Community News - Week 15

Battle Ground Classical Conversations 2017/2018 Registration:
It's that time again!  Returning families are given priority, and we would love to have your family back next year.  New families can begin filling empty spots as early as next month.  So take some time to prayerfully consider your involvement in this program next year.  Here's a handy link to use to register.
https://p.widencdn.net/hrglau/2017-2018-FE-Application-Returning-Families-fillable

Challenge A Info Meeting:
This week directly following our Essentials class we'll be hosting a brief information meeting about Challenge A.  If you're on the fence about next year, or would like to understand the program better, please join us for this meeting.

Young People's Concert:
Those of you that signed up for the Young Peoples concert, I will have a envelop for you to pay for your tickets this week. The concert is next Tuesday!

Tuesday, February 7, at 11:00am
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

CC Testing Sign up:

Stanford 10

Date: Thursday, May 4th and Friday, May 5th from 9am-3:00pm

Cost: $50, $55 after April 3rd, 2017.

Location:

Vancouver Church of Christ

9019 NE 86th Street

Vancouver, WA, 98662

Grades tested: 3rd-10th

Proctors needed: 4 plus a break-area monitor

Registration closes: April 10th, 2017. No refunds or transfers after April 10th, 2017.

Link to registration: https://www.classicalconversations.com/events/get-event/node/101120

CTP4

Date: Thursday, May 18th and Friday, May 19th from 9am-3:00pm

Cost: $59

Location:

Vancouver Church of Christ

9019 NE 86th Street

Vancouver, WA, 98662

Grades tested: 3rd-10th

Proctors needed: 2 plus a break-area monitor

Registration closes: April 24th, 2017. No refunds or transfers after April 24th, 2017.

Link to registration: https://www.classicalconversations.com/events/get-event/node/101122

It is very important that I have enough proctors!  Proctors are required to have a bachelor’s degree or above, must complete an application and a short-online training. We also are required to have someone present at all times in the lobby break area, so I will also need one volunteer for that area as well.  Please contact me at bcdllawton@msn.com if you are willing and able to help out in these very important ways.

National Memory Masters Competition:

For more information about the Classical Conversations National Memory Master competition please follow the link this CC link:   https://www.classicalconversations.com/National-Memory-Master

Valentine's Week:
It's so fun to pass out sweet Valentines.  If your student wishes to bring cards or a small treats for their friends in class on February 16 they are welcome to do so.  Valentines will be shared during snack time in class that week.

Valentine's Medieval Banquet:

You are invited to the BGCC 2016 Christmas Banquet!

What: Medieval Feast
When: Friday, February 17, 6:30-8:30ish
Where: Battle Ground Baptist Church
Cost: $20 per family to cover meal
RSVP: PLEASE sign up this Thursday to reserve your spot!  If you have extra guests beyond your immediate family (grandparents, etc.)  please note those additional numbers.

Details:
This is a costume party, so please plan to dress up in Medieval garb! Ideas: knights, lords/ladies, princesses, priests, nuns, beggars, minstrels, thieves, farmers, shepherds. We expect most of the children will dress up, but it would be great to have see parents in costume as well! :-)
A prize will be given for the best costume!

Childcare will be provided. It is optional.

Among other activities, we will enjoy jokes delivered from "Jesters." All students are invited to prepare a joke to read at the microphone during the evening (parents, please approve the appropriateness of jokes prepared).

The Masters classes will be serving dinner and desert to all guests. They may arrive and be seated as normal, and then will be instructed by announcement when it is time for them to go to the kitchen to serve.

Thank you! We look forward to this family event!

Snow Make Up Day:

On our CC Calendar you will notice that February 23rd was scheduled to be a Community Review Day.  Due to our missed week in January we will have a regular community day to cover week 18 instead of hosting a Community Review day this year.  

Parent Practicum 2017:

Classes Canceled 1/12/17

Due to our current weather conditions, classes are canceled tomorrow.  We'll make up the missed week on February 23 which was previously scheduled as a review day.  Enjoy the SNOW!

