Last Saturday was a big day for our two oldest swimmers, as they celebrated the end of the swim season and their first year as Swim Team members. The local YMCA offers swimming classes, and (for those who take it a bit more seriously) a swim team, separated into A, B and C sub-teams. Joshua started in November, as a ‘B’ team swimmer, and Rachel followed in December, qualifying for ‘C’ team.
Rachel found swim team to be very challenging at first, but has overcome, and now enjoys it.
The Swim Team Sleepover was held at the Y, and included a meal, an award ceremony, and many games and activities. Kathy and the older two stayed until midnight, while the younger three and I made our exit after the ceremony (and the meal).
Joshua nearly had to go down on one knee to receive his medal. He towers over the landscape, these days.
Joshua and Rachel were both honored with medals for participation, and Joshua was given the ‘Golden Goggles Award’ for being the ‘Best Male All-Round Swimmer’. As the coach commented, Joshua’s discipline, commitment and willingness to give 100% at practices, distinguished him among the others and he was singled out for the coveted Golden Goggle award.
As it turned out, the ‘gold’ was spray paint, but this award is none-the-less cherished.
I was very proud of him, and of the significant effort he has invested into the team, with three weeknight practices each week, and additional swimming time on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Joshua and Rachel have both worked hard to improve their swimming skills and physical fitness, and they are an inspiration to their parents in the areas of discipline and ‘stick-to-it-iveness’.
Earlier that same day, Joshua played the role of Duke Orsino in an adaptation of Twelfth Night, performed by a group of players from our homeschool co-op. As he rattled off line after line of Shakespearean verse, I couldn’t help wonder to myself: “Where did this versatile man-child come from?”
I remember when this boy was a pipsqueak. Now he gathers honor by the bushel.
Kathy and I shake our heads a lot, watching our children surpass us in a variety of ways. “I didn’t teach them that,” I’ll confide to Kathy. “Me neither,” she’ll agree. But for all their discipline and accomplishments, I think the thing that makes me proudest is that each of my children, to one extent or another, has given their heart to Jesus and is working hard to be a worthy and devoted disciple.
As the apostle John said in his third letter: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ”
Beautiful blog, dear Timothy. You have a right to be proud and grateful!! I love your kids, too. And their dad and mom.
Love, Aunt Kate
Amen! We also watch in wonder as our progeny surpass us, and I think, “God has done this, that we may know He is the Lord.” When we do even our feeble part trying to obey Him, He does so much more in His good grace, blessing us so far beyond what we have earned. How cool.
Not only am I impressed by Joshua’s accomplishments, but I am also quite fond of his name. Don’t tell me my little Joshua will grow that fast! Congrats.
Congrats! It’s wonderful to watch your children grow in to such wonderful young adults. You should both be very proud.
It’s so great to see how the seeds we plant in our children sprout and bloom into something that only God could create. Congratulations!
Congrats to both Rachel and Joshua on their accomplishments.
** I think the thing that makes me proudest is that each of my children, to one extent or another, has given their heart to Jesus and is working hard to be a worthy and devoted disciple. **
Yes, there is simply no other that I’ve found that has caused such humble gratefulness and elation than to see the kids follow God wholeheartedly. Thanks for the great post, Tim.
I do feel the same way as i watch my children grow up. Ahhh how I love swimming so much. Don’t you just find it so relaxing. Everyone should learn how to swim. If not you might want to consider taking swimming classes.
Congrats! We had a proud parent moment a few weeks ago when our oldest was given the opportunity to lead the congregation in a few worship songs at all 3 services. It was VERY HUMBLING indeed to see her all growing in the gifts and talents the Lord has given her and to think.. hmmmm…. how did this all happen, we didn’t even know she would sing and didn’t even think to have her take voice lessons…