Look Up to Jesus!

Today's memory verse is Psalm 56:3, which says, "When I am afraid I will trust in You."

In the weeks and days leading up to VBS I was a little nervous.  I knew there would be lots of kids coming through our doors, lots of adults and youth ready to help, and I knew we had the supplies, but what if someone didn't show up?  What if I forgot something?  What if more kids showed up than what we were ready for?  (Okay, that would actually be a great problem to have!)  But when Monday rolled around, most of the volunteers showed up, the couple supplies I forgot to put away didn't matter, and more kids arrived--but we were ready for them!

Whenever I am afraid, Lord, I will remember to trust You!  God works in and through all situations, and I am grateful to say that VBS is running rather smoothly thus far.  But more than that, I've gotten to spend some time with some of these kids, see their faces light up, hear them answer questions I didn't know they could, understand stories from the Bible in new ways, and see the sparks between them and their classmates and leaders.

Theme Center: examining grains of sand.

Big D's Diner: enjoying Look Up treats!

Preschoolers playing Duck-Duck-Grey Duck.

God is doing his thing, and I couldn't feel more blessed to be with these people this week.  Thanks be to God, and thanks be to all of the children, families, and helpers this week!


In His Peace,
Ashley

VBS in 3, 2, 1,... GO!

'Tis the night before VBS, and all through the building,
it looks like a beach, where children will be stirring!

(Okay, sorry, overly cheesy,...)  Well St. Olaf is decorated and ready for the 82+ children and 30+ volunteers to flood in tomorrow morning! We have so many activities planned, and through the course of each 3 hour day, God will be planting so many seeds in the hearts of children, youth, AND even adults! This will be an amazingly blessed week, and I invite all congregation members to stop in between the hours of 9 and noon to see what's going on!

For those that will be joining us, one way you can join in the fun is by participating in COLOR DAYS! Each day of the week, we're encouraging the children, volunteers, staff, and innocent bystanders to wear a certain color:

Tuesday-BLUE

Wednesday-GREEN

Thursday-RED

Friday-ORANGE/YELLOW

And finally, just in case you missed it this morning, check out the sanctuary!

Thank you to all of those that are supporting this week--financial donors, volunteers, pray-ers, and shoppers! It wouldn't be happening without you!!

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
-John 14:6

God's Peace,
Ashley

Sun, Water, and Waves!

This past weekend we loaded up the church van and spent a couple days in Wisconsin Dells with six of our 9th grade students.  It was a fun weekend of water slides, roller coasters, go karts, fellowship, food, and some worship.  We stayed at a beautiful little church right in the Dells,... thank you Bethany Lutheran for your hospitality!

We did get into some discussion Saturday evening about baptism, and what it means for them to be confirmed in the fall.  Some of us had memories of our baptisms, and there were some good questions asked by the youth.  Here are some more questions to ponder at home (for all ages!):

When were you and/or your kids baptized?

Do you ever talk at home about what that promise is?

Do you know what it really means to be confirmed?

Thanks for a fun weekend, and I look forward to more great discussion in the fall!

God's Peace,
Ashley

Greetings!

Greetings from the St. Olaf office of Ashley Corbett!  I've started a blog now to keep everyone up to date on the happenings here with St. Olaf families.  To kick things off, I want to share a little bit about the baccalaureate community worship I had the pleasure of attending last night.

The theme of the evening, as selected by student leaders, was "Make a Joyful Noise," and boy did they!  There was a student worship band (whom you see in the picture), a choir, and a string ensemble.  The keynote speaker of the evening was Pastor Rob Zahn (from Spirit Alive Church in Kenosha, WI), and we focused on the scripture Mark 4:35-41, which is when Jesus calms the storm.  He reminded us that Jesus never promised to calm the storm, but he did promise to calm us.  So hold on tight for the ride of your life when you're on that boat and the waves are crashing over the edge, and all you want to do is is make it stop, because God is protecting you.

Congratulations class of 2012, may you continue to seek God's call in your life!

 God's Peace,
Ashley