My Kids

The best part of homecoming weekend at LCU is getting to see all our kids, including our blonde son and his lovely wife.  We were able to worship together at Sunset Church of Christ and then headed over for some Mexican food for lunch. 

My mom heart is so grateful that Caleb and Richard have spent their undergraduate time together at LCU. Their personalities are different; they have different career goals; but their faith in God and desire to serve Him with all their heart is the same.  It's been a true blessing knowing they are doing this part of their lives together. 

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

Kyodai for the Win!

This weekend is LCU's Homecoming and Master Follies!  This year LCU celebrated 60 years of Master Follies, a musical variety show featuring students in performances. Each of LCU's eight social clubs, which are much like fraternities and sororities, perform a show using songs and choreography to tell an original story. Judges assess each performance, and the results are tallied on the final night to determine winners in men's and women's categories.

Caleb's club Kyodai had a fabulous show about a really disorganized and disjointed scout group trying to earn their camping badge. As a vice president of Kyodai, Caleb was one of the directors for this year's performance! The guys took 2nd place!  

It was a great finish to his senior year.  I'm so proud of Caleb for all his hard work from the Honors program; 4 years of Student Senate; 4 years of club with 3 as an officer; travel abroad; student tutoring; student ambassador; and 2 internships.  

Commit your work to the Lord,

    and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

Take A Hike

With a softball game rain out due to field conditions, Abigail  was able to join some of her church friends for a five mile hike.  The youth took the hike in the trails around Lake Ray Roberts. 

Later today when I checked out Facebook I saw a picture of Caleb with his Kyodai and Loa friends serving at a mobile food bank in Lubbock.  What mom doesn't love to see that.  When he was growing up there wasn't much choice for the kids they would be serving at the food pantry with us.  I love that now as an adult, away from home that is still how he spends his time.

He trains my hands for battle;

    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

You make your saving help my shield;

    your help has made me great.

2 Samuel 22:35-36

First Day of School

The boys sent me this picture this morning.  It't the fourth year of their 'First Day of School' picture next to the LCU Chap!  

The boy has nineteen hours this semester plus he's tutoring Algebra and Hermeneutics; plus he is Vice President for his club; plus he is on Student Council; plus he's in the Honor's Program; and he's part of the Ambassador Program.  He is one crazy busy young man but he wouldn't have it any other way! 

I know these two will have a great school year and both will finish strong their senior year! 

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.  Psalm 25:14

LCU Bound

Just like that, summer is over and Caleb is headed back to Lubbock Christian University for his senior year!  I don't even know how that's possible!  We are so very proud of him and ever so grateful that he had the opportunity to do his internship at home this summer!  

He was able to work with such great mentors at the Church of Christ on McDermott Road.  Plus he was home with the girls who missed him so much when he traveled abroad last summer. I'm going to miss him and I know Jon will miss have the extra testosterone in the house! Godspeed young man!   

How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! Romans 10:15

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

LCU Chap Day

Today Caleb had texted that he would be busy between classes today with Chap Day activities. Caleb participates in Lubbock Christian University's Ambassador program promoting the school to potential students. 

Chap Day is a group campus visit which includes a department fair, chapel, campus tour, lunch, and activities for students interested in LCU.  

Later today Abigail saw this post on Instagram. A friend of hers was participating in Chap Day.  Sure enough, right there in the middle on the back row is Caleb! How fun! 

We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:20

LCU Master Follies

Saturday is a big day for Homecoming weekend at LCU! Caleb and his club hosted a breakfast for alumni.  It's a great opportunity for the guys to network with the alumni and to get last minute pointers before the final performance of Master Follies. 

After Caleb and the guys cleaned up from the breakfast the girls and I took him to Main Event for some bowling, laser tag and a late lunch. Caleb helped Frankie out with her bowling, it was fun to watch them all step back into their familiar sibling exchanges.  We even found my blond son!  

After Master Follies big finale the men of Kyodai and their sister club headed to celebrate the great weekend.  I think the girls got a kick out of the guys shenanigans after the big night.  It was fun to see Caleb in his element, from his role with the LCU Ambassadors greeting guests as they came in for the show to his role as an officer of Kyodai for the breakfast and after party. Love that kid! 

My son, do not lose sight of these—

    keep sound wisdom and discretion,

and they will be life for your soul

    and adornment for your neck.

Proverbs 3:21-22

LCU Homecoming Weekend

Every year LCU holds Master Follies, a musical variety show featuring students in performances.  The clubs put together great musicals productions and compete for the Best Show.  It is one of the longest standing traditions on campus.

The girls and I headed to Lubbock to watch Caleb and the men of Kyodai perform as ghosts in an abandoned mansion.  They performed yesterday and twice today but we got to spend a little time with him between performances.  We took him over to Twisted Root for a burger and fried pickles.   

The girls enjoyed seeing his room.  He's back in the dorms this semester after traveling abroad last semester and we hadn't see his new set up.  It was a great day having all the kids together, we were just missing Jon. 

My son, if you receive my words

    and treasure up my commandments with you,

making your ear attentive to wisdom

    and inclining your heart to understanding

Proverbs 2:1-2

LCU's Study Abroad Honors College Chapel

Richard texted me these wonderful photos of Caleb leading singing and reading scripture at LCU's chapel today.  The Study Abroad Honors College led chapel complete with a video of their adventures last semester. 

