Friday, April 27, 2012

VBT HOORAY!

   Well, it's almost May, and for me that means preparing for another year of teaching Vacation Bible Time: A busy, crazy, exhausting, fulfilling week as our church ministers for an entire week to 250 kids a day from the Johnston/ Providence Rhode Island area! The days begin at 7:30 a.m. as our 3 buses and 2 vans head out into the Johnston, Providence, and Cranston area to pick up kids that maybe otherwise would never have the opportunity to step foot into our church and hear the gospel of Salvation and the good news of how Jesus loves them and died for them that they may have everlasting life.

  One of my favorite parts of preparing for VBT is the decorating, which probably shouldn't surprise too many of you. This years theme is "The Bug Zone", and it focuses on the transforming power of Christ in our lives. It uses the analogy of butterflies and other bugs that transforms from one form into another. I kinda cringed at the thought of decorating with bugs, but once I saw the clip art and read the ideas for decorating, I began to gain some hope. Some of the clip art is really cute, actually!

  Wednesday I mentioned my trip to the church to begin this process of making the clip art into posters, and here are a sampling of the ones I've made so far.

  A few of my kids and one of their friends stayed up late Wednesday night with me as we watched Veggie Tales and colored. What do ya think so far?





Here my daughter begins coloring the poster she copied from the overhead projector.




   Here are a few more we've got done so far:











So colorful!

This took up a full poster board.




These next few pictures are some posters we made and decorations we put up for my classroom last year.

This was a plastic table cloth used for a birthday. We added the black wording....
As well as this clip art I colored with crayons and markers. (Sorry-it's a small picture, so it's blurry when enlarged)



 *   So, have you never been to VBT before?  *
Here is what a day at VBT looks like in a nut  shell: 
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Here my daughter leads in a group of kids to join her class as the buses begin rolling in chock full of kids.

When everyone's here, we begin the time with songs....
Have a crazy skit....

Indoor games between the girls and the boys....
(I think the girls one this one-let's go girls!!)

Mean while downstairs, some kids are being made into silly clowns and other characters....
Here's my daughter Bethy awaiting the VBT parade to begin....
Here she is with my son, Bobo the clown, getting ready to line up to go in and give more smiles to the kids eagerly awaiting....

                       Let the parade begin!                                                                                    
 Complete with circus music being played loudly through the speakers.


The kids love it!
Here my son Tim helps Snoopy keep his head on....


Here my son Sean, dressing according to the "Polar Extremes" theme that one year, helps Snoopy keep his head about him on another day. It is apparent by the looks of him in this picture that he was starting to get the "VBT flu" that went through just about every kid and worker there by the end of the week. That certainly was not the highlight of anyone's week.
Here's a portion of the kids for one day as they look on and cheer during a race.


Here my son keeps one very busy little Kindergarten girl from running off, giving me a momentary break from watching her.









Now it's time for a puppet show with a spunky little penguin....
And then a short Bible lesson before the kids go downstairs to their classrooms.
Here Sean keeps little Wayne company.
Here is a small portion of the 45 or so kids we had each day in my Kindergarten classroom alone last year. Here the kids learn a Bible verse, hear a Bible Story, work on a fun paper, have a snack, and do a craft.





Next it's time to head outside for some sun, fun, and more games.

The kids then go under the big white tent to get a drink and some ice cream, then back to their buses where these kids here, and many more bus workers, are waiting to greet them and take them home. Happily they sing (scream) songs with them all the way home.

We then get to go home to rest and refuel to come back and do it all over again!



Whoever is was that said church wasn't fun has never been here before!

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Have a LOVEly day everyone!
Love all you do, and those you have, with all your heart!


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Work in Progress Wednesday


   Up bright and early today with lots to do!!!  Its Work in Progress Wednesday everybody!!! What do you have on your hooks??? Here's one project I just started a day ago for an order.



I just love watching this work up!! I love the way the colors work together so neatly and well. I have another project on the horizon- a bit more complicated-using this technique, and simply cannot wait to get it started now that I have this technique down!


  Here is the picture that inspired this order:


 Cute, huh?

   Well, besides work in progress, Wednesday means I'll be off to church this evening-a favorite thing of mine. Homeschooling my daughter takes up my afternoon, but then I have a cardiologist appointment later this morning, and I was hoping to make it to church early today to begin making posters with the overhead projector for the Vacation Bible Time class I will be teaching at the end of June. (Its always nice to start on projects early, so there's no unnecessary rushing around the last week trying to fit it all in.) I also have dinner to make-which must be made early if I am to make it to the church early, so off I go to a busy day, trying to fit it all in!!

 
 Have a LOVEly day everyone!
Love all you do, and those you have, with all your heart!  

Monday, April 23, 2012

Jamie Cooks It Up!: Chinese Cabbage Salad

Jamie Cooks It Up!: Chinese Cabbage Salad: Ah....the Chinese Cabbage Salad.  Seen at many a BBQ,  Potluck Party,  Baptism Luncheon,  Blessing Day.... Baby Shower... Wedding Shower... ...

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Walk with Me



   Thanks to "My Rose Valley" for posting this tidbit of wonderful information about the health benefits of walking. As I get older, I am realizing more and more my need to get some me time and get out there and exercise again, but being as busy as I am, have a hard time finding the time or the desire to do so. Facing certain health problems now, I am know faced with the fact that I MUST start making some changes, regardless if anyone else is with me or not. I am reposting her bit of information, as it is something I know I will need to come back to time and again as gentle reminders and encouragement along the way. Who will walk with me??




My goal for this week is a minimum 15 minutes a day, preferably 30 minutes a day. Because it is a little bit like starting all over and considering the weather reports I think this is a fair goal.
To inspire you a bit to put those walking shoes on I have collected an benefits of walking list below. Enjoy!

Short brisk walks helps to control your blood pressure.

Walking reduces the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

Walking strengthens your heart and can reduce the risk of a heart attack with 35%. This is if you walk a minimum of 3 hours or more a week on a regular basis. :D

Walking prevents Type 2 diabetes. Walking a minimum of 1 hour and 30 minutes in combination with loosing some of your extra kilos can reduce your risk of diabetes with approx 50%. :D
Walking releases endorphins and can help beat mild depression. Scientific studies shows that walking can be just as efficient as an antidepressant for mild depression. Do you get the blues this time of the year? Take a walk!

15 minutes of walking can reduce your sugar cravings. Are you craving chocolate or sweet treats? Take a walk!

When walking uphill you burn up to 30% more calories than walking on a flat and it helps toning your bottom and thighs. That is great! :)

Walking downhill helps toning your bottom and thighs as well.  This is even better. :D

After just one day of walking you have increased your metabolic rate and start burning more calories faster.
After a few weeks of walking your quality of sleep gets better. You sleep deeper and feel more rested in the morning.
After a few weeks of walking your immune system in general gets better. :D

Walking is proven to be one of the most efficient ways of getting a slim waist and narrow hips if that is what you wish for (at least I do wish for less love handles material...)

The list can go on of course. Just surf the Internet about walking and you can't help but feeling a NEED to get out there. I have to admit I have felt a bit fatigue and down lately and this might just be a result of me not getting my daily boost of fresh air, endorphins and blood flow. So come on girls. It is never to late. It is not over yet. Come Walk With Me again. Explore how nature is becoming a firework of flowers, leaf buds and green grass fields right now. Share it on your blog. This week I will share a walk from work because I am so lucky to have a teeny tiny forest close by that I usually walk through on my coffee breaks. So, see you later my friend. And don't forget to write down your minutes. And to report next Saturday if you can.