beyond this land of parting...

This life is hard.  Plain and simple fact; difficult and confusing circumstances.

Losing someone in this life is never an easy thing to experience.  But when the circumstances are grim and the life still had so much more to live...that is simply heartbreaking.

Anyone who has known me for longer than about 2.5 minutes knows that I have a strong love for teenagers.  I'm the weird one who seriously loves the snark and the sass, the crazy range of emotions, the strong desire for independence forged with the strong desire to be taken care of; the awkwardness, the silliness, the whole shebang.  I love them.  

I always thought I would like the younger kids the most--both of my sisters are exceptional with young kids, and I always just figured I followed suit (nope...I would take 20 teenagers over 5 five year olds any day of the week).  But when I student taught, they assigned me to 8th grade (much to my uncertainty)...and I loved it!  I taught 8th grade for three years and loved {almost} every minute of it.  I went back the next two years and taught remediation at the high school for 9th and 10th grade, and I loved it.  But the work that has stirred my passion the most has been my role as "youth minister" to our teens for the past 8-9 years.

I counted last night, and I think we've had around 25 kids in our youth group during those years.  And still to this day and for every day after, they will be my kids.  We go through so much together--we've walked through celebrations and losses; laughed together more than I can measure, and cried together any time we've needed; we've prayed and learned and grown immensely; we've become family.  

And this week that family suffered a huge hit.  

Our sweet and precious JJ was lost this week.  And it has been so, so hard.

JJ was always one of our quieter kids who took a little while to open up.  But once he got comfortable, he fit right in with our crazy, quirky bunch and we welcomed him with open arms.  One of my favorite memories to share with him was our communion during Encounter, a practice of eucharisteo, gratefulness.  As we broke bread together, we went around the circle speaking aloud what we were grateful for in that moment.  And JJ's response about burst my heart open...he was grateful for our group, for a place he fit in and felt loved...  That dear ones is the meat of what the church is and my biggest hope for all of our kids who come our way.  

I also got to stand beside his mama as we watched the beautiful transformation of his baptism.  I got to hear the stories about his friends and provide encouragement about his struggles on rides home.  I got to see this once shy boy bloom into the star of the camp skit, jumping around singing "JJ's a cow! JJ's a cow!" (an inside joke that will always stay close to my heart and make me smile).  I got to laugh until I cried as I watched/made the teens play beanboozled--JJ ate every single one like a champ! (and then blew nasty skunk breath in my face and ran away giggling, haha).  I got to see him grow up into an incredibly handsome young man with such a tender spirit and kind heart.

About two years ago, his family began to attend church somewhere else, so we didn't get to see each other as often as we had before.  But just last month as I was visiting our group at Camp Red Oak Springs, I glanced around and a familiar face caught my eye.  My JJ was there and I was SO excited to get to see him and hug his neck!  He was so happy and talked to me about school and his plans to come back to Encounter next summer.  He laughed when his friend asked if I was his mom (I used to be confused for a teenager...somehow very quickly, now I'm confused as the mom of a teenager!  Gracious).  We hugged and promised to keep in touch.

And this week, he's gone.

This world and this life are so very broken.  We see evidence of that every single day in a myriad of ways.  Some pain is visible and public and seen; and some pain are kept in the deepest parts of people's souls.  You absolutely never know the weight every person you meet is carrying.  And sadly, so many people carry their burdens alone.

In the middle of the heartbreak though, I am able to find the tiniest bit of hope...a feeling of trust.  Because in the middle of this heartbreak and brokenness and suffering, my Jesus holds true.  And in the midst of all of the brokenness, he is making all things new.  All of creation is being redeemed.  Restored to the glorious perfection of its Creator's intent.  And when that work is completed, the heartbreak will be no more.  The pain will be gone.  The brokenness will be mended.  And all will be made new.

So while this week has been terrible and I have cried multiple times, often without warning...  While all I want to do is hold to my kids and never let go (my own kids and my youth group kids)...  While my spirit wants to be afraid...  I will still cling to hope.

Because our hope doesn't end with death.  Jesus walked out of that tomb and he brought with him freedom, hope, grace, and life.  He left death behind--the fear of it, the sting of it, the finality of it.  And that is such a beautiful truth to dwell on, especially in times like these.

