Smiles

Summer Memories!

I didn't get a lot of time to blog this Summer, so I am catching up now! I wanted to share some of the fun we had this summer with you.

The girls had an awesome time at Vacation Bible School at the beginning of the Summer.

They did a lot of swimming.

We went to a baseball game with our friends and Pie Pie got a foul ball!

We finally got to go on a family vacation to the beach.
This is Pants's first visit to the ocean!

We had a lot of fun relaxing and enjoying our break from school!
We hope you had a fun Summer too!
Smiles,
Nikki!



Hide and Found

I have been trying to hide lately. From a lot of things in general, but also from something specific. Sometimes you can hide and the problem goes away. In my situation, even I knew, my problem was not going away. I knew eventually I was going to have to come out and face it.

You may be wondering what my problem is and I am willing to share it with you. Vacation Bible School! (Since I was willing to share my problem with you, will you be willing to pray for me!) You may be thinking didn't you tackle this last year and find success in the end! If you need proof of this check out this post. (If you're just curious you can check it out too!) Maybe I need to read it a couple times as well.
For some reason I have gotten it into my thought process that I just couldn't do it this year! It just wasn't going to happen as far as I was concerned.  I didn't pick up my supplies. I even went as far as skipping church! I had forgotten that I can't do Vacation Bible School..........ALONE! I need God to help me during this difficult time.
Check out the theme verse for Vacation Bible School this year! I guess God was trying to get my attention all along!

I have recently been gifted by God with some amazing books! I love books and I feel God helps you find the right books to read when you need them. The first is actually a Bible study by Chip Ingram called The Invisible War.


It comes with a DVD as well. My husband and I are working through this study with our good friends. In the third session, Chip Ingram talks about putting on the Belt of Truth. I have not been utilizing this important tool with the thinking that I had to run Vacation Bible School alone. The truth is God runs the program, I help Him!
Another book that has greatly helped me is Water Into Wine by Kelly Minter.



It is all about Jesus's first miracle. (If you would like to read about this miracle in the Bible you can find it in John 2:2-11.) I knew of this story, but have never really thought about it before. The servants had such faith. They filled up the jars to the brim with water, drew water out of the jars and served it to the Master of the Banquet. Along the way it miraculously turned into the best wine ever! I'm not sure I'd be willing to do that. What if nothing happened? How embarrassed would I be if all the Master of the Banquet got was water? They did what they were told to do by Jesus and they were rewarded by being part of His first miracle. It really made me think, I just have to do what I am asked and able to do. It is God's job to turn our water into wine. We can't be perfect and do everything exactly right. We are to do what God asks, He will make it amazing!
So, am I still anxious? I would be lying if I didn't say, Yes. I just have to keep telling myself the truth.
I can't do this without God!
 I CAN do this with God!

Coices, Choices, Choices

Vacation Bible School Season has officially begun for me! This is the time when most homeschool moms are starting to think about what they are going to do next year, but not me. I am getting ready to direct our church's V.B.S. I am so excited!

This past Saturday I attended a Workshop, especially for V.B.S. There were representatives from different publishers who each had a chance to tell us about their program. It is fun to see how much these people love V.B.S. They also make it very hard to choose because they all think that you should choose their program.

The first choice you have to make is what program you want to use. Sometimes this is easy, but most times it is not. You have to take a lot of things into consideration. For example, if the adults will like it, if the kids will like it, is it similar to the one we did last year, does it have great and catchy music, will the Bible stories relate to our kids and there is lots more. I  think about if we can physically pull off this progrm at our church and have a GREAT time while we are doing it! I  really get into prayer about it and listen to what jumps out at me and pulls at my heart. Basically which program just keeps popping back into my head! 

There are many other choices that will have to be made concerning this year's V.B.S., but I'm glad there is one decision I do not have to make. I know who is really in charge, Jesus, and I am so glad I can look to Him for wisdom and guidance as I continue on this journey!

This season of Vacation Bible School has just begun.

Come back often for updates!

Where do you see God?

At Vacation Bible School we did a special activity where we looked for God everyday! I wanted to share some of the sweet things the kids had to say.



 I hope you enjoy! Just so you know Squeaky is our pet! Pie Pie loves her guinea pig. The kids related to the fact that animals help show us God's love. I see God in the beauty of creation. I love flowers. I also feel His love when I enjoy a hug from my children. Where do you see God?

My Week in Hometown Nazareth

Yes, That's Me!

Vacation Bible School is over. It is bittersweet for me. I loved spending time with the kids this week, but I also like to sleep past seven in the morning. I know that isn't early for most people, however, it is for me. I am a night owl. I can manage to do mornings once in awhile, but every day for a whole week is a stretch.

I actually started enjoying being up on stage by the end of the week. It was good practice for Sunday when I have to do it in front of the whole church! I do love to sing. The motions are a different story. I am not highly coordinated so I was always a beat behind. It's harder than you think to sing and do motions. I just smiled and had fun!

Crafts and Snacks

I loved all the hugs, smiles, and hi-fives. They were so happy singing and dancing, you could feel the joy. The adults had a fun time too. They portrayed Mary (Jesus's mother) and Eunice (Mary's friend) at Mary's House. The children got to visit her daily and learn about Jesus as a child. There were Shopkeepers who taught crafts and made sure the children were well fed. They also got some energy out of their system at Fun and Games. I am so thankful for everyone who helped and the children who joined us this past week.

Fun and Games

We also participated in a Service Project. We collected toys, school supplies, and many other items for children who were affected by tornadoes. Everyone was very generous!

Overall we had over fifty kids registered throughout the week. Each one got to learn about God in a fun way. Was it a success? 
In my opinion, Definitely! 

I Survived!

For Nothing is Impossible with God. Luke 1:37 

Well, I made it through the first crazy day! We got behind in the schedule so it got a little chaotic. I'm pretty sure the kids had no idea and we all had fun. I got to meet some new kids and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better as the week progresses. I was certainly very awkward up on stage but I didn't forget my smile! It can only get better and I have no doubt that events tomorrow will flow more as planned. 

Here are three tips for dealing with a mildly stressful situation:

1. Plentiful Prayer

2. Copious amounts of Coffee

3. and a Surplus of Skittles. (I just love them! Them make me happy.)



Sneak Peek

There is less than 24 hours left until Vacation Bible School! I will be live on stage at a church near you! What a stage it is. I just felt all of my stress melt away as I glimpsed it for the first time. I was convinced that everything could go wrong and I would be okay because the stage was so beautiful. I know that was a gift from God because He bestows different talents to all of us. I am very thankful for the women who created our stage scenery and most importantly for answered prayer.

Now I know that it is hard to see what I am describing from these pictures. Don't worry, this is just a sneak peek! There will be more to come.



Mommy's Project!

I am the director of V.B.S. at our church this year! It's crazy to even write that, but it's true!  It's coming up fast!  It starts on June 20th!  I am very nervous, but I know God has my back. Actually I have His back!  He is definitely running the show!  I am looking forward to a very fun-filled week!  Anyone who might be reading this, please pray for me.  This is a kind of stressful situation and it starts at nine in the morning! Anyone who knows me, knows I am not a morning person! Get out the coffee! I am memorizing the verses for the week and the first one is " For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37. That just says it all!

Cock a Doodle Doo! Rise and Shine, Sleepyhead!