Madison got a 92 on her science presentation, and that was just enough to push her to an A average in that class, which once again returns her to all A's. It's not something we take for granted, nor is it something we just naturally assume will happen. We know very well she works super hard to get there. She is naturally bright, but at the same time, we see her studying late into the night. After play practice, she was in the office with the laptop, carefully putting together a presentation for her new class, even when everyone else was gone. She was sitting there, working hard to put things together just right, and spending a good amount of time working on it. Another example was her studying for a math quiz - she could have whizzed through those studies super quick in order to watch this television show that she really wants to watch, "The Mandalorian." But she told us that even though she had a pretty good feel for the quiz and that she would probably do well on it, it was smarter to spend a little more time studying. Therefore, "The Mandalorian" can wait - she was giving that up to study a little harder.
The point is, she's a hard worker. And she is also starting to read this blog, so Madison, we're proud of you. Except you smell funny.
Just kidding.
We were in Christmas production meetings today, working on visuals and graphics, and what would appear on the screens in the background. And tonight was a church night, of course. We were talking about UNO again - here's the general outline of our message, which turned out pretty good!
We talked about this today, along with a few activities, including this one, where they follow that idea of doing things for other people, and living as Jesus did:
It all turned out rather well! I won't forget this one troublesome child who sat there, not filling something out, and just like a scene in a movie, I came up to him to see if I could motivate him to do this little activity. And it turned out he couldn't spell things, that's all. And once I started talking with him, he started coming alive with ideas of things that he could do to show love for his parents. He wrote each one out, as I helped him spell each of the tougher words.
It was an UNO theme night, so we addressed this as well:
Anyway, it was a fun themed night. Next week, we're going to the game Hedbanz, and that will be fun too. We do a lot of this sort of thing each week, and it's impossible to show it all here, at least with all that goes on everywhere else. But its' been a fun series!
Along those lines, Daddy has gotten a few emails from Maine, Tennessee and Texas, where I've been sending our material to a few other churches we know. They've been doing our material at these locations, in addition to the locations in California and South Carolina (and the ones here). I've gotten a few emails about the amazing fruit. In fact, let me share an email now, one that was greatly encouraging:
We wrapped up our Toy Box series last week. Over the course of the entire series, 79 kids said YES to Jesus!!! That just makes me want to shout! Thank you so much for going the extra mile and sending us curriculum and videos. I know it isn’t always easy but you’re truly making a difference in the lives of so many kids. THANK YOU!
This is pretty wonderful stuff. I've gotten a few emails that sound just like this from other churches lately, and it's just the sort of thing that keeps me going. It's the only fruit that lasts, the only thing that matters. All of the other material falls away, but the only thing we take to heaven with us are those we share the good news with along the way.
Anyway, one more thing before closing up. We had a late night tonight, so we weren't able to read. We did pray together, for Ba-Ba and for our government leaders, who seem to be constantly at war with one another. And that brings me to an idea: why not a game of dodge ball to decide things? Okay, I don't think that would help, actually. But at least it would be more exciting. There are impeachment proceedings going on right now, and the justification for these impeachment proceedings seem to be based on ... well, we're not entirely sure right now. There are accusations and allegations, but so far no proof, and in fact a lot of hearsay. I think the one big thing that this is setting up is the standard for impeachment (and the resulting national division based on the accusers' own admissions), seems quite a bit lower than it used to be. I just think that no matter who is President, from this point on, on day one, there'll be inquiries and investigations and people appointed to find evidence against the President, whichever party he represents. And, of course, millions of dollars used up to find said evidence, whether it exists or not.
Moving on, one last bit of news: Madison is returning to the dodge ball tournament at the school. She and her teammates have decided upon a name, and after a bit of deliberation, they decided to stick to that precedent: whatever the name is, it must be "on fire." So - and I wasn't there for this, so I can't tell you exactly how it all came down - the end result is this: Madison's team name is ICE CREAM ON FIRE.
Here's the part where I end this entry, showing you a graphic that I cobbled together quickly to represent this dodge ball team.
Look out, Regular Joes!
The point is, she's a hard worker. And she is also starting to read this blog, so Madison, we're proud of you. Except you smell funny.
Just kidding.
We were in Christmas production meetings today, working on visuals and graphics, and what would appear on the screens in the background. And tonight was a church night, of course. We were talking about UNO again - here's the general outline of our message, which turned out pretty good!
One of the quickest games to learn - and one of the most fun to play - is "Uno." Have you played it yet?
This is a card game with a simple idea: get rid of all your cards. When you get to the last card and you're about to win, you have to call out, "Uno!" That means "One!" And hopefully by the next turn, you've won!
What a great concept for a game. Those with the most cards lose, and the one who gives it all away is the winner!
Wouldn't it be great if life were like this? In fact, it is! In the Bible, everything is the opposite of what many may think. To die is to gain, the richest are those who are most generous, those who make themselves humble are lifted up, and to be pronounced guiltless, you must first admit your guilt. Everything is not what this world thinks it might be!
Look at what Jesus did in his life. He was the King, walking here on earth. He had every right to have a castle, riches, and all the glory the world could give. And yet while here, he spent all his time serving others. At the Last Supper - just before his death on the cross - his own apostles were arguing amongst themselves about who was numero uno. And at that same table, despite all that was about to happen, Jesus himself did something remarkable: he got down low, and washed their dirty, stinking feet.
Afterwards, he said to them, "I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example."
