Alpacas

Here's Daddy introducing the wonderful Reeder family, and their pet alpacas.  The one in the middle is actually named King James.  We had a great time tonight - Daddy was praying for a unique animal on stage for our "Don't Miss the Boat" series, and the idea of using alpacas struck last Sunday.  The Reeder family was more than accommodating, even honored we thought to invite them.  So come they did, with not just one but three alpacas!

Of course, there's a reason for the three:  apparently they get scared if left alone.  They think they'll get eaten or something.  So we met them at KidPak, where they did not get eaten.  Instead, they were celebrated as we presented the key points to our message from Noah's Ark.

It was an awesome evening!  The kids were captivated, as were the adults.  We took all kinds of pictures tonight, and everything went very well.  You can tell Daddy is pretty happy with the turn of events in this photo below:

Madison had a great day at school today, bringing in her leprechaun trap to school.  It was the same one we made last year, which we kept downstairs in mint condition.  Daddy carried it into school, due to rain and the fact that Madison already had a heavy backpack on.  As we brought it into the classroom, there before us was an empire of leprechaun traps, some about three feet tall (made of green-painted boxes stood up, one on top of the other).

Madison was quick to share with her classmates the logistics of the trap, how that poor creature will be lured up the "Shamrock Climbing Wall" towards the slightly obvious trap door, which he'll of course fall into.  Other children were sharing their own tips and strategies.  Seriously:  Any leprechaun that walks into that room is doomed.

There was tennis today, which was fortunately indoors.  Once again, the temperature is plunging towards an area around freezing.  Other parts of the country are watching it snow again, late into the season.  For the record, our groundhog missed the call this year.  General Beau has a blemish on his record.  Punxsutawney Phil, however, got it right on.  This has been an amazing winter.  It didn't have the epic beauty and timing of three years ago, but it did get Madison out of school seven days.

So off to bed we go, with the extra comforter on one last time.  It's great snuggle weather.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll even start another fire tomorrow!

Before going, here's part two of "Don't Miss the Boat."  This was more like an outline, but it seemed to work out well!

KidPak Adventures:  Don’t Miss the Boat!

Two by Two

CUE SLIDE:  “DMTB”

HOST:  “Welcome back to Noah’s Ark, and as we just learned from Donald there – you don’t want to miss the boat.  Turn to your neighbor and say ‘Don’t Miss the Boat!’”

Let audience respond.

CUE SLIDE: “ANIMALS TWO BY TWO”

HOST:  “One thing that has always amazed me about this story is how the animals came from all over to get on board this incredible boat.  They all just lined up, two by two – as you just saw in that video clip.”

HOST:  “And as we were looking at those creatures, we realized something:  there’s a lot we can learn from them.  For example, they went on board two by two.  Another thing:  they got in line.  And oh, one more thing:  they just kept going.”

HOST:  “These are helpful hints we can use in our lives. And to help us all tonight, we thought we’d do something a little different:  we thought we’d bring out some of God’s wonderful creatures now and learn from them.  You want to see a few amazing animals?”

Let audience answer.

HOST:  “Let’s bring them out!”

CUE TRACK:  Upbeat

CUE SLIDE:  “DMTB”

MELISSA and FAMILY enter with three alpacas

HOST:  “Everyone, say hello to our friends the Reeder Family!”

Let audience respond.

HOST:  “Now we’ve got some special friends up here – what are their names?”

MELISSA introduces her sons.

HOST: “That’s nice.  But I wasn’t talking about them!  How about these amazing creatures?”

MELISSA (or one of boys) introduces alpacas.

HOST:  “This is a special creature.  It must be for you to put so much of yourself into.  Can you tell us a little bit about the alpaca?”

MELISSA (or one of boys) gives a short description of the alpaca, how they came to have some, and why.

HOST:  “Okay, so last week we saw ‘Evan Almighty,’ and we saw how alpacas like to spit.  Is that true?  Should we have made the seats in the front row a splash zone?”

MELISSA, or possibly someone in her family, talks about alpacas, about spitting. 

HOST: “Okay, you heard it here first, folks!”

HOST:  “Now we’re talking about Noah the next few Wednesdays, and in fact our message is about animals tonight.  Our first point has something to do with working together – can you explain to everyone here about bringing your alpacas to competitions, and how it’s a team effort?”

MELISSA explains the collaborative effort between alpaca and trainer to become a champion.  Or, how the family works together to train.  The point is:  they don’t win alone!  Some photos of competitions may go here, along with possibly showing off on stage some ribbons and so forth.

HOST:  “That’s fantastic – and like I said, it’s something to learn from.  You see, a long time ago, these alpacas went on the ark, two by two, right?  And in life, God didn’t design us to work alone.  He wants us working side by side for His kingdom.  That brings us to our first point.”

CUE SLIDE:  Two is Better than One.

