Fall Ball Saturday

Two games today Ben's at 9:00 and Nick's at 12:30.

Ben's - Coach pitch in the rain. Ben liked being catcher the best. This is an interesting position. The coach uses a big bucket of balls and pitches one pitch right after the next, especially in the rain when he wants to keep the game moving. Anytime Ben caught the ball, it would still be in his glove as the next ball arrived. Ben would try to dodge it, but frequently, it would just bounce off of him. I'd rename this position catcher/target.

More fun at Ben's game. While Ben was catching, there were several pauses to refill the ball bucket. After the first, Ben decided he would play his position differently. He played sitting down and gathered the balls between his legs. Like a hen with a big clutch of eggs, Ben hoarded the balls in hopes he could throw them back to the pitcher instead of just putting them in the bucket. No such luck. Ben came over to me after the inning and said, "Mom, I wanted to be a ball machine and keep throwing them." He demonstrated with awesome sound effects. The ball machine at the batting cages Thursday evening really had an impact.

Nick's - A bit more serious. They actually keep score,count outs etc... Nick had a good game for having been at a sleepover the night before. He was tired as he walked out onto the field but pulled it together. He even scored a run. Nick's team won! Way to go Bulldogs!

In tomorrow's game, Nick will pitch for the first time. He is excited and nervous. He practiced a little after the game today and looked good.

Too Busy at Palmer?

Wow! I really have a love/hate relationship with school. I love going to school- the people, classes, ideas etc... Hate the feeling that I have too much to do and a brain that might explode trying to get everything done.

Learning to juggle my responsibilities at home with my new responsibilities is a challenge. I sometimes think, if only I could take one class a semester, it would be perfect. Two or three things would not be due the same day and I could just enjoy school. But then again there are benefit to taking multiple classes. Classes have interconnected themes and my thinking is more challenged. Being at school two days with some time between classes allows me to befriend other students, sharing ideas and challenges. Besides if I took one class at a time, I'd be in school forever. School is not my hobby, but a means of developing the skills I need to live out my calling.

So, where does that leave me. I love school. In life I always seem to have an overflowing plate or not enough to do. I much prefer the overflowing plate. Life is good.

The End of VBS

Today was the official end of VBS at Crossroads. The kids and adult leaders sang in church, there was a slide show and a couple brave souls came in costume. That would be Anne and I. Anne was a wise man and I was a BTL. Not to be confused with the ever popular BLT. As a Bible Trek Leader, I was dressed in camping/hiking clothes. It was pretty obvious that Anne was in costume, most people don't wear crowns and robes to Crossroads; however, I am not sure people realized I was in costume even with a water bottle hanging from my belt, a bandana tied in my hear and a waist pack instead of a purse. That might explain some of the odd looks.

Couldn't go to leadership summit

I missed the leadership summit this year. Fortunately Sage Tom went. He gives the following Advice to Leaders: If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, walk together. Some real wisdom in that!

Two VBS's???

This year I had the privilege of being a part of two VBS's. That is because our family has been involved in Tri-County's VBS for the past 4 years and I was helping with that. Then... Crossroads hired a dynamic new director of Children's Ministry. Crossroads, a UMC church plant is our home church. The new Children' director, Leigh Anne, thought it would be fun to have a VBS so we began planning one in July without even a location. God has worked everything out and it looks like this will be one of the most unique and fun VBS's I have ever been involved in.

Such a cool location for VBS

Crossroads VBS begins on Monday and it will be unique. The Connors are hosting us at their house. They have a fabulous yard for Camp E.D.G.E. We will be taking daily Bible treks.

The first day is Trek to the Promise land. The storytime begins in a tent with a Bible Trek leader from there the kids travel through the woods and down to a river (a real one!) where they meet Joshua aka Pastor Tom in costume. He will be standing next to a stack of 12 stones and he will tell about the trip across the river and how God stopped the water and how the stones were put there to remember what God had done...

The second day is the Trek to Bethlehem. We begin in the tent then follow a star through a path in the woods ending up under the deck where we meet a wise man who tells about visiting Jesus.

The third day we begin in the tent and follow a different path to the Pharasee's house where a servant is cleaning up from a dinner party Jesus had been to. The servant will share about the dinner and teachings of Jesus.

The fourth day we start at our storytelling tent and travel to the upper room. Take the path through the woods and end up on the top level of the deck. We will meet and hear from one of Jesus' disciples.

The fifth day is the trek to Galilee. We travel to a mountain. There really is a hill and meet Mary and hear that Jesus is alive.

The location just lends itself to these stories and except for a few props and some costumes, the prep is relatively simple.

Looking forward to a fun time next week.

An Awesome team

We have a team together for the Bible Story center at VBS. With one week to plan, we really needed to get together. Great news! Everyone is available on Wednesday morning. Yeah! Can't wait to get started. Please pray for us Tom, Anne, Kit and I as we communicate the Bible stories to the kidos. May this be educational and fun for all.