1/31/22 Healing

 Dear Family,

 

                In sickness, we find strength from sleep, Chicken noodle soup, and friends who love.  I have never been a recipient of so many people asking how they can help!  Thank you all for your generosity, kindness, and well wishes.  For us, Covid was just a bad cold.  I am thankful we are mostly on the mend.  I have been back to work.  Bobby's first day back was yesterday. 

Seth has a persistent cough so we will see.  He does continue to go online and work on schoolwork even amid his Covid.  He’s a trooper.

                Bobby made Enchiladas and macaroni and cheese this week.  They were both amazing!  He rested a lot and is thankful for all who played online games with him.

                Adriel remains in contact via text and it is wonderful to know she is still alive.

                My brother-in-law has gone from not being able to drink to taking over 40 steps after his stroke.  That the brain can rewire itself, learn new things, and work at such a rapid pace is astounding to me.  Although the Dr. said he will never fully recover this is exactly what we are praying for.  May God fill any empty gaps, make new what was old, and do amazing healing work.  Thank you for praying with us!  My sister and all four kids can talk on the phone with him and some were able to visit.

                Thank you for your love, prayers, and help in our sickness and healing.  May God bless you over and abundantly, almost more than you can handle.  Love and hugs,

 

 

Cristy 

 

1/24/22 Covid

 Dear Family,

 

                This week started off quite nicely.  I had Monday and Tuesday off so that was a great time to rest from last week's overtime schedule.        

                Adriel came over Monday morning to sew curtains on my sewing machine while I covered library books for the church.  We had a wonderful time chatting as we worked on our projects.

                I wore my bright blue Rooted tee shirt and my bright red pants for bowling with the Junior High group.  Seth asked, “Are you going out like that?”  I smiled and said, “Yes, I am!”  He was chagrined and said, “It’s your funeral.”  This made me laugh and I responded, “Perfect, this is how I want to be dressed for my funeral.”  Seth’s final word, “It will be a closed casket.”

                Monday afternoon the youth group gathered for bowling.  We had fun even though Bobby ended up bowling for 4 people (including me) who lost interest in the game but were enjoying talking with each other.  (My back gave me pain so I was out.)  I enjoyed seeing how fast they could throw the ball.  I think the fastest from our group was 19.1 miles an hour.

                Bobby is excited about his new board game.  I was very glad the first night we tried it he let us quit midway.  My brain felt like it was going to explode. 

                Monday after bowling I received my 3^rd COVID shot and a flu shot.  Tuesday I rested from the horrible achy muscles.  I did go to youth group that night even though I felt horrible simply because I always go, the symptoms from the shots are just that – symptoms from the shots.  And Bobby is short-handed with Rich being gone.

                I went to work Wednesday even though I wasn’t 100% and Youth Group that night as well.  But . . I felt chills and left early because I wasn’t feeling right.  Thursday morning I had a fever!  I was getting worse after the shots, not better.  I was so tired I decided to take a day off, get tested, and put my fears to rest.

                My fear became reality.  I tested positive for Covid 2 days after I got the booster shot.  Ugh!  Bobby came home.  Seth stayed home.  We are now quarantined. 

                I am thankful for so many people who offered to do a grocery store run.  To most, I answered, “No need.”  But to several, I asked for one thing.  Church family, you are so generous!  The love we feel when one thing turns into about 8 of the same thing or Chicken noodle soup turns into 10 cups, crackers, and apples.  Awwww!  Thank you!!  We feel very loved.

                Bobby and Seth have to stay home and deal with the boredom while I sleep through this whole quarantine.  They also have the impending doom of, “Will I get it.”  Thank you for praying for our healing.  So far this is just a horrible cold and nothing serious.  Thank you for your care, your prayers, and your love.  Bobby and Seth are now stuffy, coughing and have chills.  They went to get tested Sunday and the results will come by e-mail in a couple days.  Please pray for them.

                May God bless you and keep you.  May His face shine upon you.  May you feel his care, love, and compassion.  May you know that in all things, sickness and in health you are loved, treasured, and cared for.

                Much love,

 

 

 

 

Cristy

Yummy Chicken noodle soup!

1/17/21

 Dear Family,

 

                Some weeks are harder than others.  This week Oregon is scared of COVID which means they are ordering online more than shopping in the store.  I worked a lot of overtime this week.  Through all of this Bobby has been supportive.  My body, not so much.  My muscles are sore but my heart is warm.  I am blessed to have a husband that is understanding and loving.

