VBX 2019

As crazy as it makes our schedule for weeks and even months beforehand, VBX is one of our most fun weeks every summer. We've participated since even before Maddux or Eli could 'officially' participate as an elementary camper, and every year finds us serving and playing in slightly different capacities.

For several years now, Eli, we've watched you participate in leading worship with other singers and musicians. I love how involved you get when Dad starts picking the songs for VBX, offering your opinions (whether he asks or not)...you are very invested in the programming for the week!

This year was the first year that you didn't play drums for VBX. The last few years have found you sharing the percussion section with one or more drummers, rotating each song or each night. But this year there was an opening on electric guitar, and you slid into that spot.

As always, you spent the rehearsals hanging out with some older kids that have a love for music like you.

And during camp, once you left the stage you were on 'water boy' duties.

Although I know that is a real job, sometimes it seems like a way for you to do some work at the beginning of each rotation, and then hang out with your friends (but your secret is safe with me).

Maddux, this was only your second year serving at VBX, but the way you assumed your responsibilities, you would have thought you were an old pro. Your first job request this year was being a youth group guide, and (of course) you requested to work with Ruby's 1st grade group.

While you really love working with your sister, there is one other 1st grade girl at our church that you've been working with in the nursery and preschool area for years that you really REALLY wanted in your group. You got your wish, and your heart for her was so apparent every time I saw you two together.

Your second 'job' was leading motions for the songs on stage.

You teamed up with a sweet girl you met last year at VBX that doesn't regularly attend youth group, but the two of you caught back up right away.

Finally, Ruby....your camp experience will be hard to top. Your group was a great one, with your sister helping guide your fun. And then you were chosen to act out parts a few times during the Bible teaching.

Then you got to come early one night when I was taking rehearsal photos, giving you a front row to the youth rehearsing on stage. Of course you joined Maddux and a few other 'big' friends that you've known your whole life. I think they like you as much as you like them.

But the biggest part for you was Walter. About a month before VBX, you made a connection with him at church and started seeking him out every Sunday. Then, on the first night, he asked me if he could pull you onto stage for something. Little did I know that before he asked you to pull a few prize tickets out of the bucket, he would dote on you.

The next morning when you woke up, you put your head on my lap as we talked about VBX the previous night. I asked you what your favorite part was, and without hesitation, you said, "Walter. Call me on stage. Say me beautiful. Two times." And you had the sweetest smile on your face. (And he did say that two times...that girl has a good memory!)

You had a great rest of the week, showing better focus and 'sitting' than last year in each of the rotations. And the last night? Walter named you 'Queen of VBX' on the stage.

VBX

Yet another fun VBX in the books. As we are in the year of many transitions, this year's VBX added another 'new' experience for our family. While Lehr was still in charge of music, and I was mostly behind the camera, and Eli was playing drums all week, Maddux joined the volunteer ranks and Ruby attended as an official camper for the first time!

When we first talked to Maddux about where she might want to volunteer, she said she wanted to do the motions on stage, for sure. That was a no-brainer, as many of the youth do that in addition to their other roles. However, last summer Maddux was exposed to a song that she knew would be great for VBX. So we kept it in our pocket all year and when it came time for Lehr to pick songs, she campaigned hard for "Royals". It worked and Lehr chose it, but what was even better is Maddux and I worked together to come up with the motions for that song. She took a lot of pride in it, and was even able to help out the volunteer in charge of teaching the dances. So fun!

And it should come as no surprise that Maddux chose working with a group of kids as a 'group guide' as her other (main) job. Also not shocking was that she wanted to help in Ruby's group. This was perfect, as we were not sure how to ensure a successful camp for Ruby without one of us present.

But without us even mentioning that to Maddux, she stepped up. (In the end, Lehr ended up working with that group as well.) I loved seeing Maddux help the kids in her group - while she was there for Ruby, she gravitated towards two other little girls more often. She has such a beautiful gift!

Ruby had a great time, eating and playing with her friends. Maddux had a blast, dancing and getting to know new kids in the youth group and 'guiding' her kindergartners. And Eli loved playing drums and working with two of his 'big' friends as a water boy.

VBX-Box

Another great year of VBX! (VBX is our church's VBS. Instead of a daytime Vacation Bible School, our church has held our camp at night; this allows fathers/men to be involved as a way of ministering to the kids attending the camp, and it allows the kids we are trying to reach to get there, as many are in homes alone during the day while parents are at work. We call it VBX because of the X-factor we incorporate each year.)

