Football!

Several of our junior high boys have chosen to play six man football with
a group of homeschooled boys from Milano. There wouldn't have been enough boys to make a team without our guys.

My husband and I drove to Bastrop last Friday night to watch this team play. Our team (the Scorpions) are few in number, have never played before, and are busy learning the intricacies of the game. The team they played, a group of homeschoolers from Williamson County, were many in number, large in stature, and clearly had experience in competitive sports.

Needless to say, our guys didn't win the game. The score was not in our favor. However, each of those young men is a WINNER! They played hard, they never gave up, and when the game was over they picked up their muddy selves (the field was a 'mud bowl' due to recent rain), shook hands with the opposing team, and walked off with smiles on their faces. They were good sports. They were gentlemen. They showed their good character.

They are learning life lessons. They are learning to follow the directions of a coach. They are learning to cooperate with each other. They are learning that not everyone wins the game. They are learning that hard work is essential. And the list goes on.

On a side note, if you have never seen a six man football game, I encourage you to attend a game. It can be one that our guys are involved in or an area public school. It's a fun game to watch. The rules are a tad different from traditional eleven man football and it's always wide open and full of action.

Gifts

It's not my birthday and it's not Christmas (although both will be here before we know it!) but it is almost the end of the first six weeks grading period here at FBS. As I reflect back over the start to this school year, one word comes to mind. Gifts. There are 16 of them in my first grade classroom! Each is unique, special, and one part of the whole that will spend the next few months with me.

Every group of first graders is different. There are always strengths and occasionally, a few weak areas. They are humans. I always learn something from them. The year that I don't learn is the year I need to throw in the towel and say I'm retiring. I don't think it will be this year because I'm learning!

One of the blessings this class has shared is their 'heart' for those less fortunate than them. We have daily chapel and students are allowed to request prayer. Many of these children want to pray for those who have less. They are the living embodiment of the Golden Rule.

There are numerous students who are artistically talented. They amaze me.

They are good friends. They get along with each other. They LIKE each other!

They are very intelligent. They are making this teacher work to keep up with them!

To their parents I say a big THANK YOU!! I feel blessed to be involved in the life of your child.

God bless you!