Christmas 2015                                                                      

My Dearly Beloved……

Why not?  All the Biblical writers started that way and, besides, I like it and it’s true.  What can I say about 2015?  WOW!  What a Ride!  I must admit, it bothers me when I hear people, especially kids, say, “I’m bored.”  I have to say there is nothing boring about my life!  Sometimes I think I would like a little boredom… I think.  Maybe a little less “stuff.”  As I look back over my calendar, review my posts and other’s on FaceBook, look through my “Box”, I’m overwhelmed.  I’m so thankful that I know Who holds my world because, if it were not for Him, I’m afraid I might shoot off into oblivion, my world seems to spin so fast!  Let me start over . . .

It’s that time of year again when I look back over my year and I attempt to put it all down on paper to share with all my Friends and Loved Ones.  Next year will be 20 years running.  Unbelievable!  Each year my letter seems to develop a theme and I’m sure this year will be no different.  Right now the word “Change” comes to mind.  I’ve probably used that one before and I will more than likely be able to use it again, but, to date, this year, I think, ‘takes the cake!’  A little disclaimer:  I said a couple years back that I was going to stop mailing out so many of these and, if you are my Friend on FaceBook, I will share a link and you can read it online.  I still mailed out a bunch and to some who were on the web.  This year I am holding to that.  You probably will appreciate that more anyways.  You won’t have to chunk it after you’re through reading.  So, grab a cup of your favorite and let’s visit.

The year started on a sad note.  Terry’s mother passed away on the 12^th of January.  Her funeral was a very tender service on the 17^th.  Our kids and I were so honored by Terry’s siblings and their spouses to be asked to provide the music for the service.  She had gone into the hospital on New Year’s Eve and Terry had the opportunity to go and see her before she passed.  I mentioned in my last year’s letter that we were in Arkansas with our girls for Thanksgiving and was able to spend time with her then as well.  It was bittersweet time before and after her Homegoing as we spent one last time at “the Farm” as we affectionately called their home place, and with family.  I was so touched when my sister, Becky Hill, surprised me by coming to the funeral.  I hadn’t seen her in many years and it meant so much to me to have her there.  I love you, Becky.

January also held the birth of my new nephew, Benjamin Asher Robertson, whom I have yet to meet.  Thank God for FaceBook!  We also began the process of completing one of my goals from last year of obtaining our Concealed Carry Permits.  We completed the class for our Enhanced Permits that month.    A lot more of January but too much for the space here.  February was also full to the brim with Revivals at Church, the passing of a dear Saint of God, Sis Mildred Carter, Limu convention in Memphis, SNOW!! and ice in the weather, and a fun-filled time at my annual Scrapbook Retreat I try to attend.  This time it was hosted by my God-daughter, Missy Reynolds, in Heber Springs, AR.  My cousin, Carla Martin, went too and we had a blast even though I was sick the whole time I was there!  This trip had been planned for a long time and because of that, and a date change, I missed the wedding of Joe and Shonda Coleman.  Shonda is my partner in Jail Ministry.  I don’t think they missed me.  Lol!  They were preoccupied… Lol!  I also had the distinctive delight to attend a concert with some of my Red Hat Sisters to hear the piano stylings of Jason Coleman who is the grandson of the inestimable Floyd Cramer!  What a treat! 

March brought more snow and ice but with that, the tragic accident of the Joey Mask family and death of a dear mother and wife.  I was with my brother when he had his pacemaker replaced that month and I ended the month helping my BFF with a project for the ALJC Spring Conference Women’s Esprit program and helped with the music for the Conference.  April brought Easter, Christian Prisoner Fellowship training in Grenada, NCTI Real Colors class, my son’s 35^th birthday, and another funeral: this time for my cousin Mary Killough (known to us as Betsy)’ husband, Andy, who passed fairly unexpectedly.  Our Church, Cedar Grove UPC, was honored to host the Tupelo Tornado Memorial Service which was attended by many Dignitaries from the City and the State.  You will remember, I talked about the terrible tornado that tore through Tupelo, April 2014.  Perhaps the brightest spot in April is the night we took our girls, along with their Mom and Dad, to see Cinderella in the Russian Ballet at the Ford Center on the Ole Miss Campus.  It was definitely a night to remember!

