The Chronicles of Biscuit - Pros and Cons

The Chronicles of Biscuit: Stories about our younger son whose nickname is Biscuit.

Decisions and choices are hard for anybody at times, but for a 12 year old, they can be really tough.

Our younger son is at the right age where he can still go to the younger kids' session of Bible camp or to the older kids' session. The whole family will be at the older session, where only a few of us will be at the younger one.  He was planning to go to both.

But then we realized that there was a conflict with the younger session week.  The BIG Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament (T/O) is scheduled the same week this year!  Biscuit wasn't sure what to do.  We didn't care, since he was already going to camp the next week. If he hadn't been, we certainly would have chosen for him, but since he had the option, we let him chose.

Fast forward a few weeks:  Biscuit's next older brother is going to be a counselor during the younger session. When he came home after a camp meeting, all excited about the week and its activities, Biscuit began to second-guess his decision.  Bigger brother encouraged him to make a list of the pros and cons of going to each, which he did.

(Pros)

After Biscuit made the lists, he still wasn't sure. I told him to go to bed, pray about it, and that God would help him make the best decision.  He wasn't in bed long (not long enough to sleep, but long enough to pray), but soon came and told me he was going to camp.  He had made his decision.

(Cons...*And a not about the 'fights between a family member'....It's not our family he's referring to!)

I wasn't sure the decision would stay the same the next day, the next week, or even especially after the first golf tournament of the summer (which was Tuesday), but it has. He hasn't wavered in his decision.  I'm pretty sure it's because he knows which decision was directed by God and is most important, spiritually.  There are worldly things at camp, no doubt, and he even lists some "bad" that can be found at camp just the same as it can be found anywhere, but there are many things that are at Bible camp that you can't find anywhere else.  You can't grow spiritually the same way anywhere else.  There's something about Bible camp that makes you feel even closer to God than anywhere else.  Biscuit knows that, and he knows the fun that's there, as well.

We would have been proud of Biscuit no matter what decision he made because he thought about the choices and considered the aspects of each.  I actually was a little sad that he wasn't going to do the golf tournament, but that's selfish of me!  I was sad to not be going to the younger camp, too, because I've been a counselor there the past two years!  Conflicts aren't fun!

But we're extremely proud that Biscuit chose the better.  He chose the best. He chose spiritual over worldly.  That's the best decision anyone could ever make.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

Oklahoma 2A State Golf Tournament 2015

(THS Golf Team)

For the second year in a row, the THS Golf Team competed in the State Tournament.  After placing 9th out of 12 last year, the Tigers were looking forward to moving up in the tournament.  After "Day 1", where they were disappointed in their performance, they were ranked 8th.

(Our family, minus the oldest.)

"Day 2" was much, much better!  The boys played great! The weather was warmer, which made it even better!  The THS Tigers ended the day tied at 6th....shy of their goal of "Top 5", but still pleased.  

"Day 1" the boys played 36 holes.  They walked an estimated 10-13 miles!  They ate late, then went to bed, just to get up early the next morning and play another 18 holes.

My two boys had some great memories.  One of them I saw. The other I didn't.  My husband and I take turns watching the two boys, who are #1 and #4 bag, which means that there are two teammates between them. Unfortunately I can't watch both at the same time!

I was watching #4 and he had a chip shot where he couldn't even see the hole.  It went up over a small hill, rolled, then seemed to stop, then began rolling again and went in! I screamed! He yelled! Everyone - even the opponents, their parents, their grandparents - were so excited!  It's fun to see no matter who does it!  And then a little bit later, #1 did it...on the SAME hole, but from the other side!  The difference was that he actually could see the hole.  Those shots will be etched in our memory forever because they are rare!  

