VBS- Wilderness Escape

We have successfully survived our first VBS of our summer.  It was at the Lynchburg Seventh Day Adventist Church.  (The church associated with my kids school) As is quite typical the kids LOVE it--- all 12 of the kids I've been transporting along with another friend Alisa (and her hubby Cory on the last night)-- mom to the youngest VBSer!  We went from one vehicle to transport to Cory's van and Grandma and Poppy's van too on the last night!

This year was a big change for me.  I haven't been a VBS teacher since I had kids!  So a 11 years later I am back to being a VBS teacher--- this year known as "tribe leader".
I began being a VBS teacher 17 years ago at Olivet Baptist Church and did 2 years there.  Then I did several years at Thomas Road-- both were for the youngest preschool age (2-4 at Olivet and 4 y/o at Thomas Rd)

I spent from 3-7:30 Thursday and Friday setting up, decorating and preparing for VBS.  Our theme this year is Wilderness Escape

This VBS is a neat set-up.  It's a great deal different than any I ever did.  Usually VBS is seperated by age groups--- all the preschoolers 1 group, kindy 1 group, each grade their own group.  This one is multi-aged 3y/os through 5th grade (so 12ish y/o olds).  Each group has about 6 kids.  Our groups are names after the tribes of  Israel. The twelve tribes are as follows: Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Ephraim and Manasseh.  My Group is Gad.

We start together for celebration time of singing and the bible point with Miss Keena.  (Oh she has a career in communication and kids!  She is great at getting their attention by playing the role and engaging them!). 

one of the groups of kids during worship

 Then we have a tribe time where we go over any God sitings for the day.  Everyone learns to look for evidence of God all around them-- I get the most simple answers like trees to their family members to my 3y/o was thankful for popcicles when it was 95 degrees ;-)

Our God Sighting Map that some of our AMAZING volunteers made-- far more impressive than the map they could have ordered from the VBS Company.  The white trail is the God sightings the kids had this week.

 Then we head to dinner-snack.  It is a light dinner.  I am bringing many low income kids.  This is likely a huge meal for them and they are allowed refills.  Then you have my picky kids who you are lucky if they eat one thing off that plate.  You can't please them all but no one has to leave hungry!

Then there are 3 stations:
Fun and Games with Mr. Doss

Moses' Tent with Moses, Malachi and the third actress (her name/role changes nightly)

lesson on the 10 commandments and a memorable picture lesson using mouse traps to compare the effects of not obeying the role book God has put in place for our well-being and safety

Israelite Camp that has 10 stations of activities for the kids.  The camp is what I helped set up last week.  The stations are:
Baker-- where they knead dough and taste bread

Butter-- where they learn to churn butter via shaking

Rope Making-- where they braid their own rope

Sandal Making--where they make their own flip-flop style sandals

Musician-- where they make their own bell shaker instrument

Weaver-- where they make a God's eye art project

Kid-to Kid Oasis-- The missions project booth where they learn about clean and unclean water and money is raised for children to get 2 years worth of clean water.  As well they make a cup out of paper and drink water from it

Camp Cleaner-- they learn how to wash clothes prior to washing machines

Camel Hearder-- where they measure 35 gallons of water b/c that's how much a camel drinks a day

Sand Artist-- where the make and decorate a clay necklace

The kids get to go to two of the Israelite Camp tents a night.


Then it is time for closing celebration, with a hands on object lesson in your tribe, closing bible lesson and songs

Night 1

We, as usual started with minimal kids.  I always like to feel out any program before I start to allow the kids to bring all their friends.  We did have cousin Kierra with us since the kids were playing and swimming together before VBS.

Meet Mo the Mouse

Day 1 game with Mr. Doss-- balancing a sponge on your head-- wet of course... to be like the fat that they used in the Egyptian times to "cool off", and "make you smell good".... ummm I'd take the wet sponge ANY day!
Day 1 lesson in Moses tent was following the cloud through the wilderness and then God parting the sea for us to get across.  Amusingly a lot of kids found their favorite part of the whole night crawling through the "tunnel" the fan created in parting the sea.

Night 2

Tonight we tripled our kids from just Jayna, Anthony and Kierra to Alisa, Jayla, Alonza, Diamond, Alexus, Tabitha and Mateo!

Meet Humphrey the Camel

Day 2 game with Mr. Doss-- shooting a cotton ball off of your partner's head with a spray bottle
Day 2 lesson was praying and asking God for food during the famine and he provided quail (aka peeps at VBS) and manna (aka frosted flakes at VBS)

Night 3

Tonight we added two more to our list of kiddos with Will and Payden
Meet Chase the Leopard

Day 3 game with Mr. Doss-- the large parachute thing I know everyone has done in PE.Class at one time or another and then water balloon toss
Day 3 lesson was a mixture of God gives us strength and teamwork makes the task at hand easier

Night 4 

Again tonight we had 11 kids myself and Alisa (13 Total attending)
Meet Isaac the Goat

Day 4 game with Mr. Doss-- "garbage toss" trying to get all the garbage on your opponents side and of course they are doing the same.  And then we played the water version of duck duck goose.  We called it wet, wet, dry (on field day the school called it dribble dribble drop)
Day 4 lesson was teaching the kids about passover, sacrificing the lamb, putting it's blood over the door

Night 5

Our group grew again tonight from 13 total to 15 total--- 3 adults (we added Corey) 12 kids (we added Jesse)!