JJ, you will always hold a dear and special place in my heart and in my memories.  I am beyond grateful for the time we were able to share, and I hope with all of my heart that you saw Jesus during your times with us.  I will always have so many questions and so many what ifs and so many wishes...but I will also have the solid belief that we will reunite again in a renewed creation.  I look forward to that day.  You are so, so loved and incredibly missed.

love, angie

"Beyond this land of parting, losing, and leaving...

Far beyond the losses, darkening this...

And far beyond the taking and the bereaving...

Lies a summer land of bliss..."

O, death, where is your sting?

Last Friday, I sat through the funeral service of a great man.  My husband's grandfather had fought a long battle with COPD and congestive heart failure, and his body was tired.  The previous two weeks, we had all been together for most of it, caring for him and loving on him and each other.  Those three weeks combined were and are a bit of a blur, but still very specific details stand out with such clarity.

Hunter and I started dating just shy of 13 years ago, and I have been through so much with his family.  Since we were so young, our families actually helped raise each other as well.  His grandparents have loved me so well since the very beginning.  They offer wisdom, work ethic, perseverance, stability, and loyalty--all doused in a load of humor.  Just really good people.

If this wasn't known already, it became very clear in the past few weeks.  Their five grandsons rose to the hard task of taking care of him in his last days; helping him be comfortable, moving him, talking with him, and being his strength as his dwindled.  It was also very clear as these five grandsons stood and bravely honored their PawPaw last week at his funeral service.  Each of them spoke of what he had taught them, what memories he had created with them, what he had provided for this family.  His reach on each of them was undeniable.  They also served as his pall bearers, carrying his body to its final resting place.  Nothing made PawPaw more happy or more proud than those boys.

A few moments from the service really stood out to me, aside from the boys' talks.
     --Kaplan loves to give fives, and it was always a way that he would interact with PawPaw (even with his oxygen on or in the hospital bed or if we hadn't seen him in a while...fives were always a sure fire connection).  Hunter was carrying him around at the funeral home that morning and he was dishing out the fives.  When they walked up to the casket, he still reached down and gave PawPaw a five.
     --my sister-in-law and I spent a lot of those weeks going through unbelievable amounts of pictures; I made a Shutterfly book and she made a video memorial for the service.  Seeing those pictures and the life in them was just amazing.  (Men--quit fussing about taking pictures!  Future generations will love them.)
     --If PawPaw got dressed up, he wore a blue suit; he was also buried in a blue suit.  So all the boys went out and bought blue blazers to wear to the service for him.  They looked so nice and I know PawPaw would have loved it.

PawPaw's boy dogs

 
     --We had congregational singing for the service and sang some of his and Grandmaw's favorites.  That big booming bass line on the front row (the grandsons) was enough to give me grins and goosebumps.
     --Because PawPaw was a Marine, they were present for the graveside service.  One played Taps, and two others folded and presented the flag to Grandmaw.  Such an honor and tribute.

     --When the pall bearers laid their boutonnieres on the casket, Hunter took Kaplan's off and handed it to him.  Seeing his tiny little hand place that small flower on PawPaw's casket was almost more than I could handle.

It was a hard day.  But it was a beautiful day.  Dignified and honorable, with just enough humor to feel like PawPaw.

Have you ever stood beside someone as they die--particularly someone who is losing a long battle?  I have, a few times now.  While it may sound a bit morbid or creepy to some, there is actually a strange peace that overtakes the moment.  There are tears, yes, and great, deep sadness.  But underlying all of that is a very present peace.  Their pain has stopped, their battle is done, the wait has ended.  Peace.

And do you know the reason I have felt that peace?  Because of death.

This Friday that we celebrate as "Good Friday" was actually so very terrible in it's happening.  It was cruel and bloody and loud and violent.  The only innocent being to walk this earth was nailed to a tree in absolute hate.  He gave his life's blood...for you and for me.  What an incredible gift.

You know how a lot of people will pick a word to focus on through the year?  Unfortunately, so far this year, death has chosen to be our word (believe me, it is not what I would ever choose).   Starting in December, we've had so many deaths...and most of them have been tragic.  It has been such a tough year--and it's only March...

But even amidst all of that pain and heartbreak and loss, an undeniable peace has been present for me.  Because of that tragic yet beautiful death so many years ago that we commemorate today, "Good Friday".

