#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

#define rxPin 8
#define txPin 7

Adafruit_NeoPixel strip = Adafruit_NeoPixel (24,2,NEO_RGB + NEO_KHZ800);
char myChar;
unsigned long lgUpdateTime; 

// function prototypes
void Animate(char cReceived);


void setup()
{
              Serial.begin(9600); // open serial port, set the baud rate to 9600 bps    
         lgUpdateTime = millis(); // loop timer
}

void loop()
{
         //Execute loop approx every 7 millis

	     if( (millis() - lgUpdateTime) > 7)
         {
               lgUpdateTime = millis();

               if(Serial.available())
               {
                     myChar = Serial.read();
               
                     //run the animation
                     Animate(myChar);
               }
         }
}

void Animate(char cReceived)
{
               strip.setPixelColor(cReceived,strip.Color(255,0,0));
               strip.show();
}