The National Bible Bee - Part 2

by Mama H.

The next morning found Christianna's headache gone (thank you Lord!) and excitement high.

After a good walk outside, a time of singing and reading of God's word and prayer, and a good high fat/protein breakfast, Christie and I proceeded to do some more memory work.  The written exam was coming up first.

After she and the other senior division contestants disappeared into the testing room, I ran into a friend from several years ago.  We'd had her family over for dinner when they were visiting the area, and had prayed with them, heard their story, shared ours, etc.  But, we had lost contact for some time.

I surely wished to renew the friendship, not realizing how amazing this time together would become!
As this mother and I began to unfold our stories, we found the Lord had led us and our families down parallel paths, where we had experienced many of the same trials, some so identical it seemed uncanny.  Obviously God had set up a divine appointment.

I can only offer God all the glory for what He did in that meeting.... there was sweetness of shared experiences of grace, shared pain, troubles of such similarity only of somewhat different flavors that she and I could only conclude that the God of all comfort had indeed sovereignly ordained our meeting, the words which passed between us, the tears appointed to both of us, the growth that came over the years of trial which we were able to identify as mercies and blessings from His hand to grow us into His likeness.

 I thank Him profoundly for that time together.  It affirmed for me a principle that I had known and seen in action before: God does not give trials for nothing, but to the degree we trust in Him and allow ourselves to be comforted by Him, to that degree we will emerge as gold and will be a comfort to others undergoing similar straits.  It is very humbling to see oneself being used as an instrument of comfort in the Hand of God.  I left the conversation changed and more thankful than ever.

The seniors then emerged from the testing room - such a buzz and flurry of 120 students all talking at once, relating their experiences.

By then, a quick lunch was in order, after which we headed over to the oral recitation room, where all the students were divided into groups of about 8-10 to recite in smaller rooms before a judge a set of 10 passages in the 7 minute time allotted.

Christianna and friend Rachel from the Cary, NC Bee site

Please permit a bit of motherly pride to shine through here, as I must proclaim to all how much I appreciate Christianna's spirit and spunk with regards to God's Word.  She disdains the monotone, rote repetition of mere words into a microphone, eyes closed, head bent and face screwed up in concentration.  Instead, she feels that the scripture is not merely a string of sounds to be uttered at quickly as one can remember them, but the living word, from the heart of Almighty God, meant to be shared with all one's heart, soul, mind and strength, and with a love for God and others that showcases the Gospel in all the Scriptures.

Well, she did her best!  She was such a joy up there on stage when it came her turn.  She spoke beautifully, though, unfortunately, her recitations were not quite word-perfect, which is what the judges are looking for.  She ran over -time, but out of reverence for God's word, the judges allowed students to finish the passage they were reciting.  She finished.  And there was much applause for her.  Several other parents present with their students approached me and remarked to me how her recitations had particularly blessed them, and how they wished all the students would recite with such warmth!

I felt a bit like Mary, pondering these things in my heart.  I could only weep tears of joy and thankfulness to the Lord, for, here, again, He fulfilled Christianna's main desire for the Bible Bee:
to touch people with the Word, to recite with power and life the Word that gives life, that , perhaps, someone listening might be blessed.  That was her prime objective.  God answered her: "Yes!"

Enjoying the last of her waffle cone

Later that afternoon, after the congratulatory talk, visiting the vendor tables, and preparing for the opening ceremony later that evening, we had dinner, and then ice-cream eaten outside while walking the lovely hotel grounds.  Palm trees, fountains in the property ponds, egrets, beautiful tropical flowers unfamiliar to NC dwellers, and a warm gentle breeze all contributed to a lovely evening as we walked, talked, enjoyed waffle-cone ice-cream, and waved to other families driving back in from their dinner outings.

The fountain in front of our hotel

The opening ceremony was quite impressive.  Sober, yet expectant, serious, yet filled with joy at merely being together with the saints, the majestic processionals themselves inspired as each of the 360 students (120 from each age division) came up to stage, received his medal for qualifying and participating in the Nationals, and stood with his group for pictures.

After a few speeches, the semi-finalists were announced in each division.  Christie had only a few moments of disappointment when all 15 names were listed, but I witnessed that sadness quickly become replaced with relief and genuine delight for those who succeeded.  I was, again, very thankful for my girl's heart that felt real joy for others' victories.

