VBS came and went-- already?

This week marks one of the greatest weeks of my entire life. Yes, I mean that literally and seriously. It was better than any vacation on the beach, any trip to somewhere fun, or almost any other period of 'relaxation.' This week I got to teach twenty children about the value of their lives to God. My best friend, Haley, and I spent the last twelve months planning for, praying for, practicing for, preparing for, ordering materials for, shopping for, and inviting people to Vacation Bible School. I honestly don't think you would believe just HOW MUCH God has provided for this VBS. First off, with the curriculum. I love the theme-- it was an Egyptian Mystery theme: Decoding the mystery of life. Every day there was a different lesson about life. Day 1: God made life. Day 2: God made life wonderfully! Day 3: God offers eternal life through Jesus. Day 4: We should value and protect life. And Day 5: God uses our lives. Each day we also memorized a verse that went with the theme, worked in some workbooks, had a snack and watched Veggie Tales, learned about a missionary, played a fun active game, played a review game, sang, did a craft, and one of my favorites-- had a drama! Before I say anything else about the drama, I have to thank my amazing cast: Keely Rendle (as Joe Johnson), Haley Kovach (as Mackenzie Ross), Raymond Dokupil (as Albert Peacock), Anne Rendle (as Percy Sedgwick), and Hannah Dokupil and Curtis Kovach (both as Carson Hughes). I played Claire Sedgwick, owner of the Sedgwick museum. It was a mystery set in a museum in Egypt. I. LOVED. the. drama. It was absolutely amazing-- an absolute must for next year! I also enjoyed the lesson time. Some kids might think learning the main lesson would be slow-paced or boring, but really the curriculum is super interactive! Some of the children even mentioned that was there favorite part!
Another amazing way God provided was through the families. He really, REALLY encouraged me through some people who came. How so? Well, most of the families said that they would only make it for two, maybe three days-- but by the end of the week they told me that they were so pleased with the VBS and their kids were learning so much and having such a good time that they rearranged their schedule to fit VBS in. And every single family came every day after the first. :) I was so happy! All right, I think that what I just wrote sounds like I'm bragging, like somehow MY VBS was so wonderful that people really wanted to come. This is NOT how I meant it, I meant rather that God was SO GOOD in encouraging me through these families. :)
The final way God provided for me, that I'll discuss here, is through the helpers. Every single one of the staff encouraged me and helped me, and the kids adored all the helpers. I could see God's light and love shining through the leaders! What an awesome God we serve!
I also have to thank one VERY special person, besides the LORD, for this VBS. Haley Kovach, my amazing Song leader, Mackenzie Ross in the skit, and assistant teacher. Thank you luv!

Here's one song we sang, in case you're interested. I think it's my favorite.

There Aren't Any Monkeys in Our Family Tree

If you're in the monkey business then you know you're gonna find 'em
Goin' rope to rope, swingin' vine to vine.
You'll find 'em in the jungle, You'll find 'em in the zoo,
You'll find 'em on safari goin' "ooh ooh ooh!"
But there's one place they'll never be--
There aren't any monkeys in our family tree!

We were created by the Lord above
We were created in His image of love.
We're not mutated from a chimpanzee!
There aren't any monkeys in our family tree.

If you're looking at the evidence, the truth is really plain
In the microscope, in the DNA.
Every kind is different, every one unique,
and none are linked together by the "missing link."
We're made by a Designer so it's clear to see--
There aren't any monkeys in our family tree!

Hey, hey, we're not the monkeys!
No no, ooh ooh, uh uh uh!
Hey, hey, we're not the monkeys!
They can't make a monkey out of me!

You can study every ology from A to Z,
But there aren't any monkeys in our family tree!!

All right, I can't put pictures or videos on this computer, but as soon as I can use my own computer again, I will post the videos of the drama (I have all but the first day on tape) and a BUNCH of pictures. So, instead of videos and pictures at the moment, I'll post funny/ cute quotes from the last week.

"Are you coming back next year?" ~Me
"OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH yeah." ~Sam


"VBS is canceled this year." (Two parents were saying this to each other a couple months ago)
"What?!? The forest VBS IS CANCELED?" ~Sam and Annie, the twins.
"No, the VBS at first EPC." ~their parents
"Oh good, we want to go to the forest VBS." ~Annie

"Joe is a man of few words. I used to think he didn't like me!" ~Anne (playing Percy)
"I don't like you." ~Keely (playing Joe)

"I apologize for his lack of manners." ~Me, speaking of Percy, playing Claire
"Oh, that's all right. I'm sure he's a nice person." ~Haley, playing Mackenzie
"No comment." ~Me

"We want to be on YOUR team!" ~The twins, Mia and Abby
"Should one of you go on another team?" ~Me
"NO! We want to be on YOUR team!" ~Mia and Abby

"She's (Anne) like my new best friend!" ~Mariah

One day, all of the boys were being naughty. We use fake dollars as a motivation for them to behave, and at the end of the week, if they've memorized their verses and been good and participated, they can spend their dollars at a little "store." Haley said, "Okay, you're all about to lose a dollar!" Instant silence.

Oh, this week was amazinggggggggggggg. :) God is awesome!