KidzBlast VBS

Growing up in church, Vacation Bible School is something I've always known about or been a part of. When I first came to Sherwood to interview, David mentioned that he had a idea for different way of doing VBS. The idea was this: to hold VBS at our upper campus/sports park, 8 am- 5 pm, with activities in the afternoons which would include anything from choir to art to fishing to field games. David's heart was to reach children who didn't just filter through all of the local church's VBS, but to reach out to those families who needed the all day child care and financial break, and those who would never be able to afford a real camp experience.

When David told me that idea, and how the pastor was behind, I thought, "Wow, sounds like a great idea! Good luck with that!". That was back when I still was figuring out if I was really picking up myself and moving to Albany, Georgia. But shortly after my move, began the planning for one of the biggest (and brand new) events for the children's ministry this summer.

"VBS KidzBlast" kicked off June 6th, and we were as ready as we could be, not really sure how it was all going to play out. But o how the Lord is faithful. We had over 400 children at Legacy Park each day, all participating in small groups, recreation, corporate worship, and a variety of activities in the afternoon. Here were some of the highlights for me...
 -Being prayed over by a group of preschoolers. Almost cried.
-On Wednesday, the gospel was presented, and 31 children came to Christ!! What a sweet moment it was! I got the chance to talk to two little girls and pray with them as they made decisions to follow Jesus with their lives.
-Got the opportunity to get to know some moms and dads of the regular Sherwood kids better.
-Seeing so many different people from the wonderful Sherwood Church family serve!! We had a GREAT crew of volunteers! From check-in and check-out teams, morning adminstration, preschool, rec, lunch crew, small group leaders, afternoon and track leaders. Couldn't have done without them!
-Hearing children singing/screaming "WE WON'T BE QUIET!" at worship, talking about Jesus!
-Driving a golf cart, and having a radio (Yes, it was a highlight. Just being honest folks).

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the week...

Morning stretch

Pastor David talking through the morning.

Small group time

Worship!

Worship was led by several high school students. They did a great job!

Fishing track time at the pond

Intern James leading the "Special Ops" track time. With sunglasses on, they were "invisible", and went around doing special projects for people!

 

 

 

 

 Two great preschoolers and staff kids. Asher Flynt and Kerianne Joiner!

 

To the left, Mr. Jay doing "special ops" with preschoolers. Precious children who prayed over me here! To the right, counseling kids who came forward to make decisions for Christ!

Its been a week since we packed up all the boxes and put away our orange t-shirts (all volunteers wore one...every day). I'm still processing and sitting in awe of all God did that week. One thing is for sure, I'm so thankful to be a part of a team that is not afraid to break away from the normal to better reach the community for Christ.

My Best Friend's Wedding

I've been told I have a lot of "best friends". The problem is, I have several friends that are near and dear to me, but to explain our relationship to you would take too long. So when talking about these sweet people in my life, "best friend" seems to be the best fit for the sake of time (we all know I'm a little long winded). However, there is one person that has always been deemed the title "best friend", and her name is Codi.

Codi and I met as freshmen at the University of Mobile and made a fast friendship during our second semester. However, we had to part ways in the middle of our sophomore year at UM when Codi transferred to University of Alabama (blah). It was the best change for doing what she wanted to do (social work), and would be cheaper (always a plus). I gave her my best, knowing that the Lord was calling my friend away, but sad to see her go. We had developed a friendship that went deep, based on how God had brought up through similar things in life. But when she moved, I'm not sure either one of us really expected to keep in touch as much as we did. Somehow though, we have always found time and made it a point to be there when it counts: graduations, hard break-ups, first dates, and birthdays. All the while throwing in a few "need to get away" weekends.

Codi's undergrad graduation! We both finished a semester early :)

I can vividly remember where I was and what I was doing when Codi called me a few years ago to tell me some news.  I had been out of the country for a month on a mission trip, and was checking my voicemail when I heard one from Codi:
"Hey, I can't remember what day you get back but CALL ME when you get in."
I called her back and after a little catching up about my trip, the conversation went a little like this:
Codi- "Sooo, I'm going on a date tonight."
Me-  "You ARE?" 
"You're not gonna believe who it is with"
"Can I guess?"
"Yea..."
"Collins?"
"How did you know that?!"

 Now, I can be a little naive at times (ok, maybe a lot of the time), but that one was not hard to figure out. I had met Collins probably a year earlier, and watched him become Codi's best friend. Codi had been seeing someone else for a while, but I knew that if he ever dropped out of the picture, that there was a good chance Collins might step up. He never overstepped the boundaries of friendship and was totally cool with the person Codi was and is. He encouraged her to be more of herself, and most importantly, Collins loved the Lord. What more could a girl ask for for her best friend?!

