12/27/21

 Dear Family,

 

            Preparation and timing are key.  Bobby started preparing for Christmas eve and Christmas dinner days before they happened.  God also prepared for our salvation and it took 30 years for Jesus to grow up, minister to people, and eventually die.  Goodness – what a plan.  Yet so many farmers, breeders, and entrepreneurs live with the end game in mind.  Some plans take a lifetime to achieve.  Do you have a long-term goal in mind?  Do I?

            Bobby made ham for Christmas eve, Turkey for Christmas, salad, potatoes, pies, etc.  Then he thanked me for all my hard work!  I wondered what in the world he was talking about and he had to clarify that I clean.  What a great husband I have.  He works hard and is thankful for everything. 

            Bobby and I had a nice date earlier in the week and enjoyed being together and eating Irish food.  I actually liked cabbage in a burger!  Bobby made potato onion soup earlier in the week.  He’s done cooking till next year. 

            We had family over on Christmas eve and I have to relive some fun conversation.  When Seth heard one person was allergic to cats yet had two he said, “That’s a great idea, whatever could go wrong?”  Later someone mentioned that they hated fishing but wouldn’t mind going along and reading a book next to the person fishing.  Seth said, “But that’s not fishing, it’s reading a book.”  I like Seth’s quick, sharp wit.

            Seth bought his friend a gift and was surprised at how much joy his friend felt.  When Adriel and Bobby heard of this they both exclaimed that he never buys us presents.  I also made him make an appointment with our financial advisor since he has money coming in but not going out.  Then Seth did give us Christmas gifts.  That was a first and it was very kind of him.

            Bobby did a great job Christmas shopping for our family.  This is now his job and not mine.  Yeah!

             Adriel came over for several visits and helped me with my hair.  She is so sweet.  Adriel didn’t mind an extended hug from Caren and I thought it was cute that she settled in for however long Caren wanted.  We all need a long hug sometimes.  Later, after a visit with the Duvals Adriel mentioned and I agreed that there is a warm feeling when with them – we really do feel part of their family.

            Bobby bought some Boba Fett art and put it in our guest room.  I didn’t notice it for two weeks so I guess it’s staying.  For some reason, I am tickled that he’s trying out passive-aggressive relating.  It’s my MO and seems to work the best.  I also taught baby Adriel to roll her eyes.  I know assertive is the most healthy way to relate but passive-aggressive is so much more entertaining.  Bobby insists he wasn’t being passive-aggressive but playful.

            I thanked the family for doing the dishes.  When they denied it I remembered that I had done it the night before.  Bobby laughed and said, “You weren’t even joking about thanking us.”  Ohh, foibles!

            May you delight in your own family's foibles.  We are not perfect but we are loved.  May your love stem from God’s overflowing and blessings.  May you rejoice in all that he is.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

PS, the Christmas service was beautiful and meaningful as ever.  This might be our last with Pastor Marcus so it is fun to capture the moment.

Merry Christmas Funnies

 Merry Christmas Friends!

 

Thank you for indulging me as I bring out the funniest comments of my year.  First I’ll give a paragraph about our doings.  Husband Bobby remains the Youth Pastor at West Hills Community Church.  15 years and going strong.  Adriel is a Legal Receptionist and studying paralegal work at Portland Community College.  Seth is studying computer science at Chemeketa Community college and continues working as the Church Custodian.  I am working at Fred Meyer.  We enjoy the peaceful life God has given us. 

On to the funnies!

            Do you ever find yourself pondering why people do something THAT way?  Our kitty was meowing and meowing with demand.  Finally, I showed her I had already made her favorite food and it had been there the whole time.   I wondered aloud, “Kitty, why didn’t you see that?”  Bobby said, “She has a brain the size of a walnut.”

In Youth Group Bobby said, "I will give Rich a terrible task.”  Someone asked, “Will you make him eat mustard?” 

I announced I would be giving the kitty a bath.  Bobby said, “Time to update your will.” 

Prayer request time can also bring up an interesting conversation.  One student was excited that the salmon eggs in the class had hatched.  Bobby wanted to share his knowledge.  He said, “And do you know what baby salmon are called?”  After a bit of stuttering, the person said, “Salmon, salmon, salmonella?”  (The answer is fingerling.)

In youth group, someone said, “I was just asking what flavor her shoes were.”  The person next to her said, “Black?” The person next to me said, “Dirt with a hint of gum I stepped on yesterday.”

Seth does not like Sriracha chocolate-covered almonds.  I quote, “Nothing is satisfying about them.  There is only pain.”

            I like pesto sauce.  Seth said that when I added pesto sauce to spaghetti noodles, “That’s not spaghetti, that’s an abomination.” 

            When we asked Seth if he wanted a large or smaller Graduation party he said.  “Let me think, um, neither.”  COVID helped that be a reality.

