AGOW!

This weeks AGOW is pure bomb-juggling excitement.

enjoy DETONATE!!

be sure to post your highest scores in the comments section!

COW

All right, our comment of the week needs to go an anonymous person who goes by the name of "a certain baby". I am so intrigued by that name. I mean, is it baby like a little whiny baby or like what's up baby? What is the meaning behind the name and who are you? Reveal yourself, certain baby! However, I really like this person's comments. They are sometimes funny and sometimes bring in edge messages like this one. Someone was really listening during the ladder analogy a couple Friday nights ago.

Congrats to a certain baby...not just any baby...a certain one.

Here it is:

a certain baby said...
hey anonymous, for that really mean insult i think you just took a step DOWN the ladder if you know what i mean! oh by the way i got to lvl 38 on the 2nd lvl!!
Wed Mar 07, 07:25:00 AM

By the way, don't tell people when they take a step down the ladder. Although true sometimes, it is mean to say that to others. However, in this case, I thought it was very funny.

Claim your prize at Edge if you choose to reveal yourself.

Don't quote me on this....

True confession: I love words. I feel like the right combination of words is almost magical. That's why I love to read, music with good lyrics, playing Scrabble, and hanging out in the card section at stores. It's true, sometimes I could spend over an hour looking at greeting cards. Don't judge me. And I just love when I happen upon a good quote. (Up there is a gigantic Scrabble board. Who knew?!)

So...here are some quotes that might make you think or just quietly chuckle to yourself. You can chuckle loudly if you want, but people might stare. Enjoy!

It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand. -Mark Twain

In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. -Albert Camus

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

Character is what you are in the dark. -Dwight L. Moody

There's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path. - Morpheus in The Matrix

I'm tired of all this nonsense about beauty being only skin-deep. That's deep enough. What do you want - an adorable pancreas? -Jean Kerr

What is this strange thing?

There is this really bright thing in the sky today that I haven't seen in some time here is northeat Ohio called a sun. I don't know about you, but there is something about a sunny day that makes my whole attitude better. I am happier and most of us are happier on these sunny days. What makes you happy? More imporantly, what gives you joy? Do you know that even the bright sun will eventually fade away, but the Word of God will last forever? Don't forget to think about what lasts, what is eternal, and what is from God. I hope you all will live your lives with joy because of the promise of eternity with Christ to those of us who believe!

There is no edge tonight. Because there is no edge tonight, your assignment is to do something nice for your parents. Clean your room without them asking, tell them you love them out of nowhere, ask them if they want to hang out with you. I know this sounds crazy, but, hey...you may get a boost in your allowance, you never know.

SOW!

Howdy All, SOW! Time!

Hey, do us a favor. If we interview you to be the Student of the Week...CHECK THE BLOG! it means you WILL be student of the week!!! (oh yeah, and come to edge, or else I'm eating your candy bar prize.)

anyway...This week's SOW! is.....

Sean Szoch!

Sean is a 7th grader at Hudson Middle School (by the way, does anyone know where that is?)

1.Fav Restaurant: Pad Thai- it is delicious. He gets egg rolls, rice, noodles and you guessed it, pad thai. excellent.

2.Fav Subject in School: Something called "team support" by his description I know it's actually called "study hall". Hey, but it's a great place to get your math homework done, AND you can listen to music....

3.Fav Sport: Skateboarding. Fav. Skateboader: P.J. Ladd 'cause he's got stlye.

4.Fav TV show: Family Guy. it's funny, he likes the dog and the baby.

5.Fav Movie ever: The Ringer - he really likes the part where Jeffy copies Forrest Gump

6.Fav Band(s): Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (is that a cool name or what?) and UnderOath. he likes the singing and the drumming.

7.Fav website: www.singingfish.com - listens to music.

8.Fav part of edge: the Games at the beginning! they're funny!

9. if he weren't at edge he'd be: at home. being bored.

