Swim Meet #3

Swim team has quickly become a fun family activity. Joey - who was a little apprehensive about having the girls join the team - is now a swimming fanatic who is eager to volunteer at each meet and screams himself hoarse for our girls and every other child on the team! Lily - who cried before her first couple of races - is getting braver and braver and beams with excitement and pride after she completes each event. Cassidy - who I think walked over to Lily before their very first race and said something to the effect of, "I'm going to beat YOU!" - is showing good sportsmanship and working harder each week to support and encourage her sister. And Finn - who can be shy and aloof - now has a loyal following of teenage girls who love on him, play with him, spoil him, and entertain him at every meet. Me? I'm in hog heaven watching all this fun unfold!

Joey has been reading the bible with the girls before each meet, choosing verses to encourage, comfort and inspire them before they race. Last week's verse was Joshua 1:9...

Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.

He used this verse to encourage the girls to be confident - not fearful - before each race because God is always with them.

This week's verses were I Corinthians 15:57-58...

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Joey explained to the girls that while it's fun to race and get ribbons, that our true victory has already been accomplished through the death and resurection of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we've already won and we get to enjoy life, including healthy competition at swim team. He also told them that as Christians we should be steadfast and unmovable, trying to always do what God would have us to do (God's Work) and when we do that our efforts will not be in vain. At swim team that just means doing your very best and being a good sport and a kind friend. He wanted them to understand that competition can be fun and healthy, but that blue ribbons are not THE SIGN of victory or success in this life.

My Two Favorite Swimmers...they had a great meet last night, both improving their best freestyle times by about 9 seconds. Cassidy also improved her best backstroke time by about 6 seconds. It's amazing how strong they are getting in the water...which just makes playing at the pool all the more fun! :)

The girls had their own cheering section last night, including Grandma, cousin Jarrett, Gran and Mema!