VBS 2009

The Boom-a-rang Express:
It all comes back to Jesus.






Australia themed.








I got to be tour guide for 5th & 6th grade girls.










Brother Jason started the day out in the sanctuary.






The week's slogan.











What's the first thing you think of when someone says Vacation Bible School?Arts n-Crafts

We did some every day.
And everyday the craft people did an excellent job reminding us WHY we are at VBS: memory verses!
And application. They did that too. With glue & stickers.

Bible study led by Bro. Jeff focused on Peter - but you know, it all comes back to Jesus!

He kept their attention by keeping them involved plus kept the main thing, the main thing. Great job, Bro. J!

Preschool Missions provided a VBS mascot:

Milly the bearded dragon.

After entering the ship bound for various locations, students listened to Missions teacher, Ms. Cope.

This years' missions project is packing some boxes with goodies to send to overseas military so one recently returned citizen soldier spoke to the VBSers about life "over there" then a couple of wives shared about the trials of family life when a spouse is in harms way.

An excellent missions project, in my opinion.

Rachel was working with preschoolers so got to visit with Milly every day.

I included this pic because I knew you wanted to see her again. :-)

Creative snacks - one of the cool VBS memories.

The imaginative ladies who put them together.

I think these were the sheep head cupcakes.

yummy

and fuzzy.

Schedules were reworked so that the kids got to have recreation awa arts & crafts every day.

Rainy weather caused the Rec. guys to go to plans B (basketball court)

and C (Epi Center)









My faithful sidekick, Rachel got to carry around a didgeridoo one day. Musta been over 20 kiddos slobber on attempt to blow that thing.

Speaking of music...
The lyrics & music from the past 12 VBS' are crammed into my brain & keep spilling out when that section of memory is accessed so I've been singing about Star Quests, Rickshaw Rallys & yodeling.

I'm so glad I could be a part of it this year too.
But don't watch me when I try to do the hand motions & sing at the same time. You might crack a rib laughing. :-)

Free for Faith, Family, Friends

The American Heritage Girl pledge says it all.
The girls peeked at me as I grabbed a shot as we loaded up to drive to our parade spot.



Which was in the sun. But thankfully there was a nice shady area across the street where the girls could get their hair done - a beautimus ribboned up-do, off their necks. Yay, Ms Traci!


Jacqui helped position everyone for the judges drive by at 10:15. Ross cranked up the music so the girls could sing-a-long with their theme song.

Then the girls waited some more.

We were in spot number 31 and were not at the end of the line.

Rachel was exhausted from Power Plant but willing to work wherever placed.

We'd gotten the "forward HO!" call so prepared to move out.
I kept watch over two young girls from my spot in the back seat of the air conditioned van. The view was great & the photos didn't come out too shabbily either.

And we were off!
Robert wore his Boy Scout uniform while driving commemorating the Memorandum of Mutual Support which was signed in June at the AHG National Leadership Conference in Cincinnati reflecting that Boy Scouts of America & AHG share the same values. We found this very exciting because in its 100 year history, this is the first partnership of this type formed by the Boy Scouts.
I asked Caleb if he'd wear his BSA uniform & ride too but he wasn't THAT excited about it...

People line up all along the parade route but really bunch up in the shady sections.

Rachel & her partner, Grace, work the right side of the street.

All that smilin', singin', wavin' and decoratin' paid off as the troop won one of 3 trophies presented at this parade: Best Youth Float
It was so funny watching the excited Ms Jacqui run from the front to the back & all around the sides of the trailer showing all the girls, "We won a trophy!"
The Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts won for most patriotic. I knew you'd be wonderin'.

And the parade paraded along.

Notice the booths on the right side. I've heard there were all kinds of nifty crafty things for sale but never ventured therein this year.


After the parade, everyone clambered on board & we headed back to the church to turn the float back into a trailer.

But first, a group photo.

Afterwards, Jacqui was shaking her head & grinning. "This time last year we were talking and having meetings [about starting the troop]. It's our first year and we already won a trophy!"
Her hubby mentioned that the church now needed a trophy case...
After quick naps and scrounging up some goodies we were off again to Billy & Traci's place. Here's some guys not yet grillin'.

And Traci in her kitchen prior to the invasion of about 30 friends (mostly the short, messy sort). Yes, those are scrumptious strawberries & that top plate was soon filled with delish blueberries. Yes, those are ice cream freezers churnin' up vanilla & orange sherbet. No, I will not tell you the WHOLE menu, it would be too cruel.

Before everyone else arrived, we snuggled with some 10 day old golden puppies.