There he is. Sean Szoch. Your Student of the Week!

be sure to give a high five to Sean next time you see him and Sean, man, come to edge, you'll get a prize!

One Parent to Another

“God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason, so that we would listen more than we talk”. I don’t know exactly where that line comes from, but it sure packs a punch, doesn’t it? As a parent I all too easily fall into that trap of talking, talking, talking. Nagging is what Maddie would say. I can’t help but feel like the teacher in the old Peanuts cartoons… “wah, wom, wah, wah”… I keep talking and this is all she hears.

In my professional life as a Distribution/Supply Chain Manager, I make a concerted effort to seek first to understand, then to be understood. Good advice from a very wise man named Dr. Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People – I highly recommend this book). I have had great success using this approach with my employees & colleagues. But for some dumb reason I had never thought about using it with my daughter.

One day it clicked and I thought “hmm…wonder what would happen if I tried this with Maddie?” I made a decision to be quiet and really listen to her. I thought my head would explode the first time I tried it. I literally had to bite my lip to keep from talking. At first she held back a bit, probably waiting for me to jump in and start blabbing at her again. After a few of these conversations where I stayed quiet, it sunk in that I was really listening to her and that she had my full attention. I thought about what she said as she was talking, not just how I would respond. I listened to what she was not saying as well…what emotions were there under the surface, her body language, the tone of voice.

An amazing thing happened…I got to know my daughter. Really know her, not just who I thought she was. I learned about what matters most to her, what her greatest challenges are, what bothers her, and what she is learning about herself, life, and God. Sure wish I had shut up years ago!

The best talks we have ever had were riding around at night in the car. The quiet, lack of interruptions, and the fact that she felt safer by not having to look me in the eye make this the ideal time for us to talk. Now when Maddie says, “Mom can we go for a drive?” I know what she really wants. To talk.

Anytime, my sweet girl, anytime. I’m listening.


Carol Ann
“Maddie’s Mom”

AGOW!

There is some serious strategy involved in this AGOW!....

protect your desk from a bunch of creeps by building a maze of towers.

enjoy Desktop Tower Defense!

Disclaimer: this game takes a while...especially if you plan on beating it...

COW!

This week's Comment of the Week sounds like a great commercial for Edge! We should get this person to be an Edge spokewoman because of all the nice comments she made about Edge. This week's COW winner is Taylor Garrett. Taylor is a newer student to Edge, but we are so glad she liked Edge the other night! Thanks for the awesome encouragement! I am so glad you learned some things and are growing in your relationship with Jesus Christ! Here it is...

Taylor Garrett said...
Edge is a really fun, amazing place to learn about the glory of God. The sermon about the "Little steps make a difference" is a really great lesson! Todd explains how the whole process of taking little steps work and what is our modivation to take those steps. Edge is a place i can go to have fun, relax, and most of all learn lessons about God's glory! All of the things this church does for their youth is amazing!!!!!
Sat Mar 03, 01:02:00 PM

Thanks for joining us Taylor, and I hope and pray that you and everyone else will not just have a blast at Edge, but also look for ways that they can grow in their faith in Christ! Claim your prize at the next Edge...don't miss it or you will miss your prize!

let's talk spring

It's snowing outside right now. And that's fine. I'm not going to complain. Even though it's March and it's snowing. It's fine. Really.

Okay, let's talk about something positive....Spring! Reasons (off the top of my head, it's not like I've been thinking about the spring for the past four months) that I love springtime:

~The sun shines and the world smiles.

~Trading in my sweaters for something non-itchy and cotton.

~Going to the park and doing park things.

~Seeing all the stores with their spring displays. It's pretty. Sorry if you boys can't relate.

~Trees turning green and flowers coming up. I marvel at God's creation!

~Freeing my feet and wearing flip-flops even if it's not quite warm enough yet.

