THE GRACE OF VBS

It was indeed, a full week of VBS - two evenings at L church, 2 mornings at M church, and Friday evening (my day off) at L church. I just couldn't abandon the kids!!!
   At L church the second night of VBS coincided with our monthly free community dinner which
serves not only the indigent in our community but has included, widows, widowers, one man with a wife in a nursing home, and a few senior couples who all like to eat together. So, although we may have begun this ministry and mission with one need in mind - it has flowered open to include those whose needs we didn't originally know to serve.
   Well, there was an older woman there that night and saw the kids eating dinner too, for VBS and
asked if her granddaughters could stay to attend to VBS. She was given a resounding YES! So, those girls were with us the rest of the week. They were visiting from out of state, had something fun and
interesting to do in the evening with other kids. Grandma got free entertainment in the evening for her granddaughters, and a bit of respite. The girls had such fun and enjoyed VBS so much, that grandma told me, they just jibber-jabbered away on the phone with their mom!!!
   Remember those twin boys that were a handful? Well, they have vision problems and also
most likely ADHD. On Wed. evening, the bible lesson person had set up 4 little orange cones and a small soccer  ball that they kids were to lightly tap around the cones. She chose one of the twins to
start - the boys aren't very athletic - probably due to their vision problem. He struggled some but
we encouraged him. His twin was next and had problems also, but encouraged him. When the next
child went up, those two twin boys - shouted his name, and go and yay! They cheered every single child in the group as they took their turns. They were the cheering section and got the others to cheer for each one. The very gift of encouragement displayed, given, lived and offered. They have that gift of encouragement a thousand-fold! I had tears in my eyes! What a gift they gave each child as they
cheered them on. They tried harder and did better because of all the encouragement they received.
I believe those twins taught us the lesson that evening! What if we encouraged others in that same way in our own lives? What if we encouraged our parishioners that way? Hmmmm….Who were the ones who encouraged us? How do we live the gift of encouragement given to us?
   What a grace unfolded in VBS! God is full of surprises even in the most unlikely persons!
   On a side note, I would encourage manufacturers of VBS materials - no matter which company -
that most kids, even in a week, cannot perform the songs and dances that are choregraphed mini
Disney numbers. Are you for real? Come on! Make the songs simpler with less wordy verses, a
catchy refrain and bit less choregraphy. Keep it simple so they can learn it and perform it. Even M church with 107 kids - didn't get the movements down and lyrics down in the week. (They used a different program than L church). The kids just ended up bopping to the music. In an effort to make the music jazzy and modern - you have left most kids behind - who aren't able to replicate the video.
Retool and rethink your music sections!
   I am ever amazed at the grace of VBS whether 20 kids or 100 kids - all the learnings, seeds of faith planted, fun, and the way God ever continues to be a part of it all and working ever in our midst.

MANIC MONDAY

It's just another manic Monday...as the song goes, so did my Monday. Back from a short vacation, I was in the office catching up and working on Sunday's service. The secretary tells me someone wants to see me - an indigent seeking money. I inform him of the two services in town and give him directions. Back to work. Then the secretary tells me that the parishioner who died while I was on vacation is being buried at the national cemetery at 1;30 pm. I call the widow, did she want me there to do the committal service, yes she would. I check with her son who had made all the arrangements and didn't want to step on the toes of the pastor who did the funeral service.(the son's pastor). Nope, that pastor wasn't going to be there, and yes, they would like that. So, I gather up my things, drive home, gulp down some lunch, change into clergy duds, and off  I go. Despite construction on the way, I had no delay through town and got to the cemetery too early. The group ahead was escorted out. I stayed to the side and noticed a car ahead of me also stilled pulled over, then the woman looked oddly familiar. One of our parishioners who was related to the deceased (which I didn't know). Finally all had gathered at 1:15 pm, then we waited until 1:30 pm when we were escorted to the shelter for the military farewell and the committal service. I was watching the clock a bit as I had a scheduled appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. Although it was all fairly short, I had to follow folks out and all the way through town, get home, change out of black (it was near 90 degrees that day) and put on my linen dress and other sandals, fill my water bottle with ice and off I went. I was to be at the doctor's office (part of a major clinic) at 2:45 pm for a 3 pm appt. I got there with a couple minutes to spare, got checked in and had to fill out a form and then waited...waited...finally got called and put in an exam room. The nurse did her routine, then said I needed to get my left foot xrayed
there for better viewing than the ones I brought in. After another wait, I was taken for the xray, then back to exam room to wait and wait some more. My husband calls, where are you? I'm still at the doc's office, well, his car is ready to be picked up after a side mirror replacement, can you drive me?
They close at 5 pm. Don't know, haven't been seen and it is 4 pm. Finally the doc comes in and shares the disheartening news - not as minor as I thought. Major foot surgery, collapsed metatarsal arch, bunion and fix two toes. Out for 6 weeks - crutches, walker, etc. Need to do a CAT scan yet on the foot. Sends nurse back in to schedule CAT scan and give me 2 metatarsal pads. Off I hobble to the car, a little dazed. Drive home and it is 4:45 pm I honk as I pull up the driveway. No response. I open the door of the house and yell for LH, no answer. He must've gotten a ride from the fix-it place.
I refill water bottle with fresh ice and off I go to church for VBS opening night! I get there at 5:15 pm and thinking I got there with 15 minutes to spare only kids were already eating. They started at 5 not 5:30! (That was a mistake on a sign - and now they start at 5:30 pm) I eat my chicken nuggets and tater tots and we're off. I am the guide leader for the 1st & 2nd graders with two twin boys who are
a handful. I know why Mom signed them up - she needed a couple hour's break!!!! Go through all the stations and at the close 8:10 pm, I'm off to Walmart to replenish snacks for our DD group of 3 who are working at the church all July - weeding & cleaning mostly. I supply a snack for them - nutrigrain bars, granola bars, muffins etc. I also needed to pick up 4 gallons of blue raspberry punch for VBS.
I load up the snacks and find the juice - it's refrigerated! I don't have room in my fridge for 1 gallon jug let alone 4. So, I drive back to the church to drop off the juice in the church fridge. I get home, and a little after 9 pm. I wash the coffee pot and a couple miscellaneous things, put my foot up for an
hour and the make my salad for the next day's lunch. At 11:20 pm I am off to bed, exhausted.
I am thankful, I was able to officiate this parishioner's committal as I felt so bad at his death while I was gone - it was sudden and unexpected. I am thankful for all the children who are taking part in
VBS. I am thankful that I know what is wrong with my foot since December when I injured it running through an airport terminal. It has gotten worse over time. So, inspite and despite all the
mania of Monday, I am thankful and grateful, especially the God was with me throughout the day, and for a blessed night's sleep!
  Tuesday morning was VBS at the other church! Tonight, another round of VBS at L church and tomorrow morning the last day of VBS for me at M church! Always a busy, blessed time with VBS!