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!