Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

Jared DeWhite: Hi, this is Connie. Connie Kendall, I mean. And I'd like you to join us for a time of wonder and excitement and all kinds of other fun stuff. Are you ready? Well, let's go for another adventure in Odyssey. How's that, Jared? Say it right?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Have you ever heard of a man named Mark Herring?

Sarah Prachett: What?

Jared DeWhite: Do you mean he's going to put Wits End in his book?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, he might. A brand new pair of trees ruined.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, man.

Sarah Prachett: Did he do that?

Jared DeWhite: You're a sad little boy.

Sarah Prachett: So, you're telling me that World War I never happened?

Jared DeWhite: World War I, II, the Civil War, you name it. It's a lie.

Sarah Prachett: That's ridiculous, Jared.

Jared DeWhite: Prove it.

Sarah Prachett: We went on vacation to Virginia last year. There's all sorts of Civil War monuments.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, yes. Brilliant scheme that was. All of them built in 1986.

Sarah Prachett: What? Who built them?

Jared DeWhite: Adults. In 1984, the president got on TV. He said, children are getting smarter and smarter, and soon they'll be smarter than us. So, from now on, we'll teach them lies. And everybody thought it was a great idea. They've been teaching kids wrong stuff ever since.

Sarah Prachett: You're a psycho.

Jared DeWhite: It's true.

Sarah Prachett: You're a sad little boy.

Jared DeWhite: And you're just as ignorant as the rest of the youth of America.

Sarah Prachett: Are you calling me ignorant?

Jared DeWhite: That's what I said.

Sarah Prachett: You're calling me ignorant?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, if you can't see what's going on.

Sarah Prachett: That's it. Why do I listen to you? Just go away.

Jared DeWhite: Sarah, think about it.

Sarah Prachett: Stop following me.

Jared DeWhite: Just listen for a second.

Sarah Prachett: Connie, will you please get this psycho away from me?

Connie Kendall: Jared, stop picking on her.

Jared DeWhite: I'm not picking on her. I'm trying to reason with her.

Connie Kendall: You know, maybe you two should just spend some time on opposite ends of the shop. You've been arguing all morning.

Jared DeWhite: Arguing.

Sarah Prachett: Whatever. You're giving me a headache.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Look, you need some aspirin?

Jared DeWhite: No, I'll be okay.

Sarah Prachett: Mr. Whitaker,

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Huh?

Sarah Prachett: did the Civil War actually happen?

Jared DeWhite: Oh, good think and ask an adult.

Sarah Prachett: Are you saying Mr. Whitaker would lie?

Jared DeWhite: If he doesn't, he'll be thrown in jail, Sarah. You'd lie, too.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, what on earth are you talking about?

Connie Kendall: Don't pay attention to them. They've been arguing like this all morning.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I'm sorry I missed it.

Sarah Prachett: Don't pay Hey, where have you been anyway?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, upstairs on the phone. I had an interesting conversation with someone. Have you ever heard of a man named Mark Herring?

Jared DeWhite: Hmm, sounds familiar.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, about 6 weeks ago, he set off on a trip across the country on a bicycle.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, yeah, that's right.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, he plans to cross the entire continental US. And he'll stop and meet people along the way.

Sarah Prachett: For a book?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, right. He's calling it Handlebars Across America.

Jared DeWhite: So, he's the one you were on the phone with?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, actually an associate of his.

Jared DeWhite: So, you really think he's doing it?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Doing what?

Jared DeWhite: Riding a bicycle that far.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, it appears he's trying to.

Jared DeWhite: No, I mean, don't you think it's probably a scam? Who does this? Rides a bike across the country. What if there's a thunderstorm?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I imagine he takes shelter when he needs to.

Jared DeWhite: I'll tell you what he does. After he bikes through the city, he rides the next 100 miles in an air-conditioned camper until he gets into the next city. Everybody thinks he's out there working and sweating, when he's really sitting on an exercise bike in a camper while he watches TV and eats fig bars.

Sarah Prachett: You see what I have to listen to?

Jared DeWhite: It's all staged. Just like when they faked that whole moon landing thing. Which is another conversation for another time.

Sarah Prachett: So, Whit, why did this guy call you?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, because he's coming through Odyssey tomorrow and he heard about Wits End. He wanted to know if he could stop by and see the place.

Jared DeWhite: Cool.

Sarah Prachett: Do you mean he's going to put Wits End in his book?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, he might.

Jared DeWhite: That is so great. We could get national exposure.

