12/24/23

 Dear family,

 

            “Jesus Revolution” was such an amazing movie!  I enjoyed seeing how God worked in America in the 70’s.  I am reading a book called “Andrew Murray” which describes how God brought revival to South Africa in the 1800’s.  Wow, my heart feels like it is growing so many sizes bigger.  OH, and another book that will be in our library soon is “The Cross and the Switchblade” about God working in New York in the 1950’s.  Guess who is praying for revival?  Yup, me, you can as well.  I know it might be overwhelming to see God at work, but it would also be amazing.

            Bobby went to Seattle to drop off Christmas presents to my family.  That was nice of him.  I enjoyed hearing how he played with our niece and had good conversations with my parents and brother-in-law.  It is nice that Bobby has vacation days for that.

            Bobby also cooked shepherd's pie and I enjoyed eating it with him.  He mentioned that he was watching a movie and Seth noticed.  They talked about how it was from Bobby’s childhood.  Then Seth said, “Ohhh, it’s in color,” as if Bobby grew up in the days without color TV and movies.

            We had a Christmas celebration early with the Vankleeks because Caren’s caregivers worked on the 23^rd and Bobby doesn’t have to work that day either.  I enjoyed visiting with Dad and his girlfriend Sandi before Mom and Caren came over.  Dad brought out beard jewels (that Caren had given him several years ago.)  We were all wearing some light-up bulbs by the time Mom and Caren arrived.  Well, not Seth, he said, “I have self-respect so No, I won’t wear those.”  Anyway, it was fun to see Caren laugh when she saw most of us blinking away.  It was a gathering of dorks.

            I didn’t get a chance to write funny things down during dinner but boy – Bobby put out an amazing spread.  Ham, Salad, scalloped potatoes!  Dad brought drinks, dessert, and hominy.  Mom brought rolls.  So yummy!  Sandi brought fruit cake – that was funny.  I didn’t even try it. 

            I did write down funny things from the gift opening.  Caren was joking about the gift card for jeans.  “My jeans are so small they fit in an envelope!”  Love!    Caren did have to mention that folding an envelope inside of itself wouldn’t work because her hands aren’t that good at opening things.  She was trying to educate us about being a paraplegic, but Seth came out with, “And you took all that time to complain.”  While he opened her envelope.  She had to laugh and describe him as, “Wicked funny.”  Adriel did mention that if he had a comedy routine she would definitely go to the show.

            Bobby received hot sauces and mentioned that the youth in youth group love spicy things.  Seth had to ask, “Do they like hot stuff OR are they trying to be cool because I don’t think you can do both.”

            When mentioning what is inside the fruit cake Sandi said raisins.  Caren had to mention, “Raisins are just sad grapes.”  I had to laugh at her sad face. 

            Family interactions are fun.  God gives us certain people to be in our lives and we are blessed to spend time with them.

            May you also be glad for those God has given you, parents, siblings, and children.  Much love, Cristy

The pictures are from the future (later in the day).  But I like them :-)  Seth was serving in the back - doing the video.

12/18/23

 

Dear family,

 

            Although December seems front loaded the schedule has not abated.  I have found joy in listening to the Founders podcast as I prepared Christmas things.  I like hearing about people’s joys, successes, and failures.  I also ponder if they regretted their choices or not.  There is so much to learn from others. 

            The Youth Group Christmas party was a blast.  Bobby provided a lot of amazing food, snacks, and fun.  The present swap had us passing gifts left repeatedly.  We weren’t supposed to open them, but one person couldn’t help himself.  Things happened to be opened after he had them.  This was funny – “We can’t take you anywhere!”  I ended up with the most ridiculous gift.  Who knew I needed a mullet coloring book!?? 

A funny interaction was when one person just held on to their present.  Couldn’t pass it.  This created consternation down the circle.  What was a person to do with the empty bag?  Finally, it was easy enough.  The other passed present the person who couldn’t let go of was given to the person a couple chairs down.  This brought joy and delight to the receiver of a couple of cute stuffed animals.  Sometimes our selfishness wins – and it’s OK.

            Another funny interaction at the party included a Chipotle gift card.  One person gave it to her brother because Chipotle is too spicy.  The brother said, “It’s not spicy enough.”  Meanwhile a youngster said, “What’s wrong with Chipotle?!  It’s a great place.”  When offered the card for free they shook their head no, and walked away.  This made another leader and I laugh. 

            Thursday night we had homegroup at our house and it was a cozy time of reflection on God, how he works, and our response to Him.  I have my thinker on, so it was good to express what I am thinking about and refine my thoughts.

            Friday night we enjoyed the amazing food at La Vida Katrina.  I enjoy Bobby’s company even better than his cooking.  He did cook some mashed potatoes and chicken this week.  That was nice.  He also cooked breaded Chicken and rice.  Yum.

