We get a lot of questions about how our VBS themes are developed. Each year, it’s amazing to see how God works -
He has a way of herding us in the right direction as we pray about His plan for VBS each year. As VBS 2010 was in development, we asked a group of kids (we actually went to a CentriKid camp) a few questions about things they like and things they think are important. One question focused on things they would like to ask God. God spoke to us through those questions. The five daily session titles came from questions kids really asked. When you think about it, they are questions we often ponder at any age. Thankfully, God tells us in His Word that if any of us lack wisdom we should ask God!

The questions that make up the biblical content for Saddle Ridge Ranch for VBS 2010 are:

Who Am I?
Does God Care About Me?
What Is God’s Plan for Me?
How Can I Be Like Jesus?
What Do I Do Now?

I’m gonna admit that a year ago, I didn’t like twitter. I didn’t understand twitter, and I thought it was kind of self-indulgent – I mean, who really wants to know that much about me (except my mom!) I also thought it was kind of a substitute for real community. Then I started using it on my blackberry and I became hooked! I’ve witnessed firsthand how it’s not really a substitute for community, but a catalyst. I’ve had many conversations with people I follow on twitter where I’m able to talk to them about something they tweeted about, which helps build deeper conversation and deeper community!

At LifeWay, we have some twitterers – Here’s a link to the list of official accounts

Here’s a list of LifeWay Kids official twitter accounts:
@LifeWayKids
@LifeWayVBS
@CentriKidCamps
@ParentLife

And here are some LifeWay Kids employees who twitter (some more than others!):

@mkhunt – Mary Katharine Hunt, Director of LifeWay Kids
@jerryvogel – Jerry Vogel, Director of Childhood Ministry Publishing
@lrholmes – Landry Holmes, Managing Director of Childhood Ministry Publishing
@sxwiley – Scott Wiley, Editorial Project Leader (Preschool)
@tpollard – Tim Pollard, Editorial Project Leader (Children)
@jeffland – Jeff Land, Editorial Project Leader (Preteens)
@jskulley – Jodi Skulley, Editor (ParentLife)
@NanaVancleave – Rhonda VanCleave, Editoral Project Leader (VBS)
@darparr – Darlene Parrish, Editor (VBS)
@canpowell – Candace Powell, Production Editor (VBS)
@lynnevbs - Lynne Norris, Editor (VBS)
@VBSKeith – Keith Tyrrell, Graphic Designer (VBS)
@vbscandy – Candy Gibson, Product Costing Specialist (VBS)
@lhowert – Lance Howerton, Director of Children’s Training and Events
@bemeott – Bill Emeott, Lead Childhood Ministry Specialist
@adukes – Andy Dukes, CentriKid
@CoachEchols - Jeremy Echols, CentriKid
@MeredithBMay – Meredith May, CentriKid
@LauraFillingim – Laura Fillingim, Children’s Training and Events
@lifewayvbsgirl – Becky Loyd, Marketing Strategist (that’s me!)

So, I didn’t want Donny to have all the fun of giving you clues about the VBS 2010 theme.  By the way, I did get a picture of him in the hot dog suit, which goes along with this post since hot dogs are snacks, right?

Yesterday, I got some photos of a couple of the snacks for VBS 2010 – Thought I’d let you guys take a look and see if you can guess what they are.  (Ok – if I’m honest, one of them is a real 2010 snack and one of them is just to throw you off the trail). Which one do you think is real? And any guesses on what the snacks are?

Snack #1

Snack #2

Here’s some info on how to get Beth Moore to your church!

So while I was driving to work this morning, all of a sudden I found myself singing “We Believe” from Ramblin’ Road Trip. Out of the blue that was the song that came into my head! Out of all of the VBS themes that I’ve been involved in (I started working on VBS at LifeWay in 2003, but did VBS in my church for years before that) that is the song that I can identify as my favorite VBS song.  What’s your favorite VBS song? Which one is the one that you can’t get out of your head? Are they the same?? There are a couple of songs from VBS 2010 (which you guys will hear very soon) that I can’t get out of my head!

Big kudos to Jeff Slaughter for writing the songs that make the whole (VBS) world sing

This time Donny had a singing telegram for Dr. Rainer, the President of LifeWay.

If your church is doing the LifeBox project as suggested in the Missions Rotation Leader Guide, here some info for you:

• Identify military families in your church and provide LifeBoxes for their loved ones serving overseas.
• If you need to identify a soldier to send a LifeBox to, here are some helpful websites:
  • http://www.AnySoldier.com
  • http://www.BooksForSoldiers.com
  • http://www.SoldiersAngels.org
  • http://adoptaplatoon.org/site/
  • http://www.kitchentablegang.org
  • http://www.angelsncamouflage.org
  • http://www.soldierassist.com
  • Note that many of these websites would like you to “adopt” a soldier and that each organization has specific rules that you are expected to follow.
• Check the US Postal Service guidelines for Military Shipments
• Suggestions for what to include in a LifeBox are below
  • For individual service member – Flat Rate Box – 11 7/8 x 3 3/8 x 13 5/8
    • Flat Rate Box from USPS
    • Customs Form (PS Form 2976-A)
    • Personal Note to Service Member
    • *LifeWay magazines
    • Christian book or music CD (optional)
    • Holman Bible Outreach International Bible (optional)
    • Sleeve of Chewing Gum
    • 1 Pair of Tube/Crew Socks
    • 1 Bag of LifeSavers Candy
    • 1 Bag of Gummy Bears/Worms
    • Stationery supplies/writing tablet
    • 1 Box of Envelopes
    • Homemade Goodies to fill the box
    • Approximate total cost of the contents and shipping of this package is $21.00, plus the cost of homemade goodies and optional book, CD, or Bible.
  • For individual service member – Flat Rate Envelope
    • Flat Rate Envelope from USPS
    • Customs Form (PS Form 2976-A)
    • Personal Note to Service Member
    • *LifeWay magazines
    • Christian book or music CD (optional)
    • Holman Bible Outreach International Bible (optional)
    • Sleeve of Chewing Gum
    • 1 Pair of Tube/Crew Socks
    • Approximate total cost of the contents and shipping of this package is $12.00, plus the cost of  optional book, CD, or Bible.

* To receive a discount available for this ministry project, LifeWay magazines must be obtained through a Southern Baptist Association office. Because LifeWay magazines were specifically requested by military personnel, it is recommended that a LifeBox package include at least one of the following: HomeLife, Christian Single, Stand Firm (for males), or Journey (for females).

Some Helpful hints:

• Obtain the Flat Rate Boxes/Envelopes from United States Postal Service
• Obtain the Customs Form (PS Form 2976-A) in sufficient quantifies
  • From: Use an individual’s name and address
  • To: Must have a specific service member’s name and address
  • Contents: Magazines, CDs, and Goodies are sufficient descriptions
  • Check the box labeled gift
  • Check the box – Treat as Abandoned
  • Estimate the Total Value
  • Date and sign the form at the post office
• Homemade Goodies
  • Place in a sturdy zip lock bag is sufficient for most items
  • Chocolates do not travel well (March-October)
• Substitutions
  • Specialty food items from your local area
  • Nuts and/or Sunflower seeds can replace the candies

You have to check out Donny’s blog – he’s trying to figure out the VBS 2010 theme. There are even some clues in the videos he’s posting . . .

Well, I’ll just go ahead and post his video here – but you need to check out his blog.

You’ll want to make sure to check out this great (and FREE) training that Sue Harmon from the South Carolina Baptist Convention did on VBS follow up.

Click here to access the training!