July 31 - “Black belts”

We had a full morning yesterday. Of course it didn’t seem like it. We didn’t walk or anything. Just did all that last-minute trip prep stuff. Lay out clothes. Find a spot for them in the suitcases. But wait! Wash that one last load that has that one pair of shorts … oh, and that last pair of  underwear that you absolutely must have. Stuff into the briefcase all the books and computer and miscellaneous accessories that we might need. And the maps. Paper maps. We are definitely old school on that one. Throw in Chris’ National Parks book. Several stamps for that thing loom in our near future. Bake another round of chocolate chip cookies. Why? Because they are there. Speaking of cookies, don’t forget the ice chest. We do have a few things that need to go in there. And once all that stuff is done, find a spot to cram it all in the car. Whew!

 

We finally got everything all loaded up and ready to roll. Marley did her best to escape every time the door opened when I was loading the car, but she never went far. She seemed to really like riding in the car, too. Back at her house, her sisters, Abby and Tilley, were excited to see her. They all went out in the backyard for a while. Chris stayed with them. She was cold from the drive up, but I had been holding a four-legged heater in my lap, so I was hot. I stayed inside and typed on this blog until I cooled down.

 

Once we got the canines all situated, we headed out to Alvin for the big black belt graduation for Micah and Josiah. It was held at Living Stones church. Pretty huge venue. Lots of spectators. And the show was a true spectacle. Micah and Josiah were amazing, especially with their parts in nunchuks (Micah) and bow staff (Josiah).  And those skills carried over into their performance during the grand finale, a light show. All the lights went off, and the costumes and equipment flowed in the dark. Things were spinning and twirling like mad. It was actually beautiful. About 60 total students received some level or another of belt awards. Micah and Josiah each received their first degree black belt. Pretty great accomplishment, guys. We were (and are) quite the proud grandparents. After all the requisite photo ops, we went with some friends and some of Christina’s family (and The Kel family, of course) to a local Alvin, Texas, Mexican food restaurant. They planned to stay a while and fete the boys.  We stayed long enough to eat and run.

 

Why the hasty exit? We still had a three and a half hour drive to Waco ahead of us. That was to be our second stop on our next grand adventure. We made it around 11:30.  Not too bad, considering we had our nighttime driver (Me) behind the wheel.

 

Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

Father, please be with Micah and Josiah now that they have achieved the first leg of an amazing milestone. Thank you that all of the karate was intermingled with a really strong scriptural focus. Amen.