This summer I did something I never thought I would or could do. I’ve had many opportunities to be involved in youth, college, and women’s ministry, but there is one big area of church life I’ve never ventured into – Vacation Bible School! The thought of working with kids has always made me really nervous. Last summer I was asked to help, but Annabeth was only four months old and I wasn’t ready to be a part of something so involved. God gave me a passion to pray for my friends who were teaching and I realized what an incredible mission field we had inside our own church. I secretly hoped I would have another chance to say yes. Sure enough, this year I was asked to help in the kindergarten classroom that several of my close friends were helping in. It was a definite yes!
As soon as I said yes, the insecurities and worry set in. Do I really know how to relate to school age children? How am I going to get myself and the kids ready and make it to the church on time five days in a row? What is my role going to be? What if I’m terrible at it? My fleshly mind and the mind of Christ were at war in my head. I resolved that it was going to be an incredible lesson in living beyond myself! Amen?
It ended up being a great week. Praise the Lord! I did not know how we were going to get everything accomplished, but we saw Him do it! Our kids were wonderful and the other teachers amazed me. I’m so thankful God made me get out of my comfort zone and serve at VBS. Our church did LifeWay’s “Saddle Ridge Ranch” and it was great. Being a horse girl at heart, the theme wasn’t that much of a stretch for me. I was in charge of the “dramatic play” rotation, so I got to pretend to camp out and roast marshmallows, paint “gold nuggets,” act out a Bible story, and decorate post cards. It really was a lot of fun. Although I want to give every school teacher a big hug and say God bless you!
These are my Top 10 VBS Memories:
1. My friend My-An wearing a costume to teach about the feeding of the 5,000.
2. When the kids took a package of dried fish from My-An’s lesson and made it our class mascot. They insisted on carrying it to recreation, music, and crafts that day.
3. Being the Minister of Squeeze Cheese during snack time.
4. Feeling like it was 5 p.m. every day when I got in my car.
5. Walking 21 six-year-olds from the gym up to the third floor. C-R-A-Z-Y!
6. Trying to make myself do the motions during music. Ha! That was so hard for me! Also, hearing from the music teachers how enthusiastic Jackson was when his class was in there.
7. Enjoying the relative independence of kids a little older than my own.
8. Sneaking off to the break room for a Dr. Pepper.
9. Sweet little snaggletooth mouths saying their memory verses.
10. Seeing the body of Christ work together to create an amazing week for these kids. I was in awe of what God can do with all of our different spiritual gifts and talents.
Were you and/or your kids involved in VBS this summer? If you have a story or a Top 10 list to share, please do!
We proclaimed him, admonishing and teaching our kids with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end we labored, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully worked in us! (From Col. 1:28-29.)
I had a ball at our VBS this year. I too stepped a little out of my comfort zone. I usually work with the nursery age kids, though I teach in the elementary school. Little kids are so easy to love on.
My Top 10 2010 VBS Memories:
1. 100 kids eager and excited to learn about God.
2. 50 adult friends gathered with one purpose: to lead the kids into a deeper relationship with our LORD.
3. Snacks that teach and reinforce the lesson.
4. Crazy human table tennis games played with 12 5th-6th graders.
5. Worship time!!! Kids jumping and shouting praises.
6. The joy of seeing our Junior High and Senior High youth leading the children in worship and recreation.
7. Watching kids bring in their pennies from the piggy banks for the mission of the week.
8. Seeing adults who desire to serve in the community by doing home repairs for community members.
9. Being able to see the children grow closer together through the week.
10. Watching the excitement and tears fall when the missions raised topped $1400!!
God is so good!
Jan
We, too, did Saddle Ridge Ranch back in June. It was wonderful!! I was the games/rec teacher for PreK. We had a fabulous week. I loved the games and the music is still on the top of our playlist. I just finished the Believing God study this past year and these songs capture so many of those truths! (But God specializes in that kind of choreography!)
