Kenna Grace

Kenna in Musanze, Rwanda this summer

Remember 7th grade?  Remember the discomfort of social pressure and trying to fit in?  Well, Kenna is having somewhat of a challenging 7th grade start.  She has made some wonderful friends this year and is loving her teachers, but that pesky homework has been a hassle and has made for some intense conversations between the two of us.  All that to say...in church Sunday night she announced that she had forgotten to do a Power Point that was, of course, due the next morning!  Grrr... Thankfully, my sweet and wise friend Gracie (she has two children older than Kenna) just looked at me and bit her tongue.  This was her very gracious way of saying, "Lay off Gretchen!"  We ended our conversation and headed for home so Kenna could begin what would be a VERY long night for her.

In the car on the way home she casually mentioned, that she wasn't going to be able to finish a Spanish project that is due this week as well.  Although I wanted to rant, I remembered Gracie's advice, and simply asked why without any scolding and was overwhelmed by Kenna's response.

"Well, Mom, our teacher wanted us to build an altar to Pablo Picasso for the Day of the Dead celebration and I just heard God telling me not to do that.  I am only supposed to build an altar to Him.  So, I told my teacher how I felt and asked if I could complete an alternative assignment.  I talked with a friend and she felt the same way and was just waiting for someone else to stand with her so she wouldn't have to talk to the teacher alone.  My teacher said she respected my position and will get back to me."

Wow, I was completely challenged by the Holy Spirit in my almost 13 year old.  Since Kenna was little she has always had an unusual sensitivity to the Spirit and how often I miss this beauty within her as I battle to make her focus on the earthly rather than the eternal...  As a 7th grader I was so much more concerned with being liked and pleasing others than I was with pleasing my Father.  But not Kenna...this is the kid in Kindergarten who, when asked what she wanted for Christmas, responded with, "That all over the world everyone would ask Jesus in their heart."  She has also led two of her friends to Christ on the playground and is very committed to her dream of running an orphanage in Africa.  As much as it pains me to admit it, I think it will be much easier for Kenna to passionately follow whatever the Lord has for her than it will be for me to let her go....  I love you, Kenna, and am so inspired by your confidence and obedience to the Lord.

Life Lessons from Football

Today was the first round of football playoff action!  Kayla and Carver have been working since August 1st for this day and were both READY to play, but the day yielded unexpected life lessons.

Carver on the opposite side defensive end wearing the red long sleeve shirt.

Carver #39 on the left trying to keep his teammates from getting sick and trying not to throw up.

Carver's game was at 9:00 in Durango.  When we woke him up at 6:30, he started complaining that his stomach hurt and was moving very slowly.  Thinking he was nervous, we quickly started into our game day routine and music, but he still didn't eat very much and was moving very slowly.  He was pretty pale on the way to the game as Brett and I told him how even pros get pre-game jitters before big games and not to feel upset.  That was right before he asked Brett to pull over so he could vomit....poor guy!  After he got sick he felt much better and was ready to play.  Just after his first defensive series, I looked down the sideline only to see him throwing up again!  He played tons of minutes today, but unfortunately it was with much less spunk and intensity that usual.  Poor guy tried to stay as far as he could from the rest of his team on the sidelines so he wouldn't share anything.  Some of his coaches didn't know he was sick and were not impressed with his lack of energy, but I couldn't be more proud.  His team won 20-0 and Carver learned the important life lesson of supporting his team and giving his best even in less than perfect circumstances.  On to the Semi-finals next Saturday!!!

Kayla with the white long sleeves taking it to #77

Kayla's game was at 3:00 in Cortez.  Unfortunately her team lost their game in the last 2 minutes with an interception and a touchdown.  It was heartbreaking!   She was not the only player sobbing after the game.  They played soooo hard today and she desperately wanted to play in the Super Bowl this year.  They lost the first round of the playoffs last year as well which made today even more difficult.  She just kept saying, "I just wanted this game so badly today."  As she was crying and following her usual routine of telling her coaches thank you after the game,  I have to admit I was crying too hard to join her in thanking them.  It is just do hard to have such an abrupt ending to a season.  Needless to say, it was a very long drive back from Cortez...

