Finally!

Dear Family,

            My project is done!  I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed seeing all our pictures.  I know there will be more in the future BUT for now, I have four files that include us through the years.  Yay!!  Another favorite picture is:

 

I love seeing them smile.

            Bobby had a wonderful trip to Arizona with other youth pastors.  He enjoyed the time so much that he wants to go back in three years.  I am glad to hear it.  I am also very glad Bobby is back safe.

            While Bobby was gone, Rich led youth group.  He did a fantastic job and I enjoyed several comedy gold moments.  Rich was describing teen hardships.  “First this guy liked me now he likes another girl. “ The girls in the front row were dying!  Giving each other eyes and everything.  Because, yes, one girl is broken up with a boy and another girl from their friend group is now sitting with said boy.  Oh, the angst.

            Rich later went on to say how we can learn from each other's mistakes.  Shelly pipes up with, “I just watched my brother and truly learned a lot.”  They are siblings – she watched him.  Ah hahaha. 

The girls were also again giving each other looks because of course, the girl who went out with the boy can talk about mistakes no problem.  Goodness.

            Prayer requests were amazing.  One boy was concerned.  His prayer request was that “All the original Avengers don’t die in the next movie coming out Thursday.”  The struggle is real folks.

            Seth mowed the lawn again this week and I am so great full for his help.  He’s saying verses daily and memorizing Colossians 2:6-21.  I love the scholarship program our church has.

            Seth was sick Sunday morning.  I was touched that he wanted me to stream the service for him.  That’s why there was a huge Facebook live Sunday morning.  It had my battery down to 4%.  Goodness!

            Seth said thank you that I bought a pizza with half pineapple on it.  He was glad it didn’t have all pineapple.  Way to see the glass half full!  I am so blessed he didn’t complain it had any on it. 

            Adriel earned another scholarship.  Yay, girl, keep on applying!  If you want to celebrate Adriel, you are invited to her graduation party.  It is Sunday, June 9^th from 4-7PM at our house.  How exciting, all the places she will go.

            Much love!

Cristy

Happy Easter

Dear Family,

            Happy Easter!  How wonderful to celebrate the power God has over death.  How amazing to realize he did it for love.  Sacrificial love is His example and sacrificial love is His command.  John 13:34 says, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” How beautiful to see this in action.  Bobby cooked several meals this week and we are blessed.  Seth and Bobby mowed different parts of the lawn so it’s beautiful. 

            More blessings include:

            Seth is memorizing verses for a camp scholarship.  Even though it’s hard work I am glad he is willing to do this and enjoys going to camp.

            Seth has said, “The quota has been fulfilled,” when hugging me.  He also has let me hug him twice.  How sweet of him!

            Adriel complimented me about teaching her some financial wisdom.  She said she has never lacked clothing or food and she is glad to know how to live with less money.  She said, “Sometimes I wish dad was a Doctor and would just pay my college but it’s also good to know how to be wise with money.”  Adriel shopped with a friend who had a $700 budget for jeans that day.  She was flabbergasted and wondered how we do it.  I would like to pass this compliment on to my mother.  She taught me how to be wise with a budget.  It all starts with saving half of what we make at 5 years old.  Thanks, mom – for instilling the ability to save up for items, life, and pitfalls in general.

            Adriel drew two pictures for me this week and I love them.  Our books are coming along.  I am excited for what the future holds.

            Adriel told Seth she loves him way more than she loves her friends.  This because he knows enough not to put pennies in her car vent.  I don't just believe her words I see their actions.  I have so many pictures of them being kind to each other.

            Bobby is wonderful to play games with and to walk with.  I enjoy walking parks, streets, and paths but life in general.  I am glad to walk through life with my wonderful husband.

            I am also glad to have several families to enjoy.  Or birth families are wonderful.  Also, being adopted into the Duval family is fabulous as well.  We are so glad to be invited to their family functions and to enjoy Easter dinner after church.  Puzzles, games, great talks and lively discussion.  So much love.  Who could ask for more?

            May you also enjoy the walk you have chosen.  May God’s salvation bring you peace, joy, and wonder.  May you find strength in knowing how much God loves you.