In May we went to Little Rock to celebrate the 85^th and 80^th birthdays of my Uncle James and Aunt Jewel Chrestman.  So thankful that my mother still has all her brothers and sisters alive.  We finished the process for our CCP’s and just had to wait for them to come in.   Mother’s Day was very special, of course, and then our anniversary on Memorial Day weekend.  My cousin, Carla, and her family spent the weekend with us.  June brought graduations and my Ellie’s 5^th birthday!  She wanted a pool party and that’s what she got!  “Not anything big!” was what her mother said, BUT!  The girls and I have always wanted a slide for them to have at the pool and I ‘happened upon’ a bouncy castle with a slide at Sam’s that was reasonably priced so I picked it up.  Papaw decided that we needed an extension on the deck to accommodate this item, so he and Uncle Perry promptly built one.  So we had a PARTY!  Invited lots of little (and big) girls to celebrate with her and she had a blast!  Father’s Day was special with my kids in Church with me that evening.  Rachel, my oldest, impressed me with her note-taking of Pastor Robbins’ sermon.  I still have the notes.

We celebrated my Aunt Jean’s 80^th birthday with a surprise party put on by her daughter, Jamey, and my other Aunt, Emma.  It was sweet but another reminder of how short life is.  As I said, I’m thankful my mother has her siblings but I’m very aware of their ages and how time takes a toll.  Never take family for granted!  Love each and every member with all your heart and let them know every day!  My brother introduced us to a new friend of his that became my new Sister-in-law in October.  Linda Diane (now Taylor) is a sweet heart.  She’s pretty, funny, smart, very educated, and loves the Lord with all of her heart.  I say this and hope that no one takes this the wrong way:  I cannot make choices for other people and sometimes the choices they make affect others, including myself.  I love my Sister-in-heart, Mary and she will always be that to me.  But thank the Lord, my heart is big enough to welcome and love my new Sister! 

Speaking of family:  We made the difficult decision this year that my mother no longer needed to live alone.  She’s been with us since November of last year but nothing was ever spoken audibly about her future situation.  We probably worried about it more than necessary because when we finally broached the subject with her, it was relatively painless.  I know it is a mental adjustment for her and a definite physical adjustment for us but I think we’re gonna make it.  I had to empty her mobile home and attempt to assimilate her necessary and desired things into our home in order to make things more like her ‘place’.  This meant I had to get rid of some of my things as well.  Can you say, Yard Sale?  I’m talking huge!  And after I had it here and got rid of a bunch of ‘stuff’, I moved it to my daughter-in-law’s and she had several yard sales, too!  Then, in September, Terry went to his Mother’s place and met with his siblings to go through her things and brought a bunch more home with him.  Can you also say, Critical Mass?  That’s where my home is and I’m still working on that! 

In August we celebrated Pastor Robbins’ 15 year Pastoral Anniversary with a reception and awesome services!  We are so thankful for our Pastor!  There is a quality about him that is hard to describe but we appreciate his wisdom and his love for people.  His driving passion for lost souls is evidenced by the many Ministries he trains and equips the congregants of Cedar Grove and, indeed, the members of the entire State of Mississippi UPCI.  He is an inspiration to all who know him.  One of those ministries is North American Missions and an arm of that is Christian Prisoner Fellowship of which we are a part.  Through that Ministry, again, we had the immense privilege of participating in the Parchman Prison Crusade, also in August.  Miracles, baptisms, and souls saved was what it was about!  And it was a wonder to see!   We had the great privilege of attending a Ted Cruz rally in Tupelo in August that greatly helped cement in our hearts and minds who is our choice for President of these great United States of America.  I will say more about that later.  September brought Ladies’ Conference for me and Men’s Conference for Terry.  Both were awesome!  Another wedding, Katie Morgan married Cody Mullins Labor Day weekend and I was honored to provide a little music for the occasion. 

In addition to the afore mentioned wedding of Perry and Diane, in October we were privileged to have Mark Condon at our Church for his Power Worship Conference.  Many people from different churches and organizations were blessed to be able to attend.  My friend, our Music Director, Shelia Kitchens, did an awesome job of pulling this event together and I’d have to say it was a game changer in many ways!  We enjoyed a trip to Amish Country with our Church group that month as well.  In November we had a bang-up time celebrating Rachel and Jordan’s birthdays at Premiere Lanes in Oxford.  This is a very nice place and we will definitely be going back there again.

