VBS 2017

The theme was Galactic Observers. I was in charge of arts & crafts. Two of my least favorite things: space and leading children.

I walked into this feeling inadequate and incapable and stressed beyond all belief. I felt like I spent too much and I made too much work for people and like the kids hated me and were so bored by my instructions. But today it all came together. My hardest projects were today. They took a lot of material and, when I tried it, I wasn't fully happy with the results. But WOW did it turn out way better than I anticipated. The kids had a really great time today. And their projects look AMAZING. I'm so proud and so impressed. I almost want to keep them for myself. I won't. But it just feels nice to know I did something right. I don't know if I'd do it again - I think there are other people better suited for it that will enhance the children's experiences overall. But I'm grateful for the opportunity and the trust. And for pretty colors in space.

Now, she finally relaxes

August 13th, Not in All Caps

It is the end of the weeeeeeeeeek!!! VBS is basically done. No classes today, just a closing ceremony type deal. We thank all the kids for coming. We ask the parents to join us in future services. We give away little prizes and such. Have a nice sermon. Take down decorations. It's a good time.

The best part is it's Saturday. SO I got enough sleep today. I have time to do my own thing today. I'm not gonna come back super exhausted. And NEXT week when I get out of work, I get to have time for me again. I'll get more sleep. It'll just be great. VBS is always fun and it's so great to see the kids gain a love for God. We even had kids accept Christ as their savior this week, which is a MAJOR STEP and I know that God will be there to guide them in the future. It's a blessing to do this every year. But let me tell you, it's amazing to be done. Whoo! Back to business as usual.

Impact

IF NOTHING ELSE. They remember how to say good afternoon in both Japanese and German. They proved that today haha. In all honesty, they're learning a lot and some of them are really great. But hey. I did my job. It is done. Now I just sit back and watch and wait to go back to McDaniel.

Across the World

Today was day 1 of Vacation Bible School. Lemme tell you, I am not a teacher. It takes a lot of patience that I just do not have. When God handed out gifts, He did not give me the "good with children" talent. Nope. Not at all. BUT. The assistants were awesome and helped me get stuff done. And what we did today was make cards for a pair of missionaries in Japan. All the little kids either wrote a note or drew something for Mike & Cindy Burgett. I hope to mail them off before the end of the week. I'm just excited that this pair doing amazing things will get this reminder from strangers that they are loved and the Lord will bless them for their hard work.

To The Place Where I Belong

First off, we need to talk about the S.T.A.G.E blog. Precious babies are enjoying their wonderful time in Edinburgh. I'm jelly. But also super happy for them. Reading the entries gives me joy. Partially because I'm seeing all these pictures and thinking I WENT THERE! I'VE NEVER SAID THAT BEFORE OMG. I CAN ACTUALLY SAY I'VE BEEN THERE. And mostly because this is an INSANE experience and I'm hoping that they love it and learn a lot from it. It's good for them.

Speaking of good for you. ONTO AUGUST BLOGGING!

Day 1:

• Bless these people, they really do not understand how to travel. We're so inefficient. It's so cute.
• A conversation plane ride and I'm wide awake!
• California weather is hot but oh so nice. The breeze feels lovely and there's no humidity!
• West Coast Baptist College has a beautiful campus. Not necessarily the place for me, BUT it was so nice and everyone was very sweet and accommodating.
• We caught a glimpse of Lancaster Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School and man did these guys go all out! Shows what can really be done when people put forth the effort (and money).

Day 2:

• Evangelizing! Honestly, I don't think that's where my gifts lie. But it was good to do it all the same. Especially knowing that someone's heart actually was touched and we helped someone get through a hard time. We also had some pretty AWESOME guides. 
• We had a tour of this place and it really was nice. Again, not the place for me, but anywhere is more likely to have better music resources than McDaniel. I can see why other people would certainly be very happy here. I'm glad I came because I've now seen Angelique in this environment and know that she will definitely benefit from this school.
• Also really glad that this has the little ones thinking about college. As I predicted, tour guide called me out on asking all the big questions. Good. I made the kids pay attention. And most of them seemed to decide that this was not the place for them BUT they certainly have an idea of what to look for. I've planted a seed. Hallelu!

Day 3:

• BEACH. Mind you, I don't love the beach. At all. Far from it. But the weather was so nice and the view was pretty sweet and these people just had my laughing the whole time. 
• Service. I learned to plant a seed and shine my light. I think everyone who goes to church hears this once in a while. I can't describe it or reiterate it as the guest pastor did. But his personal experiences and stories, as well as his wording and evident love and kindness just touched me. It made it obvious to me how much my testimony and the impression I leave really mean. We even got to speak to him and his beautiful wife afterwards. I seriously love how kind people here are.
• More kindness. We found an old friend of Hermana Delmi's after the service. He and his wife were lovely and funny and automatically showed us so much kindness. They even invited us to dinner at In n Out Burger! It's a thing. I've finally tried it. Check that off the list.

 Day 4:

• Six Flags all day
• We actually did have a lot of fun. Again. Not so much because of the activity. It really was just because of the people I shared the day with.
• I took a picture with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, and Foghorn Leghorn!
• So much Harley Quinn and Superman stuff everywhere. I was a happy girl.

Day 5:

• We're still really bad at this airport thing. But we have improved significantly.
• All our seats are separated. I am placed next to a kind older gentleman who is actually very funny. He talks to me about how much he hates So Cal and just prefers Virginia. How his family is from the city, and how he left his parent's home at a very early age (as opposed to kids from our group), and now he and his wife live in the country! We spoke about food, tourism, attractions, his daughter, and college. It was very pleasant.
• Right as the plane started moving, a stewardess explained to me that some girl near the front was very distraught about her seating arrangements and was hoping to trade seats with me (I'm assuming it had something to do with family). So instead of being alone in the 22nd row, I was alone in the 8th row. This time, however, I was sitting in Economy Plus. More leg room! 'Cause I totally need that, right? Haha. I also sat between two pregnant women who were both very sweet and would joke every now and again with each other. Overall, I'm hapyp witht he flight. Didn't sleep so I'm exhausted. But I'm happy.
• Now I'm home. And I'm so so so so so glad of it. (Also. Finally saw new RWBY episode. SO GOOD)

Every day all the time:

• Very personal moments with these wonderful people. Moments that helped me learn where the people I cared about were in their lives. Stories about our pasts. Jokes about the future. Absolutely idiotic moments. Advice and prayer. And so much understanding. And an overarching feeling of love that I truly needed.
• Parodies of all kinds of songs
• Jokes about Joshua trees

VBS

Reason 358: We set up decorations in church today. It all looks so good! The theme is Colossal Coaster World. Because Christian life has its ups and downs, like a roller coaster. The decorations turned out so well, I really am proud of them. We worked for like 4 hours. And some guy from the other church even came in, just to get something, and commended us on our hard work! That felt good :) I hope the kids like it tomorrow!

I. Want. These. Costumes.

Someone get me to Comic Con