On "Day 1" as I drove the cart towards the last hole of the day, I began crying. It was sad thinking that it was #1, our Senior's last high school golf tournament.  I didn't want to think about it. My husband was sad, too.  But yesterday, as we went through it, we weren't sad.  We were just thankful to have been there and thankful to have watched him play for all of these years.  He helped the golf program at our school become what it is.  Without his interest, his younger brothers wouldn't be interested.  Without him wanting to have a team, we might not have had one.  So, yes...we're sad it's over.  But we are especially thankful that it happened.

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Golf Course Discipline...with Love

There's a situation in a pre-teen's life I (Lori) like to call the 11-year-old-itch. It's a tough age for several reasons. A child is no longer a baby, but not yet a "teen". It's hard to grow up a little, not needing mom or dad as much, but still needing them quite a bit. Also, I believe, children begin comparing themselves to others more, may be more influenced by peer pressure, and, as a young Christian pre-teen, they are tempted by all sorts of things that can keep them from going down the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life. Satan is just as busy in the life of a pre-teen as he is in an adult's life! He wants all of God's children to fail! 

Our youngest, Biscuit, is in that 11-year-old-itch time of life. He's been anticipating the beginning of the summer golf tour all spring. Today was the first day! We were up at 4:30 a.m., and left the house at 5:30 SHARP (per his insistence) to get to the course at 7:00 a.m., and not a minute later. And we made it, with six minutes to spare! 6:54 a.m.!

 Biscuit was warned last week, this week, and this morning, that he had to have a good attitude no matter what happened today. And he knew I expected him to comply! His older sister served as his caddie for the day. She tried to encourage him, too!

 Hole #1 started off okay (except for the fact that one of the tires ran off a bent rim on the pull cart!), but not until 9:30 a.m., so he had waited around quite a while. The "junior high" (how is Biscuit even in that division?!) was last to begin. And, I'm sure that Biscuit hasn't been on a good sleeping schedule since school has been out, so I know he was tired, but that's no excuse. He played poorly from the beginning. He was disappointed, but after one small visible disgust with his game, I reminded him of the attitude agreement. I told him that he wouldn't get another warning, but if I saw anything that seemed like he was angry, he would have to withdraw. There were 11 players in his age group, so he would be considered last (or worse, I suppose).

 He held it together, plugged on for the remaining holes of the first nine, even finally getting one par on hole #7. Winning in the top three of each tournament in the tour last year, I know this was hard. He wanted to be in the top five. It wasn't going to come easy! I was thinking that he would turn it around during the second nine, and encouraged him that it possible could. Unfortunately, the second nine didn't start any better. And on hole #12, I saw him hit his club to the ground. That was it! He had been warned. He had to withdraw. I knew it was what was best, and that in the long run, he would be learning a big lesson. But times like that are hard. It's hard to follow through, but that's when the lesson is learned. If I had given in, I would have been saying that his attitude was okay. It wasn't okay. It was wrong. And he knew it.

 I made Biscuit tell the other players and parents he had to withdraw. Since three other boys were in his group, and it wasn't part of a team, it wasn't hurting anyone else. In fact, it probably sped up their game a little! He also had to tell the man in charge of the junior golf association. I know he didn't like having to do that, but that's okay. He needed to.

 I'll never forget what he told the man: "I need to withdraw due to mental issues." I didn't laugh at the time, but just kind of nodded as the man glanced my way. I think he could tell Tyler was in trouble! As we walked off, I said, "It's attitude more than mental, but yes, it began as mental." Golf is very mental. And hard! I've laughed thinking about it, and someday I'll share this with Biscuit. He'll laugh, too!

 Even though I was disappointed that Biscuit didn't keep his attitude controlled on his own - or with the help of God's Spirit - I wasn't mad and angry at him...just his actions. We drove through and got him some lunch, even though he had just wolfed down a sandwich a few holes earlier. We stopped for a few groceries, and he was asleep before we left town. He slept the whole way home - so about an hour and a half.

 Yesterday I began reading the book of James to the kids. I picked out James 1:2-3 as the scripture for the week: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." We talked about that scripture as we drove off from the course, and how this trial would cause Biscuit to grow, even if he didn't realize it at the moment.

