January 11 - “Libbidy, Libbidy, Lib-bi-dy”

Here’s to a hectic morning. We had several errands to run, but we had to be at Kel’s house by 11:30. Ezra was having his birthday celebration, but not like you might think. He wanted the family to join him at a college basketball game. Specifically, Liberty University vs. Sam Houston State. 

So … errands. While Chris was getting ready, I went out and filled the car up with gas. Check. Then we stopped at Chipotle to get a gift card. No check. 

Seems I was there eight minutes before opening. Now, the door was open, and someone greeted me when I entered. However, when I asked to buy a gift card, they had to got check with the manager. I didn’t want food. Just a card. The register was open, so that wasn’t an issue. But the manager said “No. Not until 3:45.” Hard and fast rule, eh? Apparently so, even though no food was involved. I chuckled and made my way back to the car to let Chris know. 

That’s where things got creative. I walked over to Whataburger to get a gift card from there. They had a hard time getting the credit card machine to work, but it finally cooperated. Then I walked back to the car where Chris was waiting. We sat there for a few more minutes, just to make sure. Then at precisely 10:45, I returned. They were hard at work, chopping steak and  stocking chips. It took a long time for someone to come wait on me. Fortunately, it was the same girl as before. She rang it up, put it in a cute little holder shaped like a briefcase, and sent us on our way. 

Well, “on our way” wasn’t very far. We drove all the way … next door  - back to Whataburger. This time we got some food to go. The computer had no issues with my card this time.  And we were on our way. 

We stopped by Kel’s house first, then picked up Josiah from the karate school. Ezra transferred to our car, and we were off from Huntsville and a day of college basketball. 

After a bit of a tough fight in the first half, Liberty finally pulled away enough in the second to hold off San Houston’s frantic attempts at a comeback. The good guys won 82-74. The best part of the night? Well, other than the fact that Liberty played actual basketball instead of running madly down the court and hoping to slam dunk. That was Sam’s game plan, but Liberty also played defense, apparently a new concept that Sam hadn’t seen much. But the best by far of the night was watching Ezra watch the game. He was in veritable Hog’s Heaven. He loved every part of it, especially when he conned the Sam Houston mascot into taking a picture with him. Unbeknownst to the bearcat, Ezra was flashing the Liberty University hand sign at the time. Classic move. 

Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭2‬, My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits.

Father, thank you for Ezra and his passion for life. Amen.