HOST:  “Two is better than one.  That’s common sense, isn’t it?  I’d rather you give me dollars instead of one, right?  Or two video games instead of one?  Ever heard of a BOGO sale before?  That’s buy one get one free.  Much better!  Let’s look at a scripture that’s just common sense.”

CUE SLIDE:  ““Two people are better than one.  They can help each other in everything they do.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 NIrV

HOST:  “Two people are better than one.  That’s the first part.  But look at that other part – they can help each other in everything they do.”

CUE SLIDE:  “DMTB”

HOST:  “It was probably a lot of effort putting that field together, but just like Noah, how many sons do you have?”

MELISSA:  “Three.”

HOST:  “Exactly.  And just like with Noah’s family, you all worked together to accomplish something.  And when challenges rose up, you didn’t face them alone – you worked together to overcome.  That’s just what God wants.  He doesn’t want any of us to be alone – that’s why we come to church together.  We’re here to help each other, and get help if it is needed.”

HOST: “Now let me ask you a question about these rules at an alpaca competition.  What are they looking for when judging a winner?”

MELISSA (or one of boys) explains the rules of judging alpacas a bit, and what judges are looking for.

HOST:  “So I couldn’t just show up and do whatever I want, right?  What if I wanted my alpaca to spit at all the judges – would that be a winner?”

MELISSA: “Probably not.”

HOST:  “But it’d be funny, right?”

MELISSA:  “Well…”

HOST:  “You’re right.  You see, we have to follow rules.  And that brings me to our next point.  Let’s take a look at it.”

CUE SLIDE: “GET IN LINE”

HOST: “Get in line.  All those animals sure did get in line, didn’t they?  They poured into the ark, lined up and walked up the ramp.  And if they didn’t do that… they’d be over their heads pretty soon.  Let me share a scripture with you.”

CUE SLIDE:  ROMANS 13:1

HOST:  “There are no authorities except the ones that God has chosen.  These alpacas and their owners have to follow the rules if they are going to be a champion – and we’re no different.”

CUE SLIDE: “DMTB”

HOST:  “We too have to submit to His rules – His law.  And we have to submit to the people He has placed in charge.  When we do that, we’re obeying Him – and when we do that, we won’t be in over our heads.  Instead, we’ll find ourselves under His covering, and rising above it all.”

HOST:  “God is watching to see if you’re listening and obeying your parents, your teachers, your pastors, or anyone He has put in a position over you.  If God likes what He’s seeing, you’ll be on a faster track to success!”

HOST:  “One more question – and one more point.  Let’s get back to when you were first setting things up.  You had a lot of challenges getting this all put together, and then some more when you decided to take your alpacas to competitions.  Tell us a little about that.”

MELISSA (or one of boys) describes any challenges they may have encountered along the way.  Any funny stories about things that didn’t go right with the alpacas?  Maybe an escape or eating something valuable or spitting on someone, etc.?

HOST:  “Now in the end, they won.  Here they are, looking back at their success.  They’re doing great, aren’t they?  I’ve got one last question, but before that I think it’s time to say goodnight to our new friends on stage.”

HOST goes to dismiss alpacas and their handlers.

HOST:  “Let’s give a hand to them – and say a huge thank you to our guests for dropping by.  Weren’t they wonderful?”

Handlers and alpacas exit.

HOST:  “The last point before we go is this.”

CUE SLIDE:  “Gopher it!”

HOST: “ Gopher it!  That’s a play on words – Noah was building using gopher wood.  And he wasn’t giving up no matter what.  By perseverance, those snails made it to the ark, right?  They just did not give up.  Let’s look at a scripture you may have seen before.”

CUE SLIDE: “ Galatians 6:9”

HOST:  “Let us not become tired of doing good.  At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.  If we don’t give up.  We’re wrapping up for the night, but I did want to ask you possibly one more question, Melissa.”

CUE SLIDE:  DMTB

HOST:  “We were just talking about overcoming – about perseverance. In all of our lives, we encounter situations we need to overcome.  Do you have a story you’d like to share with us?”

MELISSA shares a brief testimony

HOST:  “Thank you for sharing.  And as we wrap up tonight, it’s important to remember what we’ve learned.  First, God didn’t make us to go through life alone – don’t go solo.  He put people here to help you, so ask.  And if you see someone that needs help, by all means do it.  Next, we’re supposed to get in line – and honor those who God put in authority over us.  When we obey them, we obey God.  And finally, the last thing we learned from these amazing animals tonight is this:  don’t give up.  Just keep moving forward.  Challenges come to all of us.  But quitters don’t win, and winners don’t quit.”

HOST:  “Melissa, we’re so thankful to have you here with us.  Would you close this service in prayer?”

MELISSA closes in prayer. 

HOST thanks MELISSA for visiting KidPak, and dismisses.