Meet Rocky the Rock Badger

Day 5 game with Mr. Doss was first balloon basketball and then the lemon roll relay game.  Both are pictured above.  The balloon one was a hit for all the ages :-)
Day 5 lesson was on the 10 commandments and how they are a role book not because God wants to control us but because he is looking out for what is best for us and wants to keep us safe.  Moses also explained what each one meant and allowed the kids to give examples too.

In Closing
We had a great week!!  We couldn't have asked for a more thoroughly put together program!  My non-believer friend and daughter attended all week and they too loved it!  11 of my kids gave to the Kid-to-Kid Oasis (or they better have!  I gave them each a baggie of money!)!  I was annonymusly gifted a jar with many coins last Christmas Eve.  There was about $90 in it.  I have ensured not to spend it on US but to donate it to this in need, so this was the perfect chance.  My coin jar is now depleted with the final baggie of money coming from my purse.  The other money had been already donated to other causes.

I even survived a week of working 3rd shift and being a tribe leader and an excessive amount of transporting!  I usually started picking up people for VBS at 4:15 and got to church at 5:30/5:40.  Then VBS ended about 8:30 and I got home about 10 and gulped down supper and to third shift by 11.
Every kid was also given a Card with their tribe's picture within it on the final night!  Another perfect touch!!  I gave each of the kidlets in my tribe two packets of gummies to go with their picture!  We had a wonderful week together!!

The begining...

He didn't have a dad, he didn't see that example, quite frankly he seems to have not cared that he didn't have a dad, and yet he has started a new legacy or strong fathers, the beginning of what I expects to be a rich legacy of involved dads.

Pretty much no one had any hope that we would make it as a family, or that he would stick around and be a Daddy- as opposed to a dead beat-- and yet he is, he has and he's amazing!  I know age was stacked against us, and I think my family held against him the negatives within his genetics against him too initially.

He moved his way up that minimum wage ladder into management position.  Never once for one day did he want any government handouts and he worked hard to ensure that happened.  And it has.  We've had tight and scary financial times, but have never accepted a hand out.  He immediately put Anthony first.  There was no consideration of his money or her money, it's always been our family's money.  He would of course love spending money, but he was realistic and for quite a while every dollar went towards a bill.  Luckily, we worked in fast food management at that time and could eat at work for free, since our real food budget was $3 a day for the both of us.  Luckily that only lasted about 6 months and then we found stability and pay raises, just about the time Anthony was born.


He chose to learn from his past, not repeat it.  When we began house hunting he was very strict on how far from the "bad" neighborhoods he grew up in we needed to be.  Ironically and not at the time amusing was my parents moved into that "bad" and "ghetto" neighborhood.  Fear not, he has successfully protected my little brothers within that (it's not so bad after all) neighborhood.

It's impressive how someone can be so different than the example he saw---
A "father" who chose to be a deadbeat.  He chose alcohol and women over his three children.
The fact that he was raised by a single mom who had her fair share of obstacles but didn't give up and only pushed harder, was sometimes quite creative and resourceful and had a hard time raising those boys likely was a motivator for Marko.  He saw her struggle, the struggle that overflowed into his life and his brothers life likely much at fault due to his "father's" absence emotionally, physically and financially.  Marko has only and always wanted better for our kids, and at any cost to him.

He went from being the typical nervous 1st time dad, who wasn't so hands on and involved in the hands on parenting.... well except naps ;-) ... and when his wife insisted on family photos.

Then Along came Jayna Bells--- and golly I wish I had more baby Jayna pics, but when our house was broke into amongst the missing items was my digital camera.  So we are missing a ton of infant pictures.  But I can still remember Marko would stay up all night from when he got home from work near midnight until 7am upstairs with Jayna.  The child found sleep over rated for those first two months and chose to not partake in it.  Daddy was Jayna's favorite person easily.  When they weren't together we had to use a worn white tee of Marko's as a blanket for her as the scent of Daddy kept her calm.  In every way she was certainly a daddy's girl.
Now when he doesn't come home after a day they are questioning where he is and when he'll be back.  He's more hand on for certain things than others.  He typically still prefers to be home or not around too many extra people.  But there is no question he adores our kids.

But it doesn't stop with our two kids.  He's been great to my siblings and his financially especially allowing most of them to live with us at one time or another.  And now that we have a 9 and 10 year old he's also practically become a 2nd dad to the kids best of friends as our house seems to be the preferred hang out and sleep over place.  And now he loves playing Uncle to Little Homie too!

