Today was the National Day of Prayer. Since our family is a bunch of prayer warriors, the children and I went off to the town center to join in the local prayer event. Okay we’re more like prayer serfs who are fighting their way up to noblemen. Still, as Tim reported, we are all growing in our commitment to prayer and this was a great opportunity for us to pray together with other believers.

We got to the town center just after noon. The e-mail we received said the prayer time was from 12:20 to 12:40 pm. There must have been some confusion on the details as the director ended the prayer time just a little after 12:15 pm. Several people from our church arrived just as it was ending. It was a bit frustrating. Thankfully the children and I were there in time to be a part of things.

Warning – as I OBVIOUSLY wouldn’t take a picture of people praying during the prayer meeting (really, my eyes would be closed, I promise) this photo is somewhat staged. Can you hear me saying to the children, “Pretend you’re praying, kids! Let’s get a good shot.” Please don’t answer that question.”

A friend from church grabbed my camera and took a picture of us. I’ll spare you the ‘fake praying family’ shot I have. There were around 25 people (not including us) meeting around the flag pole and lifting up our requests to the Lord.

I don’t think I did a good job of prepping the children about the significance of the event and what a privilege it was to join with people around the nation praying for our country. One child kept asking me when the play time was going to start. “No,” I said, “we’re going to be PRAYING not PLAYING.” It’s hard to keep these things straight.

On the way home the children decided they wanted to become photo-journalists, so I ended up with 166 pictures on my camera at the end of the day. Of course, many of them were like this:

Sarah was quite the little photographer today. But she had a difficult time getting the angle correct on the camera.

And, you gotta love the child who captured this high energy, action shot:

I should let the kids take pictures more often. What a great photo documentary of our life. After all, it’s important our sophisticated reading material is captured on camera.

Someone did take this pretty picture. I would guess it was Rachel as she is the gardener in the family and has proven to be an excellent photographer at times (like when we’re at the zoo).

Later on in the day, just before dinner, Tim took the children out to the park in celebration of Daniel’s Special Day (trying to get back into the habit of doing SD’s). You could say that it was a Praying and Playing kind of day.

Kathy

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Daniel got a package from Thailand today! Cool. We love packages of all sizes and shapes and ones that come close to your birthday are especially adored.

This particular package was from our friends who are serving in Thailand with New Tribes. Daniel waited until everyone had gathered around to watch him (have to savor the moment and all that). After he had the proper audience support, Daniel opened up the box and read the card.

“Do you want to take a picture, Mom?” He asked. Sigh. He obviously knows me too well and knows I have a serious case of OCB (obsessive compulsive blogging).

It turns out Daniel was given a Takraw ball from his friend, Zachary. Now Daniel can twist and turn and kick the ball like the boys in Thailand.

We’ll see how long that lasts before he hurts himself or a younger sibling.

Thank you, Zachary, for such an awesome gift.

Kathy

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I am finally getting around to posting the blog about the kids’ play, How the West Was Dun from last week.

It’s Friday and time for the big play, time for the kids to ‘break a leg’ and show us all their stuff. The children stayed at the church all afternoon and into the evening, getting ready for the play. Bless the drama teacher!!! She works so hard and is always cheerful and encouraging.

Band of Outlaws

The play was wonderful! It was funny and silly and full of intrigue and romance and bad guys! As Rachel commented on yesterday’s blog, the drama class was shorter this year (by 20 minutes each week and a month in total duration) so the kids had much less time to practice. There were several painful moments on the stage when the actor didn’t remember their lines. Yikes! Not good. Unfortunately the drama teacher was in the back working the lights and there wasn’t anyone in the wings to help prompt the kids.

Ah, the show must go on, nonetheless.

Joshua played the banker and all around ruthless bad guy. He did a great job with all of his lines and could have used a microphone (although he, of all the actors, really knows how to project his voice). Joshua, as Rich Coldheart, longed to marry the widow’s daughter, not for love, but for her money. He had an evil scheme in which he would get the widow’s land and possibly the beautiful daughter as well. Wicked!

Joshua and Polly Wanda Cracker

Rachel was one of the group of ‘bad guys.’ She played the Schizeophrenic Kid and switched back and forth between a bad and good character/criminal, depending on what hat she was wearing (black or white). She had a great deal of lines and delivered them perfectly. It was hysterical watching her change from well-spoken, polite gunswoman to nasty, rough scoundrel.

Rachel is on the far right. What a crew!

Daniel starred as the Lone Stranger. Much of the play was a take off on stereotypes and typical Western fare. Daniel had some very funny lines (and wore two layers of black masks which provided some fun physical humor). He wasn’t on the stage nearly enough! The drama class provided a wonderful opportunity for Daniel to try his hand at acting. It encouraged him in his reading and public speaking as well as taught him something of the work involved in the world of theater.

“Sorry, my friend, but his name was Toronto (my ex-faithful companion). I finally understood what he was saying. I thought he was saying Kemosabe, but it turned out he was calling me ‘Unclean and Snobby.’ I had to fire him.”

What a fun, fun evening! I took as many pictures as I could. We are sincerely hoping one of the other parents got the play on video so we can see it again.

Kathy

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