Let's Get Busy - What Are You Up To?

[TrinityJen]

OK VBS Lovers - What are you up to?

I am busy making notebooks w/ all may teachers info in them. The lesson book, a possible schedule, an overview, decorating ideas...etc. I still need more teachers for all these folders!

I have been planning my opening. the last few year our assoc pastor ran the opening and we had teens do the skits. The assoc pastor was relocated this year and the new one wants to TEACH!!! The teens loved to do the skits, but never prepared ahead of time. Most people asked for more singing in the opening. SO - This year I have having our choir director do the opening (she can finally help w/ VBS this year! She has allot of energy and will be good at leading the songs (as well as the teen who teaches the music class). So we will review the memory verse, sing, have missions collection, and watch the Bible Preview Improv skits. I think the improve will work better because they wont be reading scripts at their noses. Plus I have a teen brother and sister I know will give it there all as well as be able to prepare at least a little ahead of time. Instead of the BIG skit we will have a meet the character minute. Where some one dressed up will come up and tell about them self (like the pirate who wants to be a teapot). I hope to have someone from each area of the place dress up....that would be the other reason I am not doing the skits. The choir director will also be in charge of the Friday closing and the Sunday Review (we take of the whole service). I will be leaving right after Friday VBS and driving 5 hours to Chicago for my best friends wedding the very next day. I might be a little tired. :rolleyes:

I have not started a sing backdrop. But then again I never do. I did pick up some flat sheets at the church rummage sale! YEA ME - I remembered!

I finally got some foam poster boards donated so I can start working on my mosaics! And or my group signs!

I set up a board outside the sanctuary w/ a sheet w/ all the empty spots for VBS. I plan on adding die-cut balloons for items we need donated.

Oh - the hubby is home and the dinner timer is calling!

So - What are you up to? :)

[flutist14_99]

Maybe this question should be what aren't you doing?! ;)

-I just decorated my door (I'm the interim music minister) and after reading TrintyJen's post I like the ballon idea for donations but, since I have more land than air, I'll do litter that they need to help us, "clean up so we can get started building the park." I'm adding different areas of the park as a way to build momentum. Right now we just have a roller coaster.

-I'm wrapping up teachers. All but those 4&5 yr olds and recreation are taken care of. But, this problem should be solved hopefully Sunday. I can still use more volunteers, but then can we ever have enough? :D

-Placing a massive OT order (new catalog has free shipping on orders of $40 or more up to May 22, I believe) to help with a couple of craft things and to help supply prizes for the massive carnival at the end.

-I feel way behind on decorations though I have most of the planned out. Now, I just need a plan on when to have them completed by....Why are there only 24 hours in a day? :confused:

-I'm also working on my opening assemblies. We grew to love the stunts last year but, all of the water is a little daunting for us, so I'm going to have to modify or totally change at least 2 of them.

Luckily, we have a new pastor (also currently interim) who is very supportive of VBS. But, supportive in that he doesn't want to come take complete control just support and be there everyday and do as much as possible to help. :rolleyes:

Look forward to hearing from everyone else! :)

[sara2002]

Well I finally free like I can focus on VBS. This is my second year as director. I am only 24 and work fulltime and am going to school fulltime. Life is extremely crazy for me. I just finished finals and so all my extra energy has been put into VBS.
-Almost all my staff taken care of
-Publicity materials have been distributed and people are signed their children up
-Staff t-shirt orders have been placed
-Our carnival/food comittee has been working hard
-Decorations are coming together
- I still need to work on the decorations for the sanctuary
However I believe that everything is coming together nicely and it seems to be a little less stressful this year.

[Alison from Australia]

Well, a new shop has just opened down the road called "Spare Change". They have VERY cheap stationery, sheets, lollies, craft items and virtually anything else you can think of. We are going there to buy lots of decorating and craft items for VBS.

I have all my main leaders and I'm just sorting out where all the teen helpers will go.

The other thing I have just done is open a box which arrived from USA which contains ... THE SONFORCE BANNER!!!!! :D I am actually sitting here crying right now as I can see the hand writing of people who did Sonforce last year. I can't wait to show everyone and to explain to the children that this banner has done a special journey right around the world to many children doing Sonforce.

Thanks to those people who have sent things to help make our "VBS Downunder" an exciting time and extra special thanks to Ana who put so much work and love into the banner.

[Judy N.]

