Rewards

As busy as we all have been lately, I must say that things we are involved in have been some of the most rewarding things in my life! Today was the last day of our Upward season. If you don't know, Upward is a basketball and cheerleading ministry at our church. While many of our own boys and girls come and participate, most of the faces I see in the gym on Saturdays are new faces....people who do not go to our church. This year I was the coach for the 4th-6th grade cheerleaders. I had a group of 10 great young ladies (and two little mascots....couldn't leave out the babies!). I had a great time time getting to know them and their parents. There were a few highlights of this season. The slumber party at my house was so much fun and gamedays are always great! In the middle of each practice, everyone does a devotional. This year, one of my girls accepted Christ as her Savior suring one of those devotional times. Praise the Lord!! That's what it's all about. This particular girl was a friend of another one of my girls and was late joining our squad. She was such a blessing to me, and I know that this was a Divine appointment for her! I pray that she will continue to grow in the love of the Lord and I also pray that many seeds were planted in the lives of these young girls. I know I have been blessed beyond belief just by knowing them!

Our family is a part of a homeschool co-op at our church, and has been for the past four years. It is a true co-op where every Mom does her fair share....and then some. I always teach music in some capacity. The ages have varied over the years, but the subject has been the same. When we were planning this year, our administrator didn't want to tie me down to anything because there was always that possibility (and hope) that we would be moving. I was put in an elective teaching spot for one term and in a class as an assistant for another term. As it turns out, the lead teacher of the class in which I was supposed to assist moved so her husband could take a ministry position in Washington State, and so, I volunteered to teach the class...the SCIENCE class. Not where my degree is, but I am having a BLAST! I don't know when I have ever had so much fun teaching. The class is 2nd and 3rd graders and we are studying the ocean. It's an easy topic for me, as that is one of my true loves in life (actually considered being a marine biologist for a while, if I hadn't thought everyone would have a heart attack). And so, even though it is adding a little more stress to my life, it is good...I am feeling fulfilled and useful for that one great hour on Friday mornings. :-)

Also, I am teaching music to a mixed group of students during Alyssa's band time on Fridays. The kids I am teaching are my other three that are not involved in band, the son of one of the band directors, and the daughter of another friend whose son is in band. It has been a little tricky figuring out what to do with a group of such varied ages, but I am having fun with it. I am beginning to see some great possibilities and a chance to teach music in a way I have never been able to in a classroom setting. It is such a blessing to be with people who value music and desire to have their children learn about it and not just be entertained by it. It has been such a huge part of my life....it is a priviledge to pass that love along to another generation. :-)

Jeff is facilitating the parenting class at church I mentioned in an earlier post. I am getting a group of kids ready to demonstrate our VBS music to a group of VBS leaders in the region, and I am still helping with children's choirs on Wednesday nights. Clara still has her physical therapy once a week and hippotherapy once a week, and for now, we are getting a small break from Emilie's lessons, as it is hard to ride with one arm and we don't want her to break the other one. I am still LOVING the study I am doing at church on Esther. What a woman!

Too many times, people give you a list of all the things they are doing in a desire to feel important. I can promise that is not the case here...I am almost embarrassed by this list. I mostly wanted to share what is GREAT in my life right now...I know that not all the news I have shared recently has been good. :-) I am also trying to update those of you who don't see me all the time to know what is going on in our lives. We have many friends, family, and supporters who read this and I thought you would all just like to know what we are doing. If it is not mentioned here, either I forgot or it is not good....this is a strictly positive post!!

Also, I know this would be so much more interesting with pictures,a nd I promise that I will post some as soon as I remember how. If any of my "blog-savvy" friends are reading this, any help is greatly appreciated!

Love you all!
Jeannie