1000 Gifts: The Championship

Truly, my cup overflows.

And I am undone.

God is SO good... He leaves me nearly speechless.

But not quite :)

"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me.

The 2011 Long Course Age Group Championship

Christiansburg, VA

July 28-31

(#995-1029)

The opportunity for all three boys to compete in their championship meet

Cheering for Big Man via the telephone, as he swam in Charlottesville while Bub & Noh-man swam in Christiansburg

Big Man's new title-- the Backstroke Champion (according to his coach :) after winning the League title on Friday

A superb team of families... of coaches... and swimmers

FAST (the team)

For Noh-man... racing hair. Or perhaps-- Uncle Dave hair? Either way... a lack of hair.

And Uncle Dave, who drove from South Carolina to cheer for the boys

And Aunt Wilma, who held down the fort at home so that Dave could come to the meet

The YMCA for a little pre-race fun

And time together to ease the stress.

God's peace amidst the storm. His presence during the fight.

Prayers for His best... whatever that may be

And His faithfulness, His blessing, His goodness... even when things didn't turn out as we hoped

Comfort and certainty... the assurance... that He has something better...

because His ways are always higher, His thoughts are always better, and His plans are always greater than anything we could ever imagine on our own

Three fighting spirits

Three champion-sized hearts

And my sister-in-love's reminder-- Man looks at the outer appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Just in time.

Philippians 4:13

"No fear!"

Crazy hard lessons learned, especially for Chris and me

And their courage untold, their determination... magnified, & more character demonstrated in a span of two minutes than most adults display in a lifetime.

Goals

And the opprotunity to pursue them.

Competing with the best in the state... and coming out at the top

God's hand of deliverance-- like David and Goliath

Answered prayers

A coach... from another team... who cared

The prayers of loved ones, the encouragement of others, and the little kindnesses offered throughout the day that display His love in mighty, mighty ways

Brother cheering for brother, praying for brother, hurting for brother, persevering for brother... LOVING brother more then himself

Sacrifice

And the privilege of parenting such fine young men

Life... shared.

God's grace.

"Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations;

I will sing praises of your name."

2 Samuel 22:50

and the list goes on...