Business in the Front...

Today was like a mullet: business in the front, party in the back. 

This morning, I joined friends and supporters of Lutheran Ministries in Jamaica for a virtual FORO - maybe, hopefully, after 410 days of the pandemic, the last before we're able to meet in person again? It was an uplifting, educational two hours of worshiping our amazing God and hearing about all of the ways His name is being proclaimed despite tight COVID restrictions. Rev. Obot Ite has been working tirelessly to support two congregations and a preaching station - over and above his vocations as husband and father - and his efforts are bearing fruit. The congregation at St. Andrew has begun worshiping in its new sanctuary space; there's a solid group of dedicated men at Faith; and soldier seemed to be the most popular costume at Parade Gardens Lutheran School's recent Career Day. 

After crossing off a few quick FORO follow-up tasks, it was adventure time for Courtney and I in the afteroon, literally. We took on The Adventure Challenge, times two. A spontaneous Instagram ad purchase, the book's cardstock pages feature fun activity prompts...hidden behind an opaque scratch-off surface until you commit. You have to select based solely on a cryptic name and a few other hints (i.e. duration, cost). Then, the only rule is that you must complete the challenge. The book provides a place to paste in a photo and write a few lines of text about your experience. 

CHALLENGE #1: IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL ANYTIME OF THE YEAR

In short, we were supposed to go ice blocking and then watch a Christmas movie while drinking iced hot chocolate. 

Ice blocks aren't available here, so our first thought was cardboard sledding at the Monument. When we called Becca to mooch some big pieces of cardboard, however, we learned that the Krey Backyard Waterpark was open for business! Admission price: popsicles for the staff. It counts, I promise. 

I give it 5 stars on Google. 

CHALLENGE #2: ORPHANED POTATOES

We decided we could take on a SECOND challenge while completing part II of the first. So, with The Grinch on in the background, we carved characters out of potatoes!?

Meet Brillo the Hedgehog and Olaf the Spudman. 

The book then directed us to name our creations and drop them off on someone's doorstep with a note. Our targeted family happened to be outside when we pulled up and saw us, so we hurriedly abandoned Brillo and Olaf to make some new friends and drove off with zero explanation!

"No spuds were harmed in the creation of these friends."

Can't wait to a) share in fellowship with the Jamaica FORO partners from across a table, NOT behind a screen, eventually in Kingston, even and b) scratch off another adventure. 

Until next time, blessings!