Tightrope
Anna Kate is at the beach this week. Without me. So it's going to be a long week of missing her. Fortunately, I have VBS and grad school to keep me busy. But since they are the reasons I'm not currently lounging on the sand with my lovely fiancee, it's a bittersweet feeling. Much as I love VBS and however relevant this course is to my teaching career, I know what I'd rather be doing, were it possible. Nevertheless...
Day 1 of VBS, or rather Wave 1, sped by beautifully. I have to digress and say that my comfort level around the children has grown dramatically. I found myself doing or saying things I never would've had the courage to say in the past. Using a loud and expressive voice. Gesturing with my face, hands and body. Even laughing. Mannerisms. I think it was only the second or third year I felt like a real music teacher rather than a kid playing at being a music teacher. I thank God and give Him all the credit for working within me, developing my abilities, and empowering me to get His message across in a way that draws in my kids. Certainly an answer to prayer.
My second partner Payton finally showed up only to leave immediately to take care of her sick child. I feel pretty bad for her; playing catch-up on the music is going to be a chore. As for me? No huge deal - Lynn was all the help I needed. She's a great friend, terrific to work with, and we compliment each other well. Small wonder why I lobbied so hard to keep her in my station. Sure, it ultimately meant merging grades 1-4, but that's all right. Once we planned it out and braced ourselves, the kids did great! The increased numbers actually worked in our favor because it magnified their voices, and the older kids helped the younger ones warm up to the songs faster. So I certainly wouldn't be averse to the possibility of keeping the grades joined if it means less headache for Laura, Amy, and Denise over locking down teachers long-term.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the time we get to teach these songs gets less and less each year. I felt it worse today as we barely had time to get all the way through "Outrigger Island" and listen to "My God is Real" before we had to change to the next rotation. So a couple of my groups haven't even heard the Wave 1 song yet. But that's not too bad. Brandy and I came to an agreement on the songs to include on VBS Commencement Night. I felt strongly that we should keep the focus on the Jesus-centric songs; kids already get the big, majestic ideas about God (not that they are not important, of course; they are. But our goal is to bring them to Christ; so they need to encounter Him personally). She agreed, and we have our agenda.
More to come!
Day 1 of VBS, or rather Wave 1, sped by beautifully. I have to digress and say that my comfort level around the children has grown dramatically. I found myself doing or saying things I never would've had the courage to say in the past. Using a loud and expressive voice. Gesturing with my face, hands and body. Even laughing. Mannerisms. I think it was only the second or third year I felt like a real music teacher rather than a kid playing at being a music teacher. I thank God and give Him all the credit for working within me, developing my abilities, and empowering me to get His message across in a way that draws in my kids. Certainly an answer to prayer.
My second partner Payton finally showed up only to leave immediately to take care of her sick child. I feel pretty bad for her; playing catch-up on the music is going to be a chore. As for me? No huge deal - Lynn was all the help I needed. She's a great friend, terrific to work with, and we compliment each other well. Small wonder why I lobbied so hard to keep her in my station. Sure, it ultimately meant merging grades 1-4, but that's all right. Once we planned it out and braced ourselves, the kids did great! The increased numbers actually worked in our favor because it magnified their voices, and the older kids helped the younger ones warm up to the songs faster. So I certainly wouldn't be averse to the possibility of keeping the grades joined if it means less headache for Laura, Amy, and Denise over locking down teachers long-term.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the time we get to teach these songs gets less and less each year. I felt it worse today as we barely had time to get all the way through "Outrigger Island" and listen to "My God is Real" before we had to change to the next rotation. So a couple of my groups haven't even heard the Wave 1 song yet. But that's not too bad. Brandy and I came to an agreement on the songs to include on VBS Commencement Night. I felt strongly that we should keep the focus on the Jesus-centric songs; kids already get the big, majestic ideas about God (not that they are not important, of course; they are. But our goal is to bring them to Christ; so they need to encounter Him personally). She agreed, and we have our agenda.
More to come!
posted by david @ 12:13 PM
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