Thanks to My Friends

The last 48 hours have really been interesting.  In the midst of the change going on, it’s been nice to have some really great friends.  I cannot say thank you enough to all the friends that have reached out to Alison and I.  The simple things like texting, “I’m really sorry.  I will be praying for you and the family” have made a huge impact on Alison and I both.  We’ve received phone calls, texts, and emails all expressing the care and concern for us and asking if there is anything we need.  All of these have been a huge blessing and I wanted to make sure and offer up a public thank you.

Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  I’m truly grateful that I have reliable friends!  I’m grateful that I have friends that have stuck by Alison and I through think and thin.  That’s what church is about.  The church is about God creating a community (the body of Christ) and that we stick by each other in hard times.   We are loved and we love you!

First Night of VBS

So tonight was the first night of VBS and it was a blast! Everything went well from the VBS songs, teaching, crafts, snacks and recreation. Tonight was a night of energy and excitement. You could visually see it by the bounce in the volunteer’s footsteps, how the teachers tapped their feet to the beat of the music, and how the children looked around the room in amazement. The children were so excited to see what was going to happen next. You could tell everyone is looking forward to a great week of VBS.

It is still the first night and I noticed that most visibly by how relationships between the kids are still new and forming. Whether you like VBS or not, by the end of this week strong friendships will come out of this week. There’s something about learning and playing together for 5 days straight that really bonds friends. I look forward to seeing these friendships forming for my oldest 2 kids.

My daughter Madison and her VBS class

The Christian life is meant to live in community, as friends gathered together for under Christ. I hope that my children experience Christian community this week at VBS, the very beginning of eklesia (the Church) on their level. Friends that love them unconditionally, that are there for them in thick and thin, and friends that strengthen and encourage them. I want my children to know Jesus Christ but I also want them to have strong friendships with others that know Christ.

Day 1 down, 4 more to go. What do you hope that your kids will gain from VBS this year?