Planting Seeds, Vacation Bible School Style

BUMC Chapel is transformed for VBS

John 3:16: 


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.



This, the first scripture that I memorized in my lifetime, sums up the entire Bible.When I was a young child attending bible school at the First United Methodist Church in Brewton, Alabama, I didn't understand this verse as I recited it; not until much later in life. I confess that I am still exploring the depth and breadth of the meaning of these beautiful, powerful words. I will not reach the fullness of understanding until I am in heaven, when I see love himself, face to face. 


Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a rite of passage for many of us who were raised in the church, or even near a church. In the small town that I am from,a church adorns almost every street corner, and an auto parts store within shouting distance of most churches. 


VBS planted the most important seed that would ever be planted in my life;a seed that would be watered by many more people. Both the planting and watering are important. 


I was pleased to see the activity surrounding bible school at Buda United Methodist Church this week. Although all of my kids are now too old to attend, I popped in to take some pictures. Unfortunately, I am limited with the pictures that I can publish in this blog, because of the privacy of minors, but I do have some great pictures of the scenery, which was nothing short of uh-mazing (Yes, Mom, I know that isn't a real word.)


Children's Ministry Director Kim Fall, led the "Operation Overboard" themed week, with assistance from Youth Director Ryan Stratton and Pastor Nancy Day. Many other volunteers assisted, beginning with planning preparation months ago. I considered listing the names of all of the volunteers, which would inadvertently lead to a name omission, which I would of course blame on church Administrative Assistant and Operations Manager Terry Foley, who would then never save me from disaster whenever I need her assistance. Therefore, I will simply say that there were a plethora of wonderful, beautiful volunteers, including youth. As these pictures show, the kids participated in an imaginary underwater interactive event. 

Amazing picture drawn on the Narthex window by a local artist.

As I snapped pictures, my mind took a trip down memory lane to my years in bible school, adorned with humble decorations. Now, the decorations do not just provide images but transform the environment into a seemingly completely different place.

This resembles the decorations that we had when I was young.

Volunteers Clark Lymon and Greg Grumbles take a breather in between classes for kids.

Is it possible for VBS to be complete without refreshments?!

Children's Ministry Director Kim Fall speaks with volunteer.

Everything was decorated!

More areas underwater

Looks like a blowfish

Children's Ministry Director Kim Fall speaks with Volunteer Clark Lymon

Mural in the worship center of BUMC.

Don''t  fall Kim!!!

Worship Center Decorations

More Worship Center Decorations

And more......

A scuba diver visited

The Sunday School area was underwater.

Children were greeted by Methodist fish.

More Methodist Fish

All kinds of underwater sea creatures were available for the children to see.

Another Methodist Fish. I think this one is a "she"

I think those are 3 Methodist Fish swimming above a Pastor Fish.

The volunteers who did the decorations are 'da bomb! You too, Kim Fall!

This marine life will have to be relocated soon.

The volunteers deserve a prize for these wonderful decorations.

It's a fish and jellyfish thang!

This is the underwater tunnel

Apparently, these were non-denominational fish. That's OK. We can love and accept them too. :)

Nice friendly shark:)

Dare to Care and Change the World

I had a chance to speak with Children's Ministry Director and talk about my experiences at VBS as a child. I was excited to hear from her that she taught John 3:16 the day before to the children. We agreed that VBS is great for planting seeds, and helping children to be comfortable at church. Others will come along and water and nurture their growth throughout their lives.

Amen.


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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare:


Today, I am thankful for:

159. Friends who take up for you.
160. New editors at newspapers.
161. French fries.
162. People with sweet, sweet spirits.
163. Digital cameras.
164. Vacation Bible School
165. Boots










copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

Chisholm Trail Roundup Grand Parade

Lockhart, Texas was the location for the 40th Annual Chisholm Trail Roundup from June 6-9, 2012. The roundup is an annual Bar-B-Que, arts, crafts and music festival sponsored by the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce.

