How can I put into words what a tremendous success VBS was this year? God didn't just show up...He was right there waiting for us each and every day.
I can start by testifying that ALL my personal requests were answered. (Thank youf or praying it out with us.) We had no rain, children were happy, teachers fulfilled and our days flowed smoothly. Then I can share with you some of what I got to hear today and throughout the week.
One girl said, "I'm having a GREAT time! My grandma and I decided we're coming back every year."
An un-churched mom said, "I wanna come hang out with you guys!"
The mother of teenage volunteers said, "They had such a good time. They're already talking about next year."
Another mother said, "They came home so excited. They went on and on and then it all started over again when their dad got home."
A child who had a jubilee at her church today, skipped her service because she didn't want to miss our last time together.
A few children came back inside (from the waterslide) to spend a few more minutes in the worship theater and helped clean up.
And most precious and wonderful to me, we sent MULTIPLE letters home to the parents of children who decided to accept Christ as their Savior.
It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
To God be the GLORY because all I am is a crazy lady with a clipboard.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Day One
Done
No one ran away. I got a smile and a high five from one of the crankiest women I've encountered in a long time. The kids seemed happy(84 of them), the adults fulfilled (26), youth abounded (23) and the day really seemed to flow well. All in all it was a very good day.
It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
Thanks for praying. 1-down. 4-more to go.
No one ran away. I got a smile and a high five from one of the crankiest women I've encountered in a long time. The kids seemed happy(84 of them), the adults fulfilled (26), youth abounded (23) and the day really seemed to flow well. All in all it was a very good day.
It's Another Day in Montgomery and I say:
Thanks for praying. 1-down. 4-more to go.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
If you thought yesterday's post was grand...
Wait until you read this!!
In response to prayers (and some things He just chose to do on His own) God has done the following:
*Supernaturally brought me not one, but TWO volunteers to help with set-up and decoration. There is no reason they should have known when we were decorating. They came to church Sunday for the first time this year and I had not announced plans to decorate at service nor sent notice to them. They just showed up, ready to work. (You might recall that when all this started, I asked God to please just let volunteers come to me.)
*Devoloped not one, but TWO new friendships. (These seasonal visitors to the church have been discovered to be kindered spirits for not only myself, but my oldest child.) Jesus loves to have friends in His Name. And as an added bonus...they are from China! Now, we might get to see cool postage from God's Eastern Province.
*After addressing our teacher shortage via email - provided not one, but TWO volunteers for the vacant teaching position.
*Moved the heart of an individual/changed their circumstances - so that they, who had previously stated they would not (under any circumstances) be at VBS - will now be available - all day every day.
*Provided not one, but TWO options for the missing Missions individual.
*Blessed me with not one, but TWO blog-readers who continually lift me and my circumstances up to Him in prayer.
He is Mighty and Wonderful. He is Great and Glorious. I am nothing save for what He completes in me. You are storing up your treasures in Heaven - for you see - I am weak. Unable to complete this on my own. Unable, alone, to cover all things in prayer. You are my voice to God when I am unable to speak. You see the need for prayer when my eyes fail me. Your spirits are to be blessed beyond measure for being so selfless in your petitions to Our Lord.
It's Another Day in Montgomery and I am humbled beyond measure.
In response to prayers (and some things He just chose to do on His own) God has done the following:
*Supernaturally brought me not one, but TWO volunteers to help with set-up and decoration. There is no reason they should have known when we were decorating. They came to church Sunday for the first time this year and I had not announced plans to decorate at service nor sent notice to them. They just showed up, ready to work. (You might recall that when all this started, I asked God to please just let volunteers come to me.)
*Devoloped not one, but TWO new friendships. (These seasonal visitors to the church have been discovered to be kindered spirits for not only myself, but my oldest child.) Jesus loves to have friends in His Name. And as an added bonus...they are from China! Now, we might get to see cool postage from God's Eastern Province.
*After addressing our teacher shortage via email - provided not one, but TWO volunteers for the vacant teaching position.
*Moved the heart of an individual/changed their circumstances - so that they, who had previously stated they would not (under any circumstances) be at VBS - will now be available - all day every day.
*Provided not one, but TWO options for the missing Missions individual.
*Blessed me with not one, but TWO blog-readers who continually lift me and my circumstances up to Him in prayer.
