GGGGGOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!

I just need to brag on Ethan for a minute. He scored a goal in his soccer game yesterday! I am so proud of him. This is not only a huge accomplishment for the fact of scoring a goal, but also because he has persevered and was rewarded for it. Ethan loves playing soccer but he has had a real hard time with learning and actually playing the game. Our ultra sensitive child has run off the field several times crying because he was offended. How dare someone take a ball away from him in the game of soccer! (Please note the sarcasm) Ha! My little guy has had to learn about sharing and not feeling attacked if someone runs up to him and tries to get the ball away. Matt and I have been dumbfounded after a few practices as to how to help him. We literally prayed for him about this at bible study one night! But we kept encouraging him and explaining that he isn't a failure and this is how the game works and to keep trying. At yesterday's game the first half was not good. He kept trying but would just get frustrated and ran off the field a few times. Matt and I both had to give him pep talks. Well the second half of the game (by the way, an hour is a REALLY long time for four year olds' to play- that is just my opinion!) he started doing much better. We kept telling him to be aggressive and that it is ok to be aggressive. Well he got the ball at about mid field and dribbled and scored! You should have seen me. Poor Caleb was in my arms at this point and I about gave him whip lash. I was jumping up and down screaming and had tears in my eyes. Not because he scored a goal. (They don't keep score anyway) But because he kept trying and was rewarded for it! I am so stinkin' proud of him. He was our only goal of the game. Now the other team had like 30, but that is a different story, ha!

It just takes one person to get it started

Hang with me here. You know sometimes when you encounter something or are learning and it is such an "ah ha!" moment. But when you try to explain to someone else it just doesn't come across the same way. Well bear with me while I try to explain my moment. This morning at church we took communion. There are two tables up front with bread and grape juice. The band was playing some music and we were supposed to come up when we felt ready, take communion, and go back to our seat when we were finished. There were no other limitations. It was a free for all time. Well we all sat in our seats. Praying and just thinking and reflecting. The band was playing and no one was getting up. After a little bit, when I felt ready, I got up and headed towards the table. Well it was as if the flood gates opened. In a matter of seconds there were lines and people were coming up to the table. On my way back to my seat I thought to myself, "Hm. It just takes one person to get it started." What came out as just a simple thought, then echoed in my head. "It just takes one person to get it started." I then proceeded to think about all the great movements throughout history. Even simple tasks... and I came back to, it just took one person to get it started. God completely used that little thought and those few moments to teach me. What am I supposed to do? What is my "one thing" that I am supposed to start. What movement am I supposed to lead. Not to get any recognition, but to simply live out my calling. Matt and another lady from our church were burdened to pray more. It just took them to get it started. We now have regular prayer nights. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for Civil Rights for African Americans. It just took one person to get it started. The Jewish nation escaped from slavery. Moses lead those people. It just took one person to get it started. Behind that one person is a mighty God. He doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. It just takes one person to get it started.

Monster Jam

Ethan in front of Grave Digger, his current favorite monster truck!

Yesterday we had the opportunity to take Ethan to the Monster Jam. Grammy & Papa had bought tickets to take him, but unfortunately my dad ended up having to work. So Matt and I were able to step in and take him. Ethan had been last year with my parents, but this was the first time for Matt and I! It was a lot of fun! It was also fun to see Ethan so excited! We had great seats and enjoyed being able to go down and see the monster trucks up close and personal before the show. Thank you Grammy & Papa for a great time!!