Coffee, Toothpaste, & Nerfing

I have time to blog today!!!  Nathan and I are in Lexington, Kentucky this week at the International Conference on Missions (ICOM).  We left early (3am) Wednesday morning to help set up Pioneer Bible Translators’ booth.  They actually take up multiple booth spaces, but the display is pretty cool.  Today, we don’t have anywhere to be until 4:00 this afternoon, so we’re enjoying some much needed downtime!

Josiah turned 5 years old on Sunday.  

We spent the morning at Forum Boulevard Christian Church in Columbia for their missionary homecoming event.  Before first service we met and prayed with the missionary team, attended first service, then presented in two different Sunday School classes.  Josiah was quite in character the whole morning.  Of course, he’s usually at his best in the mornings!  

The church has lounge area with a coffee bar, which also had hot chocolate, which all the kids received.  Josiah even had his own cup, which I had intentionally cooled off with ice water.  He took off to some couches and started up a conversation with some gentlemen in that area.  Pretty soon he came over to me, handed me his cup, and told me that his drink was too hot.  I took it from him, puzzled as to why it felt so warm, and set it on the table.  One of the gentlemen from the couch came over with a smile, telling us that Josiah had stated “This is the best drink I’ve ever had.”  I smiled, knowing this is one of the phrases Josiah says often.  The man continued with a laugh, saying, “It was Don’s coffee!”, pointing to a gentleman still seated on the couch.  

Yeah, that happened.

So did this:

During the prayer time, Josiah decided to “spit” on the floor.  (Thankfully, he doesn’t really know how to spit, so nothing came out of his mouth, but it still sounds like spitting!)  I begin telling Josiah that we don’t spit inside, and that he should only spit outside.  After reiterating this a few times to ensure he understood, he looked at me and said, “But mommy, sometimes we spit inside – when we spit toothpaste!”  

I. Can’t. Win.  

But that’s not all…

After church he found a couch where a few older ladies sat, informing them it was his birthday.  He told him he was five years old and one of the ladies asked his name.  He climbed up in a spot right next to them and said confidently and naturally, “Jake.”  I looked at him in disbelief and said “Your name is Josiah.”  He looked back at me and said “I know mom, but I like Jake better.”    

This kid.  

He’s hilarious and completely puts me out of my comfort zone like you wouldn’t believe.  I’d much rather blend into my surroundings, but I really do love the sense of adventure and fun Josiah brings to our family.  Usually I find this love of adventure a few days later when I’m writing about it…

Birthday time:

Afterwards we headed home, where I spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch with a migraine, which is something I’ve never had and hope to never have again!  Nathan was awesome with getting the kids lunch and taking care of the kids’ Sunday activities, even though he had to miss a meeting of his own.  Sunday evening I felt well enough to be able to do a quick family party with Josiah.  We stuck a candle in a cookie, sang to him, played with the party blowers (which were silent!) and he opened his presents.  He was excited to get his very own Bible.  

Monday morning Josiah celebrated his birthday at school.  

Monday evening we celebrated his birthday with a few friends and family.  He had a great time and I’m pretty sure all his birthday expectations were fulfilled!  

Today he received a package in the mail from his aunt, uncle and cousins.  Here’s what he got:

He exclaimed, “It’s a Nerfing gun!  So I can go Nerfing!”  

The Nerf gun is electric, which means he doesn’t have to pull back on anything to load the bullets.  Most Nerf guns Josiah isn’t able to use because he’s unable to do it with one hand.  He doesn’t have enough strength yet in the right hand to hold onto anything.  So I know he was super excited to get to have something he could do on his own!  

I’m excited to see what this “nerfing” is all about!  🙂