VBS Geek of the Week: Patty O'Shea

1. What is your role in VBS? This year I am the VBS Director. I have been involved in VBS in some way since 1996. With the exception of 2002, I have used a week of vacation from my day-job to be at VBS since 1997.
1996: Registration/Attendance (went to work in the afternoon)
1997: Registration/Attendance & Newsletter
1998-2001: Director, Hazelwood Baptist Church
2002: Taught Director Workshops for Baltimore Baptist Association
2003-2008: Director, Hazelwood Baptist Church
2009: Offering counter/”Go-Fer” (moved membership in Jan 2009)
2010: Assistant to Director, White Marsh Baptist Church
2011-Present: Director, White Marsh Baptist Church
2. What was your “geekiest” moment? Geekiest moment would have to be when I did an announcement in church for VBS 2000, Ocean Odyssey. I wore a scuba diving suit, flippers, and mask to advertise an association meeting that was going to be held at our church. My husband had to help me navigate the two steps from the floor to the platform because the flippers were hard to walk in. My tag line that year was “It’s going to be deep—really deep!” I have been able to pull together some sort of costume (sometimes more than one!) for just about every theme so far.
3. What has been your favorite VBS theme? It’s really hard to pick a favorite VBS theme since I have enjoyed stirring up excitement for so many of them. One of my favorites was VBS 2004, Rickshaw Rally because I dressed up in a black wig, kimono, obi, socks, and wooden sandals for my announcements. I was unrecognizable by most of the congregation. Also that year we teamed up with a couple of other churches to make large decorations (a rickshaw and a bridge) plus we were able to borrow a gong from the local school system. I particularly enjoyed Jeff Slaughter’s music over the years and I’m really glad that I had a number of opportunities to meet him at Ridgecrest and at our state convention VBS workshop.
4. You might be a VBS geek if . . .
 The people working at the local Lifeway recognize you.
Your living room looks like VBS Central.
Church members know that emails or calls from you are going to be about VBS.
You love spending a couple of days in January at Ridgecrest.
Your T-shirt drawer is mostly official VBS T-shirts or VBS theme-related T-Shirts.
Your husband has learned that you love to get VBS theme-related gifts for Christmas.
A child sees you coming down the street and yells, “It’s the VBS Lady!”
5. What makes you keep doing VBS? God keeps me doing VBS. I have learned over the years that He has gifted me to lead this particular ministry. He has taught me flexibility, spontaneity, and to depend wholly on Him. He brings me someone to give me a hug and pray for me when the evil one attempts to steal my joy or I begin to stress about some of the details. If I was “independently wealthy”, I would be a “professional” VBS-er!