birds of a feather

Two weeks ago, we went to a soccer game for one of our college students. As we were leaving, a large bird landed on a light pole. Bill and I guessed it was some kind of hawk. We looked it up when we got home and here's what we found.

I'm just now getting around to writing about it.

It was very large, but very pretty.

I was concerned it was checking us out. It was probably attracted to the silver aluminum pan that I had made krispy rice treats in and had given to Maria. It flew off without attacking us or the treats.

I don't think Atticus could have caught this bird. I think it would have been the other way around.

While I'm talking about animals, that's been the suggestion for our house name, Animal House. We live on College, the movie was about college. Atticus brings home animals (or like the opossum, they wander into our yard/onto our deck), the movie is named for "animals". I happen to like Animal from the Muppets, so it fits there too.

There was only one vote and it was for the name. I guess we'll name our house Animal House. We should start using frequently. We'll see if it catches on!

the other ice bucket challenge...

The video is not yet available.

But they did it. Oh my did they.

You'll remember my ice bucket challenge… it went out to Sami and five young adults.

Something you should know about Sami. She's clever and creative. She wasn't just going to dump ice on herself and five others. Oh no. She put thought into it.

She's a mom.

She's the Sr. High Youth Director.

She's the Young Adult Leader.

She has learned to be F.A.T. for Jesus (Flexible, Available and Teachable).

She loves Pinterest.

She decided to use her children's slip and slide.

Except it's not just your normal slip and slide. It's a racer slip and slide.

Two people go at once and end in a small pool.

The pool was filled with ice.

It was spectacular. And it was not easy to film it without shaking from laughing so hard. But I think I did okay. We shall see. When she gets it edited and posted, I hope I can share it. (She has to edit it because after she did her talking, I stopped recording to make sure I was actually recording because her camera doesn't have a flashing light or any indicator to show that it is actually recording. I didn't want them all to slide into ice only to find out I didn't record any of it. I was recording, so we had the second shooting of them sliding. Now she has to edit the two separate pieces into one.)

I think seven of the young adults ended up doing it (I was too busy recording, I didn't count). I should probably make another donation to Well House for that. It was totally worth it.

One small program making a huge difference

Kids Food Basket is an amazing organization here in West Michigan. They serve students in elementary schools where 80% or more of the population is on free or reduced lunch program. Those students receive a sack dinner to take home. They have served over 300,000 sacks meals since July 1, 2013. (I think the number was around 380,000 but since I don't remember exactly, I don't want to give you false information. It's still a lot.)

My Jr. High youth served there one day this last summer during our mission Week of Giving. 

 In the background on the right hand side, you can see a marker board. That is a list of the locations and  counts of how many sack dinners need to be delivered.

During the school year, eighty volunteers come through KFB doors daily.

Tonight, I was fortunate enough to serve there again. This time with our Young Adult Group. There were eleven of us.

The main difference was how many other volunteers there were. During the summer, while there is absolutely still a need for food to be delivered to students, the day we were there was much slower. You can see in the first photo that we are packing sacks. 

Tonight we were part of the assembly that happens to get to the stage pictured above.

That's confusing.

Someone has to make the sandwiches, bag them, and count them before they can be sacked. The Jr. High sacked them. Tonight we made the sandwiches and bagged them. There were three stations of long tables making sandwiches.

Hundreds of sandwiches.

I did not mention the list of schools waiting to join the program offered through KFB.

It's unbelievable the number of kids who need this program. It's even more amazing that volunteers and donations are what move this program forward. 

I'm thankful for the generosity and ingenuity of the creators of this program. I am hopeful for those who volunteer and help make a difference. 

random stream of consciousness

Bill said to me earlier, "you are the busiest, unemployed person... I don't know if that's good or bad..."

I had my last day of tutoring today. Then I walked over to Wealthy Street Bakery for some Focaccia bread. It's for lunch tomorrow. Before I left for tutoring, I baked Vanilla Rich Chip cupcakes. The recipe was on the Vanilla Extract box. It sounded yummy, so instead of making the cake as it actually calls for, I made cupcakes. I did not make the suggested Vanilla Glaze but instead made Buttercream Frosting. How can you go wrong with Buttercream Frosting?

After lunch, I finally sat down to check my email.

Then, after our walk and my various other exercises, I picked up Molly and we went to Jersey Junction. I haven't been there yet this season! I think that is a terrible thing. But I've been there and other then the prices going up, nothing has changed. 

Our house smelled just like Jersey Junction today because of the cupcakes (JJ often smells like fresh waffle cones because they made their waffle cones fresh). 

Molly and I went to the Sparks service at the Vine after ice cream. The Sparks service is a laid-back service geared toward our young adults who can't always make it to church on Sunday. Sami, Iain and Laura lead it and I have helped when I can. The Wednesday night Young Adult group meets almost every Wednesday, but they dedicate one night a month to the service. 

When I got home from that, I frosted the cupcakes. Then I realized I never made granola, so I baked up a batch of that too. I also talked to my mom and did the dishes.

It was while I was doing the dishes that I realized I hadn't blogged yet.

There is more to blog about.

I have, in my possession, a first edition copy of "The Neverending Story".  Kayla (from the Young Adult group) is letting me borrow it. She had a reprint, but couldn't find it. I am geeked that she is letting me (ie trusting me) to borrow this copy. I trust myself. But I don't know if I owned this copy, that I would trust anyone. 


I also returned the copy of "Blue Like Jazz" to Laura. I really liked that book and could go on and on about it. I had it on my long list of books to read, so now I can cross it off. I find myself referencing it. I think Donald Miller did a spectacular job writing this book. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. No matter your faith or religion. 


Now it's time for bed.