VBS Week 2

Week two of VBS started back Monday June 10th.  Josh and I both had to work, so we missed Monday and I missed Tuesday (Josh still went on Tuesday sleep deprived, lol).  But we were both back on Wed and ready for some VBS fun!

 Wednesday morning we met Missy and Gracie at Cracker Barrel for one last "before VBS" breakfast.  Gracie left that evening to go to the beach with her Dad, so she couldn't be at VBS the rest of the week.  I sure did miss my Craft Assistant!

 Sweet girl!

 Missy and Josh

 Josh with two sweet sisters, Estella and Sophia.

 Oh Rich...this picture cracks me up!!  Rich, in his full Armor of God getup.  He was too funny!

 Some of the sweet 3rd and 4th grade girls and Mrs. Jackie, in craft time!

 John Harrison and Aaron.  They are my sweet friend Kelly, two sons.  I really enjoyed having them at VBS this year!

 Josh with Haylee, Hannah and Haidyn.  Haidyn was Josh's pal these past two weeks.  She loved him and wanted to be where he was.  It was so cute and Josh was loving it.

 "Put it on, Put it on, The Armor of God...Put it on, Put it on, The Armor of God, Everyday..WE NEED, the armor of God, Put it on, Put it on, The Armor of God!"  Gracie and Estella assisting with the Armor of God during our morning worship!

 Josh singing during worship!

 And this is how she was most of the time!  Haidyn loved her "Mr. Josh!"  So cute!

 We got to sing and wish Paula a Happy Birthday!  Hope your birthday was GREAT Paula!

 Paula and Gracie playing some catch!

 On Thursday, we had water day!  The Startex fire department came out and "hosed" the kids (and adults) down.  It was lots of fun!

 John Harrison got soaked! :)

 And Josh on his way to get soaked :)

 Haylee and Hannah having fun

 Haidyn and I stayed back and enjoyed everyone else getting sprayed.  But we did put our feet in!!

 Josh, Jessie and Reagan

 And the Firemen hosing them down!

 Thank you Startex Fire Department!!  We had lots of fun!  You guys were great!

 Friday, the final night of VBS, we had another program for the parents and dinner for everyone afterwards.  Here is Josh during the program.  He got up, said a few words and then sang "Nothing but the Blood" by himself the first time, with the kids the second time and with the whole congregation the third.  It was moving.  The whole service was wonderful and I really felt His presence.   

 After the supper, a few of the C&C peeps headed over to my Dads for a dip in the pool!  Kristen, Me, Becca, April and Amy

And the fellas:  Jessie, Steven, Josh and Brandon

We had fun and went to Waffle House for a late night snack...lol!

VBS this year was amazing.  It was a lot of hard work for many, but oh how that work paid off.  What a blessing it was to see all those children learn about Jesus!  Lives were changed and decisions were made and we give Him all the Glory!  Special thanks to Lisa, our director, who put it all together.  Thank you Lisa, for being obedient in his calling to do a day camp!!  Can't wait till next year!

~"Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" Matthew 19:24~

Happy Birthday Papa!

Happy 83rd Birthday Papa!

Celebrating a very special man today!! I feel so blessed to be able to call him Papa!!  I love you more than you'll ever know and so thankful to have you in my life! Thank you for being such an amazing example of a Godly husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend!!

We love you!!

~"You have filled my heart with great joy..." Psalm 4:7~

Happy Birthday to ME!

Well, it's here, whether I like it or not....My 30th Birthday!  Of all the birthdays I've had thus far, this one has been the one that I have least looked forward to!  Although it's better than the alternative, turning 30 just doesn't look appealing to me...lol!  I think more than just the number, and leaving my 20's (which I was holding on to for dear life) it's the fact that I'm entering this new decade of my life without a baby.  I've always said I would love to at least have one child by the time I'm 30.  And here we are, still trying...still waiting.  But after I thought about this for a while, I realized that I should be happy...happy that God has let me live another year, happy about the experience and wisdom this journey has given me and happy to know that God is still in control.  That His plan is far better than my own and that His timing is absolutely perfect!  So here's to 30...to growing a year older, a year wiser and a year stronger!  I'm going to embrace it, live it and look forward to what God has in store!  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11  Claiming this today and always!  Happy Birthday to Me!

