Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

A true story about the master who serves

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“Jesus and the Very Big Surprise: A True Story About Jesus, His Return, and How to Be Ready” by Randall Goodgame is such a fun children’s book that is full of biblical truth. Specifically, it shares in the gospel through surprises, such as Jesus’ birth as a baby in a stable, servanthood, and his resurrection. The illustrations by Catalina Echeverri are lovely too!

You may have heard about Randall Goodgame around here because we’re longtime fans of his family music called Slugs & Bugs. We’ve gotten to know him in a real life as we hosted some S&B concerts, and it’s easy to be a fan of his work. I ordered this book as soon as I heard about it – and I’m glad I did. He makes learning about and knowing God fun and easy.

The last page references the specific bible stories and where we can find them, including the parable of the master and his servants found in Luke 12:35-38. Randall previously wrote a song about this story called “Be Dressed” that is on Sing the Bible Vol. 1 and is one of my favorite Slugs & Bugs songs.

I asked Rachel which page was her favorite because I wanted to take a picture of an inside page and she immediately turned to a purple one, probably because she likes the color. But I really love the words from that page:

“No one knows the day or
hour when Jesus will return
(it could be any minute!).

And just like the
servants in his story,
we have plenty to
do while we wait!

There are hungry
people to serve,
lonely people to
care for,
friends to
share with,
and enemies to
forgive.

And it all beings
with loving Jesus,
the Great Master
who serves.”

About the book

“Jesus and the Very Big Surprise” is part of the Tales that Tell the Truth series from The Good Book Company. This 32-page hardback book is aimed at kids who are 4-8 years old, but here I am at 40 years old loving it. It officially published Feb. 1, 2020. It’s available from Amazon and the Slugs & Bugs’ website.

About the author

Randall Goodgame is a singer/songwriter, and the creative force behind Slugs & Bugs. He has released six solo recordings, and has written many songs for other artists, including seventeen songs for the award-winning band Caedmon’s Call. Randall has written several songs for Veggie Tales, and he spent four years as the worship pastor of Midtown Fellowship in downtown Nashville. Randall enjoys peanut butter and chocolate anything, and being home with his family of five in Nashville, Tenn.

About the illustrator

Catalina Echeverri is a Colombian freelance illustrator specializing in children’s books. She is based in London, and illustrated the bestselling “The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross.”

*****

Nobody asked me to write this review. I’m reviewing “Jesus and the Very Big Surprise,” which I bought with my own money, because I want everyone to know about it.

Ben is ten!

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Dear Ben,

I can’t believe you’re ten. I know, what a cliché to come from a mom’s mouth. But it’s true. I can recount so many details of this past decade with you. Honestly, I think I’ve grown up with you. I thought I knew things when we welcomed you into our family, but, goodness, I’ve learned and grown so much since then — and much of that is because of you.

Sometimes I get caught up in how different we are. You’re loud and like repetitive noises. You’re a morning person, but at least you still like to cuddle. You’re messy and disorganized. And you’re definitely not into the pictures I always want to take! (I convinced you to pose in front of the 9 3/4 platform sign at Universal’s Hogwarts Express because that was about your age then!)

But then I am reminded when I am my best self, I’m a lot like you. We like adventures and road trips and being with our people. We like roller coasters and eating chicken wings.

This year has been hard for me as a person and that’s certainly spilled over into motherhood. While I’ve been processing grief and trying to improve myself for you and your sisters, you’ve been growing in your own ways. Your pants keep getting shorter, your mind is quicker and more aware, and your emotions are at the forefront. We’ve had some hard conversations, meaningful moments, and fun adventures. I’m thankful you’ve been near this year. And I’m thankful I’ve gotten to be near you as you walk through some emotional, physical, and social changes of your own that haven’t exactly been easy.

We are better people together.

