Six Flags!

On Friday, December 26th, we chose to surprise the boys with a trip to Six Flags - Discovery Kingdom.

We had told them we were going to do something, but did not tell them what, where, when or how until we pulled in the gates. This last fall, Kiley and I had purchased some very discounted tickets at a charity auction we attended for a ministry the church supports, so we figured we would put them to good use.

It was a fairly cool day for Northern California, but at least it was dry. We bundled up and headed in...we didn't leave home until noon and so arrived mid-afternoon, which was just about perfect for us as, none of us are "ride" people except me (Mike), so the day was mainly spent wandering around the animals and the games.

The highlights of the day were according to plan. We saw the Christmas Sea Lion show, the Christmas Dolphin Show and, of course, the Christmas Shouka (the killer whale) show. At the Dolphin show, a vendor came by selling stuffed dolphins with santa hats. I grit my teeth expecting the usual, "dad can we pleeeeasee have one?!" They asked, but politely, and had great attitudes. I wasn't about to spend a ton of money on overpriced stuff animals...wasn't I surprised when she told me the price and it was cheaper than it would have been at Wal-Mart!! Soooo, since they had good attitudes...I chased the vendor down and spoiled my kids (and felt good about it, since it was cheaper than I expected!). It didn't help that Kiley, who normally is the one saying, "that's too expensive..." gave me a look from those big beautiful eyes that said, "I think they deserve it." So much for the cash in my pocket...

My two highlights of the day, were buying hot chocolate and mini-doughnuts and then going on a roller-coaster (despite going by myself). I had to have at least one thrill.

We were home by 8 pm and the boys were worn out. It was another great Christmas memory for us to end a year of a million incredible memories. 

Christmas Morning

There's been much happening around the Skor household since our last blog post. I'll take some time over the Christmas break to update you all on events and memories.

We'll be posting some Christmas pics on Facebook later today or tomorrow as well.

Here's a couple of memories from Christmas Morning:

• Ian opened up an electric toothbrush and yelled, "I've always wanted a 'try me!'" We tried to figure out what he meant and asked. He pointed out the words on the front of the toothbrush...you guessed it, they were "try me!"
• Brendon came dramatically down the stair gasping and fainting repeatedly, which made us wonder what was going on. He came into the family room and declared, dramatically, "I've been shot" -- he had a velcro vest from his Nerf Shooter on and had carefully place 2 dozen Nerf bullet/darts all over the vest as if he'd been shot. Then he repeatedly collapsed on the floor declaring, "I'm dying!"

And the Verdict is...

Well, Brendon didn't win his race for Student Council Treasurer. He was pretty disappointed and hurt. I think what hurt the most was the fact that the boy who won had once claimed to be Brendon's good friend, but who, in the campaign, said and done some pretty mean things.

Brendon's sense of justice kicked in and pointed out that this boy had broken the campaigning rules and, according to those rules, should have been withdrawn from the campaign by the teacher.

To Brendon's credit, his whole class was upset by the results... they wanted him to win. His teacher gave him some space to recover his disappointment (I think she was disappointed too - she likes him a lot). He also was excited for several of his friends who were elected to other posts and congratulated them.

Life lessons are never easy are they?!

We had a "boys movie night" when I got home from work to celebrate how proud we were of Brendon. We watched Return of The Jedi and fought with light-sabers in the living room.

Welcome to politics Brendon...

Election Update

I just got off the phone with Brendon. He gave his speech today in front of all of the second, third, fourth and fifth grade classes at his school.

In his words, "It was weird dad, because I wasn't nervous at all! I didn't mess up at all either! But now, I'm REAL nervous that I might not win."

He finds out the results in the morning.

Brendon for Treasurer

Brendon is running for Treasurer of his school student council. It's been a great learning experience for him. He's justice oriented like his parents and so hearing his classmates promise things that they can't deliver really bugs him. He's convinced that people will vote for him because he doesn't resort to jokes and impossible promises that others have, and whom, he's convinced, can't/won't do the job.

We've had many discussions about doing the right thing, but that the right thing isn't always rewarded by the people around us -- in other words, doing the right thing may not get him voted into office, but that doing the right thing is still always the best path.

