KISS Concert

Date night!!  They are few and far between but they seem to involve a concert venue.  KISS was one of the few hair bands from the '80s that Jon has never seen in concert, so tickets seemed like the perfect birthday gift for him.  

I'm not sure I could name more than two songs, you know, the two KISS songs everyone knows but I do adore my sweet husband who has taken me to many country music concerts and operas.  

The concert was at the Pavilion of the new Toyota Music Factory in Los Colinas.  The Pavilion has a 4,000 capacity indoor theater and opens up to an 8,000-person capacity open-air venue.  The acoustics were great and KISS sounded great for a couple of 60 year old men! It was a great evening with my honey! 

Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps.
Amos 5:23

LCU Futures Camp

Today was a recruiting event for Lubbock Christian University's Futures Camp.  Coach Hays invites players from California to Kentucky to showcase their skills. 

The Lady Chap began their softball program in 2008 and kicked it off with a 60-10 season, winning their division National Championship. 

The team has continued winning over 85% of their games and winning six conference and conference tournament championships. 

Today's camp was showcasing these forty-seven high school ball players.  Drills included timed base running, hitting, bunting, slapping, and catching.  The skills portion included a four hour work out.

There was also a compliance portion that included NCAA eligibility for D1 and D2 players. This is required before a player can sign a letter of intent with a college.  The eligibility includes skills, playing experience, ACT & SAT scores, GPA and extra-curricular involvement.  Abigail is now NCAA eligible to have conversations with recruiting college coaches. 

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5

Visiting 'My Kids'

We headed up to Lubbock Christian University for a few days.  It was odd to be on campus while Caleb is traveling aboard.  

We headed up after Abigail's Collin College classes and made it in time to have dinner with Richard, Melissa and Sonny. 

After a great Mexican dinner and some banter and texts with Caleb in Spain, we headed to Richard and Melissa new apartment.  

It was a real joy to see their home and to see them so happy in their new life as a married couple!  It was also good to spend time with Sonny and exchange Caleb stories.   I sure miss my kids! 

For the sake of my family and friends,

    I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

    I will seek your prosperity.

Psalm 122:8-9

More Friday Night Lights

Tonight's Friday Night Lights was the Prosper vs. Liberty game.  Abigail had friends from the Church of Christ on McDermott Road youth group on both teams.   The game was played at the practice stadium for the Dallas cowboys!  Football is kind of a big deal in Texas! 

The youth had a great time together cheering for both teams because sweet friends were on both sides.  Our two McDermott youth ministers, Barrett and Matt (and their wives), also came out for the game!

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Psalm 16:8

A Nice Loooong Lunch

Today we made met up with our kindred spirits, Ms. Donna and Hannah, for lunch.  Bible Bowl is quickly approaching and I needed to pass on all of the materials I write for the Gungans to use at the Ada congregation.  

I know, we could have just stuck a thumb drive in the mail but having a four lunch with friends is so much more fun!  I'm pretty sure my cheeks are sore from all that laughing! 

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20

Double-Header Mondays

One of the benefits to leaving in a large city is that our home schooled youth have access to JV and Varsity sports.  

Abigail began playing JV with CHANT's organization in eighth grade and then joined the Varsity team last year in tenth grade.  The CHANT team has moved over to the larger home schooling sports program in the Dallas area called HSAA (Home School Athletic Association). 

Tonight was the HSAA Angel's first fall season double header.  In the first game Abigail played second base and had an RBI.  In the second game she caught and had a great a bat, but was stranded on first. 

But what I'm most thrilled about is that at the conclusion of each game the two teams meet in the pitchers circle to pray.  The player leading that prayer is my little catcher girl! 

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

Sunday Softball

If you've ever wondered what high school softball looks like, here goes: Sunday afternoons are scrimmages, Monday nights are game nights, Tuesday nights are hitting practice, and Thursdays is team practice.  

After church services this morning we headed to our Life Group for lunch and devotional time.  Right after that we were back at the ball fields. These are the same fields the kids have played little league ball on since Caleb and Abigail were four years old. 

This afternoon was a scrimmage with her select team, tEAMSMiTH.  She had a single and double.  She played second base during half of the game and catcher for the second half. 

The girls made cookies for our Life Group meeting and the left overs were a big hit with her team after the game!  It was a great day to play ball! 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Friday Night Lights

Tonight the three amigos headed to the Allen football game.  Normally they get general admission tickets but tonight as they were heading into the stadium and season ticket holder asked if the girls would like their tickets.  So the girls enjoyed the game from the fifty yard line! 

The Allen Eagles played Evangel Christian Academy out of Shreveport, LA. The Eagles won 28-7. The girls had a great time, as always, hanging out together for a little Friday Night Lights. 

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech,

 in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12 

Colorful Pickled Peppers

This year Jon planted several varieties of peppers from bells, jalapeno, bananas to Serrano peppers.  We have so many peppers that today I decided to pickle some.  

I mixed the mild colorful bell peppers with the spicy ones.  Once they are pickled the will all have the same flavor, a little spicy but not too spicy. 

Pickled Peppers 
8 cups peppers 
8 garlic cloves
3 cups white vinegar
3 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups water
4 tablespoons Morton Canning and Pickling Salt 
6 tablespoons of pickling spice
1/4 teaspoon Ball Pickle Crisp Granules per 1/2 pint jar 
Ball Pint Jars

Begin by washing the peppers thoroughly and snap off the stems. Use a sharp knife to make a slice make in the peppers to allow the pickling brine to fill the peppers. Next, pack the peppers into sterilized pint jars with 1 clove of garlic per pint jar. 

Combine vinegar, water, salt, and pickling spices in a saucepan and bring to a boil, I used my Instant Pot. Pour boiling brine over peppers in the pint jars, leaving ¼” of head space at the top. Add Pickle Crisp Granules to each jar. Seal jars with lids and bands and process in a water bath of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Wait at least a week before opening, to allow the flavors to blend. Pickled peppers have a shelf life of 2-3 years.  Once they are pickled the peppers won't be as brightly colored but will still be pretty. 

These will be tasty on alongside some barbecue! 

At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. Ruth 2:14

Summer Sounds

Today we joined our friends the Baileys to bid farewell to summer and celebrate Labor Day.  We spent the evening It was a free evening at the Allen Civic Center for an evening of classics and pops ….everything from Beethoven to Phantom of the Opera! The Allen Philharmonic Orchestra & Symphony Chorus performed along with the Sweet Adelines. 

This program was sponsored by Allen Parks and Recreation where Gracie worked for the summer. The concert was one of several Summer Sounds Concert Series.

It was a great evening with sweet friends and wonderful music! 

I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps Genesis 31:27