The Middles (formerly Club 56) youth group hits Sunnyside

They once again had a great service!!  Lydia and Emily are part of the Middlers Youth Group at Church.  This is the same youth group that Ryan was part of and that Lydia and Emily have been part of.  The name just changed because we now have 5th, 6th and 7th graders instead of just 5th and 6th.  Annually, they do a service at our local Presbyterian assisted living facility.  Many of their residents, who are able, attend our church.  There are several residents who are not able to attend our church and they attend the service that is held at the home.  Our youth group does a service there each year the Sunday after Easter.  Last year I was so impressed by the way Lydia was able to do the Children's Sermon in front of all of those people.  She did a great job!  This year, no less at all!!  We did remove the Children's Sermon from our service.  Lydia wanted to do the sermon, but we often save that for the oldest kids.  Her time will come soon!!  She headed a skit/prayer that we did.  It was great!!  While I can't remember what was said, here are some pictures.

Emily and Dylan handing out Bulletins

Emily and Dylan

Bella, Anissa and Carson along with Lydia and John (our youth pastor)

Lydia heading the skit.  She's in the back.

We always greet the residents at the end of the service.  They are always so complimentary.

In addition to this great activity, our Middlers class painted this past winter as well.  Since I have become addicted to this painting class stuff, I suggested this one.  We have a family of artists at our church who were so great in volunteering to head up the class.  They let me bring Ryan too even though he was part of the confirmation class youth.  The kids really enjoyed this one!!

Emily's horse

Lydia's Loki

Ryan's Loki

They all enjoyed and did such a great job with them!  All the kids did!!

The hills are alive!!

Zayn, Nathan, ______, ________, Corrina, ________, Tim, Bre, ________, Carly, Will, Ryan, Braedon and Mr. Todd.

Last year Ryan participated in his first year of All City County Honors band.  We were so proud of him!  7th grade is the earliest you can participate on the Middle School level.  Now that he is a Freshman in high school, he will compete on the high school level this upcoming year.  Assuming he is invited to participate.  Somehow I missed posting this back in January when it actually happened.  As always, we continue to be so proud of Ryan's musical accomplishments!!

This is the program that was given out to each person who came in to watch the performance.  The Honors band is comprised of middle school students throughout our area.  The four middle schools within our county and the middle schools of Harrisonburg City Schools and a local private school are included.  There are only a certain amount of kids who can participate from each school as there are only a certain amount of kids who can participate in the program.  It is quite an honor to make it at all.

This year when I opened up my program, as I got to my seat, I noticed that Ryan's name was listed first in the percussion section.  My son made "First Chair" Honors Band!  This is huge!  The chair you receive determines your level.  If you are first chair, you are the best of the ones you are seated with.  Second chair is the second best and so on.  6 schools.  He made first chair!  And the person who appointed him first chair, never met him before the first of the two days they spend at Honors Band.  So proud!!

At the same moment I realized he was first chair, the father of the kid who is listed just below Ryan's name (also a Ryan and second chair) happened to ask me if Ryan was part of District Band this year.  District Band is something that you also try out for, but the judges can't see you or know who you are.  They are not aware of your talent and what you could do up to the district band competition.  Therefore if you don't practice like you should, you basically have no chance of making it regardless how talented you are.  The student who belongs to the father who asked me, made "First Chair" for district band.  Ryan made "First Chair" for Honors band.  In front of the district band kid.  Ryan tried out for district band, but only practiced the song one time before going in to audition.  Needless to say, he didn't make it.  However, he made first chair over the kid who made first chair district.  This leads me to believe that he most certainly could have made first chair district if he had practiced.  He is so used to not needing to practice too often because this stuff comes so easily to him.  He will just hear something and just get it after a few times of playing it.  So he really didn't think he would need to practice until the very last minute.  Then it was too late.  Oh well, there is always this upcoming year.  He will make both I know it!!!

I am guessing he gets this talent from my Uncle Bill.  Mike and I have NO musical talent what so ever!!  :)