(Tucker – The Turtle)
Being the last day of VBS, I left my camera home, because this is the day that I work for all week. I take all of the photos I have compiled all week, and put together a slide show for the kids and their parents at the closing of this last day. I COULD have taken photos, just for me, but I am just so tuckered out by the last day, and really more excited to give the kids a show. They see me walking around with my great big camera all well, taking photos of them here and there. They never know when I’ll pop up and then disappear. Some of them eat up having their photos taken, and me and my camera have the most fun with them. Others are more shy, and have a hard time making eye contact with the eye of my lens, so I’ll catch the sweetest shots of them looking reluctantly, and then looking away with a little smile. I love both of those kind. And then there are the photos I take when they don’t even know that I am……when they are deeply involved in creating, listening, playing, or praising. Being who they are… taking in all that makes them……letting out all they have to give………and beginning to get in touch with that inner feeling they love – that is a mystery but is becoming familiar and more wanted each day. The feeling of feeling God’s love in their hearts.
All of these photos together, of our week together in review, make quite a show. Put it to the music we have learned together, and it’s more. Watching the show of these images of themselves smiling and having fun, remembering, seeing the friends they have made, and celebrating this valuable little walk with Christ they have had that week, as they continue on their spiritual journey, growing closer to Him every day. Another thing that really touched me, was seeing the TEENAGERS and kids pre-teen, like {A}s age, working so hard as crew leaders. They were really committed to their responsibilities, really sincere in helping the little children, and were overall a big part of the success of the week. It’s really wonderful to see kids this age working ministry like that.
That’s what it’s all about.
Just to add to the fun of the slide show for the kids (and some for me), I added their little VBS buddies (Flash, Jacque, Belle, Blossom, and Tucker) to the photos I took all week. At the closing, before they watched the show, I said to them, “You guys have been watching me all-week-long, walking around taking pictures of you, and everything you are doing. NOW it is time to SEE all of those photos! But did you know that your VBS Buddies have been with you, having fun all week too?? As you watch the slide show, and look for photos that you are in, or your new friends are in, you may also see that your VBS Buddies were right there with you too! So see if you can spot them in any of the photos as you watch.)
Of course, as I was just about done with building the show VERY late at night, is when I had this brilliant idea of including the VBS Buddies, and I couldn’t resist. So then I was up even later, and plopped in bed after the midnight hour. One photo had a bunch of kids sitting ont he grass, and Flash the Firefly was sitting on a child’s knee. In another, they were playing a game outside, and Jacque le Croc was walking along the road behind them with his napsack. In yet another, Belle the Spoonbill was dancing with one of the older women from Sunrise, who was really letting go on the dance floor. I was 1/2 asleep as I altered these images, with a sleepy smile, but seeing those beautiful children’s faces giggling and yelling as they watched the show today was worth it.
It was a FABULOUS week. Tiring…more so each day for me, but my KIDS LOVED EVERY DAY. It truly was a GREAT PROGRAM put out by GROUPS, called CROCODILE DOCK. I was very impressed with how easy they make it all, how every fun activity ties together and brings the message home, and how it reached the kids hearts, and will stay there forever.
But I am so glad tomorrow is Saturday. I’ve got lots of other stuff I HAVE to get done, I am behind in….pepperred with a little of just doing nothing – hanging out with my family, and listening to the kids talk about their times at VBS for many days/weeks/months to come.
Laura, it sounds like the kids had a blast! I wish I could have seen your closing slideshow – I bet it was awesome. I’ll try and post something about our VBS. We had a great time. My kids both wanted to go back again next week : ) Luckily I signed up for Holy Heroes!!
I wish I could show you the slide show too, just so you all can see how cute the (50 something)kids were, how much fun they were having, and how filled with the Holy Spirit some of them were by the end of the week.
I heard some talk about maybe putting the slide show on the parish web site. If they do, I’ll direct you all to it. : )
My kids said they would go back again on Monday and do it all over again, if possible. Tonight the trio used their little battery operated lights. They put them on the floor in the dark before bed, sat around them in a circle, held hands, and said their prayers: special intentions, Our Father, and Hail Mary. So sweet.
Wow, that sounds like a great week. I love VBS but it definitely wears everyone out, doesn’t it. So worth it though. Thanks for stopping by and the well wishes on our new baby. Your site looks really great; I think you’ve changed it quite a bit. I’m anxious to poke around a little…