2/26/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Holidays are fun.  Ice skating with the youth group is also fun.  I enjoy helping people learn new things and don’t mind holding hands as their balance is a bit off.  I felt we grew closer as a group.  Most of the group started on the wall as pictured but after about a half an hour most were getting around pretty good.  It was exhausting so several of us quit early and that was OK. 

               Tuesday night youth group brought out so much creativity.  I enjoy hearing how some of our youth think.  During gutter ball one person shouted, “I give you all my spicy powers!” to the person playing.  I laughed at such odd ridiculousness and said, “Not the spicy ones!”  This was met with, “Well, he doesn’t want our mild power.”  This was said so matter of fact I had to listen to their conversation more.  They had made up another system of life again and were rating each other on levels of spiciness.  (I almost wanted to ask about posh or scary spice but knew they wouldn’t get the reference.)  Anyway – an encouraging shout was, “Be the chipotle!”  I can’t make this stuff up folks.

               During prayer time I was sitting next to the person who had my prayers.  I asked if they needed help reading it because I was right there.  I was assured that it was OK, they read 2-year old’s handwriting.  I sarcastically thanked them for the comparison 😉.  Later during prayer, they couldn’t read it and prayed thanks for my happy dogs?  No, it was days.  I have happy days off.

               During the lesson Bobby was talking about God’s love and faithfulness.  He mentioned that God’s love isn’t permissive and talked about how Bobby used to steal things (but doesn’t anymore).  A youth asked, “Did you steal my training wheels because those have been gone a long time?”  I had to mention, “It was the training wheel fairy.”

                   Wednesday also had fun interactions but I had taken a nap and felt groggy, so I didn’t write anything down.  The highlight was when one person shared their testimony.  I enjoyed hearing what God has done in their lives and how youth group has helped them grow spiritually.

               Naps truly are the best.  Groggy is now a content, happy feeling I can enjoy.  I also enjoy working at 4 AM.  What an interesting time.  No traffic!  Yay!  Also, Bobby being gone on a retreat means I can go to bed at 7PM.  That has been nice.

               I am glad he is home safe now.  Adriel and Seth are also doing well.  It’s always nice to have everyone be OK.  May you also be glad when your family is safe and sound.  May you feel peace as we enjoy the flowers poking their heads out, reminding us that new life comes in it’s season and Jesus rose from the grave!  Yes!

Love and hugs, Cristy 

2/19/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               My heart was warmed to see an old friend at church Sunday morning.  I enjoyed walking and talking with her for years.  During greeting time, I had to bring Seth over so she would see how he had grown.  Although Seth didn’t remember her, he said, “I don’t remember much from my grade school years, but I know I was difficult to deal with back then so thank you for taking care of me.”  My heart melted and I felt so blessed that he was thankful.  (And is – Sunday school teachers, teachers, office staff – all of you – thank you for bringing Seth up with me.)  Seth is a wonderful, responsible, God-fearing young man and you all helped us through those years.

               Adriel has answered my calls, and I am so glad to know she is alive.  I can’t imagine working full time, going to school full time and volunteering, yet that is what Adriel does.  But wait, that is what Bobby did when the kids were little.  Both have amazing energy levels and I continue to be in awe of all they set out to do and then accomplish.  Wow!

               Tuesday night was so full of one-liners I am very glad I wrote them down.  Greetings are usually fun, joyful and may include a hug.  This time, as most of us were facing the wall because gutter ball is there.  One person came in and stole his friend’s hat.  This immediately brought a response of, “I have head lice, I swear.”  Middle school is the epitome of awkwardness.

               When the line needed to move, I sang, “Get a little closer. With Arid extra dry,” to someone tapping them to let them know which way to go.  Another person had to say, “Ooooooh, you just got Cristied!”  I don’t quite know what that means but it made me laugh anyway.

               To start the lesson out Bobby asked, “What’s the deal with Valentines?”  The most fun answer was, “It’s singles awareness day.”

               Bobby proceeded to talk about “True love in . . . . true friendship.”  He was speaking about how to pick good friends.  When he mentioned we should choose friends that are ‘loving.’ A young man said, “Ewwww, this is disgusting.”  Youth are so fun. 

               I don’t remember why Bobby mentioned the movie, “The Secretariat” But he gave the ending away when he said, “The horse had no problem running faster than any other horse and won.”  Rich had to add, “But the ending was so sad, they had to shoot the horse because it wouldn’t stop running.”  I had to mention, “Spoiler alert!”  And this brought much confusion, questions and pondering.   I can’t tell you what really happened.  You must watch the movie.

