PELLA

Tom and I were puttering around here Saturday morning, trying to not awaken P&M asleep in the basement. NPR was on, droning on and on about the Iowa caucuses. Suddenly I heard Pella, then, believe it or not, they were interviewing someone at the Pella, Iowa Pizza Ranch. I guess there was a political meeting of some sort there and they were mocking the goodness of something called corral bread or some such menu item. We suddenly listened more closely. We know you are in the thick of the presidential shenanigans there now. We will pay more careful attention now. I miss you all. Happy New Year. I'll post more later. Right now I am working on my final grades for the semester that ended in Dec. Love, AK-Mom

Christmas

Christmas, at least the secular equivalent, is over here. The gifts, which numbered more than I think I can count, are strewn in various places throughout the family room, making walking a navigational challenge. Not that I didn't provide a huge plastic box for each child in which to keep "all" their presents. Perhaps it was the definition of "in" which needed further clarification. Carl has spent the entire day in his room "relaxing". The good news is he hasn't begged yet for food. As of 3:20pm we are still about an hour out from Christmas Dinner......dinner will consist of only 3 things - ham, potatoes and peas. I'm exhausted. No use cooking a feast for those who would rather play anyway.

Jakob and Brita slept near the tree with the hope of spotting Santa. Alas, Santa snuck in unnoticed. Brita was quite pleased to have Daddy show her that Norad (FAA) tracks Santa's sleigh all around the world, so by early morning our time he was already over the Philippines. That's proof, is it not, that Santa is real???

Thanks to all who shared gifts with us. The choices for each were simply top notch! Each child is quite pleased with aunties and uncles and cousins today.

I think Grandma's phone was off the hook this morning. I tried to call several times and it was always busy. I had the staff check it, then by the time I tried again, it was lunch time, now nap time. We hope to catch her here soon. Her roommate passed away on Saturday. Let's pray she gets someone else that's easy to get along with.

The boys have not argued at all today. Laser tag was a hit, so is Transformers Chess. So all in all, it's a very good day.

Hope all is well with the other Bettgers. We sure would love to read some others' posts!

Hugs from the East!

Not Exactly Billy Joel but Dixon Smith Middle School

Greetings from my phone to your computer! Isn't technology cool?? Tonight was Joshua's Winter Band Concert. We thought we would share part of it with you. The improvement of this fine group from last Spring is a miracle to behold! Pretty good sound, don't you think? Sorry for the skewed video - not quite sure how to fix that. Don't even try to pick Joshua out - he's directly in the middle of the group. (Click in the middle of the screen to activate the control to play the video)

The Culmination Point!

The three month point was not too bad. There wasn’t so much at risk after doing this emerging community for such a short time. I didn’t want to leave Bend… but it was pretty likely that I would at least be around for another 3 months. This is different. After being here for six months, seeing some amazing things happening, relationships being build, connections made, movement… this is part of me now. Whether I am supported by First Presbyterian or not, I keep going forward. I have to! I will find another way, albeit much more difficult.

So I see this time right now as such a culmination of things. Have I emphasized enough how related this ministry is to the rest of what is going on in Bend and at First Pres? Has the communication been enough? Do enough people know what we are about and where we are going? Do they need me? Do they need this ministry? And if yes, do they feel the need strong enough to contribute the funding?

The last few weeks have been almost magical with how things have fallen into place. Monday night’s gathering at Silver Moon for $2 pints, free fooseball and pool. 20 some new connections, laughs, introductions, spiritual conversations. Connections with members of Session (the decision making board), hearing their thoughts on ministry and their passion for our church. People contacting me after just google searching “house church,” “emerging church,” “Bend,” etc. Dreams of non-profit coffee shops, pub conversations, spiritual formation. Recent support from the New Church Development team. Parker and “The Shepherd and the Knucklehead” (Bend’s “Bard and the Bumbler?”).

The Goose has landed. He flies where he wills and will not be predicted. He is not tame, he cannot be boxed in or caged up. He is wild and free. But he moves, he gives LIFE and fills with passion and excitement. We must be ready!

We Got Elfed!

Elfin Greetings from the East!

Click on the link and enjoy our children's silliness!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1324497484

Snow

No Billy Joel here. Just Joshua on the saxophone. Getting better every month!

The forecast says snow tomorrow. A 40% chance of a dusting. They will probably close the schools once the clouds hit the radar. When the dusting layer melts, they will say "well, at least the children were safe." I'm not so optimistic that the flakes will fall. My friend gave me a 4" Christmas tree. I decorated it with only snowflakes. At least we will have some type of "white Christmas." Brita wants to move back to Chicago. Wants to take our house, her friends, her school and our church along back. The only thing she misses there is the snow. I bought her boots for Christmas so she can enjoy any dustings we may get before Spring. I miss the snow, too. But I don't need boots.

We have all been down with different viruses. Me being the most recent victim. I sure am thankful for NyQuil!

What plans do y'all have for Christmas? We'll be here. I don't have to work! We will accompany Carl on a business trip to sunny Pennsylvania the week of New Years. We enjoy being in the hotel, watching TV (since we don't have one) and swimming. Even better, I'll have my own TV in our 2-bedroom suite so won't have to watch cartoons all day!

Most of all we are looking forward to sleeping in. I have a door hanger I use during vacations. It reads, "Do not wake Mom unless you enjoy cleaning toilets!" Hopefully they won't catch on that at the hotel the housekeeper does that job. Sssshhhhh!

Hugs,
Cheryl, aka Auntie Cheryl