What a glorious day it was, by God's grace!  His mercies flow continuously. 

The National Bible Bee - Part 1

We're home from Orlando.

There is so much to share about the National Bible Bee event that I anticipate several posts.
My heart is bursting with praise for our great and kind God who ordained our time there, and who so graciously allowed Christianna's dreams and desires to be fulfilled in unexpected ways.

No, she did not win any of the prizes, but she certainly did win the prize.

Please allow a little bit of motherly love and joy to bubble up through my words as I describe highlights from the trip, truly a journey of a lifetime.

Sunrise in Charlotte,NC

Our plane took off from Raleigh-Durham airport on Oct. 29.  This was the first time I'd flown since before 9/11, and Christianna's first ever flight.  So, not only did she get the prized window seat she'd hoped for, but she also flew into the sunrise(another desire), up through clouds (another wish fulfilled) and also experienced perfect clock-work-like timing with regards to making connecting flights, baggage claim, reserving airport transportation to and from the hotel (my desire fulfilled ;-)  ).

On the van ride to the Hilton Orlando (where the Bible Bee convened and where we were required to stay) we were joined by another Bible Bee family (father and son) and we had such a lovely and animated ride.  This certainly helped Christianna feel like she now had at least one new connection there.  There's nothing like an earnest conversation between two young people regarding the merits of one Bible interpretation vs. another to warm a mother's heart.  Christianna had a chance to do what she loves best: to talk about the Scriptures, to compare notes with others who seriously study God's word, and to share of her experiences as she worked so hard the last several months learning the Word and leaning into her Lord.  (another desire met!)

Checking in was easy and smooth, no surprises.   Being on the 4th floor allowed us to run up and down the stairs conveniently without having to rely on an elevator....  I was thankful we were not up on the 10th!  (Praise God!  Again!)

At registration that afternoon, not only did we get through it easily, but also with many hugs, lots of encounters with genuinely happy people.  At the end of the line, Christianna had another surprise waiting for her:  the people who make the Bee happen did not forget those who were celebrating a birthday over those 5 days.  There, waiting for her, was a HUGE gift bag, with birthday wishes from the sponsors of the National Bible Bee!  She was shocked, and I stood aside in quiet tears of gratitude.  (Praise God.... again!)

Later in the afternoon, Christianna and I were drilling some of her troublesome passages out in the lobby.  Now, when she's in a particularly spunky mood, when she recites something incorrectly and I call it, she will let out a peculiarly humorous groan, an "Oooh" of sorts that starts at a higher pitch and rapidly descends "to the pit," she might say, all at an unabashedly audible volume, complete with trademark Christianna-body language.
Suffice it to say, she was in said mood in the lobby that afternoon, and had just hit an incorrect recitation spot when, out came the groan, and who should be walking by but a Bee-mother and her son, who laughed knowingly, and an elderly grandfatherly man (attending with his grandchildren and family) who produced a huge grin, a wink of the eye, and a knowing nod and chuckle!  Christianna was a bit embarrassed, and ever after that gentleman would smile kindly and give her a chuckle!  We had made friends!  (Praise God, once more!)

The Cary,NC Bee group (Christie in back on right)

After greeting many families from our local Bee host site (in Apex, NC) and catching up with one another for a while, Christie and I went to dinner at the Italian restaurant in the hotel.  Again, everything was so perfect.... a quiet spot for us to speak alone, nourishing food (just what she needed for her headache) and a relaxed, unhurried experience to simply sink in and recount the blessings of the day.   (Thanks be to God for His perfect gifts and care!)

Early to bed, for the next day was the written test and the Preliminary oral rounds.

....continued in Part 2.....

Christianna is going to Nationals....by God's Grace

posted by : Mama H.

Last night, the results came in!
May this Mama boast a bit?  Yes, but only in the glory and kindness of Christ!

On August 23rd, Christianna and Jedidiah sat for the National Bible Bee test in Apex, at a host site where we had attended sermons on the book of Jonah, and where they had practiced with a mock test 2 weeks before.

Grateful for the experience, they had studied Jonah and memorized many passages for 10 weeks before.
Hebrew and Greek words, theology, inductive study, cross-references....all this and plenty of word-perfect recitations had filled their days.

