November 29 – “Cooties”

We took a trip out to Seaside the other day before Josh and Christi and the boys left for San Antonio.  Josh had never seen the new building.  I think he still feels a sense of connection with Seaside since he did kind of grow up spiritually there.  He was impressed.  He said it was "obviously great for ministry, and the walls are made so that they can easily be adjusted for growth" as we need it.  It was good to get a fresh perspective.    I thought of another funny grandkid thing that happened.  Chris decided that she wanted a new picture of all the grandchildren together – five boys and one girl, the oldest of which is six.  Even when they were younger it was almost impossible to get them to sit still long enough for a picture, so the idea had all the makings of a disaster – or in our case a hilarious situation.    We decided to put them on our smaller couch.  Jachin sat down with Josiah in his lap.  Micah was next to him.  Then came Zakary and Caleb.  And then … where was Cailyn?  Her Dad finally found her and brought her over to her designated space.  Meanwhile, the boys were doing great.  Very cooperative.  They were being very still.  I think the fact that Josiah was there gave them a sense that they had to be extremely careful.    Nathan bent down to put Cailyn on the couch.  Two cameras were poised to start shooting.  But Cailyn took one look at the collection of cousins – all boys – on the couch, and she decided that she would rather be elsewhere.  "No!" was her very clear response to every effort to place her.  She finally settled down for a few brief seconds on the arm of the couch – not touching the nearest boy.  I didn't think the "cooties" thing started this young.  We did get a few pictures.  She wasn't very happy in any of them, though.      Romans 12:9-13 says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."   Father, thank you for Hutch's positive spirit in the midst of his heart surgery turmoil.  Grant him your peace and help him to rest.  Amen.