VBS Day 5

Friday-VBS Day 5

Well, it's over. I'm kinda sad, and kinda glad. :) Tired does not even begin to describe how WIPED OUT I am right now! I fully intend to sleep late tomorrow. (It is technically already "tomorrow"... so yes, I'll be sleeping QUITE late!)

(Here's the adorable program my sister Courtney made for our performance tonight. She posted our group picture on the back of each one for the families to take home.)

The kids performed great in our closing program tonight for our 2010 VBS. Of course, there were some mistakes here and there- but that's part of the fun in watching kids perform... all the "surprises" they have in store for you! :) When our buckaroos made their grand entrance "galloping" up to the stage, they all yelled "Yeehaw!" in unison. The crowd laughed and cheered. Well, the kids (who were decked out in their cowboy gear and really feeling the part) were obviously loving this attention, so they "Yeehawed" again... and again... and again. The crowd's laughter only grew.

They knew they were putting on quite a show. Here I was in the back waving my arms like a maniac, trying to get them to make eye contact with me so we could begin quoting our first Scripture, and not a one was looking at me. I guess they were just overcome with giddy excitement and forgot what they were up there for. I gave up and started laughing.

 

Soon, I noticed a hand full of them looking my way, like they had suddenly remembered they needed to do something... so I silently counted them off and began the first Scripture- the rest of the group joined right in once they heard us. But, they were still so wound up on their first song that they got faster and faster... my dad had to just stop playing the guitar because there was no consistent beat to follow. The entire sanctuary was just cracking up. Kids. What do ya do? haha... I'd say the night was a huge success. Getting laughter out of the parents is always a primary goal- so I think we accomplished that one. : P

The program ended with the kids swaying and singing "Happy Trails to You". Too cute!

 

Here are some of the crafts they made this week:

(Getting Benjamin's hand print on this thing was murder I tell you! Murder! :)

Thought these Wanted Posters were so cute!!

Our craft ladies are so sweet! Every year they make all the crafts themselves for the nursery babies so they will have keepsakes to bring home like the older kids! I didn't do any of this! Thanks guys!

 

Some of the kiddos Benjamin hung out with this week:

(a whole bunch of girls! )

VBS, it was a blast! S'long till next year!

VBS-Day 4

Thursday-VBS Day 4

Tomorrow is the last day :( It's always kinda sad to see the week end. We took our group picture today and are going to pass copies out to the parents along with the program for tomorrow night's performance. Being the "music leaders", it is also our job to plan most of the program for tomorrow, so that's what I've been working on today. I wrote up a short cowboy skit for a few of the older kids to perform at the beginning- I think it's gonna be cute! Hopefully our "dress rehearsal" practice will go well tomorrow (fingers crossed!)

Yesterday the Bible story was about Zacchaeus, the tax collector that Jesus visited. The lesson was that God can use you no matter what. We asked the kids to name off hobbies and activities they enjoyed, then we helped them figure out ways they could use those activities to glorify God. This subject really sparked interest in the kids. They came alive; yelling out different sports and things and talking about famous people who openly profess their faith and use the publicity they receive as a chance to witness. I could tell they thought that was cool that God would still "let them have fun" while being a Christian. I'm not sure why, but sometimes I think we give children the impression that Christianity is this boring lifestyle, in which you are not allowed to do ANYTHING. Lots of rules to follow and pretty much everything fun is off limits. Well, that doesn't sound too appealing does it? I just believe there is a better way to win souls than that. Jesus compared winning souls to fishing. We're supposed to ATTRACT people to the gospel.

I think it's so important that young people be shown how exciting and fulfilling the Christian life can be. I always remember my parents telling me, if you take something "bad" away from a child, it needs to be replaced with something good- not just left as a void. If you tell a kid, "You can't listen to --- kind of music or go to --- kind of place", but you don't replace it with anything else, chances are, that kid is going to get bored eventually and say, "Well, I'm just gonna go try all this "forbidden" stuff because I'm sure not havin' any fun here!" Right? I think the key is to fill those (what the world would call) "voids", with something way better. Like fun activities and hobbies in which we can still uphold our principles. I truly believe serving the Lord is a BETTER WAY in every way! Not just because of the destination, but because of the journey as well!

