Ocean Commotion 2016

We just wrapped up another 

Vacation Bible School-

2016!

Ocean Commotion

The church was transformed into an underwater adventure and we all had the best week!

photography by Amanda K.

This year Carlee was very present.  

It made me excited to have her excited.

Here she is 'breaking it down' in games (last in line).

photography by Amanda K.

Because this may be Connor's last VBS (before youth)...MAYBE, might, maybe...I don't know about youth.  Youth is soooo, soon, sooo... grown up.

Anyway, 

I kept him out of football practice for two nights to learn more about God.  This also allowed him to take his cousins, which made it even more awesome!

seashell crosses with his two cousins/ buddies

(photography by Amanda K.)

Although, he had to pay for skipping practice when he got back, it was a great way to learn when making hard decisions to 

Trust God. 

Connor and four beautiful pals he has known since kindergarten.
Does he look grown up to you?

(photography by Amanda K.)

I'm so glad he was a part of this awesome week.

(I'm always proud of you C. for keeping your head up.)

Just a few of the Uh-Mazing Women that made VBS happen, including our director!!!!
Great Job R.

On the first night, Carlee got to wear the lea for good participation and behavior.
That has to be a record for a Sechrist member....photo op for SURE!!!

I loved listening to A. lead music each night.

Science Stop: 

Of course, no one had more fun (and I mean No One) than the DRAMA crew:

I miss them already.

In the beginning, we had our family vacation planned for the first week in August.  I'm so glad we made a change of plans because I got to be a part of the Ocean Commotion Drama!

photography by Amanda K.

Introducing:  Miss Ottoman, Great White, Snorkel Boy, and Scuba Man

BTW-  I'm not trying to be a weird, Kim Kardashian- Octopus- seductress in this photo, but rather trying to show off the top of my costume.  ;)  #selfie

I played a villainous Octopus who worked with Great White to make Snorkel Boy and Scuba Man STOP spreading the word of God!!

Great White was my partner in crime and he couldn't have been more funny.

Alex was the curious (yet confused) teenage girl who drifted into Ocean Land caught between the true heroes (Scuba Man and Snorkel Boy) and the con artists (Octopus and Great White).

Then there is sweet Turtle who takes care and sets the best example for all of the sea animals.

The kids loved our characters.

Our preacher was the director.

He had his hands full directing us, and they became even fuller with some unexpected personal things happening smack in the middle of VBS. 

It worked out though because when your family, 

you just pull together and the show continues!

We all trusted God.

photography by Amanda K.

This isn't my best side,  but I had to show the hilarious faces when I sprayed the "Dynamic Duo" (or as I called them Super DUDS) with Sleeping Spray.

Behind the Scenes the boys wanted to know if there were chemicals in my bottle because it came from my basement.  he. he. 

(I washed it out.  I think.)

photography by Amanda K.

Of course, we had the Super DUDS in our clutches until they souped up their utility belts and kept giving out their bibles. 

These two were so very funny.  They did such a great job as Super Heroes!!

Back Stage-- Snorkel Boy's Scuba Mask broke and I found some tape that echoed across the church as I ripped it.  I tried to piece it together like MacGyver.

It lasted five whole minutes before it broke again (and we all got cracked up)!

photography by G.I.

The funniest part was when Octopus and Great White stole the Scuba Sub but the heroes had a tracking device to pull us back.

During practice we backed up on stage but during showtime, we walked forward.  

I can only tell you that the boy who played Great White is at least a foot taller than my five foot one inch self, that combined with my extra large Octopus costume....  I almost didn't make it out of the Scuba Sub alive.

I just hope there isn't video of me getting out of that thing desperately clutching the little table on the stage as to not completely wipe out.

It was too hilarious and the whole crowd got a bit of a laugh.

The Dynamic Duo Saving the Day

photography by G.I.

The moral of the story is:

 there is no stopping God's word.  

Even if it involves evil, a small sub, a big costume, and a world that convinces you to believe in something else.

photography by Amanda K.

Trust God

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." -Psalm 31:14

Lots of Commotion!

Today was all about promoting our upcoming VBS (Vacation Bible School) so that we can share the gospel with our friends and community members.

Our church gets very excited about VBS and meeting new families.

This year we have a very cool theme:  Ocean Commotion!

I can only give you a small hint to my role in VBS:

I know you want to know more.....  :)

When planning ahead, I thought it would be cute to do something with our 'ocean theme' to get the kids interested.   

I ordered 144 plastic fish with the vision of creating little aquarium bags with beautiful tropical fish swimming under the tag:  

Ocean Commotion V.B.S. (dates/ times).

This is what I actually ended up with- 

Really?  What child would want to come to VBS with a bag full of dead fish (even if plastic)?

I was a bit desperate to find a different solution.  I researched soap, blue slime, magnets, and I even dyed rice with blue food coloring to create a better fishy environment   

Everything was either too time consuming or too expensive.

At the last minute, God revealed water beads to me in the corner at the Dollar General (I love ME some Dollar General)-

For 1.00 a packet, the results were really cool.

  You just place them in water and they expand-

 It made the fish look like they were swimming in the baggies.  :)

We even had a  TON of water beads left over.

My own sensory children really loved them, they are so squishy. 

hot tub fun

It inspired us to have some bath time fun!

 This was not the best idea.  The water beads clogged up the drain and made a terrible mess (but we had fun while it lasted).

"Come Follow Me"  Jesus said, "And I will make you fishers of men."

-Matthew 4:19

 In our groups, we dived into Genesis and talked a bit about Noah.

The children made oyster and pearl necklaces (right out of the deep blue sea).

Did you know that in order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster will quickly begin covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre?  Layer upon layer of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, coat the grain of sand until the iridescent gem is formed.

 I tell you that God can take your discomfort and turn it into something beautiful.

This morning before church, this picture came up on my Facebook memory page:

Remember Cagney and Lacey?

Look at them now-

Is it funny Carlee is wearing pink (and to the left) and A. is wearing red (and to the right) just like in their baby picture above.  

(I think I see a cute photo bomb in the back too.)

Sometimes it is just as hard for me to watch the children from church grow up as it is for my own children.  

The time is fast. Time is precious.

These 'babies' have one more year before they move to the youth and I am not ready-

K. my The Helper

I feel like I've really bonded with E. this year.

My Connor  

In our second group, we had 100% BOY ONLY  attendance.

whooooo hoo, party time!

This is the group where we lost a few fish.
RIP
(as in the bag went rippppp all over the floor.)

Being the professional educator that I am, I thought hmmmmm..... let's move this party OUTSIDE (quickly).

I knew the pearl necklaces were going to be met with great enthusiasm (sarcasm), so after the lesson I gave the option and then we took the balls and parachute down the hill.

Believe it or not, three boys did want to make an oyster pearl!  :)

Don't worry, I kept our games very educational.  

We played a game called 'Catch Noah's Animals'.  That game lasted for 2 minutes before we moved onto this game:

I call it 'Spiritual Fellowship'.  

:)

What a Blessed Day!

Day 4:  In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:18 1 Thessalonians 5:18