12Nov 09
The 2009 National Bible Bee
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In an unprecedented and extraordinary line up of events, the very first ever National Bible Bee took place this past week. 100 Contestants from each of three age categories advanced from a pool of over 17000 applicants. Through diligently applying themselves to the memorizing of nigh 1500 verses and a detailed study of the Bible, Daniel Staddon & Grace Ann Westfahl – dear family friends, found themselves among this special group.
Thursday was a big day for the 300 contestants. They were drilled from early morning and into the evening quoting Bible Verses, taking written tests, and participating in oral exams. Hearing reports from both Westfahl and Staddon representatives, we were encouraged to hear of the positive atmosphere amidst the intense testing. Regardless of the ultimate winners, every contestant who had truly hidden the life changing Word of God within their heart would leave a recipient of the blessing in Psalm 1.
Thursday night, we received the call that Daniel had advanced to the semi finals and would compete with 19 others in his category Friday morning. It was while raking leaves at a couple neighborhood houses, that ‘little blue’ came rolling up with the unbelievable news that Daniel had advanced as 1 among 7 into the Bible Bee Finals.
Work quickly finished up and a group (Michael, James, Jonathan, Daniel Westfahl, Jennifer, and Kenan) headed into DC to watch the finals in person while the rest crowded around the computer to watch the online broadcast. With resoluteness and quiet confidence, Daniel proclaimed passage after passage of Scripture. Of great encouragement was the ability to watch the interaction of the contestants – the way they edified and cheered one another on made for a beautiful, God glorifying event to behold. In our house, Bibles were carefully watched as Daniel quoted each passage with 100% accuracy!
And then……..almost as if in a dream……..the announcement was finally, after two tie braking rounds, declared …….Daniel Staddon won 1st place! Oh what joy and celebration we had!
Thank you Daniel for your testimony of discipline and determination! There has already been much talk in our household about entering the 2010 Bible Bee – what a dynamic opportunity to learn God’s Word!
That is one of the most exciting and encouraging stories we have read in a while!!! Thank you for sharing!
You guys made it soooo special! Thanks for your hospitality and all the great fellowship, and providing transportation, and then hosting that grand congratulations welcome! You guys are awesome.
Thank you all so much for putting all that work into it! It was so exciting waking up Saturday after all the competing was over and knowing we were headed to the Wilkes to celebrate! You all made the trip doubly worth it. Especially the banners – WOW!
Can’t wait to see you all Thanksgiving – less than two weeks now!
[...] with You and others above winning. I’m going to do my best, but if you want me to win, it’s really going to have to be a miracle of your [...]
We so enjoyed the opportunity to be a part. Having your family and the Westfahls at our house was a blessing indeed! And what good troopers everyone was even amidst getting sick all together
– joy, patience, and longsuffering. The week was a beautiful picture of Believers abiding together in unity around the Lord Jesus Christ!