Fall Pinterest Crafts!

It’s finally beginning to look like and feel a little bit like fall around here, which makes me happy because fall is my favorite time of year. It’s the time of year for chili and college football! So, I thought I would share a few crafts from Pinterest to help inspire you. Enjoy!

I thought this was cute and a great idea for a kids’ table at Thanksgiving or any other event. Chalkboard place mats can keep kids busy while the adults eat and fellowship.

Source: thehighheeledhostess.com via LifeWayKids on Pinterest

Fall is a beautiful time of year where we can watch the leaves change colors. Celebrate this with your kids by making a tree with finger paint. Let them use the colors of the leaves around them to make colorful trees.

Source: education.com via LifeWayKids on Pinterest

This next craft, I will probably have to try it out with my 4-year-old niece! It’s perfect for Thanksgiving!

Source: thatisadorable.com via Candace on Pinterest

Think Tank: Lorie’s Perspective

Here’s another look at Think Tank from Lorie Honeycutt. Lorie is no stranger to the VBS team. She has taught conferences for VBS Institutes and Previews and has written for past VBS. She’s always been a great supporter of VBS and so glad to have her join us this year for think tank!

What did you learn about the VBS theme development process that you wish everyone knew? The personal commitment and care each of the LifeWay VBS team members exhibits to get the best possible theme. Each are burdened with the impact their work has on evangelism in the local church. They do not take the job lightly and put forth every effort and much personal sacrifice to get it right.

What was the most surprising thing about VBS theme development that you learned by being part of the Think Tank? As part of our orientation, we did a scavenger hunt around LifeWay to see how each division works to make a VBS theme successful. Needless to say, we had to go to almost every department! VBS requires the involvement and synergistic relationship with almost everyone at LifeWay. Those who do not personally touch a VBS item are most definitely aware and in prayer for its success. Considering the number of employees at LifeWay, this is HUGE!

What advice would you give to anyone who is invited to a future VBS Think Tank? If you are invited, say YES! Bring as many creative ideas as you can, but don’t be married to one idea. There are many reasons why a theme doesn’t make it to print so go with an open mind, a willing heart, and the ability to think ‘outside the box.’ It is a blessing to have had a very small part in the big VBS picture.

Think Tank Thoughts

Back in July, I wrote a blog that said we were having think tank for VBS 2014. We want you to meet a few of the people who came and get their take on think tank. Bill Gammon from Georgia was recommended by one of our team members, and you might also recognize him as a previous VBS Geek of the Week. I asked Bill a few questions about his experience and here are his answers:

1. What did you learn about the VBS theme development process that you wish everyone knew?  ”There are red flags!!!! Issues of culture, biblical focus, the goal of reaching the lost, and geographical dynamics are taken into account.”  Yes, there are red flags! Each theme idea is carefully evaluated and has to pass through a series of filters for it to be considered a possible theme.

 2. What was the most surprising thing about VBS theme development that you learned by being part of the Think Tank?  “The intensity of the process and the broad spectrum that a theme can cover.” The process of choosing a new theme can be intense because we have a short time to accomplish our goal.

3. What advice would you give to anyone who is invited to a future VBS Think Tank?  ”Pray, have folks praying for you, have fun, and let the Holy Spirit work!”

National Dog Day

In case you didn’t know, yesterday was National Dog Day. In honor of that, we decided it would be fun to introduce you to our dogs. Now, you will see a lot of pictures of cute dogs who pose real sweet for  a picture, but my dogs are not that cooperative! I had to try and get a shot while they were running around in the yard! Meet Harley and Molly!

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 Carol has two dogs, Pumpkin and Penelope. They keep watch over the house when everyone is away!

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Meet my dog-nephew, Peyton. Is he not the sweetest looking dog ever?! My nephews were young boys when they got him. They knew immediately what his name would be: Peyton Manning Prewitt! (As UT football fans, there was no other option.) Peyton and I had a special bond. When my entire family was together, he would bring his tennis ball or toy straight to me. He knew I adored him. Sadly, Peyton developed cancer. It was a heart-wrenching day when we had to put him to sleep. He will always be my favorite dog!

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Our family dog is Lola Coco (her official A.K.A. name). She is a 6-year-old dachshund (that’s 42 in dog years) and is affectionately known by her family as Lolabell. Actually, she is my youngest son’s dog that he brought home with him when he graduated from college. We don’t get to see her very often, but she does come to visit occasionally. Lola is very active and loving, especially with children. When it comes to my son, “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets.” Yes, she is spoiled rotten!

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Gordon’s family has two dogs, Lucy and Buckley. Buckley is the newest addition to the family. Here’s his picture with Gordon’s son, Evan.

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Meet Courtney’s dog Milo. Isn’t he the cutest thing?

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Pam’s family has the sweetest dog, Vandy. Named, of course, for Vanderbilt University!

VBS Follow-up

After a great week of VBS, most leaders are tired and exhausted and think they are done! But wait, there’s one more thing to do. You guessed it! It’s time to follow up with all the kids who came to VBS. It’s important to make contact with those who made a decision or those who were visiting and do not have a church home. In the Administrative Guide for Directors, there’s a great chapter on follow-up. Follow-up does not have to be hard or intimidating for those who don’t feel comfortable talking to people they do not know! Put someone in charge of follow-up and make sure you have an organized plan. You do not want to wait to long to put the plan into action because you do not want the kids you are ministering to to have already forgotten the great experience they had at your VBS.

Follow-up can take just an hour of your time and will make a huge impact. Have a team that makes phone calls, a team that sends letters, and a team that does doorstep visits. Don’t give any person more than three people to contact and have all the supplies they need ready for them. Give them a script if they are making phone calls, have a letter drafted if they are sending letters, and have an information packet ready if they are making visits.

Follow-up can be a fun and rewarding experience when you are able to share with a family the decision their child made at VBS. Or when you meet a new family who has no church home and you can invite them to your church. There are so many ways to follow-up. Find what works best for your church and make those contacts!