I wrote a meeting reminder on my hand… I told my coworker that I was looking forward to July – the month of VBS – and he was saying how relieved HE WAS that I was not RUNNING a VBS anymore – haha – was it THAT bad? So much that others picked up on the volume of work that stressed THEM out? geez…. I don’t think that it was bad, busy yes, never bad to get focus from the Lord and zone IN…

Well, I know that I had SO MUCH to do during those years – but well YEAH and it was fun too – busy but fun and now I remember it both so far gone in my past and so recently….

And well it was a good chapter in my life – that who knows if someday I will reopen full leader as it was fulfilling – but yeah each year it took much of my summer away – but I don’t regret any moment of it – however this volume of “free time” now is nice too. It is hard sometimes to NOT be in charge but good too, most important is to recharge and do what the Lord needs us (me) to do…

And this year? I told my co-worker, I am not RUNNING any of them but I am HELPING in 3 and a half VBS… yeah well… not running but LOVING VBS… The first one I don’t know yet specifically what I am doing, will have to plug in when asked, second one I think I am doing games in the evening, and third one I know I am doing science and crafts, that’s half planned. and the “half” VBS is just one day with a weekend VBS, I’m looking forward to seeing my friends in Lord’s house over there. It’s never old if new kids are coming.

So yeah, I think it will be a GREAT month – Lord willing – and He often is… Helping but not running and not trying to interfere too much with the running but trying to be an “emeritis” VBS leader almost consultant as well as just seeing where the Lord needs me. One thing for certain – I need the Lord still to direct me, we need guidance and need to be willing to plug in wherever, and these children need the Lord in new ways. Children need the guidance to His Way.

Thank God for God.

In VBS most importantly, I ask you to pray, and God will do all the rest! Please PRAY for the children, parents, volunteers, and leaders. During covid, many VBS was at rest for not knowing what the future held… I recently reopened a closet that I filled and closed and walked away from 6 years ago – but stockpiling essentials and it contains photo displays, tape, chalk, markers, papertowel rolls (LOL), and other VBS “stuff” – which is good stuff. VBS starts with “stuff” and morphs into SOMETHING with the SPIRIT which guides us…

In my old emails, trying to help a new leader but not overwhelm her, I found the old flyers that I put together, the bible buddies and themes drift away from our memories but the scriptures are TRUTHS that never go out of season.And so for VBS this year please pray for leaders of this generation that they want to hear – listening to God to go in a direction, and pray focus right now on getting the kids and getting the volunteers signed up. The supplies are second and the decorations can come third, after you have rolled out your signups, electronic or email or phone call or church outdoor signs… it’s actually true, the more volunteers, the more kids then people can make decorations later. First we pray for the Lord’s blessings in bringing the flock.

Anyways, attached is from my old l training handouts – and that closet – good memory lane – into service – into fun – and into summer (and out of the hot sun)…

Thank you for letting me share – and please do pray for all the leaders and volunteers this year and all the student campers – MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL.