Leadership Training for Christ - Day 2

Day two of Leadership Training for Christ holds a full days worth of events.  The youth are able to use their developed skills in chorus, song leading, drama, puppets, sing language, speech and many others. 

It was wonderful to see my Bible Bowl kids displaying their skills in so many different talents. Several of our little girls gave speeches and they came to watch as Abigail delivered her speech. 

My older Bible Bowl guys all took part in leading congregational singing and in speech.  They were amazing and have grown and matured in their faith so much this year.  I'm so very proud of each of them! These guys will be prepared to give an answer for their faith and the courage to boldly stand up for what they believe! 

The Lord your God was your king - 1 Samuel 12:12

Leadership Training for Christ - Day 1

Friday night at North Texas Leadership Training for Christ is kicked off with Bible Bowl.  This Bible Bowl is the same material, the book of 1 Samuel as Texas Bible Bowl but on a lot easier level.  

Tonight's test is only 100 questions for 7th - 12th graders and 75 questions for 3rd - 6th graders. McDermott took 80+ 3rd-6th graders to Bible Bowl. On Wednesday night I hung out with our McDermott kids as they prepared for tonight. 

There will be over 6,000 youth participating in Leadership Training for Christ in North Texas and thousands of kids across the U.S. participating this year.  Can you imagine if each of those kids then go out and spread the gospel to just 10 people the impact they would have on the world?! 

He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

LCU Chap Day

Today Caleb had texted that he would be busy between classes today with Chap Day activities. Caleb participates in Lubbock Christian University's Ambassador program promoting the school to potential students. 

Chap Day is a group campus visit which includes a department fair, chapel, campus tour, lunch, and activities for students interested in LCU.  

Later today Abigail saw this post on Instagram. A friend of hers was participating in Chap Day.  Sure enough, right there in the middle on the back row is Caleb! How fun! 

We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Texas Bible Bowl Class 2017-2017

We're getting close to Texas Bible Bowl.  For me, the test concluded close to fourteen months of preparation.  Hour and hours are spent writing the 150+ page Study Guide.  Then there are hours spent formatting and preparing the text that allows my students to distinguish between people, place and other helpful information.  

This year I prepared over 1,000 flash cards to help the kids master the information.  Then there's the chapter heading cards, multiple games, almost 120 pages of lesson plans, 26 page sample test, over 30 practice tests . . . . 

I overheard someone say that the kids scores at competition was a direct reflection of the work each child but into their studies but I would like to think their scores are also a reflection of the work I put into preparing them AND their work. 

Regardless, these guys know so much more than they did about the book of I Samuel when we started class six months ago.  They have clear understanding that God was suppose to be Israel's king and when you look to any one or any thing to take God's place it won't go well! 

I'm so proud of all their work!  Now if you'll excuse me I'm already working on the Study Guide for the book of John for next year. 

Commit your work to the Lord,

    and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

HSAA vs. Lebanon Trail

This afternoon the HSAA Angels faced the Lebanon Trail Blazers. Lebanon Trail is the newest high school in Frisco, Texas.  It has a student body of 925+ in grades 9-11.  It is one of nine high schools in the city of Frisco! 

It's ball field facilities are the nicest we've played at to date!  It's a crazy contrast to our home school team! 

Our catcher girl had a good game both at and behind the plate.  Abigail had two plate appearances with two hits and one RBI. Not only that but the stands were filled with her fan club! Gracie and Katrina came to watch the girl do her thing. Also Ms. Julie brought Rebekah, Naomi and Rachel to watch Abigail play. This is the closest field to home that we play on all season. 

 In the end the Angels lost to the Trail Blazers. But it was a really good game! 

And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed. Acts 16:40

Lyndon Johnson's Great Society

Today was a field trip day, which has always been the best part of homeschooling.  Sissy and I met up with Bailey's and other PEACH friends at the Wyly Theatre.

Last year the Dallas Theater Center put on a production of All the Way.  Today's The Great Society continues the story of Lyndon B. Johnson’s turbulent presidency.  

The play depicts the president's fight a “war on poverty” at home and his war in Vietnam begins to spiral out of control. The cast includes Johnson's political enemies as he fought to pass civil rights legislation and social programs.  It's filled with a cast of legendary characters—from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bobby Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

The play is a fascinating piece of history that over glamorizes Johnson's presidency and boast his socialist policies.  It goes to great effort to make Johnson appear almost noble.  The play, which was billed as a student performance was laced with volumes of unnecessary profanity.  

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, 

purified seven times.  Psalms 12:6

HSAA vs. Dallas Christian

Today the HSAA Angels were playing at Dallas Christian Academy. The history with Dallas Christian hasn't been the best over the years.  They have a history of poor sportsmanship, so there is always a bit of trepidation at facing them. HSAA Angels Varsity got things started in the first inning. An error scored one run for HSAA Angels Varsity.  But by the bottom of the first inning, Dallas Christian tied things up.

But by the second inning the Angels began to pull away with two additional runs.  Abigail had four plate appearances with 2 hits, 1 run and 2 RBIs.  The final score was an Angel's 20-6 victory over Dallas Christian! 

the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies,
to give you the victory.  Deuteronomy 20:4

A Formula for Kindness

Today we got to deliver gifts to the pantry.  We have a sweet friend at church who is a pediatrician.  Every few months she give us a generous donation of  baby formula for the pantry.  And by generous I mean an entire cart full of  canisters of formula.  

Many of the guest to the pantry are set up with the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program which assists with formula and baby product. But some of our guest aren't set up with WIC yet and this formula is a huge expense to strained budgets.  

We are blessed that people can look at their areas of excess and find a way to bless others! 

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21

Boldly Go!

As we're getting closer to Texas Bible Bowl, I've brought in a few special guests into the class to encourage our kids. Today Barrett, our High School Youth Minister came in to encourage the kids in their studies.  Barrett wasn't able to make it to our Game Night so he popped in today to tell the kids how proud he is of their studies. 

Caleb also was home for Spring Break so he led our review games today.  The kids are always excited to see him, it makes my mom heart happy! 

. . .he preached boldly in the name of Jesus  Acts 9:27

HSAA Angels Varsity Beats Bowie 5-3

Today the HSAA Angels Varsity took home a 5-3 victory over Bowie High School in tournament play at Fort Worth Christian. 

Abigail had three plate appearances with one hit and a run batted in. 

The funniest thing was because today was St. Patrick's Day Abigail had brought shamrock stickers for the players to wear for the game.  But before the game began Abigail was joking with the refs that since they were in all blue they might get pinched.  She then proceeded to put shamrock stickers on the refs cheeks!  

So funny!  The Bowie coach joked that she was unfairly biasing the refs because she had protected them from getting pinched! That girl has a knack to pick up a conversation with anyone!  She definitely never met a stranger. 

The people showed us unusual kindness,
for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all. . . Acts 28:2