Greater Than Gold VBS 2016

The Vacation Bible School at Westside Bible Chapel was another success.  We chose an Olympic theme this year.  The little athletes came to learn how to train, have good character, overcome obstacles, and run for something Greater Than Gold.

First, our leaders had to prepare and train before the athletes arrived.

Welcome to Great Than Gold Training Camp!

Each athlete had to register before training began.

The athletes would first enter the stadium.

Here, they sang songs.

And watched different skits as the message was presented.

Sometimes the athletes got to participate in the skits.

After the training session in the stadium, the athletes walked down the hallway for more training.

Some teams entered the gymnasium for indoor training.

Here, they created gym bags and other supplies for training.

The other teams headed outdoors to the track and field.

Here, they trained by playing games, many of which required teamwork.

Then it was time for more serious training.  Some teams went to the concessions.

The athletes received snacks.

And they worked on the Bible verses.

Once they learned the verse, this guy took them to the passport station.

At the passport station, the athletes received a stamp on their passports.

The other teams headed to the weight room.

In here, they strengthened their faith muscles as a trainer taught the Bible verses.

The teams would then switch places.  First going to the Weight room or Concessions, then to the track and field or the gymnasium.  Every team trained in every room each night.

On the final night, we invited family and friends for the award ceremony.  The athletes showed the parents all they had learned.

And the athletes received their medals.

We had several kids come outside of our church and they brought their friends as well.  It was a fun week and the Gospel was shared several times throughout the week.  We pray that each of them will find Jesus who is Greater Than Gold.

He's FIFTEEN!!!

Every year, I must go into shock a little bit as my oldest child has a birthday.  How could J be 15 already?  But, it's actually true.  He is 15 years old.

We had a busy week with VBS.  His birthday was on a Friday, the last day of VBS.  He spent the day playing video games.  He'd been gone the previous 3 weeks, so he kinda missed it!

I let him open up his cards in the afternoon before we had to leave for VBS.

After VBS, some of the kids stayed after and played a game.  Not sure what the game was, but they were having fun.  Since it was J's birthday, I let them stay and have fun.

When we got home, we got out the cake and ice cream and sang to him.  Since it was late, we would have to finish the celebrating on Saturday.

Saturday, J opened the rest of his gifts.  Headphones and money from us, and shirts from his sisters.

J is becoming an amazing young man.  The first 3 weeks of June, he spent at Kansas Bible Camp.  First, he went to the leadership training camp, and then he stayed on to staff.  He did quite a bit of work around the camp.  Upon coming home, he helped with the VBS.  He's growing in the Lord and is learning to serve Him in various ways.  He's a hard-worker and I'm very proud of him.

Happy 15th birthday!!!

Another Teenager

It's official.  We now have 2, yes TWO, teens in the house.  Already, I can tell the difference between the boy and the girl.  However, K has been the only one home, so I don't think we've experienced the full effect.

With both J and Little A being gone on K's birthday, we had to split up the celebrating.  First, K was allowed to open her present from J before he left to staff at Kansas Bible Camp.  But, she wasn't allowed to enjoy it until her actual birthday.

A week later, K got to open her gift from Little A and one gift from us.  She immediately put these new items to use.  We also got out the cake and ice cream, mostly because we needed Little A to help eat the cake since Seth doesn't like it and I can no longer eat it.  K got to enjoy quite a bit of it before her actual birthday.

Tuesday, was the big day.  She got to experience life as an only child with her brother and sister both gone to camp.  She played some video games in the morning.  We watched some TV during lunch.  Then, since her dad was home, she got to open the other gift from us as well as all of the cards she received in the mail.

I think she was pretty excited to get a Gordman's giftcard.  ;)

After lunch, we headed to a friend's to swim.  Others joined us.  Mrs. Reader, the owner of the pool, baked a cake for K and we sang to her.  K's friend also brought a gift.

K couldn't wait to spend her giftcard, so off to Gordman's we went.  She found a dress, a shirt, and a purse.  I may have been a little bit jealous that she got to buy new clothes from Gordman's and I didn't.  Still, it was fun helping her find clothes.

When we got home, her dad was home so we headed out to eat.  At first we went to Panda Express, as per her request.  However, I found out they don't serve gluten free foods.  I suggested that I walk over to Taco Bell and get myself a taco and come back to join Seth and K.  K wanted some Taco Bell, too.  Seth didn't.  New plan.  Seth got his Panda Express and met us at Taco Bell where we ate together.

Finally, it was time to get the cake back out, add some candles, and sing to her.  It was weird celebrating her birthday without the other 2 there, but kinda nice.

K has grown up so much.  She loves music.  She sings, plays the violin, and has plunked out a few songs on my keyboard by ear.  Her personality is contagious and she has the confidence that I only wish I had at her age.  She loves the Lord and continues to grow in Him.  I love the young woman she is becoming.

Happy 13th birthday!