I guess that's all I've got for now. Let me know what makes you excited for warmer days! They're just around the corner.

p.s. The picture shows my true feelings on spring. I hope you like it.

"Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in words alone, but in every leaf of springtime." -Martin Luther

Take Little Steps and come to Edge tonight!

Join us tonight for Edge from 7-9 PM! We will once again be talking about Little Steps that can make a Big Difference, except tonight we will be talking about the motivation behind taking those steps. Why do we take steps? Come chow on pizza, hang with your friends, play some intense games, rock out with the edge band, win sweet prizes, and so on and so on!

See you tonight!

SOW!

Is it Thursday already?? That must mean it's time for another Student of the Week!

This week's SOW is a 6th grade homeschooler, Dale Stradiot!
Let's learn a little more about Dale...

1. Fav Restaurant: Outback. he gets the steak. He loves steak.
2. Fav Subject in School: Science. he likes to do experiments like turning celery weird colors in food coloring.
3. Fav T.V. show: Futurama - it's funny, he likes Bender the robot.
4. Fav Movie ever: Saving Private Ryan. Great movie.
5. Fav Song: "My Space" by Eleventy-Seven - he loves everything about it, "the perfect song"
6. Fav Website: likes gaming websites...AGOW anyone?
7. Other Hobbies and Interests: Paintball and Airsoft. it's fun and he loves the competition.

Be sure to say, "Hey" to Dale when you see him around!

Edge this Friday!

Don't forget about Edge this Friday night...it will be a great time! Friends, Pizza, intense games, week 2 of Deal or No Deal, Battle of the Grades, the edge band, some special guests, and the the 2nd part of "Little Steps can make a Big Difference." Bring a friend, bring 5 friends! Don't forget about the friends you invited to The Edge Games...bring them back. We want them back!

Have a great day and we will see you Friday night!

One Parent to Another

One Parent to Another

As you know, February is Black History month. It got me thinking about Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. I read it on the internet the other day and the words stirred me again, as they have many times before. Later that same day, I was thinking about EDGE and the dream God has put in my heart for our students. It is simple and it is big.

I dream of our kids being so on fire for God that the entire church family can’t help but notice and be inspired. I dream of one day seeing hundreds of our students on their faces as a group in prayer. I dream of seeing leaders and teachers rise up out of our youth groups with a passion for God’s Word. I dream of worship so alive and full of the spirit of God that lives are forever changed. I dream of our kids having an eternal impact in the community…being a witness of the love of Jesus wherever they go…drawing in the lost and lonely of their generation. I also dream of parents coming together in support of each other, and committed to prayer. A ministry to help heal relationships between teens and parents, or help them grow even stronger.

That is my dream. That is my prayer. I am believing God for BIG things.

Here is the simple part…meet me for prayer on EDGE nights at 8:15 in the conference room. God has amazing things in store for our kids, and I don’t want to miss a bit of it.
How about you?

Carol Ann
“Maddie’s Mom”

AGOW!

You know how we roll here at the edge blog. we like to keep it fun and kick in the educational as well. This game is both!

how well do you know your country? it's timed, and it's harder than you might think! especially those little New England states...

enjoy!

50 States - Locate all 50 US states on the map

Post your scores for bragging rights.

COW

All right, this week's Commenter for Comment of the Week has been our most loyal commenter this year and has successfully posted comments literally millions of times (the funny thing is she will probably count how many and correct me). The COW award this week goes to Miss Becky Fuhry who is also known in blog world as who?? I like the insight she gave about Jillian Stouffer's post. Way to go, Becky!

Here it is:

who?? said...
That sounds like one of the lessons in edge- you know, "Loving Yourself?" It came right before "Loving Others." It's a good thing to think about. Like you said, we shouldn't act proud and like we're the best in the world, but not think there's anything wrong with us. If we say that, it's like telling God he made a mistake when he made us.pepsipepsipepsi

Congrats Becky! Pick up your prize this Friday at Edge!

