Abigail's LTC Artwork

"The Lord will Provide"

This was the third year for Abigail to enter a piece of artwork for Leadership Training for Christ.  LTC givens the youth several passages from that year's given text to select from.  Artwork can be pencil, paint, sculpture, and various other mediums.  Abigail generally finds a color page or other work that meets the current year's criteria, she'll then work off of that idea. 

In 2010 she did a paint of David & Mephebosheth from II Samuel  9:1-13 and in 2011 her artwork depicted the opening of the First Seal from Revelation 6:2.

 On the back of the artwork the youth are required to describe the ark and which passage they were using.  The back of this year's entry reads:

Abigail Kirkwood

5th Grade

Abraham's Faith Tested - Genesis 22:1-14

In my painting I chose chapter 22 where Abraham found the ram in the thorns to sacrifice.  I find it amazing that somebody would kill their only child because God told them to.  I tried to put Abraham as surprised that he didn't have to do it.  We need to remember in our journey of faith that God will provide. 

So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide.

And to this day it is said,

“On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Genesis 22:14

Caleb's LTC Speech

This year's Leadership Training for Christ's theme was Journey of Faith taken from the patriarchs in Genesis.  Caleb applied this theme to his love for American History, I think this is his 3rd year to compete in speech.  He did a great job, I'm pretty sure I saw a few of Jon's mannerisms!  He earned a 'Gold Medal' in speech.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God,
the faithful God who keeps covenant and
steadfast love with those who love him and
keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

Deuteronomy 7:9

LTC 'Camp Fire Stories' Drama Performance

One of the kids favorite events at LTC is drama.  Ms. Belinda is an awesome drama coach, she always writes the best scripts!  The kids have a great time.  This year not only did they take gold in drama but they also won 'Script that Most Personifies the Theme.'  The team was invited back on Sunday morning to perform. 

It's a little amusing if you knew that not one time before in any practice had they got it right. Abigail has a ton of lines and messed them up every single time in practice.  But when it counted, at competition, everyone was spot on!! 

In this performance Abigail plays the Mom, Caleb's friend Blake is Dad.  Caleb is one of the brothers and is also the cup bearer.  Great fun! 

As for you, you meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good

Genesis 50:20

LTC "Shipwrecked" Puppet Performance

Caleb and Abigail both participated in puppet again this year. This is the 5th-9th grade puppet performance, so both kids were in the same group.  Again they were working with the theme 'Journey of Faith.' 

The kids compete in quite a few events, and even though Caleb's time is more precious now that he is in high school and even Abigail's time is filled with piano and softball, LTC is a no brainer.  There are so many younger kids at church that my kids have the opportunity to influence.  Church and church activities is a priority and something I want Caleb and Abigail to cultivate in the younger ages. 

The great thing about them being older is yes, they have less free time for LTC activities, but being older, they require less practice time!  God is good!

Now I know that you fear God,

because you have not withheld

 from me your son, your only son.

Genesis 22:12

LTC 3rd-6th Grade Chorus

Here is the elementary age chorus performing at LTC.  The first song is 'Heavenly Road' and 'Wouldn't Take nothing for My Journey Now,' and 'Soon and Very Soon.'  Abigail will be the first youth you seen leading the group on to the risers. 

Ms. Vyneta is the chorus director and has done an awesome job for the almost a decade with the McDermott youth.  If you listen closely you will notice that Abigail is helping the boys out with the bass on 'Soon and Very Soon.' 

Without saying a word,
the man watched her closely to learn
whether or not the LORD had made his journey successful.
Genesis 24:21

Dirty Diamonds Opening Game

See the red blur crossing home, Abs had just
tagged her and threw back to the pitcher.



Abigail behind home plate
talking to the umpire



Tonight Abigail's softball team the Dirty Diamonds had their first game.  We played out in Lewisville against a team that has already played four games!  It was a nail biter game! 

The first inning Abigail's team was a little shaky and by the end of that inning we were run ruled and down 5-0!  But after that we came alive!  At one point we were up by three points.  The game went into an extra inning because we were tied.  In the end we lost by one run, but it was a great game! 

