3/25/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               We have so much fun!  Tuesday night youth group Bobby mentioned that Rich isn’t the only one to become a grandpa this month. . . . Our pastor’s daughter had their baby also.  How neat.  This brought some excitement as one student shouted, “And you are a grandpa too Bobby!”  Another student picked this up and said, “Yeah, Cristy, tell him the secret.  Tell him the secret!”  There were several consenting voices as the crowd was stirred up.  “Tell Him the secret!”  “Nooo, there is no secret!”  Neither of our children have made any people yet.  It sure was exciting to the middle schoolers.  They had fun with that one.  Later I enjoyed telling Seth how the youth group talked about him.  I love his smile.

               During the announcements, Bobby mentioned we will have dinner and a movie.  The movie is “Ratatouille” and Bobby is planning on making some ratatouille to go with the movie.  Bobby mentioned he felt he had to make the dish even though he doesn’t think anyone will eat it.  The students had to disagree!  We will eat it!  Bobby mentioned there are eggplants, squash, and zucchini.  The person next to me had been insisting that she would eat the Ratatouille. The entire youth group still said they would eat that.  Then Bobby said he would be making spaghetti, French bread, and salad.  The person next to me did look at me and say, “Oh, that sounds better, I don’t really like eggplant.”

               Because it’s free, Bobby tried a countdown program that has the timer on the bottom right of the screen and then rabbit/easter jokes in the center.  It had fake laughter, silly pictures, and dad jokes.  One student asked another, “What is this?”  The consensus, “Torture.”

               One prayer request was, “About the teacher strike.”  When another person prayed about it, the gist seemed to be that the student was for a strike.  After prayer, the person who wrote it had to mention they were hoping the teachers didn’t have to strike. 

               High school group has much more testosterone.  I enjoy their banter and they are so excited to be together.  I am glad there is laughter.  The girls that do come are so sweet.  We huddle together and are glad for each other’s company.

               Thursday a lovely family with acres of land and a love for kittens stopped by.  They will give the kittens a great home with freedom to roam and hunt.  I am excited for the kittens to have a place to be all they were created to be.

               Thursday Bobby also made pizza.  We enjoyed the smells and taste.  I had to chuckle when Seth came downstairs.  “You made food?”  Seth is a constant reminder that we are blessed with a son.  I truly love his presence.

               Bobby and I enjoyed a date on Friday.  We are so blessed to eat well, enjoy each other’s company, and bask in the love God has provided.  Without Him, we are nothing.  With God, we function amazingly.

               May you also feel God’s presence in your life.  May you be glad for His grace, love, provision, and peace.  He is sovereign, Lord and the provider of all good things.  May this give you confidence to share love with all you encounter.  Hugs 😊

 

 

Cristy

 

3/18/24

 

Dear Family,

 

The disruption of ones life for the benefit of another is hard work when it comes to people.  Cats on the other hand can hiss and scratch.  We are so thankful for your prayers!  Their spay date is April 9th but someone may want to take them before that so please pray for God’s will.  Crazy how two little critters can make such a big difference.

Adriel has started visiting us and I enjoy the time and attention.  She is delightful and has a lot of soul searching about vocation.   

Seth continues to do his job well and I had someone tell me how helpful he was.  When I passed the compliment on to him, he said, “Well, it’s my job to be helpful.”  So, there you have it. 

Monday Bobby made beef Bourguignon and it was very yummy.  Saturday he made some mac and cheese with tuna fish.  I love that he cooks!

Tuesday night youth group I had to laugh when I heard the chant, “Defense, defense.”  This was while people were watching a game of chess.  The youth are so fun to be with.  I enjoy listening to their trials and joys.

Wednesday night I mentioned that if you want to make Bobby mad just throw a cat at him and watch him get scratched.  The person next to me gave me a knowing look and said, “Duly noted”. 

               While Bobby was putting his guitar away someone mentioned, “We should pray!” with such force I mentioned to the person next to me, “I sense a type a personality.”  Then the person I was talking about said, “I’m in charge!”  As he took over and told who would pray.  It was comedic timing 😊. 

I enjoy time with our youth and am glad has brought us here to minister.  May you also be glad for the place He has put you.  Much love,

 

Cristy

3/11/24

 

Dear Family,

 

                

               I enjoy visiting with Adriel and she came to us this week.  She has a lot of decisions to make, and I enjoy being part of her journey.  I also delight in her enthusiasm, hugs and smiles.

