Bible Bee

The older 3 children participated in the local Bible Bee yesterday.

2012 is the 4th year for the Bible Bee.

This was Jersey #1's 3rd year participating.  She was part of the 1st and the 3rd annual Bible Bee as well.   (The 2nd annual Bible Bee was in 2010, the year of Jersey #2's heart surgery, so we cut out most activities that year).

It was Jersey #2's 2nd year participating.

It was Jersey #3's 1st year participating.

Bible Bee 2009:

Bible Bee 2011:

Bible Bee 2012:

All 3 were in the Primary Division this year, which is for ages 7-10.  Technically, they were competing against each other.

Only, we did not do enough preparation and study to actually be competitive.  This summer was extremely busy for us.  It did not take long to get behind on the sword study and the verse memorization.  Before I knew it, we were WAY behind.  I tried to find bits of time to get the kids motivated to study for the Bible Bee, but that did not happen.  At one point, when the local director sent an email announcing the final date to withdraw from the bee, before the paperwork was all printed, I was tempted to quit.  I decided to stick it out, and told myself that we could still do well with some strong effort over these last two weeks.

That did not happen.  Our days were packed.  There was not enough time to focus, let alone cram.  All throughout this final week, I debated as to whether I should have the children participate and carry through with our commitment, or should I have them withdraw?

I wanted them to stick it out and give their best effort.

But, I did not want to push them into a situation where they would be so embarrassed by failure, that they had ill thoughts and feelings about studying the Bible.  

After many days of kicking myself for not letting it go earlier, and allowing us to get over-scheduled (again), I decided to just go with what we had.

I sat the kids down and had a talk.  I explained to them that in light of our extremely busy summer, I should not have insisted we also participate in the Bible Bee.  It was too much.  I admitted that I should have let go of that plan months ago, and taken the pressure off.  They were happy to hear that.

I then explained to them that it was too late to quit now, so we were going to go and participate.  We would go with the amount that was already studied, and let that be good enough.  I expected them to do their very best, with a happy heart.  I would not accept drama or grumpiness over their performance, or over getting competitive.  They agreed.

Next, I discussed a little deeper that ANY amount of study of the Bible is good.  ANY number of verses they memorized was a good thing.  We should not feel bad for the amount that was accomplished.  We should feel good for putting the effort into Bible study, because it is so very important.

But, I also explained that when it comes to competition and achievement, the level of effort, diligence, and preparation, are important.  If you want A's, you have to do A-quality work.  If you do C-quality work, you earn a C.  It is just that simple.

In the end, they were content to participate without the expectation of having to perform well.  We talked about how to handle the stress of not knowing the verses in the oral round, or not knowing the answers on the written test.  I anticipated that Jersey #3 would have some trouble with the actual reading and comprehending the written test, so I explained how to guess and select an answer on a multiple choice test anyway, instead of leaving it blank.  

I also told the children that I would not be signing us up for the Bible Bee next summer.  I was not going to require that of them.  

They all approached Bible Bee day with great enthusiasm.  The pressure was off, and they were going to have fun with the other kids.  They had a blast!

   

They had only memorized 20% of the list of verses, but they learned those so well that they received many points during the oral round.  Jersey #1 told me she was thankful I talked her into learning 1 more verse this week, because that verse was on the test, and she recited it well.

Jersey #3 was proud of himself for completing the written test quickly.  He did not really know many of the answers, but he was pleased to take a guess and fill in a bubble anyway.  

Jersey #2 took the whole thing in stride.

At the closing ceremony, the participants were given an opportunity to stand in front of the crowd and recite a verse.  My children declined that offer.  It was one of our agreements--I would not make them recite in front of the crowd at the end of the program.  They each took turns looking at me to see if I was going to make them recite, but I did not.  

Each participant received a medal, a certificate, and a goody bag.  It is fun to get things to take home at the end of a big day.