               The High schoolers were also fabulously awkward about valentines.  The boys wrote each other cards and then blushed when asked to share.  A youth even used AI to write a Valentine verse to a fellow classmate with rhyming, talk of undying love and asking his friend to be his valentine.  Blushing is adorable.  This time I took some pictures of the game Honey if you love me.  Permission was asked.  Aren’t youth fun 😊?

               Bobby did go to the Dr. for his cough.  It’s been a couple of weeks.  He doesn’t have pneumonia so that is good.  Please pray for him and Seth to get better and for me not to get this nasty cold. 

               My prayer for you is for God’s love to be evident in your life.  May you be so filled with His love that you shine like the stars in the universe.  This is from Philippians 2:14-15, “1Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”  Good stuff.  Love,

 

 

Cristy

2/12/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               When Bobby makes enchiladas, Adriel feels excited just thinking about it.  We mentioned he made them over the phone to her and she said, “Mmmm.”  This gives Bobby joy. He is glad when people want to eat his food.

               Tuesday night Middle School group had laughter, fun and joy.  We are a welcoming group, and I am glad when the kids are excited to see each other. When Bobby asked the group, “What is your favorite gift?”  There was much to say.  Bobby did have to mention that Rich is going to have a new name soon. It will be Grandpa! Someone had to pipe up with, “Now he’s officially old.”

               Wednesday night was filled with love, kindness, respect, and some funny moments. Because the lesson included 2^nd Corinthians 2:14-16 Bobby talked about how we are to smell like Christians. This brought up some interesting discussion. One person said, “I smell like nothing.”  Bobbys response was, “Well, nothing is better than the smell of death and decay.”  This could be taken two ways. I had to laugh when someone questioned if Bobby liked the smell of death and decay.

                Thursday, I enjoyed camaraderie with friends at home group. I like that people are praying with us and that we can discuss God’s word together. If you have not started a home group yet you might think about joining ours. It is fun 😊.

               Friday Bobby and I celebrated Valentines at Chiras. I am so glad we figured out that I need to celebrate love early or on the day of. I feel as though we prioritized us. This makes my heart sing. Valentines’ Day will be a fun day also, but we will be with the youth group so, not too romantic, and that is fine.

               I am glad for days when I can rest with Bobby and enjoy being. Saturday was a fabulous evening after a full day of work. I genuinely enjoy relaxing with Bobby in the evenings.

               May you also enjoy the simple happy feeling of relaxing after a long day. We are so blessed with a roof over our heads!  May you rejoice in being loved by God. Jesus loves you so much!

Hugs,

 

 

Cristy

2/5/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Sickness is never fun.  Bobby came down with a cold Sunday evening and slept most of the day Monday.  I am glad he was feeling better by Tuesday because he rallied, made the lesson for youth group and led just fine.  Our youth are so loving, full of life and fun.  I truly enjoy their banter and company.

               One joke that fell flat was when someone questioned a blank.  A person said, “He thought it was hamburger!”  The word was totally unrelated to “Heart” but it was fun that people were interacting, learning and wrestling with the lesson and text.  I love it when we are engaged and learning about God.

               Wednesday night the High School group was fabulous and friendly.  Because someone was talking at the beginning of lesson time Bobby asked them to start the group off in prayer.  This worked quite well.  Later at the beginning of prayer time, requests were handed out.  We had more people willing to pray than requests.  This meant that we ran out.  There was a small outcry of sadness but the person who was sad reconciled with – “It’s OK, I opened the group in prayer.”   

Bobby mentioned he was at 80% capacity when he made a mistake at High school group.  This became a running joke as Bobby seemed a little off and people mentioned that now he was at 77%.  Oh dear, someone wasn’t helpful so now Bobby is at 72%. 

               Even though Bobby had a cold he made several yummy dishes on Thursday.  Bobby, Seth, and I enjoyed them.  I am thankful Bobby not only cooks but was thinking about us while he would be gone on men’s retreat.  He is very sweet.

               I am so glad Adriel rang me up and had me help with her FASFA which was due this week.  She helped me get Seth to do his.  Yikes – last minute things are best done immediately.  I am also glad she texts me when she doesn’t have time for a call.  I like knowing she is alive.

               May you learn to get things done as they are due.  May you prioritize tasks well.  May you find strength in knowing our Lord Jesus and His immense, wonderful love.  Hugs,

 

 

Cristy