Maggie, FBI and sports, Jake

Maggie called yesterday to ask me about some issues she is still having that are more than likely associated with birthing Walter. It is difficult for me to contribute on that subject. I cannot imagine the expansion required to deliver a ten pound baby nor the pains involved in everything finding its way back to normal after the event. But I do believe part of the pains she is feeling have to do with lugging around a fifteen pound, six week old child – basically a dead weight at this point.

At least Catherine can help Maggie when she is carried – although she is largely mobile. Walter, on the other hand does not support himself yet nor does he have the reflexes developed to hold on as he is carried. That will come much later. By that time he will have doubled in weight and Maggie may look like a pro wrestler. I wish we were closer to be able to help, but that is not a current part of the plan.

Last night in FBI, since Jake and Victoria were there and both of them had excess energy during our first break, they got out a volleyball and started playing at something remotely like the sport designed around that ball. The net was still up from Sunday night when the teens get together after church and play. Very quickly Bro. Daniel and his kids were in the game but the time was pretty short.

Jake, who had been entertaining himself in the next building over, was ready at the next break – and it seemed that almost everyone else in class last night was anticipating the break also. The game started up right away. It was a nice, active change for all of us since we are all usually tired after a day at work followed by the three hour class. I did not participate but I was about the only one who did not.

Jake sat in for part of the class last night since Mama wanted to reinforce a little the commitment he made to the Lord Sunday morning in church. He went to the altar that morning alone. Mama was already at the altar and I was leading the invitational song. Pastor went down to pray with him and Jake asked Jesus into his heart. On the way home that morning we spent some time probing for answers to test the validity of the commitment and he seemed very genuine in it. So we reassured him and outlined verses he can go to when thing are not as happy or spiritual as they are at this moment.

He goes back home this morning so he had to go out last night after we got home to say goodbye to the pigs and the chickens – fortunately Daisy and Dash were not on the goodbye list. Mama got up with me this morning and was waking Jake as I was leaving. They will be headed to the airport very early to make his 9:30 flight. Mama will have to accompany him to the gate and wait until the plane is in the air before she can leave the airport but I do not see that as a hardship for either her or Jake. It will be a sad goodbye for both of them.

We know he has to go home but we are truly thankful for the time he comes to see us. It is the spiritual highlight of his year each year. We are praying he finds a good church close by his home so he can get involved somewhere where he can continue to grow.

Our prayers go with him.