The participants who scored in the top 5, on the oral and written exams combined, received additional prizes.

Much to my absolute shock, all 3 of my children placed in the top 5!

They did WAY better than I ever expected of them.

At lunch, when Jersey #1 started calculating that she thought she could have earned 3rd place, I cautioned her to not expect to place this year.  She did not prepare well, and lost many points.

She earned 3rd place!

Jersey #3 earned 4th place.  

Jersey #2 earned 5th place.  She was initially upset that her younger brother scored higher than her.  I reminded her that in Bible Bee, points are lost when you repeat parts of the verse that you already said.  Right now, she is in a huge phase of repeating herself mid-sentence.  That carries over into her verse recitation as well.  It just doesn't have an effect during AWANA, like it does for Bible Bee. After she heard my explanation, she was no longer concerned over how her brother performed better.

As we talked about how each child did on their oral and written exams, I learned that although the children did not study all of the verses on the Bible Bee list, the ones they learned were recited accurately.  Even though they did not complete all of the components to the sword study, they all read the book of the Bible multiple times, and were familiar enough with the subject, to answer questions on the written exam.  (And, lucky for them, some of the other contestants were less prepared, or more nervous, or something).  

My fears that I was setting my children up for failure have been relieved.  I think we all learned some pretty good lessons through this experience.  I am most pleased with how joyfully my children participated in the Bee.

Now, they are talking about wanting to participate again next year...

Vacation Bible School

This week, the children are attending Vacation Bible School with friends.  The church hosting the VBS is using Lifeway's Amazing Wonders Aviation curriculum.  I love Lifeway's VBS music.  The kids are still singing the songs from previous years.  This church gives the kids their own CD of the VBS music.  Two of my kids brought the CD home already and have been practicing the songs.  They are catchy!

Another blessing about this week of Vacation Bible School is that all 5 of my children can attend.  This church that our friends attend, has a big enough facility, and enough manpower, to house all age groups, even toddlers and preschoolers.  My kids really enjoy themselves.  My friend is a teacher in Jersey #1's class.  One of her daughters is in class with Jersey #2.  Her Mom is the Children's  Ministry Director.  Since I know both ladies and am quite fond of them, I am comfortable leaving my children  under their supervision and care.  I know they are in good hands.  That gives me 3 full hours to myself each day this week.  Respite!  

In our town, there are many churches and many VBS programs.  If desired, a family could attend VBS each week in June, July, and even the first week of August.  Some families do something along those lines, sending their kids to VBS all over town.  I have not had a desire to do that.

Even so, my children will participate in 3 different VBS programs this summer.  First is this Lifeway program at our friend's church.  Next, we will go on a mission trip where we will help out with a VBS at a chapter house in the Navajo Nation.  We will be joined by a youth group from Indiana, and will use the VBS curriculum their church uses.  Our final VBS will be with our own church, in August.  

Our church is part of the ABA (American Baptist Association), which has its own VBS curriculum.  I usually prefer the ABA curriculum the most, because the lessons use both the old and new testaments of the Bible, the daily verses are in the King James version, and the lessons are very solid Biblical teachings.  I also like that it is not the common curriculum used all over town, and  I like originality.  But, I will say that the ABA music is pitiful.  They really could use a few lesson from the Lifeway folks.  Our church usually ditches the music that comes with our VBS program, and organizes our own praise and worship or camp-style songs instead.

This summer, I am praying about the impact that VBS could have on my children.  Three of my children...Jersey #2, Jersey #3, and Jersey #4....appear to be ripe for spiritual growth, and have been engaging me in a lot of questions and discussions recently.  Jersey #3 and Jersey #4 are not saved, so my prayer is that they see the truth and come to a realization and decision about sin and their need for a Savior.  Each person is different, so I am not yet clear if they are getting close to a time of understanding, or not.  Both of their older sisters caught me completely off guard when they reached that point of understanding, so maybe I am just not good at detecting the progression.  Jersey #2 made a profession of faith a week after VBS two years ago.  She is currently struggling with some deep thinking about living a life of truth, knowing right from wrong.  She does not have a servant's heart naturally, so she has really been struggling and growing in that area.  