This was Eli's second year serving: instead of being involved in musical motions and outdoor games, this year he was in the worship band (drums) and assisting group guides for Kindergartners. He had an absolute blast with the music, as you could imagine. He worked with the band for the last few months, learning the songs and perfecting his part in it. The group of kids he played with was all older than him, as usual, which he loved!

This was Maddux's last year as a camper. She had a great time in her group with a close friend from church and a good friend from our neighborhood. We had several talks about her paying attention to what types of jobs she would like to do next year when she is serving for the first time.

Ruby loved her preschool VBX. She did give the teachers there a run for their money a few times. She locked herself in the bathroom (an easy fix because they unlocked it from their side) and pulled a bookshelf down in an attempt to retrieve something from the top (of course she found the ONE bookshelf that wasn't bolted to the wall). When she wasn't aiding the church in troubleshooting their kids' area, she was busy dancing, singing, coloring, rehearsing with the band, and jumping in the inflatables.

VBX 2016

 

We say it's gets better every year, but it's true. This year's VBX (our church's version of VBS - including the X-factor and taking place at night instead of during the day) was ah-mazing. The creative forces that work all year to write dramas and create related games and choose fun music and incorporate activities that correspond, all while pointing to the gospel and weaving it through each night...they kind of rock. The experience they create for the kids who show up each year is unmatched. We are so lucky to be a part of it!!

This year Ruby was in one of the preschool rooms. Due to large numbers in the 3year old room, we kept her in the 2-ish year old room. Ruby rocked her classroom; she helped with the group task of making trail mix, had a blast in the jumpy castle, read books, and enjoyed her nights all around. Three of the nights, we came early to see the worship practice so I could take photos of Lehr and the team he was working with. This worked well for Ruby, as she could experience the music while not getting in the way of the actual event. She loved it and mimicked everything!

Maddux had a blast too. She was in a group with a friend who she usually only gets to spend one hour each week with. This week she got three hours each night. Every time I came upon her group she was having fun with the games and the lessons...she got a lot out of it. We drove a few of her friends from the neighborhood to and from each night, so even more time for her to be in her 'happy place'.

Eli really REALLY enjoyed his job. This was the first year Eli got to serve/volunteer instead of participate. He chose to work with the motions team ('dancing' and singing on stage during the worship sets) and the outside games. This meant Lehr picked him up early to arrive at church for a 4:30 rehearsal. From there he was to eat dinner with a group and then hop on stage to do the 'motions' (I call it a dance) to the worship set for each night. Then he would run outside to assist with outdoor games. As they cleaned up the field, he would rush back to the stage to do the final worship set. He took it all very seriously and had a really fun time.

The kids slept in until at least 8 each morning (late for the girls), and smiled so much their cheeks hurt. Life is good.

VBX 2014

So fun.
Every year this week is SO fun.

Ruby got to hang out with the other babies for the first time this year. She did not think that was SO fun. She did ok, but considering the hours were 5:30-8:30PM (bedtime, anyone?), and most of the other babies had fussy moments, she opted to voice her protest a few times as well. The awesome mommies that were in the nursery each night walked with her and rocked with her and kept her happy, but I don't think VBX is on her favorite things list yet.
Eli and Maddux, on the other time, still love it. This year's theme was Pirates and X Marks The Spot. Maddux had many friends in her group, as did Eli. Water balloons, pirate ships, eye patch wisdom, worship song and dance...it was awesome. The week was made even better when Lehr volunteered himself for a guide-game which turned out to be a dance contest. 

Oh yes, it did deliver.

VBX 2013

We look forward to it every year. The first year we participated was actually less than a month after Maddux was born. It's just what we do at the end of July each summer.

VBX is the 'VBS' celebration at our church; we do a camp 4 evenings in a week that include original dramas, lessons, games, and lots of fun and loud worship. Since Lehr and I volunteer each year, our kids got to participate in the pre-school version for years before they were old enough to enjoy the 'real thing'. Now that they're both in the thick of it, we are all enjoying the week to the fullest.

Lehr often leads a group of kids and I usually take photos and jump into his group when I can. This year though, he was heading up the music and then jumping in to help with a group. I was taking pictures, but of course I had an assistant that I carried around in the bjorn with me. She didn't prefer to stay the entire time, as bedtime snack and bed usually occurs before the end of VBX each night, but she was a trooper while she was there.

Maddux didn't have any of her usual friends in her group this year, but she still had a blast and (of course) made some new friends. Eli had his buddy, Logan, with him (they've been together every year), and Lehr got to help with his group, which they both loved.