in his element.

we just got home for our church's annual summer youth group retreat. what an amazing four days it was! seeing our students refueled and blessed is always such a privilege. *we* were so blessed.

we *are* so blessed.

God is so good and we are so grateful for His family.



choi boy has been welcomed into our church family with open arms since even before he came home. all of our youth group kids eagerly awaited his arrival and celebrated with us as we brought him home. they love on him and adore him like crazy.

despite that, i was a little nervous about bringing choi boy to his first retreat. but knowing him, i shouldn't have worried at all.

let's just say he didn't mind being the center of 200 teenagers' attention.

:)

cb is a classic extrovert who flourishes and is energized when in front of people. he shines brightest when he has an audience and even begins rounds of applause for himself. it's kinda ridiculous and a lotta hilarious.

imagine choi boy's sheer joy when discovering he had a large captive audience that surrounded him nearly 24-7 while at retreat.

the boy couldn't contain himself!

he walked into every room like he owned the place.


he was like the little mayor of the youth group, doling out hugs and handshakes and high fives wherever he went.



he even gave out sweet kisses.

one of our youth group girls proclaimed cb's kisses to be *perfect* -- "they're not wet and yucky, but just right with the cutest pucker!" i'd have to agree. :)

cb charmed the big girls into joining him in whatever activity he felt like doing.


he sweet talked them into giving him some extra treats,


and coyly pretended to ignore them and play hard-to-get as they watched his every move.


but it wasn't just the girls he captivated.

oh, no. the big guys crowded around him and scooped him up at every chance they got.


especially when they witnessed choi boy's athletic prowess and penchant for all things sports-related.



see? choi boy was totally in his element. he savored every minute of the attention he got and came running back to me with a huge, proud grin on his face as if saying, "umma! they like me! they REALLY like me!!!"



in all seriousness, though, seeing choi boy relish and delight in being around so many people (many of them well-meaning, but in-your-face teens) is just more confirmation God really knew what He was doing when He chose cb for us. of course, we would love cb no matter what kind of personality he had, but knowing how much he *loves* being around people gives us such peace and comfort because right now our lives involve being around lots and lots of people lots and lots of times. it's not easy being a pastor's kid, and the Lord knew we needed someone that would not only endure but also enjoy being in the spotlight at large gatherings. and my goodness, how he enjoyed that spotlight...;)

and i have to give credit to our awesome youth group kids, too. they could easily have dismissed cb as just a baby, but instead they choose to love him as their own. it is amazing to see how well cb fits in not only with our little family, but also with our large church family. watching 200 youth group kids love on and interact and laugh with (and sometimes at) a wild, attention-hogging toddler is just beautiful and a true picture of agape love.

God is so good. and we are so grateful.