A Day of Rest

There are times like last night when the busy-ness of life calls for a late Saturday night out before the Lord's Day. It could be ball games, date night or like last night homecoming. The 'rule' in our house if the event is wholesome and appropriate, then a late night is approved as long as the following Sunday morning is pleasant.  That the kiddo or parent who stayed out doesn't allow a lack of sleep to create a grumpy Sunday morning.  

Sunday morning is the very best day of the week.  It is the day we come together to celebrate what Christ did for us and to praise Him.  You can't do that grumpy! 

This morning I'm thankful that the kids have grown up with that understanding!  Here is our Sunday:  8:30am-9:45 Abigail and I worked in the nursery while Frankie and Jon went to services.  10:00-10:45 Bible Class for all.  11:00-12:30 Teach Bible Bowl.  12:30-2:30 Life Group.  3:00-5:30 Softball practice for Abigail! That's a long day, especially for a young lady who was out past midnight! It was even a long day for this mom who stayed up waiting on the young lady to come home! 

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:22

North Texas Homeschool Homecoming Dance

Tonight was the 11th annual North Texas Homeschool Homecoming!  The kids have been looking forward to it for months! The Gungans came down and brought Ms. Hannah with them.  Little Ms. Abigail was thrilled to be with her buddies.  They met up with Gracie, Gabe, Molly and Crissy at Olive Garden for dinner and then headed off together for an evening of fun. 

The North Texas Homeschool Homecoming Dance is open to homeschoolers in the Dallas and Fort Worth area.  It is a fun, safe evening for all.  The event has a huge partnership with the homeschooling families.  Their are parents who have pre-screened the music played by the DJs.    

The event also hosts other dance alternative options for the evening like game tables with chess, card games, board games, etc. There was catered food and refreshments, a photo booth, a fantastic light show and more! 

Of course being an event organized by homeschooling moms there was a dress code for the guys and girls. One of the funniest rules was 'no kilts for the guys!' Only at a homeschool event would that need to be written! 

Abigail and her friends had a great time. Abigail said her cheeks hurt from laughing so much.  I'm so thankful for her sweet circle of friends! 

I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:7

HSAA Homecoming Football Game

Our family had a wonderful evening at the homecoming football game tonight. What?  Yes, we home school. Yes, homeschoolers have homecoming. Living in the Plano/Dallas area has its advantages! Tonight was the Home School Athletic Association’s (HSAA) homecoming football game. 

At half time HSAA honored all of their team sports including Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Golf, Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Track & Field, Water Polo, Cheerleading and Softball.  HSAA also put together a beautiful color printed program for the evening with photos and game schedules for each of the sports.   

Abigail organized the PEACH Jr. Sr. Club event for this month to be attending tonight's game.  At half time she joined her team mates on the field for recognition.  

After the game the softball players headed over to Wendy's. It's great that they are are old enough to drive them selves and hang out together outside of the ball field! I love the discipline, integrity, and responsibility that team sports adds to the character of the girls.  It has become so rare these days! 

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, others may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of His return.  1 Peter 2:12

Serving and Thriving

The first Friday of the month means it's time for our church family to serve our neighbors in McKinney through the Thrive ministry.  We met up at the church of Christ on Avenue F congregation to bag up grocery bags of fruits and vegetables for the residence in McKinney.  

We had the biggest group of volunteers ever today, including seven of my Bible Bowl kids! It was fantastic!  When we set up at Fitzhugh Park in McKinney the kids helped greet families and pass out healthy foods! When we finished up two hours later and handed out 200 bags of produce!  

He raises up the poor from the dust;

    he lifts the needy from the ash heap

to make them sit with princes

    and inherit a seat of honor.

1 Samuel 2:8

C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert

Tonight Jon and I had the opportunity for the all too rare date night! Abigail didn’t have any softball this evening so she was able to hang out with Frankie and not interrupt her routine. 

Over the last several years we’ve been able to see some of Max McLean’s one man plays like Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce, both based on the books written by C.S. Lewis.  McLean is a very gifted actor with an amazing talent for acting.  

We have been looking forward to tonight’s performance since we learned about it a year ago.  The play ran on Broadway for fifteen weeks, which is amazing given it’s Christian theme. 

