I have gotten the biggest kick out of reading your comments (here and over at Facebook) about your misnamed adventures. For one, I'm relieved to know that so many of you get called the wrong name. Makes me feel a little more normal. And for two, it's been an emotionally difficult week and your stories have brought some much needed humor to my life.
I mentioned last week that a close family member was in the hospital. This past Wednesday we got the results of that hospital stay, and it was the worst possible news we could have received. I can't really process the whole of it, and at some point I'll write through it, but I can't right now. I will say that your prayers for my family would be greatly appreciated.
As we all know, though, grief does not keep life from moving forward, and this was the week I was committed to helping out at my church's Vacation Bible Camp (evidently the new trend is to have VBC, not VBS...the theory being that "Camp" is more fun than "School," I guess...). I did some registration stuff and some photography stuff.
When I signed up a couple months ago to help at VBC, I had no idea that the week would come at a time when I'd be emotionally and physically exhausted. Nevertheless, starting my day surrounded by 500 kids ended up being exactly what I needed.
Plus, it turns out that it's good for the heart to photograph kids having lots of fun.
It's also good for the heart to listen to two little cousins talking excitedly about all the fun they were having at VBC. Oh boy, oh boy. These girls are something else.
I love seeing how they have different styles from each other, and yet they are so alike. Even though they do things on their own, they still want to be doing their own thing right next to each other.
In fact, they had initially been placed in different VBC classrooms, but of course that wouldn't do at all. At five years old, being apart from your best friend is about the worst thing that can happen. (And can you blame them? Who wants to be in a room full of people without a friend close by?) It was quickly fixed, and the week was smooth sailing from there.
On the drives home from church, they would talk about their drawings, about their snacks, about the games, about the crafts, and about the new verses they had memorized. One day's verse was "Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young." I asked Sydney if that meant me too. "No, Mom. You're not young."
Honey, Mama is ALWAYS young. No matter what. Remember that.
Great photos!
Funny about the VBS vs. VBC name change. It IS more like a camp and always has been, though.
Posted by: gretchen from lifenut | Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 07:28 AM
They changed the name about 8 or so years ago. It's always drove me crazy because no other churches do it, but oh well. They wanted it to be called a camp more like all the day camps that go on now during the summer. And yes, to make it sound more fun than "school". :) I've done crafts for about 8 years and this is the first year I didn't help. Kind of funny my first year to not help is your first year there. :) It was a nice break though.
Sorry to hear about your family news. I will keep you in my prayers. :)
Posted by: Angel | Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 08:35 AM
These pics are so cute! It's lovely that Syd has a cousin/best friend to do everything with. Thinking of you & your family.
Posted by: Jess | Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 10:13 AM
I've been thinking about you, Stephanie...or is it Stacie? I couldn't resist it. I find that activity and humor help me get through the bad patches. I don't like having too much time to think. It looks like a great time was had by all. Love the girls' bags!!
Posted by: Margaret | Sunday, July 05, 2009 at 03:12 PM