September 16, 2012
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Yesterday we had a 10:00 game for my son. That meant we had to arrive to the field at 8:00 because they practice, warm up, and do weigh ins for the two hours prior to the game. The kids had a really bad game-they lost, but aside from the score, they just played badly. They all just looked like they were fumbling around on the field and no idea of exactly what it was they were supposed to be doing. I personally am not into sports in such a hard core fashion, but some of the parents seem to be just outraged at the lack of skill on the part of the coaching staff, and various other things. I think that at this age, they should be learning the basics and having fun, but apparently that is not the case. Either way, it sounds like at practice on Tuesday they are going to be doing lots of work and running to try and get better and overcome these things that keep happening at the game. I don't know, I certainly wouldn't know how to begin coaching a team of kids in an organized sport, but to me, making them run extra and do up downs isnt' going to fix the fact that they don't know enough of the basics to be able to effectively run plays. But, like I said, I don't know enough about it myself to really be a good judge.
This morning was our new pastor's first day! I thought he really did a great job with his first sermon. It was good-it was basically about how we are all learning and growing as Christians. He referenced four books out of the Bible and tied it all together really well. He mixes in a bit of dorky humor, which I definitely appreciate, and he is a good speaker, and keeps people engaged in what he is saying. It was cool.
After church, we went to a lady's house who is in the congregation. There we assembled about 125 shoeboxes full of items for the Samaritan's Purse ministry. It was a good time and we did get a LOT of work taken care of. I am tired and now my feet hurt, but that isn't a big deal. I wish that some day in my life I could sign up to volunteer for the part of the group that gets to deliver the boxes directly to the recipients, and see the look on their little faces when they open up and see what is inside the shoeboxes. My son helped this year, which I think is good for him. He really needs to learn that there are kids in other countries, as well as in our own, who have absolutely nothing and that everything he has is such a great gift. He really asked a lot of questions this year and I think he is old enough that it is beginning to make sense to him. Within the past two weeks I have actually begun to see a difference in him-a bit more generosity of spirit, which makes me very proud of him. I want him to grow up and be a good man.
I'm reading an old favorite right now, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I've already read the book three or four times, but it is always a fun one.
Currently
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
By Mark Twain
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Comments (5)
We do Samaritan's Purse too! It's such a worthy cause. Glad your new pastor is off to a good start.
After Julian's soccer game this weekend, my husband and I were talking about how intense some of the parents are already. I say "already" because his team is 4-5 yr olds that have never played before. We don't even call out of bounds, yet there is a dad and a couple moms who literally pace the field screaming at their kids. It's nuts. I don't ever want to be that way!
I hope those overeager parents don't spoil the fun for the kids on your son's team. I think you are right...they need to learn the basics and have fun doing it.
Wonderful work at your church group. I'm glad your son is being exposed to it too. He can be very proud of his contributions as he grows up.
I certainly think some parents overreact big time when it comes to kids sports. Maybe they are trying so hard to push their kids into an NFL career or something superficial like that, but if that is the case they are really missing the point. It's important that there is discipline and learning going on, but at the end of the day it should be about the kids and just allowing them to have fun ! It's good that you enjoyed the new pastor. If he is mixing in humour and things that people can really relate to on a regular basis I'm sure he'll have no problems and everyone will really enjoy being there.
It's wonderful the work you were doing with the shoes, helping so many people. Hopefully you'll get an opportunity to delivery some personally in the future. Though it sounds like you'll have to wear more comfortable shoes ! And it's great that your son at such a young age has learned the importance of giving back to the community and helping others. Many people never learn that lesson and that is why in such a large part the world is so driven by greed. I've never actually read the Tom Sawyer book before, but just seen adaptions of it on the tv and through shows like the Simpsons, though I'm sure the book is so much more !
I do miss the cooler nights back home. I really don't mind hot weather, but when it's still hot and humid in the middle of the night that's a bit much. There are lots of cities in Mexico that do have the cool nights, I just don't happen to be in one of them ! Here its kind of green, as there is lots of rain, but there are certainly not all the tall evergreens that I am used to, though there are tons of groves of super tall palm trees which look very nice.
And I miss not being able to drink tap water ! Have you been to Canada before ? I've been to the US lots of times, though I was only actually through Arizona once on a bus, but I've explored Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana and Missouri before. Anwyays I hope that everything has been going well with you, take care and have an awesome week, bye for now.
Kyle
I think too much pressure is put on little kids in these sports.
Glad to hear the new pastor is doing well.
I used to do Samaritan's Purse for years when my old church sponsored it.
I love Samaritan's Purse!! FYI- we've had friends who have gone over to help distribute the boxes and boys 7 and older often get left out....I guess it's so easy to buy girl gifts but not boys -especially teenaged ones. Tom Sawyer is awesome!! you should read it to your little man:)
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