Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

Mr. Whittaker: Oh, there you are, kids. One strawberry Whiz-bang, one very berry blowout, and one triple chocolate malted with a fudge brownie on the side.

Camilla Parker: Thanks, Mr. Whittaker.

Mr. Whittaker: You're welcome, Camilla. Enjoy. Although I feel I should put a warning sign on you, Matthew. There's enough chocolate in that shake and brownie to energize a small Swiss village.

Matthew Parker: Believe me, after the week I've had, I need every bit of it.

Olivia Parker: Right, like you've had it tougher than any of the rest of us.

Matthew Parker: I did. Believe me, Mr. Whittaker, I had it far worse.

Mr. Whittaker: I'm not sure what you're talking about.

Matthew Parker: You haven't heard about what happened this past week at our house?

Mr. Whittaker: No. What happened?

Olivia Parker: Grandma came. That's what.

Matthew Parker: Abuelita, you mean. You have to say it in Spanish.

Olivia Parker: Oh yeah, Abuelita. Anyway, it wasn't just her. It was like a stampede of family. You really didn't hear about this?

Mr. Whittaker: Maybe I'm not getting out enough. What happened?

Matthew Parker: Well, first of all, you've got to understand that when Abuelita comes to visit, Mom changes.

Eva Parker: Garage, check. Bathrooms, check. Bedrooms, check.

Matthew Parker: Mom?

Eva Parker: Oh good, Matthew. Where are your sisters?

Matthew Parker: I think they're still alphabetizing soup cans in the pantry.

Eva Parker: Check. And your father?

Matthew Parker: Last I saw him, he was crawling under the porch to fix that squeaky step.

Eva Parker: Check. And how about you? How are your assignments going?

Matthew Parker: Great. I'm done. And I was wondering—oh, what was that?

Eva Parker: I don't know. Anyway, I was wondering if I could skip going to the airport and head over to Whit's End for a while.

Matthew Parker: Well, let's see. Did you flip all the furniture cushions in the living room?

Eva Parker: Yep. Did you dust everything, move all the furniture, vacuum, and put everything back?

Matthew Parker: I even wiped the baseboards.

Eva Parker: Wonderful. And have you created a Matthew clone who can be at the airport in an hour, kiss your loving Abuelita and make her feel as important as she deserves?

Matthew Parker: No.

Eva Parker: Then you'll be leaving with us in about 20 minutes.

Matthew Parker: But Mom!

David Parker: Oh my goodness, what happened to you? David, you're a mess.

Eva Parker: There was a spider the size of a Volkswagen under the house. That squeaky step will have to wait.

David Parker: That's all right. We'll come in through the garage. Now, I need to color-coordinate the plates in the cupboard and—

Eva Parker: Hold on, Eva. The house doesn't have to be perfect.

David Parker: Yeah, Mom. Nobody is ever walked under the couch, and Abuelita is sure not going to move it to see.

Eva Parker: This is my mother we're talking about. She'll sense the dust is there. Now, Matthew, tell your sisters to finish. We'll need to leave soon.

Matthew Parker: Okay, Mom.

David Parker: Honey, take a breath. Everything looks great.

Eva Parker: I'm sorry. I just get so—

David Parker: Don't worry. We'll have the place worthy of the queen. If we had a queen, I mean. Okay, everybody, another quick once-over double time. We are in the car in 20.

Eva Parker: Keep your eyes open, everybody. She should be coming from over here. Oh, there she is! Mama! Mama, we're over here, Mama!

Olivia Parker: Grandma!

Mama Lucia: There is my hijo, what a sight for sore eyes. And the niñas, look at how big you've gotten. You're all grown up and beautiful. You don't need to wait for your old Abuelita. Take that off and give me a hug. Oh, mija. Mama, it is so good to have you here.

David Parker: Mama Lucia, it's great to see you again.

Mama Lucia: Hello, David. Are you staying delgado?

David Parker: In English, please?

Mama Lucia: You're so skinny. Why don't you eat more? Eva, how many times have I told you a skinny man is not a happy man? Aren't you cooking for him?

David Parker: Me? No, she does great. I eat all I can stomach. No, that's not what I was supposed to come out in a good way, and it didn't. No, Eva is muy incredible blow cook.

Mama Lucia: What is this incredi-blow? Eva, have you still not taught this man how to speak?

Eva Parker: Mama.

David Parker: Oh, hey, look. I recognize that colorful set of bags. Why don't I get these kids to help me? We'll get these to the car. Let's go.

Mama Lucia: It is just as well we don't stand around here. There is so much to be done.

