On (to) Wisconsin!

My decision has been made. After sitting quietly on a decision for the past two days, I announced this morning that I will be attending CUW in the fall. Although it took me much longer than I hoped to come to a decision, I am very much looking forward to next August. I have already been placed in the Wind ensemble, and am very excited about all the new challenges and opportunities college will bring!

He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! What a wonderful thing He has done for us, in giving us eternal life! All of us hope you this post is finding you happy, healthy, and praising His name! Also, this post should catch you up on some things in the Steinbacher house. Thank goodness for Easter/Spring Break, a time to finish scholarship applications, take practice AP Calculus tests, and to finally post something new on Blogger...
Dad has spent the past month continuing to teach Freshman boys' health, biology, and anatomy. Nothing too exciting has happened in health or biology, but in Anatomy, he took the kids to see a cadaver disection at St. Louis University, and on Maundy Thursday, he shared an article about the science of Christ's Crucifixion.

Mom has been doing physical fitness testing with her PE classes at Zion. She has stayed busy assisting with the Track team, and the juniors (5-6 grades) have already had a meet. (Angie's age group, the 7-8 graders, got SNOWED OUT!!! just last monday).

Angie has been busy with Track, and has gone up to practice on the actual track at Lutheran High a few times. This week, she'll be finishing up her confirmation banner, and will be working on Confirmation essays.

Sandi has come home TWICE since the last post (O my, I've definately been slacking!) Her spring break was about a month ago (March 14-22). She went to Oklahoma for the first weekend to Visit Aunt Christa and her family (and managed to suprise Zanny in the process), and she was home for the rest of the week! She came home again on Good Friday night. Her drive through Tennessee and Oklahoma consisted of Tornado-like weather conditions. We praise God that she arrived safely and we were able to finish my birthday celebration =P

Now, to catch up on my life...

Senior girls: Alanna, me, Sarah, and Sissy

Band Tour was from March13-16. We went to 0hio and Tennessee. I had a blast! We even got to play outside the Grand Ole Opry.

Playing outside the Grand Ole Opry

Me rocking out on the Crash Cymbals HAHA

I was named Valedictorian (Graduation is May 24) My college decision is still not final... As I was sitting very contently with going to Mequon, Seward called and offered me the president's scholarship, and Dr. VonKampen, the choir directior called to tell me personally that they really want me out there... O dear... (once a decision is made it will be posted) We had state festival for choir and band on April 4. In Missouri, the rating are 1=superior. 2=excellent. 3=good. 4=fair. 5=? anyway, Band got a 2, which is good for our band, and was actually all the seniors were pleased with it. The men in concert choir got a 1 from all three judges and from sight-reading; this was the first time a LHS choir got 1's in all four categories. The girls got an overall 1 as well, with a 1+ in sight-reading; and to wrap it all up, Concert Choir got an overall 1, too! All three choirs finished with a 1. It was a really exciting day! The next day (April 5, palm sunday) Zion's youth group presented Painting Grace, a live show of painting and silent acting. It was so awesome! So many people were involved, and really shone on the stage... Even Jon had a part as Joesph! I had the privelege of opening and closing the show, and being the official photographer (Thanks Mrs. Staude for letting me use the Nikon!!!) In the week since the show, We have celebrated Easter, and I have turned 18 (uh oh... lol). Good Friday marked my 18th birthday. To celebrate, 4 friends and I went to lunch and to the Painted Zebra (where you paint ceramics). Once Sandi got home late that night, we had cake and openend presents.... which included the Lutheran Service Book accompaniment version, a gift card to Hobby Lobby, some really cute shirts, and a book of piano arrangements =)

Eve tempting Adam with Satan closely watching

Joseph being thrown into the pit by one of his brothers

Now that you should be all caught up, We wish you a very blessed week, and a wonderful Easter and Spring season!

Love, C

Tough Decisions...

