2/23/26

 

Dear Family,

 

               Rainy days are good for reading a book and feeling thankful for a roof. So many people do not have shelter, and this is quite sobering. May we be the type of people who give financially when we can. I am also blessed to have time for volunteering at the UGM (Union Gospel Mission) thrift store. I enjoy posting things for them on Craigslist (https://salem.craigslist.org/search/sss?userpostingid=7915203150#search=2~gallery~0) . One employee says they get a flurry of calls after I post and then sometimes things sell. Yay!! So if you are looking for a commercial fried ice cream maker or rooftop car storage hamburger case for $200. UGM is the place to go. When you do buy from the thrift store you are helping the men’s mission and Simonka the women’s shelter.

               Tuesday night middle school was truly worth the trudge through the long rainy driveway. The youth are delightful and I enjoy watching them grow. Also hearing the interactive lessons gives me great joy. Bobby brought up the verse about Jesus being the vine and us being the branches. Bobby went on to explain with stories about our raspberry vines and how when I prune them – the branches that are pruned wither up. One student had to point something out with such high brow superior knowledge, “Uh, Bobby, those aren’t grapes.”

               Bobby asked middle schoolers if they would like to go to the new Mandalorian movie coming out. I mentioned to a female next to me that I’ll never go to a theater again. She was surprised. “Why not?” My answer, “I can’t do laundry, play on my phone, or pause the movie when I need to go to the bathroom” had a strange effect. She said, “I’m done with you.” This is from someone I like and I believe she also likes me. Youth, they pull no punches.

               The high school group was full of delightful banter. One student felt chagrined during the lesson time. “Bobby, that’s harsh”. Bobby said, “You’re an Eagle Scout, you can handle it.” The student playfully said, “I’m gonna cry.” He did not cry but it did make some of us chuckle.

               I had the privilege of teaching a smaller group for Sunday morning. The lesson included Jesus’ parable about the first being last in Matthew 20:25-28. I mentioned being a good leader meant we would have to let go of something. People looked at me with question marks. I said, “It starts with a S and ends with elvish”. One person got it, “Selfish!” the rest mentioned, “Ohhh, that’s not what I was thinking”. Some people thought we might have to give up shellfish to be good leaders.

               Either way, one youth did not hesitate (before the lesson) to ask, “Why doesn’t Bobby come back from the retreat to teach Sunday school? He’s so much better.” Luckily I have a thick skin – they don’t even know that could be taken as an insult. I just enjoy them.

               May you also enjoy those you interact with.  May you find strength in our Lord, and may you love simply because you are so very loved.

 

Hugs,

 

Cristy

2/16/26

 

Dear Family,

 

God’s abundant display of beauty consistently fascinates me during my bicycle commute. The sun shining in my path was a bit disconcerting. I couldn’t see a thing. Thank goodness, as a bicyclist, I could go five feet over and be in the tree lined sidewalk. Ah, I could see! That light was so bright and so there, I did have to take a picture. Believe me, it was brighter than a picture could ever convey.

               Both middle school and high school were delightful evenings. One evening a student’s prayer request was for the concerts they would be performing in. A leader asked, “What kind of Concerts?” The student replied, “Music” There was enough laughter and I got the giggles. Our leader paused then, “Choir, Orchestra?” The student replied, “Yes,” And that’s meant they had both.

               Bobby and I enjoyed a relaxing Saturday Valentines day. It rained, so no need to garden. We went out for lunch and simply enjoyed each other’s company. I truly enjoy parallel play. We also watched 50 first dates which has two of my favorite actors in it. Yeah 😊.

               May your delight be in the little things. May you find strength in knowing you are truly loved. May you find peace in your heart and in the world around you. Hugs,

 

Cristy

              

2/9/26

 

Dear Family,

 

               If your highlight of the day is, “Seth said goodbye to me today.” Well, it’s a funny day. I laughed when Bobby said that. This is how much Seth communicates with us. My family is somewhat similar. We didn’t consider something Bobby and his family think is a necessity. “Let me know when you get there (a different town) so I know you are safe.” I thought that was the most ridiculous ask ever. “When I get there, I won’t be thinking of you at all, I’ll be with the people I am with. Why in the world would I call you? It’s not going to happen” (This is before texting.) Anyway, now that we have a son who doesn’t see the need to let us know if he’s coming or going, maybe now Bobby understands how the other side lives. Does your family think this is something you should do?

