10/28/24

 Dear family,

 

I am glad Bobby and I took time to be together on Monday.  We had a nice time at Pho Keizer and talked about our separate weekends and how they went.  I thought he was talking about leaving Church that morning after work when he said, “I saw some people hunting mushrooms.”  This seemed confusing to me (I don’t think our church grounds have anything extra growing).  I asked, “How would they be hunting mushrooms?”  Bobby became a little confused as well, “Well, not with guns.”  Was his response.  Then we figured out he was talking about near lake Pamelia where he had gone hiking with some buddies.  That made more sense.

          Middle school group was fun and good.  During the lesson Bobby mentioned how self-conscious he was in middle school if dressed in the dark and accidentally had mismatched socks.  He needed to mention that this was before it was cool to mismatch socks.  Someone piped in with, “Back in the ooooold days.”

          High school group had warm greetings, lovely faces and friendly smiles.  I enjoy our youth.  During the lesson Bobby introduced a new Greek word.  εὐαγγέλιον is a pretty cool word.  It means good news or the gospel.  I recognized it immediately.  I mentioned publicly that I had taken Greek for two years.  Bobby shot back, “It was two semesters.”  My immediate external processing thought was, “Oh, it felt like years.”  And that is how long it took Bobby to convince me it would be way more fun to be his wife than be a missionary in Africa translating the Bible.

          One of my favorite things about Bobby is his cooking.  It’s so good!  His effort fills our bellies, gives us satisfaction, warmth and joy.  I am very blessed that Bobby cooks.  He made stir fried rice with veggies and shepherds pie this week.  Both were amazing.

          While Bobby was gone again this weekend I had time to replant some gladiolas Adriel had given me.  It is amazing how much they have reproduced in two years.  How fun.  We will have a LOT more flowers in the years to come.  Adriel said their roots look pretty so that is our picture for today.

          I have enjoyed conversations with Adriel.  She is teaching young people how to skate board and enjoys giving lessons very much.  I am glad she does get to be a teacher.  This is something she wanted to do pre-covid.  And how fun that it’s skateboarding.  She has a lot of wisdom and is willing to give it to those around her.

          May you find beauty in God’s handiwork.  As He continues to shape, mold and reproduce in you may you enjoy what He is doing.  As He prunes may you be graceful with the pain and radiate His love even when it hurts.

          Much love,

 

 

Cristy

10/20/24

 Dear Family,

 

I was delighted to read that one of our sponsor children was happy.  He received a sheep from us a while back and it was grown up and pregnant.  He has decided to name the lamb Bobby in my husband's honor and that is fabulous.  Bobby really hopes the lamb is a boy.

               Middle school group was full, and fun.  The youth have settled into our rhythm and aren’t as hyper anymore.  They were a bit wiggly but easily manageable.  I did enjoy one answer to Bobby’s question during the lesson.  What is special about the Book of Acts?  “It’s named after an axe?” was wrong but still fun to consider.

               Another item up for thought.  There will be no allergies in heaven.  Isn’t that nice?  Unless those are the tears he will be wiping.

               High school group was a bit rowdy.  One student announced he had asked AI for an inappropriate verse and I definitely believe there are several – actually many verses that are inappropriate for mixed crowds or young people.  Bobby on the other hand wants to say that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  1 Timothy 3:16-17.  I had an idea to dare him to preach some of those verses but even I don’t want to hear them read aloud.  It’s just not right.  Anyway, this made for an interesting night.

               Bobby mentioned a lady had a nose ring in Genesis 24.  I had to pipe in that I thought they were gross, “What if you get a cold!?”  Another youth had to add, “Yes, for practical reasons they don’t work, what if you wanted to pick your nose?”  Ewwww, I was done with that conversation.

               The lesson time was interesting.  One fill-in-the-blank I got wrong.  Romans 3:10-12 was the verse and the blank was, “Church isn’t about p_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _  but about grace.”  I filled in punishment and was wrong.  What do you think?  The next part, “Church is about c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.”  Had a funny instant comment – “Communism!”  Noooo – Rich had to add that the people giving up all their items to the church was, “Strictly voluntary.” 

               Life is good.  It’s fun being with youth and feeling sharpened as we consider God’s word, what is appropriate to mention, and what is good.  May you also throw ideas back and forth with people you interact with.  May you find God’s word to be alive and active, something that pertains to everyday life.