 This afternoon, we began the second part of James chapter one. It began, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." Biscuit quickly said, "Mom! You directed that right at me!" I said, "Tyler, no I didn't! Did I write these scriptures? Did I plan this passage for today? God inspired these writings 2,000 years ago! God just works that way sometimes. He plans out just what we need to hear at just the right time." And you know what? Tomorrow's scriptures may be pointed right to me!

 I'm thinking that next week's golf outing will go much differently. I'm pretty sure that we're going to have a stricter bedtime for this 11 year old, even if it's summer. I know that the "no sugar" for a week is going to make a big point in his life, too! It always does. And it doesn't hurt any of us to cut back on sugar. In fact, several of us already are doing so. But, maybe next week, if the temptation to let the disappointment of a missed shot tries to get from the inside to the outside and be visible, Biscuit will allow the Holy Spirit to calm him and help control that bad attitude. Maybe those scriptures will come to mind. And maybe we'll be just a little closer to getting out of that 11-year-old-itch!

2A State Golf Championship

The path to the State Golf Championship began last Thursday.

The entire student body (minus the 5th and 6th grade) had a send off as the boys headed out of town to practice at the course where they would be playing during the Championship.

It was an exciting time for the boys,

although they didn't seem like they liked the attention they were getting! Ha ha!

Then again, a special time on Sunday afternoon, as the boys were escorted out of town by our local police.  The siren blared through town, a rare occurrence in our small town!

 Our family had an evening devotional with most of the team at the hotel Sunday evening.  That was a special time.  

 Then early Monday morning the tournament began.  Twelve HS golf teams competing in the cold and wind.....

 ...then rain.  It was brutal, but the boys keep plugging along!  

 Riding from the comfort of the golf cart, I snapped some neat pictures. This one of my husband and youngest is pretty special. I'm sure they were discussing golf strategy!

 So many of the golfing pictures look the same, but sometimes you get some great ones.  Here son, Jacob, is contemplating his next shot.

And here....son, Zachary, is watching his ball.

 Yesterday was cold and windy, just like Monday, but something was different:  THE SUN WAS OUT!  Can't you just tell how much warmer it seemed?  Beautiful!

 And it was over.  Everyone shook hands at the end of the game.  Something I never noticed, was that they remove their caps before shaking hands. Golf is truly a gentleman's sport....and I'm thankful my two boys had this great experience of playing this sport at the state level.

The team came in 8th out of 12 teams.  The began at 11th, so we're proud of them! We're proud of them, anyway...just for being "them".  We're proud of the way they handled themselves on this level. it's different playing with so many spectators!  

Way to go, Tigers! You made history!

And thank you to Lauren, who was my golf cart partner and assistant photographer! We had lots of fun during this tournament - laughing and trying to stay warm - going back and forth from one son to the other.  Great memories!

WE'RE HEADED TO STATE!!

For the first time EVER in our high school's history, our golf team is headed to STATE!  The team placed 6th to become the final team out of 12 to make the cut yesterday!  Congratulations, boys!

For our family, this is extra-special, because our two middle boys play on the team together.  Jacob isn't quite as big of a golf fan as his older brother, but decided to play, anyway.  We're glad he did! He's improved tremendously and is now enjoying the sport and techniques of improving his play.

Zachary is passionate about golf. He has been on the golf team for all five years of its existence, beginning in junior high.  Now, in his Junior year in high school, his (and other's) hard work has paid off!

As a fan, golf is interesting.  You don't pay an entrance fee, but you can pay for - or bring - a golf cart. Pretty comfy seats for this sporting event!  But, the event lasts several hours. This even was 36 holes, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the morning and ending about 5:30 p.m.

But then we played the waiting game.....
For an hour and a half we waited to find out the results of the other teams.  Can you imagine waiting an hour and a half to see if a team won a basketball game or football game?  How about not knowing how your team was doing until after each quarter?  What about not knowing your standings until half-time?  What if you couldn't tell how your teammates were doing?  Golf is an interesting sport!

