2 weeks of fun!

Things have been busy around the Murray house.  A couple of weeks ago Ella attended VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church.  The theme this year was Agency D3, all about being a secret agent.

Ella had a terrific time!  Every afternoon on the way home we would listen to the music CD and she would show me all of the motions to the songs.  Some of them had to wait until we got home since they were whole body motions and not just the arms.

On Tuesday I asked her if she needed to work on her memory verse for the week.  She informed me that she already had the verse memorized.  Since it was only the second day I just knew that there was no way she had the verse memorized, so I asked her to say it for me (knowing that she wouldn’t know it). Well…much to my surprise Ella quoted the entire verse without a problem.  When I asked her how she remembered it she said, “We read it and I just remember it.”  What I wouldn’t give to have a memory like that!

Needless to say, Ella had a fantastic time at VBS.  She learned so much and would come home every day with questions about their bible story.  Friday night was Family Night, complete with a hot dog dinner and music performance.  All of the kids did fabulous singing their songs.

Last week Ella participated in our church’s Music Camp.  This was the first year she was old enough to participate, so none of us really knew what to expect.  All I knew was that the theme was Agape League (superheroes), which is completely up Ella’s ally, so she definitely had to participate.

She came home on Monday with the CD in hand so every morning and every afternoon she would practice her songs and motions.  Soon she had all of the songs and motions down pat!  On Friday morning when she was getting ready to go to her last day of Music Camp, Ella said, “Mom, I wish Music Camp was 2 weeks.”  She was having so much fun!

Friday night was the big performance.  Each kid had a purple t-shirt and a red cape and mask.  I have to admit that I really didn’t expect much.  I fully expected them to play the CD with singing and the kids from camp would just sing along with the CD.  I expected all of the kids to forget their lines.  I expected someone to stand on stage and cry the entire time.  I expected the motions to be all over the place and not synchronized together.

I am pleased to report that I was completely wrong!  First, the kids did NOT sing along with the voices on the CD.  They had memorized each of the songs and sang loud and strong all on their own.  There were several soloists who all did fantastic and stayed on pitch.  The kids had their motions down perfectly and performed them right on cue.  There were only a couple of lines missed and each time the kid picked up without a hitch and the show went on.  I couldn’t believe it!  They had pulled this whole thing off and did a great job!

Words can’t begin to express how thankful and blessed we are to be a part of such an incredible church.  They welcome our sweet girl into every activity, allow her have an assistant come with her (and even help us find someone to help her for the week) and are willing to make the necessary accommodations so she can fully participate and have a great experience.  God is so good!