This is a year I will never forget because our 6year old made the decision to follow Christ and our 4 yr old daughter had the chance to share her battle with cancer. Our VBS raised over $1000 AND hundreds of toys, books, and movies for our local hospital! I couldn’t have dreamed for anything more. Last year she missed VBS because she was in the midst of chemo and receiving a blood transfusion in the hospital. This year we were right in the middle of it all. God has been so very good to us!
http://littlepapiandpunkin.blogspot.com/2010/06/saddle-ridge-ranch-vbs.html
ahhh, Thank you for sharing such an awesome story! I will be praying for your family!
Our “Saddle Ridge Ranch” VBS starts this Monday, so I’m looking forward to making lots of wonderful memories. This will be my 15th year as Director. Can I get a whew?! My favorite part, every year, is when boys and girls make decisions to trust Jesus as Savior. My middle daughter (now 22 years old) made that decision during VBS when she was 6. Another great memory recently was when a young mother in our church (she has 3 little ones) was crying one day and her 6 year old said to her: “Mommy – don’t cry – ‘A cheerful heart doeth good like medicine!’ Isn’t that great? I loved it when she shared that with me. My second favorite part of VBS is when the children memorize scripture. This year is James 1:5…”If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” “Dear Jesus – I’m asking for wisdom come Monday morning! 🙂
We did Saddle Ridge too. You can read about it here.
http://stringsunlimited.blogspot.com/2010/06/fun-on-saddle-ridge-range.html
We did Saddle Ridge ranch, too. My church does things a little different. My job was to teach the Day 2 lesson which was about Joseph revealing himself to his brothers. I taught that lesson 4 different times for Kindergarten through sixth graders. I had to pray before each lesson that I wouldn’t cry. That Bible story just gets to me. The thought of Joseph weeping so loud that the Eqyptians could hear him just breaks my heart. It also humbles me…when Joseph tells his brothers not to be afraid that what they meant for evil God meant for good…that is forgiveness and Romans 8:28 all wrapped up together.
Praise the Lord for VBS. I think us teachers learn just as much as the kids.
Our church has done VBS in a really neat way the last two years. It’s in the evening and it’s a child/parent activity. So you go with your child to VBS and experience all the activities together. You rotate through each station. The night starts off with worship. A full band (dressed up to the theme) and lots of interns that are dressed up, get the kids involved in the worship with motions, dancing and singing. It’s loud, high energy and FUN! I love to see all the parents jumping around and worshiping with their kids. The other stations involve the typical crafts and games. Then at the end of the night parents split off to the auditorium for some parenting tips, while the kiddos go to bible story. Treats come last while everybody visits about the night. A lot of people I know do not prefer it this way, but I love it!
I’ve been teaching and working in VBS for years. I cannot imagine NOT doing it! It is one of the most awesome weeks of the year.
God does work through VBS.
I often feel sorry for folks who have never helped with a VBS, it’s such a blessing.
Hey Amanda! That’s awesome! I will never underestimate the way that God works through VBS in the lives of children. When I was about 5 years old (same age as the little tots you were teaching), I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart after hearing the story of Noah and the flood. I remember it like it was yesterday. Something about a God who proved so faithful to Noah and his family was irresistible to me at that tender age.
Incidentally, my mom and all her friends devoted blood, sweat, and tears to preparing for VBS at my little church–dreaming up exciting crafts and planning the lessons & skits. I absolutely LOVED it! So, it’s only fitting that I was saved there!
We just finished Group’s High Seas Expedition tonight. Can I just say that I am a HUGE fan of night time VBS? It doesn’t wear me out nearly as much when I don’t have to get up early! 5:30- 8:00pm. Yesssss.
I usually like to contribute to the behind the scenes stuff… decorating ahead of time and doing the photos for the Spotlight Drama (sort of like a scripted slideshow each day) and runnin’ a little sound.
The thing I am most thrilled about this year is that we actually teamed up with the church across the street. We live in a small town, and both of our churches (mine being the first baptist church and the other being the first united methodist church) are literally right across the street from each other, pretty much on the square. My husband was the VBS director this year… (he is also the youth pastor and I have to admit there was a bit of me that had to pray “please don’t let him get fired over this” :-s.) I was really worried that there would be some serious sour-pusses over crossing the denominational barriers. But it worked out GREAT. Best VBS I’ve experienced in our 7 years here, in my opinion. I love it when the Church lays aside their differences and unites to glorify God.
