Hi Guys,
        Chris had a close scare Saturday night and I just have to share it because
it shows the awesome creativity of our heavenly Father.  You know, some of
this just has to be from the Lord, because I would never even think of
these things.  It just goes to show what a boaring parent I must be when it
comes to discipline.
        Chris was really pretty decent this weekend.   I mean, he behaved fairly
well and we got along okay.  He even offered to make the pizza on Saturday
evening, something that he hasn't done for at least two years, because he
knew that we were upset about some stuff going on with our oldest son
Matthew and we had to do some parenting in that direction; if you can
parent long distance.  Anyway, after dinner, Chris wanted to go to Nicki's
house.  Where else?  Greg took him there in the van so that they could take
the bike along and then Chris was willing to come home on the bike.  Chris
has been pretty good about respecting our curfew so we decided to give him
an extra hour on Saturday evening and say that he could come home at
midnight instead of 11:00 pm.  Well, at 1:00 am.  Chris showed up in our
bedroom and said, "Mom, Dad, there's a cop here.  He wants to talk to
you."  Oh, what a way to wake up!!
        Well, out went Greg in his pajamas, and, guess what, it was the same
officer that arrested Chris a month ago.  This time, however, Chris dropped
the attitude.  Good boy and he acted very subdued.
        The officer had seen Chris riding on the road and turn into our driveway
so he decided to check it out.  He parked his crewser right behind where
Chris parked the bike and told Chris that he wanted to talk to us.  Into
our living room he came, at 1:00 am.  Wow!    The cop wanted to see if
Chris was violating a curfew and he also asked a bunch of questions about
how Chris is doing on his conditional release.  Whew!  Chris is lucky that
he has been behaving himself!  Even though he was late, Greg let it slide
and said that things were okay.  The officer also pointed out that Chris
should have lights on his bike for night riding.  We got some lights for
him yesterday.  We do feel that that is our responsibility since, if Chris
were ticketed for improper lighting on his bicycle, we'd have to pay the
fine anyway.
        After the officer left, Chris was just shocked.  He said, "what are the
chances that it would be the same police officer?"  Greg was able to point
out that, obviously, the chances are pretty good.  Chris can now reflect on
the fact that he is known and being watched by the legal profession.  It's
not just us any more.
        Chris explained that, without lights, he accidently took a wrong turn on
the way home and that's why he was late.  He took Greg back to the spot
yesterday afteernoon and showed Greg what he did to make a mistake.  Greg
said that it is believable so, we're willing to let it go unless we learn
otherwise.
        Now, today, Chris is working for a neighbor, which means that he'll
probably have some spending money again.  After last week, I'm nervice
about that, but I'm learning to just keep praying and trusting in God who
sees all.  Chris is pretty much beyond our controll, but he's not beyond
God's.  I guess that I'm just tired of the roller coaster, but I'd better
get used to it because there are probably more twists and turns to come.  I
hope that my stomach can hold out!  GRIN!
Kathy