You know you have good friends when they lend you their dog for your nap.

And their youngest for your lap.

We hope your Independence Day was happy too and filled with the things that truly matter: faith, family & friends.

God bless America.
One nation under God.

Our Country Day Parade Prep

One of the cool things about our small town is the Our Country Day Parade with an arts/crafts show combo. Rachel has yet to return from Power Plant so I showed up in her stead to help with decorating the American Heritage Girl entry upon which her tired self may ride in the morning.


This year's parade theme is Past, Present and Future. Aren't these signs terrific?







Everyone pitched in: tucking, tying, wrapping, pinning, stretching, measuring, cutting, calling home saying, "Honey could you bring the _______ to the church for the float?" That last one was me.
Three times. But he didn't mind. He's the best. :-)

Here are dresses from the past so girls can represent specific historical women of integrity. Don't recall WHO but you'd recognize their names if I told ya!


It's almost finished. In the morning, flags will be erected at each corner: current USA flag & a 48 star, AHG flag & the Christian flag. Some girls will ride & wave while others will walk along with tootsie roll attached AHG informative bookmarks & Marti Gras beads to give to the parade watching multitude . You think I jest? Just wait for tomorrow's pictures.

Big Creek Missions Update #6 - Halfway Mark

Here are some updates & comments from my cousin, Kevin.

Kevin Rogers is so thankful . . . for such a great staff, hundreds of amazing volunteers . . . and the opportunity to serve at Big Creek. Today is the halfway-day of the entire summer. How sad that it comes to an end in 4.5 weeks. :*( posted July 1

Week 5 - Tuesday Jun 30, 2009 9:41 AM
by Kevin Rogers

We are very thankful for another wonderful crew of volunteers this week. From a staff perspective, we're blessed to have so many encouragers this week. These adults and students are full of laughter, joy, and enthusiasm! in addition, their willingness to serve is WONDERFUL!
Today is our first full day on site. All the groups have left for their worksites and are beginning to serve in their areas of ministry. Yesterday was a half day of service. Students will be working throughout three counties, providing home repairs on at least seven homes, providing three daycamps for children, and serving in a multitude of community ministries. Each of these ministries is designed to share the hope of Christ with every person we come into contact with.

Continue to pray for the staff (pictured - see Jacob & Maryn on the far left?) as they are serving non-stop! Tomorrow marks the half-way point for the staff this summer, and although they are as encouraging, enthusiastic, and energetic as ever, I know they will need that extra "prayer boost". We're thankful for such a WONDERFUL staff. They are a talented crew of young men and ladies. We are BLESSED to have them serve at Big Creek! Until tomorrow. . . .Kevin

Please do keep the entire staff in prayer. Sleep seems to be the favorite FB topic of my favorite people there.
I snagged some pictures from an album that had tagged Jacob.

Here's your typical elementary school hallway lined with coolers for the day's work.



Photos were labeled "week one", when the crew he was working with turned this porch into a room. J is wearing the green backpack.





I included this photo so you could see all the junk treasured mementos stuff on the porch that had to be moved.

That's J on the ground. Standing.



First comes the teardown. See J (wearing red) supervising?

Measure twice, cut once.

Yes, that's J! I figured he'd be doing more than watching. :-)



There he is wearing green.








And the last photo from this job site.

If you don't recognize him by now, I ain't sayin'. :-)








Tuesday Excitement
posted Jun 30, 2009 9:33 PM by Volunteer Editor

As we have initiated another great week of missions + ministry here at Big Creek, God continues to do amazing things!

Today Megan's community group helped by preparing funfetti cupcakes for Manchester and Sand Hill daycamps! In the afternoon they spent time purchasing one week of meals for a local family. According to their community group it was awesome to bless an older couple with food & be able to spend time with them also.

We have multiple construction groups on many different projects. One group is working to repair a well pump-a much needed source of water for a family! Jaren's group is working on a wheelchair ramp while Douglas' group is attempting to tear down two chimneys. AJ & James are working hard on a flooring project with a great family in our community.
This week we are experiencing lots of great projects...but we are emphasizing that relationship building and sharing Jesus comes before any project!! Also, God sent us many wonderful construction workers both experienced and newcomers. We are so grateful!!

Daycamps are reporting great turn-outs this week. Today Hyden reported attendance of twenty children. Lessons are focused on studying the planets and creation this week. Please pray for all of our students and staff as they seek to make impact with Jesus love!

Tonight we are super pumped about the air guitar competition at Night Life! It promises to be a great time of fellowship & fun!

~Hannah