"Who's Mark?" you might ask..."Your son's name is Matt and your husband's name is EJ...Mark is a book in the Bible and you're a pastor's wife, is that what you're talking about?" While Mark is a really good book in the Bible because it's the shortest of the gospels and I appreciate conciseness because I can't attain it, that's not it. No, I am not picking out a replacement for my husband. Let me tell you who Mark is and why I love him.
As some of you know, my house has had a revolving door for adult children this year. Some of them mine...some of them not. Most of the people in my house just live there, eat there and accumulate dirty dishes and clothes. My oldest daughter and her friend and puppy recently moved back out leaving me with my pack rat of a husband, my human garbage disposal of a son, and my free living youngest daughter. They are a lot to try and clean up after. So when my son asked if his friend Mark could stay a few weeks, I was reluctant, but relented.
When Mark first showed up, I noticed that half his arm was tattooed. He was a smoker, which is not something we allow in the house. But he was good about going onto the porch to smoke and unlike all of Matt's other friends he didn't toss the butts on the ground. He puts them in a makeshift ashtray and empties it. Not bad.
Well, Monday evening I came home and the kitchen was cleaner than it's been in years. Not only did Mark do the dishes and clean the counters, he cleaned out and organized the refrigerator, swept and mopped the floor, absolutely cleaned it. He even filled the salt and pepper shakers to the brim! It was amazing.
That in and of itself should be enough reason to love this kid, but yesterday, I went home unexpectedly for lunch and the bathroom was in the process of becoming cleaner than it's been in years. However this time, my son had helped by folding the towels and my youngest daughter was sweeping the hallway. Mark had convinced my kids that I shouldn't have to come home from work and clean house when they were there doing nothing all day. Wow. :)
When I got home, there was freshly baked zucchini bread on the counter. Mark and my kids made 4 loaves. Two to give to my oldest child who was treating them to Harry Potter last night and two for our household. Normally, if my children bake it's to give away...I never get any...but Mark convinced my kids that being able to use the pans and things of the house to bake means that they should contribute back to the household. Go figure!
This morning, Mark was cleaning the porch and front room when I left for work. He has been a really good influence on my kids. I'm stopping on the way home to get him some pillows so he can sleep more comfortably. I told him he can stay as long as he wants. I love Mark. :)
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Dear Lord, Please bathe Mark in abundant blessings! Reveal to him all the riches of heaven! Let everyone around him bless him back!And, Lord, thank you for blessing Vickie in this sweet way! Amen!
Caitlin does wonderful stuff like that too! Connor likes to cook and Neil grills well, but they don't really spontaneously clean. Caitlin has taken it upon herself to manage the kitchen this summer as she was unable to find a job so things are cleaner than usual here too. Now,if only the refrigerators would clean themselves!
Do you remember how well we worked together for those few weeks when I lived in your Norfolk housing with you while the guys were out to sea? It was a sweet time of fellowship and friendship.
Glad that Mark is pitching in and I hope it makes a permanent impact on the kids! gail
It's so cool that your kids help out like that. And yes I reminisce about that summer a lot...I put on at least 10 pounds that summer from you learning how to bake biscuits and fettuccine alfredo. It is one of my fondest memories. Love You, Vickie.
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