LCU's Ring Ceremony

This afternoon the boy and other student who ha complete their junior year received their class rings.  The ceremony was a sweet look forward as these soon to be graduates launch out into the world in their given professions. 

LCU President Dr. Tim Perrin led the ceremonies and presented each of the students with their class rings.  Their was a nice reception in the new nursing wing at LCU.  After the ceremony we headed to Bone Daddy's to celebrate.  Hard to believe Caleb is one year from graduation! 

May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!  Proverbs 23:25

Strike a Pose

Several of the HSAA teams headed to a hotel in Dallas for a photography class.  The class was being hosted by a nationally recognized organization of professional photographers who get together annually to learn best practises.  The HSAA teams took turns modeling for the team sport classes.  This was the second year for the softball team to participate in the workshop.  Lots of fun pictures.  I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of back drop they put on the green screen. 

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,

    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

to the pure you show yourself pure,

    but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

Psalm 18:25-26

High School Retreat

This weekend the high schoolers took off for the weekend.  They headed out to Camp Copass in Denton for a weekend together. Even with inclement weather there was plenty of time for basketball, kickball and other slightly soggy sports!

How good and pleasant it is

    when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Senior Day for the HSAA Angels

The weather was perfect today for the Angel's Senior Day.  We honored Ms. Abby our only senior this year with flowers and gifts in the opening ceremonies. The Angels went on to play a exhibition game with a local select team.  It was a whole lot of fun to watch the girls do what they love.  Abigail ha three at bats and hit and scored all three times.  She also had a great out at the plate.  It's always fun to watch when they are having a great day! 

May the righteous be glad

    and rejoice before God;

    may they be happy and joyful.

Psalm 68:3

HSAA Angels vs. Hockaday

HSAA Angels Varsity built an eight-run lead in the sixth inning and then held off Hockaday's charge for a 15-13 victory .  Everybody's bats were hot in this high scoring game. 

Abigail had three at bats with two hits and one walk.  She scored one run. Because she's a catcher and we were up by so many runs the coach put in another runner for her two hits.  This allowed some of the younger girls to get some game time. 

After the game the team took a little time to celebrate Olivia's birthday. 

The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him! Psalm 64:10

Softball College Signing

Before Abigail's select team, tEAMSMiTH began practice today there was a signing celebration as Maddie signed to play for Mountain View College.  Mountain View is a community college in Dallas located in the Oak Lawn area.  Way to go,  Maddie! 

My mouth would encourage you;

    comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Job 16:5

I Will Rejoice

Today was a good day to celebrate with our church family because Noah chose to be baptized!  Noah's been studying and he and Caleb have visited several times.  It was so great to be there with our friends, homeschoolers, church, Bible Bowl family and see this young man dedicate his life to God.  It's such an amazing thought to realize God loved us, imperfect and flawed us, enough to offer us the hope of life eternal with Him!  

the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.  John 3:14-15

HSAA Varsity vs. Bishop Lynch

HSAA varsity team had their second game this week.  Abigail was injured in the Dallas Christian game and told she could catch for today's game.  So she played second base and Evelyn was brought in to catch.  

To say that the game wasn't pretty is an understatement.  The Angels usually have a better showing against Bishop Lynch but not today.  The good news is they will get another chance to face them later in the month. There are lessons in winning and lesson in losing.  Hopefully the girls took away the lessons they need for our next encounter. 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4

Precious Playtime

I truly enjoy hanging out with these guys!  I mean honestly who wouldn't.  We build, we craft, we play, we read stories and we sing!  Sounds like a pretty amazing day doesn't it.  

Many people look at mission work as going out to an impoverished country or spreading the gospel to the far corners of the world, and that is part of our commission.  But there are so many way to spread the love of Christ right here in our back yard.  

Our church preschool is open for member and for the community.  In my class this year, only three of the ten students are members of the congregation. That means seven of the kids are from the community.  Their parents are allowing us to not only prepare their children for kindergarten but also to teach them the Bible! What an amazing opportunity, plus you gotta love all those high fives and hugs throughout the day! 

Sing to him a new song;

    play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the Lord is right and true;

    he is faithful in all he does.

Psalm 33:33-4

Girl Time

With so much LTC, Bible Bowl and softball we were due for some catching up time with the Baileys! Now you have to understand that means a three hour lunch or coffee break because clearly there is so much to share! And besides, who couldn't spend two or three hours at Panera Bread! I know your shocked we were out for tacos! 

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Proverbs 30:8

HSAA Angels at Dallas Christian

Tonight the HSAA Angels were back at Dallas Christian for varsity softball. It was a windy night creating crazy lift on the girls hits.  The 17-12 score reflected just how many time the wind carried the ball out in the infield. Abigail had a couple of good hits and several great plays at the plate.  

Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given. Proverbs 25:14

Texas Bible Bowl - Day Three

For posterity sake:   McDermott had 33 youth and 5 adults competed in Texas Bible Bowl (formerly National Bible Bowl).  

Individual Competition:

Elementary (3rd-6th graders) In-Experienced (1st Timers) Division:  Austin -10th; Callie - 9th; Naomi - 6th; and Malachi - 4th!

Elementary (3rd-6th) Experienced Division (Returning competitors):  Deanna - 9th; Henry - 8th; Noah L. - 7th; Bethany - 4th; and Gabriel -2nd!

Jr High (7th-9th) In-Experienced (1st timers): Ashlyn Martin 1st place!

Jr. High (7th-9th) Experienced (Returning competitors): Noah S. - 9th; Robert & Ella - tied for 8th; Zach - 7th; Joey - 3rd; and Matthew - 2nd!

Sr. High (10th-12th) Experienced (Returning competitors): Abigail took 3rd place!

Adult Division:  Ms. Sara - 7th and Ms. Julie - came in 2nd! Out of 250 questions Julie only missed 2 for a score of 248!

Team Competition (only Jr. High & Sr. High compete in Teams):

Jr. High In-Experienced Division: First Place Team: Ashlyn  with a combined team from another congregation

Jr. High Experienced Division:  First Place Team: Noah S., Matthew, Joey, & Kaiden 

Second Place Team: Zach with a combined team from another congregation

Sr. High Experienced Division:  First Place Team: Abigailwith a combined team from another congregation

33 kids, 5 adult test takers, came home with 19 ribbons and 4 trophies! 

Next year Texas Bible Bowl will be April 5th-7th, 2019 and we will be studying the book of John! Class starts in October!

And David had success in all his undertakings, for the Lord was with him.  1 Samuel 18:14

Texas Bible Bowl - Day Two

Today is Test Day! Imagine voluntarily testing your knowledge over the book of 1 Samuel  in the form of five rounds of forty questions and one Power Round of fifty questions.  One of the great take aways from studying the book of 1 Samuel is that God was supposed to be Israel's king.  God did allow Israel to have their way and have an earthly king but no king would be perfect as God.  1 Samuel also lays the ground work for the perfect King, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.   The fact that these kids understand this at such a young age will serve them well in their decision making in life. 

The Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 1 Samuel 8:7

Texas Bible Bowl - Day One

We're here at Bandina Christian Youth Camp in Bandera, Texas for Texas Bible Bowl!  We brought thirty-three test takers, both youth and parents for this weekend.  They have put in a lot of hard work and this is the fun part.  The part where they get to interact with other like minded kids who have worked just as hard studying the Bible. 

Caleb drove down from Lubbock Christian University to bring scholarships for the top three finalist in the Senior Experienced Division and to encourage our kids.  

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:2-3