Hugs,

Cristy

Roller Coaster

Dear Family,

                Oh, so many emotions this week.  I have been going through pictures to pick some for a slide show during graduation.  I have laughed, cried and said, “Awwwwww”, so many times.  It’s a roller coaster!  I’m still not done but I have noticed something.  Adriel is brave, beautiful, kind and strong with amazing talent and a wonderful imagination.  I also recognized something I never pondered before.  Adriel is mischievous.  She has this look!  And sometimes she does things, like paint her brother.  (He was fine until it started drying.)

                Adriel enjoyed Prom this week.  I am glad she was up and ready for church the next day.  Good for her.

                Someone noticed on the books Adriel has illustrated that it looks like Star has different color hair!  Oh dear – heart attack time.  I checked and it really did look that way.  I texted Adriel.  She corrected me – the cover of Stars first kiss is a picture of Star’s mom.  Oh, yes, that makes sense.  Adriel said she made sure she was doing the right color hair on Star.  Silly me.  I’m so glad Adriel is on top of it.

                Bobby made several yummy dishes this week and I am thankful.  Bobby and I were eating together at the dining table alone.  I said, “Well, here it is our future.  We are eating alone together.  Just us.”  Bobby had to interject, “And Seth.”  At this, I did have to laugh.  Yes, Seth was five feet away from us – on his computer.  He was doing homework quietly.  We probably will have our quiet son for a while.

                Bobby had a great message for the youth Tuesday night and he thanked me for coming.  That’s always very sweet.

                It is also very sweet that you read what is going on in our lives.  Have a wonderful week.  May you enjoy the beauty popping up all around us. 

Much love J

Cristy

What if our blessings come through raindrops.

Dear Family,

            Rain, so much rain.  I want to complain, but rain is what makes things grow, rain makes life beautiful.  Seth loves the rain – it means he doesn’t have to mow the lawn.  I should love the rain, I know it’s a blessing.  Isn’t that how life is?  Sometimes dreary, hard, annoying things are good.

            I’ll admit I cried on church this Sunday.  Life got me down.  Someone had been mean to me.  I dreamed my cats Ripley and Jonesy came back and were getting along with Skyra.  I woke up to find that was not the case.  Also, I had to take this, “Real Age” test for work.  It was about as fun as having a 30^th birthday.  The question that got me the most was, “In the past 12 months have you been recognized for helping the community?”  Rude!  It should be rephrased, “Have you helped the community?”  We don’t need recognition, we shouldn’t have to be recognized.  Ugh, although people do say, “Thank you,” so maybe I should have answered yes.  Another question was, “Do you like where you live?”  I do like Salem, this house, on the other hand, has that horrible garden.  Let’s just say I hate evaluating my life with impersonal questions.  Anyway – Sunday morning was hard EVEN though it was a most amazing, wonderful service.  I enjoyed the lovely testimonies.  I loved the songs and the sermon was fabulous.  I just cried the whole time.  So embarrassing.  Yet, friends, thank you for coming over and comforting me.  I feel loved.  I have a community here and I am so blessed!

            Bobby cooked two yummy meals this week.  He enjoys creating and is glad to do it, how fun!  Bobby also thanked me for helping out at youth group.  It was a wonderful time and even had my favorite – comedy gold!  In youth group, a youth announced that there was candy behind Bobby.  He said, “It’s Riches candy”.  Someone shouted out with longing in her voice, “I want Rich”. That brought a reaction. 

            I enjoyed walking with Bobby to find creatures I had been desiring.  Bobby knew where there was abundance! I loved sighting and catching those Pokémon ;-).

            Seth wanted me to remind him about a certain homework item.  I like that he was asking for accountability.  Seth is also OK with driving me everywhere we go now.  I am done with the hour to train.  I have taught him for 25 hours.  He will drive me to Seattle sometime this summer and he will have drivers Ed.  How exciting J Another driver in the family soon.  Seth also cleaned the bathrooms.  My parents had me do chores when I was young.  It’s only fair that I have my kids do the same ones.

