Texas Bible Bowl 2015: Luke

The final event for the weekend is Sunday services together.  My favorite part is the singing of all these young people.  Because the weekend is structured with games and fun that allow the kids to get to know each other there isn't a competitive spirit.  The kids have the opportunity to get to know young people from other congregations and form friendships that by Sunday morning lend to a desire to be together.  The singing Sunday reflects the friendships, with beautiful harmony.

Before we left Marble Falls I snapped a few pictures of the kids with Texas Blue Bonnets.  The fields in Marble Falls this time of year are so pretty.

the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;  it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.  Isaiah 35:1-2

Texas Bible Bowl 2015

Grandparents here is the post you have been waiting for . . . Today was test day at Texas Bible Bowl!  The kids started off with a good breakfast and then to the test. The test begins with the Power Round for the 7th through 12th graders.  The Power Round is 50 incredibly challenging questions, these Power Round points count towards their individual scores but not the team scores. 

 

The kids then proceed to take five more rounds of forty questions each.  The rounds consists of "Verse Find," "Fact Finder," "Identification," "Know the Chapter - Quotations" and "Know the Chapter - Headings and Events." 

 

We took fourteen 3rd - 6th graders with Matthew coming in 10th place, and Joey and his sister Deanna coming in 9th place.  Our other Elementary kids did very well unfortunately they only give awards for the top ten spots.

 

In the Junior High In-Experienced Division we took two youth and both of them, Tyler and Alex came in 6th and 4th place respectively.  In the Team competition for this division the boy came in 2nd Place.

 

In the Junior High Experienced (7th-9th Grade) we took two competitors, Roy and Abigail.  Individually Roy came in 3rd Place and Abigail took 1st place.   Because we had to bump Abigail up to the older kids division, Roy had to be combined with another team for team competition.  With an incomplete team of only two players, Roy's team still came in 4th Place!

 

In the Sr. High Experience (10th-12th Grade) Division we took three competitors, Caleb, Richard and Ryan.  Richard took 5th Place, Ryan took 4th Place and Caleb took 1st.  In the Sr. High Team competition Richard, Ryan, Caleb and Abigail finished in 1st Place. 

 

Frankie and Ms. Stacy also took the test and competed in the Adult Division.  My rock star girl wanted to compete with her brother for his last year and she did amazing! She had a great time in class with the group of kids and already can't wait to do it again! 

 

The last division for Texas Bible Bowl is the Overall Top Scorer and that award went to Caleb again this year with 234 correct answers out of 250 questions!   One very proud mom and very proud coach!  Bring on Joshua, Judges & Ruth in 2016!  

 

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,
    and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

Texas Bible Bowl 2015

Tonight was our first night of Texas Bible Bowl held in Marble Falls, Texas.  For the grandparents, Marble Falls is about four hours south of us.  Texas Bible Bowl is held at Camp of the Hills, a typical summer camp resort with cabins, dining hall, a lake for fishing and canoeing. 

 

On Friday night all of the families and congregations arrive get settled into the cabins and the games begin.  Everything Friday is meant to diffuse the tension of the following day.  It helps stimulate an atmosphere that the kids are in it together and not competing against each other.  

 

The congregations are mixed together and form teams with new friends and play games to get to know each other.  Our first task was to name our team, the instructions clearly said to pick a name from the book of Luke, the little boys on my team named our team, 'The Brood of Vipers.'    Needless to say we didn't perform well against the Apostles!   Fun times, now to bed and off to the test tomorrow!

He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers!
Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Luke 3:7

One Week Until Texas Bible Bowl

This was our last class session before we head to Marble Falls, Texas for Bible Bowl.  I gave the kids a 65 question practice test, which they rocked! 

 

After snacks we played our last game of 'Ha!'  Ha is a footnote in Luke that means, 'leave us alone'.  I split their teams into people who were normally 'left alone,' like the 'Possessed,' 'Deceased,' 'Lepers,' and 'Lame.'  Those were the team names.  The Lame won!

 

I've had so much fun with the kids and I'm excited to spend next weekend with them!  Trophies and ribbons aside, everyone of them are awesome winners for dedicating six months to studying Luke!

“Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” 
Luke 4:34

Sixth Floor Museum's CSI Family Day

Today was the Sixth Floor Museums 9^th annual CSI Family Day.  It is visitors opportunity to examine a crime scene, gather and study evidence like fingerprints and eyewitness testimony, and crack the case.

Caleb and other members of the Youth Advisory Committee assisted aspiring crime scene investigators in examining a mock crime scene, complete with police report, and perform forensic analysis at evidence stations.

The program is a partnership with the Dallas Police Department, the University of North Texas Forensic Science Program, and UNT’s Forensic Science Club. The Forensic Science Club's mission is to enable students in the UNT Forensic Science Certification Program to learn about the forensic science field, establish a presence in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), and several other really smart people!

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night.
Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel 2:19

Two Weeks and Counting

Just two more weeks until Texas Bible Bowl!   Six months, twenty-four chapters, 22 kiddos and thirteen days until the test!   This is the biggest group we've ever taken to National/Texas Bible Bowl!   Some of the kids take this very seriously and some are just in it for the snacks, either way I'm thrilled to hang out with them for an hour and a half each Sunday. 

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
III John 4

Prom Dance Rehearsal

The Texas Christian Homeschool Prom is a special event for home schooled high-school students in North Texas. Each spring, over 1,500 students attend from Texas and surrounding states.

 

With an all-volunteer staff of home school parents, it's not surprising that the Prom is also educational. Students attend at least one Dance Rehearsal where they are presented with information about dance etiquette, formal attire, and interesting facts based on the prom's theme. There theme this year the Chronicles taken from the writings of C.S. Lewis.

 

Caleb and about ten of the Jr. & Sr.'s from our homeschool group, PEACH, have  a table reserved for the evening and I'm looking forward to the fun pictures of the evening.  I'm really grateful for the mom who took photos at the rehearsal!

 

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18:24

Dallas Opera - La Boheme

Tonight the girls attended Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme.   Set in 19th-century Paris, the tale of loves won, lost and won again, only to be shattered by tragedy, is a beloved classic.

 

The period costumes were incredible, especially

Musetta’s over-the-top vermillion-and-golden dress!  With amazing scenery, and the backdrops were everything you go to live theater to see. 

 

Grammy Award® winner, Ana María Martinez, was fabulous as the soprano seamstress Mimi.   I preferred this classic tale to the modern 'Rent' version.  The music is just incredible and with a live symphony orchestra, wow!

 

We took a couple of Abigail's friends was us to the performance for their first opera experience.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the performance and the shear beauty of the Winspear Opera house. 

A man's spirit will endure sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?

Proverbs 18:14

Senior Ski Trip

Caleb and the other Juniors and seniors from the church youth group last Saturday.  They headed to Monarch Mountain,  The first day they arrived the beginners like Caleb took lessons and headed down the bunny slopes.  The next few days they were able to try other trails as they felt comfortable. 

 

Caleb had a great time.  It was one of those things I wasn't sure if he would enjoy or not.  The first night he called in he said it was harder than he thought and his knee was sore.  When I asked why, he responded, 'it was something that happened when my skis went over my head.'  But after a couple of days on the mountain he came around. 

 

He said it may not be the vacation he would plan, but if the opportunity presented itself he wouldn't mind going again.   The kids return in a couple of days and I can't wait to hear his stories.

Glorious are you, more majestic
    than the mountains full of prey.

Psalm 76:4

Three Weeks and Counting

We are three weeks out from Texas Bible Bowl!  The kids are getting really excited about heading to Marble Falls in just a few weeks.  Over half of the kids are first timers to Texas Bible Bowl so I'm looking forward to seeing how they will do.  The first year can be really intimidating but I'm sure they will each do fabulous. 

 

The great thing about Bible Bowl is it is knowledge they can use and apply in their every day lives, for the rest of their lives. That has value beyond any trophy or ribbon!

 

At this point in our preparations we are down to review games to reinforce all the great info they have learned.  I try to alternate games and tests to keep any test taking anxiety at a minimal, hopefully it's working!

 

Frankie is participating in the test this year also as an adult.  It will be a tough job for her, but she's worked really hard and has enjoyed hanging out with the kids!

 

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  II Timothy 2:15

The Incident of 2015 - My Epic Mom Fail

So this post should be titled something simple like, “Gracie’s Birthday.”  It would be a simple post about Abigail and her friends from our home school group having a great time together.  The post would include fabulous details about doing nails, playing games, and of course cake.
 