I must add that my 4 yr old was a VBS church hopper and this is the 3rd one she has had under her belt this summer (without a repeat of themes at that). She LOVES her some VBS! Her favorite parts: worship and snacks 🙂
That’s awesome!!!
My 2 boys were involved in VBS many years ago. I just wanted to say that your story reminded me of the love those young people had to conduct such a great job. I would like to say also that my oldest son was 3 and my youngest son was 5 months old! I hadn’t planned on sending my youngest, but when I arrived, they had such few attendees, that they asked if they could have him too.
Free Babysitting? Oh my gosh what a treat for me, and oh the hard work for those involved, to have an infant with a group of children ranging from 8 on down.
By the way I still have the t-shirts they made with handprints on the front. A true gift for this mom, who now have a 20 yr old and a 17 yr old.
VBS has a special place in my heart.
Way to go Amanda! Yippykyeyiya–or however you spell it! LOL! Our church does VBS at night. I would love it if they switched back to daytime. I have taught both and prefer the day VBS.
We just finished VBS this evening. Our church chose to do the High Sea Adventure. I had the privilege and thrill to part of the Bible Voyage. My partner and I took turns telling the Bible stories. I got to tell the story from Rhoda’s point of view of when Peter was released from jail. I can be very dramatic and have been told countless of times that I am a decent storyteller. My favorite night was Thursday night when I got to share the Gospel with all the age groups and knowing it was the first time for a few to hear it. God moved in a few hearts that some ask more questions to their leaders. I love telling the story of Jesus, especially in VBS. It was about 34 years ago while I was in VBS that I was saved.
Aw…I wanted to do it this year but just had too much going. I did think about volunteering to man the snack room and taste test all of the snacks.
I am sorry to say that when asked to serve in VBS this year I kicked and screamed all the way to day one, then had another kicking and screaming fit on day 4. We just finished up today and, as I presumed would happen, I am glad that I participated. It’s not that I don’t like kid’s ministries; I have 3 girls under 8 so I am a children’s ministry coordinator in my home. For me it was plain ol’ selfishness and I can list off all manner of excuses why it wasn’t convenient or why I didn’t think it fit my schedule. The fact is God used this invasion in my schedule to teach me that it isn’t my schedule – it is his. Though I am tired, and though Saddle Ridge Ranch songs will be drilled into the middle of my brain until Jesus returns, I am grateful to have participated with my church family to minister to the children of my church this week.
Christina
Please pray for our church VBS this year. For the past several years, we have really reached out to our community and we are seeing great attendance results. Hallelujah and praise the Lord! However, the 2 leaders for VBS resigned at the last minute just a week ago and our Associate Pastor has 2 weeks to pull together everything from ordering materials to getting volunteers to fill all of the jobs/responsibilities. Please pray, we will need God’s dramatic intercession to make this happen.
On a side note, please pray for L and C (the 2 leaders who resigned). I am not sure what is going on with C, but L (a formerly very close friend) has taken a dramatic turn away from the basics of the Baptist tradition she was raised in and is pursuing what appears to be a cult-like religion. We are very fearful for her and we are praying and reaching out to her in every way we can think of.
Sorry for the lengthy missive, but your question just sparked this request.
Thanks for listening,
Tammy
I was the VBS director for our church’s Saddle Ridge Ranch, and hallelujah and praise the Lord we just finished today! It was a great week: kids gave their hearts to Jesus, worshiped God, and learned that God is always ready to answer their questions…they just need to seek Him for wisdom!
My favorite moment (that a preschool teacher shared): when reviewing Day 3’s story about “the man who climbed in a tree to see Jesus”…one little girl shouted out ZUCCHINI!??
I didn’t get a chance to participate in this yeaar’s vacation bible school, but had a wonderful time last summer. I teach middle school and had to take a workshop this week.
