for posterity...

HISTORY

A Little History:

Our story begins in Pocatello, Idaho, circa 1972, when the lovely Debby Christensen agreed to a first, though fateful date with admirer, David Croshaw. Long story-short, he bade her follow him, and they went arm-in-arm to the Logan, Utah temple for establishment of an eternal family unit, Generation 1, on May 23 1973.

From their first blissful summer in Salt Lake City, educational pursuits took them to Provo/Orem, Utah, birthplace of Leslie and Rebecca, and to San Francisco/Oakland California, birthplace of Colin and Matt. Then, for establishment of livelihood, expansion of the tribe with Abby and Dana, and for raising/unifying of Generation 2, it was back to the roots in Pocatello for a rewarding sojourn.

In time, driven by a raging, but commonly shared sense of adventure and independence, one-by-one, Generation 2 escaped the homeland to distant regions of the country and the world, each ultimately developing their own tribal expansions by pairing with worthy mates and initiating Generation 3.

Now sensing fulfillment of their purpose in Pocatello, Generation 1 has also left those roots and transplanted to Cascade Idaho, from which base, they anticipate more abundant contact with The Posterity, Generations 2 and 3, in the future. That contact however, awaits fulfillment of a call to LDS missionary service in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, wherein they hope to help the state of the world by sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

So now, including Generation 0 (Grandma and Grandpa Christensen) home base includes Yuma, Arizona, Pocatello, Idaho, Cascade, Idaho, Vancouver, BC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Spokane, Washington, Boise, Idaho, Los Angeles, California, back to Boise, Idaho, and on and on (Generation 3+) to infinity.

Our Mission Statement:

This is the blog of our eternal family unit. Initiated years ago, it served well as a journal, but even more so, as an archive of our personal interaction. It was a gathering place, a confabulation instrument, a unifying force for four generations of widely dispersed and progressively prolific posterity, and their valued associates. Though it served these purposes well for many years, it eventually took a back seat to new-kids-on-the-block, Facebook, and Instagram, and was sadly forgotten.

We now move to resurrect this blog with an added functional purpose of archiving the missionary experiences of Generation 1, of their movements and activities as they participate with The Gathering of Israel in the land northward. In so doing, we hope that via their own comments and posts, this blog will again serve to gather and unify the posterity and their friends.

As in the past, that the young and vibrant may know the old and tired, that enduring bonds may be fostered and maintained, that experience and encouragement may be openly shared, that posterity may embrace truth, and that hearts may be knit together, we must resist detachment despite our geographic divergence. We shall do so here.

_____________________________________________________________

Thursday, May 8, 2008

GMAT - check!

I skipped work today to take the GMAT. (huzzah) Pretty happy to be done.

When I left the building, I looked up and saw these window-washers. Washing windows. In the rain. Pretty neat pic, huh?

That is all.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

American Idol IV

So, what do y'all think? i think david a was the runaway leader tonight. three weeks to go. i am counting on all of you to put stuff on the blog about this when i am out of town. waiting for your comments. dana, sorry i didn't get photos downloaded. happy, happy birthday. xoxo mom

Happy Birthday Dana!! (Late)

Happy Belated Birthday, Dana!! I only had a few pics of you on my computer, and none of them are when you were a little girl. I feel responsible for your birthday not being on the blog on the right day because mom was at my house, so I am making myself responsible for it. I love that you are holding a baby in all these pics because you have always been such a good mom, even when you weren't a mom yet!! I am so lucky to call you my sister and I am so grateful for you! I love you!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

It's May Day in Idaho

I know you're all thinking, "Man, I wish I was in Pocatello today." This is what we woke up to. Luckily Becky and Ray will get to be here to experience a true Idaho spring. Too bad mom had to leave just before it came. (Mom's in Tulsa while Becky and Ray come up here for Jez's graduation from Utah State.) Just one small thing I won't miss while living in hot Texas. Dad says it's 3 inches! YIKES!

Monday, April 28, 2008

Colby is 3!!

and how could we forget.....

Happy Birthday Colby! We love you so much and you're such an important part of our family.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

A Day in the Life of Ray...

So, if anyone ever wondered about the details of Ray's daily professional life, there is a new show on the Discovery channel called VERMINATORS!!! It is a new reality show that follows some pest control professionals around from a company in LA called Isotech Pest Management. Ray is obsessed with this show. It truly makes your skin crawl!! I really like the owner of the company, I almost wonder if he is LDS. I kind of get the mormon vibe and he always says "oh my gosh". Anyway, if anyone wants to check it out, it is on Mondays at 10 pm. You can also watch full episodes or short clips online at this address:

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/verminators/verminators.html

Just a warning, this is not for the faint of heart! ;-)

Thursday, April 24, 2008

hey jude!

korean baby singing hey jude

Absolutely adorable "ret 'er into your heart!"

I love that he hums the accompaniment.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Agony and the Ecstacy

Congratulations to Dana and Jason and to Becky and Ray, and much thanks to Heavenly Father for the milestones reached in their lives, and the sense of excitement that they feel about their futures. These are happy times, and they are the ecstacy. I know we are all very happy for them. Now we all need to unite our faith and prayers for the other family members, those still experiencing some degree of uncertainty in their lives (the agony):
Leslie and Alex, that they will be reach success in obtaining their needed visas and in starting their new family;
Colin and Lori, that he will be matched soon with a desirable residency or job, that her pregnancy will go well and that the baby will develop properly;
Matt and Crystal, that he will soon find fulfilling and rewarding employment, that her pregnancy will go well and that the baby will be whole and healthy;
And, last but not least, Abby, that she will experience peace and fulfillment in her present as she seeks the Lord's will for her future.

Oh, and while you're at it, remember Mom and Dad that we will be able to maintain our health and get our retirement secured soon, so that we can serve missions productively.

Thank you to everyone for caring about one another, and about the true and right way,
Mom and Dad

A Tribute to the Sexiest Man Alive

Who will happen to be on American Idol next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say, I am now American Idols biggest fan....for one week at least.

I'm sure everyone has their favorite Neil Diamond moment. Every time I hear Sweet Caroline I feel like Neil is singing directly to me. With that deep rich voice and exposed chest hair, what guy couldn't be jealous, and what woman couldn't melt away just thinking about him.

Everyone, comment on your favorite Neil moments. I know you have them. David and I have rocked out to America and Mr. Bojangles in the shop many a time.

Jason

Sale Pending...

So, we just signed a contract on our house!! I am so relieved to not have to keep the house spotless anymore!! We will be closing on June 2. Ray leaves on May 4 to go to Spokane, so we will only have to be apart for a few weeks. Grace will be able to finish school and we will have time to get all the lose ends tied up. Hopefully everything will go as planned. We have been praying that we would have an offer before Ray left. Grace and Elliot have also been praying for it, and it was a great way to teach them about the power of prayer. My last day of work is next Wednesday, I am so looking forward to being done. Ray and I are going to Utah next Thursday for Jez's graduation and Ray leaves for Spokane from there. Not to change the subject, but any suggestions for a new blog name? Oklahoma VanderLouw won't really work anymore...