What is your HABIT?

I am not talking about dirty HABITS, but I am talking about the HABITS that change your life. We just finished our HABITS series on Sunday mornings, and I want to know if there is one habit that you have tried to start as a result of what we have talked about. Hanging out with God, Accountability, Bible Memorization, Involvement in the church, Tithing, or Studying the Bible. Let us know. I encourage each of you to pick one and then over the next month, try to develop the habit and see what happens...see if there is a change in your life.

Why you are awesome.

Last night a watched a movie with the little girl I was babysitting. It was a super cute movie. You know - best friends, the beach, the blond heartthrob, the occasional mermaid, and a catchy soundtrack. I guess I'm easily entertained. And influenced. I'm thinking of moving to Cali and working in a surf shop.

Anyways. In the movie, this girl has a pair of earrings that speak into her ear. They have adorable squeaky voices that tell her all of the good things about her. They flatter her, but with the truth. You are beautiful inside and out. You are a true friend. You glow from the inside!

I'm looking into getting myself a pair. Okay, not really, but I actually think it is so important to remember what makes us special, what our good points are. While the media and the world is always telling us how we are not good enough...be thinner, be taller, be smarter... God is telling us something different. When I feel down about who I am or feel pressured by society, I want to focus on what God thinks of me! God made you an individual and made you quite lovely. Lovely enough to die for! There are ways that we all need to change and become more like Jesus, but never forget the ways that God made each of you wonderful!

Psalm 139:13-14 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Cell Phones anyone?

I just got back from getting a new cell phone because mine did not work anymore. For me, it is such a relief to have a phone again. I got so used to having a phone that when mine did not work, I began to freak out and think that my life was coming to an end. If you are in edge, you are living in a brand new generation, a generation where everyone has a cell phone, and we do not know what to do without it.

About 8-10 years ago, very few people had them, and I am really suprised that people survived. I am shocked that people actually were able to live their lives without one. I am one of those people who lived without a cell phone, and I am living to tell about it. You had to call from home and when you weren't home, you had to wait until you got home to call someone. Crazy! You guys will never know any different though. You will always know cell phones and most of you will always have cell phones (at least as adults). I know not all of you have cell phones, but I would like to do a survey.

If you are reading this post right now, I would like you to comment if you have a cell phone. I am interested to see who has one. You can be anonymous if you want, but just say, yes, I have a cell phone so I know.

Thanks.

SOW!

Hey hey hey the Student O' the Week is back and she is....


Lauren Piccioni!
Lauren's an 8th Grader at CVCA.

Let's get to know her...

1.Fav Restaurant: Olive Garden, 'cause hey, it's Italian, she's Italian, why not? she likes the Spaghetti.

2.Fav Subject in School: Science, because Mr Arida makes it fun.

3.Fav Sports team: She's from PA so....Steelers!

4.Fav TV show: Rug Rats, but she doesn't watch much TV.

5. Fav Movie: Narnia, and she loved the books.

6. Fav Music: Mary Mary, good music. (can someone get these shackles off my hands?)

7.Fav website: www.neopets.com (turns out i'm a pink slorg. interesting.)

8.Fav part of edge: "Hangin' with Heather and Taylor." nothing like a shout out!

9. If you weren't at edge you'd be: "home doing something, playing video games, or sitting around" ok, just make sure no one gets hurt...

10.Other Hobbies, things we should know? Loves reading, especially Narnia!

ATTENTION FATHERS: Father-Son Trip Meeting this SUNDAY!

If you are an 8th grade boy, and you and your dad are interested in going on our Father-Son Trip this summer to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee, there is an info meeting this Sunday morning at 8:30 AM in the high school room downstairs. THIS MEETING IS FOR FATHERS ONLY! So tell your dad about it, and make sure he is there. Even if he doesn't know if he can go, tell him to check it out! That would be sweet. This is a trip that you will not want to miss!