Kids showed lion-like courage in Bible dramas

Tina painting whiskers on my baby lion

My little actress. Since she was born, I have said my Madeline is a dramatic kid.

And she is.

But when it comes right down to it, she’s shy and doesn’t like anyone focusing too much attention on her.

Two weekends ago, Madeline and her little friends had their moment in the “spotlight.” They were featured in a series of six Bible dramas.

For Madeline, it was her very first play— a small role, but a role in a real, live play. She was cast as one of four not-so-ferocious lions that circled faithful Daniel after he was thrown into a pit.

Her part was in the final act and I wasn’t sure if she would go through with it. During practice she told me, “I want you to crawl with me, mommy!” (No way, kid!)

Lyndee and Madeline, both age 4

Yet, the show must go on.

Madeline and three of her little pals, Logan Bodary, 3, and sisters Haley Dufort, 7, and Lyndee Dufort, 4, obediently entered the scene and dropped to their lion-like positions and began circling Daniel (Raphael McKean). In keeping with the story, they waited until he was pulled from the pit safely. Then, they gingerly and rather reluctantly, attacked the pretend men that were dropped from the rafters, symbolizing the men that had thrown Daniel into the lions’ pit.

Sadly, I think all four of them forgot their one line, “Roar!”

Nevertheless, the chorus of “Awe! Cute!” from the crowd made my heart swell with pride for all four little lions. They happily milled around with their hot-glued ears, yarn tails and painted whiskers—certainly, the sweetest lions in all the land.

I was so proud. She conquered her fear and she did it!

I held back tears and ran to embrace her behind the curtain after her part.

Yvette directing the show behind the scenes.

“I did it, mommy!” she said. “ROAR!”


Right on, baby girl. ROAR!


On a personal note, I would like to sincerely thank the ambitious young lady, Yvette Hudson, who worked so hard to organize the event in her parent’s pole barn in Fairgrove. The barn was transformed from a garage-type atmosphere into something special—a theater, showcasing so many exceptional young people from our area!

It was so impressive and heart-warming! Faithful men and women of the Bible were highlighted as an example for all of us, including Moses and Aaron, King Solomon, David, Ruth and Naomi, Jephthah and his daughter, and Daniel.

Fantastic job to all of the young people that participated, including: Cassie Anderson, Michael Anderson, Logan Bodary, Kaitlyn Crumby, Colton Darbee, Haley and Lyndee Dufort, Madeline Ewald, Caleb Elizando, Garret and Raphael McKean, Brad Porath, Ashton and Hunter Schultz, Yasmine and Elizabeth Stec, Justin and Stevie Sweet.





Look at these little cuties, Ashton and Yasmine. When did they grow up?



Justin giving the 'thumb's up', along with Stevie and Garrett.



One mean Goliath, AKA Brad. :)



The lion's pit... well, sorta.









Sarah and Logan. I love this picture.



Justin and Garrett "on stage."



Stevie and Colton enter as Moses and Aaron.



Our narrators, Eric and Bob.



Michael was so ready to chop the baby in half! Solomon (Caleb) stopped him.



Awe, Elizabeth stole the show when she hugged Justin at the end of this skit. It was too cute!



Enter the lions!!!!!! Our silent, non-threatening lions.

Grammy and Poppy congratulate our super star.

























What a beautiful congregation








Applause!!!!!!!












Logan checking everyone out, just doin' his thing!





Young voices!

The beauty of the backyard bird buzz, I get it now

I remember my mom hanging out oodles of hummingbird feeders when I was a kid—in the front window, in the backyard, everywhere.

The little buzzing birds fascinated me for about five seconds and then I was on to something else.

Friends would come over and say, “Oh, look! A hummingbird is at your window, Amy! Wow!”

“Yup,” I would say, wondering why it was even worth mentioning.

I could identify the male and the female—good enough, I thought. Whoopee! Big deal!

To me, hummingbirds weren’t that special because they were always buzzing and tweeting around the deck.

Quite often, they would hover right above us and drink from the feeders as we sat there during the evening hours.

I still wasn’t impressed. Sure, they were neat and I liked to hear mom tell me about them, but hummingbirds and songbirds were boring to me. In fact, any of the birds that congregated around mom’s bird feeder fell into the “not-so-fascinating” category.

I didn’t see the point of watching them—peck and poop, feed and fly.

And then I started feeding birds at my own house last year.

BINGO!

I get it now. I like it and I’m hooked!

I find myself peering out the kitchen window more than a few times a day, checking out the feeders and seeing who has flown in for a visit.

I so was excited to see the Baltimore and Orchard Orioles make their appearance this year. I quickly sliced up an orange and stuck it on a hook for them.

The bird feeder quickly multiplied into bird feeders, along with suet and blocks of seed that the woodpeckers seem to enjoy. It’s more of a “bird feeding station” now.

A few bird houses were also installed around the yard for “my flock.”

Indeed, I now get the fascination of bird watching.

Last year, I was thrilled to see a sweet, little Indigo Bunting just a few times. He hasn’t returned this year, but he certainly was pretty and I am hopeful to see him again.

I had to smile earlier this year when Madeline and I passed the hummingbird feeders at TSC. She marveled at the pretty glass and bright plastic flower spouts.

I let her pick out her favorite one to take home and together, we filled it with sugar water and hung it by the patio door.

And when the day gets cooler and the sun begins to go down, we’re on the deck and the hummingbirds are buzzing. Suddenly, I find myself reciting all of that “bird knowledge” that my mom told me years ago to a wide-eyed little girl. She’s listening and learning about the beauty around us.

Yup, I get it now.