So how does death bring peace and why is today good?

Because three days later, he ROSE! 
Because that death defeated all death.  Because that death provides life eternal.  Because that death paved the way for creation's restoration.  Because that death allows all things to be made new.

Because sometimes in the darkest places, Christ's beautiful grace shines brightest.

So today is good.  And every day is good.  Because we serve a risen Redeemer.  O, death, where is your sting?

I pray you find comfort through your brokenness and hope in the Story.

xoxo, angie

LYFT

I just got back from a week long trip taking our kids to Encounter, a church camp at Lubbock Christian University.   And oh how it changed us.

I got a lot of questions and side eyes and disbelief at the fact that I was leaving my kids that long.  I'll be the first to admit--it was a crazy long time.  I dropped them off on a Saturday afternoon and didn't get the back until the next Sunday afternoon...8 nights, 9 days.

But I will also be the first to tell you that it was completely worth it.  I love my babies with every ounce of my being and I missed them terribly.  But my role as mama is not the only one my life fills, and it is not always the one that can receive all of me.  Youth ministry reached into my heart and latched on tight--and doing Kingdom work alongside these people is another role that receives pretty high priority.

I am so grateful for our parents' willingness and ability to keep our kids while I was away.  Knowing I did not have to worry about my flesh and blood kiddos allowed me to be there completely and fully for my blood bought kiddos all week.  And I don't have a single trace of doubt that I was where I should have been.

This camp is an intense one.  There is so much material covered between 15 interactive classes and 6 keynote lessons.  Plus, we have the privilege of studying with two doctoral theologians and ambassadors for whom I have the utmost admiration and respect (thank you, thank you, thank you).

There's a lot of chance for youth group time and one on one discussion/counseling/mentoring.  This was my third year to be able to take our group, and each year has been so different, but equally beautiful and filled to the brim with growth.

"Lyft" (picture the Y in that spelling as a person with their hands outstretched) was the theme this year, taken from Psalm 121:1-2, "I lift us my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth."  The week centered around lifting our eyes and ourselves to our God, even in the middle of pain and brokenness and loneliness and fear...not that those things will not happen to us, nor will they go away, but that our God is bigger than all of that.  And lifting to Him brings a peace that allows us to deal with our circumstances; it brings a willingness that allows us to see and love people; it brings a complete understanding and reminder that our life's focus should not be ourselves.

We brought 7 kids with us this year.  Some of them don't have much going on right now.  Some of them are yet to have anything major happen.  And some of them are in the middle of walking through some really tough stuff.  This week opened hearts, healed broken ones, released emotions, and forged relationships...

I was able to catch the tears of several of my kids, my heart breaking with theirs.
I was able to give guidance in some ways, and simply offer a gentle presence in others.  

I was able to pray directly over each of them.  

I was able to laugh and share jokes and be silly and make memories.  

I was able to still "be mama" and take care of them when they got sick.

I was able to experience Eucharisteo with each of them, giving thanks in the presence of our risen Jesus through the breaking of bread.

I was able to learn and study and have questions of my own answered.

I was able to worship unabashedly and fully present.

I was able to stand in the gap for my kids and their families.

I was able to spend the week with my best friend, growing in Spirit.

I was able to get to know them deeper and strengthen bonds.

I was able to listen.
I was able to see.

I was able to feel and experience the movement of the Holy Spirit.

I was able to lift my eyes, my heart, my hands, my prayers, my attention, my focus, my life...

I was able to love on these kids (they'll never really know how much I love them).

Y'all are my people.  And I'm so proud of that and grateful for that.  

Thank you for letting this "old" gal be your friend.  I love you!

xoxo, angie

"Joy" --Rend Collective

We're choosing celebration

Breaking into freedom

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We cast aside our shadows

Trust You with our sorrows

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

We're rising from the ashes to the stars

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul

The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

The pain will not define us

Joy will reignite us

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

The dark is just a canvas

For Your grace and brightness

You're the song

You're the song

Of our hearts

We're dancing to the rhythm of Your heart

We're rising from the ashes to the stars

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul
The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

You're the joy

The song in my heart

The hope of my soul

In the shadows

In the sorrows

In the desert

When the pain hits

You are constant

Ever-present

You're the song of my heart

You're the joy joy joy lighting my soul

The joy joy joy making me whole

Though I'm broken, I am running

Into Your arms of love

Into Your arms

People.