            The administration at Seth's High School graduation said, “No one may throw their graduation cap.”  The ceremony was over.  3 people threw their caps.  Seth did it.  He threw his and turned red.  Then he picked up his cap and someone else’s and gave it to them.  

When asked, “Seth, how does it feel to be an adult?”  He said, “I can’t wait to pay taxes.”

I found Seth eating a whole unpeeled carrot, just like a farm boy.  When I mentioned how cute that was he said, “Well it’s better than eating those chemical pebbles they call baby carrots.”

On St. Patrick's day, I told Adriel to wear green and she said, “They aren’t going to pinch me at the law firm mom.”  Bobby said, “Yeah, they could sue.” 

            July 5th was hard for me.  Adriel had three jobs that day.  She was the receptionist at the law firm.  She had a 6-midnight shift at the ASAP market in Lancaster and then Tuesday morning she did not come home.  This scared me.  After calling ASAP to confirm the last time someone saw her alive and the boyfriend who had not seen her – aghhhhhh, I was freaking out.  Adriel contacted us saying she was house sitting.  Bobby was not impressed when I said, “Oh yeah.”  She really has to tell Him these things.

After Adriel moved out, Bobby asked if anyone had heard from her.  I said, “Well, we can’t assume she’s dead anymore.”  Seth came back, “We can, . . . . but it’s unfounded.”  So, that began a new chapter of our life.  Not knowing Adriel’s whereabouts had to become OK.

Adriel does come home to put laundry in the washing machine.  I mentioned, “We have a guest.”  Bobby and Seth were like, “Who?”  I said, “They have laundry.”  Bobby was like, “Is it Adriel?”  Seth goes, “No just some random homeless guy.”

May you enjoy the simple joys of life.  May you be glad that Jesus came to forgive.  May the freedom and joy being forgiven brings make you filled with grace – able to love others even if they are mean to you. 

 

Much Love,

 

 

 

Cristy VanKleek

12/20/21

 Dear Family,

 

                Christmas festivities make life so fun and our hearts feel so full!  Bobby had the Youth group split up and sing Carols to some seniors from our church on Wednesday.  The people in my group saw clapping, tears of joy and received hugs and thanks.  How fun to gather back at the church with full hearts for hot cocoa and general merriment. 

                Bobby then had a Christmas party on Friday where the youth group decorated cookies, greeted for prizes, and had a gift exchange with God-sanctioned stealing (but only 3 times per present).  I enjoyed the abundance of laughter and so much fun!

                July thoughts at Christmas time?  You bet!  Bobby woke up thinking about a new camp game.  He’s planning camp already and had to write down his new ideas.  His goal is for every personality to have fun – even the people that don’t want to play games.

                Bobby and I watched, “It’s a wonderful life” which we believe is the best movie made ever even though the special effects were sub-par.  Seth was in the room and watched some of it.  I then mentioned that another very good movie is “The Sound of Music” but I was sad the kids wouldn’t watch with me because there are no special effects.  Bobby said it wasn’t that good of a movie.  Seth laughed and said he will watch it with me – in heaven.

                Seth is done with this semester’s school and I noticed he is still on his computer.  I wanted to know his grades and he said, “I don’t know, because I don’t care.”  This had me concerned so I made him look them up.  He’s getting mostly A’s.  Phew!  He asked me if I wanted him to care more and I was saying, “Yes!” even with the grades being good.  Yikes.

                “That game where you can’t walk up the stairs.”  Every time Seth says this he can’t help but smile very large.  There is something about feeling superior.  Seth can now play a game on his computer with Bobby on the x-box.  Apparently, it’s OK to shoot things if they are not human (they are aliens).         

                Seth asked me to buy more toothbrush heads because his are out.  I asked what kind and wanted to know if he had any packaging.  None.  I told him it was OK because I had it in my e-bay order history.  This was alarming to Seth, “I hate it when you order used things!”  I told him half the things on eBay are new.  He could only say, “That’s what they saaaaaaay,” with doubt.

                Adriel told me I made her day on Monday when I delivered lunch and laundry.  That warmed my heart.  Then she told me she had been sick and got better.  No call to mom at all!  I wanted to make sure she knew when to call the hospital if she got too sick.  She looked her symptoms up on Web MD.  Goodness!  She had me feeling jealous because she made cookies and I didn’t have any time in my schedule to make some.  After lunch she had me stay a little longer to introduce me to people and keep chatting.  I think she likes me!

                May you find strength in knowing how loved you are.  May the sacrifices God and others have made bring joy to your heart.  May you choose thankfulness in all your thoughts.  Much love,

 

Cristy

PS Adriel gave me permission to share this picture of her and her boyfriend snowboarding last weekend.  They sure are cute.

