive and well!

               I am glad that there is fun everywhere we go.  May you enjoy those you encounter every day.  May you delight in new beginnings and things that spring out of the ground (flowers, not creepy bad guys).  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

4/8/24

 

Dear Familiy,

               The first day of a new job is always scary.  I wondered if I would like it!  I also wondered if I could sit for long periods of time without hurting too much.  So many questions.  And yet, when I get into a task nothing else matters.  I have pain no matter what I do repetitively.  I am enjoying the work and the people.  This is temporary, I don’t know if I would want to do the new job permanently.  Meanwhile Freddies lets me work Saturday only this month.  They will keep me on and I am so glad for that.

               Tuesday night youth group was filled with excitement and fun.  The group has gelled considerably, and they are so glad to be present!  I did have to chuckle when Bobby mentioned one supposition during the lesson.  “Imagine French fries with no salt.”  This brought such a fervent mixed review.  Some where saying they would love them, others that French Fries without salt would be the worst thing ever.  All this to talk about how we are the salt of the world.

               Wednesday night High School group had more fun guessing the fill in the blanks.  1 Peter 2:11-12 had this blank next to it, “As salt we add F _ _ _ _ _ with our lives.”  Someone shouted out Fortnite and that just tickled me.  Later the Sentence that went with John 4:13-15 was, “Help create T _ _ _ _ _ in others.”  Someone had to say, “Tension.”  I enjoy the banter.  Someone mentioned that they enjoy eating the end of a pretzel bag.  The salt on the bottom was amazing to him.  His friend said, “Then you get kidney stones.”  Bobby had to let us all know, eating the salt on the bottom of a pretzel bag does not result in kidney stones.  (Yay for not getting medical advice from youth group or YouTube.)

               I am so blessed that Bobby gives me a ride to work every week day.  The parking price in the middle of the city is not our cup of tea so I am blessed by his thoughtfulness and willingness to get up early for me.  I enjoy walking home except in the rain.  Bobby did drive me home from volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission store on Friday.  That was very kind of him.

               Adriel and Seth continue to be loving and sweet.  I enjoy seeing or hearing from them.

               May you also enjoy your loved ones.  May God bring you success, grace and love as you trust in Him for all your needs.  May he also give you wisdom as you cry out to Him for guidance.

               Much love,

 

 

Cristy

               PS The answers to the fill in the blanks are Flavor and Thirst.

4/1/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Turkey made on a Traeger is amazing.  Bobby spent Monday cooking and it was tasty as usual.  I am so blessed that he loves to cook.

               Tuesday Bobby enjoyed a games day with the youth group.  I delighted in walking with friends.  We loved our day and rejoiced in chatting about it in the evening.

               Wednesday the youth group came over to help spread bark dust.  I am blessed by this yearly tradition.  I am thankful we can bless them financially and have a fun event at the same time.  They were so helpful even though it was pouring rain.  We also enjoyed the game of, “Things” and pizza.  A recurring theme ended up being, ‘Things that make Bobby’s life easier’ – Child labor.  We laughed about that so much it was great times.

               Thursday, we had dinner and a movie in the church gym.  30 youth came and it was very good food.  How fun to get together during spring break for an outreach event!  We saw old faces and some new. 

               Saturday it was fun to see Adriel and celebrate her Birthday early.  She is a lovely person, and I am so glad she is still in our lives.  We had a great breakfast at Jam on Hawthorn and enjoyed seeing Seth eat pepper intentionally for the first time.  This was a gift from Adriel who demonstrated adding salt and pepper to his hashbrowns.  Her comment, “You need to get out more!”

               Bobby mowed the lawn Saturday afternoon, and I am so blessed!  Then he cooked food for Easter.  Yay for wonderful celebration of God’s power over death.  May you also feel as blessed as we are by God’s choice to come to earth as a volunteer sacrifice.  “For the Joy set before Him he endured the cross scorning its shame.” (Hebrews 12:2).  May you accept the gift of salvation and feel His love and joy flowing through you to others.

 

Much Love, Cristy

3/25/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               We have so much fun!  Tuesday night youth group Bobby mentioned that Rich isn’t the only one to become a grandpa this month. . . . Our pastor’s daughter had their baby also.  How neat.  This brought some excitement as one student shouted, “And you are a grandpa too Bobby!”  Another student picked this up and said, “Yeah, Cristy, tell him the secret.  Tell him the secret!”  There were several consenting voices as the crowd was stirred up.  “Tell Him the secret!”  “Nooo, there is no secret!”  Neither of our children have made any people yet.  It sure was exciting to the middle schoolers.  They had fun with that one.  Later I enjoyed telling Seth how the youth group talked about him.  I love his smile.

               During the announcements, Bobby mentioned we will have dinner and a movie.  The movie is “Ratatouille” and Bobby is planning on making some ratatouille to go with the movie.  Bobby mentioned he felt he had to make the dish even though he doesn’t think anyone will eat it.  The students had to disagree!  We will eat it!  Bobby mentioned there are eggplants, squash, and zucchini.  The person next to me had been insisting that she would eat the Ratatouille. The entire youth group still said they would eat that.  Then Bobby said he would be making spaghetti, French bread, and salad.  The person next to me did look at me and say, “Oh, that sounds better, I don’t really like eggplant.”

               Because it’s free, Bobby tried a countdown program that has the timer on the bottom right of the screen and then rabbit/easter jokes in the center.  It had fake laughter, silly pictures, and dad jokes.  One student asked another, “What is this?”  The consensus, “Torture.”

