A New Year, A New Sport

As you know, Leyden tried out for the JV cheerleading squad at her school, but didn't make it. It was a hard blow for her, because cheering is all she's ever really wanted to do, but she has held her chin up and set her sights on new things... like JV volleyball.

Leyden has only played volleyball at PE during school, so she's not an all-star or anything, but she has a great attitude and a lot of team spirit. She's pretty athletic, so we're optimistic that the skills of the game will come to her quickly. The JV team practiced for two weeks before school started, and they have practiced every day after school so far. Coach A has told us that the girls are doing very well in practice and are learning a lot.

Every fall, at the beginning of the school year, the Booster Club hosts a Fall Sports Introductory Supper, where all the players of fall sports (cheerleading, football, and volleyball) are introduced. We've spent the past three years watching Leyden perform a cheerleading routine with the Termite and PeeWee cheerleading squads, so this year was going to be a little different.

Leyden sat with the other volleyball players, looking cute in their matching shirts. (Leyden's on the front row, the last green-shirt on the right.)

And when Coach A called up the 7th graders, Leyden and her friends lined up side by side, looking like old pros. (Leyden is fifth from the right.)

There are 20 players on the JV volleyball team, which is a LOT since only six players are on the court at a time, but we're going into this knowing that Leyden will not be playing very much this year. The important thing to me is that Leyden has a team to be part of, whether she actually plays or not. Like I said before, she's got a lot of team spirit, and she's an encourager. She's a team player in every sense of the word - willing to sit the bench if it means the team stands a better chance of winning. Leyden realizes that 7th graders don't get a lot of playing time, and she realizes that the players on the court need her support. I think that takes a lot of maturity, and I'm proud of her for taking all of this in stride. I was a proud mama to see my baby line up with all those other girls, knowing that volleyball is a fun sport and we're going to have a lot of good times cheering on her team this fall. After the team was introduced, they all took their seats, and my it made my heart smile to see Leyden sitting at the feet of girls who have been her friends for as long as we can remember.

God knows what He is doing, and when things don't turn out quite the way we wanted, there is a reason. God surrounds us in His love every day, and while we don't always see it, He looks out for us and gives us the friends we need. That picture of Leyden surrounded by her friends is like a promise from God... no matter what happens, Leyden will always have friends that love her.

I am grateful for the blessings that God has showered on our family. He has always given us the means to take lemons and make a big 'ole jug of lemonade! This is going to be an exciting year, learning a new game and new rules, surrounded by familiar friends and cheering on our COLTS!