People.  Oh they can drive you downright batty.  I mean, let's face it--the human race is a pretty annoying breed.  And that makes that whole "greatest command" business pretty tricky...  some people are just hard to love.  At least all the time...

Have I mentioned yet that this pregnancy has really limited my patience levels?  I'm still not preggo-zilla, but I definitely and acutely recognize how easily I get annoyed these days, how "thin my skin is", how silly people are.

I know people feel this way about me too.  It would be so grand if the whole human race could just be pleasant to one another and only do and say things that everyone likes and agrees with.  But then where would the interest and variety and reality be?

The most incredible thing on this planet is us humans though.  Because if you look all the way back to the beginning, up in the front in Genesis (chapter 2 specifically), you see this:  26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."  So here on this chaotic, crazy, messed-up and annoying world, here we stand and live, created in the image of the Almighty Triune God.  Wow.  That should make people seem less annoying, right?

This week, we're at Encounter with our high school youth group kids.  The theme of the week is "Revolution"--discussing some hot topic questions and discerning the truth about them (vs what the world has taught us, what our traditions and church habits have taught us, what our comfort zones have taught us, what our government, society, schools...anything but the Word of God...have taught us).  Because when you start with the truth and it's rooted in love--you finish in a place of truth and love.  

My deepest yearning and prayer this week is for my heart to break for people.  That I (and these kids) will be pricked to change...to wear the name of Christ boldly through our words and actions.  That we can help reunite the name of Christianity with its root and definition--love.  

So even the people who are hardest to love...especially the people who are hardest to love...Lord give me your eyes to see your image on them, to see the person you created, designed, and deeply love.

And the world will know we are Christians by our love...  

Lord, help my life leak your love abundantly.

It's not supposed to be this way...

Tonight was a tough night.  I sat through something that you never expect to have to...  Tonight I attended a vigil, memorial service, honoring of a student who was killed this past weekend.

Since I resigned when I got pregnant with Arabella, my students were my only kids for those three years.  They are who kept me up worrying; they are whose games and activities I attended in support; they are who drove me absolutely crazy one minute and laughing hysterically the next; they are who my world revolved around; they were and always will be my kids.  To lose one of them has rocked my world more than I expected...but then again, who ever expects to have to go through this?

The service tonight was absolutely beautiful.  It was all student led and they did a phenomenal job of remembering and honoring their classmate, brother, and friend.  Several of his close friends and classmates delivered messages, memories, and prayers.  He was also honored through songs recorded, sung, and played by the band as well as a slideshow.  And most impressively and importantly, every single speech and song delivered, the message of hope through our Lord Jesus was made known clearly.

See, Jamarcus was a Jesus boy.  He was a squirrelly rascal who would do just about anything to make someone laugh.  But he was also a tender hearted soul who would do just about anything to make someone feel loved.  And there's where the hope and peace lies in this terrible time...we're still stuck down here, but Jamarcus is celebrating with His Savior.  As one of the coaches said tonight, "while we were on our way to our church buildings Sunday morning, Jamarcus was being welcomed into the Church of Heaven by God Himself."  And how beautiful is that...

This whole week has been hard.  Just hard.  I find myself crying in the weirdest times and being set off by something so random.  I have cried a lot.  Seeing all of those kids--my kids--hurting tonight was absolutely heart wrenching.  Death is a difficult time for any one to walk through.  But when a young life is taken and other young people have to learn to walk through that, it's something else altogether.

I got two hugs tonight that melted me inside.  One was from a young lady who came up to me on the field after the service was over and immediately hugged me.  I was kind of surprised and then I felt her arms get tighter and her body start to shake as she cried.  We shared some words and some tears, and that moment was so special.  The second was one I sought out.  It was from a young man who was one of my special ones--we had a great relationship and just clicked.  I knew he was good friends with Jamarcus and I wanted to check in on him.  I walked over and "pst pst"ed at him since he was visiting in a group.  He looked up with a big smile, said "Mrs. Newby!", and immediately grabbed me up in a hug.  And then didn't let go.  We talked some, just stood there some, but he never let go.  Those moments were so very special to me.