December.  Wow.  On the 5^th my cousin, Cullen Chrestman, who has always called me ‘Aunt’ married Lindsey Bernard who is the daughter of Dr. David K. Bernard, who is the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church International.   And WE attended the wedding!  It was beautiful!  We took a few days to kind of take a break in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas.  While we were gone we received the sad news of the passing of my daughter-in-law’s Uncle Dennis York and then the next day on our way home we received the news of the tragic death of 19 year old Dallas Martin.  His parents have been friends of ours for several years.  We returned home to attend both funerals.  Dennis’ funeral was a testimony of his life of service to the Kingdom of God.   Dallas’ funeral was a testimony to the lives he had touched with over 4000 in attendance at his viewing and probably ¼ of that for his service.  He was named honorary General Superintendent of the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ by the General Board and present by GS Kenny Carpenter.  It was awesome.  Friday, the 11^th we took our girls and their Nana for a ride on The Polar Express!  It was so much fun!  Love making memories with my babies!  I discovered a new love this year.  It’s really an extension of one I already have:  Scrapbooking.  And that is Card Making.   I made all the cards for our Doctor’s this year for Christmas and I was pleased with the outcome.  I joined a company, Stampin’ Up, because of this new hobby and am looking forward to sharing this with anyone who is interested.

I have just given you the very tip of the tops of the events of my year!  Add to all of that working every day in our business which continues to grow exponentially, working in our Church in multiple ministries (music, jail, prison, ladies, etc.), taking care of my house and household, and trying to squeeze in a little time for me.  No, I’m not bored.  In all of that I have tried to make a focused effort to increase my prayer life and Bible study.  Even though I fail miserably so many times, I am more acutely aware of my need to be close to my Lord.  This world is changing so fast and the events that have transpired in our Country and are still happening makes me know that surely His return is soon.  I can only hope!  I’ve probably lost some “friends” this year because I’ve come to realize that I can’t be silent any longer.  I’ve got to be saved and I want to take as many with me as possible.  It is hard for me to fathom the things that people accept as normal and good when these things are so diametrically opposed to Godly values!  I want to stand for Truth.  I want to save my Family.  I want to protect my Family.  I want to change my World.  I mentioned before that I am a supporter of Ted Cruz.  I urge you to check his record.  The only hope this world has is Jesus Christ, but I believe Ted Cruz will, to the best of his ability, point our Nation in that direction.  I’m sorry if you feel like a Christmas Letter is not the place to ‘get political’ but, this is my letter.  Lol!  I believe if you want to know what a Man will be when he is in power, look at his life before he came to Power.  Know them by their fruits.  I challenge you!  I can’t help but put a plug in for Ted’s book ‘A Time For Truth’.  I never thought before that I could read and enjoy a political book but I did and it increased my respect for this man and I pray to God that He has mercy on this Country and gives us a Leader like this……… or that He just takes me home. 

I don’t know what this new year will hold but I trust Him!  More changes are surely coming as we endeavor to follow His leading.  I didn’t say a whole lot about my kids but God is working in their lives as well and I’m excited to see what God has in store.  My prayer for you for the coming year is that God will bless you abundantly and keep you in His Will.  I love every one of you and pray that you still love me!  Lol!

                                   Have a blessed Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

                                               

                                   Leslie (for the Tritsch family)

                 

Christmas 2013

Dear Friends,

Wow!  What a year!  At the risk of sounding cliché, I must say, ‘My, how this year has flown!’  And it really does seem that way!  I’m really not sure if it is my age, or if it is the ‘Times’.  I can’t believe that it’s only an age thing.  The world seems to be rushing toward a destination and sweeping all of us along with it.  I know what that destination…. Or destiny…. Is.  And I’m ready for it.  More than ever before.  Ever.  *Sigh*  *Pause*     Oh.  I didn’t see you there.  Hello.  My name is Leslie Tritsch.  And this is my Christmas Letter.  I forgot, for a moment, that I’ve got a lot of new readers this year who are not aware of what this is.  I’ve been doing this since 1996:  the year I moved to Mississippi.  I’ve got a lot of friends and family who live all over the country that I don’t get to see very often and who want to know what’s been going on in my life.  I take a little time each year to sit down and ‘visit’ with them and sort of ‘catch up.’  I’m going to try and keep my new readers in mind, however, and not bore them with too much useless information.  My letters are more than just newsy, though.  They seem to always take on a theme….. or, more like a feeling…. An emotion that is what my year has been.  And I’m trying not to assume too much.  I do hope you will read it.

I have a box that I put things in all year that I call my “Memory Box.”  As I sit down to write, I pull out this box and take a walk down ‘memory lane’ and re-live my year with you.  I’ve got a new box this year.  My other one finally wore out!  17 years!  My bff, Barbara, gave me a box last Christmas filled with Christmas goodies that she made and I immediately thought, “what a wonderful new box for my memories!”  It’s an elegant Victorian/vintage looking box with a flap-type lid and a Velcro closure (the only modern part of it).  It’s beautiful!  And it’s bigger.  I was always over-loading the other box as my years got fuller and fuller.  Don’t worry, I, very reverently, laid Memory Box 1 to rest:  thankful for it’s years of service.  It went on to it’s reward in the Pontotoc County Solid Waste Landfill….. *smile*   Anyway, when I sit down and start to try and remember my year, thinking that it has passed in such a flash that not much could have happened, my box of memories reminds me that, indeed, my year has been full.  Full of love, full of family, full of you, full of Life!  And, as you know, full of my grandbabies!  So…. Let’s turn this ‘pile’ of memories over so we can start at the beginning of the year……

We always begin with Christmas.  Last Christmas.  It was our first Christmas in our new Church home.  We were just beginning to become acquainted with people who have become very dear to us over this year’s passing.  We experienced our first Cedar Grove Children’s Musical and it was awesome.  We just witnessed this year’s musical and, I must say, they get better and better.  I’m thrilled to see children, growing up in the House of God, excited to worship!  And I see it in other Church settings as well, through FaceBook.  That gives me hope for the future.  I will say more about Cedar Grove later.  I am thankful for the new relationships that were begun and have grown this year.  And others that are beginning…..   Christmas with family was…. Well… eventful!  We always spend Christmas with all of our family that live around us.  That includes our grandbabies’ Nana and Papa:  trading off where we get together.  Their place…. Our place….  Last year we were set to celebrate at Nana and Papa’s but calamity hit!  Their home was flooded right before Christmas!  It was very stressful for them and took several months for things to get back to normal.  (I’m not sure, even now, if everything is taken care of.)  It was a reminder, at least to me, and I’m sure to them as well, that ‘things’ are just that:  things.  I know that we have precious things to us that are irreplaceable, but furniture, walls, floors… they can be repaired.  Family is what is important.  God is what is important.  We just moved the celebration to our place and tried to be a comfort and support.  That’s what families do.

Then January hit!  Full to the brim!  The Wedding of the Year was first on the agenda!  I got to try and repay just a little of my debt to my bff for her help with my son’s wedding as her one and only son, J.J. Winter was wed to his lovely bride Janae.  It was absolutely breathtaking and a lot of fun ….but a lot of work!  I even got the privilege of playing a little keyboard at the Reception.  Right after the wedding, Terry and I started our Daniel’s Fast that we do at least once a year.  We were put on the platform rotation at Cedar Grove, playing keyboard and singing in the Praise Team.  New little piano students began with me.  And the month ended with a weekend in Greenville with our children as our precious middle granddaughter, Jordan, was baptized in the precious name of Jesus Christ! 

Turned out to be my birthday celebration as well.  It just occurred to me that you can see pictures of my year, for the most part, on my facebook page…… (for those of you on facebook.)   My brother, Perry, was put in the ICU in Oxford for bleeding complications.  He’s a heart patient and on blood thinners so it was a concern.  Not a pleasant thing to end the month with, but he ‘recovered’ and seems to be doing fine, thank the Lord!  In February I took my mother and her sister to Arkansas to the funeral of their first cousin, Virginia Christmas.  I got to meet some extended family for the first time.  My babies spent Valentine’s with me and I took them to Doodlebugs Paint Party where they each painted a picture and decorated cupcakes!  We had a blast!  Barbara went with us, thankfully…. Three are quite a handful! 