Last summer, I assisted in the mission’s ministry. I was so blessed to have the chance to work with the pre-k students through 3rd grade (Summit Baptist Church, Kennesaw,GA).
My church (Become Church) held Youth Camp for 3 weeks at Summit Baptist this year. I lent my Reading Teacher skills to the students attending. I really miss the children, especially during our devotional time. Such an awesome feeling to see our children dedicating their lives to God and prasising God in their dance.
I found myself heading for the Break Room last summer. The ladies always brought delicious snacks.
This is so crazy. Just this week, I was teaching my toddler the “have patience” song I learned from my childhood VBS days (late ’70s). I was scrounging the internet to find the song so I could hear it again for myself and reminisce…I remember the first verse like someone taught me yesterday day, and i thought, wow, when you receive the Lord at such a young age, EVERY seed that is planted is in there for life!
Your contributions are so important in those little lives and I can’t wait for my son to go when he is a little older.
The great thing about this years VBS at our church is that all 4 Geraathys were servant leaders. I was a group leader, Dennis was part of recreation, Anna was worship/dance crew member also helped with my group and Bryan(finally old enough to serve)helped with sound. For me, this was the best VBS I have ever been a part of. Nothing more satisfying than having your whole family serve in Church together. 🙂
Stacie
I just got home from the last night of VBS. We did Group’s Deep Sea Adventure. I was in charge of the snacks. I like it because even the snacks reinforce the story for the day. We mix the age groups and it seems to cut down on discipline problems.
We have 4 different churches working together and we met in the gym of another church who we be joining us next year. It is exciting to work with other believers in our small community.
My favorite thing is the offering was used for Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. The children gave enough money to fill 23 shoe boxes. On Thursday night we let the children decide what to put in the boxes. They have colored some sheets to put in the boxes and a picture of the children in VBS will go in each box.
My grandchildren did this same VBS twice this summer and loved it. We went to the performance last night and it was so cute. But more than that it spoke to me in the place I am right now. I walked in praying for wisdom for a decision and lo and behold, Saddle Ridge Ranch offered wisdom! And so much more. Loved the music too.
I also remember working my kids VBS and thinking, “This is a way to make time stand still!” Those 3 hours seemed like an eternity! Blessings to all who volunteer year after year!
And I am so impressed with how much those kiddos learn in 4 days! I told someone today, ” I want a kid brain!” So I can learn all those songs and scriptures so quickly.
Hallelujah for Saddle Ridge Ranch and the Lord!
That was a blessing to read…we are meeting tomorrow to decorate our building~our VBS starts Monday and I can hardly wait! I’ll be teaching the K’s also and I love it. I hope that many will be encouraged by your blog and step out and join God in the adventure that is VBS!
We start our VBA (Vacation Bible Adventure – we don’t go to school during the summer in the NW!!!) next Monday. I’m the team leader this year for the 5th graders. Every year, I decide it will be my last…11 years later, I’m still leading the kids! Whew! On Monday, about 500 kids will pour through the doors. Many from our church or other churches but some who have never heard about Jesus. What a joy and privilege to watch their hearts open up to the news that Someone loves them with all of His heart!
Our missions project this year is to reach out into our local community and raise money for the local police force to get a dog. The police foundation was stunned when we offered to do that…how did we know they needed a dog? We didn’t but God did! Hopefully the doors will be opened for more interaction in our city as a result!
So glad for God to move in our city and on the hearts of kids all over the country as they worship and learn about the King of the Ages in Vacation Bible School/Adventures! May He be glorified!
We do Backyard Bible Clubs (BYBC) at Hill Country Bible and since God blessed us with our first home in April, we got to host this week! We had a great turn out of friends and neighbors. I relate to your living beyond yourself experience–I was out of my comfort! But God proved Himself faithful and trustworthy and I even met a very sweet teen and now we have yet another godly babysitter for our girl! Praises!
There is a third floor? If I had to guide children to the third floor in your church, they would have to send out a search party for us. On each of the three Tuesday nights I attended this Spring, I had to carefully retrace my steps to find the door I had used to enter the building so I’d be able to find the parking lot. The third night I got lost twice!