ANY WAY...

 After talking about how Zacchaeus collected gold coins from the people, the kids "mined for gold" in our fake stream. I had a troth in the stream filled with dirt and gold colored rocks buried inside. The kids went nuts over that game! Of course, the clean up wasn't easy :) but it was worth it.

There was also a really sweet spirit in chapel service this afternoon- all in all, a fantastic day!

VBS DAY 3

Wednesday- VBS Day 3

TODAY WAS SUCH A BLAST!!

tumbleweeds

Well, as you probably guessed, I did start out my day right this morning. After that lesson from God yesterday, I wasn't about to repeat my mistake. :) Our song for today was called "Tumbleweed" and was so fun for the kids. It talks about how a tumbleweed has no roots, therefore it's "blowin' anywhere the wind may lead"... and how we must have our roots in the Word of God if we want our life to have meaning and purpose. Each year we have an "ABC's" of Christianity song (A-Admit B-Believe C-Confess), and this one is it. What's neat is I think the kids will remember this one since it's so fun, so it's a great memory tool for them to understand how to become a Christian/lead someone else to Christ. The song is really cute. I'll try to post a video of them performing it later.

Today was our rodeo "field day" so we spent most of it outside. We had "barrel races", "calf roping", sack races, cotton candy, snow cones and a bouncy house. :) It was pretty hot, but the kids were just so excited it didn't rain! (There was a slight chance in the forecast so they prayed extra hard yesterday that the sunshine would prevail, and it did!)

Our "life application" for today was that God has a plan for each one of us. The correlating scripture was Jeremiah 29:11  I have to be honest: this verse is SO popular and used so much everywhere, I've never really given a whole lot of thought to the meaning. But today, as I was explaining to the kids in really simple terms, I realized how comforting it is to know God has a plan.

I had a mentor a few years back that always said, "This is not breaking news in heaven!" Meaning, God is not surprised by anything like we are. He knows our heart and our needs before we even do! He cares so much for us. That was actually our lesson yesterday at VBS. As I was talking to the kids about how much God cares for us, I told them, "He knows your name, the color of your eyes, what you are thinking and even how many hairs are on your head!" I looked over at our row of 4-year-olds and said, "Did you know God knows your name?!" One little boy stared up at me with a look of amazement and said, "Oooooh!" Ha ha... I don't think I'll ever forget his expression. I could tell he was understanding that concept for the first time and he thought it was pretty cool.

It IS pretty cool, isn't it? How much God loves us. I am a firm believer that He wants good things for us. Now, I don't mean it's always monetary or tangible blessings. But, I believe it is sometimes! Why are we scared to say that? Jesus said if we want to give good things to our children, how much more does the Father want to give us good things?

I think when God sees our face light up with a smile derived from pure joy, He smiles too.

The day ended with the most awesome chapel service we've had so far this week. I played "Above All", and the Spirit of the Lord came in so strong. I felt such a strong spirit of worship while I was singing. I still find it a little difficult to play the piano and sing at the same time- it really just takes a lot of practice. I always feel that I'm paying attention to one, while the other suffers. But despite the fact that my playing and singing was far from perfect, when I closed my eyes and just sang directly to the Lord instead of to the crowd, I got so blessed. Almost immediately, lots of kids came down to the front to pray. I was told later that 2 got very close to receiving the Holy Ghost, and a few accepted the Lord into their heart for the first time.

Awesome stuff!

Benjamin- Today at Vacation Bible School

VBS- Days 1 & 2

Well, it's boots and cowboy hats for me this week at our VBS. Our "Saddle Ridge Ranch" theme is fun (and easy) to work with. Finding props and decorations this year was a breeze. (My parents house is decorated western style down to a cow hide hanging on the wall, so they provided about 75% of our decorations :) Here's an update on how things are going:

Monday-Day 1

When I woke up that morning and rushed around getting us ready to leave, I managed to remember to read my Proverbs. It was not a lengthy devotion by any means, but it was sincere. I knew I needed to gird up my mind, because Satan already seemed to be planting seeds of negativity in my thinking during the previous day's preparations. So I prayed. A lot. While driving to the church we listened to a CD (which we could NOT get to play at home for some reason,) and finally heard a particular song our VBS leader had suggested we use. So we added it to our repertoire for the morning.