                Bobby also made several dinners this week; steak and potatoes, grilled cheese, and BBQ chicken.  He continues to do that hard work even though I have not been home to eat the initial meal.  Leftovers are fabulous.

                Bobby heard me when I came home from work around 5 PM one day.  I said, “I want to crawl in a hole and die.”  I hadn’t said that since Adriel was born at 3:30 AM 20 years ago.  That’s how tired I was on Thursday.  I took a “nap” at 6:00 PM and woke up at 1 AM to work again at 5 AM.  I did miss the home group.   Pray for people working in Grocery stores, please.

                I did have a day off and was able to have a great conversation with Seth.  He asked, “How did I get diagnosed with Asthma anyway?”  My story was, “When you were a baby you and Adriel had a cold for two months.  I brought you both to the Dr. and said, ‘I haven’t gone to church, the park, or the library for two months and I am going crazy!’  He said, ‘OK, they have asthma, here’s a prescription for inhalers.’”  Seth was not impressed.  “I have had that diagnosis follow me all my life because you had cabin fever?”

                I had a great lunch with Adriel and mentioned Asthma to her.  She remembers having to use inhalers all throughout grade school for coughing fits and that Seth needed them to.  I am sad they really did need the diagnosis but glad it wasn’t just for me.  Now they have grown out of it so that is wonderful.

                Adriel has now experienced mucking out stalls and gotten to know some horse personalities.  She is experiencing horse life because her boyfriend loves horses and has begun a job working with them.  How fun.  I also like horses.  They are so beautiful, feel amazing and I love rubbing that spot that makes them happy. 

                May you also find joy in giving it.  May you find life is wonderful!  May you feel blessed and may you enjoy every breath God has given you.

                Much love,

  

Cristy

PS My brother-in-law had a hemorrhagic stroke on the right side of his brain.  Please pray for healing and his family as this is a hard time for all of them.

1/10/21

 Dear Family,

 

                Change is as common as the seasons.  God has built change into our lives so we might adapt and grow.  As we anticipate pastor Marcus moving up we feel loss and discomfort.  The future is uncertain and that is OK.  Because God is in control we know His will includes good.  We also know that His kingdom will advance and we will enjoy all end results. 

                Seth received a phone call one evening to put laundry into the dryer.  This intrigued us.  Why would Adriel call Seth?  Well, we figured out, this is because she knows he will be home.  I like that he is willing to help her out.

                Seth wrote a kind text to pastor Marcus and Bobby let Adriel and I know.  Adriel and I reminisced how Seth’s writings may be few but they are always powerful.  We cry because we are touched.  Adriel then said I don’t keep anything from their childhood and I pointed out Seth’s poem hung on the wall.  That poem did make me cry.  Then I brought out coupons from Adriel that I will use in the future.  She exclaimed they had expired but when we looked closely there is no expiration date.  I did throw away the one about cleaning her room.  That’s her business now.

                Adriel started a new job on the first week of the year and enjoys more responsibility in her new law firm.  She also has a star wars fan in the office that she will relate to simply because Bobby is such a collector.

                Bobby took down the tree, ornaments, and inside lights from Christmas.  I am so glad for his initiative!  If I had known waiting till after the New Year brought this I would have done it more often.  Bobby also cooked tacos and brought the garbage cans in this week.  I am blessed by all he does.

                The youth group brought some fun.  One teen asked, “I wonder what it would taste like if you mixed diet Dr. Pepper and rock star”.  The quick answer, “Diabetes.”  The teens are also figuring out what words are appropriate to use when they are angry.  I mentioned that a friend would shout, “Bad word,” when she was angry and this was taken up quite joyfully.  So, if you hear someone shout, “Bad word!” now you know they are being clean and kind.  During the lesson, a teen was trying to find a chapter in the Bible.  She was frustrated and said, “I can’t find psalm 119 mine goes only to 150.”  When I mentioned 119 was smaller than 150 Bobby piped in with, “And that’s why you are still in school.”  I definitely enjoy the funny things youth say but even more I love that we are a praying church.  The youth mentioned praying for our new to come pastor and the whole transition.  Those are good and powerful prayers. 

                Please pray with us that God brings the right person for the job and prepares him well. 

                May God also bless you as change happens and you grow, stretch and become more like Him.  Much Love J

 

 

 

Cristy

1/3/21

 Dear Family,

 

            Happy New Year!  May 2022 bring you more joy than any of the years past.  When I look back I do notice babies came, marriages happened and life continued even through the hard times that Covid brought.  We persist, strive, and pursue because that is what it is to be human.  We are strong, we heal, we continue. 

