Tuesday, June 28, 2011

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.
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he was like the little mayor of the youth group, doling out hugs and handshakes and high fives wherever he went.
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he even gave out sweet kisses.
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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.
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he sweet talked them into giving him some extra treats,
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and coyly pretended to ignore them and play hard-to-get as they watched his every move.
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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.
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especially when they witnessed choi boy's athletic prowess and penchant for all things sports-related.
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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.

12 comments:

  1. gosh he looks so cute with his little blue crocs! It is abundantly clear that God has had His hands on your family from the very beginning. Your family encourages me so!

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  2. This post brings tears to my eyes! Awesome teens who are so sweet and an awesome boy who enjoys big groups! :) So happy it was a great time for all! Praise God!

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  3. that is so awesome. My favorite part? That CB starts rounds of applause for himself!

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  4. he really was in his element wasn't he? this is tooo sweet!!!! it melts my heart. love this post!

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  5. God is so good! I love seeing CB playing with the youth from your church. What a joy to see him socializing and feeling right at home. Min

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  6. OK, seriously... when are our boys going to meet?! They could do some major damage together... :-)

    And TWO HUNDRED teenagers?!?! HOLY COW.

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  7. I have followed your blog and loved it for soooo long, but I did not know your husband is a pastor. So was my dad. Our daughter also adopted a beautiful little girl from Korea. We went with them in February. I have always felt a connection with you. Now I know why! Chois Boy is darling, and by the way, our daughter teaches kindergarten, too! This is a wonderful life. CMP in Tennessee--grammy to Olivia!

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  8. What a fun weekend for him! Look at all those ladies loving on CB and he's just taking it all in. Love it!

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  9. God sure knows what he's doing when he places our babies in our families! Isn't it so awesome to see our kids getting loved on and watching them soak it in? How could you not melt at cb's adorable little face?!!

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  10. We need "like" buttons for blogger posts. this post would definitely get the "like" from me :) it warms my heart to read this :)

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  11. I love this! It is so precious how God puts our families together.

    And I must say (that as the wife of a youth pastor), I am impressed you took him along on an overnight retreat. I'm such a chicken about managing things like that with kids.

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  12. Wow! That looks super fun. I can see why CB ate up all the attention. D loves working the crowd too. Perhaps they should go on the road together. Watch out world!

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why, hello there! do you have something to say? 'cause i'd so love to hear it!