            Adriel had a good Birthday.  She enjoyed your calls and cards.  She also didn’t move out.  Adriel has new rules that give more freedom.  She loves this.  Adriel did attack hug me the other day.  She ran away saying, “That’s my hug for the day – you can’t have anymore.”  It was playful and adorable.  I never imagined that I would miss my kids while they still lived with me.  A mother of teens told me this once when I had little ones.  She missed her kids and I thought that was ridiculous – she could just go hug them if they still lived with her.  Sigh – nope.

            Adriel was glad to get a scholarship interview.  She is doing things right.  Also, we had a meeting with our financial advisor – Kelly Denney is fabulous.  Even more fun, Adriel agreed to meet with her and discuss her financial future.  Yay for being willing to listen to good advice!

            I am editing a book about answered prayers for our church.  It is a blessing to record what God has done.  Psalm 78:4 says,

“We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.” 

I am glad to do this, it highlights God’s work in our lives.

            May you also find that God’s work in your life is precious.  May you rejoice and be glad that he is powerful, alive and at work all around us.  May the beautiful flowers remind us of new life and that our pain is temporary.

Much love,

Cristy

           

            

Creature Feature

Dear Family,

                The world of games!  How fun to play a game that keeps my interest.  How fun to play with the one I love.  Bobby asked me if I wanted to walk with him and I love walks!  He asked if I would play Pokémon Go and be his Poké friend.  If it meant we would be able to take more walks together I am in.  How fun.  I enjoy the cute creatures and that I can put them in pictures with friends and family.

                We were so blessed that my parents came down to visit.  They sang Happy Birthday to Adriel and celebrate her 18^th early.  I was also glad they joined the Pokémon game and became my friend.  It will be interesting to see if they keep playing and bring different creatures next time we visit.

                While my dad was signing up he was talking to himself, “What Is your Birthdate . . . Hmmmm.  Oh . . . It says I’m too old!”  Seth was listening.  “Really?”  It was funny to hear this interaction.  The notion that someone could be too old for a game might make sense to a teen.

                Seth was a delight this week.  He mowed the lawn, helped move sand at Camp Tapawingo, and helped move bark dust at our house.  For the sand, Seth said, “That was kind of fun.”  Seth also enjoyed Nerf Wars.  What a full spring break.

Seth did get sick for one day.  I brought him to the Dr. worried it might be influenza.  Crazy thing, He felt better in one day.  I did have to laugh when the Dr. was poking Seth’s face saying, “Does this hurt?”  She did this on four quadrants and he was so surprised he was flinching.  It seemed too random and ridiculous for someone to poke anyone’s face like that.  It didn’t hurt.

                Bobby cooked several times this week.  I love that he enjoys picking the food we eat and being creative.  It is hard to please four different people.  I am glad I don’t even have to try.

                Adriel took me out to ice cream this week.  I enjoyed spending some time with her.  She also enjoyed reconciling the credit card.  Sometimes she feels poor because she already spent the money she made.  This time she had a nice paycheck and only overspent $8.00.  It is always fun to feel rich. 

                Adriel was also glad to be asked to Prom with a sweet sign.  The boy put effort into the ask.  How nice.   

                May you enjoy peace with those you encounter.  May you be glad to be alive.  May your joy be from God up above.  Hugs J Cristy

                

A million little things - or not!

Dear Family,

            I read a quote that sums up my life.  “Friendship is not a big thing it’s a million little things.”  I believe my blessings are not big and grandiose except; salvation, our amazing country, being married in the first place and health.  Those I’m taking for granted.  Wow, I’m so convicted by what I just wrote!  May I never take any of those for granted!  OK, my overall blessings are huge.  This week's blessings I’ll count as icing on the top.

            Seth unloads the groceries when I ask him to.  I love his strength and non-complaining attitude.  He loves seeing what I bought.  I also love that Seth continues to walk home from school.  He gets fresh outside air and a work out.

I was talking with Seth about the youth group lesson.  He said, “Mom, that was last weeks lesson.”  Seth was right – Junior High (which I go to) is a week behind high school (which he goes to).  Wow – Seth is listening! 

            Seth drove I-5 North this week.  He’s doing great.  He has driven 25 hours now.  I feel that a trip to Seattle and drivers Ed in the summer will complete his training.  Yay Seth.