I have not been on the forums yet this year, but have been following some of the great ideas. Trinity Jenn, you amaze me! I also appreciate it when everyone is encouraging and positive on the boards. We all end up using the curriculum in different ways and there are always lots of good ideas out there to make it fit your situation.
I worked on VBS a few months back after I got my kit, then set it aside as my dad's health went downhill. He has been in ill health for many years. He went to be with the Lord April 29th. We are very much at peace, and I was able to be with him as he took his last breaths.
And so... life goes on and VBS is my feel good activity! I know a lot of you have your plans well under way, but the next few days I'll be sharing a few of my ideas... I've been at this a few years!!!

[TrinityJen]

Judy - I am sorry for your loss. We are glad to have you plan VBS with us. I can't wait to hear you ideas!

[Mari-Jo]

-I have been very busy with decorations! I have more helpers this year painting. We are now on the last of eight sheets we are using for backdrops. :D:D I have a link to the web gallery posted in the decorations thread.

-We are building a ticket booth, a castle and a pirate ship- so far we have purchased Mr. McGroovy's rivets and building plans, acquired our refrigerator boxes and paint supplies. We still need to paint and put them together. I can't wait! We will have to wait to actually build them until two weeks prior since they really can't be moved easily! They are huge!

-I have the website finished and am offering online registration for the first time. www.stpeterknights.com/vbs08web I am using the web template that Chad posted! It is awesome!

-I have finished my display board for registration / volunteer needs/ donation needs.

-I am in dire need of volunteers so if anyone can pray for us- please do! :eek: I have many key areas (childcare, music, recreation, theme center) that do not yet have leaders, so I am going to have to get started planning them myself. That way, when someone signs up, they aren't behind!;) I, too, will pray for those who are on this board helping others!

-I still have MANY things that are NOT done! :( I pray that God inspires me, assists me in inspiring others, helps me to make the best use of my time, and that he showers me with the grace to do what he has called me to do, as he did not call someone who already has the POWER! HE has the power!

[TrinityJen]

I am glad to hear everyone is doing so much! I am still feeling WAY behind. I only have plans for decorating. WE are 6 or is it 7 weeks til VBS. This week I am going to start the signs the kids will carry and we are having scrapbooking and crafts this Friday....I will be bringing VBS stuff and I hope to see some friendly faces willing to help. Maybe I should send out an e-mail.

What I have been doing is wedding invitations for my best friend (who is getting married the Saturday after VBS 5 hours away!) So yesterday - watching the Indy 500 - I was stuffing the 100 envelopes. Then...after 60 stuffed & stamped I realized I put my zip code with her address on ALL the envelopes and ALL the response cards. :eek::mad: :confused:

Last night I printed all new envelopes and tomorrow all new response cards and a trip to the post office for all new postage! yea!

Then I will be back to VBS - note books for all the teachers by Sunday!

[flutist14_99]

TrinityJen, I too am feeling this stress. We're also about 7 weeks away here. I've been working on the other two summer camps I 'm working at in June (just as a music instructor and dorm counselor/chamber music coach). Last night I had the amazing realization that I was way behind so this morning I decided to come here and see what was going on before I make lots of plans and calendars that I'll probably never live by they're just a form of stress relief :rolleyes:. So now I realize I'm not the only one. :)

[brutgers]

LOL...I am ready to have a come apart....our vbs is in 18 days....pray for me...pray for my husband...pray for my kids (as they are gonna be livin' on sandwiches for a few weeks). I think Aldi's has bologna on sale....heheh

[TrinityJen]

Talking about VBS food - I saved my menu from last year. All meals made in 15 prep 30 min total the night after VBS. We do 9-noon VBS so I am home but tired at dinner time.

Saturday was my last trip to the store - I bought pork chops (on-sale) I cooked a large box of noodles (saved l/o for Thursday)

Sunday- Lots of chicken in the crock-pot, started before I left for church and didn't have to cook when I got home. (made stuffing and veggies)

Monday - Pork Roast - ok, I don't believe this one, but my husband did stay home Monday morning so he might have been in charge, really it would have just been tossed in the crock-pot w/ salt and pepper too.

Tuesday - Left over chicken from Sunday chopped into a casserole (Velveeta, salsa, tortilla chips...)

Wednesday – Family night at church, bought a bag of chips and took them to church a week earlier.

Thursday – Pasta bake - Left over noodles, spaghetti sauce, cheese, frozen meatballs.

Friday – Pizza Night! It is over, go to bed early (again). This year I will be on my way to Chicago!

Being a person of schedules, saving the 'what will we eat tonight?' helped so much!!! then when it worked SO well, I saved the sheet I wrote it down on.