Let the Word of Christ live in you richly. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Colossians 3:16-17 CEB/Message)

Thursday marked my third full day with the grand-kids. It was high time for an adventure designed to test my skills at bundling the grands up for the cold, getting situated in the SUV, navigating busy roads, shopping, and returning home without getting lost.

So I picked a safe destination where we could roam around, pick up some groceries, and make it back in time for lunch.

I asked Siri where the closest Super-Walmart was located. We’re in rural Connecticut so I wasn’t surprised at the 30-plus miles and 40-some minute route Google suggested. South Hartford seemed like a fair hike, but the destination fit the bill and off we went.

The kids were great, the navigation was simple, and the weather was beautiful. We rolled into the “You have reached your destination,” parking lot in good time, with nary a tear spilled.

I changed a couple of diapers and wiped down the back of the shopping cart (according to my instructions). We were in business. And, wow, what an exceptionally nice store it was too.

We found the stuff the kids needed; we located a few items I wanted; and then I ran into a whole section dedicated to gourmet cheeses. “Boy howdy!” I said, almost out loud. “This has got to be the nicest Super-Walmart grocery section I’ve ever seen.”

The place was a veritable cornucopia of quality and gourmet food items. The grand-kids even got to visit with a very large tank of live (but doomed) Maine lobsters. Talk about impressive!

Eventually it was time to leave and we made our way to the check-out. “Will you be using your Stop-and-Shop card this morning?” she asked.

“Stop-and-Shop card?” I said. “I thought we were at Super-Walmart?”

“That would be the next store over,” she said; down her nose a little; positively un-amused.

If I’d wanted to go to a Stop-and-Shop I could have driven eight miles!

TEAM CAMPBELL: In the evening, Sue and Craig Campbell (the local grandparents) came over for supper. They ordered pizza and played with the children. Then we tag-teamed for David and Beks’ bath time and the kiddos went to bed tired and happy.

When we sat down to eat, David reached for my hand, and looked around for grandma Sue’s too; then he closed his eyes. When nothing happened immediately, he gestured for papa Craig to join the circle.

We were supposed to ask the blessing. My plan had been to quietly squeeze David’s hand and say a quick, “Thank you God.” But evidently that wouldn’t do.

And a little child shall lead us all.

– DEREK

more pics from this week…