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
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