7/15/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Bobby was home until Monday.  I do miss him and look forward to him coming home.  I enjoy the time we have together.  This week I remain glad for volunteer opportunities, work, and friends.  Friends fill my heart with joy and help me see perspective so much better than me by myself.  I am glad there are people who have been through what I am pondering and came out no worse for the wear.  Bobby did come home Saturday and it was delightful to see him.

               Sunday was a lovely highlight.  I enjoy the people, the message and the hope that we look to.

               Seth has a cold.  Please pray with me that he gets better. 

               Adriel has answered several texts.  I am glad she is alive. The mothers day present she gave me is blooming quite beautifully.  I am glad for pretty flowers that remind me of people I love.  How wonderful.  Although I don’t water the entire garden, those flowers I do water.

               May you choose to water those that matter to you.  May you be a light to the world and a delight to our Lord.  Much love 😊

 

Cristy

              

7/8/24

 

Dear Family,

 

               Having Bobby home for a week was lovely.  He cooked amazing food and was pleasant to be around.  I enjoyed relaxing with him.  He had a root beer social youth group event.  We are so blessed by the Duval family who are willing to host the youth group often.  The teens were excited to be there, and I enjoyed the game of things where we wrote down ideas of, “Things what would not be a good Jello flavor.”  Tomato, dog hair, human flesh and cat were the most interesting.  It was entertaining to see looks on people’s faces when we guessed who said what.

               Seth had his maiden voyage to Portland alone when he picked Adriel up on the third of July.  He did just fine and was happy to do the drive.  I can tell he loves people when he does things for them.  It’s not overt, just a willingness to be unselfish.  He also took an old computer and made it useful for Bobby.  It wasn’t something anyone mentioned that needed to be done.  Seth noticed Bobby might want it and Bobby is quite pleased. 

               Adriel was a delight.  She is so full of energy, spunk and sweetness.  I appreciate her smile and abilities.  She freely hugs and her deep voice is pleasant.  I am always glad to be with her.

               Our fourth was celebrated with fun neighbors and delicious food.  Although I didn’t stay past nine, I was glad for the time I did have with people.  I am glad for friends always.

               May you also delight in those you are blessed to interact with.  May your joy come from being with our Lord in the mornings, reading His words and learning more about how we can please Him. 

 

Much love, 

 

Cristy

              

7/1/24

 

Dear Family,

               I am so glad for my friends!  While Bobby was gone, I enjoyed several walks with friends, and one even invited me over for dinner.  That was very kind since Seth works in the evenings. 

               I am glad that Adriel has been chatting with me more and has been quite sweet.  We even talked for a couple of hours on Thursday and Friday.

Seth has given me hugs and been helpful in the garden daily.  I appreciate his gentle kindness and smiles.

Volunteering has been a boon to my soul as well.  I enjoy the camaraderie at the Union Gospel Mission Thrift store.  I also enjoy writing letters to people who are seeking spiritually with Global Media Outreach.  This is a blessing to me because they can be so thankful.  That warms my heart.  You can also volunteer with Global Media Outreach, do a google search.  It’s super cool.

Bobby did return safely, and I am glad about that.  We enjoyed some time together eating out and relaxing with games.  I am glad he will be home for a week before being gone again.

I also rejoiced with the church as we reminisced about the building project and as we celebrated the loan being paid off.  We mourned the loss of Sorin and his family as he will be moving on in a different way that Hispanic pastor serving alongside our pastors.  He will be missed.  And then there was a potluck.  Food that transports me to the heavenly realms.  So good!!

May you find that nature’s beauty speaks to you.  May you hear it say how our Lord is alive, he is at work among us today, “Look! Our beauty testifies that He is working in and through us still!”

Much love,

 

Cristy

 

6/24/24

 

Dear family,

               It’s funny how Bobby and I are being purposeful about spending more time together this week.  Camp is coming up and we know we will miss each other.  We are bracing ourselves. 