I have always hoped with my whole heart that I was able to convey to my students how much I love them and care about them.  I have always prayed and hoped to be a strength, a guide, a mentor for them.  Those two hugs tonight (on top of the many others I received) assured my heart that God had placed me where He needed me.

Death is hardest on the living.  But as we just celebrated this past Sunday, the day Jamarcus left this earth, our hope doesn't end with death.  Jesus walked out of that tomb and he brought with him freedom, hope, grace, and life.  He left death behind--the fear of it, the sting of it, the finality of it.  And that is such a beautiful truth to dwell on, especially in times like these.

It's not supposed to be this way.  But that's why this world is not our home--it is full of evil and despair and heartache.  I pray the memories of Jamarcus...his infectious laugh, his irresistible grin, his constant pranks and jokes, his joy...I pray those stay fresh.  I also pray that this terrible loss brings forth growth and change and salvation.  That because of this young man's life and loss, other people make better choices, help other people, and seek Jesus.

Jamarcus, it was my honor, privilege, and absolute joy to teach you and to know you.  I hope you understood the impressions you left on those you met--how loved you made people feel.  Run, dance, fly, and ride with the angels, sweet boy.  You are so, so loved and incredibly missed.

Love, Mrs. Newby

This song came on the radio as I got in my car to go to the service tonight.  I just teared up at the gift my Jesus had given me.  Cry out to Jesus...

"To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time..."

El Roi--the God who sees

(obviously this was written a while back...however, I wasn't ready to share until now)

So...I'm pregnant!  There's a lot of back story to this go round:  a lot of doctor's visits, medicines, waiting, pain, tears, and prayers.  But here, on Monday, February 17, 2014, I found out I am indeed...pregnant!

It made me giggle to think about.  I started "feeling" like I was last week--random bouts of nausea, tight pants, random tiredness, etc.  But after the last year and a half, my hope was terrified to surface. The part that made me giggle inside though was the deja vu...  Three years ago (Febraury 20, 2011), I found out I was pregnant with Arabella.  It was President's Day, which of course is a Monday.  We were supposed to be out of school but were having to makeup a weather day (for snow) on that day.  Fast forward three years to today...Monday, President's Day, on which they were supposed to be off of school but are instead making it up from a weather (snow) day.  Haha--just craziness!  And proof that God of mine likes a good giggle too :)

Last night at church, our preacher delivered a lesson on "El Roi", the God who sees (he's going through a series on the names of God and it is really beautiful).  He used the story of Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and Ishmael, as this is the name Hagar calls when she realizes God sees her.  The point that struck me though is the side note he made about Ishmael.  He said we still produce Ishmaels today; for they are the product of not waiting on the Lord...for rushing our timeline instead of trusting in the beauty of the gifts we receive when we wait on Him.  I had been doing just that.  For any woman who has yearned desperately for a child, you understand--it consumes you.  I had been trying to rush what I wanted when I wanted it.  I needed to wait on the Lord.  My heart stirred at those words.  

I also read 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp a few months ago, and her in depth look at eucharisteo sent chills and then warmth all the way to my core.  I had not been thankful; I had not recognized the gifts of the moment because I was too focused on the future I wanted.  When I began thanking God for the extra months with Arabella, for the discussions and intimacy the waiting brought my marriage, for my growing prayer life and changing heart, for the better understanding of infertility and the heartache that so many women experience...that's when my heart began to change.  Realizing the gifts I was being given--even though they hurt--was such a beautiful transformation for me.  

So here I sit, writing the story that for a while, I never thought I would be able to.  And I am blessedly reminded and assured that I worship and love El Roi, the God who sees.  The God who sees me, in my desperation and heartache; the God who saw that and drew my heart closer to Him. 

Little one, you are so loved.  You have been prayed for and over for a very long time by quite a few people.  My heart is full and soon my precious tummy will be as well.  Grow strong, little blessed gift.  

love, angie

be a noticer of the good

"In every situation, in every interaction, in every day, be a noticer of the good.  That's what God-seekers do--they notice the good.  Even when the good has nothing to do with the circumstances and everything to do with ho God will teach us through them--find the good.  And in that good, our soul will exhale, "Sabbath."'

