Eric & I ‘s main focus here in Arkansas is FamilyLife, but our second biggest family time investment has become Stoa Speech & Debate.  In just a few days, Eric & I will be part of the staff hosting our local Speech & Debate Tournament – the Arkansas Diamond (https://ardiamond.homeschooldebate.net/).

This event draws over 200 students from at least 10 different states.  I help on the coordinator team before the event, and then during the event lead the kitchen.  We feed about 150 community judges every meal, every day for 3 days!  Eric is the facilities coordinator, organizing over 30 different competition rooms rotating through 6 rounds of debate, 6 rounds of parliamentary debate, and 6 rounds of speech – that means an estimated total of 400 room set ups.  Brenna and Amanda will both be competing as well as helping host.

Our theme verse is Romans 11:36, “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen”.  And this year we have added a theme song of “Diamonds” by Hawk Nelson.  Both of these are on our t-shirt pictured.  We’d like to share the lyrics, as a good summary of what we pray that our girls learn from the world of competitive speech & debate.

Here and now I’m in the fire,
In above my head
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Being held under the pressure,
Don’t know what’ll be left
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
But it’s here in the ashes
I’m finding treasure

He’s making diamonds, diamonds
Making diamonds out of dust
He is refining in his timing
He’s making diamonds out of us

I’ll surrender to the power
Of being crushed by love
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Till the beauty that was hidden
Isn’t covered up
Oh, oh, oh oh, oh, oh
Oh it’s not what I hoped for
It’s something much better

He’s making diamonds, diamonds
Making diamonds out of dust
He is refining in his timing
He’s making diamonds out of us

Oh the joy of the Lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He’s making diamonds

Oh the joy of the Lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He’s making diamonds

Oh the joy of the Lord
It will be my strength
When the pressure is on
He’s making, he’s making

He’s making diamonds, diamonds
Making us rise up from the dust
He is refining in his timing
He’s making diamonds out of dust
Making diamonds out of us

I won’t be afraid to shine
I won’t be afraid to shine
I won’t be afraid to shine

Cause He’s making diamonds out of dust
Making diamonds out of us

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