WooHoo...the craziest week (and yes, it was a full week - 7 days complete) of the year has come and gone and I'm left...still tired. Have no fear, some rest and fishing are in store for this holiday weekend (Johnny's even closing the shop on the 3rd!).

VBS was WONDERFUL. Simply put - the BEST VBS I've ever had the privilege to be apart of. The amount of stress that went on before hand was forgotten about (except the road work and dead laptop) all week long. The camera even started working! Our numbers were down (I think partially due to the roadwork). We registered 49 kids, our highest attendance was 46 with an average of 42 - just kids, not including workers. I could not have asked for better Station Leaders and Crew Leaders and what I call "floaters." Absolutely astounding. I'll admit, a couple made me nervous, but they were pros! Pros. The BEST. Ever. Thanks prayer warriors for all the prayers! The enemy knew it was going to be good...and he tried his best to get his hands on it but my God showed him!

The weekend was excellent as well. We had a prospective pastor in...and lets just say that the majority love him. Prayer warriors...I need you again. He will only come if its a 95% or better vote. This makes us a bit nervous, but again, God is bigger than this. His will be done.

Mid-week update

So VBS prep has not been short on trials this year (I'm pretty sure I'll be buying a new laptop and I'm not sure what's going on with my camera right now - just to name a few that have hit me personally). The actual VBS week seems to be running quite smoothly. I must say this is the first year that I have felt quite relaxed during the actual VBS week - I think this is because it doesn't come close to the amount of stress encountered the weeks ...months leading up to VBS. It is also largely due to the workers that volunteered (or were attacked by me). They are absolutely wonderful and the second key (the first being God) to a successful VBS. Matthew is doing a tremendous job with the Swamp Stomp and Firefly Finale - I love to see the kids and adults getting involved with the songs and the motions...or exercise as I think we will call it this year. Sista Carol is busy being crafty. Mrs. Kathie is helping kids navigate through the bayou at the dockside drive-in. Mr. Tony is making the bible story come to life in Bible Bayou (imagine 19 preschoolers imitating the plague of dead livestock by laying on their backs with legs and arms in the air after Pharoh - yes, a real Pharoh - told Moses that he wouldn't let his people go.) Then of course there's the tasty treats that moms in charge of...need I say more?

You will get pictures. Promise. It will require me getting them from other people as of right now since I'm not sure what's going on with my camera. I took mom's camera last night and someone used it, but put their card in it to work on a slideshow for us. So I still don't have any...

The weekend begins full blast on Friday (yes, during VBS) with a prospective Pastor coming. We are excited about his coming! Pray that God will make His will known!

On a side note, I believe I'm getting addicted to Baked Cheetos. I am ready for a real meal though - those have been few and far between the past couple of weeks.

Fresh Paint Under My Nails

With VBS quickly on its way, decoration mode has hit hard. Here's what I've been up to in my "spare" time.


This will be our main backdrop in the Sanctuary. We will also have this (courtesy of FBC Dothan - shout out to Lacey! ..and maybe Ben...) in the sanctuary to one side of the backdrop, with some trees...or stumps on the opposite side. We will also have a dock made out of wood pallets whenever dad gets that built.


This is the backdrop from Dothan. Since we would have issues making it stand up in our sanctuary we're going to use it as the entrance to the Family Life Center - without a boat though. We'll have a boat in the sactuary as well as the Fellowship Hall (Snack Shack).

And then we'll be using this dock for the Dockside Drive-in. We won't be using their crab traps - mostly because dad has about a dozen I can use. :) It pays to know people.



So now you know. When you don't hear from me for the rest of the month...you'll forgive me won't you? Nah...I'll probably be on to post pictures of the actually set before then! :) You'll have to use your imagination for now. Ooo...and you must imagine fog in the Bayou (sanctuary) since we have a fog machine coming!!!

Countdown begins...

2 weeks away from VBS - panic time - and I'm sick. I don't have time to be sick. I have workers backing out (trying to anyway...) and materials that haven't come in. Not to even mention the scheduling conflict towards the end of the week. Oh how I covet some prayers right now...

Birthday happenings....

For those who missed it, and for those who particapated, here's the full weekend recap:

1) LeeAnn and Shauna descended on me late Friday night as planned for our Roomie Weekend, but with cake and presents in hand.
Love them. Love catching up with them. Love praying with them. Love them. After the homemade pizza, we stayed up until 2am catching up and chatting. I don't stay up until 2am for just anyone. You MUST be special.
Saturday we took our time waking up (or at least LeeAnn did...but she's a mommy who doesn't always get to sleep in...so Shauna and I let her) and getting ready. Had some leftover pizza and headed to PC where we spent the remainder of the day/evening in Hobby Lobby, World Market

(shout out to the German if she reads...), Target


Dillards and Olive Garden. Mmmm. I think Olive Garden has become another one of our traditions ladies.

2) My precious little Sunday School class - love those kiddos...so for my birthday I made them cupcakes. Of course they were just interested in the icing. Ana and James both licked all the icing off...then hardly touched the cupcake.
3) Matthew. Oh Matthew. How many can say they've ever had the entire Sunday morning congregation sing Happy Birthday to them? I can. Thanks for the embarassment Matthew - and for the kind words you spoke in the shout out!
4) Birthday nap! Mmmm. Better than the average nap - or I was just tired from the 2am early morning.
5) Lori. Sister Lori. She hosted "small group" or shall we call it Sarah's birthday party (waiting for her to send me pics)? She made this wooooonderful Spinach lasagna with HOMEMADE french bread. I don't know how that family stays so skinny. Then Matthew...again, props to Matthew, made my favorite cake - carrot cake - so very delish!
It was by far the best birthday weekend/parties I can remember to date. Only one thing was missing - Katie, my birthday sharing buddy.