American Bible Challenge

 

 

 

The Game Show Network has a wholesome family show titled the Great American Bible Challenge, hosted by the well-known Bible scholar, Jeff Foxworthy.  When the show came out last year, we received emails from quite a few friends saying we needed to tryout for the show.  At that time the kids were at Camp Blue Haven.  Today was the casting call in Dallas for Season Two.  

 

Caleb, Jon and I went to tryout.  It was just the best experience, so pleasant.  Really a nice group of people.  Some in costume to compete as the 'Bible Buckaneers' or 'Higher Hair'.  There were lots of matching t-shirts, catchy team cheers.  Of course, silly me, I thought you go, you take the test and if you score high you make the show.  That is not exactly how it works.

 

The test was probably four or five pages of questions, ranging from the simplicity of  write the books of the Bible in order to 'who is the Christian on the Simpson's TV show?'  Following the test there was an interview process and a film screen test.  We were one of the last teams into the interview, they told us we had the highest scores they had seen all day, and that Caleb had the highest score. 

 

It was a really, really, enjoyable experience!  We met other home school families, teams from other churches of Christ.  My advice to anyone who actually wanted to be on the TV show would be to take your own prerecorded audition tape, telling who you are, info about your charity etc.  Make it snazzy and make sure you have a memorable hook.  When you go to tryout, remember it is a TV show, it is for entertainment, come prepared to entertain.  The test is the easiest part.  You can visit the American Bible Challenge Facebook for sample tests and get an idea of what it is like. 

You study the Scriptures diligently
because you think that in them you have eternal life.
These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

John 5:39

Teen Classical Book Club

If your children are home schooled, or have grown up embracing the value of great books then you are probably familiar with Lew Wallace's Ben Hur.  This was the selection for PEACH's Teen Classical Book Club.  For those of you only familiar with the 1959 movie, starring Charlton Heston, suffice it to say, the book is even longer! 

For back ground sake, Caleb has loved this movie since he was about four years old.  At some point he became fascinated with Roman history and he has an operating data bank of all things Roman.  He has a book entitled The Roman Handbook that we purchased at the Dallas Museum of Art's Vesuvius exhibit  that he could probably recite at this point.  In fact in his room a Lego Roman Coliseum still sits.   If you were to need clarification on Roman vs. Greek gods, names, powers, legends etc., please feel free to start up a conversation with my child!

For book club we read all 577 pages.  Yes, we read, not listened to the audio version, not just watched the DVD, we read!  Keep in mind that is 577 pages written in the 'King James Version' vocabulary!   Caleb did make sure when we finished reading that we watched the 6 hour 1959 movie and the following day watched the 90 minute cartoon version.  Please do not tell him their was also a silent film version of the book.   I think what he truly enjoys is Charlton Heston's voice.  He loves the 10 Commandments too and anything else that Mr. Heston has done.  Caleb does a pretty good impersonation of Charlton Heston's Moses, and probably an even better impersonation of Yul Brenner's Pharaoh!  

At book club the children discuss the book and make comparisons to current popular literature, etc.  But if the truth were told, what really brings these kids together is the pizza and games afterwards.  For club this month Abigail and I made a spice cake with dates and figs in the shape of the Coliseum.  Ms. Kathy had several great races for the kids including placing penne noodles in a bowl, using a spaghetti noodle held in their lips.  They also raced to get vanilla wafers in their mouth, that were positioned on their forehead using only their facial muscles! 

 

The kids had great fun with the games, as a parent I saw lessons that were so applicable to the book.  There were teens who  followed the rules with every game and those who did not, rather choosing to 'bend' the rules to ensure victory.  2000 years later from the setting of the book there is still nothing new under the sun. Human nature strives for recognition and the praise of men, but true reward only comes when we humble ourselves and submit to authority. 

The chariot race is the big attention grabber scene in the movie, but the book really focuses on a man living during the time of the Messiah and the change that takes place in his life because of the  interactions with the Messiah.  It is a great read, and Lew Wallace was a former Union General and brought great insight to the civil unrest of the Jews and the Romans. 

