Fantastic February

This has been about the best February I can ever remember.  I can say that now because the mad rush is over!  Why the best? Because I had two amazing opportunities that came along! What made them a "mad rush"? Well, the events were back to back weeks and they were both very time consuming.  But, my God is greater! 

My first opportunity was to serve on the Alabama State VBS Team. This was my fifth or sixth time to have this opportunity and I feel so honored.  What is the Alabama State VBS Team? We are a group of people who love and believe in Vacation Bible School and our great leader is Mr. VBS himself, James Blakeney!  We meet for the first time in November, then we travel to Ridgecrest, NC together for training. Once we're trained, we come home and learn our materials, write our teaching models, create our classroom design, learn skits, music and motions and then meet back up, usually the third week of February, to travel to five different locations teaching Associational VBS leaders how to teach church VBS leaders. Whew! I'm tired just typing it!  

This year God stretched me, farther than usual.  When I was asked to serve I gave my top two choices of age groups to teach.  I've always taught babies-twos teachers or occasionally an older preschool age group.  Anyway, when James called me he asked if I'd consider teaching the VBX materials.  VBX??? That is 5th & 6th grade material!!!  I said, "If you think I can handle it, sure. I'll do it."  And so my stretching began.  The best part - was God never left me to do it alone. He walked me through every bit of the journey step by step, moment by moment. 

What did I learn from this experience?  The passion I have for sharing with Preschool teachers the importance of laying a solid Jesus foundation in babies, is the same passion I have for making sure we don't lose our preteens! I have a passion to see them know Jesus, not just know about Him. Statistics show that if a child doesn't accept Christ by 12 the chances of making that decision drop considerably.  It drops even further down if they don't accept Christ by 17.  As a matter of fact, a person's worldview is set by the time they are 9 years old! NINE!!!  That is why it is so important we guard what are children are watching, reading and listening to.  It's important that they surround themselves w/ solid Christian friends and adult role models.  You know, the people who don't just talk the talk, but they walk the walk.  

It was a GREAT week, one where God's presences was felt consistently in every situation and location.  I was so blessed.

Once we were home, I jumped in the car (if you read my last blog you already know this!) and went to have dinner w/ family.  That's always fun!  

Three days later...

I'm at Callaway Gardens setting up for the APCMO retreat.  What is an APCMO?  It is Alabama Preschool Children Minister's Organization. There, a mouth full!  I've been a member of this group since 1999 and I had the honor of being the 2013 APCMO President.  My responsibilities included choosing a speaker and worship leader, creating the schedule and pulling it all together.  I had a GREAT TEAM to help me! But, considering I had VBS tour the week before, I was afraid that one of the two events would get short changed... but nope!
God showed up BIG!!!  He led me to Tollie Megg for our speaker and heavens, she didn't disappoint. She spoke the Word with great passion and enthusiasm, just what I prayed for.  I had the best worship leader around, Ronald Burns. You might know him, he is my husband :) God led Ronald to choose the perfect songs to lead us into worship and then he and Brooke did a beautiful job of presenting them. 

What did I learn at this retreat?
1. that God presents me with opportunities that I can't do alone, but if I choose to join Him in His work - what a blessing it is! 
2. that I can go to training after training and learn all the latest and greatest techniques and products and materials, but until I'm where I need to be in my relationship with Christ - I will still struggle.  It's not enough to study the Word to teach a class or find an answer - that's my job. But as His child it's my love that leads me to spend time with Him. Oh Father forgive me for neglecting You. That is going to change... RIGHT NOW! 
3. that I truly can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. 
4. that sometimes what people see in  me is so much different than what I see in myself. God uses those people to encourage me and motivate me to become that person they see. 
5. that I've got to stop getting so wrapped up in the "stuff" of ministry and get busy spreading the gospel.  I'm not a program director or a hand holder. It's my job to provide opportunities for children/students and adults to serve and experience life in Christ.  One of my favorite verses is 2 Peter 3:18 (NIrV) "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Get to know Him better." 
6. that if you've been called to do something, do it and do it with passion. People may look at you strangely or think you're odd. But that's okay :) If they are a follower of Christ, they'll understand! (they will be doing it too!) 
7. that it's not my job to please people. It's my job to listen to, learn from and follow God. When I do that HE is pleased, and that is all that matters! 


One day we'll all meet Jesus face to face
and I want to hear...
"Well done Patty!"