StaddonFamily.com

posted by Daniel on 11/14/09

“Daniel Staddon! You may step forward and recite Psalm 145.” Amidst roaring applause and flashing lights, the moderator’s voice boomed out over the loudspeakers of the spectacular Ball Room at the J. W. Marriott, where the final three contestants in the Senior group of the 2009 National Bible Bee were embroiled in a grueling tie-breaker for the first place prize of  $100,000. There I stood. I cannot explain the excitement, intensity, and suspense that rushed over me as the reality of the situation broke upon me. My mind was still a little confused over the rushed events of the past few days, making all the weeks and months I had spent preparing seem like a dream. A dream waiting for this very moment.

This was when it was so helpful to remember where the Lord had led me to place my focus months earlier! When I began preparing, I had carefully calculated exactly how much memorization and study needed to be done every day in order to master all the content and be 100% ready for the Local and National Contests. But alas! I found myself constantly getting farther behind schedule. If I wanted to be totally prepared, I was going to have to begin sacrificing time with the Lord and the rest of the family. They wouldn’t mind if I skipped a few family nights, would they? Jonathan and David can do a few things without me for a while. My morning prayer time isn’t that important, is it? But then the Lord stopped me short, “Daniel, which is higher priority – people or the prize?” After thinking long and hard over this, I replied, “Lord, I’m not going to be able to prepare like I had planned. But I purpose to put my relationships 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 doing.”

From then on, it was up to Him!

And it was an exciting ride.

17 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 08/7/09

As I started getting older, a strange phenomenon occurred. (And I am sure I am the only one that has experienced this.) People began asking me bewildering questions, such as “What are you going to do after you finish high school?” or “What do you plan to do with your life?” What?! How did they expect me to know!? At first it was irritating because it seemed everyone assumed I had my entire life planned out, until I understood the following distinction.

This is what I shared last Saturday, when friends and family gathered at our home to celebrate my high school graduation. I can hardly imagine the day being more perfect!Everyone was so generous and encouraging. I came away with a new excitement and passion to continue running the race of life and enjoy all that God has in store for the years ahead.

The excitement comes from understanding the difference between long-term and short-term goals. God may not tell me exactly what the rest of my life is going to look like. However, he has given me the key to understanding my basic purpose for existence on this earth (see Revelation 4:11 and Matthew 22:36-40). Once I have the finish line in view I am free to concentrate all my energies on the very next step (Psalm 119:105).

The most immediate next step I see ahead for me is preparing for this year’s National Bible Bee Competition. Also on the horizon may be serving at the IBLP Headquarters in the Finance Department to get more experience with the details of accounting. Farther down the road, if we ever decide it would be necessary for met to get a degree, I would like to bypass the traditional college route if it all possible and explore pursuing a degree through other options such as Verity or Accelerated Distance Learning.

“But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit…” (I Corinthians 2:9-10)

7 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 07/22/09

Hurrah! Everyone’s gone! Think of all the time I’ll have! No interruptions! As many fish sticks as I like! No one I have to share dessert with! No stacks of used cups by the fridge! Won’t this be great…

The whole house changed when David, Jonathan, Esther, and Michael left to help with OEI Virginia, leaving only Dad, Mom, and I at home. But being an “only child” has not turned out as I expected it to. What fun is dessert without a dispute on how to divide it equally with Jonathan and David? How different the dinner table feels with only the three of us huddled at one end. I’ve caught up some on my studies, but how I miss the interruptions! The house is so quiet, and there is nothing like silence to sharpen the cruelty of loneliness. The ripple of Esther’s cheerful, contagious laugh…no more. Jonathan to talk with as we get ready for bed at night…no more. David faithfully checking me out on my verses each evening…no more. Michael’s hearty, wholesome breakfasts to wake up to…no more.

How I long for their return! How insignificant the small things I complained about before now seem!

Don’t take your family relationships for granted. Take the time to appreciate those who are around you!

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Daniel on 05/25/09

• Plan A – Leave Sunday School Teacher’s Book in classroom at church after using it to teach lesson, so that Teacher can pick it up during the week.

Oh no! I forgot and brought it home with me.

• Plan B – No problem! Just take the Teacher’s Book with us to evening church and leave it on the classroom table.

Oops! We got in a rush and I left my Bible at home, which unfortunately happened to have the book in it. The seriousness of the situation was quickly escalating. Especially when I found out we would not be at church the next Sunday.

• Plan C – Let’s see. Michael might be attending a church meeting Tuesday night. He could just take it then.

Hmmm… Michael ended up not going to the meeting.

• Plan D – Dad will be at the Parish Meeting Thursday night. Perhaps he could give it to Willis Ash, who lives near the church and attends just about every church-related event. (I finally got around to calling our teacher – who had been looking all around the church for her Teacher’s Book – and she said this plan would work fine.)

Uh-oh. Minutes after Dad left for work Thursday I realized he wasn’t coming home before going to the Parish Meeting – and we hadn’t given him the book! Surely it wasn’t my fault… There were a lot of other things I had to remember that morning… um, like taking out the trash, brushing my teeth, and other mind-engrossing tasks… By now I was becoming an expert in this field of explanation formulations (in other contexts known by a less flattering name – excuse-making :/ ).

• Plan E – Relax. Esther and Mom had already planned on stopping at Grandma and Grandpa’s house during a trip into town, so they can take the book and leave it at their house for Dad to pick up on his way to the meeting.

Horrors! Willis called and said that due to some unexpected chain of events he would not be able to make it to the Parish Meeting. It seemed our last possible link to get the book to the church was slipping away…

• Plan F – After telling Dad the situation over the phone, he says that it would be possible for him to stop at Willis’ house on his way home from the meeting and give him the book, so that Willis could take it to the church (he was the only one with a key) and leave it on the classroom table for our Teacher to come pick up the next day (and hopefully have time to prepare a lesson for Sunday – which was now only a couple days away!)

One “small” mistake, which at first seemed easy enough to correct, turned out involving nine different individuals, eight separate exchanges, and many inconveniences for everyone involved!

Learn from my bummer and spare yourself a headache or two: Do things right the first time!

5 Comments » | posted in The Bright Side

posted by Daniel on 04/14/09

Thus was my reaction when I heard that this was the breathtaking reward offered for the winner of the Shelby Kennedy Foundation’s world-class National Bible Bee Competition. What would you do with $100,000? I was unprepared for the overwhelming avariciousness which began to envelop me as I pondered this question and the materiality of the prospect began to sink in. With it came an irresistible, but strangely unfamiliar, craving to attain the prize. Suddenly I was willing to sacrifice my time, effort, and plans to do whatever it would take to prepare for the contest and get that $100,000!

Then God’s Spirit convicted me. “Wisdom is better than rubies.” How quickly had my priorities shifted out of balance! If I truly value wisdom more than money, I will have an even greater driving passion for digging into the Scriptures than I have for winning any monetary award.

We still did not hesitate to enroll, but it was with a whole new understanding of Proverbs 8:11 and 16:16. In fact, it does not greatly concern me whether I win or not. There is no way to lose! Studying God’s Word and getting to know Him on a deeper personal level will yield a lifetime of rewards and benefits far more valuable and precious than any amount of money!

There are only a couple more weeks to sign up. Click here to learn more and join the competition now!

11 Comments » | posted in Family News