Getting to Know Alex

Alex is such an independent type. Perhaps it is his personality. Perhaps it is because he is a bona fide genius. Perhaps it is necessary when you are part of such a large family. Perhaps it is due to a combination of all these things. Or maybe due to none of them. Or maybe there is no connection with his independence to anything other than God's own purposes. Who knows. I guess it doesn't really matter. I just needed a segway into this blog post, I suppose.

Anyhow.

Alex has been heavily involved in his youth group for a few years now. However, it is a youth group at a different church....not our "home" church. Up until recently, Alex has been attending "our" church in the mornings with the kids and I over at Westwood, and then going to youth group at "his" church in the evenings. But this fall, he joined a Bible Quizzing team at Parkside, "his" church, and has been attending there full-time, without us, ever since. Completely understanding and supporting his decision to do as such (and believing it to be the right decision for him as well!), I do miss him greatly on Sunday mornings.

Bible Quizzing is difficult to explain. Teams are developed, and one or two whole books of the Bible are memorized and studied by the participants throughout the Quizzing season. Quiz meets are held in a variety of different churches throughout the world. Questions are asked, and participants must "jump" to be the first to answer. This is accomplished by using pressure sensitive seating that electronically indicates who has left their seat first. Points are accrued by correct answers. But everyone is cheered on. Even those with the wrong answers. It is the most supportive competitive event I have ever witnessed.

One of the biggest meets in Minnesota was an invitational held at Crown College last month. Parents and family are apparently welcome to attend these meets, but that was news to us. We were "uninvited" until a phone call a couple of weeks ago from a woman in Alex's group who personally invited us to attend the next meet to be held at Parkside. I guess Alex has shown up as the only family-less participant a few times....not by our neglect, but because our son never invited us. *sniff*

Both Bob and I were able to escape the house to watch Alex for a little while. (thank you, Jonny for babysitting everyone!) It was quite interesting. It was fast paced, enlightening, and actually, kind of stressful. Bob said it was totally something he could have seen himself doing when he was a teen. Me? No way.....there was far too much stress and pressure up there for me, even with all the supportive high fives and hugs flying all over the stage. It was really great to see Alex in action. And to see him answer the questions correctly and so quickly!

On Sunday morning, I made the snap decision to attend Alex's church with the middle kids for the Palm Sunday service. Being a small church, it was lacking the full choir, palm procession involving hundreds of children, and heightened energy that goes along with being at Westwood. But this church had what mattered: a congregation filled with Bible believing, loving, Christian families, with a convicting sermon from a God-fearing pastor who has been called to share his wisdom in truth in very compelling and thought provoking words: To live completely and thoroughly following Jesus as KING of our entire life. His message was deep. Mind bending. Convicting. Essential. Thought provoking. Hearty. Real. Live. Truth.

Wow. Well, I am so happy to know that Alex is being well fed there at Parkside. There was enough in today's sermon to digest all week long.

After the service, we met several people who gushed about Alex and what an attribute he is to youth group and as a leader in ministry. God has big plans for Alex...for sure. People there LOVE him, and know him by name (unlike at our huge church). People socialize in the entry after services. Kids run around. Everyone is quick to share smiles and stories. I can see why Alex likes it there. And I am so thankful that they all have taken such good care of him over the years.