On the 23rd, Christianna placed first in her division (Senior) and Jedidiah successfully completed the course in his division (Junior)

But the nagging question was this:  was placing first in a local competition enough to qualify her for one of the 120 spots eligible for the Nationals?  That question was answered last night: yes!  She came in 1st in NC and 45 in the country!

Christianna is overwhelmed with gratitude at the opportunity to travel to FL in October to participate in the National Bible Bee Competition, especially since a friend she's communicated with for a while will be there too.

If you would, please pray for Christianna as she prepares to study the book of Nahum and memorize 200 passages of Scripture(750 verses), in just 8 weeks!  And keep up with her regular work here at home as she begins wrapping up high school work, directs a children's choir, and progresses with her music studies.  She desires to do this with a joyful heart, free from pride .... a tall order for any of us.

But nothing is impossible for God.  I am grateful she is trusting Him to bring this about.  To God be the glory!

A Long Time Away

Greetings to our friends and family who (may) still follow our family blog.  Thank you for your faithfulness, and for being patient with us.  We've not updated much of late, not because our lives are so dull and uninteresting that we've nothing to tell.  Rather, our days are so full, that there's hardly the time to answer any urgent email, much less blog about the happenings around here.  We're too busy living life that we don't have much time to tell about it!  I'd say, that's a good place to be!

2014 has found us quite busy indeed.

A typical day in the Hellwig household looks a bit like this for Mama Hellwig:

Wake up around 2 a.m., because sleep seems to evade me!
Lie in bed for an hour or more, praying, planning the day, thinking about the future....
(I used to lie in bed complaining to God about my sleeplessness, but now, I can praise Him for giving me "songs in the night".... and that is ALL His doing!)
Get up around 3:30, and read, and drink at least 1 quart of water.  Make my daily To-Do list.

Exercise indoors (body-weight exercises, when I'm feeling okay!, and stretching)
Prepare any special breakfast items that fall to me.(  Arianne is our breakfast- maker-extraordinaire! )

For example, when I did a 30-day juice fast last June, and again this February-March, there were lots of veggies to wash and cut up into juicer-sized pieces.  Sometimes, I like to complement Arianne's breakfast with a little extra something.

By  this time it is very nearly 6:00, and time for me to get my running shoes on and go out for my.... run?  No, can't do that yet.  My knee will not accommodate that, but I do walk.... at least 2 miles.

Then, into the shower, and breakfast with the family at 7:15.
Chores get done by the children (and me) while I start correcting Algebra lessons, Biology tests, or make copies of grammar lessons or Latin quizzes.  I review what we'll be reading for history, and supervise the littles' chores.... well, they're not so little anymore, but they'll always be my "babies."  ;-)
Gabrielle is usually off to her office in downtown Rolesville, to get some work done. Timothy is driving to downtown Raleigh to his work at Baker Roofing.

8:30 - Bible Time  : sing our hymn of the month, and read through (round-robin) and discuss 1 chapter of whichever book we're in.  Right now, we are trying to finish up the NT, so we can move on to an in-depth study of the Psalms, which will probably take us the rest of the year, and then some!
After we pray, we break up to do individual work (science, math, vocabulary, cursive,...) while I work one-on-one with Benaiah in his reading/phonics and writing, and tutor each child as needs arise.

By 10:00, we're ready to take a 10-minute break.  Wrestling, running outside, scrubbing bathroom floors or some laundry-folding are good diversions for young boys.
By 10:15 we're well into either Latin or grammar.  And by 11:00 it's time for history, unless I need to drive Arianne to work. (Rather, she drives me to her work, where I get out, take off the "Student Driver" sign on the back of the car, and bid her a good day!
Some days, it's off to piano lessons for Christianna.
Sometimes, I drive my father to a Dr.'s appointment.

12:00 Lunchtime... Gabrielle is our chief lunch maker, at least most days.  I am beginning to consider the training up of "The Lunch Lads" to take over for her soon.
By 1:00, after clean-up, it is the "Quiet Hour," which is actually a metaphor for a length of time closer to 2 hours, where the youngest 3 boys have the opportunity to be alone.  The three musketeers need some space, time to contemplate, and meditate, each by himself.  On rare occasions, one or more will fall asleep.  I'm often out driving someone around: violin lessons, Arianne to work, if she starts at 2 instead of 12, visiting the chiropractor, or a myriad of other errands.

