Bible Bee trip to Florida!

This is the First year that Rachel has qualified for Bible Bee Nationals.  Yes, Nationals just happened to be located in Florida this time;)  And Yes, those are real palm trees in the picture;)  Mom, Matthew, and Rachel were the ones who traveled together to Florida. 

Mom and Rachel- in front of the Hilton hotel.  ( Psalm 119:105)  " Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  ( Psalm 119:105)                         

 

 

~ Matthew and Rachel.~ Florida was AMAZING!  The weather was beautiful, and it was so neat getting to see palm trees and also flowers in full bloom!  God's creation is so unique and truly beautiful!  I love what it says in Colossians about how God made Creation for himself...and for HIS glory.  " For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created BY him, and FOR him."

We were quite excited to spend time with Hosanna while we were in Florida!  She was quite busy working as part of the Bible Bee staff...but we still had lots of time to talk and spend time together;) 

Rachel thoroughly enjoyed her first time competing at Nationals...and is very sad that this is her last year to participate!!  She did not make it on to semi- finals, but the amazing thing about the Bible Bee competition is that EVERYONE is a winner!!!  The scripture you hide in your heart will be a blessing to you in more ways than you could imagine.  God says that those who meditate on His Word will be successful...but how can you meditate on scripture throughout the day and at night if you have not memorized any?!!? 

We were only 1 hour away from the Atlantic Ocean...so one day we went for a visit;)  Rachel and Matthew had never seen the Ocean.  At first they didn't think they would have much fun spending a few hours there....until they starting swimming and riding the waves!  After swimming~ we felt like we all had our fill of salt for the day;)

(Psalm 90:1-2)  " Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.  Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

~Bethany M., Rachel, and Rachel C.~  One of the best parts of Nationals was all the wonderful fellowship!  All those who were competing had an instant connection...because they had all been studying Nahum and memorizing the same verses for the past few months!!!  " This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."  (Joshua 1:8) 

All 100 Seniors on stage after they had received their Bible Bee medals.   We were in Florida for a total of 4 days.  Each day was packed full with Bible Bee competition, watching Semi~finals and Finals, The Celebration ceremony, swimming, fellowship, ECT!;)  By the time we were on the airplane heading for home...we were all quite low on sleep...but we were so happy to have been able to visit Florida....and of course take part in The National Bible Bee!!!  Memorizing is so important, and the Bible Bee is an awesome competition which is really motivating in the area of committing God's word to memory!   Like it says in Psalms, one reason it is important to memorize is because it helps us to not sin against God.  " Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."