--Lysa Terkeurst, Unglued

I helped lead a ladies' day twice in the past few months that centered around this book, and it changed my heart.  I highly recommend the read, but only with an open heart.

...breathing in His grace, and breathing out his praise...

noticing the good and offering grace, one day and one person at a time

love, angie

who's your best friend?

I asked my sweet toddler a question tonight as she trampled amongst the pillows and my husband on our bed.  She was giggling in her innocence, unscathed by the ugliness of the world.

...let them remind you of the wonder...

Amid the giggles and prancing, I asked, "Arabella, who's your best friend?"

I had never asked her this question.  We talk about her friends often--the other kids in Bible class, the neighbors, the children she met at my sister's daycare.  But I'd never asked who her best friend was.

To be honest, I was expecting the typical "mama" or "daddy", or maybe a grandparent or cousin.  I never expected her answer.

Without skipping a beat, she looked me right in the eye and replied, "baby Jesus".

Mine and Hunter's hearts went crazy!  How perfect and priceless and precious of an answer.

Wow.

My two year old just reopened my heart and its eyes.  I want to be just like her!

Oh, to live my life in the utmost understanding that Jesus--no longer a baby, but the King of Kings and my risen-from-the-dead Savior--that Jesus is my best friend.

Recognize that even the smallest minds and hearts are absorbing every single thing.  They understand and process more than we expect or think them able to.  So challenge them, teach them, explore and learn with them.  But don't you dare be afraid to learn from them.  Because with each new day, I'm understanding more and more that those are some of the most profound lessons you will ever experience.

love, angie

LTC 2013

I mentioned a while back that we took our youth group to a leadership conference on Easter weekend.  This is the 5th year that Hunter and I have been involved in it--our group had been going for a while before we moved here.  Let me give you the skinny on it for those of you who aren't familiar with LTC...

LTC stands for Leadership Training for Christ and there are several conference locations.  We attend the one in Houston (CTLTC--Central Texas LTC).  There are multiple events that students can compete in ranging from team events such as Bible Bowl, Puppets, Live Drama, and Chorus to individual events such as Speaking, Photography, Sign Language, and Artwork.  There are also events that are completed prior to the conference such as Service Challenge and Video Bible Drama.  Members of the congregation take the roles as coaches for each event, guiding and leading practices for each event.  This year we had a group of 40 people with us, supporting/coaching/feeding our kids!

Now, when I say compete, the thought of competing against other teams and people comes to mind.  However, the great thing about LTC is that it sets criteria to follow, and that is what is competed against.  So all of the teams who compete have the possibility of going home with a gold medal (ideally)!  This allows the purpose to remain that students participate in and attend this conference to learn and better their own leadership qualities, giving God the glory in their lives.

Each year, a theme is chosen from the book of the Bible that the conference will center around and focus.  This year was the book of Matthew with the theme, "The Extra Mile" (taken from Matthew 5:41--"If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.").  All of the songs, artwork, scripts--everything--are pulled from the context of that book and pointed toward that theme.

Something else to be explained before I get into anything else--there are age divisions for competition (3-6, 7-9, 10-12).  The team must compete in the age group of the oldest member.  So we had a 4th grader competing in a 7-9 level on puppets and 8th graders competing in 10-12 puppets; 4-9 graders competing on a 10-12 level on live drama; also, our chorus was made up of six 10-12 graders and six 4-9 graders.  If we had more younger kids, we would have been allowed to compete as a mixed chorus, i.e. a lower grade division.  However, being evenly split, they competed on a 10-12 grade level.

Our group has done outstanding every year we've been here.  And it's obvious beyond the medals--we have a group full of leaders, full of active Christians, full of kids who don't settle for tradition but require explanation.  These kids are incredible and the fact that the Lord placed Hunter and I here to work with them astounds us daily.  They have and continue to bless us so!

This year was no different--our kids were great.  They start studying the theme/Bible book in their Sunday morning class when school starts. Usually, Bible Bowl drilling also starts then on Wednesday nights (we did that a little differently this year by starting out with the quizzes on Sunday nights as a congregation and kept their Wednesday night class something non-LTC.  Wednesday night Bible bowl kicked off in January).  All of the other events start practicing pretty hard core in January and go that way until Easter, which is the weekend LTC always is.