So we made it!  By two shots....beating out two other teams by just that little bit....to get the final 6th placing to make it to State.  We made it!  I say "we", but I didn't do any of the work :).  THEY MADE IT! What a GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!  But "we", as a community, as a school, as the golf family as a whole....made it!

And we're excited!  

The State games will be long, too.  Thirty-six holes one day. Eighteen the next.  Two days of play.  We're not sure how the teams will be ranked.  We're not sure what will happen.  We do know we're glad to get to be there.  We know that our boys will play hard and try their best.  And that's what matters!

Here are a few other pictures from the golf game.  There were tons of ladybugs on the greens!  I wonder if they placed many there intentionally - for the greens health?

And this picture: Little brother helping his older brothers by taking their pull carts to the vehicle for them.  Our daughter is out of college, so so was able to be there, too. Our WHOLE family was there together.  Very special! And we will be for the State games, too! That's pretty neat.

Congratulations, Tigers! We're proud of you!

FORE!

Our oldest son and youngest son have both been playing golf a lot this summer.  They are both in a tour that has a contest every week or two, plus this week they're competing a big tournament called the Texas/Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament. (Shortened to T/O).

The youngest hit his ball in the water last week.  That didn't stop him from trying his best to get a good score on the next to last hole.  He took off his shoes and  socks and chipped in the water!  That takes dedication! I'm afraid of snakes!

A golf course is a beautiful setting for pictures and as the boys golf I get to take some close-up, personal shots of them preparing to hit the ball.

I don't have to get too close with the big lens, so don't mess up their concentration.

Sometimes they're analyzing their next shot. Other times I think they're just resting.  

Taking pictures along the course path is so much fun! This course is called Karsten Creek. It's near Stillwater, Oklahoma....home of the OSU Cowboys.  Our oldest son attended golf camp there last week.

Some of the tee boxes have cowboy hat markers.  How cute!

This is at a different course in Wichita Falls, TX, but it's so much fun seeing the birds and wildlife at the courses!

This is the OSU men's golf coach. Mike McGraw.  Big golf fans will know that Rickie Fowler attended OSU under Coach McGraw.

Besides watching my boys play golf, my favorite thing about going to golf tournaments is getting to drive the golf cart!  Haha!  I can't help it! It's so much fun!

My least favorite thing about the golf tournaments is the heat.....or the cold.....or the extreme wind!  I know, I know....NO COMPLAINING!  Okay, so the middle, no-golf-for-me-son, and I cooled off at the big fan that was blowing the green.  He took over driving the golf cart, too.  Then began racing his dad and little brother! Family fun at its finest (minus our working daughter who was on a summer school trip to the zoo.).

And the last photo I'll share with you is the bunkers....sand traps.  Obviously it's not where you want the ball to land, but I think they're pretty!  I also like to watch the kids chip out of them!  I'm easily amused.

This week's T/O is a three day tournament with a possible fourth day for the oldest boy. There will be lots of golf played this week.

Golf is a mental game that builds character. It's often been described as being a gentlemen's sport.  It could also be a lady for the female's who play the game.  It's a pretty neat sport.  I never would have thought I would have liked it, but there's a reason I do like it.  My boys are playing! :)

I'll leave you with a couple of good golf quotes:

Golf isn’t like other sports where you can take a player out if he’s having a bad day. You have to play the whole game.

Phil Blackmar

Baseball reveals character; golf exposes it.
Ernie Banks

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Golf Trip and Attitudes

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Saturday morning my three boys, my husband, and several relatives on my husband's side, went golfing at Lake Murray in Oklahoma.  Before they left, a little before 6:00 a.m., my husband and my boys told me goodbye.  As Biscuit said goodbye and hugged me I said, "Have a good attitude!"  I thought Biscuit would just say "Okay!", but instead he replied with a shocking question, "But what if the others don't?"  I said, "Well, you still have to have a good attitude, even if the others don't."  Biscuit said, "Okay," in a kind of disappointed sounding voice.

