The Enchanted Cottage — Orange, Texas
WHERE EVERY BIRTHDAY GIRL BECOMES A
PRINCESS AND MOM
CAN RELAX AND BE QUEEN!
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Tonight, we are going to have a live play featuring some of the best actors and actresses of all time,” the narrator of the play, (myself) announced to the kids gathered at The Enchanted Cottage Saturday night.
Unlike most plays, the actors and actresses did not even know they were going to be in a play, let alone have a rehearsal time. You see, the actors and actresses were the kids themselves attending the workshop. Oh, I cornered some of them, perhaps 5 minutes before curtain call to inform them they would be on stage, but can I tell you, the kids would put Hollywood to shame!
After the big announcement of the night’s up-coming production, I motioned to my technician and husband, Glen, to dim the lights and the curtain went up. The following are highlights from the play, called FORGIVENESS.
With scenes from the life of Joseph and his brothers who had sold him into Egypt, (Genesis 39) the kids learned the importance of Asking Others to Forgive Them for the hurts they might have caused another person.
After the play was over, Glen passed out Certificates of Achievements to all the kids who had participated in the workshop the past four weeks.
Ending the night was a scene right out of 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 – – The Body of Christ
Amy Butterfield, coordinator of Project Linus in Westerville, Ohio and her group of volunteers, mailed blankets for each of the kids in the workshop. Project Linus, which has chapters in all 50 states, makes blankets and distributes them to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. Amy’s group was assisted by the chapter in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, whose coordinator is Penny Kollmasberger.
It was a sight to see as children between the ages of 6-17, reached into the box to claim their own special blanket. For sure, they felt hugged by all these ladies as they walked around the room with their blankets wrapped tightly around them.
I might add that I have never met Amy except through an online Bible Study. But, when she learned through the online Bible Study that this workshop was taking place, she immediately got involved by doing what she and the Project Linus Organization does best — send comfort to hurting children.
And that’s what it is all about — different members of the Body of Christ coming together as one unit touching children’s lives with the gift that God has given them. It is my prayer that as the workshop at The Enchanted Cottage came to a close, the seeds that were planted in these youngsters’ lives from Orange, Texas all the way to Ohio and Wisconsin will grow and enable them to reach adulthood free from losses in their childhood.
To Kim and Bob Forman and Stephanie Brown, and to the kids — we are eternally grateful that you opened your doors and hearts to us by giving us this opportunity.
For more information on how you can become involved, leave a comment or send me an email, and I will be glad to help you find the way that works best for you or your organization.
Join me next Tuesday when Lynn Donovan, one of my favorite authors and speakers, will be my guest. Lynn, along with Dineen Miller, recently published a book, entitled, Not Alone. She will be sharing a special article with us entitled: The Home With the Open Door — Powerful Parenting.