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;

Psalm 19:5-6

Genesis Bible Humor

And God separated
the light from the dark . . .

We are winding down our ‘Bible Bowl’ season, and it is usually at this point that I start to get a little loopy.  By now the kids have memorized so many names, places, and events that I start to look for creative ways to channel our knowledge.  It will be no surprise that humor is my release of choice.

So for all my other friends who are studying the book of Genesis with your children, here is my collection of funnies, in chronological order, for reverence sake:

At what time of the day was Adam created? A little before Eve

Why was Adam a famous runner? Because he was first in the human race

What did Eve ask Adam during their first argument? "Adam, is there another woman?"

Did Eve never have a date with Adam? No, we think it was an apple

Where is baseball mentioned in the bible?
In the big inning (beginning) later Genesis tells us that Eve stole first and Adam stole second

What kind of car is listed in Genesis?Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the garden in a Fury

What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden? Your mother ate us out of house and home

What is one of the first things that Adam and Eve did after they were kicked out? They really raised Cain

How long did Cain dislike his brother? As long as he was Abel

What man is known for having killed 1/4 of the world's population in one day?
Cain when he killed Abel

What did God say when Noah told him he wanted to build the ark out of bricks?
"No, Noah. Go for wood!" (Gopher wood)

How many animals did Moses take on the Ark? None. Moses didn't go on the ark, Noah did

What kind of lighting did Noah have on the ark? Flood lights

How do we know they didn't play cards in the ark? Because Noah sat on the deck

Why couldn’t they eat apples on the ark? Because they only had pairs (pears)

Where did Noah keep the bees? In the ark hives (archives)

What did the duck say when Noah gave him his lunch?
You can put this lunch on my bill

Why did Noah have to punish the chickens on the Ark? Because they were using "fowl" language

What US state is mentioned in the Genesis?Arkansas "Noah looked out of the ark and saw..."

How many people exited the ark before Noah? Three, because it says "... and Noah went forth"

Do you know who was the first Bible character in Genesis to need plastic surgery?
Abraham, his face fell

What were Lot's last words to his wife? "Honey, is someone following . . . "

You know, I looked back once while I was driving . . . . I turned into a telephone pole

Did you know Rebekah had a boyfriend before Isaac? Yeah, the Bible says “Rebekah walked to the well with a pitcher”
Were Joseph's parents cannibals? I don't know... but they did call their daughter Dinah (dinner or diner)

Who was the straightest man in the Bible? Joseph - Pharaoh made a ruler out of him

Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible? When Joseph served in Pharaoh's court

He will direct his children and his household
after him to keep the way of the LORD

Genesis 18:19

Texas Bible Bowl

 

McDermott Bible Bowlers & Padme'

Before the test, they're all smiles!

This weekend Caleb, Abigail and friends competed along with 100+ other kids in the Texas Bible Bowl!  In the past they have competed in the 'National Bible Bowl' at Abilene Christian University in 2008 & 2009;  at the Tulsa Soul Winning Workshop in 2010; and Oklahoma Christian University in 2011.  All of those Bible Bowls have stopped competing so the Texas Bible Bowl is now the closest event for us.  The competition is in Marble Falls, Texas out by Austin. 

Abigail and her friend Roy along with 35 others competed in the "Elementary Division" for students younger than 6th grade. Richard, Blake, Ryan and Caleb competed in the "Junior Division" as a team and individual for participants in grades 6th-9th.  There is also a  "Senior Division"for participants of grades 10-12; and an "Adult" division. 

Abigail at the picnic
with her pogo stick

Friday night there was a great praise and worship and youth led devotional.  Competition began on Saturday morning with a 50 question timed Power Round followed by five rounds timed of forty questions each, all over the book of Genesis!  The various rounds include Verse Find; Fact Finder; Identification; Know the Chapter - Quotations; and Know the Chapter - Chapter Headings!  