Sarah Prachett: You think he'd want to interview me?

Jared DeWhite: He wants to write about America, not Mars.

Sarah Prachett: There will be people all over the country coming in here.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, that's if he decides to put us in the book.

Sarah Prachett: Oh, he will. I know he will. We just have to give him the royal treatment.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, Connie.

Sarah Prachett: We'll be the nicest, friendliest people he's ever met.

Jared DeWhite: Can I help?

Sarah Prachett: No. I mean, yes, but Okay, you can be here, but you and Sarah have to be on your best behavior, understand?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah.

Sarah Prachett: Sure.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, I don't think it's necessary to actually prepare for this.

Sarah Prachett: I'm just setting some ground rules. Listen, you two, no fighting, no arguing, no conspiracy theories or you've had it, okay?

Jared DeWhite: Got it.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Got it. As long as I get to ask him a few key questions.

Sarah Prachett: No questions.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Nothing like that, Connie. Just questions about the book and the bike and the fig bars.

Sarah Prachett: No fig bars.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, I'll be good.

Sarah Prachett: Why am I not comforted by this?

Chris: Now on the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Bridget starts classes at Campbell College, and a familiar face is waiting.

Guest (Female): Hi, Candy.

Guest (Female): I need you to do something for me.

Guest (Female): Candy has plans to use Bridget's connection to Renee.

Guest (Female): You want to bond with her, right? You should definitely ask her to be your mentor. Isn't that a little manipulative? If you're doing it right.

Guest (Female): You said you were looking for volunteers for a fundraiser?

Guest (Female): I am.

Chris: How will Bridget navigate these tricky relationships? Find out now only on the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Jared DeWhite: So, the guy's coming to Wits End tomorrow. You ought to come with me. Goldfish, you don't have any AIDS?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Not a one.

Jared DeWhite: Are you sure?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Wish I could help you, Cody. Bridget took my AIDS a couple turns ago.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, well, maybe I have one.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): One.

Jared DeWhite: Or two.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, yeah. Here's one more.

Jared DeWhite: Thanks.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I am sick of this game. Let's do something else.

Jared DeWhite: Like what?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Watch TV or harass your dog or play catch or something.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, man.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What?

Jared DeWhite: I forgot about the dog.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What about him?

Jared DeWhite: I left him alone in the backyard.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): So?

Jared DeWhite: So, I'm not allowed to do that. I can't leave him unchained cuz he digs up mom's flowers. It's been an hour since we left him. He could have dug up the whole neighborhood by now.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I know.

Jared DeWhite: Rambo. Here, dog. Rambo.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I don't see him. Maybe he's under the deck.

Jared DeWhite: Got to be. It doesn't look like he got in.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh-oh.

Jared DeWhite: What?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): The gate's open. I left the gate open. He could be anywhere. If he's anything like my dog, he's in the Bahamas by now. Rambo. Here, boy. Wait. I heard something. It came from my neighbor's backyard. Rambo? Oh, man. Did he do that?

Jared DeWhite: I think so. It's ruined. My neighbor's new pear tree. Only just planted it last week. Rambo, come here. Bad dog. A dog that bites trees in half. I am in so much trouble.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): It doesn't look like your neighbor's at home, though.

Jared DeWhite: I'm dead.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Maybe he won't notice.

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, and maybe he won't know us I've run off to Mexico either.

Sarah Prachett: Okay, we have a nice crowd here. Thanks for coming, everybody. This will look good with a lot of kids around. All right, first of all, let's go over some rules. Number one. At all times, look like you're having fun and you're learning something. Also, there'll be no fighting, arguing, insulting, teasing, gossiping, running, spilling, shouting, spitting, burping, or engaging in any kind of horse play for the rest of the day. Okay, so more specific rules. If you're in the Bible room, no using the harp in the David display as a slingshot. Along those same lines, no eating the manna in the Moses display.

It's cardboard Dwayne. The proper way to eat an ice cream cone is from the top down. If he asks you to name some interesting memories, please do not mention Eugene's attempt to develop a more nutritious menu last week. I don't want the whole country to think that we serve green bean or radish flavored ice cream on a regular basis. Got that? Okay, let's get to our assignment. I have a map here of Wits End. I need a group of kids in each of the following areas. The Bible room, the library, the front counter, the eating area, and the imagination station.

Now I gave you all slips of paper on the way in. Check your slip to see what area you'll be covering. We need people in all places so that he can get a good look at people in action doing all the different and fun activities.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, hi everyone. Uh, what's going on here?