I have always felt the strong conviction to raise my children in church.  Through the years, I have detailed that goal to specifically raise my children in Christ, and live out my faith in front of them.  It is important to me to have opportunities like church, AWANA, mission trips, Upward sports, and VBS, to give a full array of methods to teach Biblical truths to my children.  It has always been my prayer that my children will come to know Christ, as their Savior.  What I did not realize is just how tough it is to watch my children go through spiritual growth.  Some lessons are painful.  Some are emotional.  Some are challenging.  As a mother, I would like to spare my children from any hardship, and guide them right to where they need to be.  But, faith doesn't work that way.  I can't force my faith upon my children.  I can't save them.  It is a personal decision, and everyone has the same freedom to choose.

God has a plan for my children.  I am suppose to teach them about God's love, and live out my faith in front of them, so that they will see faith in action.  God will equip them for the tasks He has for them.  

When I picked the kids up from their first day of VBS, Jersey #5 proudly announced,

"Mom, I was SO good today.  I didn't punch anyone!"

Yes, his standards of behavior are quite a bit lower than I would prefer.

Just like how Jesus meets us right where we are, I must meet my children right where they are and help guide them through the next level of their growth.      

Christian parenting is certainly not for cowards!  

Thankfully, just like the first VBS lesson taught, "God is Amazing!"

I am prepared to be amazed by what God is going to do in our lives this summer.  

God spoke. I cried.

This morning, I woke up to an email in my inbox.  

A woman who actively participates at the same AWANA club emailed me to say that she had just heard about the loss of my baby boy.  Although I know this woman, slightly, our children are not the same ages, so we do not volunteer in the same classrooms.  So, I really don't know her very well at all.  It is really no surprise that she was unaware of the status of crisis in my life.

It was a surprise that she took the time to contact me.  It was an even bigger surprise to read what she had to say.

Sadly, this woman recently suffered a miscarriage.  She is grieving, and that pain is terrible.  She wanted to reach out to me, because she better understands the pain that I am enduring.  A mutual friend shared with her about my situation, and some of the things I have posted on my blog.  One of the things that was shared was the fact that I do not yet have a gravestone for my babies' grave.

She said the Lord placed it on her heart that she and her husband should help me get a gravestone for the grave.  In her email, she offered to do that for me, if I would let her.

I immediately started crying.  I was so filled with adrenaline that I was shaking, and had to sit down.  My heart was racing with joy and excitement, and I was completely overwhelmed that God was meeting this need in my life.  I am SO sensitive, that my emotions are often manifested in a physical reaction as well.  My body was in such a hyped up state, that I would not have been surprised if I had a heart attack.  Although, I am not sure if joy can give you a heart attack.  I doubt it.

It was easy to see God's hand in this.

I have not been talking about my inability to purchase the gravestone for my babies' grave.  It is a want, not a true need.  I don't want to be a charity case and expect everyone else to cover my expenses.  So, I tucked the desire down deep, and constantly looked for ways to save the funds.  None of my efforts were working.  By the time I wrote the blog post that mentioned that the lack of stone on the grave bothered me, I was in a state of anger about how difficult it was to save this money, in my current financial situation.  I was growing bitter toward my husband over this desire of mine.  Honestly, the amount of money he spends on renting his own apartment would easily cover the cost of a headstone for the grave!  

