Amazing World Adventure

While Sam was in Yellowstone I knew Ella would want something to do so we signed her up for VBS at a The Crossing Church.  Many of Ella's friends from soccer and dance attend church at The Crossing and we had heard good things about their bible school.  She had a great time learning bible stories, playing games, making crafts and spending time with her friends.  Bible school at The Crossing is a huge production and we saw many people we knew and everyone seemed to be having a great time while learning more about God. 

Sticky face after her snack.

Bible study

Enjoying the carnival with her friend Lucy.

Each night they have an assembly 

Everest VBS

Last year Ella and Sam went to vacation bible school at our friends, The Farmers, church. When we got the e-mail to register for this year they were very excited.  Their church does an excellent job with lots of great activities and really getting the kids excited about God and his love for them.  Ella was happy to find out that Rain and Adam were in her group and had a great week.  Each night they were given the opportunity to memorize the bible verse they learned that day and say it the next night for a small treat.  She loved doing this and by the end of the week was able to recite all the bible verses.  Her leader was very impressed with her memorization skills.  
Sam and the middle school group did service projects again this year, which he really enjoyed.  The first night they baked cookies and made bags for the second night when they visited an assisted living facility.  They gave the cookies to the residents and played bingo with them.  The third night they volunteered at The Food Bank and the fourth night they volunteered at a local animal shelter.  He really enjoyed getting to serve the community and hang out with some of his friends. 

Ella and her friend Rain

Happy to be here! 

Since Aiden and Emma were coming into town before our trip to St. Louis they joined the kids for their last night of VBS.  We were happy that they liked it too!  I am sure that next year we will be returning and are so thankful that our friends and their church have opened their doors to us.  

Circus of the Stars

Ella and I participated in The Circus of the Starts vacation bible school at Newman Center during the third week of July.  This year I was teaching in the Missionaries in Motion room.  That means I was responsible for teaching the kids about the saint for the day,  helping them learn about balancing work, prayer, rest and play in their lives, and giving them the task of spreading the good news about God and Jesus to others.  The kids definitely kept me on my toes but I hope they learned a lot and had a good time too.  I enjoyed getting to teach them about God and his love for them.  

Don, Candace and Sam having fun while getting ready for vbs.  

Ella by the bulletin board in my classroom. 

Ella acting in the skit. 

Ella singing in the back row for the parent performance.  

Ella really enjoyed herself all week.  I was impressed that she volunteered many times to be in the skit in front of the whole vbs.  She did a great job reading and acting in front of everyone.  Her leaders told me how great she was to have in group and were impressed with how many things she learned and remembered.  I am so glad she had a great time.  
Sam was at music camp the week of vbs (next post) but he was a great help to me the Sunday before and Friday after helping get my room and the great room ready and then cleaned back up again.  He was eager to help out and I am grateful.  

Jesus' Love is One of a Kind (VBS)!

We had plans during the week of vacation bible school at The Newman Center but luckily some friends invited us to go to vacation bible school at their church (Community United Methodist).  Their church was so warm and welcoming and the kids both had a great time.  I would drop them off a six each evening where the kids were divided into teams by age group.  They would start the evening by feeding the kids dinner then divide up for the activities. 

Ella participated in the bible school program where the theme was, Weird Animals: Jesus' Love is One of a Kind.  They learned about weird animals that God has made and about God's love for each of us.  It is the same program that our church used to use in Springfield and Sam loved it when he did it.  Ella loved it too.  They would learn a bible story each night, learn about the weird animal of the night and what he had to teach them about God's love, play games, make crafts and learn some great songs.  We purchased the CD so Ella can sing the songs in the car.  It even inspired us to find our old cd's from when Sam was her age and listen to those songs.  

Sam was in the tween group where after dinner they would spend the evening doing some type of mission project.  The first night they made blankets for animals at the local humane society.  The second night they traveled to a local food bank and helped package food for families that are in need.  On Tuesday, they had some local veterans come and talk to them about the Honor Flights.  The kids then wrote thank you notes that would be given to veterans traveling on the next Honor Flight.  On Wednesday (which was our last day) the kids went to a warehouse where they make vehicles that are sent to other countries that help people get around that have been injured by land mines and helped out there.  Sam has such a great heart and really liked being able to spend the week helping others. 

We are so thankful our friends reached out to us and let us participate with them in this great week.  My kids have already said they are wanting to return next summer.  

Ella participating in the games. 

Ella listening with her friend Ava. 

Sam with a blanket for the humane society. 

Sam and friends sorting food at the Central Mo Food Bank. 

Having fun! 

Enjoying dinner! 

Ella with some of her group! 

Surfing With the Spirit!

Last week our church held vacation bible school.  The theme for the week was Surfing with the Spirit!  We all had a great time.  Sam missed the first two days because of his basketball camp but picked things up right away for the three remaining days.  Ella and I were there the whole week.  Ella made a little friend and really enjoyed herself and learned a lot too!  I was in charge of the second and third graders and while they kept me on my toes I enjoyed spending the week with them.  We learned some new songs and dances that can still be heard around our house this week since they are stuck in all of our heads.  It was a fun and faith filled week. 

Ella with her new friend Emma.

Look who wanted to do the skit his first morning there!

Sam helping to lead the songs. 

Ella surfing with the Spirit!

Ella in the skit.

Win the World for Jesus!

Ella and Sam enjoyed a week of vacation bible school at our new church.  It was a great way to meet some of the families at the Newman Center.  They both really enjoyed going each day!  I worked in the craft room and it was fun for me to be teaching kids again and I enjoyed seeing Ella and Sam interact with their teachers and classmates as they would come and make their craft.  

The theme of the week was "Win the World for Jesus!"  They learned about saints who were missionaries and how to be more like them spreading the word of Jesus.  They also learned a few songs and dances which I still have stuck in my head.  It was a fun week!