               Seth was kind enough to leave the door unlocked for Adriel.  Unfortunately, even though I am the one who told him to do this, I came home and locked up out of habit before I left.  I enjoyed the transcript of Seth’s call when Adriel called him to unlock the door for her.  “Hey mom as I don Hear a beat flying unicorn I left the door unlocked Angels, texting me and saying it's locked You wouldn't happen to know why?  Oh, you're gone, you're not even close to home. All right I'm gonna drive home and get Israel…”  What he really said was that he would let Adriel in and that was fabulous because he did this in record time.  I was willing to leave youth group to let her in but didn’t have to.  What a great guy.

               High school group was entertaining as I played foosball with several youth.  We overheard someone say, “That’s a grandma color.”  This brought up a conversation with those I was with.  “What color do you suppose is a grandma color?”  One across from me piped up with, “Maroon?”  I looked down at my maroon coat and asked, “Is there a specific reason you think that?”  We had to laugh at the irony.

               During the lesson Bobby asked the High school group if they could see any animal at the zoo which ones would they like to see.  This brought out some jokes.  The friend sitting beside a person, “My brother and sister.”  We only got one serious answer and it was, “A flamingo because I like how their knees bend.” 

               Bobby mentioned that we are all sheep in God’s eyes and someone piped up with, “I’m a Ram!”  Another student exclaimed, “You can’t be a truck!”

               Middle school was also fun but I lost the paper I wrote things down on to remember and, like the wind, it’s all gone.  This is to remind us all – if we don’t make the effort to keep track, the beauty, joy and fun times are gone.  We can’t bring them back.  Record to remember my friends.  This life is so short. 

               I am blessed that Bobby made chicken pot pie this week.  The lawn is still mowed (not growing much in this awkward snowy weather).   Bobby cooked several more meals this week and I enjoyed eating with him.  Please pray with us as he is concerned for his best friend Rich’s healing.  Rich had foot surgery.  Also, Bobby’s Uncle is in the hospital and this is sad and scary. 

Please also pray with us as we have new kittens because they go in heat and one peed on someone’s room mate while they were sleeping.  This was an emergency situation.  So, we have these kittens I want to keep forever, locked in our bedroom.  Meanwhile our own cat is curious, jealous and wants to get in the bedroom.  Also, I know these kittens’ potential, they could pee on us – so we walking on eggshells to be their friends.  They have spay surgery scheduled for April 9^th.  Meanwhile, our house is a little chaotic and sleep has been hard to come by.  The kittens are mad at each other and want to rumble, meow, and scratch at the door as we are trying to sleep.

               Thank you so much for your love, attention, and PRAYERS! 

Hugs, Cristy

3/4/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               That Adriel lives close enough to visit is such a blessing to me.  And that I have time I can take is also lovely.  She bought me dinner so many times this last couple of months (through her Christmas gift card) I am glad to bring her out 😊.  I am glad to hear her heart and find out her plans.

               Bobby mowed the lawn and cooked amazing food this week.  I am so blessed that he enjoys helping at home.  Sometimes we watch “Fear factor” together.  I commented that one person was so thin, “She’s never had babies.”  Bobby said, well they don’t have 50-year-olds on the show.  Then he started joking about 50-year-old fear factor, “Cross the street!  Get up in the morning.”  It made me laugh – we aren’t that fearful.

               Middle School group had some fun silliness.  We talked about 1^st Corinthians 13:4-7.  When Bobby got to patient he said, “So if a person in youth group is doing really annoying things and we choose to be loving and patient that would be good.”  A student piped up with, “I’m right here!”  As though that comment has been about them.  It was funny the way they said it so fast.

               Several students were talking amongst themselves after the paper was handed out and Bobby was trying to teach but had to ask, “What are you doing?  Trying to fill in the blanks early?”  The student replied, “Of course.”

               When it came to love being hopeful someone mentioned, “I hope you will give me your wallet.”

               Wednesday night had another fun handwriting blunder.  Someone prayed for their friends Barbarian solo.  I was wondering if this was a dance or song.  Come to find out it was Baritone solo.  That makes more sense.

               A fun fill in the blank was “Selfless Love R----y S----- out!  Several guesses were “Reckless, Selfish!” and “Really Sucks” neither were right – it’s Really Stands out – Selfless love really stands out.

               1 Corinthians 13 may be read at weddings a lot but it was written for the church.  When Bobby came to “Not Envious” he mentioned that if Troys dad got a new van Bobby might be a little envious.  One student blurted, “How would you feel if it suddenly blew up?”  Another laughed with chagrin.  “What are you planning?!”

               It is good to have time to talk things out.  Getting a temporary second job will be stressful, and I am glad Bobby decided to support me by giving me rides into town in the mornings.

               Seth is willing to give me a daily hug and I love his presence.   He is fun to chat with and I am glad he responds.

               May you also be glad for the interactions you have with those you encounter.  May you have power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.  Much love, Cristy