At VBS we had a great time with our family kids – nine total – wow NINE – in my group this day – loved it – of course there were many helpers all the time – the new ones I was able to catch up early in 10 minutes time on the whole story of Joseph (which is also one boy’s name) and on the activities – and that is when you really feel sanctioned and blessed by God to be equipped -to have the skills and the stories – to teach the kids one on one – as well as a group listening. This older boy really really enjoyed the obstacle course. I loved the VBS snacks – honey on a date-fruity nutty textured cracker.  Everyone dug into the bible story time and marketplace activities. We learned that Joseph was using his skills to interpret the dreams of the Cupholder and the Baker in prison (and the bible does not sugar coat the words for what happened to the baker wow! And at our closing we also were surprised at the things God was doing – we had the most fun activity at closing by using the sponge animals in the small capsules that expanded in water – what a surprise – and I taught that Joseph must have prayed and prayed while in prison for God to rescue him – for Pharaoh to learn and let him go. When we pray, God hears, and God can and will intervene to help us with the situation and/or help us deal with the situation. God does surprise us with such good things. (and I was so happy to use the stickers that I brought as good gifts all week)

AND VACATION day 2 –  after VBS we had outside lunch at the bay from a new-to-me place – great lobster rolls again for lunch and not too crowded and then off to the beach to meet another sister of my friend – free beach – great temp and splurged (because this IS vacation) on close parking $5 (LOL so cheap) for the 4 hours we stayed. I think as a beach, it is one of my new favorites for easy enjoyment. It has the long stretch of gradual water no sudden drop off – so we could wade out past the breakers to the rolling waves part – so nice since the waves scare me! but this was good and we sat and chatted and rested – we watched a big castle and big whole get completely dissolved with the higher and higher tide that invaded our chairs too! (one of my favorite new things to do was to put my chair right in the water waves and let the waves come – so nice!  We then washed off with their new water spigot rinse stations on the boardwalk and went to the Farmers Market with live music – a small nice event – and it reminded me of the devotion that I pre-wrote about music – using music to get connected with people for spreading the messages of God – really we do connect with the music!!! 

After the farmers market, the storms started popping up! oh the clouds so cool… I think thunderstorms always remind us that God means business and is not afraid to put us thru tough things and we find His protection – either physically or spiritually. The storm passed and we saw the sunset.

When we are in a storm – we can pray for God to help us get past it – and He does… He does…

Amen – fun fun fun