August 10 – “DDW and AVR’s”

It was really one of those days at church.  We had over fifty folks in attendance.  I guess we are gaining more and more notoriety as “that outside church.”  Yesterday was the first time it was particularly hot during the service.  The breeze was there, but it was tough to cut through the humidity.  The crowd was ready to stick it out, though, and they made it into a great time together.  One visitor introduced himself to me as a friend and co-worker of a Seasider who invited him.  There was one young family of visitors there with five or six kids.  You know, sometimes you wonder whether the youngsters are really paying any attention.  After the 1 Peter teaching on being wary of Satan, a young lady, maybe ten or eleven years old asked me, “Can you still believe in Jesus if you don’t believe in the devil?”  Wow.  That’s some deep thinking there.  How would you have answered her?

 

As far as the cousins are concerned, they seemed to have a good time at church as well. They were a great help in getting set up for the service.  Zak and Micah took care of the video, giving Nani a break.  It was the before and after activities that fascinated me.  Before anyone arrived, they set up in the worship center for DDW (DadDad Wrestling).  Josiah was a beast.  Micah even took on Jachin (who tried to start their bout with a huge Moses stick in hand).  Zak was by far the most entertaining.  His goofy antics could have gained him a spot on any of the pro wrestling cable channels.  Then after church they all set up an obstacle course to play “The Floor is Lava.”  Even the younger ones could do this one as it was a race against time.  Gotta love such creativity.

 

Chris had a big crockpot roast waiting for us at lunch.  Rice too.  But we were out of butter.  Seems the bakers used it all for the amazing buttercream icing they used in their cupcakes.  Kel was finally off work and able to join in the fun, as he and Christina came for lunch as well.

 

After lunch was the DadDad Games.  Very goofy stuff.  We ended it all with a jelly bean challenge.  But not just any jelly bean.  Yep.  Every flavor jelly beans.  Only Noa got one that tasted decent.  Everyone else triggered the AVR (Almost Vomit Response).  It was a great way to end Cousins Camp 2020.  Or as Luke renamed it before he left, Family Camp 2020.

 

Since the plan was to wait until today to drive Zac and Caleb back to Waco, we had an extra few hours to hang out with them.  Since our numbers were down, we were able to get in at the boat club swimming pool nearby for a while.  Zak and I were also going to fish, but their new caretaker is a stickler for the rules.  Apparently in the fine print it says no fishing on crowded summer weekends.  In spite of the fact that there were very few people around, the caretaker chose to enforce the rule as “No fishing on summer weekends.”  At least that’s what he told me.  But that was no problem.  We packed up the fishing gear and jumped in the pool.  I even got in a lap or two. 

 

Last night the boys watched a movie or two, but I was whipped.  I gave up after the first one.  But then, I was the first one up this morning.  On to Waco …

 

1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.”

 

Father, thank you for the chance to be with these kiddos.  I am constantly amazed to see how each one has grown and developed over the years.  Help them to keep at it.  Amen.