Several of the kids shared their stories from the semester including one telling about the group  (Caleb, Reagan, Jake, and Jessica) who climbed Mount Olympus.  It was a time to share with the student body the awesome opportunity of the Honors College. 

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.  John 4:24

He's Home!!

On August 19th Caleb left for his Junior year at Lubbock Christian University.  Later that week he and the Honor College students headed to Avila, Spain for a semester abroad. In the last four months Caleb’s been to Madrid, Paris, Naples, Granada, Pompeii, Rome, San Sebastian, Portugal, Greece, Athens, Mount Olympus and other places I’m sure I’ve forgotten. 

We've Skyped and texted but it's not the same as hearing his voice and seeing him in person.  The girls made signs to welcome him home.  Frankie's sign had the Whataburger W, only it read Whatabrother!  Abigail was a little more ornery and her sign read, "Congratulations on Making Parole, Caleb!"

Padme' was so happy to see her boy! She stuck close to Caleb all night! For dinner Caleb requested steaks, baked potatoes and stuffed jalapenos.  I think he missed the Texas staples! The evening was filled with lots of laughter and great stories.  He was pretty jet lagged but it was amazing to hear his laughter.  God is good! 

Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

    how pleasant and fitting to praise him!

Psalm 147:1

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

Off to Spain

Today my heart took flight across the globe as Caleb and the LCU Global Campus group headed to Spain.  They flew our of Dallas for London, then on to Madrid for their final destination of Avila, Spain. 

Last year LCU launched its Semester in Spain program.  The semester-long program, held every Fall, will bring LCU students and professors to the beautiful city of Avila, in the heart of the Spanish countryside. The students will take 15 hours of University Core-type credits with LCU professors, while also studying the Spanish language.

The LCU students will be partnered in tandem with Spanish speaking students from the University in Avila who are studying English. Classes will run Monday through Thursday, the student will be able to travel Friday through Sunday.

Today the group will fly nine hours to London and then another two and a half hours to Madrid, followed by an hour and half bus trip to the University. I'm thankful we were able to see him off at the Dallas airport.  Godspeed for the next 4+ months, Caleb and group! 

Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 3

First Day of School

It's the first day of school pictures for the boys!  Every year they've taken their first day photo in front of the chap after chapel.  This year there were a couple of new additions to the photo, a wife and a girlfriend. Richard's wife Melissa and Caleb's girlfriend Sonny joined in the fun!  

In the lower right corner are the photos are the photos from their freshman and sophomore years.  Caleb has had a little fun wearing the same 'Future LCU Alumni' shirt each year! 

For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.  Matthew 12:50

Back to School

Summer ends today for Caleb as he heads back to Lubbock Christian University for his third year of college. It will be an incredible year for my kind-hearted, God-fearing Bible major.  I'm thrilled to see what God has in store for him but I am going to miss his warm smile! 

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you!

Thessalonians 3:16

New Adventures

This morning Caleb headed to Houston for his paid summer internship.  He will be working as a Ministry Intern for a congregation in Baytown, Texas.  Our Biblical Text and Preaching major is beyond excited for this opportunity!  He's completed two years of college on the Dean's Honor Roll.  This year he had two semesters of Greek, Hermeneutics, Homiletics and other subjects I'm sure I can't pronounce!  

His internship will be working as a ministry intern with the pulpit and youth ministers.  He will be staying by himself in a home near the church building.  It belongs to a member of the congregation who is doing missionary work in Romania this summer.  It's a great arrangement, Caleb gets a place to stay and they get someone to house sit! 

As you can see, Padme' wasn't anymore ready for Caleb to leave than we were but I'm so proud of Caleb and look forward to hearing about his adventures! 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"  Romans 10:14-15

Rest for the Weary

Caleb has been home for fourteen days and the two weeks have gone by too quickly for me!  He managed to squeeze in time with his sisters, family pictures, hang out with friends at the food pantry and some time in the kitchen with mom.  No one tells you that what every college kid wants more than anything is to sleep and eat home cooked meals!  

Between classes, working in the Bible office, tutoring eight students in Algebra, Student Senate, Kyodai, Honors and Ambassadors the boy was warn out! Knowing he would need to hit the ground running as soon as he got to Houston, he tried to get a little caught up on his sleep. It's a good thing we have a dog who likes to sleep almost as much!   

Truly my soul finds rest in God;

    my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:1

Kyodai Formal

This post is a little out of order but I just now downloaded the photos off of my phone.  This year in addition to LCU's Honors Program, LCU's Ambassador Program, Student Senate, tutoring math students, working in the Bible Office Caleb was also an officer in Kyodai.  Tonight was the big end of the year celebration for Kyodai.  

Caleb and Sonny had a wonderful evening.  It was pouring down rain getting in and out of the event venue but everything else went off beautifully. When I downloaded the pictures Sonny texted me from the banquet, I thought it would be fun to include some of the other pictures of the two of them from this school year.  Aren't they darling!  Caleb looks good in his tux but he looks even better with Ms. Sonora standing next to him!  (The couple in the bottom photo with Caleb and Sonny is Sonny's roommate and her date.) 

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 11:7

Homiletics Class

Today Caleb presented his first lesson in his Homiletics class.  He was assigned the text in Mark 5:21-43 which covers Jesus healing a woman and the story of Jairus's daughter.  They video tape the students presentations and I asked him to send it to me! 

 your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease Mark 5:34