Merlin Jones

Today we began a lot of research in the direction of our newest KidPak series, one we're actually revisiting:  "Weird Science."  To that extent, Daddy did a bit of work at home - and part of this 'work' involved all of us starting our wacky science comedy movie series with "The Misadventures of Merlin Jones."  Madison actually enjoyed this movie quite a bit, for whatever reason.  Maybe it's good taste!  Mommy and Daddy love these old comedies.  There isn't any huge impact on your life after watching them - they're just fun to watch, as everything is relatively dated and cooky.  Daddy was looking for ideas for the newest skits, and this movie might have been a good source of an idea:  a mind reading invention that goes in the wrong direction you would think.  Some time this weekend, we'll get around to watching the sequel, "The Monkey's Uncle."  Mommy remembers that one from earlier, though Daddy is a little fuzzy on it at the moment.

It's so great to enter this phase of movies, with Madison actually enjoying them.  This opens the gates for the "Apple Dumpling Gang," and other movies later on down the road.  But for now, we're heading in the direction of the "Computer Wore Tennis Shoes" and the two sequels to that movie.  And of course, "The Absent Minded Professor" with Fred McMurray.  "Flubber" is around too, along with "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids."  Lots of of great wacky science fun there for Madison.

Today we went back to the library, amongst other places.  We got Madison FIVE new "Weird School" books.  Can you believe she's already finished one before the end of the day?  She is ravenous about these books.  Speaking of ravenous, we went to Texas Roadhouse with Nana and Ba-Ba tonight, and had a great meal once again.  But on the flip side, once again, the waitress completely zoned out and forgot to mention to the cooks anything about a gluten-free salad for Mommy.  So out she came with the croutons again.  This is the struggle Mommy has with restaurants.  You can't ingest that sort of stuff or you'll get really sick.  How can we communicate this any stronger without yelling at people?  Anyway, the meal was good, and we were all friendly there.  No reason to get too upset - the error was spotted right away, and fixed right away.  It's just that we can't trust waiters or waitresses anymore, really.  You really have to read them the riot act.  Whatever that means.

We also went to speech therapy today, which went well.  Madison is showing more and more progress here, working on the 'r' sound, among others.  This structure of a class is serving her well, as she isn't really getting that so much from the public school.  We're not entirely confident in the school, obviously - otherwise we wouldn't be paying for this additional speech therapy class.

We did a bit of cleaning today - oh, and we had pancakes for breakfast!  That was a nice big breakfast with the grandparents at the table, and all of us together enjoying the start of a new day.  They went off to look at furniture, and also check out a new Goodwill location as well.

And Daddy was doing a bit of work too.  Daddy is writing a devotional for the series, a new one that is dedicated - oddly enough - to the Periodic Table of Elements.  Every day in this devotional, we'll feature an element, and write a devotional entry dedicated to that element.  This may sound far-fetched, but it actually plays out well with the outline.  It's fun, and different, and this writer is about to learn more about the elements - as will hopefully the reader.  Anyway, here's the first entry… on GOLD.

“The Wise Men went to the house. There they saw the child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures. They gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh.“ Matthew 2:11 NIrV

GOLD

Au 79

     The most popular element on the chart would have to be gold.  Sure, oxygen is essential.  Iron is solid, and calcium is important for your bones.  And what would a party be without helium? 

     But gold?  Come on, it’s gold!  It’s incredibly valuable, one of those things some people like to wear around.  Its very presence means wealth!  You probably know that wedding rings are made of gold, as are many other pieces of jewelry.  One reason you see it with rings is the beauty – but another reason is the durability and value.

     Many years ago, some very wise men traveled a long, long distance to do one thing:  give valuable gifts to Jesus.  What did they give?  The Wise Men gave him gold, of course.  They didn’t give him tin.  They didn’t give him aluminum, copper or flerovium. No, instead, they gave the best they could:  pure gold.

     That’s what He deserves though, isn’t it?  God gave us His very best when He sent Jesus here.  And do you want to talk about cost?  Jesus paid the ultimate cost for our sins, when he died for us on the cross.

     So be like a Wise Man, and give your very best.  It may not be gold, but it could be the time you spend serving at church.  It could be the time you spend reading the Bible.  It could be the time you spend praying.  It could be the things you give to others to help.  Whatever you do, remember the Wise Men’s gold standard, and do your very best.