Mock Bible Bee

In the chapel

 Last Saturday we had our last Bible Bee event before the big day.  Six of our Bible Bee families joined us for a mock bee at Union (where we will be hosting the Local Bee next week).   Daddy talked about the rules, and gave an overview for the contest day.  After that, everyone took a test that we, along with a couple of other families, had written.



 

Nicolas G. handed out pencils for the written "test".

 



The A. family

Daddy also did an oral round.  He recited verses and we had to tell him what he did wrong.  Savannah A.  did so well that we told her she should drop out and just judge.  Mommy has already signed her up for judging in 2024. :D

 

Two of my five favorite brothers (Samuel and Thomas)

After a tour the facilities, we headed outside to let the little (and big) ones run around.   From hand-me-downs  to kefir to encouragement, these families bless us in so many ways.

 

Mr. R. and Daddy, Delie and Melody L.

And, of course, there was a lot of just talking.  I always look forward to seeing these families again!

 

 

William's smile says it all.  We are very excited about the Bible Bee next week.  I can't wait to see some of y'all there.

Oh, I nearly forgot!  Our local paper, the Jackson Sun, wrote an article about the upcoming Bee.  You can read it here.

Joy



the farm

Here are some pictures of what we've been doing on the farm this summer.

While we were canning it started storming and the power went out, and we canned tomatoes by candle light. (Our stove uses gas.)

With all the rain and sun the grass is growing fast. James cuts the grass! (Not really.)

We  picked over 300 ears of corn this summer. We brought the wagon load inside so the coons wouldn't get it.

Anna found an eastern cotton tail rabbit in the tomatoes. I tried to catch it, but it got away.

Our dog Snowball died during the heat this summer. We were very sad.

 

We have had a very good summer.

George IV



Bible Bee Party

The finish line is in sight; only three more weeks to go!  In less than thirty five thousand one hundred and eighty minutes, we will be hosting our local Bible Bee.  In case you haven't guessed it, we are counting down the days (or hours...or minutes...)  until the 24th.

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, we had a Bible Bee get-together at our house.  Part of Mommy and Daddy's job as local hosts is to invite families for monthly times of fellowship and encouragement.  This is one of my (many) favorite parts of the bee--meeting fellow believers.

 

 

 We had fellowship (koinonia, for you Bible Bee buffs) around ice cream and fixings.  I enjoyed meeting the new families and seeing old friends again.  We even had one family drive all the way from Columbus, MS. 

 

 

Thomas and Noble R. enjoying their sundaes

 

 

 

Katie, Anna, Joy, and Grace

After the ice cream, we played volleyball, corn hole, and just talked.  It's always good to share study tips and tools with others (Scripture Typer, anyone?).

 

 

 We  have been very blessed by the people that God has brought into our lives through the Bee.  I can't wait to meet more at our next event.  It's only a week away!

 

Joy

Father's Day thoughts

 I have the best father in the world.  Period.  Yes, you may be thinking, but he's the only father you've ever had; I think my dad is better.  Wonderful!  That's as it should be.  I'm glad you love and admire your father so much.  But I really do have the best father in the world.  Unless you are one of my seven siblings, you just don't know what you are missing. 

My daddy is strong--strong in body, but more importantly, strong in character.  He is great at any sport he plays; the team with Daddy on it always wins.  But he is humble, never one to glorify himself or boast in his strength.

My daddy is wise, and he is passing on his wisdom to the next generation.  Be it at home or at work, he is teaching not only academics, but the knowledge of God.  I love to listen to people ask Daddy questions; when his students come for supper their talk is not always about math (although that is a major topic :D ), but about life--"Dr. Moss, what do you think about...?".   People respect his opinion.  So do I.

My daddy puts his family before himself, his jobs, his interests--before all except Christ. For instance, Daddy really likes football.  But you would never know it.  He never watches it (we don't have cable TV), never talks about it.  He has made a conscious decision to put his family before anything else.

My daddy is my protector, my knight in shining armor, the man who I can trust until that day when he gives me to another.  I always feel safe with him--safe both physically and spiritually.  He has my heart; there is no man I would rather trust it with.

My daddy is the leader of our family.  And he leads as Jesus did.  As a servant, washing others' feet.  He, with Mommy as his help meet, is raising my siblings and me up as arrows, to do great and mighty works for God.  He is a shining example of what godly fatherhood looks like.

My daddy loves the Lord, loves Him with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength.  He wants to follow God, and he does. In dark valleys or over high mountains, he does God's will.  Even if God's will is scary, hard, or just plain strange, my father wants to follow his heavenly Father.

My daddy is my hero.  I love you, Daddy!

 Joy

Recital

Delie, Anna, George, and I had our music recital a couple of weeks ago. The four of us have been taking from the Smith family for two years, and we love it--especially because our teachers encourage us to play together. Thank you, Smiths!

 

 

The four of us played Send the Light.  (You can watch it here.)

 

 

George played the mandolin.  I really like the way it adds to our music. 

 

 

 Anna accompanied us on the piano.

 

 

I love playing the violin with Delie!

 

Anna and I also played a duet--Slavonic Dance.  We had fun playing together, but we collapsed after we finished :) .

 

I look forward to next year!

Joy