"Hey sugah! How ya'll doin'?"

So here we are at our new series, "Get Wild," where Madison and the other children got to see a few exotic birds such as the umbrella cockatoo (named Sugar).  Lately, Madison has been practicing her Southern accent.  This is something she hasn't quite acquired, mainly because (ahem) she's from CHINA.  But still she has been trying to sound Southern by repeating the phrase - over and over again - "Hey sugah!  How y'all doin'?"  I'm not sure where this started, to be honest.  It may have been when we were talking about one of the X-Men, Rogue.  Or it could have been trying to describe one of the My Little Pony characters, Applejack.  Whatever it may be, Madison has been trying this accent for a few weeks now, repeating the phrase.

Now, suddenly, she can ask a bird with all sincerity, "Hey sugah!  How y'all doin'?"  The bird didn't reply.  But it did surprise Daddy backstage when it said, "Hi Sugar!"  I forgot they actually talk, and sound not so much like birds at times, but like tape recorders.  I honestly thought someone else had said it, but then it dawned on me:  oh yeah, the bird talks.

Anyway, there were plenty of other exotic birds.  Madison also saw a hornbill above, and a few parrots like the one in the picture below:

You can see Madison barely in the crowd above, against the wall in the middle with the white hairband.  She's enjoying the presentation, where we learned quite a bit about various birds.  The service was fantastic, and one that left the kids remembering quite a bit.  And that's pretty much what we go for at KidPak, making lasting impressions.  Here's a few fun facts about birds we shared this morning, straight from our message:

A Bird’s Eye View

     Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south? Not really. That credit goes to God, the one who made all creatures great and small, including the wonderful variety of birds that soar over the earth.

     You see, God is smarter than a fifth grader. He’s smarter than all of us, and he ought to be: He’s the one that created us and knows what’s best for us. He knows every sparrow, and He knows every hair on our heads – so don’t worry!

     No matter your situation, remember that where God guides, He also provides.  The prophet Elijah found this out firsthand when he was hungry and fed at the brook by a congress of ravens sent by God. That’s so raven! Even in a barren desert where everything looked so empty of promise, God made a way – and Elijah discovered that he shouldn’t worry.  God isn’t like an ostrich that sometimes leaves its nest, completely unconcerned for the eggs left there alone. No, God is cuckoo for all of us, His love so strong that He sent His only son for us. He watches over us like a hawk!

     So don’t lose feathers worrying about the future. Even if you’ve messed up in life, God can forgive you if you ask. After the rooster crowed, Peter realized he had done something awful to Jesus. But even after that rooster crows for all of us, there’s still God’s love. He’ll take care of us because He loves us no matter what. Nothing can separate us from His love, so return to the nest and get a bird’s eye view!

1. God is smarter than a fifth grader. He knows everything there is to know about you.

"Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south?” Job 39:26 NIV

2. Where God guides, He provides. God will take care of you, just as He took care of Elijah when he was hungry.

“You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” 1 Kings 17:4 NIV

3. God is not an ostrich! He cares for each of us, and won’t abandon us. He will never leave or forsake us.

“Ostriches lay their eggs on the ground. They let them get warm in the sand.  They do not know that something might step on them. A wild animal might walk all over them.” Job 39:14-15 NIrV

4. Even after the rooster crows, God is still cuckoo you. The rooster reminded Peter of his sin, but Jesus forgave him. God loves us so much, that He sent His son to die for our sins.

"But here is how God has shown his love for us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 NIrV