6/26/23

 Dear Family,

 

                I love making lasagna my way.  Tons of Mozzarella, no Ricotta and a whole lot of love.  I made 3 and froze two on Monday.  Now that’s a good day off.  Bobby was still around so he cooked it.  I am glad we were able to have a last good meal together before he left for camps.

                Adriel was very responsive to texts, and I am always glad she is alive.  She remains sweet, generous, and lovely.  I am glad to be her mom.  I am also glad she has been keeping me company on the phone.  She is opening up to me about who she is, and I am blessed to have her answer so many questions.

                Seth continues to work and pick raspberries.  I am glad he can enjoy the summer days with friends online.  I am also glad he continues to work and save for a day he might move away to college.

                Friday I was excited to see Seth!  He changed his work schedule so he could do an online tournament.  I was glad to hug him and hear his excitement.  He was so encouraging to his team and the others.  He said, “We worked so hard to get here!”  I loved hearing him with such a great attitude.  He even complimented the other team.  “Great job guys, you were hard to beat.”  It was contagious how much joy he had.  He was glad to report his team won second place.

                Bobby came home from camp with less voice and a bit of a sniffle.  Since he left on Sunday to go to camp again, please pray for his endurance, patience, and power.

                Thank you so much for your love and prayers.  You are our rock!  May you be joyful in all that you do.  May you be an encouragement because God encourages you.  Much love,

 

Cristy

                

6/20/23

 Dear Family,

 

                How silly to wake up from a nap at 6:20 PM worried that I’ll be late for youth group only to remember that it’s not happening!  Bobby was happily relaxed on the couch, not stressing out about my absence.  All this to say the night was young and we enjoyed time together last Tuesday. 

                Thursday night he made yummy food out of leftovers, and I was delighted to eat them.  I am so grateful for Bobby’s efforts.

                Wednesday night was a lovely time with Middle School and High School combined.  Some graduated seniors were a bit tentative, but Bobby said, “You are welcome, all summer to attend youth group activities.”  And such amazing food was had by all!!  Kona Ice is always fun.  Also, we had over 40 people in attendance.  That gives Bobby a smile.

                Adriel is growing, learning, and finding her way in life.  I am glad she calls me when she wants to talk.  I feel blessed that she is willing to share her heart.

                Seth finished his 4-hour calculus test and is very glad to have that class over with.  I asked him if he had any more school left for the summer.  He said, “No” and I smiled, “Just in time.”  I let that hang.  He waited for a beat and took the bait.  “Just in time for what?”  “The raspberries are ripe, and I need help picking them.”  😊 I love him.  He is very helpful and dutifully went out to pick every time I asked him to.

                My parents did us a huge favor and picked up Adriel from Portland on their way to Salem.  They enjoyed having her drive and that she is so chatty.  We are blessed to have a warm, loving daughter.  We celebrated Seth’s Birthday/Father’s Day Saturday and Sunday.  We always enjoy Golden Crown food and are delighted with how attentive and sweet the servers are.

                I love having my parents attend church with us.  My parents are memorable, and our church people are “Aggressively friendly.”  That sounded kind of scary, but my dad assured me he loved it.

                How blessed we are to have fathers and our Heavenly Father as well.  May you find love in your heart for all you encounter this week.  Hugs,

 

 

Cristy

 

Thank you Adriel for taking the picture :-)

6/12/23

 Dear Family,

 

                I mentioned to my dad that I saw several payments go out in my app Monday.  I indicated this meant Bobby cooked dinner, and I was excited for a great meal.  Dad was laughing and said usually spouses don’t like seeing charges go out so I’m the opposite.  Dinner was waiting for me after work when I got home.  How yummy!  I love it when Bobby cooks.  He had made ham and Cheese scalloped potatoes.  Very wonderful!

                Adriel remains alive and doing well.  She continues to pursue a law degree but is taking the summer off which, I think is very smart.  She really pushes herself hard.  She was chatty Thursday night.  I enjoyed talking with her about life and social issues while Bobby was at a graduation.  She is contemplating life and I am glad to be part of those thoughts.

                Middle school group was fun because I brought a foam and Velcro axe throwing game which Bobby used immediately.  I thought it was funny how he held the target.  Somehow someone managed to hit him where it hurts – even though the target was held faaaaaar off.

                The lesson time was fun when Bobby spoke of Spiritual Fruit.  He had to mention that being mean, pushing people and sarcasm aren’t fruit of the spirit.  I had to say that sarcasm is a spiritual gift though.  Many nods of affirmation there.

