Round one --Check

Round one in the playoffs. Yep, we won! On to next week.

Holy Ghost Its

without God
We will be one Nation under


Think about that for a while!

Volleyball

Elise's volleyball season has been finished for almost a month now. While I was glad for it to be over and the running to be finished. I am sitting here tonight being a little sad. Sad that she will never again have a sophomore year volleyball game. Her team finished undefeated and won the MAC for Christian Schools. It was a fun season and a well deserved Championship.

Our Lives Revolve Around ...

Even though Elise only plays volleyball, our lives seem to follow sports around the calendar. We have not missed a football game once this year..yes, we are the fans that have been known to travel to away games that are 4 hours away. I laugh at some of the questions I have been asked when we show up at an away game (that really was 4 hours away). You first have to understand that our school is very small, the people that attend WC know us, know Elise. It is the look on their faces trying to figure out why we are at games so far away. Someone asked me this week with a puzzled look..."Mrs. Denney I thought you only had Elise. Do you have a son that plays?" I of course laughed and replied that Kim Watts and I are like family, therefore, her son plays, and well that would be my nephew out there. It is Mark that draws us there but it is also the other guys that have passed through my door in either first and second grade. I loved them then. I loved them like they were my own sons...even if it was only for one year. But it is more rewarding for me to watch their true character played out on the field. The students at WC are good guys, they have thier heads on straight. No, we are not perfect and we all mess up but it is a community that loves each other through those mess ups.

It has been rewarding for me to watch these guys grow up but more rewarding for me to see them grow into the men God wants.

This Friday the Indian will have the home advantage as we enter into the State Playoffs. Westminster was #2 in our division. Wish us luck! GO INDIANS!

Update on Etchings

Brian Colvin lost his life on the football field on August 14th. However, a teammate and his mother have gained eternal life forever and ever. Hallelujah! What a testimony!

Etchings

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Number 3, is embossed on the back of every players helmet for the season.



I guess sometimes you will never know what will forever be etched on your mind. Those etchings can be one of wonderful memories or one of those memories we would like to forget.

On August 14, 2010, Westminster met the Lewisville Lions on the football field for a simple scrimmage. A celebration of the opening of football season. Westminster and Lewisville had no commonality except for the fact that they were two teams who played football and ultimately wanted to win. What they experienced out on that field was only to be realized after the game and through the time still to come.

During the game one of the Lions, number 3, Brian Colvin, fell on the field. We learned after the game that he had passed away. I will have to stop right there, to let you know that this is something that burdens my heart even now. I wondered how it would effect our team and how in the world would his parent's survive this tragedy. What about his team members? So many questions, I couldn't answer. Still the biggest question of them all is God, why did You let this happen? That question is one I will not ever know the answer to on this side of Heaven.

A week has passed and the Indians took the field for their first home game. There was a different feeling about this game. There were tears glistening in every eye, lumps in every throat, and the number 3 held up by every hand. You see we had special guests. The Lewisville Lions and fans were invited to the game. The team departed from the bus with heart felt applause. Then they were part of us, a part of Westminster, a part of God's family, but most of all a part of God's plan.

The Westminster Catawba Indians and the Lewisville Lions praying at the rock before the game.

The Indians and the Lions taking the field as one team.

I may not ever understand the reasons behind this...I do know that God was very present last night. The way that our team reached out to the Lions and the Lions reached back to us was something that will be etched on my memory. God's plan in action.

Once again, I am reminded of how precious teaching is at a Christian School.

God Appears

Well, after a wonderful short summer....school is back in session. I will have to say that this year, more than any year, I have had a really hard time with the thought of the first day of school. I am not really sure why. I read a lot this summer, went to the beach, and slept late..really late. It was not an exciting summer by any one's standards, it was just good to be carefree for awhile.

So as summer came to an end, my head was not into starting the year again. I have actually been teaching 19 years, that means 19 first days of school. Everything I did to prepare for this year had to be done twice or maybe even three times. I just could not get settled on anything. Even this morning I had an unsettled feeling.

Then God appeared...My 16 tender hearts started to slowly fill my room. The chatter of 7 year olds excited about the first day of school and seeing each other, cluttered my room. Book bags, supplies, and Kleenex had to be taken care of. The first day, even through the confusion, seemed to be routine for me. As we worked, organized, and got to know each other, my heart swelled... it swelled with God's great love and grace. I can't describe that filling in words. And once again I was reminded that I am where God wants me to be. Even as I write my eyes puddle a little because God is such a huge God. Why would he care about a confirmation to me. He is so big why would he care about a little old me. That answer I will not ever fully understand.

So on the night of the first day of school...I look forward to seeing my little ones tomorrow. I pray that God will be seen in my actions. I pray that His compassion and grace will transform my students lives. I pray that He will work in each of them so that they can develop into the people that He wants. Lord, protect us. Keep us safe. Transform our hearts. Let us draw in and grow us in your wisdom. Thank you touching my heart as only YOU can. Lord, be with us. We love you!