January 22 – “Afternoon madness strikes”

Thursday is behind us.  Except for maybe the perpetual cooking and kitchen cleaning that Chris did, the Thursday slate of activities was the most involved of the whole week.  The morning wasn’t all that busy, so we enjoyed hanging out with the kids, mainly.  But then the afternoon madness struck. 

 

First, I went with Josh to Zakary’s basketball practice.  It was at a Boys and Girls Club gym in an inner-city neighborhood.  Very old and run-down, but the gym floor was classic thin wood slats.  Old-school as well as just old.  The varsity and junior varsity practiced together.  They were learning a 1-3-1 offense to attack a 2-3 zone defense played by their next opponent.  Definitely the correct approach.  They seem to have a pretty good team.  Just small.  But quick.

 

From there we went over to the church gym.  Luke and Caleb had the next practice, both at the same time.  Chris brought the boys from home to meet us.  Josh is Caleb’s coach, so I was the designated parent for Luke.  After working out with his team for 30-40 minutes, Caleb and Zak then had to leave for a dinner with some friends.  Chris took them to that, then she went on back to the house with the girls.  I stayed for the rest of Luke’s practice.  They were just learning some basic plays – no small task for such a young group of guys.  I have no doubt Luke will be able to handle it, though.  He’s already one of the best shooters on the team.

 

After practice Josh and Luke and I went by the restaurant and picked up Caleb and Zak.  Josh grabbed some rice for Luke, who was “starving.”  Finally made it back home, where someone from church had brought over a meal of chicken spaghetti and fresh green beans and fruit salad.  We have had great food all week.  Kudos to the church folks for taking care of their pastor’s family (and us) so well.

 

Whew.  So we are heading home today.  Christi’s parents are coming to take over for us.  I almost hate to leave the incredibly comfortable bed they have in their guest room, but it will be good to get back home.  Nathan sent us a video of them playing with Freddy.  They are pretty sure she misses us.  Galveston or bust!

 

Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

 

Father, thank you for the chance to help out here this week.  Thank you for the expressions of love we saw from the church folks up here.  Amen.