Julie, I’m so glad you could be a good listener. Boys don’t usually talk that much and when they do, we need to make sure we listen. I know, I had 3 of them.
Yes, Julie! There are actually six floors in one wing of the building. Thankfully we did not have to take them up that many stairs! PTL!
I help with VBS every year and I LOVE it! I helped this year as well and my favorite memory is when 11 kids decided to accept Christ. It’s the BEST feeling in the world to know that I played a part in that.
Oh how I LOVE VBS and have such great memories of it. My best from this year: my four year-old son, Simeon, learned three memory verses for his class and just asked me the other day for his own flippable index cards so he can have some just like me. My very own little Miesta on the SSMT! 🙂 One of his brother’s verses, 1 Timothy 4:12, clearly grafted its way into his heart b/c last week when my mom told him what a good boy he had been at the grocery store, he said, “I’m just setting an example for the believers.” Precious! 🙂
Thanks, VBS workers, for all of your hard work. I know one little boy whose life was changed!
My kids were involved in Bedrock to Dove Rock. I couldn’t do it cause I work but they went four days cause I overslept one day but by the grace of God they went and enjoyed it. It’s kinda of sad my 12 year old it’s His final year for VBS . I only got three more years my Baby is nine years old. God blessed them no one teased them and they enjoyed themselves.
This was the first year none of my kids were in VBS, but we all worked VBS. We did Saddlebrook Ranch, also. One week at our church and one week two hours away on a mission trip to a community that is really hurting.
It was wonderful to see my three teens, who grew up on VBS, jump in and serve with all of their hearts. They loved it and the kids loved them. Everytime I passed them they had kids crawling all over them.
It did this mommy’s heart good.
Tracy
Fort Mill, SC
Hey…my first venture into serving since I helped out as a high schooler almost 20 years ago! Ours is in about a week and I wish I started out as something small…snack person deliverer or something. Noooo. I’m going to be leading the Pre-K group. Of which my 4 yr. old will be a part – yikes. Dreading what may happen between me and him during this time (something strange happens when Mommy is Teacher) but so excited that this could be the week that he truly comes to know Jesus in a whole new way and I could be there at his “aha” moment. Who knows what may happen in my heart, too. Blessings!
We had our VBS this week — Saddle Ridge Ranch also. I helped in the Missions room and it was educational for me as well, learning about the lengths many missionaries go to in order to share Jesus’ love. It was so sweet to be able to teach/reinforce to the kids (prek-2nd), that anyone can be a missionary — and that they can do that anywhere. Great to read your post, Amanda. It’s so great to know that churches all over are doing VBS this summer. It truly is such a mission field. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE VBS!! It’s the highlight of my Summer every year. We just finished Saddle Ridge Ranch too and had a blast.
My favorite memory this year is of a little 6 yr. old girl – during our ‘family night’ program last night she heard me say how sweet it is to know Jesus & I quoted from the verse ‘taste & see that the Lord is good’. After I returned to my seat, she tapped me on the shoulder & said to me with a twinkle in her eyes…”I’m beginning to get a little of that taste you were talking about!” My heart just melted.
How I thank God for VBS & the privilege of teaching little ones about Him!
That’s awesome, Amanda! We just finished Saddle Ridge Ranch this week. We did it during the evenings, so only had 2 hrs 15 min. each night. We were squeezing our time pretty tightly, so I always had a sense of feeling rushed. I’m curious to find out from others on the blog how much time we really need to be able to slow down and really embrace and enjoy it! Thanks!
I do mine in the evenings from 6-9 we have a meal for the workers from 4:45-5:30 and we do family day on Sunday @ 11 with a meal following.
Those are such great ideas. Our directors and church staff gather for dinner. I love the idea of the family time on Sunday. We do ours in the evening also.
That’s a good idea ~ thanks!
I LOVE VBS too. Have since I was a little girl, although gosh it has changed. Does anyone remember doing the pledge to the Bible?
