SIGMA RUSH NIGHT!

Sigma Year 2011-2012 started this past Sunday night. It was a lot of fun. We really were in a RUSH to get things done since we only really had two days to work. But I was so impressed with the kids this year and how much effort they spent working on displays and getting things ready. They did a SUPERB job! Bruce and I are sponsors for the Pi Gamma Centurions. My contribution to the display was this Centurion in our colors of gold, silver, and blue. I love doing stuff like this.

Bruce has been working second shift so Saturday was the only day he was able to work. But when we finally got there Saturday afternoon, everything was pretty well done and all he had to do was use his air compressor tools to stabilize the walls around our display. He was proud of what the kids had done also. And was really, REALLY proud of them for freeing up his time to go home and watch some football. haha

Each team is suppose to have a banner with each team member's name on it. This is the one the kids did for our team.

A couple of the young men made this awesome chariot! They did such a fantastic job. They used an old wheel chair to construct it. Pretty creative, if you ask me!

And these were our centerpieces for the tables in front of our display. Lanterns, that the church has had for a long time, and then a small shield and sword that Bruce made. The kids painted the shields and swords and put the Pi Gamma letters on them.

Our theme was "...truly this man was the Son of God," taken from Mark 15:39, which was our theme verse, displayed on our background.

The next team sponsored by Brother Chris and Dana were the Nu Delta Fishmasters. Their display was great. A river bank with their team verse was their background. Their team verse was Matthew 4:29 "And He said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." I loved their dock and the big rocks they constructed from blown up trash bags, covered with gray paper.

This was the centerpiece they made for their tables. Cute. :)

The third team was the Chi Alpha Soldiers, sponsored by Brother Mark and Mrs. Jeannie. Their display was a boot camp with the theme, "Training up soldiers for the army of Christ. Their team verse was II Timothy 2:3 "Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

I loved the banner they made for their names. One of their team members free handed the army tank. I watched him work on it and was very impressed with his finished product. He did a great job. They displayed their names on "dog tags" and placed them all around the tank. I really did love the creativity from all three teams.

And this was the centerpieces for their tables.

I may be biased, but I thought our team showed great team spirit. Here are our team captains, Justin C and Jordan L raising the swords Bruce made for them. And a HUGE thanks to Mrs. Tammy, Brother Ken and Cheyenne for making our team shirts. We all LOVED them!

Hannah is on the Fishmasters team this year. Had to get a picture of her and her teammate, Taylor. I never did get a shot of their team together.

And these are the soldiers....

The best part of the night is hearing the teams taunt cheers at one another. Not sure which cheer the Centurions were doing here, but it was cracking them all up.

We had a lot of fun and I can't say enough how proud I am of all the kids that showed up to work. They worked, and they worked hard.

We're looking forward to a great year with these kids and praying for each one as they go about their daily lives.

Busy, Busy, Again!!

We officially started school on Monday. It's been a good week so far. Trying to get back into the groove of things.
This Sunday is Sigma Rush Night. So we'll be pouring it on this weekend trying to get things ready for that. Our team is the Pi Gamma Centurions.
Had a photo shoot with Taylor this past weekend. While we were out on location at a living history farm, decided we should be his care takers. So while we were trying to take pictures, he was trying to tell us where his food was. But the door had a lock on it, so kitty didn't get anything from us. He was really cute and we had to laugh at how friendly he was being in hopes of us saving him from starvation.
I have another photo shoot this Saturday, providing the weather permits. I heard it will be rain all weekend, but I haven't checked to see myself. I guess I'll know when I step outside, if I don't check before then. O-o

So that's where I've been and what I've been doing. Where I'll be and what I'll be doing.

Y'all have a great day!

Rush Night 2010

The last couple of weekends and some through the week, the youth group worked on their Rush Night displays. They all did a fantastic job!

Last night after the service, Pastor had each of the team captains stand up and tell their team verse and slogan.

The Pi Gamma Hunters had their display looking like a hunting site. I loved it!

The next display was by the Chi Alpha Survivors. They also did a great job. I loved how they had their individual names on the tiki torches. Hopefully no one will get voted off this team this year. haha...

And the last display was by the Nu Delta Cherokee Nation. I, personally, liked the tipi setup. That's one little Indian that sleeps in there, I'm tellin' ya!