They have a Bar-b-que and chili cook-off the weekend before the actual roundup. Then, the weekend of the roundup, the features are a carnival, arts and crafts booths, and music presented by several different bands. The Grand parade tops it off. A queen's court represents the roundup throughout the weekend. There are probably other activities that I haven't yet mentioned here. 


I had the honor of participating in the Grand Parade to represent David Glickler, who is running for Judge for the Republican party. He had a family vacation planned for the weekend, so several of us rode in the parade. Of all of the parades that I have ever participated in, this was the longest parade with the most participants that I have ever seen in person. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.


Having lived in Texas only four years, I was curious about the whole Chisholm Trail Roundup idea. So, I have done a little research that I want to share here. I didn't even know what the Chisholm Trail was. According to Wikipedia, the Chisholm Trail was a passage for driving cattle from Texas to the rails in Kansas in the late 18th century. Of course, most of my readers in Texas already knew that. 


Here are some of my pics from the event:

This was what I thought was the cutest house on the parade route.

David's in-laws drove this antique car adorned with "Glickler for Judge" signs.

Loved the t-shirts. On the Right-"Page Lance's Brother" One the Left-" Page Erikas Sister"

I loved this!!! The beauty queens were resting before the parade started! These ladies were from Comal County.

Now they are standing!

A tractor makes a great float!

The United States Military joined the action!

Throughout the parade route, people announced the activity of the parade. They peppered their announcements with jokes. I thought they were representing a radio station at first. They were delightful!

Who had ever heard of using a boat for a float?

US Military Vehicle

Neighborhood Announcers. Very clownish and funny guys.

A Real clown joined the festivities. He was a Christian clown.

Beautiful Methodist Church.

Notice the elephant ears on the float. 

Don't forget the party train.

There were many more floats than these. Maybe next year, I will be on the other side of the parade and get more pics.

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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare:


Today I am thankful for:


157. Kid's spending the night with friends.
158. Rubber Bands










copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

Stress Relief Suggestion #42

When the weekend rolls around again, use your weekend time for a change of pace. If your work week is slow and patterned, make sure there is action and time for spontaneity built into your weekends. If your work week is fast-paced and full of people and deadlines, seek peace and solitude during your days off. Feel as if you are not accomplishing anything at work? Tackle a job on the weekend which you can finish to your satisfaction.
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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare:


Today, I am Thankful for:


147. Trust
148. Leaving the past in the past.
149. Birds around the house that could win a bird whistling contest.
150. African American Churches.
151. A great father.
152. A returning voice.
153. Privacy
154. Training.
155. Safe Places.
156. God-incidences

copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

She is at Peace Now

I am part of a four-person prayer team. My pastor is one of the members as well. This has been a wonderful, powerful prayer experience and I have truly been blessed to be among the other prayer warriors. Any of us can add a person to the prayer list as we feel called by God to pray for people. Our team meets weekly, where we pray together, and then we each pray at home daily for all of the people on our confidential list. 


I had spoken with Tom who had shared a story with me about a woman of great faith: 104 years old and diagnosed with lung cancer. Although she was 104 years old, I felt called to pray for her. Who knows? Maybe God will touch her with his healing touch and give her 20 more years?! I had understood Tom to say that this woman was the grandmother of Nancy, his girlfriend.


Our team prayed diligently for this woman for about a month. We prayed together and individually. Then I spoke to Nancy at church.


" Hey Nancy! How is your grandmother?"


Nancy shot me a quick glance before looking at Tom with a longer, more deliberate look. She continued to look at him without blinking, while she spoke to me. "She is fine," she answered as she continued to look at Tom as if to say, " What have you been saying now?"


Tom glanced at me, and then Nancy and back to me. I frowned.


At this point, most people would have changed the subject. But not me! "I thought your grandmother had lung cancer..."


Nancy looked like she had been hit in the face with cold water. She quickly raised her eyebrows, as her whole body jerked to attention. (Note to self: Ask Nancy if she has ever been in the military. But save that question for another day.) She glanced at Tom again; as did I. Tom looked as if he were really confused.


Again, I continued..." Isn't she 104 years old?"


With a wrinkled brow, Nancy said, "My grandmother is in her eighties and she is fine."