            This week was quite wonderful.  I enjoyed being cozy and warm while snow fell.  I was able to get to work and back even though there were a couple inches on the ground and Bobby managed to enjoy youth group activities even with the “hazardous conditions.” 

            Bobby was happy to spend time with the youth at an arcade, shopping, going out to eat, and a movie.  This week there was no normal youth group – just winter break activities. 

            Bobby made Turkey and dumplings out of turkey leftovers.  He also made Ham and Broccoli Casserole out of Ham leftovers.  YUM!  Such amazing food.  When I confronted him about his declaration that he wouldn’t cook till the new year was over he said, “Well, I have to take care of the leftovers.”

I love my new year's tradition.  I go to bed on time just like a normal day.  Once someone asked me, “You don’t even stay up once a year?”  No – I don’t like torture even once a year.  Bobby is very kind about my desire to sleep.  He went to a friend's house without me and didn’t complain that I went to sleep.  I am so blessed by this.

            Bobby knows the best shows to watch and there is now a book of Boba Fett out.  Seth watched with us and had to comment during a scene where the main character is in the desert, being led and even dragged by his hands.  The poor guy needed food, water, and rest.  Seth came out with, “It would be really hard to live in the desert without wifi!”

            Seth made plans to have me nearby when it was time to pay for his college books.  He likes my desire to pay for his college.  When it came right down to it he said, “OK, It’s going to be a lot.”  He then had me look at the grand total.  $0.  Yay, he chose all the online books and boy do I like the price of community college. 

            Seth asked for a haircut and wanted the 1/8” setting.  Although it doesn’t look the most flattering he doesn’t care.  He wants the least amount of haircuts done in his life.  I think his priorities are fine so I oblige.

            Adriel came over to do laundry and borrow the sewing machine.  She is very sweet.  She brings, smiles, hugs, and love.  Adriel also let us know she was enjoying snowboarding on New Year and that she was thinking of us.  I definitely love her.

            May you also find love in your hearts for all those you encounter.  May your joy be full and your heart be generous.  Much love,

 

 

 

Cristy

            

12/27/21

 Dear Family,

 

            Preparation and timing are key.  Bobby started preparing for Christmas eve and Christmas dinner days before they happened.  God also prepared for our salvation and it took 30 years for Jesus to grow up, minister to people, and eventually die.  Goodness – what a plan.  Yet so many farmers, breeders, and entrepreneurs live with the end game in mind.  Some plans take a lifetime to achieve.  Do you have a long-term goal in mind?  Do I?

            Bobby made ham for Christmas eve, Turkey for Christmas, salad, potatoes, pies, etc.  Then he thanked me for all my hard work!  I wondered what in the world he was talking about and he had to clarify that I clean.  What a great husband I have.  He works hard and is thankful for everything. 

            Bobby and I had a nice date earlier in the week and enjoyed being together and eating Irish food.  I actually liked cabbage in a burger!  Bobby made potato onion soup earlier in the week.  He’s done cooking till next year. 

            We had family over on Christmas eve and I have to relive some fun conversation.  When Seth heard one person was allergic to cats yet had two he said, “That’s a great idea, whatever could go wrong?”  Later someone mentioned that they hated fishing but wouldn’t mind going along and reading a book next to the person fishing.  Seth said, “But that’s not fishing, it’s reading a book.”  I like Seth’s quick, sharp wit.

            Seth bought his friend a gift and was surprised at how much joy his friend felt.  When Adriel and Bobby heard of this they both exclaimed that he never buys us presents.  I also made him make an appointment with our financial advisor since he has money coming in but not going out.  Then Seth did give us Christmas gifts.  That was a first and it was very kind of him.

            Bobby did a great job Christmas shopping for our family.  This is now his job and not mine.  Yeah!

             Adriel came over for several visits and helped me with my hair.  She is so sweet.  Adriel didn’t mind an extended hug from Caren and I thought it was cute that she settled in for however long Caren wanted.  We all need a long hug sometimes.  Later, after a visit with the Duvals Adriel mentioned and I agreed that there is a warm feeling when with them – we really do feel part of their family.

            Bobby bought some Boba Fett art and put it in our guest room.  I didn’t notice it for two weeks so I guess it’s staying.  For some reason, I am tickled that he’s trying out passive-aggressive relating.  It’s my MO and seems to work the best.  I also taught baby Adriel to roll her eyes.  I know assertive is the most healthy way to relate but passive-aggressive is so much more entertaining.  Bobby insists he wasn’t being passive-aggressive but playful.