               Sunday morning I did have a hilarious moment.  Several youth were bent over something and I came to investigate.  One person blurted out – “We aren’t doing anything illegal.”  Oh my!  That just perks the curiosity more.  They were trading ducks – how fun.

               One positive thing that already gives me great joy is that the raspberry plants were cut down to the ground.  That is two months of angst gone.  Poof!  I might have to sell the top row as well.  We will see how we feel about it next spring.

               Seth has been pruning daily and I appreciate his willingness to do this.  He also brought in some groceries and put them away.  I feel loved when family helps out.  Seth has been pruning daily.  This is such a blessing!  I can’t begin to describe how not crying about the garden this year lifts my spirits.

               Adriel keeps letting us know she is alive, and I am so glad for our open communication.  I love her dearly 😊.  She offered to come over to help around the house and that was so sweet! 

               May you also feel blessed by those you love.  May you enjoy each interaction and may you find grace in our Lord and the beauty of His nature.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

              

6/16/24

 

Dear Family,

 

          I am so blessed to have a job I enjoy and a cool cooked meal when I come home.  It’s too hot outside for hot cooked meals 😊. 

          Wednesday, we had our end of the year blast for combined Youth Groups.  Over 50 people were in attendance!  Oh my!  So many youth!  There were a lot of fun interactions.  I’ll share my two favorite:  One student said,  “Blaze proposed to me!” When I asked the middle schooler what her reply was, “I said no, and he said why?”  Then she said something hilarious.  “I told him I was in love with someone else.”  Good times.

          Another person told me, “There isn’t enough Bobby to go around.  Imagine if everyone had a Bobby of their own.”  That sure would be interesting.

          Friday Bobby mowed the lawn.  I am so blessed that he helps out. 

          Seth has picked cherries daily this entire week.  I am so relieved for the help and tickled to know he is getting a healthy snack.  I enjoy his hugs when I see him and am glad, he is done with school for the spring term.

          Adriel came over Saturday to celebrate Father’s Day with us and I truly enjoyed the drive with her.  She shares her heart, and I am warmed to hear what she cares about.  Adriel and Seth then picked cherries with me, and I was delighted that she climbed the tree to get at them better.  Adriel also helped pit the cherries for freezing.  She is such good company!

          Bobby was encouraged to have family together and we played a board game since it was a celebration of him.  I was surprised that Seth not only took interest in the game but won.  He strategized, did statistics and came out on top.  How fun!  I am glad Seth enjoys playing games with friends and it transferred to family.

          May your family also be a blessing, grow in love with you and be helpful.  May you find peace in knowing how much God loves you!  Much love,

 

Cristy

         

6/10/24

 

Dear Family,

 

          That Seth said he didn’t want to gather for his Birthday is typical.  When he heard Adriel might come, he changed his mind and decided he wouldn’t mind gathering to see her.  That warmed my heart.  My parents want to visit us every couple of months and enjoy picking Adriel up to bring her down.  They help make our family complete.  This is such a blessing!  My heart was so full from seeing everyone on Sunday that I could barely sleep even though I knew I needed to be at work 4 AM!  We had such great conversation!  So many hugs and so much love was shared.  I truly enjoy gathering and am filled by being with family.

            Bobby also blesses us when he visits his family.  Sadly, I was working on Monday (an 11 hour day) but he had a fun visit with his mom and brought back some fun things.

          Tuesday evening at Middle school group one person wanted to know if next weeks Summer celebration allowed 5^th grade students to attend.  Bobby assured them that they were coming to youth group now so, yes, they were invited.  I had to mention that next week they would be in 6^th grade because they graduated 5^th.  This was answered with one word.  “Fact.”  I like how their jargon makes speech short and sweet. 

          Before the lesson Bobby asked, “Anyone remember what we learned last week?”  One person let us know they hadn’t been listening by saying, “Are we talking about our weekends?”

          Bobby had a picture of someone with toilet paper streaming behind their heel and a youth had to mention, “Like my grandma!”  Oh dear.