 Friday, before my birthday, I got the sweetest surprise!!  All 80ish staff and kids from our VBS Day Camp sang "Happy Birthday" to me, and I got a special birthday doughnut, compliments of my wonderful mother in law (thank you Patti)!  It warmed my heart and made me smile!  Thank you everyone for making the start of my bday so special!

 On Saturday, my actual birthday, Josh had to work, so my amazing Mother treated me to a day of pampering!  It was absolutely wonderful!

 We started out getting manicures and pedicures together.  After that, we headed to Gville where we both got a one hour massage!

 And we ended my special day with a sombrero and some yummy Mexican food.  Oh and free sopapillas...YESSS!!!  They were so good and we left feeling very full :)  They even wished me a Happy Birthday. 

 On the way home, we stopped by to visit with Papa and Gma.  And brought them some left over dessert.

And check out this oh so sweet note I got from Gracie for my birthday!  It was  precious and made me cry...love her!  It says:  "Happy Birthday from Gracie, i love you to the moon and back, i apsieate (appreciate) you to Jupder (Jupiter) and back, i have a lot of fun at your house, Your favorite color is Pink, Me Mommy and larsee (aka josh) are going to take you out for dinner, You are the best pal for life and we will always be toger (together), the crafety (crafty) craft crew well (will) cellbrate (celebrate) your birthday on monday Happy B-day Palster :) !!! My Pal is number one"  I LOVE THIS!

And this was my delicious cake that my Mom got for me.  Although we were too full to eat it that night, Josh and I definitely finished it off over the next 2 days!  I had such a wonderful birthday!  Mom, I can't thank you enough for my making my day so special!  Love you lots!  And I also received so many sweet calls, texts and FB messages!  Thank you everyone for all the love!  Love and hugs to you all!

~"God has perfect timing; Never early, Never late.  It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith, but it's always worth the wait."~

VBS Day Camp 2013-Week 1

It's VBS time...Day camp Style at Tucapau Baptist Church!!

I took a week off from work so I could help with VBS.  And Josh happened to be off Mon-Thurs, so he was able to come for most of the week too!  As we prepared for VBS, we prayed for a good turnout, and lots of children.  Boy, did God answer our prayers.  We had over 80 children the whole week!  Amazing how God works.  I was in charge of crafts and Josh did the sports/games.  Gracie went to VBS the whole week with Josh and me.  And she spent the night on Tues and Wed night with us.  She hasn't spent the night with us since she was little, so we were pretty excited...and she was too!

 Every morning we had a breakfast date!  We either went to Cracker Barrel, or Chick fil A!  Really enjoyed the peaceful morning time with my favs!

 Haha...Inside Joke.  Only Amy B. would understand!!

 Go Gracie Go!  She made it all the way through the obstacle course and was ready to go again.  She was hesitant at first, but then said "let's do it."  This girl is amazing!  So proud of you sweet girl!

 Headed into breakfast Monday morning!

 The "play" area in the gym with the inflatables.

 Silly girls in craft time!

 Josh and Tom were over sports.  They had to "man" the inflatables!

 Lunchtime!

 Gracie having fun in the bounce house!

 Silly girl

 Josh and Gracie waiting their turn!

 Ha...too funny!  Making their way through the obstacle course!

 My Little Champion made it through!

 Me and my sweet girl at breakfast..same place, same table!!

 Getting our praise on!

 Crafting

 Sweet girls!

 Amy stopped by for visit one afternoon!

 Slumber party time...we had the giggles!

 Gracie helping Josh with the "Armor of God" song!

And the craft crew!  Gracie was my craft assistant the whole week.  And I got a lot of help from Avery, Christina, Ashley and Jacob!  Thanks guys!

What a wonderful week we had, full of sharing God's love, singing His praises and lots of good food, fun crafts and great fellowship!  Looking forward to another great week of VBS next week!

~"Jesus loves the little children...all the children of the world...red and yellow, black and white...they are precious in His sight...Jesus loves the little children of the world!"~