VBS…’Vacation” Bible School…vacation is sort of a misnomer. ‘Vacation’ for the kids…maybe…but not the teachers!!! I may sound as if I’m complaining, but really, I’m not at all. I love VBS and always have. However, this is the first year that we have had just a one day event. We started this morning at 8:00 and ended at 4:30. Whew! Now that was a long day! And, my little preschoolers did very well…up until the last hour. By then…they had had enough of this ‘vacation’ and they were ready to go home!

We started our morning with the pledges and songs. Then, we came to our classes. After a bit of getting aquainted, and songs and games…we had our first Bible story…Adam and Eve. Did you know that the first job that God gave Adam to do was to name the animals. It was Adam who decided what they should be called. ( How did he, the first person in the world, decide what to name each one. Where did he get the vocabulary and the knowledge that it would take to think of all those names?) Those are not preschool questions, I just wonder that myself. I suppose God instilled in him the knowledge he would need.

We then broke up into 3 groups and began our exploration of different things. Some of you may know this, but some may not. The way Baptist literature is written, learning takes place in every thing that is done while they are in your care. As the activities are done, the teachers are retelling the Bible story. They are directing the learning that is taking place through the activities.

The children made fishing poles. And when they caught the ‘fish’…they found characteristics of Jesus listed on each one. Playing and learning…they go together so well. Top pic…teacher, Monty Clark…Bottom picture…teachers…Deeya Herring and her teenage daughter and great teacher, as well, Victoria. And, April Cobb, standing. In these pictures, they are making puppets that look like themselves. We are learning that, “I am wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. We all look different, and are all made special! Here are some beautiful faces showing off their work…precious souls.

Then we had a wonderful lunch, and because our bodies are ‘wonderfully made’, they need a little rest when they are tired……..and, so we rested……some of us.

We managed to stay prone for about 20 minutes, then we got up and began to MOVE!

Afterwards, we had second Bible story. We learned how Jesus took a little boy’s lunch, blessed it and used it to feed 5000 people. The children learned that that’s what we call a miracle. And, another miracle was that there were 12 baskets left over! After the story, we broke into small groups to continue our learning.

First pic shows, how the children decorated and cut out a shape in a slice of bread. Ummmmm, YUMMY! And, then the children worked on making their own puzzles. They were able to take these home and put them together there!

And posing with Mrs Tonja…the ranch hand!

A little outside play….and snacks….and sidewalk chalk. But, not too long…it was really hot outside!

And after another group time to review what we had learned today, it was time for them to gather their things and go home. You know, some of these children I will probably never see again. But, they were brought into the lives of we four teachers for 8 hours today. Some of them are from families that will never attend church. Some of them may never even have a chance to visit a church again for a long time, if ever. My deepest hope is that some of the words they heard today will stay safely tucked into their hearts until such time as God chooses to bring it to their mind again. If all we planted was the fact that church is a nice place to be, so be it. If all they remember is that the Bible is more precious than gold…..maybe it will encourage them to pick it up again in some motel room or hospital. It is not necessary to us teachers of children that we see the words and thoughts and scriptures we planted come to fruition….it is just our jobs to plant them. Along the way, some one else may water them, and God will allow them to bloom in His time. God bless the children who blessed us with their presence today.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day. And, I bet you a shiny red apple that I will hear him say tomorrow, “Every day is Father’s Day.” And, he really feels that way!

Last year, on Father’s Day, my Mom had the whole family together at her house. She was sick and did not feel like cooking and preparing for us. I know that Pop stayed right with her for 2 days, helping her with whatever she asked of him….peeling potatoes, shicking and cleaning corn…whatever was hardest for her. He knew how much she wanted to have us all and he wanted it for her as much as she did. As it turned out, that was the last time we all ate one of her most wonderful meals.

Now, Pop wants us all to eat with him, at his house, tomorrow. And, Joy, great sister and daughter that she is, has cooked all the food. Looking forward to us all being together. Ian came home last night so he could be here with us, too.

So…just sharing some pictures that are special to me…

Our little family, many years ago…

On one of many trips to NC, Pop would pull off the road when he saw a good place. And, he would get Alex or Ian or Adam out of the carseat, and take them for a short walk to stretch their legs…and his, too, I imagine! Here he is with little Alex…love this pic.

My family around 1986. My boys have been blessed with Donald as their Father. He is a Godly man, and has set the highest example for his sons.

A sweet picture, though not clear, of Don, his father and Adam…in 1975.

Happy Father’s Day to all…but especially to my Pop!

