Day 350 – Grayson’s Journey

Dear family and friends

Today was an early morning for me as I was part of a wonderful vocal quartet for both services this Reformation Sunday. We were joined by a pair of trumpets and our organist to lead the congregation in song this morning. The regular choir is starting rehearsals this Thursday, as a new interim choir director has just been hired.

After church we had lunch with Austin and Xixi. After lunch, Xixi went to tutor a Flintridge Sacred Heart student in physics, and Austin and I ran by Sports Chalet to check out the rapidly growing collection of ski and snowboard stuff. When we returned home, Regina and Grayson had decorated the house for Halloween, and Grayson was in a costume! Austin helped us with a little heavy lifting (putting the back seat back into the van) and Grayson suddenly walked over and picked up a case of water bottles that Regina had just unloaded from the van and carried them upstairs. I thanked Grayson, and then said, "A Scout is…" and he responded, "Helpful!" Grayson is still a very helpful and courteous young man, and is he continues to live the 12 points of the Scout Law as he is able.

Because of the 80° heat over the past week, the pumpkins that Austin and Xixi had carved last weekend turned to mush. While Austin waited for Xixi to finish tutoring, he prepared another pumpkin so that they could carve it later this evening at home.

After Austin and Xixi left, Grayson and I played with the Wii for a while. It is difficult for Grayson to focus very long on the games, but he loves to watch people play almost as much as TV.

Tonight we had wonderful dinner at Rita (Regina's sister) and Richard's. While there, it was fun to see the neighborhood kids come to the door for candy. In the 23 years we've been in our home we have never seen a Trick-or-Treat visitor. There are simply too many stairs at all of the houses in this neighborhood.

A long but very fun day today!

Pax!

Brant