You have become everything I dreamed of and everything we need.You are amazing.  You aren't my father and we don't do fathers and mother's day stuff within our household and our shared opinion on Hallmark holidays, but you at least deserve a blog!

Happy Father's Day Dad

I'm too cheap to buy you a corny father's day card dad.... so instead you'll have to read this and pretend it is stamped with a Hallmark log and a $3.99 price tag.... and if you squint your eyes hard enough, maybe you can even hear some cool song or sound like those fancy cards come equipped with now.

My dad probably would qualify as the most devoted dad I know, hands on well beyond the typical, adventurous, a little crazy and a lot of fun!

My earliest memories usually include some outdoors adventure-- hiking, mountains, woods, bike rides, etc

 He did have one flaw-- trying to cut my foot off when I was 6 via bike spokes.  Luckily I made a full enough recovery  and apparently he had a guilty enough concious 10 years later to do our first Bike MS 150 mile really freaking long bike ride with me.  Unfortunately this was before selfies so none of us together!

He was one of a few parent reader volunteers and certainly the only dad throughout my entire elementary school days

He was easily one of the most fit and athletic dads I know too.  To save money (ok we didn't have enough money but whatever) he rode his bike to work for the first 9 years of my life everyday.  And even once we moved further away, and could afford/got a 2nd vehicle, he still rode on weather permitting days for a while.  He's been running since he learned how to run... and he hasn't slowed down much yet.  He sure tried hard to get a 2nd generation runner, but yeah that sisn't happen.  Sorry dad, not everyone can have a full track record of sucesses.

He taught us to take risks and have fun.  Fear was so not something we were taught!  I loved the amusement park, jumping off our roof and any other thrills.

You with mom have been a great example of a life long marriage.  So many of the kids who've been in our home, they didn't even understand husband as opposed to boy friend. 

Dad taught us to always have hometown pride, even when you've lived other places longer than you ever lived in your home town!

Dad has always made family and extended family a priority.  He also was always loving and welcoming as our own household family size grew.  He was practically a big kid himself 1/2 the time!

 He demonstrated life-long friendships that can stand the test of time and distance

You've made everyday happenings-- and even the ones that weren't as typical exciting and memorable

 You've provided all us kids with many memories and experiences.  A lot of the kids first time experiences at big things like a beach, bike riding, playing sports and so much more was with you.

 You learned how to accept Marko-- after trying to kill him of course.  And after Marko and I helped make you extra gray, we got you to loose up for the up and coming teens you'd still have left to deal with!  Marko and you went from non-verbal, to civil, to now you are Marko's preferred advice giver for his big financial decisions.

 

Even with your long hours, you never missed one of my basketball games.  You were never once on time-- but you were consistent and still are.  Your 9am and everyone else's 9:22 are so similar. :-)  And now you've begun a 2nd generation and are a great practice coach with the kidlets and their favorite fan on the sidelines.

I love the second generation of traditions: specifically bridge Day.  Soon we need to introduce them to some more of our hang outs like Hawks Nest, Stevens Lake, and all the others.

You are far beyond just a dad, just a Poppy.  You are the entire neighborhood's honorary Poppy.  Regardless if Jayna and Anthony are at your house or not, if you are home before dark there's a good 85% chance a neighborhood kid has come to play ball with you and see the mini-farm or even come for a warm couch and a meal, and as you've always done since forever ago you welcome them in.

 You are one of a kind.  Few dad's work full time hours and cook so many of the meals.  Not a day went by that you didn't cook me breakfast when I was in school.  And I don't mean a bowl of cereal. I was spoiled with real food- french toast, apple pancakes, oatmeal (instant) or made from scratch apple and raisin cinnamon oatmeal too!  And even now you still spoil me with your world famous pancakes!

You provide the kids that closely bonded grandparent relationship I got with Papa.  The kids are so incredibly lucky to have the best child care and then you still choose to get them when I wasn't working too.

You've shown the kids the fun parts of your childhood and the family properties and all the great things about the farm.

I'm not sure why you went the path you did--- practicing raising chickens with this one.  But apparently she was a rather likable chicken since you added so many more chickens to your mini-farm after her.

You sincerely care about the kids in every aspect, educationally too.  Thank you for being as much of an advocate for them as I have been and to teach them every time they are with you, even when they don't realize that is what you're doing because you make it more fun!

You're a bit crazy and that makes you even more fun to be around!  You're so laid back and relaxed but you also know how to have a good time without crossing any moral lines.

You aren't just a Poppy but a best friend

You are a problem solver, both big and small

and you are so fun and energetic-- and ok with being attacked by water balloons

You have hidden talents too-- and apparently are ready to start cosmetology class any day now... all while having made their clientele a bowl of "Wendy's Ice cream" to eat while she has her hair done.

Thanks for everything you've done and that you still are doing

I love spending time with you dad!  

Happy Father's Day!