After spending every winter of your little life going to college basketball games, watching Ja Morant get drafted after his sophomore year at Murray State and having a stellar beginning to the Grizzlies season is what it took to make you into a true fan this year. You follow the teams more closely now and want to know scores and stats. We’re celebrating with a basketball-themed party this weekend. You’re getting ready to begin your second year of playing basketball of your own at our sweet, small school. You’re still into running club and soccer too.

Thankfully, you’ve found ways to love your big sister, who definitely loves and feels loved in different ways from you. Your little sister loves to laugh with (and at) you when y’all aren’t wrestling. You’re meant to be sandwiched between them and I love being reminded God built our family in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

You’re loyal and brave. You’re fun and funny. You’re curious and kind. And I’m certainly thankful you’re my son.

Happy birthday, Ben! Here’s to the second decade of your life and all the ways I’m sure you’ll surprise me.

Love,
Momma

*****

Look back on Ben’s life: 1 year old. 2 years old. 3 years old. 4 years old. 5 years old. 6 years old. 7 years old. 8 years old. 9 years old.

A muggle goes to Universal

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I’m all muggle when it comes to Harry Potter, but I sure was impressed with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando. I still don’t think I’ll read the books or watch the movies, but pass the butterbeer and bring on the Forbidden Journey ride.

We spent two days at Universal’s two parks in Orlando when we were staying at Disney World – and I’m so glad we did. If you’re thinking about going, I’d say the two-day, two-park ticket is the way to go. We did everything we wanted to do in those two days – well, except ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but it wasn’t open part of the time and the line was really long when it was.

We prearranged private transportation from our Disney resort to Universal and that worked out well. It was easy to navigate when the driver dropped us off. Like at Disney, we took in snacks in my backpack with no problem.

Other than being impressed with the details of the wizarding world Universal has created, here’s what else I loved about Universal:

  • It wasn’t as crowded as Disney. Well, maybe Diagon Alley was, but it was still manageable and enjoyable. (It did rain for hours one of the days, and I could have done without that, but there are many indoor rides.)
  • The child swap is EXCELLENT. Rachel couldn’t ride some rides (although she could ride a lot!) so we used the child swap system: We all would wait in line and then Greg would sit out with Rachel in a family room near the exit of the ride. The themes of the rides were incorporated into these rooms. They’d watch the movie playing or have a snack from my backpack and then when I got off the ride, Greg and the rest of our entire party (two big kids, two grandmas) would ride while I sat with Rachel. They only had to wait a few minutes at the exit. Rachel felt part of (most) the experiences and most of our group to ride it twice after waiting once.
  • The food we ate was delicious. We ate breakfast and dinner at Disney because we’d already paid for the dining plan there, but we had two great lunches at Universal: Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure was delicious Harry Potter-inspired food and atmosphere. Richter’s Burger was an earthquake-themed restaurant in Universal Studios that had excellent burgers and milkshakes. Universal knows how to do simulation rides! We rode most everything and each ride was so well done and on theme. There were fog, heat, and water effects when appropriate. Movie stories and characters were incorporated so well. (Of course, now I need to show my kids the movie “ET” so they’ll have more appreciation for that ride.)
  • The Dr. Seuss-themed area for little kids was so fun! I hung out here with Rachel while the rest of our group rode the Hulk roller coaster and I didn’t mind. (Plus, that’s where we got really large, fresh cotton candy.)
  • Rachel loves Poppy and Branch from Trolls, so seeing her star-struck when she got to meet them was sweet. We also met the Penguin of Madagascar, which was a nice surprise. I’m sure we could have met more characters, but the trolls were the only ones we sought out.

Here are some mom confessions for y’all: I truly was only incorporating Universal into our trip because of my eldest child’s love of Harry Potter. I didn’t expect to want to go back. But I totally do. When it comes to amusement in Orlando, what I really want to do next time is spend a couple of days at Universal and then board a Disney Cruise ship.

Have you been to Universal? What did you think?

*****

I shared an earlier post about the Disney portion of our trip, so be sure to check out that post if you haven’t already. If you’re thinking about going to Universal, my planner Jennifer Hart can help you with reservations there just like she can at Disney.