Being Faith Lead in the Year Ahead - Janell Sorensen

Being Faith Lead in the Year Ahead

Every time the New Year approaches our email boxes, social media news feeds, and NY Best Seller list are always filled with the Top 5 ways to be the very BEST you in this New Year.  Top 5 ways to declutter and simplify.  Top 5 ways to be a stellar homeschool parent.  Top 5 ways to slim down and get strong.  Top 5 ways to be more successful in business.  Top 5 ways to consolidate debt and become debt free.  The lists, articles, and blog posts go on and on about planning for success, creating your best life, and living a life of design. THIS is how to be your BEST YOU in the upcoming year!

The thing is, we forget the Creator of all things who gives life, has already drawn up plans for us and has a specific purpose for us.  In the imperfect day-to-day’s He IS doing His work to make you the BEST you…through Him!  

 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, (Jeremiah 29:11-14a)

These books, articles, and tips aren’t bad things as we aspire to be better stewards of our body, mind, time, and possessions, but may we not forget to first pray and seek God first and foremost.  Are we seeking God with ALL our heart regarding the changes that need to be made in our life, body, relationships and finances?  Are we asking Him first if these are the things He has for us in our life calling? Or are we making decisions and resolutions based on things that we feel others think we should be doing?  Are we striving for Pinterest Perfect and Facebook Fabulous, or are we desiring holiness and righteousness offline?  Everything we say “yes” to ultimately gives a “no” to another area or other people in our lives.  Are we praying for wisdom, discernment, and direction?

Though culturally the New Year is a great time for reflection, adjustments, and change, the awesome thing about being a child of the King is that we don’t have to wait until January 1st to start over.  We don’t even have to wait until Monday as God and His grace are available to us minute by minute and day by day.  When we fail to follow through perfectly with our resolutions, we can know where our hope lies and we can find rest and satisfaction in our God who is faithful to change us.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,

“therefore I will hope in him.”  (Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV)

With all these resolutions, they tend to be rooted in who we are (or hope to “appear” to be), what we would like to be known for, and what legacy we want to leave. In Hebrew 11 we see the “Great Wall of Faith”.  It is this awesome list of people who did great acts of faith in their lifetime.  All their acts of faith were in God and what He had uniquely designed for their lives.  

• Abel- Offered the best parts of a lamb as a sacrifice to the Lord. (Gen. 4:1-6)
• Enoch- "truly loved God". (Gen. 5:21-26)
• Noah- Believed God’s warning that God was going to destroy the evil people of the world in a flood. Built a large boat (ark) as God commanded to save his family and animals. Gen. 6:1-9:17)
• Abraham- Left the comfort and security of his homeland, when God called him to go to a new land where God would give him many descendants.  (Gen. 12:1-9, 17:1-8, Rom. 4)
• Sarah- Was too old to have children, but she had faith that God would give her a child anyway. (Gen. 18:1-15, 21:1-8)
• Isaac- Gave a blessing to his sons Jacob and Esau. (Gen. 27:1-40)
• Jacob- Blessed his grandsons (Joseph’s sons) Ephraim and Manasseh. (Gen. 48:1-22)
• Joseph- Used his position in the Egyptian government to save his family when they went to Egypt during a time of famine in Canaan. He also trusted that God would lead the Hebrew people of Israel out of Egypt. (Gen. 37-50, 50:22-25)
• Moses- Refused to be considered the king’s grandson; led the Hebrew people out of Egypt; and celebrated Passover. (Exodus 1-15, 19-34)
• Rahab- Helped two Israelite spies escape Jericho so they could make a report to their commanders. (Joshua 2:1,3; 6:21-25)
• Gideon, Barak, Samson, & Jephthah- Performed acts of heroism and helped the Israelites to gain control of the land (Canaan) promised to Abraham and his descendants. (Judges 4-16)
• David- Slew the giant Goliath and helped the Israelites to conquer Canaan. (1 Samuel 16-1 Kings 2:11; 1 Samuel 17)
• Samuel- Led the people of Israel as a judge and prophet. 1 Samuel 1:1-1 Sam 25:1)