I have been blessed to have helped in all different areas of VBS. This year I got to be in the nursery with the little ones. It was such fun. My church did Egypt theme this year from Group. My daughter loved the music so much I ended up buying her the cd!
we start with the pledge to the flags and the Bible.
Today is our final day of VBS, Joseph’s Journey from Prison to Palace. This was also my first year helping. I was hesitant too at first. I teach 2 yr old Sunday School and I’m a stay home/homeschooling mom of a 2 yr old and 4 yr old, so I was really nervous about working with elementary kids. And maybe even more nervous about working with the teenage helpers I was assigned in crafts. But this past week has been such a blessing! Seeing everyone’s passion for the kids and how God works everything together for good, I’m sad I’ve missed this opportunity in the past. I will definitely be doing VBS every summer now!!
I think it all came together yesterday when my almost 5 year old was in a fight with her little brother over some pretzels. She learned about God’s forgiveness in VBS yesterday. I was on my way into the room to diffuse the argument when I heard my daughter stop and pray “Dear Lord, please give me your forgiveness now, I’m very angry with my brother!”. It really touched me to think about all the other kids who did not regularly attend a church and the principles they were taking home to their own parents.
We were involved this year..well actually my boys were involved.
My youngest helped out in the art class. Art is his favorite subject and he is the most talented 12yo artist that I know of. Ever since he was a baby, he has been driven to draw. Even adult artists are amazed at his talent, details, and proportions. He enjoyed helping the younger kids do artistic things.
My oldest son, 14yo, made a movie. This movie was made completely by him…the hills, the sun, the shading, the grains of sand, the bricks and textures….completely his and w/o any instruction. When he encountered a program, he figured it out. Please, go check it out at my blog. http://commentsfromkaren.blogspot.com/2010/06/blog-post.html (scroll down to the end of the post and click on “HERE” to view the whole thing on youtube) to view his movie.
Usually my boys are one of the kids at VBS being blessed by teachers and helpers. This year they were blessed by serving.
My 6 and 4 yr old granddaughters did “Unsung Hero’s” and they absolutely loved it – ! It is such a blessing to be riding with them and listening to the cd and they are in the back seat singing and doing the motions !” – Mia ( the 4 yr old ) has waited all year to be able to go with her sissy this year! Love VBS and all the volunteers.
I helped with rising 4th graders at our church’s Saddle Ridge Ranch back in June. I borrowed a real saddle from a family friend and set it on two chairs facing back to back. I thought it would add atmosphere to the room. The kids ending up climbing up to sit in it every single chance they could. The Bible stories were my favorite part of the week The children responded to the heart lessons quite openly. By the end of our week together at the Ranch, the kids were hugging us good-bye.
I have been involved as the Music Director in VBS over the last many years at our church. This year, however, I took on the task of being the “Director” of the entire event. Our VBS begins tomorrow night, 7/18 at 6:00 p.m. We are doing “The Egypt File: Decoding the Mystery of Life” by Answers in Genesis. I have an amazing staff of about 40 people. There are 70 kids registered so far and we’re expecting lots of walk-ins. Today is decorating day at church and the stage will be transformed to look like an Egyptian artifact museum. I’m so excited to be heading up VBS and am looking forward to God doing some great things this week. I love the verse you posted at the end of your post and will have to write it on a 3×5 card and carry it around with me. It will keep me focused during the busy week ahead.
BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!
I will be praying daily for you!!! Enjoy – all your hard work is coming to fruition!!!
