Dear Horizon's VBS,

Where do I begin?  Last Sunday I was so excited to see you again.  I could hardly contain my excitement!  When I walked in Sunday night, wearing a very ugly hat, I was not disappointed!  The kids, the smiles, the music............... I was on Cloud 9! 

I floated through the week on Cloud 9, singing in my van as I drove around town.  I thought of you, VBS, every single minute I was not here with you.  I loved listening to my children talk about you, the Chicken, the eggs, and the music.  I was so entertained with Pastor Jason and his dance moves.  I looked forward to them every night! 

Every night when I arrived home I would anxiously await for the pictures from the night to be posted on FaceBook.  The one thing I noticed this year, VBS, was the INCREDIBLE smiles on EVERY face in each picture.  The kids and the adults!  That made my heart soar!!!

I can honestly tell you, Horizon's VBS, that everything this week has made my heart soar!  I cannot believe how lucky I am to be a part of such a God loving, loud music playing, kids smiling and laughing church! I wonder if my children know how lucky they are to be growing up in such a place?  At least I know!!

VBS, I am going to have a very hard time saying goodbye to you this year.  The tears come to my eyes just thinking about the capes that will be put away for another year.  Thank you Horizon's VBS for being so magical.  So entertaining. So very, very awesome! 

Heidi Mac

Thank you volunteers!

I had heard it for a few years but after joining in on the fun last year, I now know that VBS week truly IS the best week of the summer!

To watch our church be filled to the brim with so many kids so excited to be together to sing, play and learn about the Lord makes my heart full. 

As adults it is a given that we know how to look out for and care for kids but it is cool to me that during VBS I have the chance to watch our youth doing the same. To realize the time commitment of these MANY volunteers and then to actually watch them move 400 kids to each area of activity is nothing but amazing. There are crew members and leaders, registration people, snacks people, security people, the worship team, Bob and Karl, the AWESOME guys who are braving the heat to play outdoor games, and the men's group who clean up each night...just to name only some of the volunteers!

But the best part to me is that everyone (no matter what their job) is excited for the kids and what THEY will experience this week. Everyone works diligently to balance the fun and the learning in an atmosphere of love and encouragement for every child. 

Philippians 2:2 says  "..make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose."  And so this week has been all about our joy. Thank you Jesus and thank you volunteers!

Dayna

Night 3

Night 3 was a blast at Sky VBS—Horizons style!  Sarah and I are very excited about getting to be a part of such a crazy, spirited, and free-to-be on fire for God church.  We can tell that many of the kids are giving it their all each night, as perhaps they might have looked a little tuckered by the end.  But nonetheless, you can see the light in their eyes and smiles.  They absolutely love this.  And when it comes time to shout about who’s in the house, they know it’s God.   And when it comes time to respond about what to do in hard times, they know—TRUST GOD!!  It’s great to see their energy and their freedom. 

But there’s another part of VBS that’s just as great—all the volunteers!  I’ve never seen grown adults be so free and wild.  There’s no doubt in Sarah’s or my mind that there is passion for Jesus in this place!  We can see it—in the wild dance moves, the whaling songs, and of course, in the gentle smiles and helping hands.  They’ve found something, and this is their chance to let it out and share it.  They were right when they said Horizons VBS is like none other!  We are blessed, and God has shown us that anything, even when it comes to VBS, is possible!  Praise God!

Pastor Jason

Could it get any better?

Every year I think to myself, “This is the best VBS ever!!!!”  And every year, it just keeps getting better, and better, and better!  This year is no different.

Night 2 was a wonderful night!  Children continued to learn about trusting God and that with Him all things are possible.  During our Chadder video, the children watched as Chadder competed on a game show.  In the video, during one of the competitions, one of the contestants stole another group’s project.  A young boy turned to me and told me that the player was mean.  I asked him what he thought Chadder should do.  The little boy said that Chadder should help by standing up to the bully.  I told my little friend that at times like that he should trust God to give him strength to do the right thing.  The little guy smiled and said, “Yea!  Trust God!!!” and he did the hand motions.

I continue to be amazed at the wonderful people we have that volunteer their time to help at VBS!  I look around and see numerous middle school, high school, and college age students who could easily find other activities to devote their time to this week.  Instead, they come to Horizons and give everything they have for our children and to God.  We are truly blessed!!!!

Kristi

VBS - Just Fun and GAMES!

