CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS

As many of you know, Sarah has taught at Oakwood Academy for the last 4 years. She attended school there from grades 1-8. Went to Andrews Academy for 11-12 and graduated from AU. Her student teaching was also done at Oakwood and she even substituted at Andrews Academy. There is a soft spot in her heart for her former schools and teachers. This last year since having Leah has been the first year she hasn't taught. When making that decision, she promised Oakwood that she would help with their Christmas Program. Through her 4 years at Oakwood, the Christmas extravaganza has been the highlight of the school year. So, here we go again. Our Canatata, "The Treasures of Christmas" was held on Sunday, December 14th. Sarah was in charge of decorating and drama. The Oakwood Church choir sang the cantata this year which was different. Children joined on several numbers along with a bell choir.

One of the challenges facing Sarah was that out of 31 students, there are only 3 boys. Try dividing up positions for shepherds, Joseph, Kings, etc., with only 3 boys. Somehow it worked. So, for the last two weeks before the program, Sarah and Leah were at the school every day but Mondays. Whew, exhausting. And Julie was at Choir practice every Friday night, most Sabbaths after church, and on the last weekend, Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday for performance.

It was well worth every minute. Just beautiful. And I must say, the choir really only made one or two visible mistakes. Quite a challenge singing with an accompaniement trax, live saxophone, and live handbells, choir and childrens choir. The drama was great and considering the children are in grades K-7 it was even more amazing. During the two dress rehearsals, which every student attended in the evening, UNBELIEVABLE, scene changes, costume changes, and the like were very scary. But as usual, on the day of the program everything went so smooth. Sarah had a microphone hooked up to speak with the sound men up in the balcony. She also recruited 4 prop men to change scenes rapidly and they did a terrific job.

Our stable was handmade by a recently baptized new church member and was absolutely perfect. We will have it for many years. He also put some extra wood to prop up our life size animals we have had for years thanks to old member Vern Fought. Mr. Bosman, the best grandpa a school could have, built a long lasting portable fire for us. We will be using that for many more activities. Thanks to Melissa Bellenir for her backdrop that she put up and personalized, Trumpets from Mr. Drapiza, Costumes from April and Diana, and all our backstage help. Candace Walls was the director and it was amazing what she brought us. Lots of fun was had by all. These are just a couple of pictures Natalie took for me. I was to busy singing. The whole scene. You can see the stable, manger, big cow, fireplace.

I am sure you know the song "Do You Hear What I Hear" where it says "Said the night wind to the little lamb". The girl in the black cape is the night wind speaking to the little lamb. I think this was my favorite song. The shepherd is looking for the King to tell him and then the King came forward and told the whole crowd of people. I am in the choir with my head over the book by the shepherds rod. Guess I should have really been looking at the director.

This is Mary and Elizabeth talking about their expectant babies.

Here are 4 pretty cute lambs.

Another shot showing the star and the hillside and night sky background. This was our girls choir who sang "Oh Holy Night" in three part harmony. Remember, grades K-7.

Our own little angels waiting for their next scene with their trumpets in hand.

Every Tuesday we do hot lunch at the school. Here we are getting ready to eat. Sarah then stays until 4 or 5 giving piano lessons and tutoring so we babysit the rest of the day. It's fun being part of the school still.

Our grateful recipients.

So, my friends in Berrien, now you can see why I can't get time to come to see you as much as I want. Hopefully with the Cantata done and Nilza back in town, I will be able to slip away a bit more.

This is a picture of Stellas Christmas program for the needy children she does each year. She had over 40 children this year. She buys each one several gifts along with her church children. This year they had a big pinata. Their local newspaper came and captured many nice shots and had a very favorable article on their newspaper on line.

A yearly tradition we have started is to bring the school children to sing to the workers at Woolf. They seem to enjoy it. Natalie always sets up such a nice party for the children and the workers get pizza along with our students. Then, there is always the take home bag with goodies for them. After us, they go to several senior citizens homes from church and sing to them.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without a picture of Prince and George. They are enjoying their new present from Uncle Tim.

One of the saddest things happened the Sunday of our Cantata. Sarah went in her basement to get some wrapping paper and right in front of it was her kitty Farva dead. What a shock and sadness, and then have to head to the Cantata and direct it. She is a wonderful daughter and my heart aches for her and the lose of this kitty. He was her favorite and would cuddle her and just make biscuits in her neck all the time. We left for Florida shortly after that, so I think the loss will set in more when we get home. Hopefully Boo is doing okay by himself. It was hard to leave him knowing how sad he would be without his brother. Michelle, Gram Ann, Gram Cheryl and Angela all check in on him and he seems to be okay.