VBS 2010: Let's Go!

This is the first summer working VBS that I haven't had the babies: the 3 and 4 year olds. I was pretty disappointed when I got the 9 year olds, I honestly thought about backing out of the volunteer spot. Somethin' kept telling me that it would be worth it, that it would work out in the end.

Boy was that right.

I LOVED my 9 year olds girls. Ashley, Andrea, Casey, Chloe, Lily, Paige, Sabrina, and Samantha (Yes, I would run through their names in alphabetical order in my head when I didn't quick count 8 of them.) (I also had 2 boys, but they were never with me, so yeah) They reminded me so much about a cabin at camp. Ashley was so sweet and kind to everyone. Andrea was always at my side. Casey was full of energy, always. Chloe had the prettiest handwriting and was super quiet. Lily loved to hold my elbow when both my hands were taken, and gave me my first 2 sillybandz. YAHOO! Paige was a cutie, and we could all tell she was there for the right reasons. Sabrina was loud and always wanted to sing the songs in the hallways. Samantha was a sweetie, another quiet one, but helpful. They were all so unique, but all meshed so well together. 2 cried when they came to give me goodbye hugs because they didn't think they'd ever see me again. I promised I'd be around once school started again.

VBS was God's way of prepping me for a week of girls at camp. I have a pretty good shot at working with 6-9 year olds for a week at the end of camp, and this was a really good way of showing me that I can work with kids older than the babies. It was so neat to see the ones who wouldn't talk to anybody Monday night be dancing on stage and signing every motion to every song by the finale. To see kids realize who Christ is for the first time, and ask you about it. To see the pure joy and love of the kids. To be able to give your everything (I mean that, it was physically and mentally exhausting) to those kids, and to see them light up when you paid specific attention to them. I loved it. l-o-v-e-d it!

The message this year was 5-fold, and wasn't just for the VBS'ers. Everybody learned something this week. Here's what we wanted the kiddo's to take home.

God's word is true. God's word is comforting. God's word is surprising. God's word is for everyone. God's word is life-changing.

What a wonderful week. I loved those girls, and learned so much. Especially the relearning of the fact that God always has a way of making things work out. He showed me that I can work and love kids older than 4, 5, or 6. I loved those 9-year olds. That's for sure :)

VBS 2010. AMAZING.