If you're like me and grew up going to church, there was one specific week out of the year that you always looked forward to.
Vacation Bible School.
The week that you spent a couple hours at the church getting free snacks, learning cool songs, playing games, all the while learning about Jesus and what he did. The coolest part were the themes, ranging from crazy scientist to ocean adventures to even one all about pandas. As you got older, you became a volunteer, and all the memories of camp came rushing back but now you were helping create the fun. There are some tell-tale signs, though, that VBS is coming up yet again, and these are the biggest indicators.
1. There are signs asking for things like empty boxes, green soda bottles, and life jackets.
When there are suddenly signs, or colorful decorations, asking for donations of things like cereal boxes, empty bottles, CDs, and even life jackets and tiki torches, you know that means some VBS decorating is about to be under way. You also know to stop throwing away your "trash" because it could become quite valuable.
2. Slowly the entire church is becoming a jungle, a pirate ship, or science lab.
You walk in through the lobby, and there's a hammock and fake palm trees to greet you. The stage has two posters on it with photos of adorable animals and bible verses listed below them. The door to the bathroom suddenly has a life preserver taped on it. Who knows what else will happen the next couple of weeks.
3. You start receiving texts every day asking why you haven't signed up to volunteer yet.
You want to help, you really do, but you keep forgetting to sign-up and don't know how the new software works quite yet. Suddenly your phone is getting a message about once every hour asking why you haven't taken up your role as "game leader" yet.
4. The usual hospitality snacks are all themed, and usually full of candy.
Usually there would just be fruit or donuts, and now there is a cupcake with blue icing and little swedish fish, as well as chocolate-covered pretzel "driftwood." Not only is it delicious, but you get a sneak peak as to what you will be living on for the next week.
5. Whoever the director is seems to have officially lost their mind, and gone into panic-mode.
You know VBS is coming up because before, the director was level-headed and just encouraging participation. Now there is a lot of mass emails, panic to get the room decorated, last-minute purchases of items that who knows why they're needed, and the overall push to have the "best VBS ever!!!" When this happens, the best you can do is offer all the assistance, and extra supplies, that you have and shoot them some extra prayers.
VBS is an absolute blast, and those of us who participate every year wouldn't change it for the world. However, when it starts approaching, we all know the signs and know to start getting prepared. Oh, and don't forget to show your director some extra support.
They need it.
man running in forestPhoto by 