However, this seemingly simple event somehow ended up overshadowed by what Abigail now refers to as the ‘Incident of 2015’ or my ‘Epic Mom Fail.’    So here on the blog, running the risk of the grandparents questioning my parenting skills I will try to tell the tale of our day.
 

Abigail and Gracie have been friends for a while, her mom and I have helped with drama club, etc., but I’d never been to their home.  So we plugged the address into the GPS and headed out.  When the GPS said, ‘Arriving at Gracie’s house on right’ it was confirmed to me by the sight of another teen headed into the house.  There was also a mom, smiling and waving Abigail inside.  I kissed Abigail and she ran on inside.

 

Upon arriving in the house, the mom took Abigail and the other girl upstairs and told them the girl would be out in a minute and that the girls could wait in her room.  Abigail looked around the room and it looked like it was for a younger girl, and then noticed the wall hanging said, “Welcome to Nina’s Room!”  Clearly not Gracie!   Abigail asked the other girl if she knew what this house number was and the girl did not.
 

Meanwhile, I have driven away from the house and am at least a mile or two down the road when I get the text from Abigail, ‘THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT HOUSE!  HELP!’  Abigail also texted Gracie and asked for her house number, and got a text right back saying 313.   Abigail then picked up her gift, told the other girl she would be right back and went running out of the house.  Upon checking the house number she was at house 317!  She took off running to Gracie’s when she saw a friend’s dad coming out of the right house!
 

When I arrived after receiving her text she was already in Gracie’s yard with Gracie telling the death defying story or how she was almost abducted; could have been locked up in the basement for years and several other Criminal Minds plot lines!  
 

Now to answer a few questions, I’m sure you have:

• No, I did not think anything about another mom answering the front door that wasn’t Gracie’s mom.  A lot of times when there are kids over, whatever parent is closest to the door answers it in an effort to help out the hostess. 
• No, no one went back to Nina’s house to tell them who or why the girl with the long hair was in their house or where she went!
• No, I will not be receiving the ‘Mother of the Year Award’ again this year!

The prudent sees danger and hides himself,

    but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 27:12

Law and Order: C-rhyme and Pun-ishment

Our PEACH Drama Club meets every other Friday to prepare for next performance, Law andOrder: C-rhyme and Pun-ishment.  The production will be Thursday, April 30^th at 7pm at the Church of Christ on McDermott Road. 
 

Caleb will be playing the part of Georgie Porgie in a ‘creepy Rob Lowe’ style.  Abigail is Mary, as in, ‘had a little lamb.’  This year’s production in a musical and is a ‘who done it’ with nursery rhyme characters.  It should be a great show!

 

Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages  Romans 16:25

Let it Snow!

We've only had a handful of snowfalls in Texas that have left the ground white, so I feel obliged to include this beautiful snowfall on the blog.  I'm sure our Oklahoma and Baltimore family see plenty of this each winter but we get very excited at the sight! 

 

The girls played in the snow and made several batches of snow ice cream!   They must have searched all over Pinterest for various recipes and we tried every one of them, the one with chocolate syrup was our favorite!

Padme’ had a great time running through the snow, once she figured out it wasn’t going to hurt her!

Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.

Proverbs 25:13

Days to Remember

If you got the weather report that five to six inches of snow were headed your way wouldn't you head to a museum.  That's what we did!   The Education Coordinator at The Sixth Floor Museum where Caleb has volunteered for the past five years made arrangements for him to have some of his senior pictures taken at the museum.  What a great privilege!

 

Fortunately the weather cooperated and we made it to the museum and back home just ahead of the weather!

these days should be remembered
Esther 9:28

A Time to Play

There are days when helping at the food pantry is hard work, today was not one of those days.  Our Monday crowd is usually an elderly population and with this weather they really didn't need to be out! 

 

Our friends the Sanderfords came to help out today.  I got a lot of play time with the kids that visit the pantry.  My back is still sore from my fall, so I hung out on the floor with the kids while everyone else worked!   It's a pretty good gig if you can get it!

 

Hopefully the weather will warm up and our elderly guest can make it in for groceries!

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38