As I have been working through my struggles, with Bible study and prayer, I had finally reached a point of letting go of the anger and bitterness (that is a whole other blog post).  I handed over my financial struggle to God.  I had to let it go and accept that the funds for the gravestone will arrive in God's timing, not mine.  This is actually quite difficult for me.  I like to plan.  Memorial Day would be a great time to get a stone placed.  The anniversary of Mackenzie's birth/death is in June, that would be a great time to get the stone placed.  Titus was due to be born the first week of July, and that would be a great time to get the stone placed.  Well, since it takes about 6 weeks for the stone to be completed, there was no way I was going to get it in time for any of these time points, especially when the first step is having the money to pay for it.  Memorial Day came and went, and I was sad about the gravestone.  The desire is deep.  So, I had to keep reminding myself that it is a want, not a true need.

When this woman who hardly knows me offered to fund the gravestone, because God told her to, I was completely overwhelmed.  What a blessing!  This is HUGE for me!  What a mending of my heart's desire!  There are not enough exclamation points in the world to express how I am rejoicing over this!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God didn't stop there.

Two lessons have come to me through this.

It is humbling to me to see Christian love in action like this.  A broken-hearted woman reached out to someone else, in the midst of her pain.  My response is to feel sorry for myself, not to reach out to others.  What an example she sets.  I have a lot to learn.

In spite of the joy I felt over this answered prayer, there was a piece of me who was not certain I could accept this gift.  I even asked my Pastor and my husband if it was acceptable to receive such a large gift like this.....especially when it is a desire, and not a need.  I am accustomed to standing on my own two feet, and doing everything I can on my own.  I do not like to be a charity case.  My Pastor advised me to allow others to minister me, so that they can fulfill God's will in their lives as well.  I didn't look at it this way.  My husband suggested that it is not a charity case because I am not asking for help, or expecting it.  It is easy for me to do for others.  It is difficult for me to accept help from others.

I finally reached enough composure to call this lady.  I had sent an email response right away, but I was crying and shaking so much that I knew I could not maintain a conversation.  It was so nice to talk with her on the phone.  She is such a loving person.  She was quite serious about giving me the money for the gravestone.  

I am still in a bit of shock about this whole blessing and answered prayer.  My excitement about being able to begin the process of selecting the headstone is growing, as the idea becomes more real to me.

God is SO Good!

       

    

AWANA awards

We have completed another year of AWANA.

I love the AWANA program so much!  It has the same feel as Scouts, only without the political turmoil (such as how Girl Scouts is affiliated with Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider---Ew!)  The kids wear AWANA uniforms, usually shirts or vests, to hold all of the patch and pin awards they earn through out the club year.  Each level of the club has a new book to complete each school year.  In those books are various Bible verses to memorize, Bible study activities to complete, and service projects to work on.  It starts with a foundation of Christian faith, and builds toward applying that faith and those principles.  In addition to the scripture knowledge that I find so helpful in our children's education, the AWANA club we attend offers a slew of games and activities.  Each week the kids have a devotion in their classes, they play PE style games, eat snacks, and some make crafts.  There is usually a theme to each club night, so the kids can dress up with crazy hair, or wear their PJs and things like that.  Outside of the weekly meeting, there are occasional weekend activities like the Grand Prix boxcar race, Bible Quizzing competition, and AWANA Games competition.  The club we attend is a very complete program.  The church who hosts it has the amenities to host a large program.  The Commander and his wife who direct the program have an incredible amount of experience and organization to make this particular club a great success each year.  

Our children thrive in this AWANA club.  There are so many themes and activities to get excited about, that it is not all academic for them.  Plus, many of the rewards involve candy, treats, or outings, and the kids like that.  

My requirement for the kids is that they complete the 1 designated book for each club year.  The kids usually complete 2-3 books or extra credit options instead, because they want to keep up with the over-achieving pace of their siblings.  They also want those extra patches and awards that go on their vests.  

Memorization comes easy to them, especially once they learn to read well and can practice on their own.  Jersey #2 really liked the verses set to music, so that helped her forge ahead, when she could memorize scripture with a tune.  I don't mind if they work hard to achieve more, but I do set some parameters for them.  Their work has to be thorough and with a happy heart.  They are to memorize their verses fully, so that they can recite them without assistance.  They cannot set such a high goal for themselves that they become overwhelmed and start crying about it.  Well, they can set such a goal, but I intervene as soon as the crying begins, and set a limit on them for that night until their attitude turns brighter.  I will allow them to choose to take a week or two off from working in their books, if life has gotten tough.  

