On Planning Vacation Bible School

Hi there! I am a pre-k Sunday School teacher. Our Sunday school ‘committee’  had a quarterly meeting a few weeks ago and I brought up the topic of Vacation Bible School and who would run it. The saying holds truer here at Village Baptist than anywhere else I’ve been: to suggest is to volunteer. So I was kind of put in charge of planning this year’s VBS. Which is like *squeals*

In past years, we’ve had an average of 35 kids or so parade through our church doors during VBS week, though on any given day we’d probably have about 20 kids. We decided that, though convenient, we’d prefer not to buy a $200 curriculum. So I’ll be busy with planning for the next few little whiles. That means writing up lessons, coming up with games, crafts, snacks, and decorating. But we’ve got a superb group of ladies with an eye for great decor, so we should be set on that one.

This past summer (2012), we had VBS on Wednesday nights in August, and my dad put together an impromptu theme: HOSPITAL! We learned about how God heals, and stuff. We went to Goodwill and bought up a bunch of scrubs so the VBS workers looked like nurses! It was fun and I think it went pretty well.

This upcoming summer, we’ll be going back to the 1-week format. Well, 4 days (Monday-Thursday). The theme is “Have Faith” (I’ll have to come up with a catchy phrase for that… suggestions?) and the decorating theme will be camping. I’ve already got a bunch of ideas swirling around in my cranium, but there still quite a few fuzzy days. I’ll give you the short version of the tentative plan:

• Day 1: Jesus Walks on Water/Peter Lacks Faith (Matthew 14)
• Day 2: Noah’s Ark/God’s Faithfulness (Genesis 6-8)
• Day 3: Peter & The Lame Man (Acts 3)
• Day 4: Abraham’s Faith (Genesis 12)

I’m really excited about this. But I’m also freaking out a bit. If you have any ideas for crafts, or snacks, or games, or WHATEVER, please lemme know! If VBS were tomorrow, we’d do fine. I mean, God’s in control, is He not? I’ve got ideas for every day, but if you’ have an idea, comment!

No matter how this year’s VBS turns out–if it’s rotten or if it’s the best VBS anyone’s every done–if it touches the heart of a child or a parent who comes, then all praise and glory be to God. I pray He’ll put His Hand in every nook and cranny, and God is faithful, so I’m sure He will.

Have a blessed Tuesday! Wait, it is Tuesday, right?!

On NOT Being Bratty

I don’t enjoy fishing.

I don’t enjoy hiking.

I don’t enjoy a lot of the things my family enjoys.

I do enjoy sitting in my bed and Pinning things… reading books… writing for seven hours, then deleting it because it’s stupid… and daydreaming. I do enjoy a good daydream.

Nothing is wrong with that. If something is not fundamentally wrong or untimely, then go right ahead and do it. But when someone you love (for instance… your family) wants to do something, forego your afternoon of lolling around and join them!

My parents both grew up fishing. They loved it, and, for the most part, it has carried over to their kids. Me being the exception (maybe Sam, too, but… he’s not even a year old yet so we can’t tell). I do feel pretty rotten when I moan and groan at the mention of a family fishing trip because I know they enjoy it, but I am a selfish brat and I sometimes make outings miserable for everyone else. I’ve always hated the person who wrecks it for everyone else, but, occasionally, I AM THAT PERSON. I. Am. That. Stinking. Person.

Don’t be that person. I repeat. DO NOT be that person!

Take part in family activities!

Being in the sun is good! People pay good money for a tan and you can get a tan for free, all while enjoying some fresh air. Don’t argue that you can also get a sunburn, or skin cancer, because I have no argument against that one.

Go outside! Lack of sunlight sometimes results in illness. As does lack of Sonlight.

Don’t be a loser, and don’t be a brat!

And if I must go fishing this summer, for the sake of every lazy bone in me, just let me sit in the car! And don’t take too long! And leave the keys with me in case it gets too hot, or rains, or snows, or a volcano erupts!

Does your family enjoy any special pastimes? Share in the comments!

 

PS: I’m absolutely the brattiest person I know. I might not seem that way to you because I’m good at hiding it, which is a side effect of being a brat, because I’m  über prideful, a side effect of  humanness,  so I don’t want people to know about my brattiness, which is, by the way, a major disadvantage in life. My family knows I’m a brat, though. Poor them. So yeah… this isn’t a post that comes from an expert on NOT being a brat. It comes from someone who IS a brat and sooooo desires to advise EVERYONE against becoming one. K bye. 

