National Bible Bowl Quote Bee

The National Bible Bowl Quote Bee, which I mentioned in the previous post, is really amazing. It’s only been done for three years, so it’s not as popular as some of the other events. Also, it’s incredibly difficult.

In the National Bible Bowl double-elimination tournament, for example, many of the top contestants have memorized the entire scripture text, which this time is the book of 1 Samuel and the first six chapters of 2 Samuel. That, as I said previously, shows what kids can do when expectations are high and they put their minds to memorization.

But it’s one thing to memorize a large chunk of material, get on a roll, and recite it. It’s quite another to pull a verse out of the middle, solely with the verse reference, and recite it perfectly.

My daughter Ruth, the Franchise Player for our Austin, Minn. team (her brother Joe and sister Rebekah are the other members), saw the Quote Bee as a fun challenge to help her prepare to do even better in the regular competition. She came in first in the Quote Bee at the Ozark Christian College Bible Bowl tournament in June, and we felt she might do pretty well here in Kansas City, too. Her Grandpa, my Dad, was amazed as he quizzed her Monday night in preparation:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K52fFfPrvns]

The next post will have a video of Tuesday’s competition. Ruthie was disappointed that she went out in the first round, but we’re proud of her that she knows these scripture passages so well that she could participate. And today’s double-elimination team contest went much better: she led Austin to a 3-0 record, so they’re one of only 16 teams remaining, and among the eight that haven’t lost yet.

Whatever the outcome tomorrow, this trip to Kansas City has been a real joy, having our four youngest kids and my parents together with us, and watching Ruthie and Joe (with a little help from Rebekah) doing so well. These are all good kids that Ruthie’s gotten to know really well, and so while they all want to do their best, the main point is what they’re learning – and everyone is happy for whoever wins.

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National Bible Bowl Tournament

The National Bible Bowl tournament is an amazing event, and I’m blessed to be here at its 43rd incarnation in Kansas City as three of my children are participating as the Austin, Minn. team. Ruthie (15) is the Franchise player, Joe (12) is a solid contributor and Captain, and we have been teasing Rebekah (16) that she’s the “Eye Candy.” She hasn’t done much in Bible Bowl throughout the year because of her basketball and volleyball involvement, but recently has been memorizing lists (e.g. all the men’s names in 2 Samuel 6) that help in answering the bonus questions.

I will have some photos and video later, along with more updates and commentary. I’ll do my best to bring out some observations that have general applicability, but I think most readers will find this interesting for a couple of reasons.

First, it is seriously amazing to see what these kids can do, as you will see. (I haven’t been able to videotape the round robin games, but when they get into double elimination, I might.) You will be astonished at the Quoting Bee, which in some ways makes the National Spelling Bee look elementary.

Second, it provides a window on evangelical Christian kids that’s a lot closer to reality than Jesus Camp. If you want to see a reasonable representation instead of an extreme example, this will give you a more accurate portrayal of serious Christian kids.

Third, you’ll see what kids can accomplish through hard work and study. In too many churches the adults have chickened out, and haven’t set the standards high enough. A century ago, kids were expected to memorize an entire catechism, such as the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Now, all too often to be confirmed they might memorize a handful of verses. Many of these kids at the National Bible Bowl, which is sponsored by the Churches of Christ, can recite all of 1 Samuel and the first six chapters of 2 Samuel from memory.

I’ll be doing some more posts to my blog over the next few days, and also will be Twittering.

Here are the standings of the Round Robin after the first 8 rounds. Three more this morning.

Getting ready to start Round 9 right now.

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The Graduation Speech

As I mentioned earlier, last Saturday I had the great pleasure of attending college graduations for my son, Jake, my brother, Mark, and his wife, April. It was a big day for the Aase family; we’re proud of all of them.

Mark gave one of the student commencement speeches at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minn. He did a great job; none of the platitudes you often hear in graduation speeches, but the straight talk of someone who has had some life experiences, and who has learned from them.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjj5e4U2WLo]

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May 12 is Becoming a Very Special Day

…at least from my perspective. A year ago was one of my most intense and satisfying days from a work perspective, when Jesse and Amy Carlsen’s twin daughters, Abby and Belle, became formerly conjoined.

Yesterday, on the one-year anniversary of that big day, we had a couple of great family events: my brother, Mark, and my son, Jake, both graduated from college, as did my sister-in-law, April.

Mark was selected as one of the student speakers at the Concordia University (St. Paul) commencement at 9:30 a.m., where he and April received their diplomas. Jake’s graduation was at 6 p.m. in LaCrosse.

Our whole family is very proud of all three of them; it’s pretty special to have three family members get college degrees on the same day, and for me to have a brother and son both graduating was a “burst your buttons” event.

I’ll be posting some video from yesterday’s events soon. These last two May 12ths are days I will never forget.

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A Good Reason for a Blogging Pause

Rachel and Sisters

I haven’t been active in this blog for a couple of weeks because of the holidays, and particularly the marriage on Saturday of my firstborn daughter, Rachel. She’s pictured above with two of her bridesmaids, my other daughters Rebekah and Ruth. Her brothers were active, too:

Jake
Jake was a groomsman…

Joe
Joe was the head usher (shown here escorting my Mom)

John
and John was a gift carrier (and Dad’s personal attendant).

Here are pictures of the happy couple, and their equally happy and proud Moms and Dads.

Rachel and Kyle Julie Borg and Lisa Aase
Lee Aase and Scott Borg

So, it’s been an all-consuming couple of weeks, and a fantastic end to 2006 (other highlights are here in my first on-line Christmas letter.)

Here’s hoping 2007 is as wonderful for you and yours as 2006 was for the Aase family.