Kayla to the right of #79 in the white long sleeves, firing off the line

 

Kayla absolutely loves the game of football.  I asked her one day why she plays football and she said, "Because it is hard and always challenges me.  I really love the challenge and I really love the game."  She HAS worked hard this season.  She played offensive tackle and guard this year and it was harder than last year.  She had to change her stance this year to compensate for growing about 5 inches from last year to this year and to help her change her center of gravity. 

Kayla's game face from the Pagosa game

On the way home she set her goal for next season.  She wants to play a very crucial defensive spot that will require lots of off season training and has decided to adopt a Tim Tebow quote as her mantra for the off season, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."  She has decided she now hates the number 19 (19 seconds were left in the game when Aztec scored their touchdown...) and has decided 19 will be her rep number for her workouts and her motivation for this off season.  I can't wait to see her reach her goal in August!

So we finished the day with triumph and loss, but are very grateful for the opportunity to play the game of football. 

Kenna Finishes Strong

Kenna #24 and her team finishing their season

Kenna finished her first volleyball season last Tuesday with a Pink Digs for the Cure game.  Hers was the only local middle school team participating in event in conjunction with Durango and Ignacio High Schools and Fort Lewis College.  She was really excited to play in this event.  Each girl dedicated their play to someone and Kenna dedicated her game to "her Granddaddy who died last year from leukemia."

Kenna's volleyball season was terrific!  I was so proud of her dedication and determination.  Never once did I have to wake her for her 6:30am practices and she never complained about getting up so early!  She was very concerned about keeping her grades up with the extra time for volleyball, but she has done beautifully.  She worked hard and showed great improvement and is very eager to play again next year.  She really loved being part of a team sport and made several new friends.  They finished the season with 7 wins and 3 losses. She has made big plans to train in her off season!

Kenna we are so proud that you played hard and finished strong!

Carver's Song

Isn't it amazing how the Lord will speak is such precious ways?  Yesterday my college friend, Beth passed away after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.  She was diagnosed last October.  She literally thought she had a problem with her gall bladder when she went to the doctor only to learn it was not so.  This vibrant and beautiful mother of two served passionately as the Children's Minister at First Baptist Church in Kaufman.  She was 37.  I have literally thought and prayed for them all week this week and came home from a date with Kayla last night to learn she had passed into glory.  Brett, Kenna and Carver are in Crested Butte for a wedding, so Kayla held me while I cried and cried.  So precious!

This morning I woke up still trying to make sense of why she would be taken to heaven and leave behind a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.  How I have been praying for them!  I was still very heavy hearted when I walked into Carver's room to gather his laundry and take it downstairs.  I knew I needed to make a menu/grocery list and picked up his old writing journal from last year at school to use his empty pages.  As I flipped through to find an empty page I made a precious discovery...  He wrote this "song" last year in school and this morning God spoke so beautifully to me through it that I cried all over again.   I wish I could share it in his own handwriting but I will share his spelling.  He titled it Carver's Song:

"Own my God is Asown.  I will allwase follow him and wotever I do I hope it pleses him.  God I hope one day I will lead peaple to you Lord.  I promise you I will"

So grateful to serve a mighty Father who will gently speak His peace and love to my heart just when I need it.  By the way, here is the author as #39 serving as team captain last week calling the toss for overtime.

The First Two Weeks of School

The first day of school!  4th, 5th and 7th grades

Well, we successfully completed the first two weeks of school and I can honestly say I am SOOO thankfully for the day off tomorrow!  Everyone is off to a super start!  Our new schedule is definitely challenging, but we are all learning how to successfully plan a head!