PPS: To those of you with a brat in your family; there is hope! I hope… Otherwise, I’m doomed to brathood for the rest of my life!

April is National Novel Writing Month (well, one of them)

Okay, okay. The “official” National Novel Writing Month is November. BUT! The Office of Letters and Light is wonderful and set up a CAMP NANOWRIMO for those of us who are impatient for November every year. Aww man. It is my favorite time of the year! I hate it because I always fail, but I love it because I– I have no idea. Probably because it’s fun. (Yes, I know, you probably think I have a bogus idea of what “fun” is)

NaNoWriMo is a program which encourages you to write a fifty thousand word novel in thirty days. There are many branches of the program:

• NaNoWriMo (The mother of all NaNo events, which happens each year in November)
• NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program (where young NaNoers get to personalize their word count goal)
• Camp NaNoWriMo (an event similar to regular NaNo, but you have the option of being assigned to a cabin and an adjustable WCG. I love their ‘tagline’: An idyllic writer’s retreat, smack-dab in the middle of your crazy life. In past years, it’s happened in June and August, but this year they will be in April and July)
• Script Frenzy (which I have yet to participate in, but look forward to doing someday)
• Night of Writing Dangerously (an all night writing shindig in San Francisco)

These are just the events that I remember off the top of my head. NaNo is just… AHH!!! It’s awesome. I love my cabin this year. Everyone is so involved! I, being the social butterfly/group leader that I am *giggles toward people who know me* ask all sorts of questions (“Are you a pantser* or an outliner?” “How long have you been writing?” “What’s your opinion on fanny packs?”) and they answer! Crazy…

I started writing a story about a boy named Benedict McLove (odd name, but it plays a part in the story), and I realized that I don’t know enough about what I want to do with it to make it worth my while. I might continue it someday, but not this month. Instead, I’m continuing the sequel to the book I wrote last year. It’s about a boy named Liam. It’ll hopefully be available on Amazon as an e-book sometime this year, but… you can never be sure! I’ve still got some editing to do.

So this April, I’ll be busy. I am a Junior in high school, but I’m homeschooled! I can’t imagine a better predicament to be in as a NaNoer. Lots of high school students participate, but they all have a set amount of time they need to be in school. I can do all my work in, like, two or three hours and get straight to writing. I don’t have clubs to go to, or sports, or play practice, or whatever. This is one reason I’m glad I’m homeschooled; I can do fun things! 😉

PS: to the people of The Office of Letters and Light: I LOVE YOU.

PPS: If you’ve ever participated in NaNoWriMo in any way, shape, or form, let me know! It’s always great to hear from a fellow WriMo. 🙂

*A pantser is someone who writes by the seat of their pants. I am a pantser, usually, though I always have an idea of where I’d like to go… though that’s rarely the case. All my stinking characters are waaaay bossy!

Announcing the First Annual Girl Party

Hello there.

I’ll get to the point now: the definition of gender has been skewed by media, politics, the general population, and all the people who say it’s wrong to be against something yet they’re against like everything. God’s perfect plan for us has been disregarded–almost entirely!– and now the institution of family is no longer sacred. The line (quite thick… if you ask me) is overshadowed by the desire to be equal. ‘Equality’… it’s plastered everywhere nowadays. Equal? Come on. It’s not right (I’ll probably write a blog stating my opinions on this whole equality thing soon… PS it’s annoying).

And that’s where this next month comes in!

The month of April will be a celebration womanhood. I’ll wear skirts and dresses every day as an outward sign of the party, but here’s the most important part: thanking God for making making us women and praying for the people who are not too happy about being a girl. A lot of people think it’s detrimental to their ‘rights’.

Understand this: I don’t think women should wear only skirts (I usually wear pants).  I don’t think they should be the only ones to cook, clean, or change diapers (I make my brothers help). I think they should be allowed to have a job and make an income (if that’s what works best for them and their family), and do many of the things that men can do. But there’s a difference between men and women, and it seems to get blurrier as the days go by. That’s what this month is for: celebrating our job as Christian ladies.

And you’re invited to the party! If you don’t wanna wear skirts or dresses all month, but wanna participate, have at it! I guess you could just tell people about what’s going on and why it’s going on. And I’ll wear pants when I go to bed, and when I exercise. It’s not like some big hullabaloo where you should freak out if you’re told not to wear a skirt/dress. Be nice about it.

Being a woman isn’t about being a slave. It’s about being a Help Meet (Genesis 2:20-24). It’s about being a mom. A wife. A sister. An aunt. A daughter.

Let’s not forget that.

