Last Thursday, the 15 jugglers who make up the LOL team - ages 12 to 14 - loaded up two large vans and began a four day ministry trip to the Burlington, Vermont area.  They were joined by six adult chaperones. We were on the road by 8:30 AM.  The travel was easy, and we arrived in Burlington at 1:30; just in time to set up for our first show at the Birchwood Terrace nursing home.  This was a regular venue for the Supreme Court Jesters  (our family's juggling ministry) when we went to Vermont regularly to visit my father.  Since his passing away in 2000, we haven't been there nearly as often, but it was nice to return.

Our show was terrific.  Even after 4 1/2 hours in the vans, they were at the top of their game.  The audience was the most involved audience we have had in a nursing home... they loved every minute.  Of course, Makayla did her chicken production trick with her hen, Hannah.  However, since it's not good for a chicken to be alone for long periods of time, she also brought a rooster, Coconut.  Since roosters are LOUD, Coconut had to stay outside while we performed.  Jona-Lynn, one of the chaperones - and my daughter - stayed outside the nursing home with Coconut.  by the time we were done, she had her own little audience of residents, staff, and neighbors playing with the rooster.  We sent some of our jugglers out to entertain them while the rest of the team visited our inside audience.  All in all, it was a great start to our trip.

We arrived at our base, the Essex Alliance Chruch, by about 4:15, and moved in.  We had plenty of free time to play foosball, basketball, and relax.  I grew up in Essex, but there are parts that are almost unrecognizable from my childhood, as the area is absolutely booming.  That aside, the accomodations were excellent.  There's not a more comfortable church floor to sleep on anywhere in New England.

Our chapel service that night focused on Ephesians 6, the armor of God.  Brandon led us in worship music with his acoustic guitar.  The most remarkable thing of all, though, was that 15 young teens went right to bed, and the rooms were quiet after our chaperone meeting.  We would be well rested going into our first full day in Vermont.