Every year, our church's kids program - AWANA - ends its year with a grand prix.  If you grew up in scouts you may know it better as a pinewood derby.  For the last several years I have been asked not only to provide the entertainment / Gospel presentation, I've also been the emcee of the event.  That means I get to live out a close approximation of my lifelong dream of being a game show host.  The church provides lots of "PRIZES, PRIZES, PRIZES" to give out between heats of the races including a variety of obnoxious noise makers just in time for families' summer road trips.  You're welcome, moms and dads!

After the races, as the judges are preparing the trophies and ribbons, the crowd (and there was a sizeable turnout) heads into the sanctuary where my show is already set up.  I did a 30 minute set for the kids and their parents.  While a many people in this particular audience have seen my show before, I made sure it included enough new or recently revamped routines to make it seem fresh.  Everyone had a good time, and I closed with the card castle illusion, emphasizing the verse from Psalms: "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."  I also explained that the converse is also true: "If the Lord builds the house (our lives, and especially our households) we are NOT laboring in vain.  Ever."

When the show was done, the audience all went back to the fellowship hall for the awards ceremony.  I packed up during this time, but was not loaded into the van before a group of three young ladies came back wanting to see the birds.  I allowed then to handle them.  I don't usually do this, but it was a small group and felt the birds would be cooperative.  They were, and the girls thought it was hysterical that, whenever Rastelli flew, he chose to land on my head.  It's true, and I'm his favorite perch at home, as well.

I'm always happy when I can help out the ministry of our local church; They are a group of people who have done so much for us as well.