Singing at the park

Following the six timed rounds we all met up at the park in Marble Falls for a great picnic lunch, fellowship and singing.  The evening was finished up with a wonderful banquet and awards.  Everything was lovely!  The Texas Bible Bowl group did a wonderful job of taking the focus off the testing and placing the emphasis on like-minded kids and parents spending time together. 

The Awards Banquet

I know the Grandparents are waiting to hear the results so here you go.  First of all, we did not begin preparing until February, as the kids get older they really don't need as much study time.  But we did rely on prayer to God to multiply their learning and he definitely blessed the study time they did have.  We were up against congregations that have been preparing twice a week since last September.  Most of our studying took place for an hour on Sundays in February and March.  The rest of the studying was done by the kids at home in their private study time. 

Abigail & Roy

In the Elementary Division they only compete as individuals not teams.  The Power Round is not included in their score, only Rounds 1 thru 5.  Roy finished 3rd place and Abigail took 1st place.  Abigail answered 195 questions out of 200 correctly!  

In the Jr. Experience Team Division, the largest division, Richard, Ryan, Blake and Caleb took First Place!!!!  In the Jr. Experienced Individual Division, Blake took 11th Place; Richard took 5th Place, Ryan took 3rd Place and Caleb took First Place!!!

Top 3 and the
sponsoring youth ministers

There are also awards for top Overall Scores for the highest Elementary, Jr. High, Sr. High and Adult Division.  The scores include the five rounds and the Power Round.  Caleb took 3rd Place and Abigail, with one point higher took 2nd Place!!!!   Crazy right!!!!  In a very sweet moment, Caleb applauded Abigail and hugged her!  He even teared up and said he would be happy to lose to her any day because she had worked very hard studying and he was proud of her!!!  Awww, and Mom teared up, too!

let us consider how we may spur one another on

toward love and good deeds

Hebrews 10:24

Teen Court

Tonight several of our home school friends sat in on a session of Teen Court at the Plano Municipal Courthouse.  Teen Court is a voluntary program, which offers young offenders are brought before a jury of their peers.  The offenders have already pled guilty and this is strictly the sentencing phase. 

They are prosecuted, defended and tried in a court room setting by teens.  By volunteering to have their case tried in Teen Court the offender avoids fines and keeps their juvenile record clear.  All of the participants have had special training and work  up thru the ranks of jury and then as a lawyer. 

The offenses are class C misdemeanors and are paid thru community service hours.  Tonight we heard several case of disorderly conduct, theft under $50, criminal mischief and minor in possession.  It was interesting to follow the process. I think it was an eyeopener to the kids that Texas has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol, meaning tonight a young man was sentenced to 24 hours of community service for being in the area where others had alcohol.  The heaviest penalty we saw tonight was a young man sentenced to 60 hours of community service for stealing a $45 pair of shoes from JCPenny's. 

There was no Perry Mason moment where anyone broke down on the stand, but it was amusing as the offenders offered the lame excuses as to why they were in such circumstances.

And let them judge the people at all times.

 Every great matter they shall bring to you,
but any small matter they shall decide themselves.
So it will be easier for you,
and they will bear the burden with you.
Exodus 18:22

The Lighthouse

I am a big fan of live theater.  One of our first dates was to symphony in Tulsa.  There are very few live productions that I don't recommend, but here is one!   The Dallas Opera and the Dallas Theater Center opened the Lighthouse at the AT&T Performing Arts Center's Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.  It was a date night for Jon & I to get out of the house, alone.

The theatre itself is very industrial, lots of cement, open pipes, very modern, not my style, but I can appreciate that it was very chic. 

The opera is based on a true story, the three protagonists of The Lighthouse have been locked up in the small isolated space for months and their relief crew is long overdue.  The three are suspected to be victims of foul play, and the opera centers around the investigation.

The story was suspenseful, well played, magnificent voices, phenomenal orchestra, so what's not to like right?  Most operas even if there is an 'indisgression' it is down played in the polite society setting!  This production took a vulgar turn that ruined the experience for me.  One of those moments that added nothing to the story just cheap bathroom humor, very disappointing!   

I'm sure it was performed in the smaller setting to appeal to a select group, but I think in the future we'll stick to the more mainstream Opera House production!