National Bible Bowl Practice

For the kids competing in the National Bible Bowl competition, this week I made up some board games to make class a little more fun! One game was like 'Clue' where they had to guess who did it, you know, 'it was the Dragon, with sword in Pergamum!' :) The other game was similar to Life. If you landed on a square with something that the seven churches of Asia were doing correctly you got to move forward. But, if you landed on something like 'Lukewarm' that Laodecia was admonished for, you moved backwards! :) Silliness I know, but I love that these kids put so much into learning scripture and that they enjoy my quirky Bible humor. They are such an awesome group of kids!

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The picture of Richard, Caleb & Blake was taken during drama practice today. These are the three musketeers. I really loved this candid shot of them just being them! They are the best of friends and I just love the camaraderie when they are together. They are very different personalities, but they bring out the very best in each other!

Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training.
They do it to get a crown that will not last,
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
I Corinthians 9:25

Nerf-A-Ganza

The award for most awesome mom goes to my friend, Ms. Tami! She invited a dozens boys with an arsenal of Nerf guns to her home for a battle. The boys went to a nearby park, suited up in teams and battled to be the last man standing! Caleb took his Strikeforce Nerf gun and thee magazines of bullets to the battle! The boys had a blast! Caleb came home exhausted but said it was the, 'best day ever!' Way to go Ms. Tami, brilliant idea!

Israel cut them down,
leaving them neither survivors nor fugitives.
Joshua 8:22

Shoes for Orphan Souls

Today we were able to visit Shoes for Orphan Souls in Mesquite. Shoes for Orphan Souls is part of Buckner International and has been helping children for over 100 years. They collect new shoes, via volunteers, then the shoes are delivered (via shipping containers) through Buckner staff working overseas. They partner with over 100 humanitarian relief organizations to deliver shoes to orphanages and children in need throughout the world. They have sent shoes to 68 countries! Since 1999 they have delivered over 200 million shoes! Not only do the shoes protect these precious feet from disease and injury, but in some countries if the children cannot afford shoes and close they are not permitted to attend school. The greatest part of this work is that many of these children live in orphanages and this pair of shoes may be the only thing that belongs to them. Every pair of shoes is packed with a love note stuffed in the toe! One day I would love to meet the container and see those sweet faces!

“The King will reply,
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did
for one of the least of these,
you did for me.'

Matthew 25:40

Museum of Nature and Science Archaeology Program

The Museum of Nature and Science hosted a Home School Archaeology Program today. The focus of the class was Ancient Technologies and Engineering. Youth were allowed to touch artifacts to gain an understanding of technologies and the progression of engineering innovations. An archaeologist from the museum helped the explore ancient marvels including the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Egyptian Pyramids. Following the class we checked out the museums latest exhibit, 'Midway Math.'

I applied my mind to study and to explore
by wisdom all that is done under the heavens.
What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!
Ecclesiastes 1:13

Romeo, Gnomeo, Where for Art Thou

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,We began today with a trip to the Dallas Winspear Opera House for their production of Romeo and Juliet. It was presented in five acts, in French with English subtitles. This was their 2010-2011 Educational series. Composer Charles-Francois Gounod wrote this opera in 1859, and today it was performed with outstanding orchestra. Because it was part of the educational series, during one interlude they brought the curtains and house lights up so the youth could watch behind the scenes as they made set changes. The opera house was a packed house filled with students from all around the metroplex.

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Following the opera, we headed to Cinemark for the new movie Gnomeo & Juliet. It is a spin on Shakespeare's Capulet & Montague feud only they are garden gnomes. The Capulets are the red hatted gnomes and the Montagues are the blue hatted gnomes. It was a cute movie and much only about half as long as the three hour opera! Fortunately the garden gnomes learned to put their grievance aside for the betterment of the neighborhood!

“‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against

anyone among your people, but love your
neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Leviticus 19:18

Toastmasters

Yes, I did snap a picture of Caleb giving his Intro and 1st Point at Toastmasters, but at least I didn't use the flash! He is currently working on a 4-6 minute speech on Leadership, that he will present next Tuesday. Tonight they worked on body posturing and capturing the audiences attention. He's just so cute, er uh. . ., such a handsome young man!

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To these young men God gave knowledge
and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.
Daniel 1:17

Valentine's Day 2011

Once a month our homeschool families from church get together. Sometimes we get together for educational purposes, sometimes games and silliness. These are the families we laugh and cry with. They are the people who know us best. We've shared eachothers homes, meals, joys and saddness.

This month we got together for Valentine's Day. The kids exchanged cards and candy. Some made crafts while others played card games, and still other swung from trees. Above are the cards Caleb and Abigail made for the party and a couple of the crafts they brought home.

And our hope for you is firm,
because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,
so also you share in our comfort.
II Corinthians 1:7

Girl Time

Abigail spent much of the day with other homeschool friends at Ashley's house. They made sugar cookies, rolled out the dough and cut out the heart shapes. Once the cookies were baked the girls iced and decorated their cookies. They also made heart squiggly characters, book marks and designed their own bags. Ms. Tami said she was amazed at how much pizza they ate! Abigail had a wonderful 'girl' time!

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter
and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8:21

Teen Game Night

Caleb and his homeschooled friends from Toastmasters and Drama got together tonight for a game night. The kids ate goofed off, made lots of noise and had alot of fun! It is a brave mom that lets this many kids in her home!

. . .and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

II Corinthians 12:19

What's in the Bible?!

What’s in the Bible? is a new DVD series from VeggieTales creator Phil Vischer designed to walk kids and families through the entire Bible.

The DVDs are well done and geared toward children, yet answer BIG questions, like how did we get the Bible, and how did man decide what writings to include. Great information, which many adults could not answer.

Today What’s In The Bible published one of my craft projects on their website and Facebook page, check it out!

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One of my favorite characters in the What's in the Bible DVDs is their Sunday School Lady. Her catch phrase is, 'Never mess with a Sunday School Lady!' My Bible Bowl kids amended her appearance to look more like me and with the 4 horsemen that we are currently studying in Revelation!

whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

I Corinthians 10:31