Magic Happens

Today (Sunday) we answer the pressing question: If one writes a blog and no one reads it, is it still a blog? It's not that we haven't wanted to share our daily musings with all of you, it's just that we faced some technical difficulties getting our blog link to you via email. We hope that even though you will have seen your teens prior to reading this, you will still appreciate getting a glimpse into our L'Taken world which at the hour at which this blog entry was begun (almost 1 am one Monday morning) seemed downright magical. It's hard to believe that just a few days ago our young people began their lobbying journey. When they boarded the plane in Portland, they couldn't imagine all they would learn. Most were wondering what they would experience on this trip and how on earth they would know what to say during their visits with their law-makers. Obviously, their first task was to choose a topic. Today they continued to explore important subjects such as Israel, Gun Control, Economic Justice, and Judicial Appointments. They learned how a bill becomes a law and were treated to an entertaining skit about how best to lobby. Imagine the gasps of surprise (and the groans of discontentment) when the Religious Action Center "Players" told nearly 400 students that text-messaging while meeting with a Senator (or member of the House) isn't considered good practice. By mid-day on Sunday, with manner lessons and the bulk of their study behind them, all the pieces were in place for composing persuasive and passionate presentations for our trip to Capitol Hill. What a perfect time to take a well-deserved break. A few hours at one of the Smithsonian Museums followed by dinner in Pentagon Row ensured the students had the fortitude to begin writing in earnest. And writing they did! Each and every one took their responsibilities seriously. They studied their handouts with new-found intention, asked clarifying questions, and embarked upon their preparations. Some composed alone while others worked in groups. They wrote and rewrote, edited with care, read their speeches aloud, and by 11 pm, were walking back to their rooms with neatly written presentations in hand and the feeling of anticipation about their big day to come.