Vacation Bible School - Extra

A couple more pictures for you . . . the final day chalk art:

PS I also found out why the coins brought in on Tuesday were so few . . . the papers I asked be distributed to each child that day to take home never were! I found them all this morning as I was cleaning up a few things. So the families didn't know until Wednesday's offering! So that answers that question! 

Vacation Bible School - Day 5

We finished up today and really ended on a high note. The kids did well, learned lots, sang great, and raised more money in offerings than ever before! So let me explain . . .

If you've been reading the newspapers we create, you know we challenge the kids each year to fill up a large vase we have with coins. Tuesday is penny day, Wednesday is nickel day, Thursday is dime day, and Friday is quarter day. We've filled the vase a couple of times, but other years we fell a bit short. But we always have fun trying! I also give the kids the incentive that whatever they give I will match and so double their offerings. This year they far exceeded anything we've done before.

So this year . . .

Tuesday . . . not too many pennies. Many kids forgot. I was skeptical about this year.

Wednesday . . . much better! Kids brought the pennies they forgot and then also their nickels.

Almost half full . . .

Thursday . . . now I'm worried! Lots of coins! The vase is approx. 4/5 full!

We've never done that well before on a Thursday!

Friday . . . On! My! Goodness! I cannot believe how many quarters they brought!

The view from above.

Total donated by the children: $472.19! With my match, we raised $944.38! A record BY FAR! The cause this year was to donate to the Lutheran Heritage Foundation to supply Bibles and Bible Story books for the children of Ukraine who lost everything in the war. The kids really thought that was great.

Today's sense was smell. Here's a picture of trying to guess what something is simply by smelling it. Not as easy as you think!

Music time! Sitting with the kids and singing hymns. They love it!

Group photo  :-)

And for next year, here's our theme:

Hope you enjoyed the pictures and the updates!

And here's the link to the final newspaper for the week.

Vacation Bible School - Day 4

Hard to believe VBS is almost over! It's a long and tiring week, but always a good week. The kids have had a lot of fun, and learned a lot, too. We've been especially emphasizing how God created them and they're not an accident, they didn't happen by chance, and God didn't make a mistake with them (like accidentally give them the wrong body). Our teachers and helpers have been wonderful, too. 

A couple more pictures for you today, and, of course, the link to the Day 4 Newspaper . . .

Thursday was the sense of taste, so we had some of the children try to figure out what they were tasting. It's not as easy as you think! Texture and smell play a big part in what a thing tastes like to us!

Working on the craft of the day.

And here's your link to the Day 4 Newspaper.

Vacation Bible School - Day 3

VBS is over half way done now! The week always goes by so fast. And it's always great to hear the kids want to have another week, or a longer time each day. This group is the best group of singers I've had in a while - they've been singing great. They're a joy to listen to. And their fun. We've been having a great time together, but also good learning.

Here are a couple more pictures for you, and another picture for he caption challenge!

Scissors cut paper, paper covers rock . . . :-)

Workin' on some crafts.

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Come up with a caption for this picture and write it in the comments section!

Drink girl!

CLICK HERE to view the Day 3 Newspaper.

Vacation Bible School - Day 2

Day two is in the books, as they say. I thought today went a little smoother than yesterday, settling in. We learned about the story of Jesus healing the man born blind and considered the sense of sight today. The kids are also singing the liturgy and hymns really well - so good to hear!

Some more pictures for you . . .

Friends.

Serious learning going on!

Some pictures with our theme banner . . .

And now for the first time ever . . . the picture caption challenge! In the comments section, come with up a caption for each of the following two pictures. 

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And CLICK HERE to read Tuesday's newspaper.

Vacation Bible School - Day 1

Day 1 of our Vacation Bible School is in the books. Here's our theme this year:

Our focus is two-fold . . . There is so much the kids hear today about being the wrong body, your bodies don't matter, etc. we wanted to emphasize that God made them according to His plan and they are valuable and special in His sight. God did nothing by accident and leaves nothing to chance. He created us and cars for us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made and even more fearfully and wonderfully redeemed!

To go with this focus, each day we are focusing on a different sense given us by God and having fun with that. Yesterday's sense was touch.

Here are some pictures . . .

Candles for the opening and closing.

Trying to figure out what's in the mystery box just by touch.

Sometimes it's a yucky thing in the box!

Learning.

Planting mini Garden of Edens!

A little fun and exercise.

Singing time!

Check back for Day 2! And if you'd like to read our Day 1 "newspaper," CLICK HERE.

Armed Forces Cycling Challenge Result

Saturday was the day of the Armed Forces Cycling Challenge. Me and approx. 1,200 others! I wasn't sure what a mass start like that would be like on bikes, but it was fine - the field spaced out pretty quickly and the ride was enjoyable.

When we started lining up. It got a LOT more crowded!

We rode out of Arlington, past the Pentagon, past Arlington National Cemetery to a turn around and then back to the start/finish line - a 6.5 mile loop. The ride out was definitely a bit harder than coming back - both a bit uphill and a head wind. I felt pretty good, though I was not as ready for this as I was for my century ride last month. Just didn't have the time or energy to devote to harder training. 

I did about what I expected, though: 8 laps (52 miles) in 2:53. The screen shot of my place and results is below:

I know, pretty small! If you click on it you can expand and see better. 

As you can see, I finished right in the middle of the pack. The best riders finished 11 laps and they were moving! Passed me like I was standing still. But I have a goal for next year now. NOT to be up with them - that's too big a leap, I think. But to try to do at least 9 laps next year. That would boost me up to a gold medal from the silver I got this year for 8 laps. 

One of the highlights of the ride was on the last lap, when another rider came up next to me and asked, "How old is that thing?" (Referring to my bike!) Yes, I probably had the oldest bike in the field - 35 years I've had it. It's not fancy like so many of the others there - an old steel war horse that just keeps on going! But maybe if I had a newer bike that would make a difference in my speed? (Some think so.)

Anyway, here's an after picture - I didn't wait to take a picture in front of the banner, the line was too long!