               Seth helped this week with putting our robot vacuum downstairs when it was done with the upstairs.  I enjoyed his help.  He continues to plug away at school and life.  Slow and steady wins the race.

               Adriel enjoys one of her jobs immensely.  I am glad she likes talking with me.  She has so much going on!  And she wants to do more (snowboarding).  Goodness!

               Please pray for both of our kids.  They have colds.  Not Covid, just colds.  Much love,

 

Cristy

 

PS, the two right answers for the fill-in-the-blanks were perfection and celebrating.

 

 

10/14/24 Happy Birthday to me.

Dear Family,

              

               I truly enjoy laughing.  Another joy is putting my head onto my cat’s soft body and hearing a purr.  That is amazing.  What are some of your favorite things?

               I must admit that I send this blog out to my immediate family for proofing a day before I send it out.  This is why Sunday school shenanigans don’t normally make it into the blog.  But when I share stories several times with people around me I know they are enjoyable enough to post.  So what if it’s a week late.  Here is some of last week's Sunday School fun.  We meet early, 6-12^th grade and it’s pleasant.  People are barely awake, there is some game playing and then a lesson.  As we were sitting down for the lesson someone uninvited tried to join.  Bobby whacked the large spider and then killed it.  And yet – one person said, “I would like to put that under a microscope!” This brought some speculation and then Bobby mentioned he could have whacked the spider from the ceiling – not to the side of the room but into the crowd.  OH MY!  A middle school girl next to me said, “I would scream!”  The young man next to her said, “But if you did that it could land in your mouth!”  Oh dear.  This led to a bit of violence and I was also squealing with horror.  Just the thought!  Don’t worry, Bobby would never do that!

               During the lesson, we read about how Peter wept after denying Christ three times.  Bobby mentioned how that must have felt awful because this particular sin was against “Jesus!”  I said, all sin is against Jesus and this brought up a discussion about how, “Yes, all sin is falling short of the glory of God BUT some sins affect those around us more.”  An example Bobby was trying to give is, “So if Cade steals a soda it’s not that big of a deal but if Rich ran over . . .” As Bobby paused to think about his next word I was so helpful with, “Cade”  And this brought some comments; “Woa, that was a crazy mad libs moment!” “Ow that would hurt.”  Etc.  And so we learned that although all sins do break our relationship with God, some sins break more relationships on earth than others.  And no, Bobby is not advocating for thievery.

               Bobby’s chili is amazingly yummy.  I believe he made that on Monday.  I enjoyed it very much for several days. 

               Middle school group was fun and I truly enjoyed it when we clapped for latecomers.  They are welcomed and I am glad they come even though they have been to practice and showered.  (Yeah for showering!)

               High school group had some interesting moments.  Bobby talked about how finding revenge doesn’t satisfy God and how that’s God’s job.  His illustration was about when he was in fourth grade and his sister pushed him into the street at a bus stop.  Bobby was so mad that he got revenge by swinging his full backpack at her.  This resulted in a concussion.  He said, “I didn’t want to give her a concussion, I Just wanted revenge.”  A student asked, “Are you sure?”  Bobby’s reply, “I don’t think so – I didn’t even know what a concussion was at that time.”  (God’s punishment would have fit the crime better.) 

               Another example of someone who wanted revenge was in the movie The Princess Bride.  Bobby asked, “Does anyone know who Inigo Montoya was?”  The immediate loud answer, “Your mom!”  was wrong. 

               I didn’t really connect the dots on my dinner request for Friday.  I just knew we had an ingredient I wanted to get rid of because we had too much.  Spam.  I asked Bobby to use up some of the spam in our cupboard last week and he said it would be a two-day project.  Thursday he made a LOT of rice, chicken, and broccoli.  Friday he took much of that rice and made stir fry with spam in it.  It was fabulous food.  Both dishes.  Only the next day when Bobby mentioned to Adriel that he made spam for my birthday dinner I was kind of chagrined.  I didn’t think of it that way.  I wouldn’t normally ask for spam ever.  But we did have extra and it tasted good.  Bobby can make anything taste amazing.

               He also mowed the lawn on Thursday and that was very kind and appreciated.

               Saturday I enjoyed lunch with Adriel, Seth, my parents, and Bobby.  It was my Birthday party and I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of a restaurant called Grassa in Downtown Portland.  How fun to just be.  I am glad we got together and had some pleasant conversations and yummy food.  I do wish we had taken pictures.  We don’t remember to memorialize things.  It’s OK but sad.

