He Did It!

We are extremely proud of John David! A few weeks ago he finished memorizing the entire book of Matthew! He came and stood by me as he memorized the final verse (which was in chapter 27 since he had already done 28 earlier on). It was an amazing feeling. He has worked incredibly hard this year (and let's be honest - so have we!) and has invested hours upon hours of time. It's not only the time it takes to memorize the verses (that's actually the easy part), but the time spent quoting the chapters so he doesn't forget them. We try to quote through everything twice each week. 

There are many times we can hear friends playing outside while he is diligently working. No, he hasn't always wanted to do this, but he has been obedient and followed through. I know God's blessings are on him because of this. 

I can't imagine the things God will have him do in his lifetime. I know he is my own kid, but I am blown away! We don't go around bragging freely about his achievement, but since this is my blog I took the liberty. =)

Bible Quiz Regionals

Last weekend was regionals in Dallas. The team ended up in a playoff for second and third place. After a bummer of a match, we ended up third. BUT, they qualified for nationals in Chicago this July! Yea!!! We are so proud of these guys! 

Bible Quiz 2012 - League 1 and Gold Cup

John's David's Bible Quiz team at the Gold Cup Tournament at our home church in Cedar Hill, Texas.
John David, Jacob, Mitt are in the front.
Behind them are Nate (one of our former students/quizzers! who came to visit for the day),
John, and another quizzer, Jacob.
In the back are Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Cali (and Baby Audrey still in the oven!). They live there so they came to watch John David quiz and we got to hang out with them. We love them so much!

Daddy gives the boy some quizzing advice.

John David's teammate, Jacob, was the individual high point quizzer for the day.
That was quite an achievement!

The first league meet. The kids helped themselves to donuts.
Yea for brainfood! =)

Talking to girls - eek!

John David with "Uncle" Paul, John's own coach from when he quizzed
(and now best friend!). 

Jacob, Mitt, Jacob, John David

Time out

Hanging out after the matches

An opposing team. We took this picture so we could print it out and put it on our quizzers' walls
for motivation to study and beat them! Ha!

A nice, normal picture of the John David's team plus our church's other team too.
(Abigail, Sarah, and Emmanuel. )

A crazy picture!

And some more crazy!

Nate (AKA Niller Miller) and John. We love this guy.
Ladies, he's awesome and he's available. Call us.

John David's Bible Quiz Tournament

John David is quizzing this year for the first time with a middle school team from Elkhart. He's memorizing Hebrews which is neat because that's the first book John and I both memorized too. So far he can quote the first nine chapters! We're so proud of him!!

This past weekend his team traveled to a tournament here in Indiana. John and I couldn't go, but my parents made the drive and watched him all day and then brought him home. His team won first place and he placed 6th individually. His teammates placed 2nd and 4th!

Here he is holding the first place team trophy.

John David, Lauren, and Jonathon.

This picture cracks me up. These are the kids who placed individually. First through fourth place earned trophies and fifth through eighth got ribbons. That was bad enough for this poor guy who wanted a trophy so badly, but insult was added to injury when he was given the PINK sixth place ribbon. Hahahaha!

He was longing for one of those trophies. Maybe next time, buddy!

Here's the team with their coach, Miss Barbara. She's an amazing lady and loves these kids a lot. We will always be so grateful for all she's investing in our boy!

We LOVE you, John David! You make us so proud!