I saw a rat under the desk, and we made eye contact. 11/23/25

When it moved 1/8^th of an inch I jumped so fast, I hit Bobby.  He said, “Wahhh?” I opened my eyes and realized I had been dreaming.  I apologized, “Sorry, I’m in bed, there is no rat, that was a very realistic dream.”  My first jump scare dream at the age of 50!  Have you had any dreams like that?

               I truly enjoyed this week!  Bobby made youth group a Friendsgiving event.  Everyone brought interesting toppings for pancakes, and we enjoyed them so much.  I learned that caramel mixed with peanut butter on top of pancakes tastes like heaven in my mouth.  Sooo amazing!  I also enjoyed it when my table of middle schoolers wanted to hold hands for prayer.  I felt so at home and loved in that moment.

               I delighted in showing someone a silly video called, “Road work ahead, I sure hope it does!” and tried to share the joy with Adriel.  She said it was funny that this was my first sight as this was old.  Well then, a teen shared a man playing trombone while his son played the oven as a drum.  That cracked me up.  I think Adriel liked it as well.

               The high schoolers were also enjoyable.  I loved coloring with them, chatting and trying peanut butter with chocolate syrup.  It’s pretty good.  I enjoyed watching three youth chase each other as they played keep away from a phone and simply enjoyed a fun night with games, chatting and amazing food.

               My dad’s health is a concern.  His next surgery to get water off the brain will be for next month.  Thank you for your continued prayer about this.

               Babies are still coming into the world.  I felt blessed to be included and invited to a baby shower.  How sweet little ones are and how blessed we are to welcome them with love and gifts. 

               The picture is Salem on my wonderful commute.  I get to see the sun rise most mornings these days.  It’s quite lovely.

               May you find strength in knowing our Lord.  May you find peace and joy in each person you meet today and the whole week. 

 

Much love, Cristy

Allergies 11/16/25

 Dear Family,

 

I am so glad that I was evaluated for allergies this week.  It’s a much better prognosis BUT a little embarrassing.  I am more allergic to dust mites than anything else.  Cats – a little.  Now we can act accordingly and figure out ways to combat microscopic creatures.  Yuck! We ordered two things and will wash sheets more often.  Yay God, there are practical steps to take.  It’s also very good that I am not allergic to Bobby.

I think the allergist found me amusing.  I told him that if I was allergic to cats I have to be allergic to dogs as well because I don’t want a dog.  He said, “That’s not how it works.”  Drat.  The numbers on the left are what I am allergic to.

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my friend on Veterans Day.  She loves free stuff and mapped out the town.  I enjoyed listening to her stories and am so glad people all said, “Thank you for your service,” to her.  That was very cool.

Tuesday night still included middle school group.  I enjoy our youth so it was fun to see them.  Also, there were more girls than boys again, so Bobby had me order pizza.  How fun.  Yay for participation.

Bobby was talking about keeping our “Thanks Tank Full” and brought in how God is faithful to us.  He also made an analogy with a picture of a bride and groom.  The fill in the blank was.  Faithfulness is a _ _ _ deal. . .  it’s seen in

c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.  His hint was, “What do brides and grooms do?”  Someone had to say, “Kiss”.  The answer was right, but does not start with a C.  I’ll tell you at the bottom.

The high school group was also very fun.  Bobby was letting people know that God gives us help.  For some reason he got to a part where he said, “If you are racing to Sunday school.”  I had to smile when two teens who might happen to race cars, fist bumped with a knowing smile.  Bobby is very against racing in cars, just in case you were wondering.

Also we have a “Friendsgiving” event coming up where we will eat pancakes and everyone can bring an interesting topping.  Bobby did have to say they can’t bring possum.  “No, no possum.”  Things you never guess you will have to make rules about.

Adriel has been very caring when it came to the allergist appointment.  She is a wonderful listener and shows her heart when she asks open ended and clarifying questions.  I am loved and it shows.

Seth let me borrow his car while mine was in the shop.  I appreciated that on grocery runs especially.  I am glad he eats food I don’t appreciate enough.  Bobby is a wonderful cook, I just don’t like meat as much as Seth and Bobby do.

May you appreciate the people you are close to.  May you find good things to say to and about them.

 

Much love, Cristy

And the answers are, “Big” deal, and “commitment.”