C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert is a one-man play about an influential, world-class thinker.  C.S. Lewis (1898–1963), the British author and scholar  best known for his Chronicles of Narnia and revered for his religious writings. Lewis  was a man given as much to rationality and intellectual rigor as he was enchanted by myths and the imagination, he was converted in his thirties from a secular worldview to a deeply personal belief in the incarnated God of Christianity. Max McLean, portrays Lewis and wrote this script from a host of texts written by Lewis.  

For our Tulsa family, be on the watch for McLean’s plays coming to your area.  He should be performing Martin Luthur on Trial in your area in November!  It is the trial for the soul of Martin Luther, and the prosecutor…is the Devil. Luther’s beloved wife Katarina defends him as witnesses including Adolf Hitler, Sigmund Freud, Rabbi Josel, St. Paul, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pope Francis take the stand!  

When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.  Acts 13:43

Homestyle Pickled Jalapenos

Living in Texas you quickly learn that there are some things that grow very well, like peppers!  We have four jalapeno plants that continue to produce beautiful peppers. Time to get out the canning jars! 

Homestyle Picked Jalapenos
3 1/2 lb. jalapeño peppers, washed and sliced
1 cup sliced white onion
2 large sliced carrots
2 1/2 cups white vinegar (5% acidity)
2 1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp Morton Canning and Pickling Salt
1 Tbsp. sugar
garlic cloves, crushed (1 per pint jar)
Ball Pickle Crisp Granules (1/4 tsp per pint jar)
6 peppercorns (per pint jar)

1. Use gloves to slice peppers.  To a stainless steel pan add jalpenos, onions and carrots.  Add to that vinegar, water, salt and sugar bring to a boil.

2. Place 1 crushed garlic clove, peppercorns and Pickle Crisp in a hot sterilized  Ball Pint Jars, and pack jar tightly with vegetable mixture, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Ladle hot pickling liquid over vegetables, leaving 1⁄2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band, and adjust to fingertip-tight. Place jar in boiling- water canner. 

3.  Process jars 10 minutes. 

Let them set for at least two weeks before serving on nachos, barbecue or whatever needs a little extra kick!  

"The traders of Sheba and Raamah, they traded with you; they paid for your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, and with all kinds of precious stones and gold. Ezekiel 27:22

Sassy Sonic Smiles

Today we celebrate little Miss Emma on what would have been her 7th birthday today.  We passed out Sonic gift cards to people who serve and love kiddos - school crossing guards. We know how Miss Sassypants loved her Sonic and her memory continues to bring warm smiles! After wards we stopped by Sonic to share a few tater tots with Padme’ another favorite thing to do for Emma and her dog Max! We love the Stewart family and miss that lil' Miss Sassypants! 

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it;

    the light of my face was precious to them.  Job 29:24

HSAA Softball

The Home School Athletic Association, HSAA had another double header tonight.  The first game was against Garland High School.  Abigail hit a hard ball past the center fielder or a triple.  She also had two RBI's.  HSAA for the win 7 to 5! 

Their second game was against J. J. Pearce High School in Richardson.  Abigail was hit by a pitch at one at bat and scored on a wild pitch to home.  The HSAA Angels beat the Pearce Mustangs 9-0!  

Abigail had a great game, I was worried about her being tired because she ran four miles in the morning; then worked four hours at the church preschool; next she did her school work and then the two double headers! 

Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

Proverbs 19:15

Happy Birthday, Friend

What a fun evening it combined some of our favorite things!  I mean who doesn't like tacos, cake, and sweet friendship?! 

We joined the Baileys in a surprise 50th birthday party for Robin.  Gracie orchestrated the entire event and did a fantastic job.  The room was filled with sweet friends from church and homeschooling. 

It was a great day to celebrate a dear friend! 

In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect,

 not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.  1 Timothy 3:11

Studying First Samuel

It that time of the year, you know the most wonderful time of the year, Bible Bowl! This year we are studying the book of first Samuel which covers the life of Samuel and the two kings he anointed Saul and David. 

I have been working for months on a study guide, highlighted Bibles, lesson plans, practice tests, and re-enforcement games in preparations for the next six months of classes.  

My study guide is uploaded on the Texas Bible Bowl website to aid other teachers in preparing for competition.  There is also a download of the highlighted Bible and practice test will be available online soon. 

This year I have thirty-three kids and Jon is teaching a class with seven adults!  How exciting is that! It's going to be a great year! 

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.

1 Samuel 2:26