Speaking of my grandbabies, my box is full of their artwork.  I think Rachel has really got a gift for it!  She can really portray ideas on paper.  She could use training, of course, but I don’t have any trouble recognizing what she is drawing!  I have to smile.  Some are pretty funny.  But sweet.  And her little notes….. I tell her, “we gotta work on your spelling!” and she says, “I know, I know!”  I really think she is just in a hurry because she does well on her spelling in her schoolwork.  Who knows?  She might be a writer one day, though.  She loves to make ‘books’!  I have several in my possession.  All three of them came and spent more time with me in March as their parents took a trip to celebrate their anniversary!  The bff and I went to our second Scrapbooking retreat in Arkansas and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!  Terry, I, my brother and my mother went to Arkansas to the funeral of a dear old friend, Rev John “Jay” Fuller.  It was sad but joyful at the same time.  It was so good to see friends I hadn’t seen in a very, very long time.   Easter at Cedar Grove was wonderful, although I missed being with my babies.  Pictures from Nana helped soothe my heart. 

My brother took, and passed, his GED.  He had taken classes here, which he did not need (and they told him that) but he wanted to get in all he could.  Very proud of him.   All of this is just the first quarter of my year!  And I didn’t nearly put everything! 

The second quarter was no less full but I don’t want to bore you.  I do definitely want to mention a few things, though.  I attended a Ladies Day in Greenville at our son’s church, which was very special.  I love all of those ladies at Greater Faith Tabernacle and count them as dear friends!  Then we had our Ladies Tea at Cedar Grove.  Be sure and check out my pictures on facebook of all the decorations: hats and all! 

May was graduations:  my brother graduated at ICC with his GED and my Jordan graduated kindergarten! 

I spent Mother’s Day with my children in Greenville and then my babies came and we went camping (RV) for our anniversary weekend (Memorial Day)!  We had so much fun!  Again.  Be sure and check out the pictures on facebook:  Rachel baiting her own hook for fishing, Jordan fishing, new friends, the campfire, Ellie’s marshmallow face!  Memories! 

April and May was the beginning of our garden.  Uncle Perry did most of the work in the garden and, as the harvest began to come in, I tried to keep up with the preserving of its fruits.  We spent Father’s Day in Greenville, where Papaw (Terry) and Papa (Glenn) preached at GFT.  Then my girls came home with me for two whole weeks plus!  Our pool certainly got a lot of use this summer!  Del and Jen came for the Fourth of July along with Nana and Papa.  We had a big cookout and then went to see the fireworks at the Park.  Memories!

August was life changing.  Terry and I attended the Mississippi Dental Lab Association weekend conference in Biloxi, Mississippi where he began the process of reinstating his certification.  He received a lot of valuable training and information.  We went deep sea fishing and I caught a big one!  It was so much fun!  (See my picture…..!) 

I also caught the smallest fish on our boat and won a prize for that!  The professionals we met helped convince Terry that facebook was a good thing, so…… the rest is history.  I don’t think they were talking about Candy Crush.  He completed the second portion of testing in September in Heber Springs, Arkansas and received his certification in late October.  Also in August, I was privileged to participate and help in the celebration of my bff’s 60^th birthday with her new daughter-in-law.  I must say, we actually surprised her!  Then Terry had the awesome privilege to participate in the annual Parchman Prison Crusade with Christian Prison Fellowship.  This is a two day event where several churches work together and flood this maximum security facility with preaching, witnessing, worshipping and basically transforming the lives of those men incarcerated there.  I was supposed to go as well but got sick and was unable to.  There is no doubt that I will not miss it next year!  I wish I had time and room to tell of the miracles and conversions that occurred!  I am so thankful for the out-reach focus of our Pastor and our Church.  We are all about touching lives.  From jail and prison ministry, to ACTS classes (alcohol, drug, etc.), to daughter works and preaching points:  it’s all about souls!  Terry began to feel early on this year that he should pursue re-obtaining his ministerial license with the United Pentecostal Church, which was accomplished in September.  I am looking forward to all that God has in store for us in His Kingdom!  One of the more surprising joys that has come into my life began in August as well.  I began teaching music (piano and theory) at Oxford Christian Academy one day a week.  I love these kids!  Hopefully I am impacting their lives in at least a small way.  In September we had the joy to take part in the wedding of Brittany and Brad (now Cates).  Terry performed the ceremony and I played the piano.  Precious memories.  And remember, these are just the highlights of my year!  In October I created “Leslie’s Kitchen” as I began to get back in to making homemade whole wheat bread.  Our Ladies had a bazaar.  Now, I’ve never been to a bazaar, much less took part in one but it was an experience.  I baked and I baked and I baked!  And I sold out!  My machine broke a couple of times so I added a new one to my kitchen.  I’ve been baking pretty regularly ever since.  My family sure loves it….. and so do those who have partaken of my labors (or so they say).  I grind my own wheat.  It is awesome! 