Most of us are home by 5:30, when we sit down to a sumptuous repast created by Christianna.  Arianne usually works late.
After we clean up the kitchen and dining room, there's time for stories, math tutoring, conversations, block-tower building, remote-control car races, or more laundry folding (often all of the above, all at once!)
7:00 is Family-worship: another hymn to sing, and more wisdom from God's word.
7:30 : youngest 3 get to go to bed.... they don't view it as "getting to go" to bed, but I assure you, I would!

I get to stay up with my older ones and talk, read, or occasionally we will have a movie night.
9:45 : I drive out to pick up Arianne.... yawn!
10:30 - bed, sweet bed..... sleep is typically hard to get a hold of, so I wrestle with pillows....
If I get 4-5 hours, I'm doing well.  It's those nights that I get only 2-3 hours that make the days a bit bumpier (and, might I add, grumpier!)

The Lord has blessed us tremendously!  He is kind and gentle with us, teaching us and training us to be more like what we were meant to be.  I am so thankful for all He is doing, has done and will continue to accomplish in me.  All praises be to God!

How are your days?  What are you praising God for ?  How might the Hellwigs pray for you?

We will try to post more often.... but I cannot promise that it will happen regularly.
Blessings to you,
Lisa (Mama H.)

Pi Day...A Little Late!

Posted by Gabrielle

A little late...but better late than never! If you're at all familiar with Pi, you've probably heard of Pi Day - March 14 - 3.14. :) Of course, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate Pi Day - with a pie!

Christianna made us a delicious blueberry pie, complete with a large pi symbol in the center and tiny little pi symbols all around the edge of the crust. It was a beautiful, and tasted even better!

Susannah Spurgeon on "The Kindness of God"

While lying about with the flu yesterday, I picked up a precious book I recently bought during my "we need to read more biographies of great men and women of the faith"-spree.
 This excerpt is from  Free Grace and Dying Love by Susannah Spurgeon, wife of the wonderful and famous 19th century preacher C.H. Spurgeon :

  My kindness shall not depart from thee.  (Isa. 54:10)

Sometimes we like to think of the consolation that awaits us in heaven, when our warfare is accomplished, and our iniquity is pardoned; but here, in this precious word, we have comfort and help for the daily life and strife of earth.
  The kindness of God!  It is unutterable, illimitable, unchangeable!  Every believer has experienced it; but the whole host of the redeemed, gathered from all lands, throughout all ages, could not tell the heights and depths and lengths and breadths of this 'great', 'everlasting', 'loving' kindness which dwells in the heart of God for his people.

'My kindness.'  Dear Lord, the words are sweet to my soul as honey and the honeycomb.  They carry in them an answer to all my misgivings, a response to all my pleas, a promise of power to overcome all my weakness.  I say to you, sometimes, ' Lord, how is it that you can be so tender and indulgent to one so forgetful, so unworthy, so inexcusable as I am?'  And your answer is - 'My kindness' - ' I have loved you with an everlasting love.'  'But, Lord, I am a worse and greater sinner than I thought I was; every day reveals to me some hitherto undiscovered evil in my heart, which must be displeasing in your sight.'  Again you say, 'My kindness' - ' I have put away thy sin.'  'But, Lord, I have no power to do right, I cannot of myself even think a good thought, much less live that life of holiness which you command and require.'  And again you give me that sweet reply, 'My kindness' - ' My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'  Oh!  That I had a seraph's tongue to tell, or a pen dipped in the praises of heaven to write, what his lovingkindness and tender mercy have been to me!

