Bowling is NOT a spectator sport

My daughter decided this fall to join her school's bowling team. Of course she wanted us all to come watch her bowl. So off we went, twice a week, to area bowling alleys to watch her. She did very well - advanced from the C team to Varsity! I've decided that bowling is not a spectator sport, however. First of all, there are at most 3 chairs to sit in that are even remotely close to the alley you want to watch. The other 2 chairs that are nearby are filled with both team's gear - including everything they took to school that day (backpacks, cell phones, shoes, coats, etc). The day that you arrive early (or you THINK you are early) they decide to start even earlier, so you shouldn't even try. Today was culmination of the year - the district competition. Fortunately it was held in a bowling alley with more room than I've ever seen, however we had to drive an hour and a half to get there! There were so many fans, you had to really jockey for a position to see - well you could see if you stood on one foot and closed one eye and tilted your head to look around the tall man in front of you! We ended up getting brave and asking if we could sit with other teams - and were lucky to find a seat now and again. All in all it is fun cheering your child on in a sport. She did well today and ended this season on a happy note.

Life's Lessons

After teaching a lesson on Sunday at church I was struck by the number of women who think their offerings as mothers, wives, sisters, aunts, are not acceptable. That somehow, after all the laundry, dirty toilets, running about for this child or that, they should have the extra time to be sure there are no dust bunnies ANYWHERE, and they are calm, cool, and collected ALL THE TIME. I do not think I am perfect by any stretch, and often have trouble accepting that any part of my offering to my family, workplace, friends, world is acceptable. However, it has become my goal to help myself and as many others as I can reach to understand that we are expected to try our best - and the Lord picks up the rest. We are not expected to be perfect in any way...just to try our best. So next time you are tempted to punish yourself because the laundry is growing (why don't we ever have more to wear if the laundry GROWS?), or the flower beds are weeded, remember, we are acceptable as we are in the sight of God.

I'm Back!!!

Well, at the urging of some good friends, I am attempting once again to blog. I love reading other's blogs, so maybe now I can find those extra minutes to blog some of my own. It was suggested to me that this is a good way to journal - and needing help in that department thought that was a good idea.