;0)

The parents were asked to bring soups and sandwiches. I was glad too. I was cold all day yesterday and that soup hit the spot, for sure! I should have brought some home because I'm cold today too!!!! LOL

My buddy Kim was helping herself to some yummy grapes off the dessert table.

Hunter's Ben and Kendall were in full gear ready to hunt some ducks. It was funny because they all had those little duck calls and whenever the other teams would start chanting their cheers they would all start blowing their duck calls. It was so funny.

Here we have Brother Mark and Mrs. Jeannie with their team.

And Bruce and me with our team. I did not get a pic of Brother Chris and Mrs. Dana with their team, the Survivors. I'll have to bum one from someone and get it on here.


And after all the excitement wore down, there was time for little hugs and lovin's.

Brother Johnny and his little Indian boy. He must be the one sleeping in that tipi.

It was a wonderful night and all of the children did a great job. We'll know the winner of the Rush Night points Wednesday night. It's gonna be close whatever the result may be.

Rush Night

We had Rush Night with our youth group last night. It was the Chi Alpha Champions agasint the Nu Delta Crusaders.

Both teams worked hard on their decorations. This was the Chi Alpha Champions side.

And this was the Nu Delta Crusaders side.

Bruce and Hannah tried pulling the sword from the stone, but just couldn't do it.

Here's a cheer the Crusaders yelled at the Champions.

You might be good at basketball

You might be good at track

But when it comes to Sigma

Champions step back!

When all was said and done, the Chi Alpha Champions won the scoring. Congratulations to both teams, for a job well done!

More Rushing

Today was pretty busy. Tomorrow will probably be the same way. Lord willing, things will slow down a bit for us on Wed.
I took Justin to school at the college, then came back and had school with Hannah

and Harry.

Before taking Justin to school, I opened a box containing the last of his school books. The last of his high school books, that is. It was a little sad, knowing that these would be his last year of homeschooling text books. But life goes on, right? And it certainly is going on with Justin. We are looking forward to what the Lord has in store for his future. Anyway, he picked up his English text book, Mastering Communication Skills, and said, "Why did you get me this? I've already mastermacated my communification skills. I am a communication master....person." *sigh* Oh, that boy!

After school I started supper a good bit earlier than usual. Supper was over and the kitchen cleaned by 5:00. Dropped Justin off for his second class at 6:00, then off to meet some of the youth so they could work on Rush.

Both teams were able to get things accomplished tonight, but it's still in that tedious stage. You know where you work and work on one particular project and you think it will never happen. Then all at once it's finished and all that's left are minor details and sprucing. I think they're doing a good job. Can't wait to see their finished products!!

Tomorrow will be about the same as today. I already have my stew beef out thawing for the crock pot. Potatoes and carrots will be tasty with a skillet of corn bread. This, too, will be easy clean up. We also have a ladies meeting tomorrow night. Looking forward to that.

Hannah and Harrison before church the other week...

I had nursery yesterday and the kiddos were hilarious! I just love the almost toddling age. So cute! And then last night the service was very touching. The Lord definitely met with me. Exactly where I needed Him to. I'm so glad He loves me and knows me and knows what I need when I need it.

Rush, Rush Rush!

It's Rush time again! We have our first Sigma Saturday for the year today. After Brother RJ preaches to the teens and they do their verses, they will have a couple of hours to work on Rush Night. In the past they have always been given several hours and a couple of weeks. But this year it really is RUSH, RUSH, RUSH!!! I'm excited to see what they do with these few hours. I'll be taking pictures, but of course I won't be able to show them until after Rush Night, as to not ruin the surprise for people in our church.

I had two photographs enlarged to enter in the fair. I just need to know the dates on that. Hopefully I have someone looking on that for me, if she gets my email.

AND! The last of our school books came in yesterday. So I'm happy about that.

Bruce read me a quote from his devotions today. I thought it was good....

".....a fruit problem is always connected to a root problem."

MG and Rush Night, 2008

First of all, for those of you that prayed for little MG, thank you. Please continue to pray for her when you think of her. MG had to have a feeding tube put in and was in a great deal of pain after the surgery. She cried for several hours and it was breaking her mommy's heart, as you can imagine. The surgery went well and they're hoping that after the first 12 hours they will see a considerable difference in her pain. Her mom knew that many prayers were being offered for them this morning.