               One prayer request was, “About the teacher strike.”  When another person prayed about it, the gist seemed to be that the student was for a strike.  After prayer, the person who wrote it had to mention they were hoping the teachers didn’t have to strike. 

               High school group has much more testosterone.  I enjoy their banter and they are so excited to be together.  I am glad there is laughter.  The girls that do come are so sweet.  We huddle together and are glad for each other’s company.

               Thursday a lovely family with acres of land and a love for kittens stopped by.  They will give the kittens a great home with freedom to roam and hunt.  I am excited for the kittens to have a place to be all they were created to be.

               Thursday Bobby also made pizza.  We enjoyed the smells and taste.  I had to chuckle when Seth came downstairs.  “You made food?”  Seth is a constant reminder that we are blessed with a son.  I truly love his presence.

               Bobby and I enjoyed a date on Friday.  We are so blessed to eat well, enjoy each other’s company, and bask in the love God has provided.  Without Him, we are nothing.  With God, we function amazingly.

               May you also feel God’s presence in your life.  May you be glad for His grace, love, provision, and peace.  He is sovereign, Lord and the provider of all good things.  May this give you confidence to share love with all you encounter.  Hugs 😊

 

 

Cristy

 

3/18/24

 

Dear Family,

 

The disruption of ones life for the benefit of another is hard work when it comes to people.  Cats on the other hand can hiss and scratch.  We are so thankful for your prayers!  Their spay date is April 9th but someone may want to take them before that so please pray for God’s will.  Crazy how two little critters can make such a big difference.

Adriel has started visiting us and I enjoy the time and attention.  She is delightful and has a lot of soul searching about vocation.   

Seth continues to do his job well and I had someone tell me how helpful he was.  When I passed the compliment on to him, he said, “Well, it’s my job to be helpful.”  So, there you have it. 

Monday Bobby made beef Bourguignon and it was very yummy.  Saturday he made some mac and cheese with tuna fish.  I love that he cooks!

Tuesday night youth group I had to laugh when I heard the chant, “Defense, defense.”  This was while people were watching a game of chess.  The youth are so fun to be with.  I enjoy listening to their trials and joys.

Wednesday night I mentioned that if you want to make Bobby mad just throw a cat at him and watch him get scratched.  The person next to me gave me a knowing look and said, “Duly noted”. 

               While Bobby was putting his guitar away someone mentioned, “We should pray!” with such force I mentioned to the person next to me, “I sense a type a personality.”  Then the person I was talking about said, “I’m in charge!”  As he took over and told who would pray.  It was comedic timing 😊. 

I enjoy time with our youth and am glad has brought us here to minister.  May you also be glad for the place He has put you.  Much love,

 

Cristy

3/11/24

 

Dear Family,

 

                

               I enjoy visiting with Adriel and she came to us this week.  She has a lot of decisions to make, and I enjoy being part of her journey.  I also delight in her enthusiasm, hugs and smiles.

               Seth was kind enough to leave the door unlocked for Adriel.  Unfortunately, even though I am the one who told him to do this, I came home and locked up out of habit before I left.  I enjoyed the transcript of Seth’s call when Adriel called him to unlock the door for her.  “Hey mom as I don Hear a beat flying unicorn I left the door unlocked Angels, texting me and saying it's locked You wouldn't happen to know why?  Oh, you're gone, you're not even close to home. All right I'm gonna drive home and get Israel…”  What he really said was that he would let Adriel in and that was fabulous because he did this in record time.  I was willing to leave youth group to let her in but didn’t have to.  What a great guy.

               High school group was entertaining as I played foosball with several youth.  We overheard someone say, “That’s a grandma color.”  This brought up a conversation with those I was with.  “What color do you suppose is a grandma color?”  One across from me piped up with, “Maroon?”  I looked down at my maroon coat and asked, “Is there a specific reason you think that?”  We had to laugh at the irony.

               During the lesson Bobby asked the High school group if they could see any animal at the zoo which ones would they like to see.  This brought out some jokes.  The friend sitting beside a person, “My brother and sister.”  We only got one serious answer and it was, “A flamingo because I like how their knees bend.” 

               Bobby mentioned that we are all sheep in God’s eyes and someone piped up with, “I’m a Ram!”  Another student exclaimed, “You can’t be a truck!”

               Middle school was also fun but I lost the paper I wrote things down on to remember and, like the wind, it’s all gone.  This is to remind us all – if we don’t make the effort to keep track, the beauty, joy and fun times are gone.  We can’t bring them back.  Record to remember my friends.  This life is so short. 

               I am blessed that Bobby made chicken pot pie this week.  The lawn is still mowed (not growing much in this awkward snowy weather).   Bobby cooked several more meals this week and I enjoyed eating with him.  Please pray with us as he is concerned for his best friend Rich’s healing.  Rich had foot surgery.  Also, Bobby’s Uncle is in the hospital and this is sad and scary. 

Please also pray with us as we have new kittens because they go in heat and one peed on someone’s room mate while they were sleeping.  This was an emergency situation.  So, we have these kittens I want to keep forever, locked in our bedroom.  Meanwhile our own cat is curious, jealous and wants to get in the bedroom.  Also, I know these kittens’ potential, they could pee on us – so we walking on eggshells to be their friends.  They have spay surgery scheduled for April 9^th.  Meanwhile, our house is a little chaotic and sleep has been hard to come by.  The kittens are mad at each other and want to rumble, meow, and scratch at the door as we are trying to sleep.

               Thank you so much for your love, attention, and PRAYERS! 

Hugs, Cristy