Teen Survey Favorite: Chick-Fil-A Restaurant & Son

It's our AJ's Birthday! 

What a blessing this guy has been. Affectionate, likeable, generous, and now happily working for Chick-fil-A as a part-timer.

For the fourth consecutive time, Chick-fil-A came out as teens’ favorite restaurant chain in Piper Jaffrey’s 39th semi-annual “Taking Stock With Teens” survey, which aims to monitor Generation Z’s spending habits and brand loyalties.

According to the findings — which were determined by analyzing self-reported data from 9,500 subjects with an average age of 15.8 — Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald’s and Dunkin’ followed close behind, rounding out the top five preferred places to spend cash. - Fox News

CFA Tops Ranking in Customer Satisfaction

CFA Meets its Goal of Antibiotic-Free Chicken

Purdue University Rejects Faculty Calls to Ban Chick-fil-A

**

While I Was Driving,13: All in the Family License Plates

Here are cute license plates we saw recently. Son beyond old-enough, but didn't get his driver's license till recently. Happy yet anxious about this situation as a typical Mom sometimes feels.  Covering him and all of our loved ones in much prayer for safety and watchfulness while operating vehicles, in Jesus' name.

Our car's license plate, hahaha (j/k)

Leaving on a Jet Plane soon (as of this writing), yay!

****

Our OnePlus 6 Android Smartphone

After almost 2 months of daily use, it's a thumbs-up from our family.  Son's newest phone has not disappointed and he is quite happy with it (so far, haha).  He has even dropped the phone at least once, but thank God for the phone's Otter protector.  

I've included helpful links for those who may be considering the purchase of the same phone model. As in any purchase,  Caveat emptor! ( "Let the buyer beware")

Tom's Guide

OnePlus 6 vs iPhone X Camera Test Comparison

How To Make A Smartphone...







***

British Author Jane Austen's Death

The month of July 2018 marks two hundred and one years since the death of Jane Austen ( 07.18.1817).  Her memory lives on thru her words and books. If anything, Jane has taught us girls that the right man is out there for the finding.

(I often encourage my single son -- who was dumped by a girl recently -- of the many fine, single women in the world who are available).

pc: bookbub

pc: bookbub

It is Summertime! The muggy, hot weather

 is uppermost in my thoughts - RRE

a wise woman!

Jane Austen

Finding the Right Man per Jane Austen

10.09.2020

*******

World Hunger: Tons and Tons of Rice

Many of my children know how to give of their time and talents for the needs of others. To Christ be the glory!  In addition to many years and countless hours working or volunteering at a Summer camp in WI, here is another example:  dear son working for "Feed My Starving Children". 

 He and friends volunteered and packed 6000+ pounds of rice. They even got to taste the meal they prepared. It will be one of a variety sent all over the world (70 countries) with the goal of preventing starvation.

Nutrient powder combines with rice and dehydrated vegetables
to form Manna Pack meals for Feed My Starving Children

pc: Daily Herald

FMSC

Hunger-relief Organizations

Feed My Starving Children, volunteer form

**********

Youth Camp and Lost Marbles

Our son will have spent several weeks full-time at a Youth Camp by the end of this Summer. He got trained to be a Camp Counselor. He's kept very busy assisting at Day Camp and cooking meals at the camp's kitchens also.

BOYS CAMP:  The always-exhilarating week has finally arrived. His cabin has 12 campers, boys between the ages of 9 to 11 years.

The first night of Boys Camp had him texting me to please pray as the cabin was "tough". The boys were staying up and not sleeping! It was simply too exciting for them.  As head Counsellor of his cabin, my son definitely needed rest. I encouraged him by saying that the young boys will eventually settle down in the days ahead as they get used to Camp life.  The multitude of Camp activities will definitely tire them out as well. Of course, I also told him I'd pray to the Lord for the situation.

GO SWIM IN THE LAKE:  This is a traditional camp activity.  An early (6:30 am) wake up call -- before breakfast -- to hunt for marbles and tops that have been thrown into the [cold] lake.  Participation gets you a cup of hot chocolate.  The winner gets a prize and bragging rights.

pc: LGYC

pc: LGYC

pc: JIngersol

pc: LGYC

Clarinetist, then and Now

Our son began his Clarinet lessons back in year 2009 of which I wrote about HERE.  This was in addition to his ongoing Piano lessons which began in year 2005.  His focus since Fall 2016 is on majoring in Clarinet Performance while in college ... the very same college where he began his Clarinet lessons via the Community School of the Arts.

