Another year of Nationals has come and gone and what a wonderful turn out it was! It’s been a long time since I have joined Gabe on a trip to the National Tournament, let alone play Redemption; with each baby, they slowly ate away at my action plan brain cells and just never gave them back. Good thing they’re so cute, eh? But that doesn’t mean I don’t support it 100% and encourage my husband and kids as they get their gaming geekiness on. I love it. The strategy, math, reading and knowledge of the Bible characters, locations, commands and promises are saturating their minds as they participate in fellowship and fun. What an incredible combination!

It’s so awesome to be blessed with family here on earth. What a gift from our very gracious Father! But as followers of Christ, we are also co-heirs in the Kingdom, which means if you have acknowledged Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then we are all family through His royal blood. And one of my favorite things about family is traditions; both within the Isbell crew of six, as well as the extended family of Christ. And some of our sweetest traditions have sprung from Redemption.

Obviously my husband did very well this year, and of course I’m very proud of him. But do you know the one thing we were excited about as we left Travis and that wonderful church in Middletown, Ohio? “It’s like one big family reunion!”

It got me to think over the last year and what our home and church looked like with the ministry of Redemption intertwined. In all these examples, to GOD be the glory; He is the ONLY good within me!

Several years ago I would have said that there’s no way I can relate to teenagers, not my gig. Now on the the first Friday of each month, our family has a routine down to a science to transform our cozy ranch-style home into a Redemption rally, where within an hour our front door entrance will be loaded with 20 some pairs of stinky teenage boy shoes, eager to pair up, try out their new decks and talk Redemption till kingdom come. It’s messy, loud, smelly and I wouldn’t trade those first Fridays for anything.

One of my favorite traditions is hosting the Iowa State Tournament and prepping our home for those in town that need somewhere to crash. Downstairs I set up sleeping bags and couches and wait for Gabe to trail in late along with John, a couple Alstads, Mitch, Pat, Jesse and Kye to play some Type 2 2-Player. The next morning our four littles wake them up bright and early, I load them up with breakfast as they head in for the day. This year we had the pleasure of roasting some chicken and goodies for dinner, feasting well and breaking bread together, John telling them they really needed to try my homemade ketchup, before squeezing in a group game of Type 2 as the weekend came to a close. And of course our sweet daughter Willow fighting back tears as she wants them to stay just ‘one more night’.

Or listening to Gabe quietly on Skype late into the night with the other Elders as they tossed around and fine-tuned the new fantastic set that was released prior to Nationals.

Or getting to meet JD for the first time as he landed here in our home before they all headed up to the Type 2 Tournament in Minnesota. Before that, getting to join us for dinner and devotions, and work on a puzzle for the first time.

And of course what has become one the sweetest friendships of our family with dear Sam, who in high school came to our house every Friday night along with other friends to play Redemption (pre-children we’d meet every week). He chose us old-timers over the strong temptations of teenage life, which continued on through college and now his married life with darling Katie. He’s like a younger brother to us and hip, young uncle to our kids.

I could go on and on, but all these thoughts and more came flooding in over the weekend we were there, as I followed up with ‘family’, whether it’s been a few months or a few years. Seeing my handsome hubby receive his 1st place plaques… Getting a hug from John as I walked in… Watching Forest and JD discuss cards they were drafting… Willow running around with a sweet, new friend… Catching up with Joey, who was one of the first people we met, now married with a little girl… Talking to Jaden quick about starting college… Rob telling the kids and I to come join him for breakfast… Seeing Tim and remembering how I totally called him and Britta getting together before they knew it; seriously, ask Gabe… … Catching up quickly with Jonathon and his sweet family, and them sharing a picture of their Caleb and our Forest at the 2008 Nationals in Ohio, when they were around one year of age, hanging out in jammies and pacifiers… Filling up our hotel room with Sam, Katie, Pat and Zach and watching the Olympic Ceremony… Seeing a bunch of Iowa peeps from our playgroup experiencing the Nationals thrill.

Redemption has taken on so many different looks in our family and home as we’ve added on children, friends moving away and ultimately, us letting go of the wheel and allowing God to create something so unique that only He can get the glory. We could never have created any of this in our strength.

It is an amazing game. We are so grateful for the family vibe Rob has created, fostered and encouraged all these years. We thank God for the friendships that have come our way and delight in our kids growing up in this same environment. I pray that you also experience the power of the “one anothers” as God has commanded through this fantastic avenue. It’s so very rich.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

To buy singles, sealed product, and other gaming supplies mentioned, please visit Three Lions Gaming!

By Missy

Missy started playing Redemption in 2006 along with her husband Gabe. Within a couple years though, primarily after the birth of their first child, she found a greater interest in the hospitality and fellowship aspect. Seeing how kids and adults alike were growing exponentially in their knowledge of the Bible through the game, she desired to support her husband and use Redemption as a ministry to serve and outreach as a family. This continues to be the theme for the Isbells as they host monthly playgroups and multiple tournaments throughout the year.