Week 32: Casting & Cats

Well this week has been an exciting one!

Seems Sandra found out about a local production of “The Match Girl”, a musical adaptation of the famous Hans Christian Anderson story and just had to audition despite not getting cast at all in “7 Brides for 7 Brothers” last week.  Faith decided to join her and so we went down to the auditions that were being held in a local church (which incidentally was built in 1828 – I love historic buildings).

At the end of auditions they asked a few kids to come back on Monday night (auditions were being held for two nights with the option to come either night) including Sandra.  She was pretty excited that they wanted her to read some more.  Faith was a bit bummed since she never really got to read for any good roles and felt that lowered her chances at getting a part.  But she was happy for her sister.

Monday’s audition went well and Faith even got to read again.  They told everyone that they would personally call each child to tell them whether they made the production or not.  So the wait began…

Meanwhile on Tuesday we became foster parents….for kittens.  With Laura being allergic to animal dander it’s hard for us to have pets unless they are primarily outdoor animals and with all we have going on every week, there really is little time to spend with animal friends as much as we may like them.

Last year we actually found new homes for our cat and dog because we really were not spending time with them and felt they would be better off in a home were something occasionally paid attention to the poor critters.

Still the kids have been BEGGING for a cat or dog again with me reminding them of how it was the last time we had animals.

But when Cathy began working for a local animal shelter, she mentioned that we could take care of kittens (you know the cute LITTLE balls of fur) for a few weeks at a time with no obligation to do more AND the shelter would pay for food, equipment, etc., Laura and I finally agreed this would be a good situation for us.  The kids would get animals they love at no cost (other than time) and they would stay small and cute.  What a deal!

Of course they promptly went to work in the bathroom (where we keep them most of the time), knocking over a floral arrangement and using it as a huge cat play toy.

 

I wasn’t that amused, but it’s hard to be mad at such cute creatures. 

And next Tuesday we get to trade them in for new, even smaller kittens!  What fun!!

Later Tuesday, Sandra got a phone call.  She made the play!  Not only that but she got the….LEAD!!!  She had NEVER gotten the lead in anything and was so excited that she was literally jumping up and down for at least 30 minutes.  For a while I thought we were going to have to rename her Tigger.

Faith got a call the next day asking her to be part of the pre-show chorus (since she sings well) but she may decide to stick to soccer since the rehearsals are at the same time as practice and she is the star when it comes to soccer.

So Sandra will be the Match Girl (Lizzie is her name) and in case you want to mark your calendars, performances will be the first two weekends in December.  It looks to be a fun Christmas show!

Thursday, Cathy, Sandra & Faith went to the temple with our church youth group to do baptisms for the dead which they really enjoyed.

For those who are not familiar, this does NOT include digging up the dead and somehow baptizing them (gross!!). 

We know, as Christ said in the New Testament, that a man (or woman) must be born of the water and the spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.  We also know (as do most Christians) that life continues after death.  So God, in his mercy, provides a way for everyone to be baptized into his kingdom, living or dead.  he does this through members of our church who got to the temple and are baptized on behalf of those who have died without the opportunity to be baptized in this life. 

That said, they STILL have the choice to accept the work that is done for them or reject it.  It’d be crazy for God to force anyone to choose Him and his kingdom, as cool as most of us know that will be.  He always allows us to choose.

Anyhow, the girls had a great time feeling the peacefulness that exists in the temple (it’s always very quiet inside – they ask you to whisper if you need to speak or converse) and being of service to those people who have died and need someone to be baptized for them.

The rest of the week was filled with soccer practice and games which always more than enough to keep us busy.

Sean “The Dad” Kennelly