Eva Parker: No, Mama. I want you to come home with us and enjoy. No schedules to keep.

Mama Lucia: Don't be silly, Eva. We must prepare for the wedding.

Eva Parker: Wedding? What wedding?

Mama Lucia: Rosalita's.

Eva Parker: Rosalita's getting married next year. I think we can hold off on worrying about my sister's wedding for one weekend.

Mama Lucia: Next year? Hasn't she spoken to you? That girl, she and her fiancé decided to get married this week.

Eva Parker: Oh?

Mama Lucia: And she wants to be married here, in Odyssey.

Eva Parker: Oh.

Mama Lucia: At your house.

Eva Parker: Oh, no.

Chris: If your kids love Adventures in Odyssey, they'll love the Young Whit book series. Each book has a mysterious adventure of a young John Avery Whittaker. That's five incredible mysteries for kids 10 years and older. Learn more at youngwhit.com. That's youngwhit.com.

Matthew Parker: By the time we got back home, Mom had started breathing again.

Olivia Parker: But the situation was more complicated than we thought.

Mr. Whittaker: Oh, really?

Matthew Parker: Everything about Aunt Rosalita is complicated.

David Parker: So let me get this straight. Rosalita wants to get married here because she has two fiancés?

Eva Parker: No, no. Rosalita has only one. You see, she was engaged to Orlando, but they broke up.

David Parker: Well, I thought she really loved Orlando. What happened?

Eva Parker: Rosalita told him that she didn't want him to celebrate her 30th birthday. She made him promise to forget it.

David Parker: Okay, and?

Eva Parker: He believed her.

Matthew Parker: She dumped him for not giving her a birthday party?

Eva Parker: Orlando said the same thing while weeping into his chimichanga.

David Parker: Okay, so if Orlando is out, then who is she marrying?

Eva Parker: Rodrigo.

Matthew Parker: Forget about the who for a minute. I'm still back at the why. Why does she have to marry him this week, and in our house?

Eva Parker: Well, Orlando was so overcome with jealousy that he threatened to disrupt her wedding next year. It was getting so messy, Rosalita decided to elope with Rodrigo and be done with it. Can you imagine?

David Parker: Elope?

Eva Parker: Exactly. I told her absolutely no eloping. Her marriage must be with family and in a church. So Rosalita said since I was coming here to visit you, then she would get married here.

Matthew Parker: Grandma.

Olivia Parker: Abuelita.

Matthew Parker: Abuelita, our house isn't a church.

Mama Lucia: I know, and it breaks my heart. But the kind of church I always dreamed of for her, that doesn't exist in Odyssey. You're not big on Spanish design here, I noticed.

David Parker: True.

Mama Lucia: So I compromised and she compromised and, well, here we are.

Eva Parker: Glad to know we're a compromise.

Mama Lucia: You don't mind doing this, do you, Eva? It is for your sister after all.

Eva Parker: No, if that's what you want, Mama.

Mama Lucia: It's not her fault she is so beautiful and it drives the men crazy. No, can't hate her for that.

Matthew Parker: So Dad took the week off and he and Mom recruited all their friends and the neighborhood to help get stuff set up fast. It was hard work.

Olivia Parker: And then certain people started ransacking my stuff.

Matthew Parker: Now hold on.

Olivia Parker: You can't deny it, Olivia.

Matthew Parker: I wasn't ransacking.

Matthew Parker: Hey, what were you doing in my room?

Olivia Parker: Helping Abuelita.

Matthew Parker: In my room? What were you doing?

Olivia Parker: We're getting ready for the wedding, so I needed some coins from your collection.

Matthew Parker: What? What do my coins have to do with the wedding? Am I paying for it?

Olivia Parker: No, silly. The coins are part of a Latino tradition Abuelita told us about. It's where the groom gives his bride 13 gold coins. They represent Jesus and the 12 disciples.

Matthew Parker: But they're my 13 coins.

Olivia Parker: Give them for a good cause. Do you want to tell Abuelita that you're not willing to give 13 coins to Aunt Rosalita's wedding?

Matthew Parker: Okay, fine. But couldn't we cut it down to just four? Call it Jesus and a couple close friends?

Olivia Parker: No. I think Mom was going to ask you about it, but I figured since we were cleaning out your room anyway, I'd just—wait.

Matthew Parker: While you—you cleaned out my—let me see. It's empty! Where's all my stuff?

Olivia Parker: Well, we had to move it down to the basement while our cousins are here. They're going to stay in our rooms, so Abuelita had us clean everything up.