               Tuesday and Wednesday night were both quite pleasant. Believe me, bicycling from work, showering and getting into cozy sweats is a great end to a day. Getting up and going out to youth group must be rewarding enough to leave home again. And our youth are fabulous people, lovely, fun, sweet and learning. Also, they crack me up sometimes. We have one person who usually likes to read out of the “Y’all” version of the Bible. I’ll admit, I love it. The whole concept of plural being so out there tickles my funny bone and it seems to make the words jump out of the page. Bobby had several people read and was chagrined. What version are you going to read out of? The young person said, “Y’all shall see.” Read 1^st Peter 1:1-2 and understand what happened next. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are living as foreigners scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be multiplied to y’all.” We all burst out because it didn’t sound like a different version, but it was. How fun.

               Sunday morning was more of the same. One person who usually says, “Everything” for a prayer request mentioned a praise. “I want to say that something I was hoping to happen did happen and I’m very glad.” The way this was so eloquently put everyone clapped, except Bobby. He was frustrated. “Can you tell us what it was you wanted to happen?” “No.” Bobby doesn’t like praying for unspoken requests. Another person asked, “Was it, ‘EVERYTHING?’” No, it wasn’t.” This just had the crowd mesmerized. Rich had to pipe in with, “I also have an unspoken request.” This time Bobby knew that one was a joke and he was able to let things go.

               Another student mentioned, “Pray for my pregnant mom.” Bobby said, “Can you put that in the form of a prayer request? Because this could go so many places.” Well, the student named their new brothers name and said, “That the baby comes out this month.” Oh, we had a name (Sadly I completely forgot it because), the youth said, “Want to hear names I have been suggesting?” I most definitely did. So, with the last name of Holmes the baby should be named, “Sherlock.” I said, “Yes! That’s how I remember your last name in the first place.” Or another suggestion was, “Robin.” Ha, ha, that one is just silly. But I still like it.

               I do have to mention I enjoy having a coworker back. She was gone for a month and I missed her shenanigans. Sometimes she will lay hands on the printer that acts up and pretend to speak in tongues over it. (Usually while turning it off and on.) This reminded me of the above far side. Good times. I enjoy people with a sense of humor.

               May you also be delighted with those around you. May you find joy in those you live with, work with and play with. May God grant you wisdom with everyone you encounter. Much love,

 

Cristy

 

 

              

2/2/26

 

Dear Family,

               Life without Bobby is so much calmer.   It’s interesting how both youth groups were mellow; I would even call it a groovy vibe.  And that’s OK.  Jeremy was practicing music as people came in.  So, as people were drawing, playing gutter ball or practicing checkers they were singing along.  It created a feeling of camaraderie and was lovely.  Then during singing it felt like everyone sang, at least everyone around me.  And while we were writing prayer requests, we just kept singing the last song.  It was so peaceful and fun.

               During the lesson I was struck by how Romans 3:24 describes God.  “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished —  he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.”  He’s outside of time and space.  It’s just a deep thought and was described to our middle schoolers.  That was pretty cool.

               The High school group was also subdued.  They were super sweet and during lesson time it was funny how they tried to figure out a fill in the blank but then gave up.  Romans 8:29-30 – Our C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ isn’t upon ourselves.  Someone blurted out, “Chicken”, another, “Chipotle!” I’ll tell you the answer at the end.

               I must admit being a Sunday School teacher for the 3–5-year-olds can be exhausting.  Thank goodness for young helpers.  I mentioned to one that we would start the lesson as soon as the youngsters got all that energy out.  He said, “That will be take a year.”

               Although there are many upsetting things happening in the world, I can have peace because I know God is in control.  I am glad He cares about us; he gives us power to love each other and grace to be kind in all circumstances.  May you also find your strength in Him.

 

Love and hugs, Cristy

 

The answer to the fill in the blank is confidence.  Our Confidence is not upon ourselves 😊. (It is in Jesus.)