Junior Bible Quiz, Nationals

June 2011
Minneapolis, MN

“Question, Question number 9 for 10 points. In what language was the Old Testament written?”
BUZZ!
Josiah, one of my team members was the first one to buzz in. He gave the right answer. “Hebrew.”
“Question, Question number 10 for 30 points. What are the first five books of the New Testament?”
BUZZ!
Drats, the other team got to the buzzer faster, and I knew the answer. I was upset I didn’t buzz in before the opponent.
Todd, this kid who I was competing  with since I was young who had brown hair and a loud voice, starts answering the question.
Todd answered, “Matthew, Mark, Luke, John...”
Chuckling in my head, I realized that he forgot the last one! Haha!
The timer went out.
“Sorry, that is incorrect. That is a loss of 15 points for your team,” said the moderator.
“Team Quiz Kids, do you have answer?” I buzzed.
“Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, ACTS!” I answered, looking at Todd.
A timeout called by Bethany Church. 
The moderator announced, “A timeout was called by Bethany Church. Each team will be allowed  to talk to their coaches.
My team and I turned around to listen to our coach. He led our team all the way here, so we were thankful for him for all his hard work. 
He started speaking, “Great start!...”
I drifted off and started to think how I came all  the way to Minneapolis, and to this awesome quiz. In every competition, we had to come in top 20 to move on to the next competition.
I remember each and every contest I’ve been through.

“DING” “Times up.”
Whoops, while coach finished his last words, we all turn around getting ready for the next question.
“Question, question number 11 for 10 points. Where did Jacob and his family  settle in Egypt?”
Buzz!
I was the first one to buzz in, and right  off the bat, I answered the question. “Goshen.”
Yes! I screamed inside. Awesome start! Keep it up!
“Question, question number 12 for 20 points. “Who wrote the first five books of the Bible?”
Buzz!
Stanley, the best player on our team, and one of the top five players in the country answered the question, “Moses.”
“Question, question number 13 for 20 points. What is a parable?”
Just a second after the question I buzzed in. “A story about familiar things which helps us understand spiritual truths.”
I knew that was correct because I had been studying this question for a very long time.
“Question, question number 14 for 10 points. What is an epistle?”
Grace, our leading player who has answered the most 10 point questions in the country answers,
“Letters from an apostle.”
“Question, question number 15 for 20 points. Who are the four major prophets?”
BUZZ!
Brooklyn, our toughest opponent, who I had always had a toughest time against buzzed in and answered. She is very smart in her bible memory. I wish she was on our team.
She quickly answers, “Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel,” and was correct.
There was a timeout called by our coach.
The score of the game was 100 each, a tied match.
My team turns around to our coach, and I see something that I never noticed before.
Behind Mr. Thompson, our coach, was an open seat. That seat was for my dad and he’s not there. Right then I remembered why.
***
Earlier that day, before the contest started, we all decided we all go outside to play tag.
Once we went outside, the sun was shining as bright as angelic brilliance.
I start off as the chaser and went straight for my dad.
Of course, I tagged him, as I have faster legs. He turns around, going right back at Josiah but then… he trips, falls right on his face, hitting the concrete and broke his front two teeth. Blood comes pouring out of his mouth.
Our pastor calmes us, takes my dad to emergency.
As our pastor helps my dad into a car, our assistant coach, starts saying, “Ok he is going to be alright.. Let's go back inside to get ready for the contest.”
My smiling face turns into a dismal one.
***
Ding! Time’s up..
My teammate, Josiah caught me looking at the empty chair in audience. He notices that I have a distressed face and why. Josiah gives me a look knowing why I am upset. 
The moderator starts the questioning again. “Question, question number 16 for 30 points. What are the first five books of the bible called?”
BUZZ!
Brooklyn again. “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy.”
“Question, question number 17 for 20 points. What are the 4 major divisions of the Old Testament?”
BUZZ!
It’s me! Yes… wait, I forgot the answer. No… This can’t be happening. My mind is blank. Um, um, they are.... 
All I can think about is my father.
5 seconds left.
DING!
NOOOOOO!!
“Sorry team Quiz Kids, that is a loss of 10 points”
The announcer repeats the question to the other team.
Todd buzzes in.
“The Pentateuch, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets.”
That is correct.
“Question, question number 18 for 30 points.”Who are the two people Jesus raised from the dead?”
BUZZ!
A kid who I have never seen starts answering, “Jairus's daughter and Lazarus.
Timeout called by Quiz Kids..
I turn around with a mournful face.
Our coach starts to say something.
I don’t pay attention, and think about my father. I keep asking myself, “Why can’t I get my dad’s accident out of my head?”
Tears started dropping out of my eyes. I rubbed them off.
Ding! Timer’s out.
“Question, question number 19 for 10 points.  What does Gospel mean?”
BUZZ!
UHH, I can’t think. What’s happening with my dad?
Meanwhile, Hannah, another great player on Bethany Church answers, “Good News.”
“Question, question number 20 for 30 points. When the prodigal son told his father he is only worthy to be a servant, what did the father do?”
BUZZ!
I don’t even know who buzzed in. I just keeping thinking about my father. Is he okay? Will he be alright?
Someone answers, “Put a ring on his finger, cover him in robes, put shoes on his feet.”
The timer went out. I look around. Josiah got the answer wrong.
The announcer repeats the question to Bethany Church.
Brooklyn buzzes in. She answers, “Put a ring on his finger, cover him in robes, put shoes on his feet, and gave him a banquet.”
“Team Bethany Church, you are the winner. ”
We congratulate the other team for their victory with our heads held down.
Josiah and I turn around to our team, and….
Stanley starts yelling, “Where were you? We could have won. We know that you know the answer.”
Josiah starts answering, “Yea, I knew the answer, but I got distracted as I felt guilty about tripping Joe’s dad..”
Meanwhile, our coach starts walking over to us. “Alright, “Joe’s father is doing well as I got a call from Pastor. He is resting in the hotel.”
The coach, warmly put his hands on Stanley and Josiah to calm them down and says that “it is a tough loss, but that is life. We win some and we lose some.”
Even though we did pretty well, the accident impacted our team’s performance which resulted 35th place in nation.