Dear Clarion,
We are back at the hotel Friday night after hearing that we did not break in anything.  The hardest thing about not moving into out-rounds is telling all of you who are praying for us and pulling for us.  The boys did not feel that they were creamed in their debate rounds, rather that the judge could have gone either way.  This is a marked improvement from last year when they were hoping for one or two wins on their ballots at the end of a tournament.  Ultimately the goal of going to tournaments is to improve and be challenged, and we are!
We are so grateful to belong to a club that cares how we do and believes in us as you do.  We aren’t sad, it’s been so fun and such a privilege.

The S.C.A.R.L.E.T. club that adopted us has several who broke in several events and, because of the kindness and fellowship with them and others, we are so excited about going tomorrow and cheering them all on.  It is so fun when you have someone to cheer on.
Kaila - do you remember the Tchapplers who gave us rides to and from debate camp and roomed with us?  They say hello, and they have a four month old baby boy Peter, that makes 5 kids and 8 years between the last one and Peter.

Victoria, Natalie, Aaron and Mary - I judged a round of persuasive and my top choice spoke on abortion.  He took a whole new stance I’d not heard before.  At his last point he got choked up and by the end he was crying and me too - it was so moving!!!  He talked about how if Roe vs Wade was overturned, some of the pro-life laws that have compromised the issue would hinder the complete stop of abortion.

I really enjoyed a duo that two brothers did - they did the wizard of Oz.  One had hair like Dylan’s, but he combed it out and it was very full.  He was Dorothy and had a hilarious voice.  I went to tell them I’d enjoyed it and I was surprised and blessed by their response.  Their faces lit up and they surrounded me asking questions about which parts I liked.  They wanted to know every detail and how to improve.  “Dorothy” even demonstrated his girl voice for Tess ( she hadn’t seen the duo).  They didn’t break and were a little sad, but we were able to laugh and talk about it so openly.

Such work and thought and heart in so many speeches that God must truly be glorified!!!!

The kids all say “Hi” and we look forward to seeing you.

- Carla
Pictures are of everyone waiting for announcements.  One picture shows the judges up top working on ballots while all the kids are on the next two lower levels.  And  the picture of the the Moms are the S.C.A.R.L.E.T. club members that we are linked to as “Scarions”.

We are having an awesome time in Colorado!!!

The S.C.A.R.L.E.T. club (of Orange County, CA) has a rule that when they find a lone family they adopt them as part of their club… they call us “scarions”.   Ha, Ha, what fun, the Moms all check to see where I’m going and we try to judge together and they make sure I eat with them.

It was 20 degrees and snowing off and on today…cold brisk walks, but the buildings are warm and it has made it more exciting…those Californians love seeing the snow.  We are all feeling fine and are not effected today from the altitude. The meals in the cafeteria were worth their price. We have all made many new friends!!

We have made acquaintances with a father daughter staying at our hotel, (see pictures) we ate breakfast and lunch together and connect several other times through out the day.  I had dinner with a mother of 23, 13 of them were her own the rest she and her husband have adopted and there are 8 left at home, I can’t wait to talk with her again tomorrow, several of them have physical challenges and I am just amazed at her strength!!

I have judged all but one round and it is getting easier, I’m not drained like usual.  One former competitor who is judging as an alumni said to me…”This is exhausting; even when I competed I wasn’t in every round and then I could leave after I gave my speech.”

I judged Extemp and they gave me a list of all the questions for all the rooms, I’ve saved it to pass onto our club extemp attempters.

That’s all the news I can think of for now……we miss you all and are thinking of you often.

- Carla

Hi! There are so many people here, I’ll try to get a number for you tomorrow.

Boy, there is quite a bit of distance between rooms, we are all figuring it out. However this made all the rounds late today.All the kids timed rounds and did one debate (except Tess). All the boys did not feel great about their first round. We are headed to a Hoedown….some of us are excited! The pictures are of the orientation (the big group) and you can guess the rest.

Tomorrow starts at 7:30 am.

Blessings!!

Carla