This weekend, he worked on his campaign speech. I thought you'd enjoy reading it (note that it has to be two minutes or less). He'll be giving it in front of the entire school. He's justifiably nervous, but he's resolved that this is what he should do.

Speech for Student Council Treasurer By Brendon Skor November 17, 2008 Hi! My name is Brendon Skor and I’m here to tell you why I believe I will be a great Student Council Treasurer and why I believe you should vote for me.
You know those rich people we always see on TV? Who counts their money? Do you know? Well, if they were real, I would count their money.
If you vote for me I will work hard to listen to each person and to represent you well.
I want you to know that you can trust me. I am honest, kind and I really care about doing a good job for our school and you. You can trust me to work hard to keep track of our student council money because I am honest and because I like math (and I think I’m good at it!)
There are a lot of great people who you can vote for Student Council and for treasurer. I ask that you would vote for me, Brendon Skor, for Treasurer because I will help our school become an even better school.
Do you think our school is a great school?! (pause) Do you, I can’t hear you?! (pause)
I do too! I think it’s a GREAT school!
I think we have GREAT teachers!
I think that you, my friends, are the BEST!
And, as Treasurer, I will work hard to make us better!
Remember, when you vote for Treasurer this week. GET MORE AND VOTE FOR BRENDON SKOR!
Thank you.

Great Quote

Heard this quote today from John Piper:

"If America were to dissolve today it would not change God's Sovereignty."

Why I'm celebrating the Day after the Election

Although much of the election results did not go in the direction that our family would have chosen, I do believe that there are many things to celebrate about Election 2008:

• A record turnout at the polls ~ It's been many years since this many people have taken a passionate interest in our government. Any time that there is an increase in people exercising the freedom that we enjoy in this country to vote, it's a good thing.
• An African-American won the highest office in the land ~ Regardless as to whether I support (or agree with) his views or morality, I believe it's an incredible thing for us to finally state as a country that any individual, regardless of ethnicity, can be our President. After decades of, frankly, shameful treatment it is worth a major celebration. Now, though, a new "racism" is rearing it's ugly head and turning back the clock...our country was founded to provide freedom of religion, but we are rapidly trying to turn it into freedom FROM religion.
• A public discussion of values ~ One of the things I value about election times, even though they get ugly, is that these times give me an opportunity to hear and to talk about the values that individuals hold dear. It is one of the few times these days that Biblical values are allowed to be discussed in the public forum. It is also a fantastic time for me to hear what my neighbors, friends, and country values so that I know how to pray for them and to give direction to the church in the coming days so as to help those around discover the values that really matter.
• We get to experience History ~ All too often I think we take it for granted in our country as to how unique we are in world history. We are a relatively young nation who have experienced the entirety of our history in a grand experiment called democracy. Few other countries have survived the experiment. We often, even in modern history, balance on the edge of failure when it comes to democracy. I don't want to miss the realization that we are living in history-making moments akin to those grand moments we studied in our textbooks.
• We are living in Spiritually Hungry Times ~ I believe that Americans have looked around and have found too few things to satisfy their souls. I believe that now is a crucial time for the church to step out of the clouds of condescension and condemnation and to BE the church. Even though people want the government to save them, no one trusts those IN government -- what a time for the church to resume her post as the people who serve the needy, the hopeless, the lost and the hurting. What a time to talk about the things that really matter.
• Cynicism against the government reminds us that only changed hearts change culture ~ We as Christians and non-Christians have looked for far too long to our government to declare morality for our nation. This election should scream loudly a reminder that it is only in the teaching of and the trust in a personal Jesus that we find true morality. I may scream against the moral crime of abortion, but until Jesus is allowed to turn selfishness into self-sacrifice in a young mom's heart she will continue to cry for her personal choice over that of an unborn child. I can't change a heart. A law can't change a heart. God changes hearts, and Him alone. What an opportunity for the church to rise up in loving declaration and reveal the God who is in the business of changing people from the inside out.

No, every issue in the election did not go the way I would have liked it to go...but I serve a God who is still on the throne and who orchestrates the twists and turns of nations to ultimately bring glory to Him and to usher in a Kingdom the likes of which the world has never seen!