Then I was asked by one of our Assistants to head up our Pastor Appreciation Reception which was a lot of fun… and a lot of work.  I think it turned out pretty good.  I couldn’t have done it without the help of Sis Ashley and all the Ladies.  Terry made what, I’m sure, is to become his famous Sausage, Chicken, and Shrimp Gumbo.  Maybe one quart of a 22 quart pot left! 

The next week I went to the Pumpkin Patch with my babies and the school….. busy making memories!  (See pictures!)  I attended a Mark Condon Power Worship Conference with our Music Director and really enjoyed myself.  We celebrated Rachel and Jordan’s birthdays in Oxford at the school with all the usual fanfare plus!  Even had a bouncy house!  Then Terry and I flew off to Sarasota, Florida for almost an entire week.  No.  We weren’t vacationing.  Well, I guess I was, kind of.  Terry was taking some training on a new system that we are adding to the Lab.  We’re very excited about the growth potential that it will bring.  And, speaking of the Lab, we have experienced some major growth in our business for which we are very thankful.  God has truly blessed us and we are trying to be a blessing to the Kingdom and to others through it.

I purposely left out something in October because I wanted to give it a little more attention.  As most of you know, our son has been pastoring Greater Faith Tabernacle in Greenville, Mississippi for the last two years.  They have worked hard and loved the people and really thought that they would be there for many years to come.  God had other plans.  God began dealing with their hearts months ago about leading them in a different direction.  In the beginning, I’m sure they were not even aware of exactly what they were feeling.  Finally in late September they made the decision to resign their Pastorate in Greenville and move to Oxford.  God had already prepared a door without their knowledge.  He was working on both ends of the situation.  It was very hard for them to leave the people.  They loved them.  They still do.  Their lives are forever meshed together.  And, just as God had another plan for my children, He has another plan for those precious people!  Delbert and Jennifer have taken the position of Youth Pastor and Assistant to the Pastor at Christ The Rock Apostolic Church in Oxford.  That’s a whole lot closer to Mamoo!  And the icing on the cake is that Jennifer has come to work for us in the Lab and she seems to be really enjoying herself!  The girls are in school at OCA and Ellie comes to Mamoo’s house every day and runs around with me!

And that brings us to the present.  I am overwhelmed at the blessings that God has poured out on us.  I am thankful for His pull in our lives for greater service for Him.  This Christmas I am more keenly aware that this Season is all about Him.  We have made the decision to scale back somewhat this Christmas on the gift buying because we want our focus to be on Him.  Now don’t worry, my babies will be taken of, trust me!  But I want to teach them what it really is all about.  We have determined to make a sizeable contribution to a program called Christmas For Christ

that helps fund new Churches in North America and helps them get on their feet until they are self-sustaining.  It also helps fund Christian Prison Fellowship and the ACTS program.  All of these programs are designed to change lives.  If we have bought you a gift in the past and we don’t this year, and for all of those that we would want to give a gift, know that we are giving to this cause in your names.  I truly believe that our time here is extremely short.  Things just cannot go on the way they are headed.  I want to make my time here matter.  Who knows what the future holds?  Only God.  And I put my trust in Him.  My wish for each of you is that you would know, experience and rejoice in the spirit of Christmas, which is peace, the miracle of Christmas, which is hope, and the heart of Christmas, which is love.

With all our love,                                                               

The Tritsch Family

Leslie, Terry, & Sarah