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Seven Days Until VBS...Countdown begins.
This may only interest other VBS volunteers and directors, which means most of you might want to give a cursory glance and move on. But it's something I would have written about in my paper journal, and I don't want to not write about it because I think it won't interest readers. That would mean I write for other readers, and not for myself.
The truth is, I do write for myself (who else, but me, would be interested in a space-age blue gel ant habitat, slugs, a moth emerging from its cocoon, or a surgical procedure?) with an awareness of other readers.
I'd be lying if I said VBS (Vacation Bible School) wasn't one of the most exciting events of the year for me.
For weeks prior to the event, I get depressed, worried, and anxious. It's those few weeks where I'm waiting to hear from others who have volunteered, but have not talked with me about their plans, and the time during which I am waiting to gather all the necessary materials and supplies I will need. I wait on phone calls to be returned, and I wait on UPS to deliver the VBS materials I have ordered.
This is why, I suppose, the issue of waiting was recently on my mind at the Wendy's restaurant.
Before the Wendy's incident, over a week ago, another waiting experience occurred. My car had broken down right at a busy intersection at 5:30 pm, rush hour traffic. I was pulled over enough to allow other cars to get around me easily enough, but I wanted to be off the road. The gas station was just fifty feet away. I knew many people would be pulling in behind me, and they'd be fuming and cursing me until they realized I had a car that wouldn't start. I didn't want to be the cause of their delay getting home from work, but there I was. Causing it.
I called my husband at work to let him know, and he talked me through several things I could do, but the car would not start. I waited several minutes, hoping that would help, but still, no turn-over. I called AAA road service on my cell phone, and waited while the operator took my information. As cars pulled up behind me, and then around and by me, I waited for the tow truck to come.
Finally, a gentleman wearing blue work clothes and county employee I.D. stepped up to my window and asked me if he could help. I told him I was waiting for a tow truck, and thank you for asking. He stayed by the car while I waited, and then I turned the key one more time. It started! I pulled over immediately into the gas station at the corner. At least I was off the road. I dared not drive the car home lest it should quit running at the next intersection.
So I waited for the tow truck, which amazingly showed up within fifteen minutes! To make this story short, the car got towed, and I had a ride home.
I was grateful that I'd had the cell phone with me, and for the man who stepped up to the window for staying by the car. I was relieved that the gas station was so close by. The tow truck arrived quickly, and I ended up at home, safe and undisturbed. It was quite a peaceful waiting time for me, and considering how it could have played out (my car could have been rammed from behind; someone could have yelled at me as they drove by; had I not had the phone, I would have had to leave the car in the road and walk to the gas station to make the call. etc.).
During that time of waiting, I was thinking about the phone calls I had made, and the people who responded. It didn't matter to me that two were paid to help me (AAA operator and tow truck guy) and the other wasn't. I called, and they came. The one man showed up that I hadn't called for. He just knew I needed help.
The thought occurred to me (and here is where I tie this in with VBS) that I didn't need to worry about VBS as much as I did, that I shouldn't get so anxious about something that ultimately brings me joy. Just like when my car broke down, the people I needed to help me with VBS were just a phone call away.
Don't wait for them to call you, Bea, you call them!
The next day, I made several phone calls to people who might be able to help, people who had said four months ago that they could, or would help with VBS, but had not confirmed it with me in recent weeks. Many folks were on vacation, some would be going on vacation, and others confirmed their willingness to participate.
This week is the last week before our VBS begins. Everyone has met with me in person, and I'm feeling confident that all will go well. There is a charge of enthusiasm... I felt it this morning as I spoke briefly with several people who are involved.
While some folks memorize their story scripts, one ponders the mechanics of the props I need, and others gather their materials and supplies, I will be creating the props to transform the Sunday School classroom into various Biblical scenes and locals. My favorite scene is going to be the tunnel and cave scene, where the kids hear the Resurrection story. Tomorrow I build the tunnel out of PVC pipes.
Despite the worries of two and three weeks ago, I'm feeling pretty good today that all the volunteers will show up and do their part, and share their love for Christ, leaving God's fingerprints all over everyone and everything!
Possibly tomorrow I'll have some pictures of the Southwestern desert scene I'm painting on canvas panels. They'll be the backdrop for the VBS Fiesta! I have some final touches to make on the panels, then I'll build the tunnel.
Well, first I have to buy the PVC to build the tunnel frame.
Lots to do tomorrow. Good thing I have the summer off from teaching!
The countdown begins.... .
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Bea, I use to go through the same thing with VBS. It just got to stressful for me and I stopped teaching. I rather do the crafts with the kids and the serving of the cookies and juice, at break time. Its still a joy to see the children learn about our Lord. My personal favorite part of VBS is when we are all together in the church singing those silly VBS songs. The kids love them too. Well, good luck, I hope you get all the help that you need.
God bless, Liz
7/10/06 2:45 PM
I had signed up to help one Sunday this summer with the kids Sunday school class and it was yesterday. It just confirmed what I'd known all along - teaching kids is not my thing. I was kind of down on myself about it afterwards but then I got to thinking that God gives each of us different things we're good at and I don't have to be a Sunday school teacher - God will put the right person in that place.
Hugs,
Gwynn