And now for the hard work.

 Dear Family,

               Every time I bite into an amazing meal cooked by Bobby I feel tremendously blessed, loved, and happy.  Leftovers are the same.  I truly enjoy it when he is home and cooks.

               Adriel and I set up a different phone calling time and we had a wonderful chat on Monday during lunchtime.  How glad I am that she is doing well, glad to have friends, and growing. 

        I waited to send this until I confirmed that both kids are registered now.  Seth will stay home and keep his job this semester.  I am glad for me.  I like having him around.  Please pray with me that they are diligent in their studies, focused on God's will, and wise in each decision.

               I also enjoy youth groups!  The enthusiasm of our middle schoolers had me so pumped that I went to bed at 9 pm (super late for me) and wasn’t even that tired.  This could also be because of Rich’s Birthday cupcakes.  Christine makes the best cakes!  Anyway, did you know one of our youth can kick her elbow?  It’s true, I have video evidence. 

Also, our young men are super focusing on gutter ball by pulling their hoodies so closed that they only have eyes peering out.  This cracks me up because when the hoodie naturally becomes bigger they are now unfocused.  Those words make me laugh.

               Bobby later gave stickers out with instructions NOT to put them anywhere inappropriate.  “Put the sticker on binder, water bottle, laptop, your forehead”.  One student commented, “Oh great now everyone is going to put them on their foreheads.”  One did, two other had them on their legs, one on a hat.  They truly are impulsive.

               Rich shared some figs with me and I asked a middle schooler if he wanted one.  He needed direction on how to eat it then he said, “This is good, weird texture though.” Bobby doesn’t like figs.  He looked over and was like, “Oh goodness, you’ll eat anything won’t you?”  And I believe the answer for most middle school students might just be, “Yes”.  They will eat anything.

               High school group was also filled with the joy of reunion.  I know we meet to play games during the summer but it’s not the same without singing and a lesson.  I truly enjoy the full experience.  Christine made even more cupcakes so after Bobby prayed a blessing over them and we ate some Bobby said, “There are enough for everyone to have a halve.  If you pick a buddy one person can cut it and the other person can choose which half they want.”  This was met with immediate and loud consternation.  “This is communism!” from one student.  “This is Biden economics, and I don’t like it” from another. Wow, let’s keep politics out of it.  Bobby shelved that discussion and people had (whole) cupcakes later since there weren’t too many takers.

               When we were going to sing someone went up to play and his friend had to heckle him, “The attractive man is going to play the piano.”  I love their enthusiasm.  When Bobby was starting the lesson he asked, “What kind of book is the book of proverbs?”  One answer was, “Proverbs?”  I thought that was a fabulous guess.  It is in fact, a book of Wisdom.

               During the lesson A fill in the blank was supposed to be “Everyone needs friends but how careful are you in who choose to b _ _ _ _ _?” When Keegan shouted out Banana I felt so much love for him.  I truly believe we had a moment because that was hilarious.  Bobby on the other hand is like, “What? No.” 

               I believe the lesson time can have dramatic changing effects.  One student before the lesson declared, “I am mean.”  Later, after the lesson he then declared, “I am nice!”  All that change in the span of ½ an hour.  Amazing!

               Another funny interaction was when Bobby mentioned someone who protested and said, “Why are you picking on me?”  (By using the person as an example.) Rapid fire Bobby said, “You drew on yourself.” Person said, “It’s beautiful!” Bobby, “It says, ‘Pick on me.’”  I truly enjoy quick wit.

               I must admit that my purpose for cooking is different than most peoples.  My main goal is to make extra or leftover ingredients edible – or to at least get them used instead of trashed.  Sooo we had too many hot dogs in the house.  I cut up hot dogs and added them to scrambled eggs (with left over green onions) I also cut up hot dogs and added them to my Asian Chopped salad.  The scrambled eggs did sink like a rock in my stomach.  But the hot dogs are gone now (between Seth and I)!  I mentioned my genius recipes to Bobby and he was not impressed.  His comment was, “What would Gordon Ramsey say?”  I mentioned, “He would probably yell at me.”  What do you think?

               May you enjoy those who live with you and may your heart be glad every time you see those you work, play and interact with.  May God’s love be evident in all you do and may your faith increase daily.  Much love, Cristy