"Oh, Ok. That is great to know! Apparently, I got something really confused." (What in the world am I going to tell the prayer team? Who had we been praying for?!)


Thankfully, Nancy walked away as Tom and I were left to talk. I slowly turned my head to Tom and said, " Uh, Tom, didn't you tell me a story about a woman who was Nancy's grandmother and was a woman of great faith, who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 104?"


"Uh, Yes I did, but Kathy, remember, that was not Nancy's grandmother. That was the grandmother of a friend of mine that I used to work with. But that was a long time ago. She has been dead for about 10 years."


I almost fainted. How do you break the news to your prayer team that you have had them praying for healing for a woman who has been dead for ten years? How would I tell my pastor? Is that grounds for being kicked out of a church?! Glad the pastor is out of town!


"Oh, sorry Tom. I got that all confused. I thought you had said that it was Nancy's grandmother! Sorry about the mix up!" (No need to tell him about the prayer list.)


"No problem, Kathy!"


The following day, I was at the prayer team meeting reviewing the list with my prayer partners. We got to the name of our 104 year old dead woman. Well, actually, I guess she would be 114 now. "I have an update about this lady. We can quit praying for her now. I really owe ya'll an apology. Apparently, I got a story confused that someone told me and this lady has actually been dead for ten years. I am sooooo sorry"


"You mean to tell me that you have had me praying every day for a dead woman for the whole last month?!" exclaimed Prayer partner #1.


"I am afraid so." I dropped my head.


Then the snickering started. Then the laughter. I said, " Surely this is not the first time that this ever happened in the history of the world. What does God do when this happens?" I asked. " I mean, the whole time we were praying, he knew that this woman was dead!"


Prayer partner #2 said, "I think he just probably looks down on us and laughs like we do. I really believe that we have a God that can laugh with us."


Prayer partner #1 agreed with her. "Yes, I truly believe that he can. We will just remove her from our list and if the pastor asks what happened with her, we will simply say, 'She is at peace now' and just leave it at that"


We all laughed together.


Prayer partner #1 did tell me that they would never let me live this down and anytime in the future that I wanted to add someone to the prayer list, they would ask me specifically if I knew this person personally or if this was from something I had heard about somewhere. 


I have enjoyed laughing about this story, although I have been terribly embarrassed at the same time. I once knew a lady who used to say, " The only people who don't make mistakes are people who don't try!"  I think I can comfortably modify this saying to: "The only people who don't make mistakes with prayer are people who don't pray!"


Amen.

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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare--


Today, I am Thankful for:


147. Trusty shoes.
148. Hoop earrings
149. My prayer warrior friends.
150. Heat-Might as well be, because that is what we have in Texas right now.
151. Texas.






copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

Stress Relief Suggestion #41

Eliminate self-destructive self-talk: "I'm too old to...", "I'm too fat to...".  Do not even jokingly insult yourself; for you are God's handiwork. To be critical of yourself is to be critical of God's handiwork.


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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare:


Today, I am thankful for:


140. Prayer Warriors
141. Safety
142. Jumper cables
143. Silly pastors and tricks being for kids.
144. Hand-me-down clothes.
145. The way that God meets us right where we are.
146. Parades, flags and bar-b-que chicken.




40.copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

Stress Relief Suggestion #40

Become more flexible. Some things are worth not doing perfectly and some issues are well to compromise upon.

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Thanksgiving challenge and Joy Dare:


Today, I am thankful for:


135.the fact that today is the last meeting that I lead as Lay Director of Austin/Crossroads Chrysalis board.
136. Some things coming to a close while other things are starting anew.
137. The storms that God sends to cleanse the earth.
138. People who gave their lives so that I can live with freedom.
139. Swimming.


copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins

Stress Relief Suggestion #39

Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency to schedule back-to-back appointments. Allow time between appointments for a breathing spell.
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Thanksgiving Challenge and Joy Dare:
Today, I am thankful for:


131. 5 minutes of computer time.
132. Chewing sticks.
133. Rotisserie Chicken.
134. The Backspace Key.

copyright 2012 by Kathy Robbins