 

11/9/25

 

Dear Family,

 

               Finally, a weekend when I am home!  It can be exhausting taking trips even if they are celebrations, a Women’s retreat or pastors retreat.  My soul can only manage so much.  I really enjoy being home and tending to things that call me.  Replanting flowers isn’t fun when I am doing it BUT this creates an opportunity to share with neighbors or friends because these bulbs not only grow in our habitat, they flourish.  How fun in the spring or summer when they happily show themselves to be alive yet again.  Delayed gratification really does have its place.

               It was also enjoyable to gather for youth group.  Bobby purposefully had five people read a verse that repeated itself.  Psalm 107:1, 8, 15, 21 and 31 all sound the same.  This created consternation with the middle school group.  “Hey, they are reading my verse!” One person even said, “Swiper, no swiping,” said another.  (A cute reference to Dora the explorer.)  IE – don’t read my verse! It is for me to read.  It was fun when Bobby mentioned that everyone had the right verse – they all just reinforced his point.

               One fill in the blank triggered my mind to think of someone who always wants to pray for, “Everything” on Sunday morning.  This person also mentions they don’t like Bobby’s fill in the blanks.  Sometimes they say, “Stupid word.”  When Bobby’s fill in the blank was “Everything” that person came to mind.  I am so glad they came to youth group Wednesday night.  They seemed a bit confused by my attention, but two other Sunday School attenders got it – Ohhh “Everything” that is so and so’s word.

               Bobby did ask the crowd what languages the Bible was written in.  I thought it was funny when someone mentioned, Hebrew, Greek and Aromatic.

               Please do pray for me as I am miserable.  I made an appointment last week with an allergist for Friday the 14th.  They asked me to stop taking antihistamines 5 to 7 days before the appointment so that if they evaluate me -  my results would show up.  I chose to stop taking them at once and am experiencing puffy, itchy, burning eye lids that swell really bad in the morning.  I took them again for a couple of days but know that the next days are not going to be fun.  It’s not dangerous but I am miserable.  Please pray the office decides to evaluate me during that appointment.  I know I am allergic to something but don’t know if it’s the cat, Bobby or something else.

               Thank you for your love and concern.  Thank you for your prayers.  Love and hugs,

 

Cristy

So much going on! 11/3/25

 

Dear family,

               I haven’t mentioned our kids lately and must apologize.  I had a funny moment with Seth last week when I was unloading groceries.  My friend had texted saying she wanted to pick me up early for our woman’s retreat trip.  I mentioned that I was coming home and expected to leave in a half an hour BUT if she wanted to help unload groceries, I would love her company.  She said she was coming right over.  When I got home, I asked Seth to help unload groceries and he was in the middle of something, as usual.  I mentioned it was OK, my friend was coming over to help.  He untangled himself from his computer work and was beginning to help when my friend came in.  Seth was curious.  “Did she come over just to help unpack groceries?”  I said, “Yes” and he was a bit confused.  Then I said, “Nah, you can take over.” And he did.  It was fun to see him pondering the situation. 

               Adriel went up to the Seattle area twice last week to help my sister unpack.  I was jealous of this but had other plans.  I do love my sister and nieces and nephews.  I am very grateful Adriel not only represents our family well but motivates the younger girls to be helpful and cooperative.  Moving is so stressful.  I think I would be in the way – but Adriel – she brings joy wherever she goes.

               Middle school youth group was very fun.  During game time Bobby had some fake vampire teeth.  He had one student read a tongue twister while another tried to guess what they were saying.  The teeth made the words come out funny and it was great seeing them laugh at themselves.

               Our church encountered fire this week and everyone is glad this happened during the day when the blaze was discovered within three minutes of the start.  A light bulb decided to become a flame and that was a bit on the crazy side.  Everyone was safe and that was a blessing for sure.

               Wednesday night activities for the entire church were cancelled so we didn’t have High School group.  This was sad but Bobby’s back was hurting, and we wanted to avoid confusion.  It’s also a blessing that Bobby’s tweaked back is a muscle issue and not a disk one.  Yay!  He seems to be on the mend, please pray for him to get even better.

               Our church candy fest was full of fun.  I enjoy the costumes, candy and excitement when little people throw or toss a stuffed pumpkin into a bowl.  People in general can be delightful.  Giving people candy, even more so.

               May you also enjoy time with others and all you encounter.  Love and hugs, Cristy