  Kenna is playing volleyball!  She LOVES it and I am so proud of her!  She scored a point in her first game and no one was as surprised as she was:)!  Her team practices at 6:30am on Monday and Wednesday.  That means that we ALL leave the house at 6:00am to take her to practice and we enjoy a delightful breakfast in the car:).  Then Carver, Kayla and I go to my school and work until 7:15 when I drive them to their school.  Kenna is having so much fun that it is worth all the extra planning.

Kayla and Carver are once again LOVING football this year!  They practice on - you guessed it - Mondays and Wednesdays until 7:30pm.  Obviously those days are LONG, but we sure sleep well:)! 

My three favorite athletes!

Carver (in the white on the left) as team captain.

Kayla second on the line and ready for action

My new class of students are super sweet!  We are having a great time getting to know each other.  We have a brand new literacy curriculum that is making me put in lots of weekend hours getting ready for the week.  Needless to say, Happy Labor Day!

The Football Season Begins

Carver #39 at fullback for the Durango Colts

Third from the end on the left.  Her ponytail helps find her on the field!

#52 on the Durango Falcons during pre-game warm ups.

Yesterday we had the first two games of the football season!  Kayla's team played in Farmington, New Mexico and it was HOT!!!  (Yes, I know you Texans are now laughing at me, but remember we have -16 degree days in the winter.)  Kayla played offensive guard and tackle on the strong side of the line.  She did really well and loved having a year of experience behind her.  She has grown A LOT this year and is about the third tallest on the team.  She loves her team and her coaches and absolutely LOVES playing football.  Her team won 33-0!

Getting ready for the game!

Carver's team played here in Durango.  He has been SO nervous playing fullback this year that he almost threw up yesterday morning!  We have been drilling all of his fullback plays to build confidence that he knows exactly what to do.  He is also the backup quarterback and starting defensive end.  He has been so nervous about fullback plays that he didn't want to practice quarterback plays this week.  Ironically the starter got hurt and Carver's "deer in the headlights" look was classic when they called his name to play QB!  He played fullback really well and advanced the ball each time he carried it and even got a first down!  He had several great tackles on defense and even one QB sack!  His team won 18-2!

Carver standing at defensive end on the end of the line.

Kenna was a terrific big sister fan and tries out for 7th grade volleyball tomorrow!  We have skills to work on before next game, but it was a great day! 

Handies Peak - Our First 14er

Our whole family at the trailhead

Along the trail with Mallory and Kayla

View of Sloan Lake from the summit of Handies Peak 

Brett soaking up the summit

 

Celebrating with Mallory

I will be the first to admit that I am terrified of heights.  This fear becomes nearly paralyzing when my children are close to edge of a giant precipice or cliff.  I get so caught up in the "what could happen" moments that I have missed a lot of beautiful memories and scenery as a prisoner of my fear....well not anymore!  When we moved to Colorado three years ago I discovered that many of our friends were passionate 14er climbers.  I didn't even know what a 14er was!  14ers are mountains that are over 14,000 feet above sea level in elevation and there are 54, yes 54, in Colorado.

This past Saturday we climbed our first one!  We climbed Handies Peak just west of Lake City.  It was AMAZING!  The trail was 5.5 miles long and climbed 2,500 feet in elevation - relatively easy by 14er standards.  Our friend Valerie even said it is so easy her six year old could climb it!  Well, Brett, Kayla, my niece Mallory and I may have taken a LONG time, but we did it!  The views were breathtaking, the flowers were beautiful and the weather was perfect.  It was great!  Along the way Kayla saw her music teacher from school.  I visited with a dear friend who teaches Kindergarten at my school, and we descended with a family who has come to our church many times!  It was a real treat to stop and visit with so many familiar faces.  Towards the top my old fears crept up and I thought I would not make it, but Brett came down, took my hand and told me we were in it together and we made it to the top!  This was such an incredible moment for me!  No longer living in fear, but embracing all the Lord has for me.  I will definitely be chewing on the lessons learned from Handies for a long time.  Isn't that just like God to graciously teach me there is so much more to life when I just let go and trust?

