Elliot's Challenge of the Week 4

 
Challenge of the Week 4

While Ben, Victor, and Josiah were gone at Middle School Camp, Elliot did a great job tackling the challenge of mowing the whole yard!

 Bonus: Some cool new sunglasses

Psalm 63 so far:

O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich foods, when I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night, for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.  

Elliot's Challenge of the Week 3

Challenge of the Week 3

This week Elliot gained some great culinary skills by learning how to make sourdough pancakes. He walked through the whole process, from mixing the sourdough starter to making the sponge the night before, to mixing the pancake batter, to flipping and frying the pancakes. They turned out great!

 Bonus: A great Saturday breakfast!

 Incidentally, we are also learning Psalm 63 as a family this summer! Here's what we've got so far (adding about a verse a week):

O God, you are my God. Earnestly I seek you. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich foods, when I remember you upon my bed and meditate on you in the watches of the night.  

Elliot's Challenges of the Week 1 and 2

As the older boys roll up to their 10-year summer, I've given them some "Challenges of the Week," just to help them explore new activities, stretch into new maturity, and have some new adventures.

And here we are, with a 10-year-old Elliot!

The summer is already well underway, but I'm so tickled that Elliot jumped in with his own personal challenge.

Challenge 1: Make 100 basketball shots a day.  

Bonus: Enjoy the new basketball hoop Dad recently installed! 

 

 

Challenge 2: Start piano lessons.

In the kindness of the Lord, Elliot is joining the ranks of practicing pianists, making our home a musical place these days.  

Bonus: New piano books, bag, and binder from Mrs. Vicki!

 

 

Josiah's Challenge of the Week 5

 

Week 5: Learn about and explore God's creation

Components:

• Go on a hike with friends.
  
• Fish out small organisms from a pond and try to identify them.
  
• Investigate at a nature center.
   

Bonus: Outdoor survival kit

 Memory Verses: 

...who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now, so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains him will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:4-10
(we had to investigate what on earth is "he who now restrains him"... not your typical Sunday school memory verses! 😂)

Josiah's Challenge of the Week 4

Week 4 (June 23): Learn to play chess.

Components:

• Go to Chess Club at the Shoreview Library.
  
• Practice and play chess with instructors and others.
  
• Have lunch with friends.
  
• Challenge Victor to a game of chess.
   

Bonus: Lifetime chess skills :)

 Memory Verses: 

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction...

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Josiah's Challenge of the Week 3

Week 3 (June 16): Learn the whole laundry process.

Components:

• Sort clothes (lights and darks).
  
• Load and start washer.
• Switch load to dryer.
  
• Fold clothes and put away.
   

Bonus: Josiah and Elliot had a mall adventure with me this week (while the younger two were at a zoo and Victor was at camp). We completed an alphabet photo scavenger hunt, which was a lot of fun! And then they got to get some bouncy balls and gum at the mall vending machines. :)

 Memory Verses:

(review of 2 Thessalonians 1)

Josiah's Challenge of the Week 2

Week 2 (June 9): Learn some new kitchen skills

Components:

• Learn how to cut a watermelon.
  
• Help Mom put together dirt dessert for Calvin's early birthday celebration.
• Help wash the dishes.
  

Bonus: Lick the bowls. :)

 

Josiah had commented to me that he thought he'd be a good watermelon cutter, so it was time to give him the opportunity! He did a nice job and did not lose any fingers. Win, win. 

 

 Memory Verses:

...when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:10-12

 

P.S. The finished product:

Josiah's Challenge of the Week 1

The summer "Challenge of the Week" is back! This time, Josiah takes the helm.

Week 1 (June 2): Start taking piano lessons.

Components:

• Weekly piano lessons through the summer (or as much as summer schedules allow)
• Practice, practice, practice!
   

Bonus: New piano books and bag, compliments of Mrs. Vicki

 

It's really sweet that God provided a way for Josiah to get some piano lessons. I couldn't figure out a way to finagle it during the school year, and this is an answer to prayer!

 

 Memory Verses: (we are working on memorizing 2 Thessalonians this summer as a family)

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering--since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-9

 

Victor's Challenges 6-8

 

Week 6 (July 17): Learn how to change oil in a car. 

Verse to memorize: For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9

Components:

• Buy the oil and filter(s) that you need.

• Schedule a time to change oil with Dad.

• Gather the needed tools.

• Change the oil

Bonus: Employment opportunity (see next challenge)

  Week 7 (July 24): Work a (small) business. Postponed due to sickness...

(Ideas: Oil changes, yard mowing, dog walking, baked goods sales, weeding, etc)

Verse to memorize: Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesian 4:28

Components:

• Write an email describing your service; set a business goal.

• Choose people to tell about your business. Persevere until you have reached your business goal.

• Buy the needed supplies.

• Provide your service.

Bonus: Make a plan for your income (save, spend, give).

 

Week 8 (July 31): Host a party. 

Verse to memorize: Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Psalm 34:8

Components:

• Choose the time, location (park), and guests to invite.

• Plan activities and food.

• Invite guests and keep track of RSVPs.

• Collect food and other supplies to bring.

• Help clean up.

Bonus: Fun with friends!

Victor's Challenge of the Week 4 and 5

 

Week 4 (June 19/26): Take a babysitting course.

Verse to memorize: But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7

Components:

• Complete the online Red Cross babysitting course.

Bonus: Babysitting money potential

 

Week 5 (July 10): Grow your skills in a sport.

Verse to memorize: For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

Components:

• Attend soccer camp or watch a video to learn the next level of skills for your sport.

• Choose a skill to practice each afternoon/evening.

• Assess your progress and make a goal for the summer to continue to grow.

Bonus: Sports gear

 

Victor's Challenge of the Week 2 and 3

The weeks keep ticking by, and here is an update on our "Challenge of the Week"!

 
Week 2 (June 5): Hold a ping-pong tournament.

Verse to memorize: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13

Components:

• Learn the basic rules for ping-pong.
• Choose time for tournament and invite friends.
• Teach rules, practice, play, and celebrate.
• (Consider making this an on-going activity.)

Bonus: On-going extracurricular activity possibility

Victor has started up weekly ping-pong practice sessions (when we're in town) in anticipation of the upcoming tournie. It's been a fun learning experience so far!

Week 3 (June 12): Bike 10 miles.

Verse to memorize: But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27

Components:

• Find a venue or path.
• Schedule a time with Dad.
• Pack gear and snack
• Bike!

Bonus: Map of trails

Ben and Victor have already done a couple bike rides (probably 10+ miles), and they are enjoying exploring parks and trails around here!

 

Victor's Challenge of the Week 1

This summer I wanted to lean into creating some purposeful "challenges" (the kind of thing I would not get around to without some forethought), particularly for Victor.

So, we have initiated the summer "Challenge of the Week"!

Week 1 (May 29): Select and prepare a meal for the family.

Verse to memorize: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8

Components:

• Choose 2-3 dishes to prepare and get Mom’s okay
• Make grocery list
• Plan the schedule for preparation
• Prepare the meal

Bonus: New cookbook or this one

Being quite the go-getter, Victor actually planned recipes to make for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and dessert! We spread it out over the week, and he did a great job!