These men and women weren’t out creating and designing life for themselves and their glory, yet they were ordinary everyday people with sin struggles just like you and me who needed a Savior and sought the Lord.  Who followed His leading and truly LIVED the life that was already designed for them.  It’s so amazing if you take the time to go back and read about these people.  They mess up, they accomplished great acts of faith through God, but some even missed out on blessing and opportunity.  This wasn’t a list of perfect people.  It wasn’t a list of the most fashionable of 2016, the wealthiest of 2016, the most fit of 2016, the most organized, successful, etc.  These normal everyday people God saw fit to use were imperfect and willing to step out by faith and live the life that was tailor made for them.  I’m pretty sure “Save my Family during the Famine” was not on Joseph’s New Year’s resolution list.  Yet God had brought Him to that very place to be available to do the unthinkable.  Just think where God might place you this year if you are only willing and listening?

So, as we prepare our hearts, thoughts and time for the New Year, may we seek eternal things, Kingdom things.  May we seek God and His righteousness and these things will be added unto us.  He truly will lead us by faith!  As we slow down and seek Him first, may we hear from Him and see in His word what He is calling us to.  May we be Spirit lead and have wisdom and discernment to know what our best “yes’” are for our home, our family, and our ministries.  May we take it one day at a time as we continue looking up.  Then we can boldly and faithfully step out in the power of the Holy Spirit and do mighty things for His Honor and Glory!

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Weather Week 12

Tomorrow's community time will be pushed back by one hour to give families time to drive in.
Foundations and Challenge will both start at 10:00am tutors please arrive by 9:45am. Attendance is at your own discretion.

You are invited to the BGCC 2016 Christmas Banquet!

What: Medieval Feast
When: Thursday, December 15, 6:30-8:30ish
Where: Battle Ground Baptist Church
Cost: $20 per family to cover meal (we will have an envelope for money next to the coffee station on Thusday) 
RSVP: PLEASE respond to this email right away with a YES! (or no) that you plan to attend. If you have extra guests beyond your immediate family (grandparents, etc.)  please note those additional numbers.
Details:
This is a costume party, so please plan to dress up in Medieval garb! Ideas: knights, lords/ladies, princesses, priests, nuns, beggars, minstrels, thieves, farmers, shepherds. We expect most of the children will dress up, but it would be great to have see parents in costume as well! :-)

Childcare will be provided. It is optional.

Among other activities, we will enjoy jokes delivered from "Jesters." All students are invited to prepare a joke to read at the microphone during the evening (parents, please approve the appropriateness of jokes prepared).

The Masters classes will be serving dinner and desert to all guests. They may arrive and be seated as normal, and then will be instructed by announcement when it is time for them to go to the kitchen to serve.

Thank you! We look forward to this family event!

(Did you RSVP? Do it now!)

BGCC Weather Cancellation

Good Evening,

It looks like our current weather conditions are going to require us to cancel our community time tomorrow.  As this is near the end of the quarter we will be unable to make up this class time.  Please stay tuned to our BGCC Facebook page for FB live new grammar and fun review activities with your kids tomorrow.

Cancellation includes: Foundations, Essentials and Challenge

Community News - Week 11

Good Morning BGCC Families!  Here's a quick week 11 update for you.   I'm looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Community Christmas Dinner:

This year BGCC is having a Medieval Christmas Dinner.  We decided rather than hosting our Christmas Dinner potluck style this year,  we are asking each family to donate $20 so we can serve one big feast.  Our menu includes roasted root vegetables, chicken, bread, and pies - Yum!  If you're interested in helping out with food prep please talk to Jennifer Locey or Ann Ordway as they are heading this up.

There won't be a formal program but we will have some fun activities throughout the evening. Students may choose to dress up for the event, Medieval costumes are encouraged but not required.  :)


Science:

On week 12 students will be doing a science project that requires toilet paper rolls.  I've been saving rolls at our house all quarter but I don't have enough for every student.  Can you collect your TP rolls over the next week and bring them with you to CC on week 12?  Thank you!


Follow the Star:

If you signed up for Follow the Star, I'll be bringing your tickets to CC tomorrow.  I do have 4 tickets left for December 11, at 5:00pm.  Let me know if you would like them for your family.  

Weather:
The forecast shows snow tomorrow.  I'll be watching the weather tomorrow morning and will post to the blog and Facebook if it seems that the weather is unsafe to travel in.