12/13/21

 Dear Family,

 

                The beauty of lights casts gloom and darkness away.  This dreary weather is something we can ignore because there are so many festivities to plan for, gifts to buy, and decorations to consider.  We are blessed with lights, anticipation, and beauty.  Every season has its beauty.

                Bobby made teriyaki chicken on Monday around lunchtime.  I was gone for lunch but when I came home Bobby said I better eat it soon because it might disappear.  Seth liked it.

                I am glad that Pastor Marcus is moving up into a bigger position.  He is excited to serve however God calls him.  Our church worships God, not a person so I know we will find another wonderful leader.  We are in a position of strength and love.  We will welcome and foster a wonderful person who will lead and guide for years to come.  Bobby is confident whoever our church finds will be a great fit.

                Youth Group gatherings were productive and fun.  We colored wood ornaments in anticipation of caroling the next week.  Our gift of ornaments will be a blessing to remember year after year. 

                Homegroup was wonderful.  The lesson about Isaac being a type of Christ was enlightening.  Jesus Carried his cross just like Isaac carried the wood.  Hmmmm!  Also, people loved the bacon wrapped around water chestnuts Bobby made.

                Adriel will spend Christmas with us.  Yay!  I am excited to see her.  She also brought some popsicles to Bobby when he wasn’t feeling well.  Such a sweet loving daughter.

                Bobby asked me for a Christmas bag for a gift.  I told him we had plenty.  When I looked in our box of Christmas wrapping/bags I only found a tiny one.  Instead, I decided to use one I had under the tree with candy in it.  I could wrap the candy later.  As I was retrieving the bag Seth had to tease me, “Opening your Christmas presents early are you?”  I love his smile.  He has a great sense of humor.

                May you also find the lights, anticipation, and festivities to brighten your mood.  May we be glad for the rain that brings life to our plants.  May you find joy in each breath God gives us.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

PS a great big Happy Birthday to Tiffanie who ran 40 miles for her 40th birthday!  That was the quickest Birthday party to attend ever!

12/6/21

Dear Family,

 

                Celebration of life reminds us that people will talk after we are gone.  What do you want people to say about you?  I want to be like Deena but I am not.  I hate cooking and don’t really like traveling.  I am like her that in that I do love people.  I think that is all that matters.  May you find funerals to be a good reminder that we also want God to say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23).  May we obey God and do the good deeds he set up for us to do.  My deeds are different than yours because my personality has a different fit.  Isn’t it wonderful how unique we all are?

                I am so glad we figured out Bobby likes to cook.  He made Salisbury steak and Chicken Parmesan on different nights this week.  He has taken that responsibility on and I am very blessed. 

                Bobby is the type of person to jump out of bed at 3 AM when he hears a crash and runs out of the house without a coat or shoes to see what happened.  He did that twice Sunday morning!  Once when a lady spun and crashed – yup – big boom.  The second time when a car zoomed around the corner too fast crunched his car and kept on driving.  Lots of police chatter and tow truck noise.  I try to sleep through this stuff but Bobby is up and out.  Brrrrrrrr!  For some reason this also highlights personality types.  I think it’s funny that he is curious enough to leap forth with gusto.  Not me – I’ll find out about it later.  By the way – the fast turn guy had just botched an ATM robbery, ended up on foot near our neighborhood.  He was trying to hide in back yards.  The police and their dogs were out and about for sure.

                Bobby enjoyed winning at our game of Rabbits.  Although Roger at Multnomah Bible College (1993 name) started it, we continue to play.  Whoever says, “Rabbits” first at each beginning of the month wins.  Bobby had the youth group kids get me.  I enjoyed that immensely.

                A question came up randomly in the youth group.  “You guys remember the 6 Million Dollar Man?”  The answer came quickly as lightning, “Nope, we are not that old.”  Sigh.

                I enjoyed spending some out-of-the-house time with Bobby when we went to the church to help out with Upwards clean up.  Bobby was supposed to tell the coaches where stuff went.  BUT . . everyone was gone.  So Bobby just cleaned up.  Bobby also taught Seth how to mop up water. 

                I saw Seth on his hands and knees cleaning the gym.  I am impressed how he is willing to get down there. 

Seth has been teasing me about my Tens unit.  It does shock my muscles to help with the pain.  He said, “Sorry that hug was a little forceful.  Better electrocute yourself to fix it.”  I let him know, “I do every morning.”  Seth had to add, “The way God intended.”

                Seth registered for another term of college.  He is plugging away at his schooling and I like that he is furthering his education.  He also thanked me for making some food.  It is very nice to be appreciated.

                Adriel came by for a visit.  I enjoy seeing her very much.

                May you enjoy each and every person that steps into your life.  May you find joy knowing how loved you are.  May you do what God wants you to do so you can be like those in AWANA.  Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed.  Much love J

 

Cristy

PS I have always loved this photo of Deena, Allison and Hal