No matter which way I turn, I am faced with challenge many of the weeks during the AWANA year.  Some of the challenge is over a child pressuring himself/herself to do more, to the point that they become overwhelmed.  Some of the challenge is encouraging a sluggish child to be more thorough in their efforts.  Some of the challenges come from the AWANA leaders themselves, who each have a different opinion of how many verses a child should learn each week.  I have had a few leaders repeatedly suggest that I am pressuring my children to do too much.  I am always amused by this, considering the pressure is not coming from me.  I have also had a leader question why I am "forcing" my kids to memorize the King James Version of the Bible.  (It is written in King's English, at an 8th grade reading level).  Most weeks I am having to explain to someone that the child in question is pushing their own limit.  The King James translation of the Bible is what we use at home and at church, so I am seeking consistency for my children.  The kids do not know any different, and are not bothered by this.  When they hear our Pastor read from his Bible during a sermon, they recognize the verses they have already memorized.  We are seeing benefit to that version, because the higher reading level introduces many more vocabulary words that improves their reading skills.  The sound of the spoken words is stranger than we speak, but it is still very similar to having them memorize Shakespeare.  I find the King's English to better explain the grammar.  Thee and thy let us know which person is being addressed much more accurately than the general "you."  It is certainly not appealing to everyone, but it works for us.  It is a good week at AWANA when all of the children have learned their verses well, are satisfied with their own efforts and accomplishments, and the leaders (and competitive parents) don't mention it!  I especially appreciate the leaders who accept kids as having different personalities and styles.  They seem to "get" the quirks in my kids too, and encourage us all.  

At the end of year awards program, all that hard work pays off as the kids are brought forward to receive the awards they have earned.  Our children are usually so excited to receive these really cool awards.  Even though I am most pleased with the academic awards, that come from finishing a book, my kids get most excited about the Perfect Attendance ribbon.  It is a bright, flashy ribbon.  But, perfect attendance is not my goal.  It usually comes down to whether or not our family caught the flu (or some other highly contagious upper respiratory bug) that year.

This year, no one caught the flu, so the older 3 kids received the perfect attendance ribbon.  Their awards program this year was incredible.  Each of them completed 3 books.  

Jersey #1 completed the 4th and 5th grade books, so that she could be placed in the 5th grade class where she is academically, instead of being in the 4th grade class by age.  (oh yes, that was a new can of worms for the leaders and parents who think I push my kids too far!)  Even at the awards program, I was asked if I was really going to allow Jersey #1 to be in 6th grade next Fall?  Not just in AWANA, but also in the enrichment program we had her in this year?  Yes, and yes.  We let her advance a grade (She completed kindergarten and 1st grade in the same year).  She was ready, and prefers the challenge.  

Jersey #2 has a gift for memorization that is amazing, along with an attitude of assumption that everyone can learn the way she does.  She doesn't see it as any big deal.  I like the way that the director introduced her.  He said that Jersey #2 may be small, but she is mighty!  That is the truth.

Jersey #3 was so proud of himself for the work he did this year.  He tried to tell his sisters that he completed more books than they did, but they quickly shut him down.  That didn't stop him from being super excited to get his awards.

The Referee made it to the awards program, which was really nice.  The kids were excited to have him there to see them receive their awards, and to praise them for their efforts.  It is important that Mom and Dad are proud of you.

               

Our church is not big enough to be able to host an AWANA program of our own, so our kids attend a program at a different church.  As our church grows in children, those children are also joining us for AWANA.  It was really sweet that our Pastor's wife attended the award ceremony to support the kids.  Their own children attended that same AWANA program when they were young too.  (The club we attend meets on Thursdays, not the typical Wednesday or Sunday, so it doesn't conflict with the Wednesday and Sunday evening services at our own church).   