Matthew Parker: But it was just getting comfortable after the last big clean.

Olivia Parker: Sorry, take it up with the management.

Matthew Parker: Mom!

Olivia Parker: Oh come on, Matthew. It's not like you were the only one who went through Abuelita's cleanup. She even washed my good soccer shoes. I don't think she understands the importance of well-placed mud.

Mr. Whittaker: Well, that is a rare gift.

Olivia Parker: Those shoes will never fit me right again. My season is shot. The bedroom smells better, though.

Matthew Parker: Anyway, about halfway through the week, the relatives started arriving. I didn't know we had so many uncles, aunts, and cousins on Mom's side of the family. And taking care of them was no picnic either.

Matthew Parker: Hi, welcome to our home. Bienvenidos.

Eva Parker: Please, please come in. Siéntense, están en su casa.

David Parker: Gracias. I didn't know there were so many coming.

Eva Parker: Neither did I. Mom, we're running out of soda.

Mama Lucia: There's more in the pantry, just keep popping tops and serving, Camilla.

Camilla Parker: I am, but I'm really getting a cramp in my pouring arm.

Eva Parker: Camilla.

Camilla Parker: Okay, three dozen more sodas coming right up.

Eva Parker: Mama, Mama, you didn't say there would be so many.

Mama Lucia: Now don't worry. We'll make room.

Eva Parker: Make room? They're staying here?

David Parker: They are our guests. Maybe I could arrange some hotel rooms, although that would cost a fortune.

Mama Lucia: No, no, we cannot do that. They will not mind closeness. I have thought it all through. Besides, lots of the aunts and uncles are sponsors.

Eva Parker: Sponsors? What?

David Parker: Hola! Bienvenidos primos! Oh, Maria, bienvenida!

Eva Parker: I'm sorry, sponsors?

Mama Lucia: Yes, sponsors. They pledged to share the expense of the wedding, so you don't have to bear the burden.

David Parker: Well, that's nice.

Mama Lucia: I've spoken with them all. It will work out fine. But we can't add to their debt with hotel rooms.

David Parker: Okay, I understand. Who covers the cost of the mental ward?

Matthew Parker: Hi, welcome to our home. Bienvenidos. Hola, ¿qué tal? Oye, por cierto, necesitamos más—

David Parker: What in the world is that?

Matthew Parker: Okay, Mom, you have got to do something about this.

Eva Parker: What? What's going to happen?

Matthew Parker: They are on the front lawn. Come on, look.

David Parker: Mom, Dad, is this cool or what?

Mama Lucia: I'm so sorry. I should have known this was going to happen.

Eva Parker: Mama?

David Parker: Okay, why is there a mariachi band on our front lawn?

Mama Lucia: It's Orlando, Rosalita's ex-fiancé. He found out that the wedding is soon. I have gone out and spoken to him, but he refuses to leave.

David Parker: Did you tell him she's not even here yet?

Mama Lucia: No, if he finds out she's not here, then he'll go looking for her. And who knows what will happen? Eva, you must talk with him from the window.

Eva Parker: What?

Mama Lucia: You look so much like Rosalita. If you stand at the window and speak from there, he will think it's her.

Eva Parker: I'm not doing that.

Matthew Parker: This is so embarrassing. The neighbors are coming out with their video cameras.

Olivia Parker: Oh, that's a great idea. I'll go get ours.

Mama Lucia: Eva, you must convince him you're Rosalita and tell him to go away. It's for the family.

Eva Parker: Absolutely not. I'm not going to impersonate my sister.

Matthew Parker: Please, Mom! Our whole family's going to be a big video joke on the internet and my life will be over.

Eva Parker: Oh, I'll talk to him, but as myself. Hold it. Wait. No, wait, stop.

Orlando: My precious, beautiful Rosalita, please. You must see me.

Eva Parker: No, I'm not your Rosalita.

Orlando: Yes, it must be once again. I am here to throw myself at your mercy. I love you! I love you!

Eva Parker: No, you don't understand.

Orlando: Forgive me, forgiveness. Make me your husband, and I will clean for you, I will cook for you, slave for you.

Eva Parker: Oh, he cooks and cleans?

David Parker: Eva.

Eva Parker: This just isn't working. He thinks I'm her.

Mama Lucia: Then tell him you love another.

David Parker: You know, I could always turn on the sprinklers.

Eva Parker: No, no, I'll try to make him understand. But Rosalita's going to owe me big. Oh, it's going to be a long night.