The cousins who have been mistaken for sisters:  Kayla and Mallory

The girls on the summit

I am SOOOO proud of Mallory and Kayla!!!  Mallory runs cross country for her middle school in Texas and I think her coach will be very proud of her off-season training:)!  Kayla has definitely gotten the climbing bug.  In the past three weeks, she and Brett have summitted Kendall Mountain (13,066), Engineer Mountain (12,927) and Handies Peak (14,058).  Of my children, Kayla wanted to move to Colorado the least, so it THRILLS my soul to watch her embrace hiking and climbing with such joy.  And I can honestly admit, I didn't freak out when she walked right over to the edge and looked down:).  What an amazing day to discover what joy awaits when we surrender our fears and live in the abundant life promised to us in Christ.

Camping with the Gallahers

Jacie and Otto sharing breakfast

Christy and Riley at the campsite

Carver on the hike

Mallory and Kenna

All the Gallaher grandkids

My brother is here!  Otto, Christy and their girls Mallory, Riley and Jacie came up last week for a great vacation!  We LOVE them and have really cherished every moment with them.  They left to visit friends in the northern part of the state and will come back through Durango on their way back to Texas.  We had the chance to camp and hike with them and even share our first 14er summit with them!  Such a treat!  The kids love playing together and the chance to visit and connect as adults is absolutely precious and invaluable.  We love them SOOOO much!  Here are some shots from our camping trip and hiking excursion.  We can't wait for them to come back and sure wish they would live closer:)!  I cannot express how thankful I am that although we are family, we are really, really close friends.  Having my brother as one of my very closest friends is a gift for which I am eternally grateful...

The Climbers at the Summit!

Brett and Kayla on the Summit of Engineer Mountain

Thank you, Granddad

We love you, Granddad!

One year ago today, Brett's dad, passed away. Avery was a man of great personality, passion and love of the Lord. He had an amazing sense of adventure and independence which he passed on to all five of his children. After his passing, we found about 20 hats from his extensive travels from all over the world. We decided these must have been given to him, but we had a blast trying them on and laughing together! All of us decided to take one of Granddaddy's hats and wear them in his honor on our adventures. So today, Brett and Kayla honored you, Granddad. Thank you for the sense of joy and adventure you placed in all of us. We love and miss you today and every day.

Kayla, My Hero

Kayla on the summit of Engineer Mountain

Today, Kayla and Brett worked VERY hard to summit Engineer Mountain! Engineer is just under 13,000 feet and is not an easy climb! We all headed up, but only Brett and Kayla made the summit. I am so proud of her adventurous spirit and bravery! Thankfully, she did not inherit her mother's fear of heights... She built a karin on the top and they quickly headed down to beat a thunderstorm. Thankfully they avoided the lightning, but got absolutely drenched before they returned to the car. Kenna, Carver and I knew the rain was coming and hoofed it back down the mountain to wait for them at the car. So proud of this 10 year old! I know the Lord has incredible things planned for her confidence and love of adventure!

Visit with the West Family

Loved our time with you Carmen!

Carmen, Derek, Cole and Caroline West

Kenna and "Hollywood"

Showing Cole the beaver lodges on the way to Spud Lake

Last week one of my very best friends from college, Carmen Turner West, came with her family to visit us.  Carmen and I were in each others weddings and have many, many memories together.  We had such a great visit!  It was such a treat to pick up right where we left off from the last time we were together.  I LOVE friendships like that!  It is as though no time had passed at all...ok, except our children are much older than the last time we were together!  Carver was thrilled to play with her son, Cole, and my girls LOVED entertaining Miss Caroline.  Brett loved getting to show Derek around the mountains around Silverton after they rode the train.  I just loved all the chances to visit and catch up with Carmen and her world.  What a treat to share where we live with dear friends!  Thank you for coming up, West family!!

