Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty firmament!^[
 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
    praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

And, I should probably add, “Praise God in the bowling alley; Praise God in Chili’s; Praise God over birthday cake; Praise God with the grandchildren; Let absolutely everything being on the face of the Earth Praise God in every circumstance – because God is that good!”

BIRTHDAY FUN! Friday morning, having driven through Richmond on the way back from Arlington National Cemetery, we returned to Virginia’s capital for grandson David’s birthday party – he’s four years old.

So – in quick succession – it was Chilis for lunch, bowling for fun, and b/day cake back at the house. My mum and dad came too, so it was four generations of fun.

And do David and Beks ever love to bowl! What’s extra cool is how no matter what happens – from no pins down to an accidental strike – every roll is met with whoops, mini-dances, celebrations, and high fives.

In other words, life is fun, playing is fun, and doing it together with people you love is fun beyond fun.

KEPING IT REAL! So thanks, David (and Beks) for the dose of perspective, for helping us keep it real at the end (or, really, still the middle) of an inordinately busy week. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when bowling with these two. For our grandchildren, life seems to be a constant celebration. And why not?

Our big gift was the “Tidmouth Sheds, and turntable” set from the Thomas the Tank Engine stories. “Come on, grandaddy, let’s play!”

Celebrate; play; praise God… it’s all good….

– DEREK