VBS Should Be a Verb

Posted on July 14, 2016July 14, 2016 by Mama

Well I’m halfway through VBS prep week and I’m happy to report that my family is neither hungry nor naked, unlike some years past. I’ve even prepared dinner every night this week — okay, so one night was Papa Murphy’s pizza, but we ate dinner at the table so that counts. Right?

While most of my free time has been spent making jellyfish out of garbage bags, sign posts out of foam board and cutting lengths of barely visible fishing line, I have managed to squeeze in a bit of mommy-and-me time along the way; but only because I didn’t want a repeat of last year.

With all the cutting, building, designing and decorating I’ve been doing this week, I’ve decided to make a change to Webster’s dictionary. I believe “VBS” should have a special verb definition that goes a little something like this:

VBS (vā-kā′shən bī′bəl skool)
verb
1. To furnish, provide, or adorn an entire church building to an exceeding degree for a crew of crazed children who have been cooped up at home all summer

2. The futile act or process of perfecting a prescribed theme that will be extremely underappreciated by all other persons in the universe

3. The laborious pouring out of literal sweat, blood and tears to fulfill a personal vision that is characterized as extending far beyond the norm

Examples:
“So long honey, I’m off to VBS.”
“Go ahead and eat without me. I’ll be VBSing all night.”
“I can see by the glitter on your face, and clothes and toes, that you have VBSed.”
“Yes I’m wearing the same shirt as yesterday, and the day before, but I’ve been VBSing all week.”
“Don’t mind the bandages, my hot glue gun has seen lots of use while VBSing.”
“No, although you plan to VBS all week, you cannot bathe in the baptismal.”

Okay, so in the moment I always question and rethink my decision to be so heavily involved in Vacation Bible School, but I really do enjoy the week when all the kids arrive and we get to teach them about God’s Word and hopefully plant the seeds that help them grow in Christ. So here’s to all you VBS coordinators, planners, teachers, decorators and helpers in various roles — may you feel the peace of Christ and know the fruit of your labor (even if you don’t see it).

Happy VBSing!

I Cried on the Fourth of July

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Mama

Independence Day started so innocently with family breakfast on the way to the local quintessential small town parade in Parkville, Mo., with plans for the carnival after. We parked the minivan, walked a couple of blocks, nabbed a front-row spot, and laughed and made small talk with our five-year-old son while sipping on sodas until the festivities began.

It was supposed to be a completely care-free and fun-filled day, but soon after the vehicles began rolling down the hill in front of our little spot along the road, tears began to fill my eyes. As hard as I tried I couldn’t hold them in, especially when the face of one of the gentleman on a flat-bed trailer matched that of mine.

Two full trailers of American veterans, most fairly old (the teary-eyed man one of the exceptions), led this little patriotic parade, and it touched me. I mean, really moved me. In just a few brief seconds, thoughts of their lives at war, their sacrifice and their friends that never made it home rushed into my head and pushed out the tears. I was suddenly overwhelmed with pride! I was proud of my country’s heritage, proud of these men rolling along in front of me, proud of the round of applause that erupted at their arrival, and proud to be an American!

Somehow my husband standing behind me knew I was fighting back the tears and wrapped his arms around my waist (which pretty much made me only cry harder), but suddenly I realized how he knew I was so moved, because when I turned around I realized he was misty-eyed as well. What a great way to celebrate the day! Not only did we get to spend time with friends and family this Fourth of July, we got to remember how lucky we are to live in this country. I truly hope many of you got to do the same.

Pat Benatar — 80s Icon, Rock Star & Anniversary Gift

Posted on June 22, 2016June 22, 2016 by Mama

My husband gave me an awesome anniversary gift this year — tickets to see Pat Benatar. . . without him. Yes, without him. To amp up the awesomeness, he also arranged and paid for one of my best friends to drive in and go along. Maybe it’s not the most romantic of gifts, but it sure ranks up there on my thoughtfulness and selfless scales.

You see, my husband isn’t a big fan of this 80s rock star (sorry Pat), but he knew I really wanted to see her in concert. . . probably because we saw a big billboard along the road a few weeks ago and I said, “Oh, Pat Benatar is coming to Kansas City! I really want to see her in concert!” I don’t know, but I’m just guessing that’s how the idea was born.

At any rate, I’ll be spending a girls night out with rock legend, Pat Benatar, and Neil Giraldo at the intimate Midland Theatre later this week (if her voice holds out) and I’m super excited. Melissa, my friend since fifth grade, seems to be my go-to gal pal when a concert is in order, and of course she never hesitates when a fun-filled girls trip is requested. I dragged her all the way to Cleveland for a U2 concert several years back, because that was the closest place I could get tickets. . . and yes, Cleveland rocks!

Now, what I don’t understand is that my nieces, college- and high school-aged girls, have no idea — I mean NO idea — who Pat Benatar is and what she might sing. I bragged about my anniversary gift in front of them last week because they are concert-going girls, and all I got in return were blank stares and cricket song filling the room. They had not a clue, never heard of her, and barely recognized the lyrics to “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” when I burst into song. What?? How can this be? She’s not some one-hit wonder, flash-in-the-pan singer from three decades ago. She is a four-time Grammy winning icon of the 80s who has several multi-platinum, platinum and gold albums and 19 Top 40 singles. Seriously, girls, I just don’t get it!

As a prelude to the coming concert, I have decided to salute my friend, Melissa, and educate my nieces with a link to a few Pat Benatar favorites (just click on the black iTunes button below). Meanwhile, I can’t wait to see one of my favorite rock stars in person and recall all the words that have been etched in my head since the 80s.

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