Celebrating 50 trips around the sun

Raabes with Julie and Scott Eastridge

I had so much fun surprising Chris with Denver Bronco football tickets to celebrate his 50th birthday! Thanks to our good friends’ (the Meints) connection to some season tickets, I was able to snag 2 seats in the lower bowl for a great price. I love it when things like this work out. And who else would we invite to go with us but the 2 biggest Bronco fans we know, Scott and Julie.  

Friday was our travel day

Saturday was spent in Golden shopping, at the Coors plant and some light hiking. Julie really enjoyed some of the interesting crystals at one of those new age stores. We found the best restaurant in Golden and then enjoyed drinks back at the hotel. 

Sunday was game day

Monday was our travel home day

Coors Brewery tour in Golden

G A M E. D A Y

I might have been a little nervous about going to an outdoor football game in Colorado on December 31st but God blessed us with some amazing weather. I’m wearing several layers but no winter coat. 

Chris’ favorite Bronco - Elway

Getting ready to ring in the New Year

Stadium food

A Bronco Win

Denver Broncos 16  - LA Chargers  9

Happy 50th Birthday Babe!!

 

Merry Christmas 2023 : Peace

Peace: Doesn't it seem elusive? And yet this time of year we talk about it all the time. 

-The Prince of Peace

-World Peace

-Inner Peace

-Find your own Peace

-A Peace of Pie...ha, I'm kidding

We attended two Christmas Eve services because I love our home church but also wanted to attend with Emma and Joe at their home church, Revival. Their pastor spoke about peace (Shalom). He wrote it out in Hebrew and talked about each symbol which gave such a clear view of what true peace is.

Reading from right to left the symbols are

shin - destroy

lamed - authority

vav - attached

mem - chaos

"destroy the authority attached to chaos"

Oh I love this! Isn't that beautiful? The Prince of Peace is one who came to destroy the authority attached to chaos. The Prince of Darkness causes all chaos and Jesus has overcome the evil one. We can find our peace rooted in Jesus. When googling "peace" I get words like "quiet, tranquility, serenity, ease". To be honest my life does not look like those words but in the midst of my loud, difficult, jumbled life I can find peace in Jesus. I am choosing peace. 

 

passing the light is my

favorite Christmas tradition

My Church 

This peanut brings so much joy!

Christmas Eve services with the Marvins

Christmas Eve Eve

After a day of eating, gifts and games we went for a walk in Aksarben to look at lights and ultimately get cupcakes at Jones Bros, which was probably Joe's plan all along. As you can see, Chris is in shorts. It wasn't that nice, he is just crazy. That said, it was a very nice day for late December in Nebraska.

Poor Papa spent Christmas in the hospital

But he enjoyed teasing Joe that he had a much larger room

Finding the silver lining where you can

After 10 days at Methodist hospital Papa is headed home today. There will be some changes with food and exercise and maybe medical treatment but we are so thankful for God protection. 

cookie decorating

Show choir "family" christmas

They made me judge their gingerbread houses. In true show choir fashion we had a drum roll then 2nd runner up, 1st runner up and champion. Ha! These kids are so funny!

All in all we had a wonderful Christmas and look forward to celebrating with the extended Raabe family in January. We haven’t seen my mom over Christmas in more than 7 years since she always chooses to be in Texas with Larry. Seriously, sunshine and warm weather doesn’t sound bad in December. We were supposed to see mom in Small town Kansas on December 26th until Mother Nature changed our plans with 100% snow packed highways. 

”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.“

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

Our Sweet Baby Girl

Just for your viewing pleasure

Weeks 5-6

I can't get enough of this baby girl

 

Her First Graduation

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come

As a "victim" of the vid-19 (like everyone else) this girl did not get a high school graduation ceremony. Today was her first. We are proud of her hard work, great grades, multiple interests, overcoming obstacles and fighting to finish strong.

This last semester was a rough one, rehabbing from ACL surgery and struggling to figure out what her future would bring. Time and time again God meets us right where we are. I hope she knows she can do hard things because God has given her great strength. Reagan can meet a challenge and turn it into good. I'm not sure that she is sold on that message yet, but I know it to be absolutely true...every time.

 After graduation Reagan will begin a master's program in Nutrition and Exercise Science and play her 5th year with the soccer team. We look forward to seeing #7 on the pitch once again. The healing path continues but Reagan thrives in competition, she will do well!

Mom and Dad with the Grad

Liv and Regs

Joe, Emma and Willow were there in spirit

I really thought we would retake this picture but it didn't happen. Dang. 

Uncle Rodger and Aunt Laura got up at 4:30am to make it to Lincoln in time for 9am graduation. Now that is dedication. So good to have their support. 

Funny note, Laura is a nursing instructor at UMKC in Kansas City. About half way through our brunch today, Riss' older sister said, "Hey Reagan, your aunt was my sim-lab instructor during nursing school." What a small world. Amber is now a nurse in North Carolina so I guess Laura did a good job preparing her for working in the field. 

Family and friends celebrating our two favorite graduates

Reagan and Riss became teammates and best friends within days of meeting each other back in January of 2020. I am thankful that their friendship brought this whole group together. Ben and Christine are lovely people, too bad we didn't get to know them sooner. 

And then below is one of my chalkboard creations. It's just a fun thing I like to do.

However, it was raining so didn't even take it to brunch today.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

She’s Comin’ Back

 

It’s been 6 mo since Dr. Claire repaired Reagan‘s ACL in the Operating room. This is not an easy journey! With any surgery there’s pain, swelling, loss of strength, loss of normal activities, but for an athlete such as my daughter, this surgery also represents potentially losing your dream and sitting on the sidelines for your entire senior soccer season. The emotional toil is tremendous. 

It's December and she will be graduating in just a couple weeks with a BS in Nutrition and Exercise Health Science. In just the last few weeks Reagan has decided to stay for her 5th year at Nebraska. This will allow her to start her master's degree while under scholarship and get back on the pitch. As long as I can remember, Reagan's dream has been set beyond college soccer, she has wanted to play in the pros. Going back one more year will give her the chance to complete her ACL rehab and show the world that SHE IS BACK!!! 

This young woman has dealt with some true trials over the last few years but it is in the fire that we are refined. She will come through this better than she was before. God doesn't leave us alone in our dark days, He is right there to help us, grow us and strengthen us. God is good all the time.

I for one am looking forward to cheering on my favorite Husker for one more year. 

GO BIG RED!!!