Sarah Prachett: I'm preparing them for Mark Herring.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, why?

Sarah Prachett: So, we can make a good impression.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, what's this? A a signed areas? Connie, I I think you're overdoing this.

Sarah Prachett: Is that him?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Sarah, Mr. Whitaker here needs an electrician.

Sarah Prachett: Oh.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, yeah, right here.

Sarah Prachett: Okay, everybody get in your places. He could be here any minute.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Connie, I I think you'd rather see the real Wits End.

Sarah Prachett: Excuse the real Wits End? Whit? I'm just, you know, decorating it up a bit.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Huh. Are you Mr. Whitaker? Uh, yeah. The lights through the room here have been dimming whenever I turn on the dishwasher. I'm concerned that they're Uh-huh. Excuse me?

Sarah Prachett: Fixing the lights, I see. So, you want the place to be perfect, too? I'm not overdoing it. I was going to change the air filter in the furnace. I'll be right back.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, it's it's it's right this way. Oh, thank you.

Sarah Prachett: Uh, oh. Hi, Mr. Walton.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, hi, Cody.

Sarah Prachett: Time to face the music. Um, Mr. Walton?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What do I have to do? Get armed guards?

Sarah Prachett: I just wanted to say

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Look at this. It's ruined. My brand new pair of trees ruined.

Sarah Prachett: Um, about that.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I did everything the book said.

Sarah Prachett: Yeah, well,

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I hung up that smelly thing in the back. The the book said right there in black and white, deer won't go anywhere near that scent.

Sarah Prachett: Deer?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, they got in my yard again. Tore up my pear tree. Left me alone for a few months. Now I guess they're back. Things live in the woods. Don't they have enough of their own trees?

Sarah Prachett: So, you're saying deer did this?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): That's right.

Sarah Prachett: They've done this before?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, yeah, never like this, but yes.

Sarah Prachett: Aw, that's too bad.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah. They're smarter than you think. You know that? I don't trust them.

Sarah Prachett: Yeah, and neither do I.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): So, forget about it. He thinks the deer did it. Let him think that. What's the problem? Come on. I want to go to Wits End. The bicycle guy is supposed to be there. I still feel guilty. You act like you were the one who chewed on the tree.

Sarah Prachett: No, but I'm responsible. Mom and dad put me in charge of the dog, and I blew it.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Why do you have to make everything so complicated? Here, you got a scarf free. Nobody would ever know. Not your neighbor, not your parents, not anybody but me, you, and Rambo. Can't you just let it go?

Sarah Prachett: I don't think so.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I'll tell you what. You feel guilty? I have a plan. Here's what to do. How much money you got?

Sarah Prachett: Ooh, about $30.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Slip it to him without him seeing you. That way you've made good and he never knows you did bad.

Sarah Prachett: What do you mean? Like slip it under his door?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No, he gets suspicious. You got to be sneakier. Let me think. Hmm. I know. Do you have a computer? My dad's. Can you get it working?

Sarah Prachett: Yeah, he lets me use it all the time.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Laser printer?

Sarah Prachett: Yeah.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Good, let's go.

Sarah Prachett: Hey, looks pretty official, huh?

Jared DeWhite: Sure does.

Sarah Prachett: Read it to me.

Jared DeWhite: Okay. Dear Mr. Walton, congratulations. Your name has been selected as our grand prize winner in the best lawn decorations in Odyssey sweepstakes. Our prize officials drove down your street last week and noticed your lovely yard. We especially liked the mailbox shaped as a squeegee bucket. For having such an attractive yard, you have won a $30 gift certificate from Joe's Nursery for you to use on your yard in any way you would like to. Congratulations and enjoy your gift.

Sarah Prachett: Pretty good, huh?

Jared DeWhite: It's great. I'd think it was real myself if I hadn't typed it in.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, we get this kind of stuff at home all the time. So, now all you got to do is go down to Joe's Nursery, buy a gift certificate, put it in an envelope, stick it in his mailbox, and that's it.

Sarah Prachett: This could really work.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Of course it will, and you're home free. No more guilt and still nobody knows you did it.

Sarah Prachett: I guess not. Now can we go to Wits End?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay.

Sarah Prachett: Come on. Be right there. Hmm. Home free.

Jared DeWhite: Okay, now let's do it one more time from the top.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Pardon me, I I think there might be a seven wire up in the ceiling. You mind if I stand on the counter right here?