                High school group youth are so witty!  Game time was a bit of chaos – there were water balloons.  The lesson time had some hilarious guesses for the blanks.  By A-------- Sound D-------.  The verses were 1 John 2:20-25 and 2 Timothy 4:2-4.  Doctrine wasn’t too hard to figure out, but one person guessed Abandoning for the A.  I’ll put the right answer at the bottom.

                The next funny one was about, “The R------ of a C------ life!”  Changed wasn’t too hard but when someone shouted out Ranch?!  That had me chuckling.  Later we were all chatting, and the room was a cacophony of sound – until one person loudly said, “What hasn’t been touched since the last of May?  You?”  When everyone else had stopped talking.  This was met with laughter and the two people saying, “I love you!” With hugs.  That was an interesting moment.

                Friday I was treated to amazing enchiladas prepared by Bobby.  He used up some ingredients from the home and I love that!  How fabulous!  I am so blessed to be married to an amazing cook.  We enjoyed the evening together and only worried a little when Adriel didn’t answer the phone.  Although I say, “Well, she’s dead.”  We don’t really know.  She could just be having too much fun.

                Adriel is alive!  She was having fun with Aunty Caren, Bobby’s sister.  It’s lovely to hear she is enjoying time with family.  Adriel also chatted with me a little Saturday.  I am always deeply pleased to hear her voice.

                Bobby found time to mow the lawn one day while I was at work.  I am so blessed by his efforts!

                Seth is getting over his cold. I am glad he has gotten well enough to go back to work.  He still sounds horrible, so I understood why he stayed home to watch the service online just in case he had a coughing fit.  Seth cleaned the bathrooms and got ready for his tests.  I am glad he manages school and work.  He continues to grow in wisdom and knowledge. 

                May you dive deeply into God’s word as the sunny weather shines brightly on you.  As there Is no rain may you thirst for Him and His ways.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy 

 

And the answers: Approving and Results.

6/5/23 27th Anniversary

Dear Family

            I truly enjoy time with the youth.  We chatted about the most interesting things, and I found it very sad that a teen has never been licked by a cat.  That kind of love is so unique, so precious, so rough.  We had to talk about cat tongues being rough for educational purposes.

            When it comes to lesson time I’ll admit, I feel happy when I can fill in Bobby’s blanks before the first passage has been read through.  I know his mind and that is fun.  We had a fun group full of wiggles and joy.  One newcomer was excited to know many friends from school.  One student came a little early and was chagrined that games had already begun.  This brought the realization from another, “Hmmm, I come early and there is always already someone here.  How early do people come?”  I like that they desire to be together.  Our group is fabulous.  People do want to stay late and come early.  That is fun.

            High school group had playful bantering during gutter ball.  “We have been brothers for 12 years – I didn’t think it would come to this.  I never planned to duel you in gutter ball.”  They are so enthusiastic and dramatic.  It’s fun to watch them play. 

            Later while we were praying, singing, and having the lesson one student wanted another to eat their goldfish crackers.  They desperately wanted to share to the point of obsessively handing them one repeatedly.  The other student wasn’t that hungry so just held on to one hoping for respite.  I said, “I’ll take it and held my hand out.”  When he licked the goldfish, my hand immediately retracted and there was laughter from both of us.  Never mind!

            Adriel wanted to spend time with us while she wasn’t feeling well.  She got a ride here and we took care of her.  She is so sweet and huggy.  I held my breath every time we hugged though.  I enjoy being loved, so sitting with her and watching shows was fabulous.

            Seth continues to get his stuff done.  He was glad to get a chair from us for his Birthday.  He asked if it was a couple hundred dollars because it looked like one he was thinking about purchasing.  Nope, from UGM, it was a great price and I seriously LOVE that store.  (Then we gave him cash for the rest of his present, so he knows how much it is if he wanted to do the math.)

            Now Seth has a cold.  Adriel felt much remorse and sent him soup via Grub Hub.  Sharing (germs) can be a bad thing.  Sigh.  He wanted to celebrate his Birthday alone again.  He is willing to celebrate with people – AFTER finals are over.

            Bobby and I celebrated our Anniversary in Astoria, Seaside, and – well, we traveled and stopped in a lot of places.  My favorite places are the secret rooms in McMenamins hotels.  I am so delighted when we find them!  Well, Bobby usually does the finding.  I am just along for the ride.  It’s enjoyable.

            May you enjoy the time you have with others.  May you be glad to breathe each gift of a breath God gives.  Much love,

 

Cristy

  PS, the self guided tour at Tillamook was super cool.