Over the years many songs have been engrained in my mind.  One that hit the nail on the head last week comes to mind as I ponder these words of wisdom the song brings:  "You don't tug on Superman's cape.... You don't spit in the wind.....You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger....and you don't tell Jonah that if he eats five black licorice jelly beans without throwing up, he can stay up the rest of the night playing video games.  Truly- words to live by.

We were in Amory, MS last week, and what a time we had.  Some wonderful people made us a gift basket containing all matter of snacks, do-dads, and whatcha-maflidgetts for our 40th Anniversary.  (For those unlearned and uneducated, that means assorted candies, crackers, and potato chips.)  It was an extremely nice gesture, that believe me - we appreciated.  We snacked all weekend on that basket, and I don't think I ever had the same snack twice!  Over the course of the weekend, Matt found a little bag of Jelly Beans.  On the road late one night, we decided to open those.  Matt was eating them, they got passed around a little bit, but mostly Matt was eating them.  All of a sudden, I noticed a little collection forming.  In a cup that was beside him, he was putting the black licorice jelly beans that he didn't want from the bag away from him, so they didn't get passed him to wind up shocking his palette with the awful taste they have. (aside note: Why do they have black jelly beans?  I have little use for something that is so bad you cry as you eat it.) After the bag was 3/4 done, there was quite a collection.  Five.  Five lonesome black jelly beans.

    At this time...its late.  So late that Matt and I are ready for bed.  In order for Matt to go to bed, everyone else has to go.  He sleeps on a couch in the back room that folds out into a bed. Jonah plays video games.  Josh plays video games.  Jeremy plays video games.  Sometimes....Matt has to uh-persuade them to get off the couch so he can go to bed.  Just as many times before...He was persuading them to go to bed.  Jonah reluctantly was getting ready to go to bed. Whine, whine, whine.  Matt gets the bright idea to tell Jonah that he could stay up all night if he could eat all five of the jelly beans (stipulation-can't throw up).  The Black ones.  The ones no one else wanted. Well...any other time....Jonah would not rise to this challenge.  However...this one involved playing video games all night.  Right out of the bunk he came - with gusto mind you.  Right to the dish of black jelly beans he went.  He reached in and got the first pearl of not-so-much goodness and sank in.... and in 5.....4....3...2..1- blast off. Almost instantly, the color of his eyes grew a sharp resemblance of the jelly beans he just ate.  His face and ears fire engine red... and off to the garbage can he went.  You guessed right....puke! A very concerned uncle (Adam) tried to steady him at the helm...while a disingenuous father stayed in the floor getting his bunk ready for sleep time.  Don't get me wrong...Josh cared... but it was late.  If anyone was cleaning up, it would be the instigator of the ordeal, but he was too busy laughing, and crying at the same time.  Matt felt genuinely sorry, but couldn't help laughing at the fact that he actually went for it.  You see, unless you've eaten with us...You don't know the significance of this single feat.  Jonah eats bread and chicken fingers.  That is it.  Nothing else.  I don't really know how Matt got him to do it.... but nonetheless it happened.  Afterwards... we couldn't have stopped laughing if we tried.  For those of you ready to send me hate mail.... Jonah was laughing too.... and when it was all said and done, he told Matt he should be able to stay up.  Rules are rules though.... He didn't meet the stipulation binding him to the breakpoint of the contractual agreement.  What a shame.  Bedtime!  By the way...if anyone would like those black jelly beans... they can have them.  They are in a cup by our sink in the back room.

      Speaking of eating.... Some of you have wondered in the past about Gary's diabetes.  I don't know how I could deal with such restrictions, and I don't know how Gary does either.  Here is a picture of some of what he has to eat....terrible!

(for those that are having trouble... that is a peanut butter and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Sandwich. Caught him!!!)

     To give some light to other issues....The group has seem some wonderful services lately.  We have had our share of problems...disappointments and trials. But the best news I have to offer is that God is Good!!!   I'm encouraged by the youth we've seen as of late at our singings.  We would love to encourage the youth ministries in the churches we are headed to come and enjoy the singing.  It's good to experience gospel singing with a full band.  Most kids have never seen services where a live band performs...It's very uncommon nowadays.  Offer an invitation to your youth when you see the Singing Echoes coming around.  We would appreciate it, and they would love it!

Until Then!