VBS - Day 5

Today's post will be rather short. I'm also going to take a couple of days to rest after this one and gather my thoughts.

I'm pooped. (Can I say that? What am I asking you for? This is MY blog. Of course I can say poop and any of variation of it.)

And you can also tell from that moment of useless rambling that I'm also delirious. I haven't been this tired since.....well, never mind. That's neither here nor there and quite frankly none of your business. ;) HA

Anyway, last night was night 4 of VBS and our final night of classes. Tonight is parent's night. The kids will have a chance to share with the parents some of what they've learned.

As the students left our classroom last night, I felt very sad. It seemed like each of them had only half as much time last night as the nights before. Time flew.

In case you don't know already....I've loved every second of VBS this year.

Of course, I love all the kids but there is always a few that stand out. On the very first night a little girl from the 3 and 4 year old class walked up to my friend, M, tugged on her shirt and asked in the loudest, most southern little voice you've ever heard, "Are y'all gonna feed us?!?!"

I was hooked. Each night she came into music and would stand directly in front of me. She would just sing at the top of her lungs and her little eyes just sparkled as she looked up at me. If I ever have a little girl, I wouldn't mind her looking like little N. Such a sweetie. (N is the one with the pink bow and short brown hair.)

The little girl standing beside N was another favorite of mine. I said on the first night that she looks like she should be my child. Look at those curls! She was so cute and always did a great job in music.

As that class was leaving last night, they all ran up and hugged me. I nearly burst into tears. How sweet. Not sweet enough that I would want to teach that class though! HA! Those teachers have my respect. They had a tough job!

Once again, the youth along with 5th and 6th grade took the spirit stick. They won it 3 out of 4 nights. I just want to say that they were such an AWESOME group to work with this year. I also would like to say that I may never regain my hearing from all of their screaming and cheering and loud singing. They really had a lot of energy!

Finally, I ask that you be in prayer for the parents tonight as they attend our special program. I pray that something we say or share with them would lead them to realize their need for Christ in their lives if they are living without Him.

VBS - Day 3

UPDATED TO ADD TONIGHT'S SONG....


Wow! Last night was great! We broke the 100 mark with student attendance. They also showed more enthusiasm and excitement last night. I love seeing kids get excited for Jesus and learning that you can have fun while serving Christ.


I have a few pictures from last night to share.


These are some of the kids from 3rd & 4th grade. They were a fun group last night to work with. We have to get them a little more excited if they want to win that spirit stick though!

These are the 3 & 4 year olds and the Kindergarten class during music. They had so much fun! They were a close second for the spirit stick last night!

The little girl in the top pic, on the far left, wearing the blue shirt is H. She is the daughter of the Assistant Music Director. Her mom and I have laughed so much until I hurt. We've had a blast with these kids!

Ahh, yes. The fearless leaders of the 5th and 6th grad students this year. (And two of the best friends I could ever ask for.) I can't tell you how much fun it has been to see T and K working with this group. They usually teach 1st & 2nd but somehow managed to talk M into a trade. I told them they would have a blast with that age group and they have! I taught 5th & 6th for two years and if I started teaching again tonight, I would want that age group again.

These are some of the youth and some of the 5th and 6th grade students in music together. Last year the youth started doing music with 5th and 6th grade. This has worked out so well. 5th and 6th grade students feel kind of awkward and self conscious and when they see the youth group enjoying themselves and having a good time, they really get into things. The youth minister, G, (and I'm not just using an initial on that one....that's what we really call him...lol) gets them all pumped up and I really appreciate the youth spending time with the younger students. They've been a HUGE help!

The youth and 5th & 6th grade class were the winners of the spirit stick on Monday night. However, they lost it to the 1st & 2nd class last night. I canNOT believe I do not have a pic of that class. How did I miss them? hmm.... Anyway, I have to tell you that our song was on worshipping and they totally GOT IT! They worshipped and just did my heart a world of good. They were awesome! Without a doubt they earned that stick last night. However, the big kids were not such great losers. They plan on taking it back tonight!

We'll see......

Let's not forget today's daily prayer. Please pray for our students tonight. We always teach them about their need for salvation through Jesus Christ on Wednesday night of VBS each year. I pray that they come with open hearts, willing to hear and receive. I also pray for the teachers that they are able to clearly and effectively teach this lesson. I hope there are limited distractions also. I know what it's like to be in the classroom and to be distracted. I'll never forget the year someone started coming into the classes on that night and started taking pictures. I nicely asked for her to come back later because we were in the middle of a very important lesson. Sometimes students have very short attention spans and we need to pray that things run smoothly. Each year I remain excited about VBS because during the four years I've been at ZHBC, I've seen children saved during this week. It's such an important ministry and I'm so honored and humbled to be a part of it.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

VBS - Day 2

We had a great time last night! The turnout wasn't bad either.