Sarah Prachett: Um, okay, but could you just please make it fast?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, yeah, sure. Yeah.

Sarah Prachett: Okay, from the top and try not to look at your scripts. Sarah, you start.

Jared DeWhite: Okay. So, Jared, you want to use the imagination station?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No thanks, Sarah.

Jared DeWhite: How about using some of the interactive displays in the Bible room?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No thanks, Cody.

Jared DeWhite: Go into the theater, raid the costume room, and put on a play.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No.

Jared DeWhite: Why not?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I don't have any money to do those things.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, but Jared, those things don't cost money. Here at Wits End, they're free.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Really?

Jared DeWhite: Sure. You want to come?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I sure do.

Jared DeWhite: Good. Okay, then you get up and go.

Sarah Prachett: And um, oh, I know. Why don't you all put your arms around each other?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What?

Sarah Prachett: So, he'll know we're all friends here.

Jared DeWhite: No way. What if he takes a picture? Can you imagine what 'll happen to me? A book with a picture of me touching Jared?

Sarah Prachett: Never mind. I guess it's a little corny anyway. All right, let's do it again. Back to your seats.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Aw, yeah, whatever. Connie?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, Whit?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, have you seen the Oh, there you are.

Mark Herring: Hey, look up at me.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, I was going to tell you we've had some fuses blow out recently. It just seems a little odd that so many would go out around the same time.

Mark Herring: Well, I'll check it out in a bit.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay, thanks.

Sarah Prachett: Okay, now Jared, that was great, but one thing. When you say you don't have any money for anything, try to look a little more depressed.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay.

Sarah Prachett: Great. All right, let's take it from the top and no scripts at all this time.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Uh, what's going on now, Connie?

Sarah Prachett: Oh, we're just preparing a little something for when Mark Herring gets here.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You're performing a sketch for him?

Sarah Prachett: Well, not exactly. He's not going to know it's a sketch.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You want him to think it's real?

Sarah Prachett: Right.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): What's wrong? Well, don't you think you're taking all of this a little bit too far? Assignments, sketches?

Sarah Prachett: Well, don't you want to make a good impression?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I think Wits End on a normal day makes a good impression. I I certainly don't want him to get a false impression.

Sarah Prachett: Well, yeah, but I mean, you know what happens here sometimes. Kids fighting, bickering. Do you want that to be in his book?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, no, but the mere fact that we feel like we have to hide who we really are is what bothers me.

Sarah Prachett: Well, we're not really hiding anything. We're just making sure we're on our best behavior.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): But my question is, why? Why are we working so hard to impress this man?

Sarah Prachett: Because he's a celebrity. He's writing a book.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You're leading up to something, aren't you? Well, I'm only wondering why we aren't always good. Why aren't we always friends, not arguing, following the rules?

Sarah Prachett: Be realistic, Whit.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Connie, that's my point. You're working hard to impress this man who'll be here for one day. God is always with us. Shouldn't we be so intent on trying to impress him instead of worrying about what one man thinks or even the people who read his book? What about God who sees every move we make? Why aren't we all working harder to be on our best behavior for him? Well, just something to think about. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go see to the train set.

Sarah Prachett: Maybe we should skip the play, huh?

Jared DeWhite: Yeah, it doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): He's not coming anyway. He's probably heard about me and he's scared the whole camper thing will get out.

Jared DeWhite: You want to go to the Bible room?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Sure. Cody? Cody?

Jared DeWhite: What? What's the matter?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Nothing. I'm just thinking about this. God is watching every move we make thing.

Jared DeWhite: What do you mean?

Sarah Prachett: I'm going to turn myself in.

Jared DeWhite: Wait a minute. Wait. You mean you're going to tell your neighbor what really happened?

Sarah Prachett: I think I have to.

Jared DeWhite: Why?

Sarah Prachett: You heard what Mr. Whitaker said. God is watching every move we make. I'm not getting away with anything. God knows what I did.

Jared DeWhite: But you already made up for it.

Sarah Prachett: No, I fixed the problem, but I didn't make it right. Giving him the money I did for myself. This I'm doing for God.

Chris: Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1 800 A Family with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, hi there, Cody.

Sarah Prachett: Hi, Mr. Walton. Um, there's something I need to tell you.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Okay.

Sarah Prachett: About your tree. The deer didn't do it. My dog did. I've forgotten left him in the backyard alone. The gate was open.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Is that right?

