Vacation Bible School

Josh and I were in charge of Vacation Bible School again this year at our church (obviously, since that's kind of our job!).  We changed it up a little and moved it from the park back to the church.  We have had weather issues the past couple of years, and it was just getting to be too stressful, on top of the handful of parents who really wanted us to move it back to the church.  So, we moved it back.  To be honest, there are a lot of things easier about doing it at the church.  We don't have to fence in the park, transport dinner, tables, craft supplies, sound equipment, etc.  But, we do have to decorate, which we haven't done for several years!  Josh and I are definitely minimalists when it comes to decorating though.  We spent one afternoon at church with a team of people, getting the building decorated.  It was a nice addition to the atmosphere, but we didn't spend ridiculous amounts of time and money on it.  Plus, our theme was "Beach Bash" which is pretty easy to do!

There were several volunteers with children in the 2-3 age range, so we had a class just for them.  Hannah got to participate with this group.  To be honest, it is quite stressful for me to be the mother of two small children at VBS and also to have such a great responsibility as a co-director.  I really enjoy VBS, and I really enjoy my kids.  The two just don't mix at this point in our lives.  It is late nights all week for the kids (we have to stay until everyone is gone!), and they are totally off schedule and out of sorts.  I really just want to be with Hannah in her class or holding Jacob as he is ready for bed and stuck in the nursery.  But then, I also want to be out and about at VBS and seeing the fruits of everything Josh and I have planned.  Not to mention all the trouble shooting that I do throughout the evening.... someone always needs something!  Anyway, Hannah was acting up in her class a little bit, and that stressed me out.  I just wished I had been able to leave her at home.  Every year, I think I just need to hire a babysitter so that I don't have to be worried about them in the mix of everything else... maybe next year!      

One of the best things about VBS this year, in my opinion, is that in 3 nights of taking offering, we raised $1,000 for Compassion International's Child Survival Program.  It is an awesome ministry that is close to my heart, especially since it touches my current stage of life.  I sometimes take for granted that I have access to awesome prenatal care and that my children are never in danger of dying from every day illnesses.  You can read more about the program here:  http://www.compassion.com/help-babies.htm    

We had different dress-up days each day at VBS.  Even though my kids were in the early childhood department, I tried to follow along a little bit!  Above, Hannah is in her "Hawaiian Beach Clothes."

Jacob in his favorite sports team.

More Sports Team Clothing!

And here is Hannah on clash day:

On Friday night, we did a big, closing party at the park.  We had inflatables, face painting, snow-cones, dinner, music, and more!  It was a really good night.  We had a great turn-out.  

Here is Hannah with her friend, Cooper McCrae.  It's fun to start to see who she will be going through school with and wondering if they will be friends when they get older!

One other cool, new thing we did this year was deliver Bibles to families who said they didn't have one after VBS was over.  We made Bible covers as a craft one night, and the teachers took names of all the kids who needed a Bible, and Josh and I took them to them a few weeks later.  I pray that through this event, some seeds are planted.  You just never know what will change someone's life!