            Adriel has been sweet on the phone.  I am glad she wants to keep in touch.

            Seth bought my phone to help me play Pokémon Go less.  It’s working.  He did say, “But I won’t use it as a phone.  I’m only going to use it for the camera.”  He cracks me up.  I enjoy his company and hugs.

            May you also enjoy those you live with.  May you be kind, have good memories and delight in those God has put into your lives.  As it is so cold outside may you delight in the warm hearts and hearths we have this season.  Love and hugs,

 

 

Cristy

12/11/23

 Dear Family,

 

            The Christmas season brings so much extra work it is hard to focus on why we do all our tasks.  Purposefully slowing down to remember God’s love, gift, sacrifice, and care is sooo needed!  I added an extra Bible plan on the app not only for the Christmas badge but because I believe it helps with that choice to focus on God at this time of celebration.  I can’t recommend the Bible app enough.  It’s super fabulous.

            Tuesday night the middle school group sang Christmas carols to elderly from our church.  It was enjoyable to wish people, “Merry Christmas!” and to feel cheerful. 

              Wednesday night the High schoolers sang Christmas carols, and I enjoyed reminiscing on the way about how I knew some of them from preschool days.  I remember distinctly that I decided not to argue with one student about his belief that chicken nuggets didn’t come from chickens.  That wasn’t what he was going to learn that day.  At 15 years of age, he decided to joke with me and say, “I actually still believe that.”  I delight in knowing and having fun with our youth.

            Thursday Bobby cooked amazing chicken Broccoli casserole.  I enjoyed the leftovers for days.  We are so filled by my Bobby, and he knows the way to our hearts.

            Saturday, Bobby and I went to a friend’s wedding.  The person announced a bouquet toss and Bobby was hungry enough to ask, “Did he say tater tots?”  Loved it!   This brought back so many memories and created a desire in us to find out who caught the bouquet at our wedding.  We also wondered if our wedding video was still in VHS only.  When we got home, we found DVD’s and watched our wedding, reception, and a cute video of Seth in Cubbies.  We were super happy and gushy inside afterwards.  How fun!  Adriel’s call was just after those videos, so we shared our feelings and I’m sure she smiled on the other end knowing how glad we are about such great memories.

            May you also enjoy reminiscing, sharing great times and finding love in your heart from past and present.  May your joy be deep and spread to all around you.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

Christmas letter 2023

Merry Christmas, loved ones,

 

            It’s exciting to ponder God’s blessings of the year, fun, funny, and deep.  Would you believe Adriel has survived a year in Portland?  January at the beginning of this year my praise in youth group was that “Adriel has moved to Portland, and it is in a safe neighborhood.”  This brought pause as the youth was praying for her.  He even said, “Sounds hard to believe about Portland,” in the prayer.  

            A theme for my blessings was Bobby’s cooking.  Sometimes he uses up ingredients from the home and I love that!  How fabulous!  I am so blessed to be married to an amazing cook.  We enjoy evenings together with cuddles, movie-watching, or board games.

            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.  When she answers the phone just to let me know she is alive that is a big deal to me.

            In June Seth finished his 4-hour calculus test and was 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 were ripe, and I needed help picking them.”  😊 I love him.  He is accommodating and dutifully went out to pick every time I asked him to.  Seth consistently helped with the garden this summer.  I really enjoy and need that.

                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 on 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 scary, but my dad assured me he loved it.

In June I was excited to see Seth during the day.  Seth 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. 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.

            Seth remains amazing.  He continued to pick raspberries and he even picked weeds.  I am blessed to have his constant presence.  He appreciates our cooking and continues to help keep our church clean.   He thanked Bobby several times for making Chili and Bobby’s heart was full.

Bobby went to Portland to visit Adriel and experience what she likes.  He said he would never go thrift store shopping at the Goodwill bins again.  I thought that was funny.  It’s definitely an experience and a deep dive into extreme thrifting.

I am so blessed that Adriel answers the phone even for a second.  She might be in the middle of a million things, but she wants me to know all is OK.  She also sent me a kitten video which warms my heart.  If anyone wants to lift my spirits that’s one way to do it.  I’m a sucker for adorable or funny animals.

