Dear Family,
Thank you all so much
for helping make my Birthday amazing. I
loved the cards, Facebook wishes, and phone calls. You are dear to me and I felt loved,
appreciated, and special.
My parents are amazing
and were willing to come down for a lovely visit. They asked to use our empty room and were
willing to sleep on air mattresses! They
said they slept well and I was convicted on several levels.
We thought our room was
ugly because the walls were only spot painted and the carpet has stains. None of that affected my parents' ability to
sleep. God can use me even though I have
flaws and that room was used, flaws and all.
Our curtain was a drop cloth – didn’t matter. So, after my parents left I painted the
walls, Bobby painted the molding and will repaint them one more time. We have something that can be useful – we
should make it available for God’s purposes.
I am someone who can be useful – I can make myself available for God’s
purposes.
Bobby was helpful and served on Monday when he helped with
air mattress issues, helped get drop cloths off the floor, and cleaned up while
I was at work.
Bobby continues to make a loving and fun environment for
the Youth Group kids. This week I found
several things funny. Bobby said,
"I will give Rich a terrible task.”
Someone asked, “Will you make him eat mustard?”
During prayer, someone
prayed COVID would go away. Another
person interjected, “Actually I’m enjoying COVID very much.”
Bobby asked, “What are
some of the things which can get in the way of you and Jesus?” He began hinting that he knew what is
something I (his wife) have in my life that gets in the way of Jesus. He was mentioning that maybe he should
tell the kids. One said, “This is very
scandalous.”
Home group started this
week and Bobby led very well. I love
singing with a group and Bobby plays the guitar great. The lesson made us think, prayer is always
uplifting and I truly enjoy time with adults as we ponder God’s word and what
it means in our practical life.
Bobby also took a day to
cook dinner for us and a couple that came over to play board games. We are blessed with friends. I am so grateful that Bobby cooks because
when work asked if I could stay later I was available for some time. I wasn’t cooking for our guests. Bobby was!
Adriel has been
thoughtful and loving. She took time to
be with us for a Birthday celebration and the next day some lunch. Granted, the food may be a big pull. She can’t resist the lure of Golden
Crown. I am glad for her company. She is lovely and fun to be around even if
she back seat drives when she isn’t in my car.
Seth continues to be a loving and constant
presence. One of us mentioned that I
even take time to fold my underwear. I
scoffed. I don't waste my time folding
underwear! “Neither do I,” said another
family member. Seth piped in with, “I
don’t fold any of my clothes.”
Seth let us enter into his world for an English
assignment. He was asked to describe his
“Food Journey”. This is something we
don’t really think about much. He
finally figured out his take: from Bored eating to eating for Energy and
expediency– this is how he has changed since starting college. No more boredom – just stress.
Our cat meows way too much. I put a rubber band on her mouth as I told
her to stop being so vocal. She
immediately got both front paws up to push the rubber band off. In the minute or so of blessed cat silence,
Seth shared his disgust for my cat abuse.
I said, “It only takes her a minute to get it off. There is no permanent damage.” He said, “It’s about respect mom.” Apparently, I need to respect our cat
more. (She really is adorable as she
tries to solve the rubber band problem.)
Another blessing, we
have grapes coming out of our ears. I am
thankful they don’t go bad. Every Sunday
for a month or two now I have had something to give to the farmers' table at
church. God’s blessings can be
overwhelming – He blesses that it might spill over and bless others. I love that I have more than first fruits – I
have often fruits. I can give because I
have sooooooooooo much. 2 Corinthians
9:10-11 sums it up very nice: “10 Now he who
supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and
increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be
enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,
and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” I like that verse.
May you also be abundantly blessed so you can be
generous on every occasion. May our
generosity result in thanksgiving to God.
Love and hugs,
Cristy
PS my scandalous is how often I play Pokémon
Go. I need to stop letting it suck my
time.
