The Other Way

After our long field trip to the east, the very next day we packed and headed west to State Bible Drill. Sarah had earned the opportunity to attend the State bible drill, however none of us had any idea what we were in for. Sarah and another girl in our church worked so very hard over the last year drilling and memorizing. They went to regional and were awarded Superiors and a chance to attend state. None of us, including their teachers, knew what to expect or anything. So, we booked a hotel, and off we went. We made it to our destination in time and signed the girls up to drill at 9:00 am! After that drove back to the hotel, got in with a courier from the hotel to take us to eat (downtown area and parking is always hard). After eating Mexican food at a very overrated, overpriced downtown area restaurant, we went walking and tried to enjoy the ambiance. We walked all the way back to the hotel where the kids promptly got changed in their bathing suits and went for a swim on an upper deck hotel pool. Looking out over all the tall buildings and just relaxing it was very nice. The other couple whose girl we brought with us arrived later and then Grandma and Papa Roberson joined us very late that night too. After what seemed a very long night and not too much sleep we enjoyed a good breakfast and then off we went. The girls teachers met us there and they practiced. Both girls were very nervous but did very well. The youth bible drill is intense and at the State level even more so. They all have to find verses they had memorized, books of the bible, and random verses in 8 seconds and under. Not only that but those who stepped across the line first, didn't fidget, concentrated on the judge only, and more were awarded those extra bonus points. Sarah was able to step across the line each time however one of those she realized as the scripture was being said that she had the wrong one. They are instructed to be honest and raise their hands for the judges to see and step back across the line. Honesty is rated very high! Other than that she was perfect on all the calls. Her partner had 2 missed calls. Basically we figured out at the point that out of 35 contestants and only 8 get moved up you have to be perfect and no mistakes and try and receive as many bonus points as possible to move up. We learned a lot that day about the next time going to state. Sarah and Zech will be in Youth Bible Drill next year, so we will see. All in all we were very, very proud of our Sarah for advancing. My prayer is for her to apply all that wonderful knowledge she gained in this experience.