Cry me a river :)

Let me start off by saying that I am one burnt beach babe :) Matt and I are feeling kind of toasty. We went to St. George Island yesterday...one of our favorite summer day trip excursions. We leave early in the morning, pack a lunch, Blakely, and the biggest beach umbrella that we have and hit the sand. It's close enough that we can just go for the day, but yesterday the sun's rays were harsh. I can't even tell you how many times we reapplied sunscreen. Anyway, I love our beach spot because it is so secluded with just a few friendly families hanging around. We always have the most relaxing days and Blakely loves the water. I finished rereading Karen Kingsbury's books Even Now and Ever After. Amazing once again. I also finished reading two chapters for my Tuesday class and two articles on diversity for my online class, so the day wasn't a total waste.

Now, let me explain the title of my blog, I am a crying fool lately. I mean, I'm a cryer, I admit it. But lately, even Matt is wondering what is going on...haha!! Alright, picture this...I'm laying out listening to the waves (the sand between my toes...PARADISE) and reading one of my favorite books when I begin sobbing uncontrollably while still reading ;), tears were streaming down from under my sunglasses. Poor Matt was taking a nap and he woke up startled because he thought something bad happened. No, just totally attached to characters in a book. Now, I do usually cry when I read KK's books. But for some reason I think I cried there on the beach for about 30 minutes straight. I couldn't stop, page after page, until I had a headache and my eyes were swollen. Anyway, great book...read it!! Especially if you want a good cry ;)

Second thing...Vacation Bible School-Outrigger Island. I don't know why but I love VBS. For some reason I really think that it is a passion for me and I am called to go all out with decorations, preparation, and teaching. Everytime I saw the preview video at church I would get chills and tears in my eyes. Something about the music and the dark sanctuary and the sweet kids learning about Jesus. So, lets talk about VBS 2008.

Susan Bennet is the coordinator for Grades 1-3 and she contacted me back in January to teach the same grade I taught last year and help with some other events. Of course I said yes, not realizing that the week of VBS would be the week of a mandatory training in Leesburg and the start of summer grad classes. But it worked out because my good friend, LeAnn Jackson, stepped in to be my helper and volunteered to teach on the days I had to miss. We spent all day at the church two days in a row and eventually ended up with a tropical paradise for a room (in case you're wondering, FBC decorates for VBS like you've never imagined..it's quite crazy actually). We spent time preparing for each bible study and praying for our children. Our week was awesome. It turned out that a lot of parent's of my previous students from K saw my name as a teacher, and signed them up for our class. SO, we had the best class ever (seriously, the cutest babies) and it was such a blessing because I got to reunite with some of my favorite babies that I taught in K..now they're going into 2nd grade. LeAnn and I had three really sweet youth workers, had a blast teaching together, and eating in the Bride's room during our break with awesome women from our church. Tresea Spencer (our pastor's wife) made the coolest tropical treats and made everyone a recipe book with them in it.

I loved teaching my kids about how God is real, the ABC's of becoming a Christian, and how to live a life full of passion. I loved sitting in a circle and praying with them, and listening to them pray(one of the highlights of the week)! My heart was filled with joy hearing their precious voices praise God and pray to Him. Chills!!! Almost ever child wanted for me to pray the sinner's prayer. They wanted Jesus to live in their heart. And you should've seen them on their knees in front of our waterfall praying! Then they were so cute when they would tell their parents that they wanted to talk about somethings when they got home and decide if it was time to get baptized. Well, the tear-jerker time for me was during the worship rally at the end of each day. All 1,000 kids and hundreds of teachers piled into our dimly lit sanctuary. It was literally a sea of lime green. Everyone was pumped and excited! Surfboards, pineapples, and lei's covered the stage. Let me share with you the words to our theme song "Outrigger Island" and explain how it touches me.

On Outrigger Island, we live God's unshakeable truth.
Cause we've figured out life is so much better when we do!
In this world full of shifting sands, we'll stand firm on our God's commands and live his unshakeable truth on Outrigger Island.

Are you ready to find a place to get away? Blue skies! Paradise! Are waiting for you today!
So lets set sail and see what God has in store. As he reveals his truth for us to explore.

Know the truth!
Speak the truth!
Live God's unshakeable truth!

I would cry..hard..every day during worship rally, because hearing those truths in the song, along with watching so many adults and kids worshipping God was a sight to see. A beautiful sight to see. I loved watching Abby and Anna do the motions to the song, they are so innocent. Now, all the kids at FBC are not as innocent and trusting. We have our Twin Oaks ministry where so many of the kids are hardened and that breaks my heart.

The words in the song just touch my heart. I know how much better life can be with God and my prayer everyday is to be unshakeable. And the part where the song asks, "Are you ready to find a place to get away???" is something I was really longing for at the time. I needed to be refreshed and I needed a break. The song says, "Blue skies, paradise are waiting for you today, so let's set sail and see what God has in store." I mean...I am going through several huge changes right now, and just sailing in paradise waiting for God to reveal his truths and plans for me..is like a dream come true. LeAnn and I talked about how much we got out of VBS this year. We learned so much and were constantly praying together and looking up scripture to add to our lessons. I think we both grew a lot last week. It was great. We both have a lot of issues that we are having to hand over to God and live completely by faith. You know, I went to lifeway's website the other day and clicked on something about Outrigger Island and the theme music started up. What did I do? I cried..badly!! Haha! Gotta love those emotions!

Lastly, one of my favorite memories about preparing for VBS was when LeAnn and I spent the day shopping around town for plantas and decorations. We were on our way to Izzo's for lunch when we pulled out a Travis Cottrell cd that LeAnn got from a Beth Moore conference. We put it on our favorite song..#5, Sweeter. We decided that our theme for the week would be, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, O Lord!" -Psalm 119:103 We made a 3-D pineapple for our door and wrote this verse on it. I already was obsessed with pineapples..if you walk into my house you will see that. BUT, now everytime I see a pineapple or some type of sweet fruit I think about that verse. Alright, Carrie Beth just pulled up. So, it's time to entertain and show some southern hospitatlity (pineapples stand for that)!!!

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth. -Psalm 86:11