Today, was a pretty great day for me (Christa). School wasn't all that bad, calculus test is NOT on the same day as the lit test =) and when I got home, the much-anticipated scholarship letter was waiting in the mail box. I opened (home all alone) to find a $1000 music talent, 1500 endowment, and placement in the symphonic wind symphony at Concordia Mequon. Needless, to say I was pretty thrilled about this (who knows how Dad feels though).
Also, we took a family trip to a local ice cream/donut shop because Zion's pastors and church staff was scooping up the ice cream tonight. So, the tough decisions were not just limited to my college choice, but also to what flavor (of about 15 choices) to have, and whether to have it in a waffle cone, cake cone, sugar cone, or dish... so in the words of a very wise grandfather of mine (Cookies 'n' cream-butter pecan, tough decision, butter pecan...) so although I did not have butter pecan (honestly, I'm not that big a fan) I did think back to his saying that is so often repeated here in the Steinbacher house...
Please keep me in your prayers as the time to make a decision draws nearer, and Sarah and Reid (yesterday was their anniversary, so they are brought to mind) who are still in Japan.
Love, C.

It's a Happy Day! (and I thank God for the weather!)

What a lovely day we have had on this beautiful Friday! Missouri weather at its definite finest! This week has been much calmer for Mom and Angie with out basketball games or practices, and now Mom, Angie, and I are greatly anticipating the start of track season. This past week has also been National Lutheran Schools Week, so Zion has been much a buzz with special dress days, and exciting events, such as grandparents day and the book fair.



Yesterday evening, Mom, Dad, and I attended the American Association of University Women monthly meeting along with my math teacher, Mr. Haak, and about 15 other area high school seniors who have been nominated as outstanding students in math or science. Since I am not taking a science course this year, I was obviously the nominee for the math award. Each girl had to give a short speech talking about their interests and future plans. It was really an honor to recieve the award, and I realized last night that I love to talk (especially "public speaking").

This is Mr. Haak, me, LHS science winner Brittany, and my dad (her teacher).

Me giving my 'speech'

In conclusion, today and this week as a whole has been beautiful. With an emphasis on today's lovely weather!

Love, C

Polar Bear Plunging and A State Tournament

This past weekend was a again a weekend that found us all over the place, just not quite in as chaotic a way as two weekends ago. I stayed with friends on Friday and Saturday night so that I could participate in the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics Missouri on Saturday afternoon. Mom, Dad, and Angie were in Jeff. City for the State Tournament from Friday-Sunday. Although they lost their first two games, they came out with a win on Sunday (a game Jon and I got to see!). Also, it sounds like they had a really good time.

This weekend had some added fun for me because I got to use a really nice camera that belongs to the yearbook staff to take some pictures at the game. I think they turned out pretty well, so here a few to take a gander at...

Angie taking a 3-pointer, and making it!

Going for a loose ball...

Dad, the faithful fan and scorebook keeper

A Victorious team and Cheerleaders

Have a great day! Love, C

Just Another Wednesday?

Today was Ash Wednesday. As I am thinking about the homework assignments that will be on my back throughout the week, and college decisions, and what else could be possibly stressed out, today showed up. Today is the first day in the new year when we are reminded of the burden our Savior took on for us on the Cross. I received asheso on my forehead both at Chapel this morning and at Church this afternoon. While going through the routine process on an Ash Wednesday service, I never stopped to think about the impact a service such as this could have on an "outsider." I will saythat Jon has been attending Zion very faithfully since last August, but he has never experienced an Ash Wednesday service before. While talking to him afterwards, he mentioned how neat, or interesting he thought it was. This reminded me of how we need to always look at Jesus's love for us in the same way. While we might have confession and absolution the same old routine, it should be something new and exciting every time, every day even. We areFORGIVEN and SET FREE from the bondage of our sin, what a miraculous blessing!

Well, this post is just kind of an assortment of some thoughts... didn't really put together what I wanted to say... just wanted to say something.
Love, C

A Relaxing Weekend at Home

This weekend was one of the most relaxing we have had in a while. Friday night, I had to take pictures and stats at a boys basketball game. Mom, Dad, and Angie spent most of Saturday at home, adding up Jump Rope for Heart Money. Also, Mom and I went to Kohls where I found a new pair of shoes =)

After Kohls, I went to Jon's house and had a very sweet victory playing Madden 09... 7-6, and this was my first time playing!!! (Even as I type this, he's rolling his eyes at me)

Today, I sang with the LHS choir at Holy Cross, and Mom, Dad, and Angie went to Zion. Today was just a lazy day around the house, and this evening Jon and I went to youth group.

Have a great week!

This is a picture of Jon and I to rival the one of Angie and Jon two posts down...

Love, C