Vacation Bible School

Day 1....here we go!  Rocky Point Lighthouse was our spot for three days at Monterey Calvary Church on June 25th, 26th, and 27th.

our church

Joy became a friend through VBS.  It was fun to get to know more people through this experience.  I won't forget the first planning meeting, feeling like I had  a purpose and reminiscent of my past life of planning and meeting.  I led the songs using the CD that was already recorded with voices and we had lines to lead the group in a morning and afternoon session.  I was with Joy in the morning and Crystal in the afternoon.

I "roped" Drew into a skit..he asked me if he had a choice.."well yes, of course....well, not really"

It was wonderful seeing eager little faces looking up at me

It was so fun seeing Bobo carry his first lunch bag.  The first day, he even took it to nap with him, he loved it!

Wonderful to have Deveraux in two skits.  This skit she and Bobo were led to the cross by Jesus.  She was so excited to be on stage.  One evening, it reminded me when I was young and I would go to play rehearsal with my dad.  I would just love being there and take it all in.  She too just sat there taking it all in.  After one of the rehearsals, she was so jazzed and asking questions about what costume she should wear and all about the skit she was in....it was very fun!

bobo's skit

Bobo's lunch table.  It was a big week for Bobo...three days with a couple of hours in class, his most to date!

So on the last day, they brought in some fun stuff and I went down the big slide!

A highlight was being asked to take a couple of pictures with kiddos!

Bobo loved Pirate Pete.  Also known as Riley, who is our children's pastor at church.  At prayers one night, Bobo said, "I love Pirate Pete, I want to pray for Pirate Pete."

This was a great experience for our family.  I loved that my kids knew the words to the songs and our life was all about VBS for those days.  They have since acted our VBS.  It was good for them to see me involved in something and to have a role.  There was of course some stress in preparation, but it came together and was good. 

I also had an experience on day 2, where I was convicted of my sin and the ugliness of my heart (which I don't always see) and I was so over me.  I saw how in need I am of God and I can be so prideful.  It is a lot easier when you are asking God to use you then when you are being used, where there is opportunity to see our sin, our failings, and our insecurities.  I want to have a pure heart before God  It can become sticky when we have more responsibility, when we are up front and involved in ministry. 
I had a good time with God and realized not just my sin but more than that,  I am covered by God.  I was ministered by words of Beth Moore ("So Long Insecurity)..."That, beloved, is our challenge.  To let the healthy, utterly whole and completely secure part of us increasingly overtake our earthern vessels until it drives our every emotion, reaction, and relationship.  When we allow Gods truth to eclipses every false positive and let our eyes spring open to the treasure we have, there in His glorious reflection we'll also see the treasure we are.  And the beauty of the Lord will be upon us."  (Psalm 90:17).  ".....although we may have something unhealthy deep inside of us, those in whom Christ dwells also have something deeper.  Something whole.  Something so infinately healthy that, if it would but invade the rest of us, we would be healed."  God is bigger than our sin in us!
Christ is deeper and wholer than my self.  I love when God gives us a living breathing example if something...US... and reveals truth.  I got it!  It is about seeing my sin and seeing I am redeemed!  And it also shows me that Bible is alive and real as it can "hit" us.
 ....and  as Beth says, " we have never been a total wreck." and  "That in Christ there is no darkness at all.  Jesus is not unhealthy.  His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses."
Such hope!
I felt renewed and I wanted the next day to be about God and not me.  And as Oswald says, to be devoted to God and not a cause.  I felt met by God and did not expect this from my VBS experience, but so thankful!