He is Mighty and Wonderful. He is Great and Glorious. I am nothing save for what He completes in me. You are storing up your treasures in Heaven - for you see - I am weak. Unable to complete this on my own. Unable, alone, to cover all things in prayer. You are my voice to God when I am unable to speak. You see the need for prayer when my eyes fail me. Your spirits are to be blessed beyond measure for being so selfless in your petitions to Our Lord.
It's Another Day in Montgomery and I am humbled beyond measure.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
God is SO Good!
In my last post, I discussed God speaking to me directly concerning my situation, shared what He said and touched on how I love to be "freaked-out" when He speaks to me so clearly.
Well - guess what?!? It gets even better.
My new friend April (for whom I wrote a stunning rhyme) took it upon herself to try her hand at seeking God's Word herself...but not 'for' herself...for ME! Isn't that such a remarkable and wonderful thing to do??
She prayed for me and then sought the Lord's Word to speak to me. This is what He said,
"Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah." (Isaiah 7:4)
You see, this was the most poignant of passages to set before me.
As you may or may not recall, our VBS was staffed with a skeleton crew. I had the exact number of adults to reach the bare minimum of needs. Well, being that it is/was "Another Day in Montgomery", Monday, one of the staff backed out. A second staff member tried to recuse herself, but I would not allow it (at least for M,T,W anyway). Tuesday, A speaker recused from the Missions rotation. The other individual who was to discuss Missions may very well have to remove herself in order to tend to the vacant teaching position. A third individual who thought would be there advised they would not be available throughout the week. Others, who previously indicated that decorations were not to be the main focus, kept offering me suggestions as to what else I could do in the way of decorating.
I consider these to be the two smoldering stubs of firewood. I was stressed out and frustrated and concerned and all the other adjectives that can go along with these types of events. I even felt like I might shed a tear or two (which -if you know me- you will understand to be very rare).
At my wits end and wanting to escape, I sat down to read a blog or two and found this most selfless of acts waiting for me. I need to check myself and remain focused (be careful) I have no need to be stressed (be calm). I have no need to worry (don't be afraid). The problems I face ( the two smoldering stubs of firewood and the angry kings) are nothing compared to my God.
God is so Mighty and Wonderful to answer a prayer for April to my benefit. This all should be seen as proof (as we sometimes may doubt when we don't see it evidenced) that God does hear your prayers for others. He does respond. He does want you to seek Him out for the benefit of others.
Thank you to all of you who pray for me. My spirit is sensitive to it. I do know.
Well - guess what?!? It gets even better.
My new friend April (for whom I wrote a stunning rhyme) took it upon herself to try her hand at seeking God's Word herself...but not 'for' herself...for ME! Isn't that such a remarkable and wonderful thing to do??
She prayed for me and then sought the Lord's Word to speak to me. This is what He said,
"Say to him, 'Be careful, keep calm and don't be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah." (Isaiah 7:4)
You see, this was the most poignant of passages to set before me.
As you may or may not recall, our VBS was staffed with a skeleton crew. I had the exact number of adults to reach the bare minimum of needs. Well, being that it is/was "Another Day in Montgomery", Monday, one of the staff backed out. A second staff member tried to recuse herself, but I would not allow it (at least for M,T,W anyway). Tuesday, A speaker recused from the Missions rotation. The other individual who was to discuss Missions may very well have to remove herself in order to tend to the vacant teaching position. A third individual who thought would be there advised they would not be available throughout the week. Others, who previously indicated that decorations were not to be the main focus, kept offering me suggestions as to what else I could do in the way of decorating.
I consider these to be the two smoldering stubs of firewood. I was stressed out and frustrated and concerned and all the other adjectives that can go along with these types of events. I even felt like I might shed a tear or two (which -if you know me- you will understand to be very rare).
At my wits end and wanting to escape, I sat down to read a blog or two and found this most selfless of acts waiting for me. I need to check myself and remain focused (be careful) I have no need to be stressed (be calm). I have no need to worry (don't be afraid). The problems I face ( the two smoldering stubs of firewood and the angry kings) are nothing compared to my God.
God is so Mighty and Wonderful to answer a prayer for April to my benefit. This all should be seen as proof (as we sometimes may doubt when we don't see it evidenced) that God does hear your prayers for others. He does respond. He does want you to seek Him out for the benefit of others.
Thank you to all of you who pray for me. My spirit is sensitive to it. I do know.
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