            Parent-teacher conferences are good.  I am so glad to meet or see the wonderful people that do a better job than I ever could (Homeschooling – oh, can you imagine – that would be so so hard)!  Each teacher is a specialist, Seth and Adriel are beyond me in so many areas.  Even helping them with their homework I have to take half an hour just to figure out what they have studied.  Well, he, Adriel knows to go to her smart friends. 

            I am sooooo glad for spring break!  Adriel and Seth can get schoolwork done.  I can clean, move Christmas stuff under the house, get summer boxes out (gardening – different towels and clothes), weed, spray for weeds, spray Copper, plant things and do all that spring entails!  Phew, I also love getting together with friends to talk, walk and enjoy life!

            Bobby leads a boys Bible study.  I love that Seth is being led and doesn’t give too much push back. 

            Bobby made some amazing and yummy dishes this week.  I still enjoy the leftovers.  He was excited to get a soda machine into the youth room.  One funny side note.  He put a random button on the bottom that says, “Jesus’ choice.”  This spills out Root Beer or several other items.  Seth is happy because two girls gave him the Root Beer they did not want.  I enjoy the theology talk.  What soda would Jesus choose? 

            Our friend from College gave Bobby a puzzle.  I was glad to finish it with Bobby because it was taking up a space I use.  It was also fun because it reminded me of how much we enjoyed doing puzzles when we were dating.  The teamwork aspect makes the finished product fun.  We do work well together on puzzles.

            Adriel is making an effort to hug me and I am glad for that.  She even prayed with me one night and I love it when she can take time to talk with God and I.  Adriel was paid for house sitting but she told me she will take me out to eat with that money because I helped.  It is hard to dog and house sit when you have 103.4 temp.  Poor girl.

            Yes, I am very thankful for good health, for salvation from my sins, for America, and marriage.  Wow, we are so blessed to be free to worship God without much persecution.  I am so, so grateful.

            May you also find joy when you reflect on God’s goodness.  May you find peace in your heart.  May you delight in the newness of spring!  Love,

Cristy

           

She likes sharks

Dear Family,

            I have more rescue details.  Omitting this conversation from last week’s blessings simply shows I can be forgetful.  While driving towards Tapawingo on the one-lane gravel road Seth decided 10 miles an hour was the best speed.  I asked him to go 20 MPH.  He said, “Notice certain death on our right?  Fine, I’ll go 15.”  I acquiesced and said, “I’m fine with you driving your comfort zone but inside I’m screaming.”  I am glad the gravel only lasts three miles.

            Seth drove I-5 South this Saturday.  He did great!  I’ll have him go I-5 North next week.  It is good Seth has confidence.  Instead of him gripping the steering wheel, now I grip the car door while pressing on my pretend brake.  I remember my mother also doing this.  Good times.  We will survive.

            Seth helped me carry heavy boxes towards West High school.  I am glad they could use the food my kitchen won’t be needing.  It was fun to show my co-worker my son. 

            Adriel likes her job and is impressed that she gets paid for mileage.  She said, “That’s a lot mom.” 

            When I asked Adriel what stamps she likes, she said, “Sharks.”  I looked it up.  Drat – Sharks are not stamps I can order from the Post office now.  They came out in 2017 during shark week and are now being sold for $2.00 each!  That’s a markup!  Stamp collecting can be a business!

            Bobby was still so sick on Tuesday that Rich led youth group.  He commanded respect, spoke with authority and did great!  He does work in the school.  I think he is a great teacher and this is NOT just because I didn’t want to lead.

            It was sweet that the kids prayed for Bobby to get better on Tuesday.  Wednesday Bobby led the High School group and Thursday he did a great job at Homegroup.  He still coughs but insists he is not contagious.  I am glad he is on the mend.

            A date with Bobby was nice on Saturday.  We enjoyed the Pho and the hostess said, “Thaaaaaaank you!” when she found out hers is my new favorite restaurant.  On the way home I enjoyed seeing some youth from my school.  I waved and they said, “Do I know you?!” as they approached.  They gave me high fives and asked if I had any food for them because I am their, “Lunch lady!”  Bobby was impressed by their lack of fear.

            May God bless you with sunshine, flowers, and fresh air.  May you be excited about the future and may you give our Lord anything that worries or scared you.  May you know, “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” for you. Eph 3:18.  Hugs,

Cristy