Tuesday, December 13, 2005

That's What Up!

LONG POST! Below is our 2005 Christmas letter~ Grab a cup of cheer and settle down in your kerchief/cap & I'll make visions dance in your head.

Cassia Megan, Cricket, Malinda Judith, & Christopher James


Opening Lines~
Once Upon a time...
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...
In the beginning, God...
Marley was dead to begin with...
Call me Ishmael...
It was a dark and stormy night...
Here’s Johnny...
The last camel collapsed at noon...

Take your pick. I couldn’t make up my mind on how to begin the seasonal Paul Peek-a-Boo. Pity. The perfect opening line feels a bit like falling in love. You get all tingley with anticipation of what is yet to come, and wonder at the possibilities that lie beyond what you know.


Guess I ain’t feelin’ da love ‘dis year! But we gotta send da props t’da peeps! Don’t go trippin’ on me now, j’all, be easy! You KNOW ‘dis shawty can shizzle ‘dis thizang! Coo, foo? Coo...
A’ight, here’s da 411 on da home skillets in da heezie. Yo! Peep ‘dis...


James ~ The multi-talented, and rather good-looking, Kahuna Paul spent the first part of the year kick’n it with his music. "Misfit Toys" was an all new band of bruthas. In April, one of the band members (and long time friend), Johnny Guillory, tied the knot and James was a groomsman and guest speaker at the ‘do! In June, he and his dad, Fred, got away to the Queen Charlotte Islands, just the 2 of them, for a bit of salmon fishing and chillaxin’. They busted some phat moves and rolled home with some sweet poppins for the freezer! In May he was notified that his application was under consideration, along with 12 others, for a worship/youth pastor position in Alaska. By August, he was one of the final 2, but was soon informed of the choice to go with the other candidate. We arduously struggled to understand the Heart of God and allow Him to still have full reign, as we really felt this was His will. As MLK, jr. said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose Infinte hope." Cracker props: Honda Civics Ride & Drive at Qwest Field. Helped with promoting Central Washington Festival, Led home group, Had a paradigm shift (dangerous phenomenom at 38) about Family Integration and Read more books this year than in the past 5 put together! Aw yea, he got game! !
Cassia ~ Highschool Graduate! Fo' shiggidy my weebles! At 15, with diploma and transcript in hand, and scopin’ the college scene! In March she attended Generations Conference and then stayed a week with her Pawtna in Everett. Lody & Cash. It was butta. More Butta: Grampa Orr gave her his sweet ride for her sweet 16. She got iced with a Covenant ring. The Grant County Cultural and Econimic Exchange Youth Ambassadors Program chose her as one of 6 to roll out on a 12 day exchange to Gunpo City, South Korea in July. Yo! Give it up!
Tof man ~ Christopher, he gots mad ups, man. Tallest in da houz, ‘cept Dad. Kicked it with Dad in "Misfits" on lead guitar, chill-ated with Grampa Dick in Montana at Fine Woodworkers conference (it was dope). Ask him about ‘breakfast’. Shout Outs: 14, freshman, Power Point boy, song writer, mad-dawgin’ Dad at chess! It’s ill, man, just sick!
Minda ~ No diggity, ‘dis here little betty is off da chain! Safesitter , highschooler, and Narniac wrapped in a 12 year old package. Here’s what’s crack-u-latin’: 2 more home fries (best friends) dipped out this year - Erik and Katarina :( . First movie with just her & her posse at the theater - Wallace & Grommit. Hormonies, hormonies, hormonies! (are ya’ll feelin’ me here?) She’s posted up on Archaeology, true dat.
Deea ~ is in da house! S’righ. Homeschoolin’, teach. Rolled to Korea with Cassia’s Ambassador group as the chaperone. It was fly! Mad Skills: Video production diva, Retreat commitee and speaker (fo shizzle!), Jury panel. Learnin’ The Word to the newbies.


More from Da’ Hood ~

New Years wid da Martinez gang. James’ Dad turned 65 and we partied e-class at the Davenport! In a more serious tone, Deea’s cousin Jamie died unexpectedly this year. It has been a strange and difficult season of remembering and letting go. He was loved greatly. James' Aunt Doris also died quite suddenly. I'm sure for Don, Gretchen & Peggy Christmas is going to feel a bit foreign without her. Our prayers are with you.

In closing ...
(From Jim) Yo! Yo! Yo! What’s the dilly? How bout the sizzle of my wife’s "gansta" nizzle? On behalf of our family I would like to thank God for all the undeserved mercies and blessings of the past year. We’ve entered a fresh season of simply receiving the grace of God. We’re learning that there isn’t anything we can do to impress God. We can’t work hard enough in our church. We can’t perform enough good works. We can’t be civic-minded enough. We can’t give enough money. We can’t spend enough time or energy. We can’t follow enough rules. The "unforced rhythms of grace" (Eugene Peterson) are becoming our supply. Interestingly, fruit just seems to follow. How ‘bout that? Abiding In Christ really works!!! He IS the treasure! He IS the Pearl of Great Price! There’s nothing wrong with organized religion. It’s just that, as C.J. Mahaney says, "In every man of grace there is a legalist trying desperately to get out." Christ has set us free from the law of sin and death. What freedom in Christ! What liberation He provides! Let no man take away your liberty. Stand fast! (Galations 5:1)


Enough whobangin’!...

The Pauls’ wicked-tight poppins 2005 :
James ~ New Thang: Rhapsody, Movie: Motorcycle Diaries, Restraunt: Thai Cuisine, Book: Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller, Music: Nickel Creek.
Deea~ New Thang: Blogging, Movie: Searching for Bobby Fisher, Restaraunt: Dana’s, Book: Raggamuffin Gospel - Brennan Manning, Sacred Romance - John Eldredge, Music: Bebo Norman - Try, New Food: Korean "Pizza"
Cassia~ New Thang: Olympus Camedia! & Rhapsody, Music: Bethany Dillon (one of many)
Tofer~ New Thang: Trucks for his board, Movie: Cinderella Man, Restaraunt: Tacos El Mexicano, Band: Under Oath, Book: The Magician’s Nephew - CS Lewis.
Minda~ Book: Castaways of the Flying Dutchman - Jacques, Restaraunt: Inca, Music: Music Inspired by Narnia CD.


You are loved by our family. Much more importantly, though, you are pursued by our God! Happy Holidays!!! Peace, out!

No comments: