This Reminds Me

For the last few years, Keith and I have hosted the middle school boys of our church during Disciple Now (DN) weekend.  The boys arrive Friday night, sleeping bags and Bibles in hand.  We transport them to church Sunday morning and return them to their parents, some of whom have also hosted a group.  You can tell which parents have hosted by their red eyes and slightly dazed expressions.

This weekend – in addition to hosting DN-

-  Hannah and Julia coerced Uncle Bryon and Aunt Terry into joining them in their school’s “Run for Cover,” raising money to erect a sun screen over the playground.

-  Rachel and Lois attended DN at other host homes.  Keith raced out the door Friday night to deposit them, while I shoveled food at Hannah and Julia, and baked chocolate chip cookies for the boys.  Martha Stewart’s got nothing on me.

-  Keith’s truck broke down, leaving us with one vehicle – mine – with broken door locks.  Both cars are hitting the shop this week.

-  Keith and I had to make a hurried trip to HEB, because only two of our boys remembered their snacks.  (“Becky, they do not drink Diet Coke.”)  Hannah and I also made a scrumptuous double batch of Rice Krispie Treats.

-  Hannah and I completed her “Birthday in a Box” Scout project for the local battered women’s shelter.

-  I got Julia’s hair cut and passport photos taken.  The photos required trips to two different drug stores.

-  Hannah and Keith attended their basketball season finale luncheon.  Coach Keith got a beautimous autographed ball from the team.

-  We dropped Rachel off for a babysitting job on the way home from church.

-  Hannah has a rehearsal for the Easter play at church tonight.

-  I am doing a mountain of laundry this afternoon.  Several windows are open.  Our house smells….unfamiliar…sort of like….ummm…….boy.

Keith and I prepared chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, bacon and all the fixings Saturday morning to feed the six boys and two leaders.  Two sticks of melted butter later – they started their first Bible lesson of the morning, followed a basketball game, homemade chili dogs for lunch, community service work on the south side, a fajita dinner and worship at church, broom hockey at the nearby ice rink and one more Bible lesson before bed….or did they go to bed?  I don’t know.  I know I did.

Hannah and Julia camped out in our room this wekeend on air mattresses.  As Hannah said, “Dad, this is like a slumber party!”  During a trip to Wal-mart, they spotted – and begged for – this Sponge Bob Lego set, designed for “Ages 7 – 12.”  Now that’s what the box said.  Keith said he had never seen such a vomit of tiny plastic pieces, several of which ended up in our bed.  I know because whenever I turned over, I heard them fall to and then bounce across our laminate floor.  I know my feet will find them later.  I think I heard Keith say “Oh, tartar sauce” more than once as he helped them assemble it.

We enjoyed a terrific youth-led worship service this a.m.  That’s Rachel, third left at top, and Lois near the left middle.  I love to sing, “The Voice of Truth.” Living it is a little tougher.

Now obeying the fourth commandment, Keith and Julia are – at this instant – napping.  That’s Keith’s CPAP in his nostrils, Hannah’s hand-crafted pillow in his arms and his youngest daughter asleep on his shoulder.  Looks for very comfy – for Julia.

The Bible theme for the weekend was “Focus,” with emphasis on Revelation 22:13. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

I guess no matter how much “stuff” like meals, laundry, transportation, basketball, etc. is in between The First and the Last -  that’s what’s important.

And the Voice of Truth says, “This is for My glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

Listen.  Believe.  And have a great week.

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