I LOVE VBS…..and #4 cracked me up! It is exhausting! I did the music this year, and we did the Answers in Genesis VBS so I got to dress up like an Egyptian. Funtimes 🙂 We used the Lifeway VBS for our summer camp, and my kids are still singing TUMBLEWEED 🙂
Our church did Saddle Ridge back in June and it was amazing! For the past 3 yrs. I taught the music for the pre-K and Kindergarten kids, and this year I taught the music for 1-6th grade as well as the drama. Jeff Slaughter always does an incredible job with the music and lyrics. If you can get a hold of the DVD for Saddle Ridge, watch the instuctional video for “Like Jesus.” Tear jerking! VBS is my favorite time of the year – honest! It’s the most exhausting week ever, but to get to be with that many kids, singing their hearts out about Jesus…it’s worth it every time. I was asked to stay around during our decision day on Wednesday, and I had the privilege of talking with a sweet 3rd grade girl who was so ready to give her heart to Christ. I was thinking that someone “better” should be talking with this girl, but nope, God chose me, and did it melt my heart to hear her pray for salvation! When I asked her how she felt about her decision, she told me she felt like God had just opened up the gate in her heart. wow! I could go on forever, but I just get the biggest thrill every year during VBS! 🙂
Precious Amanda, I was so tickeled to read your entry today especially because it is our oldest daughter, Catherine’s, 19th BIRTH-day. We have four amazing teenage daughters, they are 19, 17, 15, and 13, born in June, July, August and September(Yes our Heavenly Father does have a sweet sense of humor). Anyway, my husband is making her favorite breakfast-French Toast-when he is done we will put a candle in one and take it to her bedroom to sing to her HAPPY BIRTHDAY(she is still sleeping)! Your entry brought back a FLOOD of sweet memories when they were all itty bitty toddlers, yes, they were 6, 4, 2, and a newborn and I too was trying to get out the door to VBS and I also felt like it was 5pm everyday, and that was first thing in the morning when I was loading them all in the car to leave :). I look back and wonder how I ever managed, especially since ALL my family was in TEXAS and I was in Georgia( TEXAS will always be home to me:)) “One day at a time Sweet Jesus” :)! Anyway, I have loved and embraced every stage of their wonderful lives, so thank you again, for bringing back such precious memories to this momma on such a special day 🙂
oh my do I have vbs memories!!!! For years I headed it up at our church. We did take offs of popular movies. Favs were “Star Wars” who will be the star of your life – you or Jesus? That was the story of Daivd put to the movie. Saul was Self Vader, David was Luke Faithwalker, Jonathon was Jon Solo ect. We also did Toy Story – To eternity and Beyond!! Peter Pan in Forever ever land, and my favorite – Charlie and the Chocolate factory where “He chose the Nails”, by Max Lucado was combined with the movie. Most kids chose the candy – but Charlie chose the cross. We had soooooo much fun. Teenagers were in the skits and we talk about it and laugh always!!!! Miss doing them so much. My health has not been as it should the past 3 years and there has been much change in my life.
top 10.
1. Watching the kids be amazed by our amazing King every year!!
2. During the production on Sunday morning the Pirate ship crashed along with the pirates in Peter Pan.
3. A three year old saying he is thankful for his job so he can support his family during prayer.
4. Watching complete chaos turn into a wonderful week every year – Only He can do that!!!
5. The look on moms faces when we sent a goldfish home with every kid one year!! and the look on all the kids faces when they all died the first week!! Not a good choice!!
6. The people who played Kronk and Isma in the Emperors New Groove – they acted and sounded just like them!!
7. My kids loving VBS when they were little and begging to be a part when they were teenagers.
8. Getting the planning committee together and saying we were going to do a take off of Bill and Ted’s excellant adventure underwater as Spongebob and them looking at me like I had gone off the deep end! ( I had!!! My daughter had just had surgery – cancer might have been back- I was a little crazy!!) We did a take off of the Little Mermaid instead.
9. The relationships still intact because of VBS!!!
10.. these songs – see if you can guess what movie
we’re off to seek the Kingdom the wonderful Kingdom of God
We hear He is the King of Kings – if ever a king there was.
If ever oh ever a King there was the Kingdom of God has one because, because because because because because..because of the wonderful things He does! We’re off to seek the Kingdom – the wonderful Kingdom of God!!
Follow the Word of the Lord, Follow the word of the Lord,
Follow follow fallow fallow the word of the Lord
and Ding dong I’m born again!!!!
Did you guess??? I am not telling!! haha
Thanks for allowing me to share – I have a huge smile on my face and enough laughter to see me through till the sun goes down!!!!