Chris: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY, with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Mr. Whittaker: Did it work? Did your mom get Orlando and his band to leave?

Matthew Parker: Yeah, amazingly she did. But that only added to the tension in the house. Sleeping on the floor, taking turns in the bathroom.

Olivia Parker: All of my stuff getting used.

Matthew Parker: Everybody going nutty over the wedding plans.

Olivia Parker: And Aunt Rosalita hadn't even shown up yet. Finally, we had a family meeting in the only place we could get some privacy.

David Parker: Eva, could you come with me for a moment? In here?

Eva Parker: The bathroom?

David Parker: Mm-hmm, that's right.

Matthew Parker: Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.

David Parker: Oh, you're all in here.

Eva Parker: Yes.

David Parker: We need to talk.

Eva Parker: Do we?

David Parker: We have come up with something to relieve the pressure before this house splits at the seams. When I went out for milk last night, I almost didn't come back. Had I taken my toothbrush—

Eva Parker: Is this how everybody feels?

Everyone: Yes.

Eva Parker: I was hoping this would be good for you, that you could be a part of my family's traditions.

Matthew Parker: Yeah, we get that, Mom. We don't mind giving up our rooms and using sleeping bags in the basement, but I haven't slept for a week.

Camilla Parker: And I haven't used the bathroom in a week.

Matthew Parker: You haven't used the bathroom in a week, Camilla? Then—

Camilla Parker: You don't want to know.

Eva Parker: Look, I understand. You have no idea how well I understand. But this is my family too. I love them, and I have certain responsibilities.

David Parker: We know, and we've been more than happy to help out, right guys?

Everyone: Yeah.

David Parker: Honey, I understand that you and your mom don't want to send your relatives to a hotel, but maybe just tonight I could send us to one?

Everyone: Yeah! Yes!

Eva Parker: Who's that?

David Parker: I don't know. Open the door. Okay.

Mama Lucia: Mama? Why are you all standing in the bathroom?

David Parker: We were just talking.

Mama Lucia: In the bathroom?

Eva Parker: It was private.

Mama Lucia: I see. Well, are you done?

David Parker: Yes, I think we're finished.

Mama Lucia: Good, because according to the schedule, this is my time in here.

David Parker: Okay, excuse me, everyone out.

Mama Lucia: Ah, family. Oh! Who left the seat up?

Matthew Parker: Ah, that was really good, Mr. Whittaker.

Olivia Parker: Yeah.

Mr. Whittaker: Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. But before you go, how does the story end?

Matthew Parker: End?

Mr. Whittaker: Yes. How did everything work out? Did you go to the hotel?

Matthew Parker: Uh-huh. It was great.

Olivia Parker: Yeah, and the pool was the best part.

Mr. Whittaker: Well, how about the wedding? Was it nice?

Matthew Parker: We don't know. The wedding's today.

Mr. Whittaker: Today? Well!

Matthew Parker: I'll just be so glad when this whole thing is over.

Mr. Whittaker: I understand. But keep in mind God put us together in our families, and for all our differences and quirks, there's something very special in that creation. So do your best to enjoy it while you can.

Olivia Parker: Yeah.

David Parker: All right, hey kids, come on. We're going to be late. Let's go, let's go.

Matthew Parker: Well, that's it. We have to go. See ya, Mr. Whittaker.

Mr. Whittaker: Have a good time.

Camilla Parker: Okay, Mr. Whittaker, thanks.

Olivia Parker: Yeah, bye.

Everyone: Bye. Bye-bye. Bye, Whit.

Olivia Parker: Oh, where is that girl?

Matthew Parker: Who?

Olivia Parker: My sister. I still haven't seen her. Have you?

Matthew Parker: Nope. She flew in last night, right?

Olivia Parker: I don't know. I thought Mama was talking to her.

Eva Parker: Dad, are we all sitting in the front row here?

David Parker: Yes, I think your grandmother had us all on this end here. Have a seat.

Eva Parker: Oh good, there's Mama. Mama, come here, please.

Mama Lucia: Doesn't everything look lovely? And your pastor is so nice.

Eva Parker: Thanks, but we're a little worried. Five minutes to the service and Rosalita isn't here.

Mama Lucia: Oh, just a moment. Hello? Rosalita? ¿Dónde estás? ¿Qué? ¿Qué te fuiste con Orlando? ¿Qué es tu enamorada? No lo puedo creer. Ay, después hablamos. Está bien, abuelita. Adiós.

Eva Parker: Well, Mama? What's wrong?

Mama Lucia: She won't be here. Rosalita eloped last night.

David Parker: What?

Mama Lucia: No church wedding. No family. Ay mija, qué tonta. She and Rodrigo eloped after all this. No, she and Orlando. He was flying home and ran into her at the airport. He convinced her of his love.

David Parker: You're kidding. You're not kidding.

Mama Lucia: Poor Rosalita.

Eva Parker: What? Did you say poor Rosalita?

Mama Lucia: Yes, she eloped and missed her traditional wedding. Poor girl.

Eva Parker: Poor girl? I can't believe you, Mama. I really can't believe you.

Mama Lucia: Is something wrong? You are upset with me?

Eva Parker: Yes, I'm upset. Poor Rodrigo, I understand. Poor you, poor me, poor Orlando, but poor Rosalita?

This family, this whole neighborhood has turned itself inside out to accommodate my frivolous sister. And I’ve held my tongue. I’ve tried to do what I thought you wanted. No, not inside. I want my children to hear.

Mama, my family bent over backwards for you, and I went along with it because I thought they would learn about family, our traditions. And they have. They’ve seen how invasive and uncaring and unreliable their family is. And all because of an aunt who thinks of nobody but herself. And you, all you can say is, "Poor Rosalita, poor girl." Mama, me vuelves loca.

Matthew Parker: What did she say?

David Parker: I think she said your grandmother drives her crazy.

Mama Lucia: Yes, that's what I said. Mama, you drive me crazy.

Mama Lucia: You're right, Eva. I owe you all an apology.

Eva Parker: What?

Mama Lucia: Niñas, I am sorry.

Matthew Parker: Oh, that's okay, Abuelita.

Olivia Parker: Yeah.

Mama Lucia: No, your mama is right. You are a good family and I put you through a lot for Rosalita's sake. You don't have to go anyway. Eva, you were always my good girl. I never had to worry about you. But Rosalita, ay, she was always a handful. Her, I lay awake at night thinking about. You, I never did that. You were sensible and strong and, well, I see now that I have taken you for granted. I'm sorry, mija. Will you forgive me?

Eva Parker: Oh, of course I will, Mama. I do. I mean, there's nothing to forgive. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I love you too much to do that. Mama!

David Parker: What will we do about all the guests?

Matthew Parker: Hey, how about a party to celebrate our family reunion?

David Parker: Suits me.

Eva Parker: We have all the food and drinks. We can't let it go to waste.

Mama Lucia: Ladies and gentlemen, fiesta!

Mr. Whittaker: So, it sounds like it turned out pretty well after all.

Matthew Parker: Yeah, once the pressure was off, it was kind of a blast.

Olivia Parker: Our cousins were actually lots of fun. I miss everybody already.

Mr. Whittaker: And did your grandmother leave too?

Matthew Parker: No, she's going to stay a couple more weeks.

Mr. Whittaker: Oh, but what happened to Rodrigo? He must have been heartbroken.

Olivia Parker: Well, he looked sad, but actually Abuelita said that our cousin Maria would be more than happy to comfort him when he got home.

Mr. Whittaker: One of the advantages of a large family, I guess.

Matthew Parker: Anyway, we've got to get back. There's still a lot of cleanup to do, which will probably be my job, of course.

Olivia Parker: Yeah, right.

Mr. Whittaker: Well, thanks for stopping by to fill me in. And if you get the chance, I'd love to meet Abuelita before she leaves.

Matthew Parker: Okay, we'll tell her. Bye. Vaya con Dios.

Mr. Whittaker: Vaya con Dios to you.

Chris: Whether your family lives in the same house, the same town or all around the globe, it's important to remember how much of a blessing they really are and to thank God for them. And the next time you think that your family is as strange as any can be, just remember the Parker family.

Have you been in a family wedding or an almost wedding? Or maybe you had a family reunion that turned into a disaster? Maybe you've heard about God doing amazing things in the lives of your parents or grandparents.

Whether your family stories are funny or inspiring, why don't you get together with your parents, come up with your family's best stories and write them down and send them to me at Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995? Or if you live in Canada, you can write to me at Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.

You can find more about today's adventure, Grandma's Visit, including discussion questions, devotionals, and how to get your own copy on our website at whitsend.org. This adventure is included in Album 51, Take it from the Top, along with 11 other adventures.

Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Grandma's Visit was written by Bob Hoose, with sound design by Christopher Diehl. Music by John Campbell. Our cast included Amanda Troupe, Lucky Wheating, Marc Evan Jackson, and Zach Callison. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more—ready for this?—aventuras en Odisea. Hey, not bad!