Noah Built an Ark-y, Ark-y!

Rise and Shine and give God the glory, glory! Children of the Lord!

Yesterday we went to see Noah's Ark. Yep, this guy in the Netherlands built a replica of Noah's Ark - actually only 1/5 of the size of the real ark, but quite impressive nonetheless - click here for the news article. It was a 3 hour drive each way so it made for a long day of traveling, but we had fun. We read about Noah along the way and practiced singing the "Rise and Shine" song. If you don't know the song, click here for lyrics. It is a classic! The drive through the Netherlands was

stunning. The low country with shimmering waterways and lush green fields was dotted with windmills as far as the eye could see!

We met Brady and the Proctors at the Ark in Drachten, Holland. The wooden ark was just right there, hangin' out in the water. Like a perfectly normal boat. But of course it wasn't a normal boat. It made Noah's story and his trust in

the Lord really come alive! We toured inside the 3 story ark and there were life size animals in stalls by two-sies, two-sies, elephants and kangaroosies, roosies (again read the song lyrics). Brady and Connor danced from the elephants to the crocodiles to the horses with delight. All within this incredible wooden boat.

I especially loved the artwork throughout the ark displays. The Noah story images are some of the most colorful and vivid in the Bible I think. A great way to start teaching Bible stories. Plus the Noah story ends with a rainbow. What could be better than that?!?

There were movies of the Ark and even a play

area up top full of all kinds of Ark toys and books. Although most of the books were in Dutch so that made reading them challenging. But we know the story by heart so could ad-lib with the pictures!

Mr. Huibers built this Ark replica as a way to encourage Europeans to know more about the Bible. So not only was the inside decorated with "flood story" images, but there was also a creche scene with "Baby Jesus" (you know

Connor loved that!), a creation timeline, and a tomb with a crucifix. The eclectic mix certainly kept us guessing what we would see around every corner.

It was a blue sky, sunshine day which certainly helped. Note how much Connor enjoyed running all over the ark!!! She is an active one - those feet are always in motion!!!

After time aboard the Ark we headed to our favorite spot. McDonalds! Brady and Connor were on their best behavior and had fun playing with balloons together. What fun to have such wonderful friends!

Today is a rainy Sunday so we decided to continue to build upon the Ark theme with our own "Art Ark" --- first we made it "rain" with water and paintbrushes...