Rush night was Sunday night. For those of you who aren't familiar with Rush night, it's when the two Sigma teams in our youth group are given limited space to decorate and cheer their team to a leading point score. The two teams compete during the rest of the school year both as a team and individually to score the highest points. They are able to score points through Bible memorization, church attendance, sermon outlines, daily devotions, visitors, etc....and at the end of the year there is an awards banquet.
This year our teams are the Alpha Theta Speed. Brother Chris and Mrs. Dana are their sponsors.
The other team is the Chi Alpha UFC (Ultimate Fighters for Christ) Bruce and I are the sponsors for this team.
The kids began decorating for their Rush Night a couple weeks ago. Speed was decorating like the races and the UFC went with boxing.

A lot of work goes into Rush night. There's banner making....


props.......




cutting letters for the team verses.......by the way, if you've never used a cricut for cutting out bulletin board letters or letters and objects for scrapbooking, you REALLY have to use one. I LOVE it!


more props.......


Our team verse is 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"


Bruce and the boys constructed a boxing ring.


Cassie and LeAnna made signs for the rounds.


Gary and Kendra made our UFC banner. The judges look for something that has the all the team member's names on it. So our names were on the banner.


Crystal and Hannah worked together on their verse banner. Hannah cut out the letters on the Cricut and Crystal began posting them. They did an acrostic for SPEED which said, Saved, People, Encouraging, Everlasting, Dedication. Their verse was Hebrews 12:1 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."



Josie and Moriah, two girls from our bus ministry that have become involved with Sigma, worked on the signatures for their team.


Our team bought shirts and painted them for their team.


Brainstorming!


Things were coming together.


WORKY-WORK!


Everything was ready and finished by Saturday afternoon and the two teams were ready to RUMBLE!
Mrs. Amy, our resident cake baker, made this terrific cake for our dessert table. And it was sooooo good! Just like every other cake she makes.

I loved how she did the sides.


As people came into the fellowship building after church Sunday night, the teams began to yell cheers at each other and taunt the other team. It gets VERY loud. I thought for sure Justin and Jeremy would go home with no voice. They found shirts at Wal Mart, of all places, that said, "God is my victory lane." I thought that was neat.


Our team was thinking of cheers. One they did said, "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, prepare to be killed by the UFC." They would also yell, "HEY SPEED! YOU GOTTA FLAT TIRE!"


Brother Richie, who is a wrestler, was KIND enough to let us borrow his belts for decoration.


Our food tables consisted of hot dogs with all the fixins', nachos and cheese with salsa and jalapeno' peppers, assortments of chips, drinks, and desserts.


Nathaniel and Gary came out ready to put on a show in the boxing ring.


Our ring girl, LeAnna, held up the Round 1 sign and then it was on!



After that match, they called over a team member from Speed. Wouldn't you know it would be Justin?




Bruce and I worked the concession for our side, along with Mrs. Vondie. Thank you, Mrs. Vondie for helping us there!!



Jacob and Bruce



Best buds


My sweet Hannah girl


When things began to quiet down and the church had gone through the lines, the kids and sponsors ate.


Mrs. Dana...ain't she purdy? She found the CUTEST little baskets to hold their flatware and napkins. I loved 'em. They were black with a checkered flag look around the top. I thought they were really cute.



Erika, Jacob, and Josie


Garrett


Hannah and Justin


Dustin and his dad, Brother Mark.


Jonathan got in the ring with the little ones and wrestled with them. It was hilarious watching these little boys try to take Jonathan down.


Before we knew it, every child in the building wanted in the ring to wrestle.


Caleb's dad had to be in China for his job and missed Caleb's first Rush night. But I'm sure he'll have a good time telling him all about it when he gets home.


Jamie C by his team's car


Still eating....


These were some of our tough ring girls. Taylor doesn't look so tough, but trust me...don't let that smile fool ya!

We had a great time and our team was pleased to know they took the points home that night. Both teams did a fantastic job and we're proud of all of them. We're looking forward to moving on with this year.

GO UFC!