So this past weekend, I had the lovely honor of being in Codi and Collins' wedding. From the white daises to the bridal party walking down the aisle to "Lean on Me" to orange bridesmaid dresses, the wedding was  perfectly "Codi". (*Side note: I love going to a wedding and seeing the bride's personality all over the place.) Here are a few pictures from the weekend...

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Codi and I at the rehearsal dinner. Where I told my side of the "first date" story, and cried when she gave my gift and card.

Minutes before the ceremony! Wearin' her favorite color...

Shots of the happy couple. To the left, Codi Sprewell and Collins Espy. To the right, Mr. and Mrs. Collins Espy!

So there you have it. My best friend's wedding. Congratulations Codi and Collins! I couldn't be more happy for two people. I am so excited to see all the Lord is going to do in and through you as you begin your lives together. Know you always have a special place in my heart, and a place to visit in Georgia!

 

Goin' on a Bear Hunt with Josiah

Most of you know, but for those who don't, my baby brother Josiah has Down syndrome. The last three and a half years have changed my family, but all for the better, since his arrival. Every time I visit my family he seems to making strides in his development, in some way. In February, I went home for a quick visit and proceeded to read a book that has been read to him a million times. But to my complete joy and amazement, when I read it to him on this visit, he was WAY more into the story.
Watch and see...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9db-x1ih_4&feature=youtu.be

Since then I have seen Josiah again when my family visited Albany. On that visit, my sweet brother looked me in the eye, waved, and clearly said, "bye". I literally almost cried!

Josiah is a great reminder that our God is faithful, and He has a purpose for every life. I truly believe we will all stand in amazement as we watch the Lord use Josiah and his life. And, honestly, I look forward to it.

Last few weeks

Lots of different things have happened since I last wrote. So I'll hit the highlights and try not to be long winded....

-Easter was a busy, but had a wonderful day celebrating a risen Savior and reaching out to some visitors with a preschool Easter egg hunt during Sunday School. The rest of the day, I spent time with a couple of families from church.


-A couple of days later, I took a little trip down to Valdosta, Georgia. The church has a connection with college pastor there and I was able to give a plug to his college students about helping us with our VBS and camp this summer. I was also able to meet our girl intern for the summer, Becky. She moves to Albany next Saturday until the end of July, and I'm excited to have her around!


-The same night I went to Valdosta, tornados hit my hometown. I was in touch with my parents throughout the day, and my brother called right after he and my dad watched a LARGE tornado touch down. I've praised the Lord several times since, because my family is safe and their home untouched. It took almost a week, but they finally received power, and my siblings are headed back to school. From what I heard, and the few pictures I've seen, it will take some time before things are back to normal. Many have lost homes and are continuing to pick up the pieces.


- A guest house (owned by one of the pastors) opened up, and I was able to move this past week! There's a little bit more space and a kitchen :). I'm pumped to say the least, and so very grateful for the Aldermans' letting me stay with them as long as I did. Still getting settled, and trying to wrap my mind around making a grocery list for the first time in months. Let's hope I remember!


-Thursday, I took my first vacation day, and took off to Mobile for a few days. It was my first trip back, and it was so good to see so many people and let them know about my new life. I shopped, ate, hung out with people, and ate. O, and I ate. (I love Albany, but it is lacking in the restaurant choices). Got some good quality time in with some college friends, talking about jobs, families, school, and possible marriages/children (not for me, for them :) ). 

The rest of May is jam packed:

• Parent/Child dedication tomorrow, with PM service out at the sports park. 
• VBS meetings and prep.
• Interns move-in.
• Trip to Demopolis, AL to be in my dear friend, Codi's wedding.
• Trip home to see my brother, Samuel, graduate from high school.
• PM service at Sports Park, Kid's Rock style, May 29th. 

Whew...good thing I like being busy!

The Enemy loses

I mentioned in my last post that we started a new programing on Sunday nights for Kid's Rock. Because we won't be having Sunday night service on Easter Sunday, we scheduled to bump our Palm Sunday and Easter themed scripts up a week. So this past Sunday night was Easter in Kid's Rock. 

For several weeks, I had been working with our hosts and my friend Marie, our storyteller, for that night. The script called for Marie to share the gospel while creating a visual demonstration using a white cloth, iodine, and a film developer/water, clear solution. She was to spray iodine (representing sin) on the cloth, place it in the solution (representing Christ), and the cloth was to come out clean, just like Christ cleanses us from our sin. Marie was then to spray the cloth with iodine a second time, which would not hold on the cloth, representing that forgiveness of sin is not something that Christ takes away from us.

