Celebrations

Yesterday we spent the day with Alex's family celebrating two high school graduations (Blake and Jared) and John and Lex's (Alex's twin sister) wedding anniversary.

Grandpa and Grandma with all 19 grandchildren.

Alex's siblings: l - r: Tom, Alex, Andy, Jan, Lex, and Jinny

Lars, Jan, EA, Bjorn, and AxelJohn, Alexis, Blake and Gabe

Our family

Tom, Sally, Amy, Jared, Brett, Katelyn, and Kurt

Andy, Linda, Melissa, Ryan, and Christian

(Unfortunately, we did not get a separate family photo of Jinny's family.)

The cousins volleyball game followed the family photo sessions.

Megan hits the ball back over the net.

At 6 p.m., all the married adults moved on to Biaggi's for a dinner celebration for John and Alexis' 25th wedding anniversary. We had our own private table in the Wine Cellar.

It's always fun to spend time with family!

~Wee

Weekly Wrap Up

Well, today ended an awesome VBS week! Once again, this is our class, all the participants that helped make this year's VBS production a great experience!

The girls enjoying music time. (Honor, Kayla, Megan, Grace, Abrey)

In crafts they made buttons to pin on the bags they made earlier in the week. In recreation, the blindfolded partner had to navigate their wagon by listening to the instructions from their partner. Moriah and GraceMegan and KaylaClass time today consisted of Breaking News. Our studio audience was glad to see that Jeremiah had returned for today's broadcast.From the sight of the burning bush, Moses joined me and shared his account of witnessing that miracle. (Since I was using our fire extinguisher, Leah was concerned that I would be putting out a real fire :). She also informed me after her class that she had the same story.)After Moses' appearance today, we ended our class time with a good game of boys against girls Bible Trivia. Questions were a great way to review all that we learned this week. Of course, some fun bonus questions were thrown in the mix. Girls won by two points!The directors of this year's VBS: Julie K. and Chris S.Jill R. and Stephanie B. did a wonderful job in providing music for us all week. The legs on the wall behind them represent our mission collection. We were raising money for William, a little boy from Zambia born with club feet. We raised above and beyond our goal of $1,000 for William to receive corrective surgery on both feet. It was reported that the recent surgery on one foot was successful, and they are awaiting surgery for the second foot soon.It's been a fun week and I hope you enjoyed our journey! Signing off for now!

~Wee

VBS - Day 4

I am going to start today's report focusing on Leah. Here is her class. Teachers were Margo W. and Judy S. with helper Courtney K.

During her music time, she doesn't do the motions, but I know that she really enjoys it. They are singing, "Encourage one another and build each other up....." (she's in the middle of the picture)

Enjoying her lesson :) After painting Zambia-bound bags for two days and then making cards to put into their bags, today they each were able to paint their own t-shirt. Leah painted her t-shirt on Monday.

This was a fun game. You and your partner had to run around the person standing in the middle and join hands once past, all before being tagged by them. Grace (on the left) and Abrey take off and got it accomplished!

Megan (on right) and Honor got tagged, so then she had to be it.

It didn't take long though.....she tagged Raquel on her first attempt.

The other game they played was a soccer ball maze.

Here is our live studio audience....an awesome bunch of 5th and 6th graders that I have spent my mornings with this week.Jeremiah Christian was absent again today. So, Wilma, the Director of Studio D.G.C., substituted. She is a very kind and gentle lady; a rather slow speaker and very precise.

Before Megan presented today's character definition, Diana Doubt (aka Kayla) made an announcement. She changed her name from Diana Doubt to Diana Doubtless, as she no longer doubts that developing Godly character is the right thing to do. She committed herself to make right choices and to be faithful and honest. Diana thanked Bethany Wordsmith (aka Megan) for inviting her to be on today's broadcast. No longer did she have to burst in on the set to express her skepticism! Kindness was today's character focus.The Bible life we examined was Abigail's, the wise and charming wife of rude and stingy Nabal. Honor played the part.I interviewed Sarah and Stephanie Johnson (aka Kelsey K. and Moriah) on lessons they have learned about showing kindness to others here in the 21st century.Folks, I'm glad you tuned in, and please join me again tomorrow for our weekly wrap up! Until then.....

~Wee

VBS - Day 3

Jeremiah Christian (aka Julie), the news anchor forgot his tie, so therefore did not appear on air. His fill-in anchorman was Monotone Bob, and boy was he different from Jeremiah. Megan began the newscast by giving us all a definition of today's character: Honesty.
We read the account of Esther and reflected on how she saved her people from destruction by going to the king and telling the truth, even though her own life was in danger. Then we looked at the seriousness of dishonesty in the lives of Ananias and Sapphira.
Grace appeared as Esther and one of our two special guests. The other was Annie, the orphan daughter of Ananias and Sapphira.
I interviewed four 21st century fans out at the "Illini" baseball game. In recreation they played Capture the Bacon and it looks as though Grace's team just scored a point.

Megan and Kayla battle it out.

Not sure if Leah's enjoying her class or not?! Maybe it's just that I snuck up to take a picture. :)
We'll be back tomorrow!

~Wee

VBS - Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 where our character focus was on Loyalty. Prepping to go "on-air," Julie gets assistance from James D. as she puts on her proper on-air attire!
Now we are live...Megan gives the definition of Loyalty: Being faithful or devoted to someone or something.
Here she is saying to her skeptic neighbor, "Diana, you can't just bust in on our TV show!"
We examined Loyalty in the lives of Abraham (a/k/a Luke M. - where he was loyal to his nephew, Lot) and Paul (a/k/a Cooper B. - where he was loyal to the law). They were today's special guests.
As the 21st century reporter, I interviewed Jessica Smith (a/k/a Hope F.) on loyalty in her life.
Recreation consisted of human tug-o-war: boys vs. girls;

and three-legged buddy kickball. It was hilarious to watch! Grace and Abrey pair up and prepare to kick the ball.

Megan and Jenna got all the way to 3rd base before wiping out.

The girls with the bags they painted for the children in Zambia.

This is where I met up with Leah again this morning -- out at the snack station. She is with her good friend, Ana.

I just had to include this picture because it was so funny! It's Caleb S. and his feet are tied together. He managed to kick the ball and hop to first base! Amazing kid!
See you tomorrow!

~Wee