(Click HERE to re-visit our theater trip to see Ben Hur in HD)

(Click HERE to view our visit to the DMA's Pompeii Exhibit in 2007)
(Click HERE to see Mount Vesuvius Caleb and Abigail built in 2007)

I know, my God,
that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity.
All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent.

I Chronicles 29:17

PEACH Recital

Each year our home school group, PEACH, holds our annual Recital, it is a great venue for kids to display their various talents and an even better time to hang out with friends!  The evening includes a youth dessert bake off.  This year we had 17 entries in the dessert competition.  Since my kiddos did not participate in the baking portion I was invited to assist with the judging portion.  That is code for sample all 17 desserts!   Yum, there we no losers, that's for sure!

 

There was also an art competition, separated by age groups.  So many talented children!  I really enjoy seeing the kids creativity.  Abigail did enter the art competition, I'm not sure how many pieces of art were entered, but their were a lot of great pieces!

 

Entertainment for the evening included the recital portion, there was everything from musical selections, poetry recitations, solos, interps, and I'm sure I am forgetting some.  We had more contestants this year than any previous year, and I'm happy to say, the quality of the performances was also improved!

 

Caleb chose to perform a piece he did for his speakers club and Abigail performed one of her newest piano pieces. 

 

for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD

Exodus 12:14

Head on a Platter

This week in Bible Bowl we reviewed chapters 1-8.  With us being on the heels of Halloween, I kept with the John the Baptist, head on a platter theme.  Our snack was donuts with teeth inserted, fruit roll ups for tounges and 'X' eyes mad out of icing. 

I challeneged the kids to memorize the chapter headings for chapters 1-4.  As a reward as they  came up and said their headings, I gave them goodie bags with Mattew 6:9-12 on the tags.  The bags were filled with gold and silver coins (bubble gum) and gold bar nuggets (chocolate)! 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:19-21

Mother/Son Luncheon at Bass Pro



  

Awesome Day!

What a fun day!  Today was our annual Mother/Son Luncheon at Bass Pro with friends from PEACH, our home schooling group.  We joined about 40 others for a great time of worship, fellowship and encouragement.  This years theme was taken from Joshua 1:9, myself and another mom spoke to encourage the Moms to be courageous in our parenting.  Like last year, Caleb and another young man spoke to the young men.  It really was a booster shot in the arm to step up and be the parents of a Godly generation of young men. 

Public speaking is something that comes a little easier for Caleb, but with speech and debate and Leadership Training for Christ he has definitely had more practice.  As for me, I've had a LOT of practice speaking in front of young people but grown ups can be a intimidating.    But knowing you are in a room filled with people walking the same road makes it much easier.

Our day also included English Country Dancing lessons, way too fun!  The boys were good sports, Caleb called it 'bonnet movie dancing.'  

Lunch for Caleb consisted of Islamorada Portofino, which was blackened tilapia topped with grilled shrimp in a rich, creamy lobster sauce.  I opted for the catfish, both were wonderful.  The best part of the luncheon portion was the amazing turtle cheese cake!  I didn't finish all of my fish, but every bit of the cheese cake was eaten!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Archery Class

My Katniss

My Hawkeye



Our class

 

 

 

Homeschooling affords our family to experience a lot of different things that we couldn't normally do in a traditional 8am 3pm school setting.  Today one of those things was archery lessons.  Both kids loved archery at Camp Blue Haven and today they spent some time with other friends at Texas Archery Academy.  They offer archery 101, 201, & 301 class, plus competitive shooting.  Of course mom likes that they do all these things with like minded, Christian, home schooled children, and I spent the afternoon with like minded, Christian, home schooling moms!  

 

The kids shot from various distances and even played games where everyone had a balloon on their target and were to shoot the balloons off of others targets, the winner was the last person who still had a balloon in tact. 

 

The kids have every intention of going back for more!  I think you get a year family membership for $125 and shoot any time, and use their bows and arrows.  It's a great deal for families!

 

He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
and concealed me in his quiver.

Isaiah 49:2