the good kind of tired

me at VBX

I tell my Vacation Bible eXperience team every year that at the end of VBX week you will be the "good kind of tired".  It is the kind of tired that comes from knowing that your energy was well-spent.  Well-spent on something worthwhile, something that made a difference--rather than spent on frivolity or fretting.

That's me today.  The good kind of tired.  We finished our High Seas Expedition on Friday, and had it all cleaned up within a few hours.  Yet Saturday held a six-hour push to get a video recap done (my brother-in -law actually did it--I just sat by his side and chose clips and pictures.) for church this morning.  Today was an early morning--two different lessons to prepare, hair to color (I know...Sunday morning??), and speak at both services about VBX before the kids sang.

So, it wasn't really until this afternoon that I felt it.  The adrenaline eased up.  The yawns came.  The weight of responsibility lifted.  The tired was allowed to come.

You know, it does feel good to be this kind of tired.  It feels good to allow myself rest.  I am spent.  But well-spent.

And I'm realizing the good kind of tired is a gift to be felt fully and enjoyed.  I'm going to relish it.

I'm sharing this Sunday-post with emily at Chatting at the Sky, cause it's still the gift I'm unwrapping on Tuesday.  

God Sightings

At VBX, one of the practices we are teaching the kids is to "watch for God".  Each day the kids report their "God Sightings" to their leaders.   Today I heard one tell of a sunset God made, one said God led him to a good VBX, and another talked about the money God provided at his popsicle stand for the missions project.

Yesterday, my son said "tetherball" as his God Sighting.  I wondered about it for a second ( in that "seriously? that's what you said? kind of way) and realized that he is learning to give God the credit for everything--including a good time he had playing with his friends.  The kiddos are learning to look for God and expecting to see Him!

Here are some of my God Sightings this week:
* three sweet ladies who have provided supper for us this week to lighten the load of a busy week.
*  A little girl who I don't know brought me a rose today to say thank you for VBX--and she had tears in her eyes as she gave me two big hugs.
*  Many instances of things working out, just in the nick of time. :)
*  The opportunity to sit for an hour with a visitor's mom who really needed prayer and encouragement.
*  a VBX staff that truly loves God and kids and that bring energy and enthusiasm each day!
*  God giving me the words to say today as I talked to the kids about the gospel.
*   A diet-coke-bearing friend. (thanks Bethie!).
*  The mom who thanked us because on Monday night, while she sat in the ER for a scary allergic reaction, was encouraged by her daughter with what she learned just that morning at VBX.

Do you watch for God?  Do you expect to see Him at work?  He's there...

More on this soon...

We've set sail!

Our High Seas Vacation Bible Experience began this morning!  Whew!  It's always good to get to the first day and always good to get through it!

It was great fun--and I'm looking forward to the rest of the voyage.

Thought I'd share with you some pics of the way we left things last night.  Finally ready to go...

Don't I have the coolest job ever??  I'm the good-kind-of-tired tonight.  Can't ask for more than that.

happy birthday to my hubby

This is my hubby.  Isn't he handsome?

He's awesome.  And it's his birthday today.

He's been dealing with a lot this year.  Terrible back issues, work stress like he's never known, and you know, me {smile}.

I just want to publicly say how much I love him, how proud I am of him, and how much I appreciate all he carries on behalf of our family.

I am praying that this coming year is one of great joy, healing and provision.

Happy Birthday, babe.  I love you.