An Interesting Beginning to the Half Term

[smallhobbit]

Doodles, the new leader, has been off sick for the last couple of weeks which has left me essentially in charge, with Glitter Owl, the leader-in-training, assisting.  We've been muddling our way through okay, and fortunately I was due to lead the weeks anyway.  Last week we had a parent helping, this week one of the District guiders was able to join us.

Last week, instead of doing the flowers of peace, I decided to tell the story of Edith Cavell, a nurse who was shot by the Germans for aiding British serviceman to escape.  She was matron in charge of a hospital in Brussels when the Germans marched in, and she insisted that her staff nurse all the wounded regardless of which nationality they were.  I told the story, and the girls acted out all the various events, from when she was a girl, up to her assistance to the British servicemen.  I explained that she died, but didn't specify how.  I was intrigued by the group who were getting Amelia Earhart to fly them to safety.  Lastly I told them her words the night before she was shot: "Patriotism isn't enough.  I must have no hatred or bitterness for anyone."

There was a further advantage, in that on Sunday we had Family Service and so I told the story of Edith Cavell again, which worked really well, and saved one lot of preparation.

Yesterday the lady I had booked to do bead craft came.  She was really good, worked really well with the girls.  She brought her husband to help her and it was so good to be able to hand over an evening a know it was going to go well.  The girls all made a star Christmas decoration plus a bracelet for themselves.  Some of the girls did a really good job with their craft, whilst others struggled - and I reckon I must have made half of two of the stars - but everyone went home with two items and they all really enjoyed themselves.

Glitter Owl has arranged for the few girls who want to to go to a Remembrance Parade with one of the other packs.  I'm pleased for her that she's managed it, because she was keen they have the opportunity.  I'd always said I couldn't help, since I'm normally involved in my own church, which was just as well, as it turns out I'm preaching.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I'm glad the Remembrance Day stuff worked out and you got your message across even if it wasn't the first way you'd planned.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you. Yes, the message was still there, just rather more subtle.

[solosundance]

Must ask - if Doodles is the leader and Glitter Owl is leader-in-waiting, what are you known as?

[smallhobbit]

Screech Owl

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I don't think I knew that or maybe I forgot. That's hilarious. I think my pack (the boys) would call me that, too. I shan't give them the idea.

[smallhobbit]

So named by the daughter when I first needed an owl name.

[adafrog]

That sounds like a great presentation.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you very much.

[moth2fic]

Couldn't resist using this icon... I'm glad your presentation went well and that you got sort of two for the price of one! Obviously there will be times when you have divided loyalties and Sundays are a clear example but your fellow owls must realise that. It's good someone else is able to take the girls to the parade.

[smallhobbit]

It's a sweet icon.

I'd told them right at the beginning of term that I wouldn't be able to go, so there's no problem in that respect.

[scfrankles]

All the best with the preaching tomorrow ^_^

Echoing Okapi: that was the first thing that came to mind - that even though you hadn't used the flowers of peace, you'd got the same message across. It was a great alternate choice. The story of Edith Cavell really is humanity at its very best and very worst, isn't it? And I was rather charmed by some of the Brownies involving Amelia Earhart ^^

The bead craft does sound like fun - nice to hear you're still keeping your hand in ^___^

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

I wanted to get the message across somehow, even though rather more subtly.

The beads were fun - the Brownies enjoyed themselves, however good or otherwise they were at it.