Upon arrival, we had all the usual late registrations and subsequently had to figure out the class room arrangements very last-minute... but it went surprisingly smoothly. And despite all the head counting and seat rearranging during our morning music session, the kids were actually paying attention! They seemed to have a blast learning the songs... we actually REMEMBERED how the songs went... and our skit went off seamlessly. The rest of the day was just great!

Tuesday-Day 2

I woke up earlier, determined to be more organized than the day before. I made Benjamin his usual breakfast instead of just "grabbing something to go"... I put more time into my appearance and I was the first to load my stuff up in the car. I felt ahead of the game.

When we arrived and began preparing for our skit and "fishing" game we intended to play with the kids; that's when everything kinda went south. The magnets on the end of the fishing line weren't strong enough to lift the paper clip-tipped fish out of our fake stream (should have tested those...), the fishing line kept getting tangled up, I snapped at my sister like it was her fault and the kids didn't really even laugh at the punch line of our skit.

The rest of day included: eating lunch while every baby present wailed simultaneously, a moment of panic-thinking a baby was choking, & a very mediocre afternoon music practice. The day was just a little "off". Maybe everyone else didn't feel that way. Maybe it was just ME that was a little "off" today. But, I know EXACTLY why: Because I was more interested in being organized and "prepared" today than doing my devotion and praying for God's guidance.

I write this... I admit to this... because, I believe it happens to all of us. We are human. We get caught up with our preparations and forget that only God can really prepare us for something. I'd be lying if I said I always faithful with my morning devotions. I wish it were a one-time decision. I'd be like, "Yes Lord! I want to be in communion with you each morning for the rest of my life!!" But, unfortunately, I may make the right choice one day, then forget about it the next. Perhaps I'm so haughty that I thought, "Well yesterday went great! Imagine what today could be like if I REALLY took control!" Yeah right! Because Brittney being in control ALWAYS works out so splendidly!

Ha... I can't help but laugh at my foolishness sometimes. How quickly I forget that I can do nothing without Christ. So, needless to say, you are all holding me accountable for the rest of this week. Maybe the knowledge that I'll have to "fess up" to ya'll later will spur me on to prepare myself spiritually each morning for working with God's children. I know how important they are to Him. He wants me to take this job SERIOUSLY.

I plan to.

Preparing for our VBS

Here it is again already!

One of my favorite times of the year...

Vacation Bible School!!

Each year, my mom, my sister, and I are over the music time for our church VBS. When the kids arrive in the morning, they all come into the sanctuary for "big group" time with us, which usually starts off with a few shenanigans :) and maybe a skit. Then we overview the theme of the day, learn our song and memory verse, and send them off to their various stations. After a day of fun, we all re-assemble for "big group" (just before parents arrive) to review what we learned that day and have chapel. It's a blast! And it WEARS YA OUT! I am usually SO tired at the end of each day that it's all I can do to get home, clean myself up, prep for the next day, and fall into bed! But, it's so worth it!

Our VBS begins this coming Monday... and why I waited until a few days ago to prepare all of our music is beyond me. I kept telling myself, "Brittney, you need to look at the program info.. you need to make some preparations... you need to get on the ball!" But did I? Nope. Needless to say I have spent pretty much every waking hour since Thursday working on this project.

Isn't that what they call "addicted to drama"? You know, when a person waits till the last possible minute to do something- knowing full well how important it is and that they are creating problems for them self by procrastinating? It's like letting your vehicle inspection sticker expire EVERY TIME- and feeling a thrill when you don't get a ticket for it. (Not that I do that of course..................... at least not on purpose! :)

(noooo.... this is NOT the current sticker on my vehicle! I DON'T live in Denton. This pic is just for effect :)

*or do I????* Maybe subconsciously it's exciting, a little "dangerous". Eh, that psychology stuff probably doesn't apply to me anyhow. :D

Either way, it's almost all done. Just a few more things to wrap up today and I'm ready for the week of "Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS!"

Can't wait!