'My kindness SHALL NOT DEPART from thee.'  God's negatives and affirmatives are like great rocks jutting out from the insecure and shifting sands of all earthly experiences.  When a troubled, bewildered soul is enabled by faith to cling fast to one of these, all fear vanishes, all anxiety is gone, nothing can move it from its confidence and peace.  We have all suffered, more or less, from the ever-changing influences around us; perhaps we ourselves have added somewhat to the sorrow which is in the world by reason of inconstancy and changeableness.  But never, for one moment, has our God withdrawn the love with which he loved us from all eternity, never has he forsaken or forgotten those who have put their trust in him.  Bless his dear name, there is no such things as departing kindness with him; 'no variableness, neither shadow of turning.'  It is true, our sins and our ingratitude may so grieve and provoke him, that he may hide his face from us for a while; but even then, his love yearns over us so much that, as Joseph Hart sweetly sings - 

                                     Shouldst thou a moment's absence mourn;
                                     Should some short darkness intervene;
                                     He'll give thee power, till light return,
                                     To trust him, with the cloud between!

'My kindness shall not depart from thee.'  O my loving Lord, let the support and comfort of this precious 'shall not' sink deep into my soul this morning, and strengthen me to face every difficulty, and resist every evil, and bear any trial with the courage such an assurance gives!  Or, make it a sweet resting-place and refuge for me, Lord, where I may be sheltered from all the disturbing changes of the world around me.  Though friends may grow cold, and times may change, and circumstances may alter, and old age may creep on, and infirmities may gather themselves together, and flesh and heart me fail- yes, though my feet touch the cold waters of the river of death- this promise will stand firm and true, and your kindness shall not depart from me for ever, for it shall present me 'faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy'.

 He is indeed kind.... the very definition of kindness.  May we be more like him, in our kindnesses to one another.
The flu.... mostly gone!  Praise God for his kindness to us all.
The book : 
http://www.amazon.com/Free-Grace-Dying-Susannah-Surgeon/dp/0851519180/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363472445&sr=8-1&keywords=free+grace+and+dying+love

I highly recommend it.

Back from a Blogging Break and... A Couple Belated Birthdays!

Posted by Gabrielle

As some of you may have noticed, your regular blogger here on the Hellwig Family Blog has been taking a break while some siblings filled in. Due to a back injury in December, I decided it was time to step back and take a break, and with the help of my chiropractor, I think I'm over the worst of it now, so I'm back with a resolution and a schedule for more regular blogging here on the Hellwig Family Blog! :)

First off, let's start with a couple very belated birthdays:

Mommy had a birthday just before Christmas! I don't need to say how old she turned - the candles speak for themselves! :)

And in February, we celebrated Tobias' 9th birthday:

Yes, he's still one of our family hams! There's never a dull moment when he's around!

Happy birthday, Mommy and Tobias! I'm so glad I'm in a family with both of you!

Gabrielle turns Twenty one!

 By Christianna

Yes this is quite late. So late, in fact, that I was about to give it up as too late. However, better late than never, is the old adage, and so I will do it now before it gets even later.

Only two candles, but much more special to make up for that.

This was what Jedidiah gave her.

This was what I gave her.

This was a joke present from Arianne. Gabrielle loves banana pudding

This was what Timothy gave her.

These are all from Mommy.  She gave Gabrielle twenty-one presents.

And so passed the evening in which we gave thanks to the Lord for giving us this wonderful young lady for Twenty one years.

My Sister's Creations

 post by Jedidiah

My sister Gabrielle has a couple of shops online, and she crochets and knits a lot.  So I have been following her around.....

.... taking lots of pictures!

Gabrielle knits away.... 

And the final product, a photo prop blanket, is ready for sale.

Cute baby shoes

Within hours, she can go from this....

To this......

to this.... another photo prop blanket! 

 Now that's how fast she crochets!        A sock monkey hat for a girl....

...for a boy....

Finished boy's hat

Finished set!    Time for a trip to the post office.....

Sold items ready to ship!

The End of One Year....

   from the Valley of Vision :

                                                        Year's End


O Love beyond compare,
Thou art good when thou givest,
                       when thou takest away,              
                       when the sun shines upon me,
                       when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
              and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
               in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me during another year,
               leading me through a twisting wilderness,
               in retreat helping me to advance,
               when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
                thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,
                I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
                I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
                grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
                I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or in trial,
                as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

   I have seen this all to be true:  God has led and loved me, through "twisting wilderness" and labyrinth of uncertainty.  The waves tossed high in 2012, but my God delivered me through them all and proved Himself faithful, good and wise.  May you look back on 2012 and see His all-encompassing kindness.  And may we all praise Him for the work He has done.  It is what we were created for!