Coconuts and Bamboo

Here's a photo of Daddy as his character, Professor Wisenheimer.  He seems to be able to create anything at all strictly from coconuts and bamboo.  Sure, occasionally there are other ingredients like shells or pineapples.  But it's all gotta' have coconuts and bamboo in it - and that's just one of the running jokes of the series.

It just so happens that there is, of course, a Professor character on the Gilligan's Island television show.  I'm nothing like Russell Johnson, of course.  But some of our other characters match up pretty well, most notably our Skipper, Mary Anne, Ginger and Mrs. Howell. The kids in our audience have loved this series quite a bit - just about as much as the actors.  What's amazing is that I've basically lifted a lot of the plotlines from actual episodes from the television show.  These kids have not seen those original episodes though, so all of this neat material is completely new to them.  For example, today's skit had to do with our Gilligan character becoming a human radio.  Every time he opened his mouth, a different musical number would play (only to abruptly shut off when he closed his mouth).

Sadly, we've come to the end of this series again - but I've got to say that this was the best version of it we've ever done.  All the actors were splendid.  Hey, you want to know something?  We checked out the real Professor's website, and he's got posted a map of where Gilligan's Island would be on a map, based on a fan's calculations.  Just because I can, here it is below:

To make it easy, I'll tell you where it is:  look to the right of Hawaii.  It's the right-most island there is, just north of the red word "EQUATOR."

Daddy grew up with Gilligan's Island, Get Smart and a bunch of other television shows from that era.  They're still funny too - we're glad they're available on DVD sets.  We plunder these shows for great jokes, one-liners and interesting concepts.  And based on today's reaction from the kids, it's all good!

Shift of gears:  after church today, we met up with a very nice family.  The reason for our meeting:  a discussion about their upcoming trip to China.  Yes, Madison may have a new friend soon, a young boy who just turned four.  He's currently in China, but this family will be heading over there very soon.  We were able to give some limited advice based on our experience, but it's been about four years now since we've gone.  Hopefully we were helpful with a few areas.  As we talked, Madison and their other children played different games in the recreation room of the church.  She was having a great time with them!

We'll meet up with them again soon enough, I'm sure.  For one, Daddy was wanting to put together some Chinese music for them, and maybe find a few children's DVDs that have a Chinese theme.

It'll be good to have another friend from China, although Madison makes friends with anyone pretty quickly.  She'll have her own fan club some day!

Today, Daddy had to finish creating his "Go the Distance" books - our upcoming series has an Olympic series as you can see here:

"Yeah!  I did it!"

We struggled with a title for this one - titles like "Olympia" and "Go for the Gold" were early candidates.  But then right there in the middle of Summer Xtreme we were singing that song from "Hercules" and realized the title would work out pretty well.  Plus, it's tied to one of our favorite Disney movies, and it has that Greek thing going for it too with that tie-in.  So "Go the Distance" it is, and now every time we see that title, we're singing that song...!

Here's another message for our new series, based on running the race:

      On your mark.  Get set.  GO!  The race is on, and the fastest athletes in the world are competing for the ultimate prize.  Of all the sports mentioned in the Bible, this one may be the biggest and most exciting.  In the New Testament, Paul mentioned racing many times, and in many different books of the Bible.  And as we look to the sport of racing, we too can learn from Paul what it’s like to really run the race!
     For example, one thing Paul told us is this:  Don’t look back.  When running the race, he wrote that we should forget what is behind us – and push hard toward what is ahead.  When we become Christians, our past is past.  Don’t go back to your old way of thinking, and don’t let regret consume you.  It’s time to move forward and win that race!

      Another thing he told us is that there is a crowd of witnesses cheering you on.  Know that you aren’t in this race alone.  People are praying for you, and God Himself wants you to finish that race!  Don’t let anyone down – Olympic history is filled with dramatic stories of athletes who refused to quit, even despite a terrible injury.  Their only thought:  crossing that finish line.  You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

     As you look to that crowd, remember this: You’re here to represent.  In the Olympics, each nation has sent it’s best and brightest, with the highest hopes of getting gold.  In this lifetime, you represent your family, your church, your nation, and God Himself.  Do your best and don’t let anyone down.  Soon, you’ll be standing on the podium with all eyes on you as your anthem plays – how sweet the sound!
      Paul must have been a runner himself, and no doubt he himself was standing on that champion’s podium, victorious until the end.  And just like with him, everyone will be filled with pride at your accomplishment as well, just so long as you run that race!