So that was the way it was suppose to play out. Around 4 pm on Sunday, Marie and I take the film developer and bucket into the bathroom to create the solution. Plus, a trial run was needed before Kid's Rock started at 6:20. Open up the packet, pour into the bucket full of water... and the water turns BROWN. Brown, like the color of mud, brown. I looked at Marie, who says, "I reference clear water. As in, Jesus is represented as the CLEAR water." Immediately panic invaded and a countdown started in my head of how much time we had to figure something out. After some phone calls and brain storming, David took off to WalMart to buy OxyClean. I texted several close friends asking for prayer, and we gathered the students and adults who were to help us that night to pray. The entire biblical/gospel illustration was on the line and I could hear the Enemy laughing at me. 

David returned, and, praise the LORD, OxyClean worked. Marie worked with it, and did a beautiful job of explaining how Christ takes away our sin to the children. David, got up after her, and proceeded to share scripture from Romans and the full gospel. As he gave an invitation, 17 children responded!! Satan has no foothold when God is working. Aren't you thankful that as children of the King, we can approach the Throne, and that the Enemy has already lost the battle?!

Wait, it gets better! I received an email Monday morning from a staff member. Her daughter went home and talked about Jesus dieing on the cross with her parents. She prayed, accepting Christ as her personal Lord and Savior that night! To top it all off, her dad was discussing baptism with her and said, "Now you know, that means you have to put your head all the way under." (Evidently, she is terrified of going under water). Her response: "I know Dad, but God will be with me." 

"But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God lie a child shall not enter it.'" Mark 10:14-15

  
Oh, to have faith like a child.

Praying for you this Easter weekend. That you are reminded of the power of prayer, childlike faith, and that our SAVIOR is RISEN!!

Light construction & LOTS of Painting

I know, I know... its almost been a month since I blogged. But I have a very good reason (and pictures!) for my absence. 

For the last month, we been getting ready to kick off a whole new kind of program for Kid's Rock on Sunday nights. It is based off of KidStuf created by North Point Community Church in Atlanta, and done by several other churches. I was actually able to be a part of First Baptist North Mobile's version, KidGrid, while I lived in Mobile. So new programing means, a new set! We completely changed our Kid's Rock Theater to face another direction as the "front", and created our set to look like a clubhouse! Here are some pictures...

Before/Beginning to tear down...

Moving the staging around a little bit...

Now, A LOT happened between this picture and the next. 

(I'm still working on the whole documenting thing with pictures.)

Final product:

 

 

Cool, huh? Let's just say, a lot of painting happened over the course of 3 weeks. The Little Rascals ain't got nothin' on our clubhouse.

So, the new and improved Kid's Rock debuted this past Sunday night and it was great! We have middle and high school students and adults helping us with new music, skits, and we even have a couple of funny hosts. The kids seem pretty pumped about it, or at least warming up to it.

In other news, my family is coming to visit this weekend , and I am so excited! Mom and Dad are coming with my 5 youngest siblings tomorrow, and staying until Monday. So be expectant of a blog about the first ever family visit to Albany. Its bound to be interesting or comical or both!

Proof that I'm Alive & Making Friends

(I know. Bizarre post title.)

I've been around about 6 weeks now, but last weekend gave me the chance to learn and get to know a whole new set of faces at Sherwood: the student ministry! I was able serve at the annual Disciple Now hanging out with and leading a small group of students.

One of the things I love about Sherwood, is the desire to be intentional about building bridges. For example, a couple that teaches college guys and girls Sunday school, each lead a group of high school seniors at D-Now. I worked with 6th grade girls over the weekend, and the hope, is that I will continue to work with that grade in the years to come. So, starting next year, I will be able to see and lead girls that just left the children's ministry! Pretty pumped about that. But they have a standard to uphold: the 6th graders this year won the middle school recreation time! (Lets just say, I reverted back to my high school cheerleading days for that one)

What made the weekend even better, was that my dear friend Jaye came to visit me and help with the D-Now. I'm pretty sure I was beside myself Friday I was so excited! I am so thankful for our time together, and getting to show her around my new "home". We hit a couple of the hot spots of "Al-binny"...

 Quickly becoming one of my favorite places to eat: Cookie Shoppe. The expression is because it was only my second time, and I got there without getting lost. I was excited...

 

This was at a little place called "Livi & Company". Its a flea market of sorts; has antique and other cutesy stuff. Jaye and I found a set of plates that we found appropriate...

We also hung out with some new faces...

Allow me to introduce a few new friends: Saren, Kenny, and Scott (in order LtoR). Saren and Scott are siblings, from Albany and Kenny is the youth intern at Sherwood. This was attempt #5 in a series of pictures. Needless to say, we had a good time hanging out.

A blessing, and fun fact of the weekend, was that we got free Starbucks, twice!! Thanks to a friend who gave us a gift card especially for Jaye's visit.

Jaye and I tried to document with more pictures, but most of the time, were too busy talking to remember. Sorry. Its what happens when you try and cover a MILLION topics in a just a few days.

So there have it: Helped out for the first time with students. Had my first out of town visitor. 

Georgia resident 6 weeks and counting!