Barb And Dee Go To The Zoo

I think one of the reasons that Barb the Great and I have remained friends all these years is because we have the same teaching philosophy.

We both come from the school of integration,

Of tying our lessons into classroom learning as much as possible

And using our form of arts education to teach the well-rounded child.

When we taught together, we would often team teach.

I learned about the didgeridoo from her Australian aboriginal art lessons.

I learned about the shamisen from her Japanese lessons.

I began teaching Native American lessons because of her interest in Native American art. 

And I began teaching music from Africa because of her lessons on African art.

 

As part of her lessons on North Carolina, Barb teaches about the red wolf. 

So yesterday, to gain more information on the red wolf, Barb wanted to go to the special red wolf exhibit they were having at the zoo.

Evidently, there are very, very few red wolves still in the wild and they live in eastern North Carolina.

 

Our goal for the day was simple. 

Get a red wolf book signed by its author and illustrator, see the red wolves, and get the North Carolina Zoo swag bag that they were offering.

We weren’t in a hurry.

We didn’t try to get to Africa and see all of the African animals.

We stayed in North America and saw the polar bear and Artic cats and bats and reptiles and sand cats,

And we spent as much time at each exhibit as we wanted.

We saw crowds to come and go,

But we just sat and waited and watched the animals for long periods of time.

That’s really the best way to visit the zoo. 

 

…

 

Barb’s two kids love popcorn, 

So they got a refillable popcorn bucket and filled it four times.

Barb sent her son to get a drink because I wanted a Dr. Peoper. 

He came back with the refillable souvenir cup.

We got it refilled at least 10 times!

We were determined to get our money’s worth, 

And we did!

 

…

 

I wanted to get a friend a souvenir giraffe coin.

One coin was five dollars. 

Four coins were $15.

I didn’t want four coins, but the machine evidently wanted me to have four coins because it told me to select four.

So I got one of each animal design.

I have no idea what I will do with them.

And I certainly didn’t mean to spend $15!

At least I helped drink a lot of Dr. Pepper :-). 

 

…

 

I support the zoo every year by buying a zoo membership.

I get the membership for myself and one companion, so I was able to use that yesterday for myself and Barb.

It made me happy not to have to pay admission!

 

…

 

Every Sunday in church, 

We pray for the church and all of creation.

We pray for people, yes,

But we also pray for animals and habitats and conservation efforts in good stewardship practices. 

Yesterday, I was able to see some of those conservation efforts and good stewardship practices in action.

I was able to spend time in community with people that I love

And I was able to contribute money to an organization whose highest goal is taking care of God‘s creation.

Yes, we made the most of the money that we spent.

But we also knew that it was going to a good cause, 

Whether that was employment of zoo, workers,

Or funds to help make the zoo run.

 

…

 

I debated missing church to go to the zoo.

I can think of only a handful of times in my life when I have intentionally missed church to do something secularly fun.

But I’m glad that I went.

And I’m glad that I was reminded of God’s love and grace in laughter, friendship, walking, waiting, eating, and drinking together. 

 

Where two or more are gathered, there I will be. 

And God was there.

And I am grateful. 

And still full of Dr. Pepper. 

 

Amen.