Monday, October 18, 2021

10/18/21

 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. 


 

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