Apparently Biscuit knew something I didn't - that on golf trips he isn't always the one or the only one that gets a bad attitude, but that others sometimes do, too!  So it left me wondering, "Who did Biscuit think would have a bad attitude?"  His dad?  His brothers?  One of his uncles?  His great uncle?  He obviously had the impression that someone else would have the same struggle he would be having if their "game" didn't go like he wanted it to go!

It's normal for us to struggle some times with our attitudes.  Attitudes certainly need adjusting at times, whether we like it or not.  But sometimes, like Biscuit, we think that if others have bad attitudes, we're free to act as we please...giving no thought to the damage our attitudes can have on others around us or within our own relationships.  Just because one person develops a bad attitude, it doesn't give us the right to do the same.  Their bad attitude, however, can make it harder for us to have the right attitude, because we allow them to change our moods.  Not good.  Not good at all!

The Bible clearly tells us to be careful about our attitude.  We are to imitate Christ's attitude.  He is our perfect example.  We aren't perfect, but we can strive to become more and more like him every day....regardless of golf shots and other irritating situations!  Is it hard?  Yes, it is!  But as Christians, we must strive to be more and more like Him.  That is God's Will for our lives.

By the way, apparently Biscuit came in 2nd in the golf games that day....beating everyone except his oldest brother.  Not bad for a 9 year old! And I didn't get any bad attitude reports at all...about Biscuit or about any other golfers that day.  Good job, Biscuit, and everyone else!

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Ephesians 4:22-24

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:11-13

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus...

Philippians 2:5

Seeking the Lost

Yesterday afternoon my son, Jacob, was telling me how he had lost seven golf balls when playing golf earlier in the day.  I was shocked!  Seven???  How??  Why??  When I go with the boys golfing and they lose a ball, I make them look for it and I help them. Then we also look for other lost balls to make up for the ones we don't find!

I asked Jacob about why he didn't go find the lost balls. Here are his answers:

#1 Went in the water...
#2 Was by a SNAKE!!!  (Okay, this one I totally understand!)
#3 Was over the fence in the cow pasture.
#4, #5, #6, and #7???  Well, it seems Jacob was just too lazy to look for these last lost balls.

What if we, as Christians, used this same logic for seeking the lost - the spiritually lost?  What kind of servants of God would we be?

#1 We don't seek to save those that seem unreachable.  We're afraid to get out of our comfort zones and tell others about Jesus.
#2 We let the devil trick us into believing teaching others about Jesus is too scary.  We are afraid to reach out to others.
#3 We see those who are different than us and decide not to "cross over" into unknown territory and talk to others about their spiritual state.  We build walls and fences around others or around ourselves....restricting our service to God.
#4, #5, #6, and #7 We are just too lazy to do what the Lord has asked us to do. We use excuses about doing what we know we should be doing and what we know God wants us to be doing:  It's too hot, too cold, too early, too late, too far, too close, too......whatever.  Excuses.

Of course I wouldn't have wanted Jacob to go into the small pond of water or near the snake to get his lost golf balls, but I was a little bit upset that he hadn't tried to find any of the rest of them.  Surely he could have at least tried!

What would God think of our excuses in the examples above?  Would he approve or disapprove?  Would he pleased or displeased?  Unfortunately, we often-times use excuses and are selfish when it comes to our command of telling others about Christ.  Instead of obeying Him, we take matters into our own hands and make decisions based upon what we think is right instead of by what the Bible says is right.

Jacob will be looking for those lost golf balls just as soon as he has an opportunity to golf again.  He's not off the hook! I'm certain that God expects us to be seeking the lost for Him, too.  We're not getting off the hook, either!

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:10

Luke 15 (click to read whole chapter at Bible Gateway)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Matthew 28:19-20