Sarah Prachett: By the time I found him, he had already bitten through your tree. You got something in the mail today. Hopefully that'll help pay for your trouble. But I wanted to tell you myself.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, thank you, Cody. I I appreciate you telling me. I suppose it wasn't the easiest thing in the world for you to do.

Sarah Prachett: If I need to pay you more money, let me know. I'm sorry, Mr. Walton.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Aw, that's it. Oh, hold on a second, Cody. One thing here. I got some mail of yours today. It's addressed to you.

Sarah Prachett: It looks important.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, could be.

Sarah Prachett: Dear Cody, congratulations. You are our grand prize winner in the most mischievous dog in Odyssey contest. Enclosed is your $30 prize. Buy yourself a nice leash or something. You did this.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, just a little humor there with a leash bit, you see.

Sarah Prachett: You knew? How?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, the envelope for one Barney Walton. My name is Bernard, you know. You're the only one I know who thinks my name is Barney.

Sarah Prachett: Sorry.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): No, that's okay. And by the way, thank you for the money. But I like the apology better.

Connie Kendall: I can't believe he never came.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, I told you not to get your hopes up, Connie.

Sarah Prachett: Maybe he'll come tomorrow.

Jared DeWhite: No, he probably has to keep moving with the whole country to cross and all.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, it's about time to close up here. Let's see, are you finished with that shake, Sarah?

Sarah Prachett: Yeah.

Jared DeWhite: Oh, wait a minute. That electrician's still here. Do you want me to tell him we're closing?

Sarah Prachett: Well, actually here he comes now.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, looks like everything checks out.

Sarah Prachett: Okay, good. Thanks, Mark.

Jared DeWhite: Mark? Wait a minute. Are you Whit, did you

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): It's nice to meet you, Connie. I'm Mark Herring.

Sarah Prachett: You were here all the time?

Jared DeWhite: Why'd you dress up?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, actually that was my fault. Once I got the hint of the production you were preparing, I called and told him he should probably just come in a costume so that he could see Wits End as it really is.

Mark Herring: And that I did. Nice place you got here, Mr. Whitaker.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Oh, thank you.

Jared DeWhite: But you said he was an electrician.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I am an electrician when I'm not writing books.

Sarah Prachett: So, you're going to write about us?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I'm not sure. It is an interesting place. There is one thing I would like to ask, though.

Jared DeWhite: What's that?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Well, someone is spreading the rumor that I'm not really biking across the country. Something about riding in campers and eating fig bars. Any idea who that might be?

Mark Herring: Uh, Jared?

Jared DeWhite: Well, someone has to be the bastion of truth in this world. If it falls to me, I'm okay with that.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You're what? Late 40s, early 50s?

Mark Herring: And

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): I suppose you'll deny any knowledge of the 1984 conspiracy to make kids dumb.

Sarah Prachett: Oh, brother.

Jared DeWhite: Could you maybe not mention Wits End when you write?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): See, I read all about this in a book I checked out in the library. It's a chapter between the Elvis cover up and where the government has stashed the Ark of the Covenant. You can't fool me. I'm wiser than you.

Mark Herring: You're referring to the book What Your Kids Want to Know, but you better not tell them.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Yeah, you heard of it?

Mark Herring: I I could say so. I wrote it.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): You don't say. Yeah, I thought your name sounded familiar.

Mark Herring: Have you heard about the plot to place tiny microphones in every public restaurant in the world?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Serious?

Mark Herring: Yeah. I mean, how else could you explain those cheesy fake flowers at every table?

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): We shouldn't be talking right now.

Mark Herring: Well, let's go outside. It's safer out there.

John Avery Whittaker (Whit): Right. Flowers at 10:00. You know, Whit, sometimes I worry about this place.

Mark Herring: Not to worry, Connie. We don't have mics hidden in the plants. Uh, actually they're in the lamps instead.

Sarah Prachett: Oh, Whit.

Chris: Like we learned in today's story, God is always watching over us. You can either feel comforted by that like David felt when he wrote Psalm 34 verse 15. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. Or if you're doing wrong, then knowing that God is watching over you probably makes you feel worried. You see, God has promised to watch over and protect his people. That's his part. Our part is to make sure we're honoring him with our lives. So, instead of worrying about how people see us, we should think instead about what God sees and live lives pleasing to him.

Well, that's all for now. If you ever want to write to us, just send your card or letter to Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. In Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And don't forget to ask how you can get your copy of today's episode. It's called Best Face Forward. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. Best Face Forward was written by Marshall Younger and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Dwayne Herring, and I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.