Today we are praying for the other workers in VBS including Mission teacher, Kitchen workers, Outside activity planners and Music Teachers.

It is very important to have a good attitude and show love toward the students even though you are not their teacher. One bad experience can put a bad taste in the mouth of a child. We want them to see Christ's love in our lives. I'm praying that we all show it to them.

Here's a little peak at a few of the students from last night.

Well, actually this little guy wasn't a student. This is Little B. He is the son of our Youth Minister. How cute was he with his little VBS shirt?!?!

Can I tell you something about our youth and our 5th & 6th grade students? No? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. They were so AWESOME to work with last night. I've seen groups within these age ranges that stand there and just look at you like you're a nut, ahem . Not this year. We were blessed with a couple of leaders in each group that got into things and because they were enjoying it, the rest of the group followed. That's exactly what we need. We need some kids and soon to be young adults that are leaders by nature that don't mind serving Christ. They did my heart a world of good. These two groups also won the spirit stick. They rocked it during music!!!



This is tonight's song. I love, love, love the music this year. I just love the tone of praise and adoration of an almighty God that it has.

Monday, June 1, 2009

VBS - Day 1

Today is Day 1 of VBS at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Brewton. I'm excited to get things kicked off tonight. I'm praying for a week of life changing experiences.

Today be in prayer for our Teachers.

Father,

I lift up the teachers of VBS. I pray that their attitudes be Godly. I pray that they show each and every child Your love. Let their hearts be full of love, their heads be quick to think and their hands eager to help. I pray that they are not distracted and that they have no stress. I also pray for well behaved, eager to learn students.

Amen

Friday, May 29, 2009

All Aboard!!!!!!!

Just a little something to get us ready for next week!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Prayer for next week....

Next week I will be hosting a week of prayer for our VBS on here. I know the week is always stressful but my desire is to remind us daily of individuals or different needs that need to be addressed in prayer.

I have one that I want to start with today though. Begin praying for Mrs. Ann as she completes all the details. What a HUGE job she has on her hands. Remember everyone who will be helping Saturday with the final details and decorating. Pray for good attitudes and that everything will turn out well.

I'm excited to see what the week will bring and I can't wait to see lives of young children changed!

I will post a reminder each day of the different prayers but here is the outline we will be following:

Monday: Teachers. It's always hard for teachers. They have a very tough job. Pray that they will possess and show the students all of the fruits of the Spirit. We want the children to enjoy their week with us and to feel like we are happy they are there. More than anything we want to show them the love of Christ through our actions and words.
Tuesday: Mission teacher, Kitchen workers, Outside activity planners and Music Teachers. Remember that although these people do not teach a class, they do come in contact with the children each night. Their attitude is very important. Pray that they also exhibit the fruits of the Spirit to all the children they work with.
Wednesday: Students. Wednesday is the night we teach ABCs of becoming a Christian. Pray that students arrive with an open heart, no interruptions or distractions during the lesson and for lives to be changed!!
Thursday: Missionaries. We always have two summer missionaries helping out. Remember that we are not the only church they help. We need to pray for their renewed strength so they are able to face the next group of children at the next church.
Friday: Parents. Friday night is parent night and we need to pray that something we say or do can reach parent's who are in darkness.


We have such an awesome responsibility. God has blessed us each year with many many children during this week. Each year we are blessed to see lives changed through this ministry. My desire is that not one child walks away with a bad taste in his or her mouth for Christians. All it takes is one bad experience to turn some people away for good.

Monday, May 18, 2009

VBS - 2 Weeks

It's that time again. Our church will be starting VBS two weeks from tonight. It's always a lot of work and we're usually dragging by the end of the week. This will be my fourth VBS at Zion Hill. My second working with the music. I taught a class the first two. No matter how much work or how tiring it has been, I can honestly say that God has blessed me each year. I'm trying not to focus on the negative. I'm looking forward to what God is going to do this year. I'm going to look for ways to minister and ways that God is going to bless me through the children we will be working with.

This is the post I wrote last year after VBS. It's amazing to see how God can use a child to teach us great lessons. I'm still working on that boldness I saw in Holly.