When I say hard core practicing--there is always a practice for something(s) Sunday afternoon and something(s) after evening services.  So depending on what all the kids participate in, they are easily and often at the church building for services and then practicing and studying all day long.  I say this to try to explain how hard these kids work and how much they care.  None of them are forced to compete in any event--they choose it all.

That being said, here are what we competed in this year and the awards they received:

• Sign Language--4 Intermediates (they had to translate a song and a scripture); 3 golds and 1 silver
• Sign Language--1 Interpretation (she was given the topic of Communion but had no idea what she would actually be signing)

• 2D Art--1 Gold
• Photography--1 Silver
• Scrapbook--1 Gold (team of 4)

• Bulletin Board--1 Gold (team of 3)
• Video Bible Drama--1 Gold (team of 13--they reenact a Bible story and relate it back to a modern skit.  All of this is recorded and mailed in for judging pre-convention)
• Service Challenge--5 Golds (they must record service events that they have done throughout the year and explain how these events changed them and their Christian walk.)
• Puppets--2 Golds (7-9 team and 10-12 team)

• Bible Bowl--2 four-person teams ranging 7-12 grades, all judged and tested the same.  All 8 boys received a Gold as an individual score, and both teams received a Gold for their team score!  On top of that, both teams were the second highest scoring team in their age bracket (we had a 7-9 team and a 10-12 team)!  SO proud.

Older guys (10-12 division--with an 8th grader) on the left; Younger guys (7-9 division--all 7th and 8th graders) on the right.

All 8 Bible Bowl boys and their coach!

• Live Modern Drama--1 Gold (team of 8)

it's kind of hard to tell, but the fella on the far right is actually inside a rolling suitcase.  hilarious!  and an incredibly effective prop.

• Chorus--1 Gold (team of 12)  They sang: "Love the Lord", "Seek Ye First", "I Have Decided", "I Feel Good", and "I Will Follow"

Let me give you a little backstory on Chorus...because I think you need to know how amazing that GOLD is to those kids!  First of all, our congregation is small so our youth group isn't huge--for the size of our congregation, it is; but we don't have 50-100+ kids that some of these other groups do.  Now, as you can probably know, singing is not a gift given to everyone.  However, if we have kids who wish to be in Chorus, we encourage that whole-heartedly!  So we may not be capable of massive harmonies or perfect blending; but our kids work hard and they make a joyful noise to The Lord, and that is all we ask.  The first year I was here, the chorus received a gold--but because all of these old kids we have now were wee ones then, they were able to compete as a Mixed Chorus (lower age group).  We have been awarded a silver every year since, much to mine and my co-coach's dismay--we knew what our group was capable of and we knew how well they had done with that in mind.  But, we took what we were given and bestowed it upon them with utmost pride for them.  Each year, we would leave practice hearing them claim, "Maybe this will be the year we'll finally get a gold!"  We tweaked, we worked, we learned, we praised...and when it came to the performance, their joyful hearts lifted a great blessing to the Lord.  And the judges recognized that.  And they got a gold.  My co-coach and I cried for two days straight!  We are SO proud of them!

Scholarships are also a big part of the convention each year.  The big name Christian universities (Harding, Lubbock, Abilene, and Oklahoma) sponsor the event and give out a number of scholarships to students who participate in LTC and will be attending their school.  There are also two scholarships given by the LTC board.  Students must apply, compete in convention, and provide recommendation from their elders.  Two years ago, two of our girls (our only two seniors and also cousins!) were granted those scholarships.  This year, one of their younger brothers was our only senior--and since his sister had already received one year before last, we all kind of went in with the thought that they would probably honor someone else with it.  However, Cale's light shone through (as it always does...incredible kid, he is) and he was one of the 2 recipients chosen out of the 9 who applied!  I wish someone could have filmed our little group when our congregation name was announced...I don't think any of us stayed seated.  With him being our only Senior, we knew immediately who it was and we just couldn't contain our joy or our pride.  He's awesome.

All of this is to say...wow.  Our kids get it.  The practices are tiresome and can get annoying; but they trudge through anyway.  They don't settle; they work.  They don't expect anything; they give all they've got.  They praise, they serve, they love.  They get it.

I pray that you're as able to see God's hand as we have been through working with these kids.

love, angie