The Searchlight of Insight

History or current events?

Yesterday we went for a drive after church. I actually intended for us to stop at Shek-O beach for lunch and a play on the beach - something spontaneous and different for a change but the beach was so packed the police barricaded the roads. Instead we had a leisurely drive around the island. Tess took the opportunity to ask the kids what types of holidays they'd like during the next year. Did they want a beach and adventure holiday with elephants, pools, water slides and jungles OR, did they want a big city holiday with million year old dinosaurs in museums, movies on gigantic screens, castles and dungeons and scares? We just had friends who spent the summer in London and had a great time. London, England was offered up as a possible destination. (Being from Canada I have to specify England else our Toronto friends and family will have mismanaged expectations.) After Tess and I discussed possible vacation destinations with the kids they were silent for a bit when suddenly Jasper exclaimed, "WE CAN'T GO TO LONDON BECAUSE THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND WILL CUT OUR HEADS OFF!"

With recent events in London we're uncertain if Jasper is refering to history or current events.

Above: Maureen and Jasper cuddle while at Fintry this past summer.

Jasper the Worship Leader

Friday morning I received a call at work from the Union Church head of Vacation Bible Study: Jane. I thought for sure something happened to one of the kids or they had done something very, very naughty. “JASPER,” I thought, “swimming in the baptismal pool again?”

"Everything is fine,” Jane reported reassuringly, "but I'm calling about Jasper..."

"I KNEW IT!" I thought to myself.

The kids had a fantastic time at VBS. I was surprised how much fun they had - they all wanted to go back at the end of each day. On Friday evening a VBS BBQ took place and I went with the kids. It was pure chaos, but all the kids - and most of the adults - were up singing and dancing. The evening ran late. We were pretty much the last to leave. Team Caldwell helped to clean-up enough that Jane gave the kids the VBS mascot: Crocky, an inflatable crocodile. (Pictured at left!)

Jasper had a fantastic time because he got to sing and everybody looooved Jasper's singing. Even Sebastian, Sela and Carys loved JJ's singing so much that they weren't jealous when Jane called to ask if Jasper would sing at the Sunday 11 AM service.

"That's okay with me," I explained, "as long as Jasper isn't dressed like a hobo."

On Saturday we downloaded the song Jasper needed to practise. (See YouTube version below.) I loaded it onto my ipod so we could sing it in the car. Jasper had a paper copy that he read to memorise the words. Sunday morning came. About 15 minutes into the service all the VBS kids headed to the front of the sanctuary. The final song the VBS kids sang was "God Is Always With Us". Jasper and one of the other older VBS team leaders led the song. All the kids were very enthusiastic - which was almost the best part: the kids were all excited to sing - but Jasper did an exceptional job. He has a wonderful singing voice - something we've known for a while but have never showcased. Today, once JJ worked out keeping the mike close enough to his mouth, he was absolutely superb. Hopefully this is the start of a great thing for Jasper... and those who get to hear him sing, of course.

Jasper the street person, hobo...?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jasper, spontaneously selected to help appeal for Sunday School teachers, stands at the front of the sanctuary in casual dress and missing a shoe. Tess and I, slouched deep in our pews, then watched as Mr. Charisma waltzed through the pews asking for people's completed forms. He certainly presented an image that the ministry was in dire straits... or us!

Comments on Facebook included:

• Bwahahaha....
• Was gorgeous as usual.
• My wife would happily reinstate herself as a Union Sunday School Teacher but it would ruin her carbon footprint. Love your comment on your lovely offspring.
• this is FANTASTIC! hahaha! Love the missing shoe
• Charles, I think Amy goes down in history as about the only child who turned up at Small World with NO shoes! So I think one is a good start...