Over the years, I've gotten to participate in numerous VBS roles as a security leader, crew leader (both elementary and pre-school), meal preparer, clean up guy and gopher.  This year I thought I would expand my "Horizons" and have my son and I run preschool games.  What a blast!  Even though it was 100+ degrees out, the shade, glasses of water, and a light breeze made the 20 minutes pretty comfortable.

It's always fun to see how 75 little kids interact. Whether its screaming their name as loud as they could (or not, as some chose) or trying to dive through a hoop like superman (or not, as some chose) all of the kids had a great time kicking off the first night of VBS and perform their best green grasshopper, orange butterfly or purple bat.

Some enjoyed the kiddy pool with our floating pelican, others wanted to explore surrounding trees or the water drain. A few were concerned about a lost pair of sunglasses in the drain.  (Thanks VBS Security for keeping all of the kids safe!)

Preschool games are just one aspect of VBS.  The music, the Chadder videos, the crafts and the relationships your kids are experiencing will be something they will remember forever.

The theme for this week is TRUST GOD.  I encourage you to talk with your kids on the drive home each night this week and ask them how they can TRUST GOD.  What they say may surprise you and through their experiences, we all may be able to find new ways to TRUST GOD.

Steve

Night 1 Reflections

Last night was a blast!!!  Funky hats, root-beer floats at chadder, high energy worship, water balloons at games, silly string from the chicken, and a few hundred very loud kids!

My favorite moment from the night happened during closing.  Everyone was in the worship center and an announcement about the service project was being made.  First, we described how you could throw your offering into the umbrellas right inside the front church doors.  Then, Karl asked what the offering was for.  We started to say, "Kids in the Lincoln BackPack Program," and then as if on cue, the room erupted with a huge applause and cheers.

We had to wait a second to continue.

There were many times the kids were prompted for a loud cheer.  This was not one of them... it just happened.  It showed how cool these VBS kids are.  The energy in the room this week is a focused energy.  Focused on helping others.  Focused on worshiping God.

It's going to be an amazing week.

Missions Trip 2012 Lauren Nunez

This was my first missions trip, and it really surprised me how much of an impact it made. Our spaghetti lunch gave me the opportunity to really get to know people. I talked to a man named Tony and his wife. He told me that since things have changed he rarely went to church, but once I got him on the topic of Christ, it was amazing how he never left it, and knew so much about the bible. As I talked to him some more, Hailey, Sydney, and Anna came over and talked as well. What really touched my heart, is that Tony's wife called the four of us their blessings. Also, it was great to see how grateful the homeless were with so little that we could give. During this trip, I became more open and shared a lot about Christ. I couldn't be prouder to be with our group, because throughout all the experience and the fun we had, I can't wait to come next year!
-Lauren Nunez

Pueblo Youth Missions Trip July 8 & 9

Hey this is Sydney and Anna here :) 

So yesterday, July 8, our youth group ran the service at the church we have been helping and sleeping at.  It was a very "saucy" service that the community was very thankful for.  We talked about making your relationship with God personal and the power of prayer while using beach balls.  After the service, the church gave us a pot luck where we deepened our relationships with many of the community members.  It was a fun time and a perfect way to say goodbye.  Later in the day, we went to Bishops Castle that was man made by Jim Bishop himself in 1969.  Then we explored Lake Isabel and its beautiful scenery.  To finish the night we just hung out at the church and bonded.  Today, July 9, consisted of white water rafting down the Arkansas River. It was very hot, wet, long, and FUNNY!  CJ fell into the rapids and Joey just flopped on the side of the boat.  I don't think we have ever laughed so hard.  Tonight we are all going to bed early because we are all SUPER sun burnt and tired.  We can't wait to see all of you tomorrow as we finish our long journey home and we hope to see you all when we talk in church July 22.  We hope we have made as much of an impact on Pueblo as they have on us.  

Love,

Anna and Sydney :)

Mission Trip to Pueblo 2012

After we woke up we scattered into groups throughout the neighborhood and surrounding homeless shelters and finished promoting our spaghetti feed and afternoon movie. Then the fun began which consisted of preparing the meat and making the spaghetti and arranging the seating. I am proud to say that my friend Mitchell Johnson talked with every person that walked in the door that day. We all got the chance to sit down and visit with everyone that came and get to know their story. It was a very tiring day but it was a fun learning experience for all. 

Bowen Schoen, Mitchell Johnson