We  recently bought him, as promised, a brand new Bb clarinet by Royal Clarinet.

Christmas kids' concert in PJs

Clarinetists + Professor, Year 2016-2017

Music  store display

sign at Music Store

Wet behind the ears

Younger son  fell in a dead faint during Bible Study Hour at church on Sunday.  (Later, someone made the observation that among our aging congregation, it was he -- the youngest in the crowd -- who gets the ambulance called on him.  What a distinction that we do not want to repeat!)

He had to be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital's ER. We spent the next 6 hours there. 

view from our car ... waiting to follow the ambulance

good friends commiserate with you

Our email summary to a family member regarding the day's events:  He is on the road to recovery, thank God. It was  surreal hearing the "thud" when he fainted (W who sat next to him on the pew, described it as a graceful slow mo fall to the floor). There was  a split -second when no one in the congregation knew what to do. Finally, dear Connie  broke the ice with her loud cry of the very obvious -- "He fell!"

His music Prof, in response to AJ's email requesting a cancellation of his clarinet lesson because of what had happened, mentioned that strep throat usually makes its rounds during the first weeks of school. Ironically, this made me feel better. It was not neglect nor carelessness on our part after all. Pray that your brother recovers his strength by tomorrow afternoon so that he can get back on track.  We finally found a pharmacy that is open late (another sign of God's care).  He is now on his prescription meds (an antibiotic and a pain reliever), and is in bed.  We are all soooo very tired.  God bless and keep you safe tonight. Avoid getting sick.  Wash your hands often...with soap. We need to keep drumming these words into all of your heads from this day onward. Love, Mom & Dad

Wheaton College: Class of 2020

New students of the Music Conservatory 

Today is the official first day of  Fall 2016 classes at Wheaton College.  New Student Orientation began on August 19, 2016, and here are the stats on the Freshman and Transfer Students: 

2000 college applications submitted

640 students:  591 Freshman, 49 Transfers

48 Nations represented

All states represented;

 Except:  Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, & Utah

27% Illinoians

71% reside outside of Illinois

10% MKs

4% International students

16% US Ethnic Minority

24% Children of alumni

17% Siblings of  students

3% children of WC employees

46% from Public Schools

34% Christian school

7% Private school

12% Home School

35 Conservatory of Music students

56% Female

44% Male

Ages: 17 (our son?) to 21

Class Scripture Passage:  Psalm 107

My dear, brave husband -- thick accent and all (but God's Word will always have free reign) -- shared the verses below during the Parents' Service of Blessing  and Dedication:

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:11,12

Closing Program with the Reverend Blackmon

Kids -- do not try this at home or in the car

Several days ago, son cracked our car's windshield with his noggin. He hit it while unbalanced as he changed seats. Sigh. This probably would not have happened if we had been there, or if the driver had been either one of us parents.  Anyhoo, Doc said he's fine, but gave him a "No P.E. for a week" permit for school (hahaha -- very funny considering we homeschool). Thank You, Lord Jesus --- AJ's head today remains undamaged and beeeeeautiful! 

Honor Cabin @ Summer Camp in Wisconsin

To be bestowed the  Honor Cabin  award meant a cabin (and the Campers who reside therein) got the most points for being the cleanest/most organized cabin during the entire week of camp...along with possessing other sterling qualities.  They were judged on a daily basis by two, qualified, impartial judges --- the Camp nurses.

Congrats to Cabin Number 11 -- AJ's cabin!  The other boys were Nathanael, Micah, Chase, Noah, Christian, John, Clayton, and Luke.  Their counselor was Terence Jackson (in white cap).
 Note that 3 of the 9 boys are from our Chapel in Elgin. *Ahem*

Remember!

***

Metra Magic

For Memorial Day we did something different.  We went on an excursion to Chicago, but this time we traveled via commuter rails.  AJ & Farrah had never ridden on the train before and now was the time to experience it.  Any child under 11 and under, with a paying adult, was fare-free during the holiday weekend. We were on the 10:08 am stop, and were downtown by 11:20.  We had intended to go to the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) or Lincoln Park Zoo, but ended up at Navy Pier: Chicago Children's Museum.  We bought the one-year family pass.

view from the top

Da Throne (created by us!)

"Memorial Wall" cards by the 3 kiddos

the ride home via Metra Train