AWANA Games

To add to our Extreme Weekend, the older kids participated in AWANA Games.

This is a fun, athletic event, with PE style games.  The kids are divided into teams, and the teams from different AWANA clubs around town compete against each other.

Jersey #3 participated in Sparks-A-Rama, which is the competition for the Sparks Clubs (kindergarten-2nd graders).  His team won 2nd place.

Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 participated in AWANA Games, which is specific to the T&T program (3rd-6th grades).  They were on the same team.  Their team won 3rd place.

For a couple of events, the girls had to run around a big circle.  As I sat in the bleachers and watched Jersey #2 run, I could not help but pray a prayer of thanksgiving:  Praise the Lord that her heart is working so well!  It was amazing to see her be able to run like that.

We had quite a cheering section to watch the kids compete.  The Referee was able to attend.  It was really sweet that our Pastor and his wife came out to watch the kids too.  The number of children in our church congregation is growing, and many of them are active in AWANA.  They were thrilled to see their Pastor at the AWANA Games event.

Sparks-A-Rama was held in the morning, and AWANA Games was held in the early afternoon.  Since our family had to be there all day, we ate lunch at the concession stand.  The kids thought that was a real treat.

AWANA Cubbies

We completed another year of AWANA Cubbies!

This year I stretched myself and tried something new:  I volunteered to be an official leader in the Cubbies program.  (Cubbies is the AWANA program for preschoolers).  In all the past years of my kids participating in AWANA, I had never signed up as a leader.  I would still attend club each week, and assist in the various classrooms.  But, this year, I made that official commitment.  It was a good experience.   

I had 2 kids in Cubbies this year.  Jersey #4 and Jersey #5 are 18 months apart in age, and 1 year apart in school.  The Cubbies program runs for 2 years, so they spent a year in the club together.  This was exactly the same thing that happened when Jersey #1 was 4 years old, and Jersey #2 was 3 years old.

At the end-of-year Cubbies Awards Potluck, we celebrated our year of accomplishments.  Even though he has been avoiding crowds, and finds large gatherings overwhelming, The Referee made a point to attend.  He has always attended their awards programs in the past, and he knew it was important to the children.  I was glad to see him too.  I remember how important it was for me that my own parents attended my awards programs when I was a kid, so I was glad he was making that effort for the kids.  I was also thankful to have the help.  One thing I did not consider when signing up for Cubbies Leader is that it would be hard to be a leader and supervise my own kids at the same time, during the awards night dinner!  With The Referee there to sit with the kids, I was free to roam as a leader.  Plus, knowing how much I cherish pictures, The Referee offered to take some photos for me too.  What a blessing!

This was our 6th year in a row of attending a Cubbies Awards Program.  Our family started AWANA when Jersey #1 and Jersey #2 were both in Cubbies together.  Jersey #1 only completed one year of Cubbies (since she started at age 4), and then moved on to Sparks.  Jersey #2 completed her 2nd year, followed by 2 years for Jersey #3.  Jersey #4 completed one year alone as well, then had her little brother with her for her 2nd year.  Next year, when we graduate our final Cubbie, that will mark 7 years in a row of being part of the AWANA Cubbie program! 

It was so much easier this year, with our two youngest children in Cubbies.  In years past, we had toddlers and babies to hold, carry, stroll, and entertain.  Two preschoolers are much easier to manage.  (As one friend described it, "life is just more challenging with a baby and a toddler, regardless of how many children you have").   

The Awards Dinner went great.  Jersey #4 is very excited to move up to the Sparks program in the Fall.  Most of her peers were excited about the new red vests they would wear in Sparks.  Jersey #4 tells me that the reason she wants to go to Sparks is because she can't wait to get to use the bigger playground area outside the Sparks classroom!