Love the songs. That’s hysterical! “Follow, follow, follow, follow. Follow the Word of the Lord!” Guaranteed to be singing that all day. Thanks.
We also did Saddle Ridge Ranch, and I was horrible at the hand motions too (I am Elaine from Seinfeld). I helped with 6th graders, and because we are new in the area, I really connected with other helpers. What a great way to meet people at church and my kids had a blast as well!!
We just finished our VBS week (Son Quest Rain Forest) and it was AMAZING! I had the older kids (4th & 5th graders) and we could really get into some great conversations about the stories and Bible verses. Here is my top 10:
10. making rain sticks with rice and pt tubes (RICE EVERYWHERE!)
9. All 350 kids yell HEY HEY HEY during one of the songs (their favorite part)
8. Making sheep from crackers, cream cheese and mozerella cheese
7. Raising over $1200 in change and small bills from the children’s offereing for Compassion International (our goal was $1000.
6. Seeing our church transformed into a beautiful rainforest via large scenery paintings, stuffed animals and large paper vines (NO BUGS EITHER!)
5. Hearing the parables through a 10 year olds perspective
4. Seeing how easy it is to love children who are not my own in less than a weeks time
3. Experiencing God in a fun and exciting way
2. Seeing the crazy costumes of our game leaders each day (all were different)
1. Imagining what it would be like if I could harness 1/8th of the energy contained in our sanctuary last week. I could conquer the world!
**Thanks be to God for an AMAZING VBS week!**
Amanda
I know exaclty how you feel. When I was first asked to volunteer for VBS when my kids were very young I said yes as long as I had a helper. I did that for 2 years. Then the third year they asked me to Direct VBS. I about dropped out on the floor. Me direct 300 hundred people? Talk about insecurities! But I did it and loved it and directed for the next 3 years. This year we are at a new church and I wasn’t involved with VBS, so I thought. Being in our new church home for only a few months I was going to sit back and take this year off and just observe. I would drop my 3 kids off to their crew leaders and then it hit me. Now what? Where do I go? What do I do? All the kids are participating and I’m not volunteering. That was the strangest feeling. Well needless to say by the third day I was at helping sell T-shirts and CDs and I told the director to please put me on the list of volunteers for next year. VBS has a way of getting into your heart. The kids are so precious! And what other time can you dress up silly for the theme and dance like a kids again? I love it! Dressing up I think is my favorite. Dancing…well God loves my dancing 🙂
We just wrapped up our mission VBS at an apartment complex in Houston. It was a phenomenal week of ministry. One night, a ten year old was crying hard on the step, and another helper was trying to tell him it would be okay. I asked what was the matter, and the lady told me someone pushed his chicken nuggets out of his hand and they were in the dirt. I just happened to be walking by with about 130 chicken nuggets, some extra chips and two boxes of Girl Scout cookies-the leftovers from another class. I told him God had all he wanted right there for him. He took several handfuls (a double portion) and tried to smile. I won’t forget that face for a long time.
How awesome!!!!!
I have spent many a summer teaching VBS and I loved every minute of it. It was wonderful to see the Lord move in the hearts of little people. Their faith so pure, so trusting. It was a privaledge to be able to do so. It was not my first choice to initially teach VBS but I did it out of obedience to the Lord. I’m so glad I did and was so blessed.
My (upcoming) first grader attended VBS and her teenage sister volunteered to help. Actually, my teenage daughter volunteered to help 2 wks in a row (one wk. preschoolers, one wk school age). At the end of the 2 wks., my teenager realized she was getting up in the summer at 8:00 am! (lol). I think one of the coolest things for me was to see both of them practicing the music moves together when they came home!
Although not this year, I have taught/volunteered at VBS several times. It is always a blessing to me, and I believe it’s one of the greatest ministries a church can have for children!
Patti, Kissimmee, FL
We haven’t had VBS yet. Ours is the last week of the month (26-30). I am doing crafts for the first time! I’m a little nervous and excited all at the same time. I can’t wait to get in there and get my hands dirty…literally! 😉 It’s going to be loads of fun. We’re doing the High Seas Adventure!