I usually do not watch suspense or horror movies.  This is because it has given me nightmares in the past.   When we put in “Signs” by M. Night Shyamalan I was hoping Seth would tame it down for me.   In the first part of the movie, we don’t get to see the monster.  We are looking down at the main characters looking up on top of the roof.  I’m freaking out and say, “How did he get up there?  Is it the dog?”  Seth in a spooky voice, “Noooo, it’s the cameraman.”  When the main character wakes up there is an electrical cord stringing out that he’s just going to have to follow.  I said, “OK, where does the cord lead to?  I’ll bite.”  This time it was Bobby, “Don’t electrocute yourself.”  Then we finally saw the alien and the main character freaks out and jumps back.  Seth is in the background, “That is so cheap!  Are we supposed to be scared of that?  What is that?  A paper mâché puppet?  Man in a suit?”  Bobby pauses the movie to discuss how it was made 20 years ago.  Seth comments that “Aliens was made in the ’80s and had better creatures – they could have done better.”  We rewatch that scene, pause to get a good look at the monster and yes, when I look at it paused it was a sad-looking monster.  Seth’s end comment about that scene is, “I’m so invested, and then it’s just that!” 

Then there is a grabbing scene and Bobby says, “You’re awfully quiet over there Seth.”  “Well, that wasn’t a bad scene.”  Bobby is glad he doesn’t make movies.  Seth would rip them apart in a heartbeat.  And I didn’t dream about that movie at all.  Yay.  It had a nice ending and a good resolution.  Watching movies with Seth gives such a different perspective.  I am glad he can help me through the scary ones.

Adriel and I have been enjoying some great conversations and texts.  She is encouraging and sweet.  She prompts me to do good things.  I am blessed. 

One night while watching a Jason Bourne movie Bobby said, “I have a confession to make.  I’m not a CIA agent”. Seth replied, “Sounds like something a CIA agent would say, now I’m suspicious.”  I enjoy and delight in banter.

Seth bought a great car this year and has been driving himself to school across the bridge.  He also rescued me when I locked my key in the car once.  Yay Seth, my hero.

Small recap.  Bobby has been the youth pastor at West Hills over 16 years.  Seth the custodian around 3 years.  He goes to school and volunteers at church.  Adriel is a paralegal and going to school this year.  I have been at Fred Meyer for over two years, and I volunteer at the church.

As God remains our ever-present help in times of trouble may you find your spirit calmed and your heart warmed by His love, comfort, and joy.   May this celebration of the amazing fact that God wanted to come down to earth to show us the way and then give his life sacrificially.  Wow, may you feel as blessed as you are about Jesus and his love.  Much love,

 

 

 

Cristy for the Vankleeks

 

12/4/23

 Dear family,

 

                The cold weather gives me a desire to either get moving or cozy up with blankets.  I’m so glad my body gets up and goes for times like work, working out, and getting around.  This is not a luxury afforded to all.  Good health is a definite blessing.  Warm blankets are also a blessing.  How lovely it is to snuggle up with a loved one or pet.  Thanks, God, for warmth.

                Bobby cooked pizza Monday and I was glad to partake after a full shift at work.  How fun to be greeted with warm food!  He also mowed the lawn and that makes our place beautiful!

                Tuesday night Youth group was fun and exciting.  Someone brought several new friends, and they were so excited to see each other it was energizing.  Prayer time brings us together and deepens the feel.  Song time had Christmas carols and it was nice to practice for the next week when we will enjoy caroling.  Lesson time had a funny event.  Bobby was saying how God can do the impossible.  Having Mary be pregnant while a virgin brought some giggles and blushing.  Bobby wanted to give an example, so he brought up camp and how people wanted to build a new building, the cost was three million dollars.  Bobby is still in awe of how it only took one year to raise that.  One student said, “You know you can put money in an account that grows interest.”  I loved it.  We are getting a lesson on compound interest, but Bobby shot that down with, “It doesn’t grow that fast.”   

                Wednesday night we had abundance again.  I delight in the joy people have from gathering.  Lesson time had its fun moments.  Bobby was trying to get the kids to answer a question but there was silence.  He offhandedly said, “I don’t have candy to bribe you for answers . .”, immediately I heard, “We need candy!”  Later Bobby was talking about how we are never alone and said, “I have two reasons we are never alone.  #1 is that God is always with us.  #2 . . .” and someone shot out, “Because I’m stalking you.”  That was hilarious to me but wrong, “No, we are part of God’s family, so we have each other.”

                Thursday & Friday I found myself alone for the evening which meant it was a great time to wrap presents and listen to the “Founders” podcast by David Nasaw.  I enjoy hearing biographies of interesting people.

                Bobby made Chicken and Dumplings which was super yummy!  I am so glad I don’t have to do any cooking.  Cleaning is a great trade-off.

                Seth and Adriel are going through finals this week, so our conversations were short and their minds were busy.  Please pray for our college students as they endure the hardships of school.  I do not envy them at all.

                Saturday night we visited with one of Bobby’s pastor friends.  It was enjoyable to hear them share their hearts and lives. 

                May you also enjoy sharing your heart with others.  May you feel God’s grace as you encounter so many people in this walk we call life.  Much love, Cristy