I had a great time at Q2008 and I hope everyone else who went enjoyed it as much as I did. Since I was driving we all stopped at Multnomah falls on the way. That night we only went as far as Ontario, Oregon. It was fun going from the cold pool to the hot tub.

On Tuesday, the prayer walk, was a great start for the event. It's hard for me to make time in my busy life to spend time alone with God. Byword did a great job of leading worship throughout the week. I don't usually care for Christian rock music, but these young guys have hearts for God. The speakers were excellent. I loved Bo's comparison of total surrender to God to dropping down a four story water slide. Wednesday afternoon I got to chill in an outdoor Nampa Park pool with four of the teens and my nephews while Andrea and Steven quizzed all afternoon in hot quiz rooms with their distric team the Oregon Overcomers. I am so proud of their efforts on that team. The competition in the district experienced division was brutal. I should make them all medals that say "I survived the district experienced division at Q2008". Wednesday night we watched Cole play Rock Star in the tent and did an insane scavenger hunt led by NNU students. It was fun. Who would have known that an old person like me could still do crazy teen things?

Thursday afternoon Judy graciously took the teens who weren't quizzing to a movie, while I watched Andrea and Steven quiz in the insane District Experienced level mentioned above. Thursday evening I played Apples to Apples with a room full of teens from all over the country. One teen from Oklahoma asked where I was from and I said, "Oregon". They asked,"So, what's Oregon like?" I showed them a couple of pictures I had taken from Multnomah Falls and they answered, "We don't have anything like that in Oklahoma."

The quizzing was fun- both the sweetness of victory and the agony of defeat. I was especially proud of Larry who did a great job in a very competitive local experienced division. Local novices- you did great too. I'm sorry I didn't get to see more of your rounds. Both of our teams made the cut for the final tournament, congratulations.

I was kind of sad that we ended up missing our portion of the service project because our rounds went long, but I'm glad that I was able to invite my nephews to the "block party for local children." I love fireworks and the ones Friday night were excellent. I don't think I've ever been that close to "big" fireworks.

And so ends the 2007-2008 quiz year. I hope that all of you will be returning for Luke. Jon-Mark wants to start practices in August. Invite your friends, we'd love to have them.