And all that time he spent that is recorded in the Bible, he did give us an example.
In this world, there is a very different idea of how to be numero uno. Everyone wants to be famous or powerful and influential. But the most influential person of all time showed us how to do it right: with service, love, and by giving it all away. And because of that, Jesus himself will always be the real numero uno!
What a great concept for a game. Those with the most cards lose, and the one who gives it all away is the winner!
Wouldn't it be great if life were like this? In fact, it is! In the Bible, everything is the opposite of what many may think. To die is to gain, the richest are those who are most generous, those who make themselves humble are lifted up, and to be pronounced guiltless, you must first admit your guilt. Everything is not what this world thinks it might be!
Look at what Jesus did in his life. He was the King, walking here on earth. He had every right to have a castle, riches, and all the glory the world could give. And yet while here, he spent all his time serving others. At the Last Supper - just before his death on the cross - his own apostles were arguing amongst themselves about who was numero uno. And at that same table, despite all that was about to happen, Jesus himself did something remarkable: he got down low, and washed their dirty, stinking feet.
Afterwards, he said to them, "I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example."
And all that time he spent that is recorded in the Bible, he did give us an example.
In this world, there is a very different idea of how to be numero uno. Everyone wants to be famous or powerful and influential. But the most influential person of all time showed us how to do it right: with service, love, and by giving it all away. And because of that, Jesus himself will always be the real numero uno!
We talked about this today, along with a few activities, including this one, where they follow that idea of doing things for other people, and living as Jesus did:
It all turned out rather well! I won't forget this one troublesome child who sat there, not filling something out, and just like a scene in a movie, I came up to him to see if I could motivate him to do this little activity. And it turned out he couldn't spell things, that's all. And once I started talking with him, he started coming alive with ideas of things that he could do to show love for his parents. He wrote each one out, as I helped him spell each of the tougher words.
It was an UNO theme night, so we addressed this as well:
We older folks know the rules! In the game of Uno, you can’t stack Draw 2 and Draw 4 cards! But somewhere along the line, enough people were playing with different, made-up rules. They did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Did they not read the instructions? There were so many of them doing this that the makers of the game had to release the statement above on social media. It caused quite a stir!
There is much debate about which way is more fun to play, but if you want to play by the rules, look above. They spell it out clearly.
In the book of Judges, the Bible tells us a few times about other people in Israel that “did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
You can imagine how this could lead to a lot of debates, and probably trouble too. No wonder God had to keep raising up judges and leaders like Deborah or Gideon. These people were connected with God, talking with Him, and because of that, they knew exactly what should be done next, and how to be champions.
That’s the key to really winning, of course. Stay connected with God and His official rule book - the Bible. When you do that, you too can be numero uno!
There is much debate about which way is more fun to play, but if you want to play by the rules, look above. They spell it out clearly.
In the book of Judges, the Bible tells us a few times about other people in Israel that “did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
You can imagine how this could lead to a lot of debates, and probably trouble too. No wonder God had to keep raising up judges and leaders like Deborah or Gideon. These people were connected with God, talking with Him, and because of that, they knew exactly what should be done next, and how to be champions.
That’s the key to really winning, of course. Stay connected with God and His official rule book - the Bible. When you do that, you too can be numero uno!
Along those lines, Daddy has gotten a few emails from Maine, Tennessee and Texas, where I've been sending our material to a few other churches we know. They've been doing our material at these locations, in addition to the locations in California and South Carolina (and the ones here). I've gotten a few emails about the amazing fruit. In fact, let me share an email now, one that was greatly encouraging:
*******
We wrapped up our Toy Box series last week. Over the course of the entire series, 79 kids said YES to Jesus!!! That just makes me want to shout! Thank you so much for going the extra mile and sending us curriculum and videos. I know it isn’t always easy but you’re truly making a difference in the lives of so many kids. THANK YOU!
********
This is pretty wonderful stuff. I've gotten a few emails that sound just like this from other churches lately, and it's just the sort of thing that keeps me going. It's the only fruit that lasts, the only thing that matters. All of the other material falls away, but the only thing we take to heaven with us are those we share the good news with along the way.
Anyway, one more thing before closing up. We had a late night tonight, so we weren't able to read. We did pray together, for Ba-Ba and for our government leaders, who seem to be constantly at war with one another. And that brings me to an idea: why not a game of dodge ball to decide things? Okay, I don't think that would help, actually. But at least it would be more exciting. There are impeachment proceedings going on right now, and the justification for these impeachment proceedings seem to be based on ... well, we're not entirely sure right now. There are accusations and allegations, but so far no proof, and in fact a lot of hearsay. I think the one big thing that this is setting up is the standard for impeachment (and the resulting national division based on the accusers' own admissions), seems quite a bit lower than it used to be. I just think that no matter who is President, from this point on, on day one, there'll be inquiries and investigations and people appointed to find evidence against the President, whichever party he represents. And, of course, millions of dollars used up to find said evidence, whether it exists or not.
Moving on, one last bit of news: Madison is returning to the dodge ball tournament at the school. She and her teammates have decided upon a name, and after a bit of deliberation, they decided to stick to that precedent: whatever the name is, it must be "on fire." So - and I wasn't there for this, so I can't tell you exactly how it all came down - the end result is this: Madison's team name is ICE CREAM ON FIRE.
Here's the part where I end this entry, showing you a graphic that I cobbled together quickly to represent this dodge ball team.
Look out, Regular Joes!
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