Yes…it’s that time again! VBS…it’s THE place to be in our little city during the summer. Most of our churches have a week of VBS at some time during the summer. Most have it in the first few weeks after school is out. Some churches have it in the evenings instead of the mornings, due to the heat and the majority of the parents working.

At our church this year, we are having just one day….but it’s a jam-packed day. We will start at 8:30 and end at 4:00. That is a long time to have a group of 4 and 5 year olds. But, actually, I am looking forward to it. I always enjoy teaching VBS, and haven’t been able to for the past few years.

There have been many changes made in the materials used to teach VBS . This year we are pretending to visit a ‘dude ranch’. I have my bandana and my hat, and Bible stories ready.

Our weather has been hot, with thunderstorms most afternoons. If you would be so kind…please say a little prayer that the rain holds off until AFTER 4:00! Our teachers would be most obliged! It’s not much fun to be stuck inside with a bunch of kids who can not go outside and run off a little energy!

And, much more importantly, pray that little hearts are open to learn more about Jesus, and His plans for their lives. Thank-you!

I just want you to know, my friends, that learning a whole new way of blogging is very hard work! And, yes, I am very confused! I sure hope I get some ‘in person’ lessons this weekend. Ian is coming home…and maybe he will indulge me in my quest for greater knowledge of this thing called ‘blogging in wordpress!’

I do, however, have the answer for one question posed to me from a blogging friend.

“when I click on your pictures to see more detail…they get smaller instead of larger.”

HERE’S WHAT TO DO…….

Click once, it gets smaller…click that smaller image….it will get very big.

No, I do not know WHY it works like this………only that it does. Even the Guru who sits ensconsed in his office in Birmingham, doesn’t know why. But, friends, I don’t have to know ‘why’….it is enough for me to know juuuuuuust enough to answer your questions….and juuuuuust enough to share my stories.

I think, in this life, there are things we will never know. What is important, then, is to have faith in the one who does know…trusting that they will lead you in the right way.

This is important in computer matters…..but much more important in matters of life and death…….and eternal life.

This is going to be a long post, so this may help you figure it out:

Donald………Tonja………..Suzanne………INFO……….

ALSO…this happened LAST week, before the bridal shower, so this post and the shower post should be flip-flopped, and that may happen at some point in time or not…just as long as you understand this is a week behind…which is just the way I do most things…well not ALL the time, sometimes I am on time, if I have to be, but if not…well…nevermind, I find myself going off on a tangent here…which is another thing I do frequently. Just read on……

WEDNESDAY…June 9

Since we moved in to the Creek House, I have wanted to finish my pool area. All last summer…it didn’t happen. Of course you remember how long it took me to get dining room chairs! Anyway…I had a bridal shower coming up for the son of a dear friend. About 6 weeks ago, I started reminding DH that I wanted it finished. And, he took me to place #1 look at some large glazed pots for next to the pool fountain. Well. I could have walked away that day with pots, but he did not 1. want to spend what they cost 2. decide then and there 3. buy pots on a day ending in ‘y’. So, we didn’t. I looked at several places over the next weeks, and reminded him again that the date was approaching…several times. Last Monday…LAST MONDAY !..(June 7)…he went back to the store where I liked the pots, and saw some others for about 1/2 the price. He sent me pictures of 1. an ugly concrete pot 3 ft tall, with horrid patches of stain down the sides 2. an ugly concrete pot 2 ft tall, with horrid patches of stain down the sides 3. the pots I liked to start with…still at the same price. Would I like concrete 3ft or concrete 2 ft. Why, no. No, I would rather put a bucket from the paint store atop a few brick next to the fountain. So you still want the green ones? Not necessarily…I think we can find some we both like somewhere. This was 4 days ago, you remember…shower is on Sunday. Tuesday, was a bust. On Wednesday (June 9….today) DDIL called and said she would go with me to another nursery she knew about. So, we set off on a mission to visit place #2.

Friends…you will not believe this. We drove up at this nursery…and DDIL said, “Look!” And, sitting there right out front was a pot…EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE I LIKED AT THE OTHER PLACE!!! “How Much?” I asked. She looked, and got the garden type person to look. “Mrs. Tonja, you are not going to believe this…it is $X” (This is less than 1/2 what the exact same pot was at the other store.) DH called about that time and asked what we were doing and I told him about the pot. He asked 1. was I sure? 2. was I looking at the pot to be certain it was the same? 3. was I looking at the price with my own eyes? Yes, X3. I hung up and went to explore this wonderful turn of events. Did they have 2? Sorry, no.