Now go read Proverbs 31:10-31

If you do plan to participate, let us know in the comments! Also, you can send pictures of you wearing a skirt/dress to beyekind432@yahoo.com and I’ll post it at the end of the month.

On a completely unrelated note: CAMP NANOWRIMO STARTS IN FIVE DAYS! AHHH!!!

Legislative Day 2013

Yesterday afternoon, my Dad, David (older brother), Daniel (younger brother), me, and seven other people traveled to Albany for Legislative Day. (actually, I only went because I heard we were going to Buca di Beppo and the Cheesecake Factory. Just kidding, but those were major perks.) Among our fellow travelers was Reverend Gerald R. Feulmer. He is a pretty great guy. As an unsaved young man, Pastor Jerry went to school to be a counselor. A few years later, he accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation and became a saved man, eventually moving to a tiny town you’ve probably never heard of in New York to be their pastor. His love for God is evident, and his zeal for educating people to follow Christs’ example and take a Biblical stand for our nation is something I admire a great deal. I am good friends with his children, too.

Well, Pastor Jerry (aka the Fulmin8or)  led the Teen Track… where young people between the 7th and 12th grades learn about Christian Worldview and how it applies to us. The theme for this year’s Teen Track was “Who Am I?”

The answers were:

To glorify God

To enjoy God forever

To be a steward

To serve God

Notice how all of these have to do with spiritual things? We’re here because God wants us to be here (Revelation 4:11 KJV).  Humans are spiritual beings. We desire affection and attention from God, whether we want to acknowledge it or not. And, in many cases nowadays, people are too prideful to acknowledge the mere existence of God. I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE OPEN YOUR EYES! GOD IS ALL AROUND US! Can you not see Him in the stars? Hear Him in the singing of the birds and the whistling of the wind? Feel Him touch your heart when you see a baby smile? All those feels? They’re from GOD! These days, my God seems to be the elephant in the room. But He is the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. Caps lock does not do the Lord of All any justice whatsoever, so forgive me if it seems like I’m struggling to describe His awe-inspiring magnificence. But I do have an excuse… I am a finite being, God is infinite; I am inside of time, He is outside of it; I am stupid and tend to be awkward, He is all knowing and He is not awkward. Not one bit.

Okay. I heard somewhere that you’re not supposed to be all preachy on blogs and whatnot, but I’m gonna throw that out the window and not heed it. Instead, I’ll fill you in on more details from today’s experience.

Before today, I’d been to Legislative Day twice, but both of those times I sat with people I knew. Today, I didn’t. I sat with a 12 year old girl named Rebecca. She was quiet, sweet, and innocent in the best way. It really made me think about how, though I’ve only been around a few years more than she has, I am so much… older! Spiritually, physically, and mentally. We change so much during this time in our lives. I know I’ve still got a lot of transitioning to do before I’m an adult, but I’m more developed than Rebecca (this is the second time today it’s been noted that someone is more developed than Rebecca…), who I pray will continue to grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. These teenage years are vital in forming our worldview. Of course, over time, our beliefs and opinions can change, but if you’re grounded with a Biblical worldview and Constitutional politics when you’re young, you’ll be more likely to stick with those beliefs throughout your life.

I encourage people like Rev. Jason McGuire to keep the faith and continue with their endeavors to change New York. New York is a beautiful state, but it’s not a pretty place to live. I’ve lived here for all of my sixteen years and not once have I felt content with our government. Of course, I’ve only really started paying attention for a few years, but still. Three years is a lot of time to be discontent with your legislature. My future is in the hands of our leaders. I’m a little discouraged, to be honest. I want to have kids someday, if the Lord tarries, and I’m not looking forward to raising them in a world full of wicked decisions. And I’m not alone; thousands of people across the state feel this way.

In closing: there was a man who spoke to the teens, a Senator for the 147th District (no… not the Hunger Games Districts. There are only 13 Districts in Panem. I’m talking about the New York Districts. Lame joke, I know) named Dave DePietro. He is a new Christian. He was raised in a religious home… even went to a religious school, but was not truly born again until last year. He told us how Albany is a godless place. How he brings his Bible to work each day and watches as his fellow politicians walk by with looks of disdain clearly etched on their faces… waiting for the day one of them stops and asks what the big deal about God is. How there’s a prayer meeting every week and only a handful of his fellow Senators join him. We need to pray for men and women, like Dave DePietro, who have joined politics to fight for our Constitutional freedoms. Lord bless them. Lord, help them to be courageous. Help them to do the right thing… to desire to serve You. And Lord, help us to do the same.