LOL is the name of my middle school group of jugglers, illusionists, actors and musicians.  Every autumn, these kids have a show for a chapel service at the Riverview Psychiatric Hospital in Augusta, Maine.  The chaplain at Riverview, James Weathersbee, is one of my closest friends, and he is always quick to book us when I call.  This year was no exception.  The kids and I arrived with 20 minutes for setting up, and we needed every minute to get the show ready.

But we were ready just in time.  The kids did great.  Rachel was absent, so there were several last minute substitutions that had to be made.  Liz did a great job filling in in our mime routine "I Want to Now What Love Is", and Leah handled the rabbit production flawlessly.

We included something new at this show that will become a regular part of our performances from now on: Brianna played the flute while Leah, Liz and Kasy sang "Joyful, Joyful".  It was beautiful.  Also for the first time, Caleb H performed the Bible coloring book illusion, and he recieved audible gasps of astonishment.  

After the show, we had a nice time of visiting the patients and enjoying snacks provided by the hospital.  Jeremiah, our rabbit, got passed around, and of course her was a hit.  When we returned to school, many of the kids commented on how this was not what they expected from mental patients.  Some stereotypes were torn down that day.