Can, you just see the bubble bursting all around me? But, DDIL, never one to back down from a difficult situation, started looking around at all the other pots they had. Their prices were excellent! Much better than the first place. Not as many, but, what they had…I really liked. DDIL found 2 that would work, then 2 more, and I found 2 more. And all were excellent prices…and matching sets! So, I called DH back, and again: 1.was I sure these were good pots 2. was I looking at the prices with my very own eyes? 3. was I sure I liked them…because I have a way of thinking I like things and then deciding I really don’t and then wanting something else, and we are not going to do that with these pots because we are only buying pots one time and that is all the pots we are ever going to buy…so was I sure? (FYI:::that is so not true…I do change my mind sometimes, but I can live with my mistakes…) 4. Maybe I just need to go check them out myself, maybe I can go one day this week.

No, not that was not going to happen. I knew…even if he did not know it yet…that I was leaving that place with 2 pots and something to be planted into them! And, that is exactly what I did. I picked out 2 pots that I really liked, and then picked out some Endless Summer White Hydrangea to plant. They loaded them into my car, and carefully I drove home. Alex helped me get the flowers out, and then Don took the pots out when he got home (with hand trucks) and put them into place. I like them. He likes them. I am as happy as can be with the pots and tomorrow, I will plant them and all will be well. The sky will be blue and little birds will sing and fly around the beautiful pots filled with beautiful flowers by the beautiful fountain. And, I will post this tomorrow morning and you will be happy for me, too, ‘Night! FYI: Below are the pots from place #2.

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Oh, how foolish I was! When will I learn that things can never be simple in this life of mine?

THURSDAY…..June 10

This morning around 11:00, the phone rang. It was DH.

DH: You will never believe what I am looking at in the paper. This is unbelievable.

T: What is it?

DH: Place #1 that had the pots you liked is having a 40% off sale on all their glazed pots! 40% off. Now that would bring them down to a reasonable price.

T: How about that? But, I really like the ones I got yesterday, so all is well.

DH: But, you really liked the pots there. If you had just waited…..

T. But, I am totally satisfied with what I have. You are not wanting me to take them back, are you?

DH: No, I just think it surprising that they did this today.

T. Well, do you want me to go and get them? (I knew he was going to say ‘no’ because we were only getting 2 to start with)

DH: Yeah, I think so. Why don’t you go and get them…just make sure they are on sale.

T: ( I. was. shocked. Go get MORE pots? Really? ) Who are you? And, what have you done with my real DH?

DH: Don’t be silly.

So, I got dressed in presentable clothes…and drove across town to Place 1. And, there they were…the pots I really wanted to start with. Yes, they were on sale. Great! Now, let’s fill them up with plants…lots of plants…oh, and soil…I need enough soil. The bill still ended up below the price we would have played originally for just the pots. They got it all together…loaded it into my car…and I carefully drove home. I knew I was going to have to call in reinforcements to get all this done by Sat. Hello, Tina?

SATURDAY…….June 12

I really should not be surprised that today is Sat. and I am just now starting to work on the planting, and placing, and cleaning up. I really wanted this to be done way, way, long ago…..

And, so Tina and I started work at 7:00 in the morning. These were the plans: 1. All the pots would be planted. 2. The table will be set and all decorations in place. 3. I will sit and look at all the pots and flowers, and reminisce about all the events of the last few days.

And, she and I planted and replanted and switched pots and pulled stuff out of storage and watered and even went and sat in the pool for while! Then we went inside and got all the mercury glass out, and put the table together, did a touch up on the decorations in house. We consumed many peanut butter M&M’s, cookies, DDP…AND…we finished!

Now, honestly. Was it necessary to go through all this stress and aggravation? Never mind, I know the answer to that! It was totally unnecessary. But, now I have 4 huge green pots, 3 small green pots, all planted and ready to grow! And, we only went 2 big pots, 3 little pots and lots of flowers over budget!

AND, we also (Tina and I) managed to climb a few trees, and get this great chandelier hung in the tree…one of the bendy trees that I begged the cutter guys not to cut . And, they didn’t…and this is why! Don’t ya love it? You can put candles in it or a vase of flowers. or both! (Notice the cute little crown at the top? PERFECT!)

I am happy. DH is happy. Even DDIL is happy. But, if these plants don’t grow…you know who’s gonna get the blame!!!

Here are just a few more photos from around the pool and backyard.

Above, crotons in antique French pots….2 of these.

Above and below are on Alex’s back porch…

Below is next to house, looking from the pool…….these go all the way across the back…

Now…if you’ll excuse me…I’ve got things to do. In the backyard. In the pool!

And, tomorrow is the shower!