          Truthfulness was being taught and Bobby mentioned filters and trying to look like them.  Rich said, “Filters are an abomination!”  A student said, “Rich, you are cray, cray.”  (I.e. Crazy).

          Wednesday night we had several visitors join us in the high school group.  He did ask if they remembered last weeks lesson and some people were spot on.  Coveting and how we shouldn’t do that with the example of David and Bathsheba.  One person said, “I’m going to covet another person’s wife now.”  Yikes.

          The top left corner of the lesson had a picture of He-man and Bobby tested their 80’s knowledge by asking if they recognized the picture.  One person said, ‘It’s a picture of you pastor Bobby.”  That was silly.  Bobby was trying to give a hint – it’s from my childhood memories!  Another male said, “I just have my little pony memories.”

          I was blessed when Bobby gave me a ride to work and back.  He filled me in on our lives and I enjoyed making plans with him.

          Seth mentioned that he could have given me a ride a day too late.  That was sweet of him to say yes even though it was late. 

          Friday night we enjoyed dinner and a game with Pastor Ed and Leanne.  The food was great and they are wonderful company.  Yay for fellowship.

          Bobby did make several meals this week and I enjoyed not cooking 😊.  I also am so glad to eat yummy food after a full day of work. 

          I am glad Adriel lets me know she is still alive.  I pray for her often and am so concerned about her walking in Portland all alone.  Please pray with me that she makes wise choices, good friends and continues to grow in her Love for God.

          May you also make wise choices, good friends and grow in your love for God 😊.  May you feel as blessed as you are my friends.  Love, Cristy

6/2/24

 

Dear Family,

 

          My favorite meals don’t come from a restaurant.  My favorites are made with love and from Bobby’s good sense and choices.  I am glad every time he cooks even when I don’t like the food.  This comes from years of me cooking and not enjoying that.

          Tuesday night at Middle School group I had to laugh when Bobby told the story of David and Bathsheba.  When Bobby asked if anyone knew Bathsheba’s husband’s name someone asked, “Uterus?”  Uriah does start with a U.  Later, Bobby was trying to say that even someone who was a man after God’s own heart could make mistakes.  When Bobby asked, “What was David known as?”  Someone said, “A pervert.” 

          Wednesday night had so much laughter I enjoyed myself thoroughly.  The lesson time brought out so many fun interactions.  Bobby brought up a hypothetical situation.  “Say Josh is in a boat and it’s sinking like the titanic. . . “  Another student was excited about this, “Yes!”  Oh dear!  So Josh says, “If it’s my time to go, it’s my time to go.”  Another student asked, “Number two?”  Yikes – it was just too much!

          Bobby also mentioned, “If I start keying my name into a certain persons car . . “ This was stopped by, “I do have pepper spray you know.”  The student went on, “And a baton, my dad is an ex-cop.”  After such mentions of more ways the student wouldn’t mind stopping Bobby’s harassment Bobby decided he will stay far away from this student and his vehicles.

          Our students are quick witted and fun.  They are learning about the Bible as well as natural consequences to making poor decisions.  Bobby citing examples  of bad decisions is one way to think out choices to make the right ones.

Time for relaxation is key to success when it comes to being productive.  It sounds counterintuitive but, without giving our bodies rest we will burn out and that is not fun!  Also, I hate being sore!  I am glad Bobby and I took some time to be at the beach, enjoy each others company and celebrate 28 years of marriage.  We had fun walking, eating and relaxing.

          Seth doesn’t mind us being gone at all.  He watched over the cat and house.  I am glad Seth is good at that.  He is so sweet.  He even brought home a card from church for our anniversary from friends. 

          Adriel has been responsive to my calls and texts.  I love her so much and am glad she is in our lives. 

          May you also be glad for those you are in contact with.  May your interactions deepen your love, faith and joy.  May you be filled with God’s love and may it pour out onto those you encounter.  Love and hugs,

 

Cristy