I miss VBS

 

As the summer is winding down, one of the things that I am missing most from my childhood is Vacation Bible School.  It was always a week of fun and of learning.  I looked forward to it every year as a child.  Learning Bible stories, doing crafts, getting snacks.  It was just fun.  Grandmother would pick us up in the morning and drop us off at church.  She'd give us a quarter each to put in the collection plate during our morning service.  We were always divided up by grade.  Sometimes the grades were combined depending on how many kids were there.  

A lot of the neighborhood kids who went to a different church would come to our VBS.  And, in turn, we would go to theirs.  Ours was always in the morning, theirs at night, though never on the same week.  And it was always a time when kids who were members of our church but never came would show up for this.  Probably because it was summer and something to do.  Something to get them out of their parents' hair LOL  Still, it was a great time.  I remember one year when Sue Spiegel and Opal Faulk were the teachers of my class.  We did the best crafts that year.

I don't remember there being any kind of theme to VBS like I see these days.  Maybe there was, but I don't remember.  And we didn't really do any kind of big program at the end of the week....there was no play or pageant.  We just got certificates during the Friday morning service.  It seems like nowadays there's a big show at the end of the week.  Times change....VBS might as well change with them. 

As I aged out of going, I started helping.  For a few years, I helped out in the kitchen, preparing snacks.  And we had great cookies.  It seemed like all of the women in the church baked cookies for VBS.  Diane Corts made the best peanut butter cookies.  You know, the ones with the Hershey's kisses in the middle of them.  I ate so many of those when no one was looking, I'm not sure the Bible schoolers ever actually got to try them.  The cookies were such a long way from the butter cookies we'd get during regular Sunday school.  Remember?  The ones with the holes in the middle that you could wear like rings?  Great they were, but they were no VBS cookies!

One year, Blair Davis and I helped teach the 4th & 5th grade class.  All of our active youth group was helping out that year.  Judy Jewell and Carmel Cheek were the teachers and we got paired up with them.   I loved it. I haven't been able to help out any at a VBS at any of the churches that I have since attended.  Usually, it's due to time constraints with work, but I would love to do that again one day.  Actually, I wish someone would do an adult version of VBS.  I could really go for some homemade peanut butter cookies and making some Christmas ornaments out of popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners!  Who knows.  Maybe one day!

O Lord, support us all the day long

 

This morning, as I was listening to an episode of With Heart and Voice, there was a beautiful choral version of this prayer set to music by David Briggs.  I had never heard this prayer by John Henry Newman, but it really sank in with me.  Working in a care setting, there are definite moments when I need the Lord's help and guidance.  And it seems as each week, like most other businesses these days, we become more and more short staffed.  The burdens of those of us who are sticking it out become harder each day in order to keep our residents' lives as uninterrupted as possible.  And this prayer reminds me how vital it is for me to have some place to come home to each day. Some place where I can let go of the tumult of the day.  An escape to the peace of every day domestic life...even though it is not always peaceful, but there is peace in knowing that it is there waiting for me each day.  If I will take more advantage of it, I have the capability to come home and rejuvenate.  I can reflect on the day in my own secure surroundings. I can close my eyes at the end of the day knowing I have done all I can with His help.  It may not sound like a lot to some people, but it is a lot to me and it helps to get me through.

That is all

Song of the day - By Chance

I happened upon this tune on my computer today.  So much in life that has meaning happens by chance, that I thought this would be a good one for me today.  Enjoy!

 

Quote of the day

 

Going through the books

 For someone who grew up not really enjoying reading, I've come to the realization that I own a lot of books.  Too many, in fact.  Now, don't get me wrong.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a lot of books.  I love them.  And, now that I am an adult, I love reading them.  But in our never ending, or at least it feels that way, purging of the house I do recognize the fact that I have more than my share.  Cookbooks in particular, but that's for another blog.

This bookcase is almost full!

So, I am going through the books and sorting them into categories.  There are books that I haven't read yet.  So many of those.  There are books I have read that I want to keep because I will read them again one day.  This is a tough category.  I'll tell myself that yes, I'll read it again one day.  But will I really?  I am really having to buckle down on this one and make some careful choices.  There are books that I have read or at least tried to read that I don't want to keep.  This one is easier.  It does not necessarily mean that I did not enjoy the book, I just already know I don't need to reread it.  And there are some that I just don't want to finish reading.  I actually just put a book in my "get rid of" pile that I was 3 quarters of the way through and decided I didn't care how it ended.  I didn't particularly like any of the characters so it was time to stop wasting my time.  I always have hope when I'm reading a book like that that it will improve.  I made it through an entire mystery set in a historical home in Wilmington, NC that I prayed would get better.  It never did.  I almost put that in the recycling bin because I didn't want anyone else to endure attempting to read it.  And then there are the antique and vintage books that belonged to family.  I have no intention of letting those go.