               I was pretty overwhelmed to see all the happy Birthday greetings on Facebook Sunday morning.  Wow, thank you all 😊.

               May you enjoy your days and may your years be wonderful.  Older age is part of being alive.  May you be glad for the life God has given you.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

PS the pumpkins are some cute Mochi squishy toys that people seem to really love.  When I walk by and push my finger into it, I feel a finger hug and that makes me happy.

10/7/24

 Dear Family,

 

               Bobby made stir fry out of brisket.  It was sooo yummy!  And now the brisket is gone.  Yay!  I am very glad when things don’t stay in the fridge too long.  Now Bobby has pastrami and I am glad he and Seth are enjoying food they like.  He also made spicy mac and cheese.  The reason he cooked things I don’t like is actually quite kind.  I was fasting for my first colonoscopy.  That went well and it was the first time I remember ever going under.  Actually, I don’t remember a thing.  That was the point, and I am glad for it.  Yay for not having to do that for another 10 years. 

               Tuesday night youth group was filled with giggles.  One young man was very excited to have bought five sodas.  He lined them up near him and was ecstatic.  Bobby was concerned that this person’s parents didn’t allow soda consumption at home and the young man assured Bobby that “My dad let’s me”.  (Let’s not talk about mom.)  Later he showed a shaking hand to a friend, “I’m shaking!  I’m not addicted.”  Oh dear.  This brought about a new rule.  You are only allowed to buy one soda at a time. 

               The lesson focused on parental wisdom.  Bobby mentioned that if we wanted to hear ‘wisdom’ that we liked we could talk with peers but he said, “You guys don’t know much.”  This was met with consternation.  “We do!”  So Bobby asked, “How do I change the oil on my car?”  On answer was, “You Pour the oil in the oil changer.”  Another answer was, "Go to that fast place on Wallace and it’s only, like, $15.”  Ohhh they realllllly do not know about that.  This brought up a video that is NOT instructional showing a lady pouring oil all over her car engine.  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oktQAndwOig  OH my!  That is a very bad idea.

               Another question Bobby asked, “If you have something very valuable what do you do with it?”  One immediate answer was, “You eat it!”  No, Bobby said, “You protect it.”  This brought up a ring bought at the AWANA store that ended up being real and was sold for over $100.  One young man has a ring he found.  The ring is still at home.  The suggestion that he give it to a girl and ask her to a dance was so repulsive to him his yuck face lasted a full minute and a half.  He might be saving it for that (who knows) but he’s definitely NOT ready to even think of the prospect.  Young sixth graders sure are fun.

               Wednesday night had such a lovely calm group.  The high schooler’s are delightful in a more sophisticated way.  I enjoy chatting with the young women who are sweet, kind to all and give hugs at the end of our time. 

               Lesson time did have some fun moments.  A person flicked the lights and another young man said, “Don’t turn off the lights!  I’ll cry like a baby.  It is my greatest fear.”  This of course brought some darkness for a little bit.  No tears.  “You didn’t cry?”  And the of course response was, “I was crying inside.”  Nice.

               Our lesson about wisdom continued with how Proverbs 1:9 says G_ _ _  (G_ _ _ _) wisdom is valuable.  Can you guess what that one was?  My favorite guess was, “Good Golly, wisdom is valuable. 

               Thursday I had prep and Friday I had the procedure.  Seth was kind enough to be home and watch me Thursday.  Bobby was kind enough to be home with me Friday.  I was a bit loopy and couldn’t walk very straight afterwards.  That was odd.  But by Saturday I felt good enough to volunteer, work out, garden and resume normal activity.  Yay! 

               I am so glad for Adriel, she is thinking about her assignments, continues to live, breathe and be kind to those she meets.  She has new room mates that are sisters.  She met them in the elevator while they were having crisis.  They were moving into a room that had a messy room mate.  Adriel intervened and said they could stay in her place.  They looked it over, looked at another one and chose her.  Yay – Adriel’s kindness and compassion made a good first impression. 

               May you feel motivated to do the tasks God has for you.  May you feel joy when you accomplish delayed gratification.  May your heart sing when you pet fuzzy animals and may you enjoy the beauty we are surrounded with!  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

               PS the fill in the blanks was Good (Godly).