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

Carver and Kayla got their pads and helmets yesterday!  They are VERY excited for this season and have already been working out in preparation for a great year.  As soon as they got home, they were on the trampoline tackling each other.  Practice starts August 1st and they are FIRED UP!

Go Team Rwanda!

My friend Fasoul and his homemade soccer ball

In Rwanda, soccer is everywhere and kids will play with anything that they can fabricate into a soccer ball.  Logan, one of the guys with us, loved playing with both the students at the preschool and the street boys on Saturday morning.  The street boys were very fast and the game was INTENSE!  On our drive to Lake Kivu we passed several organized games happening on Sunday afternoon.  The significance of all this soccer became very real for me one night as I sat at the La Palm Hotel sipping a Fanta and waiting for the wi-fi to work...

On the television that night was a show interviewing South African dignitaries as they left a movie all about the 2010 World Cup.  The leaders were leaving the movie in tears!  One after one they shared how watching it all again made them swell with pride.  One leader actually said, "We have successfully rebranded South Africa."  In other words, no longer will they be identified by Apartied, but now as a country who hosted the world with poise, grace and celebration.  Truly, all of Africa celebrated as a continent last summer that for the first time they were found worthy host the cup.  For all people of the world national pride is important!

The street boy game in action

Although Rwanda didn't qualify for the 2010 World Cup and only sent four Olympians to Beijing in 2008, they are passionately working to compete with the best in the world.  We were able to see this first hand...

The Rwandan National Cycling Team

 

 

We stayed in the home of the first ever Rwandan National Cycling Team!  These guys are learning English in order to train more efficiently outside of Rwanda.  They are the real deal!  They left just before we did to travel to Brazil to participate in the Tour do Rio on July 27th.  They were very excited to share that they were the only team from Africa competing!  Their coach is American Jock Boyer.  He was the first American in the 1980s to compete in the Tour de France and his historic Ironhorse win set a record that lasted for 16 years!  He was so proud of his team and the gains they are making to make Rwanda proud. 

You can be part of thier journey and success!  Like Team Rwanda on Facebook, log onto teamrwandacycling.org to get to know the riders or even order some VERY cool cycling gear, or check out the Project Rwanda Coffee Bike at projectrwanda.org. For a country who lost numerous athletes and its entire sports program just 17 years ago in the genocide,  let's help them rebrand Rwanda as a country of world class cyclists!

Go Team Rwanda!!!

The Cultural Village

We created quite a stir!  Such wonderful smiles!

Our group in front of the King's house.  Notice Brett and I are dressed as King and Queen!

Rwanda is a beautiful country!  The volcanoes around Musanze are home to the famed mountain gorillas where Dian Fossey conducted her research in the 1970s and inspired the movie "Gorillas in the Mist."  Because they are endangered, these gorillas may not be legally hunted.  The gorillas can be found in Rwanda and in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Wisely, Rwanda has created ways to help the people who would be poaching the animals create a living.  With the surge of ecotourism, people may now go gorilla trekking to see these magnificent creatures in the wild.  Unfortunately with a cost of $500 US per person, we did not go gorilla trekking.  However, we did support the conservation of these incredible creatures through a visit to the cultural village. 

The visit was fantastic!  We were greeting with dancers in their native dress singing and dancing a welcome to us.  The village is designed to represent life in the 15th and 16th century.  After the dancers were finished with their welcome, out terrific guide showed us the King's house (Brett was chosen as King), the medicine man, and how to shoot a bow and arrow.  We finished with more dancing and we were asked to join in the fun.  We were also able to purchase items from a gift area that were made by former poachers.  We even were joined by a delightful couple who were spending the night at the village.  They were from the Japanese tourism board and were learning all about ecotourism options.  Unfortunately, it got dark and we had to head to our guest house.  It was definitely a wonderful visit!

Our Welcome

 

 

 

 

Amazing view of the volcanoes