There is a local used bookstore that we will take the extra books to and hopefully get some money for them.  If not, then to a charity they will go.  I do believe that books are important and I prefer having an actual book in my hand than read an e-book.  Just my preference.  I do think, though, instead of buying a book that I may or may not like, I should invest in the library first.  That's what it's there for, after all.  And I should support any local business I can....even if checking out books is free.  Of course, I read slowly so I'll end up paying fines anyway LOL

I just went through a stack of books.  2 to keep, 1 to get rid of and 10 yet to be read.  Hey, it's a start!

Happy Reading!

The Sounds of Silence

 

A beautiful and haunting song that is very relevant to our world today.  Admittedly, I had not paid much attention to the lyrics before, only the melody but when I really listened to the song, I found it very profound.  Enjoy!

Quote of the week

 

I came across this quote earlier today and it really rang true for me.  I have absolutely no qualms in admitting that I have taken many big steps in the wrong direction.  I still do, though not as big as the ones I used to make.  Still, it's the small steps that mean the most and I always find myself taking those small steps these days. As a whole, I love the direction that I am going in.  Very Grateful for that!

Christmas shopping has commenced

 Here we are, halfway through August.  It's hard to believe that summer is almost over.  At least it feels that way.  I suppose my time clock is still on school time.  The beginning of school always meant the end of summer, so I still think of it that way.  Ah, well.  Anyway, here we are in the middle of August and it's time for me to start my Christmas shopping.  "WAIT!!" you say.  It's too early for that!  No, it is entirely not too early for that!  As a matter of face, I'm behind compared to some of my friends.  

So, why start shopping this early?  There are several good reasons for that.  One is money, which seems to be answer to almost every question in my life these days.  LOL.  If I start now, I will not end up spending a lot of money at one time.  Yes, I will probably spend the same amount, maybe more, but at least it won't all be leaving me in one big chunk.  I can keep up with my shopping and still pay my bills...at least sort of.  Actually, I've been doing pretty good with that but that's for another blog.

Another reason is that over the next few months, there will be some incredible sales going on.  Both online and in retail stores.  You can find great deals on lots of things this way.  Back to school sales can provide great stocking stuffers.  Then there will be all kinds of upcoming sales:  End of Summer, Labor Day, Halloween, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday.  Pretty much, if there's a holiday for something, there will be  sale.  And many online websites such as Amazon and Etsy have their own random sales all the time.  

And, lastly, I enjoy the art of gift giving.  I love going on that hunt for the perfect Christmas gift.  Something that is unique and fits the receiver perfectly....at least in my mind.  And this Christmas, I am hoping to go all out.  Lots of gift giving is in store from under our tree.  Hopefully we will be able to celebrate with family again this year.  Even if we can't because of the status of society, I will be prepared to provide at least a moment's happiness for the people I care about.  That's what gift giving means to me.  Providing joy.  That's what it's all about.  

I've already started actually.  Right now, there's a basket behind me full of things that will become artistic masterpieces of wrapping paper and too much tape sitting under the tree.  And, yes, I am keeping a list so I can remember what I've purchased  LOL  And now, it's time to look for some good deals for Christmas!

Cheers!

My Best Girl - Mame

 We have a local radio station that plays all kinds of fun stuff....jazz, easy listening, beach, folk, showtunes, hymns.  It's right up my alley.  The other day I got in my car from work and a song from Mame was playing.  It got me in the mood to listen to it when I got home.  It's one of my favorite scores.  There's really not a dud in the whole score.  This song in particular is one I love.  It's another one of those songs Mom and I used to play and sing at the piano.  Good memories of good times!  Enjoy!

Quote of the week

Not just kids, but all of us!

My Funny Valentine - Linda Ronstadt

This is my favorite version of this Rodgers & Hart classic.  I grew up listening to it with Mom.  Then a few years ago Michael got me a double cd set of Linda and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra singing songs from the American Songbook.  It's a wonderful collection of great songs and it was fun to hear this again.  Enjoy!

Quote of the week

 

In this world today, kindness is something that we just cannot get enough of.  There is a lot of kindness in this world, that I believe wholly in my heart.  I just do not think that we are exposed to as much as we need to be.  Most of social media focuses on the bad, which has always been there and, unfortunately, will always be there.  But my challenge for you all today is to start focusing on the kindnesses in the world.  It will make a difference!