            I thanked the family for doing the dishes.  When they denied it I remembered that I had done it the night before.  Bobby laughed and said, “You weren’t even joking about thanking us.”  Ohh, foibles!

            May you delight in your own family's foibles.  We are not perfect but we are loved.  May your love stem from God’s overflowing and blessings.  May you rejoice in all that he is.  Much love,

 

 

Cristy

PS, the Christmas service was beautiful and meaningful as ever.  This might be our last with Pastor Marcus so it is fun to capture the moment.

Merry Christmas Funnies

 Merry Christmas Friends!

 

Thank you for indulging me as I bring out the funniest comments of my year.  First I’ll give a paragraph about our doings.  Husband Bobby remains the Youth Pastor at West Hills Community Church.  15 years and going strong.  Adriel is a Legal Receptionist and studying paralegal work at Portland Community College.  Seth is studying computer science at Chemeketa Community college and continues working as the Church Custodian.  I am working at Fred Meyer.  We enjoy the peaceful life God has given us. 

On to the funnies!

            Do you ever find yourself pondering why people do something THAT way?  Our kitty was meowing and meowing with demand.  Finally, I showed her I had already made her favorite food and it had been there the whole time.   I wondered aloud, “Kitty, why didn’t you see that?”  Bobby said, “She has a brain the size of a walnut.”

In Youth Group Bobby said, "I will give Rich a terrible task.”  Someone asked, “Will you make him eat mustard?” 

I announced I would be giving the kitty a bath.  Bobby said, “Time to update your will.” 

Prayer request time can also bring up an interesting conversation.  One student was excited that the salmon eggs in the class had hatched.  Bobby wanted to share his knowledge.  He said, “And do you know what baby salmon are called?”  After a bit of stuttering, the person said, “Salmon, salmon, salmonella?”  (The answer is fingerling.)

In youth group, someone said, “I was just asking what flavor her shoes were.”  The person next to her said, “Black?” The person next to me said, “Dirt with a hint of gum I stepped on yesterday.”

Seth does not like Sriracha chocolate-covered almonds.  I quote, “Nothing is satisfying about them.  There is only pain.”

            I like pesto sauce.  Seth said that when I added pesto sauce to spaghetti noodles, “That’s not spaghetti, that’s an abomination.” 

            When we asked Seth if he wanted a large or smaller Graduation party he said.  “Let me think, um, neither.”  COVID helped that be a reality.

            The administration at Seth's High School graduation said, “No one may throw their graduation cap.”  The ceremony was over.  3 people threw their caps.  Seth did it.  He threw his and turned red.  Then he picked up his cap and someone else’s and gave it to them.  

When asked, “Seth, how does it feel to be an adult?”  He said, “I can’t wait to pay taxes.”

I found Seth eating a whole unpeeled carrot, just like a farm boy.  When I mentioned how cute that was he said, “Well it’s better than eating those chemical pebbles they call baby carrots.”

On St. Patrick's day, I told Adriel to wear green and she said, “They aren’t going to pinch me at the law firm mom.”  Bobby said, “Yeah, they could sue.” 

            July 5th was hard for me.  Adriel had three jobs that day.  She was the receptionist at the law firm.  She had a 6-midnight shift at the ASAP market in Lancaster and then Tuesday morning she did not come home.  This scared me.  After calling ASAP to confirm the last time someone saw her alive and the boyfriend who had not seen her – aghhhhhh, I was freaking out.  Adriel contacted us saying she was house sitting.  Bobby was not impressed when I said, “Oh yeah.”  She really has to tell Him these things.

After Adriel moved out, Bobby asked if anyone had heard from her.  I said, “Well, we can’t assume she’s dead anymore.”  Seth came back, “We can, . . . . but it’s unfounded.”  So, that began a new chapter of our life.  Not knowing Adriel’s whereabouts had to become OK.

Adriel does come home to put laundry in the washing machine.  I mentioned, “We have a guest.”  Bobby and Seth were like, “Who?”  I said, “They have laundry.”  Bobby was like, “Is it Adriel?”  Seth goes, “No just some random homeless guy.”

May you enjoy the simple joys of life.  May you be glad that Jesus came to forgive.  May the freedom and joy being forgiven brings make you filled with grace – able to love others even if they are mean to you. 

 

Much Love,

 

 

 

Cristy VanKleek