Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2011 Christmas Letter

Winter Solstice, 2011

Season’s Greetings from the Lubbers in Lake Crystal —

Yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve had the time or inclination to write and send out the “Annual Christmas Letter” but… it’s time again. As I get started, it occurs to me that an annual letter was, in years long past, a much-anticipated and delightful creative outlet for a somewhat-frustrated accountant. But now—oh, my, this involves many of the same movements as my weekly sermon-writing, monthly newsletter writing, and so forth. Not that those aren’t great fun—once I get going. But, still.

And so I begin… with coffee mug at hand… and Christmas music in the air… and gratitude in my heart…


Luke (12) is enjoying sixth grade, his “senior year” at the elementary school which is just three blocks from our home. Luke is healthy and happy—save the normal boyhood bumps and bruises and bouts with cold/flu, and periodic (but much, much less evident lately) feelings of lingering grief, which is only natural. Luke has a rich and nuanced sense of humor: picture a mix of Carolyn’s goofy humor and childlike innocence with a dose of my quirkiness (a.k.a. insanity). One of our favorite things is family spaghetti dinner with Tucker (Luke’s best buddy) because there’s usually at least one belly laugh for all. Luke’s bedtime reading lately has been A Prairie Home Companion’s Pretty Good Joke Book. In school Luke is excelling in math, music, and current events; he plays football, basketball, and baseball (but took a year off from football this fall); he likes watching the Minnesota Wild with Dad, playing video games, fishing, and just goofing off with friends. Like the whole family, Luke loves the Minnesota Twins!

Elyse (15) is a sophomore at LCWM High—she’s involved in—well, it seems like—everything! She loves spending time with friends including regular “movie nights” which move from house to house and having a friend or two sleep-over. She plays volleyball and softball and, just last fall, joined the wrestling cheer squad. Is OK for me to brag a bit? Elyse is on student council, honor roll, was president of the local National Junior Honor Society chapter, was the cheer squad “MVP” last year (captain this year); she had great performances in many groups at vocal contests including a superior rating for her solo and best-in-site small group and was honored as her school’s outstanding freshman vocalist last spring. Oops—now I hear her voice, “Enough already, Dad. Quit embarrassing me!” To embarrass, I am certain, is far and away the most grievous offense possible for the parent of a teen. Elyse is mature, cheerful, compassionate, and responsible. I’m proud and lucky to be her dad. She’s teaching Sunday school this year along with two other girls.

John (30) married Stephanie in June 2010. Dad was overjoyed and privileged to officiate the wedding—Elyse and Luke were both in the wedding party. In July 2011 John took a new job flying cargo jets out of Portland, Oregon. John and Stephanie live in Vancouver, Washington. They’ll get more space in next year’s letter—especially since they have a baby due in June 2012.

And maybe next year I’ll get a paragraph, too. Glean what you will from the “Year in Review” or look me up on Facebook. Or, better yet, stop in and visit me at one of the best churches a pastor could ever ask for—First Presbyterian Church in Lake Crystal. The folks here are humble, open, compassionate, and welcoming. I think they love their pastor even when they may not “like” him, if you know what I mean. And that makes this a very good place to be. Wishing you a blessed Christmastide and a prosperous and healthy New Year…


In Christ,
Randy

2011 in Review

Huge piles of snow—good exercise for Dad—nearly 100 inches for the winter. “March Madness”—Elyse and the cheer squad follow the team to the Xcel Energy Center (home of the Wild) for the exciting team and individual State Wrestling Tournaments.

Mid-March Spring-Break Vacation to Arizona—a delightful time with John & Stephanie in Prescott including John flying Dad, Elyse, and Luke over the Grand Canyon; also, Stephanie shopping with Elyse while John gave Luke and Dad some shooting lessons somewhere in the desert; also, a wonderful visit with Grandpa and Grandma Jaarsma in Tucson—we all trekked down to Tombstone (site of the famous O.K. Corral Gunfight); Dad and Luke spent a day at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and ate at the fabulous Mi Nidito Mexican Restaurant (“Oh, yes! it’s as good as they say on Man v. Food).

Dance Recital for Elyse in April—possibly her last, she does know how to say “no” to some things when she feels like her plate might be getting too full.

Vacation to Holland, Michigan in June for Ralph and Elaine’s 50th wedding anniversary; visit with John and Stephanie in Quincy, Illinois on the return trip. And, part of our vacation days, a fun visit to Target Field for our school’s appearance in the State Baseball Championship.

Baseball games and tourneys for Luke—at one (on June 4), Dad, forgetting that he’s no longer twenty-something, fell while goofing off with Luke’s teammates between games and ended up with a severe rotator cuff tear (not to mention the confusion at seismic monitors in the Midwest).

Late Summer Summary: Rotator cuff surgery on July 13 followed by a slow-but-steady recovery and rehab—the first few weeks in record-breaking heat and humidity. Just so you know, the first 48 hours after surgery were #&@% (that is, not fun). Driver’s permit for Elyse on July 1; Dad begins praying an extra few minutes each day on July 2. Elyse to Rocky Mountain High with the Second Reformed (Pella) youth group—“Fabulous! Exciting! Fun! A Great Experience!” Luke celebrates his 12th birthday with a sleep-over—bacon and pancakes for ten kids! Luke and a friend and Dad spend a day at The Great Minnesota Get-Together, the Minnesota State Fair!

Luke and Dad jinx the Hawkeyes again: we’ve been to three Iowa-Minnesota football games in Minneapolis and the Gophers have beaten Iowa all three times!

Elyse hosts the wrestling cheer squad for a pre-season pillow-making, sign-making, and general bonding sleep-over in the basement. More pancakes. More bacon.

“Feast at First” on furlough: Eight years ago Carolyn started the free Thanksgiving Day dinner at our church and we enthusiastically continued the tradition. But, after seven straight years, we decided to take a Sabbath (or “Jubilee” year) in 2011. We enjoyed a family Thanksgiving in Orange City with the Lubbers family and we already have some volunteers to be the coordinator (a.k.a. “boss of the kitchen”) for “Feast at First 2012.”

Which brings us to December—
December?! What happened to December?!  Christmas vocal music concerts at school for both Luke and Elyse; Christmas program at church; ringing the bell for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign (our church has been the #1 overall fund-raising organization in the Greater Mankato Area for the last two years and we’re always in the top two—we fill a whole week of slots at Cub Foods East in Mankato); shopping and a host of other preparations like laundry and housecleaning with the kids; and—Dad’s highlight—preparing for and praying for and anticipating our three beautiful and meaningful worship services: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service @ 5:30 PM, Christmas Eve Communion-by-Candlelight Service @ 11:00 PM, and The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Christmas Day @ 9:30 AM.