Busy Weekend, Crazy Start To The Week!

Wait a minute...
Is it really Wednesday already?!? Consider this my mid-week update then, friends! The weekend that just passed was crazy busy which I'll tell you more about in a bit. It was followed by a crazy start to the week, with me being out-of-town on Tuesday. Hence, this is really the first day this week that I've been able to sit down and even consider a blog post.

So, we spent all day Saturday at the Qualifying Tournament for FIRST Lego League for our Region. Hubby and I coach our son's team. This is the first year for us to attempt FIRST's program. And, boy! True to its reputation, it's a lot of hard work!

My son and his teammate during the Robot Game where our robot failed to do anything significant!

The team presenting their Project - a handheld device for seniors called the SCA!

During the Awards and Closing Ceremonies

We faced many obstacles, few unknowns and some disappointments. We were literally "facing giants" --- as one of the parents so eloquently described our situation. We arrived at the tournament venue and quickly realized that we were up against some pretty tough competition: private schools with unlimited budgets {we're a public school with a very limited budget}, with years of experience {we have none!}, with ultra-knowledgeable coaches {certainly not hubby nor me}, teams who spent over 500 hours preparing for this {in comparison to our 50+ hours}! Giants, indeed!

We looked {and felt} mighty small and unqualified beside these giant teams. Plus, due to our lack of experience, we were unprepared for many things. The day progressed with small victories, here and there.

That one parent on our team further pointed out... when David was facing Goliath, all God asked him to bring were a few stones and his slingshot. So true, isn't it?!? Well, she and I both... we prayed hard, prayed that at least our team wouldn't be disappointed after all the hard work. I prayed that we would at least win the "Rising Star" rookie team award, or even the "Against All Odds" award which goes to a team that "improvises and overcomes a difficult situation while still making a respectable showing."

Well, a huge shock would soon confront us... in a good way! :-)

As one by one the winners were announced, our hope slipped away. We never heard our team number called... not for the "Rising Star" award, not even for the "Against All Odds" award. As participation medals were being handed out, they didn't even call us up! Being newbies, we didn't automatically know that this meant we were up for the BIG awards. We actually thought that they just missed calling up our team for the participation medals. We were going to just ask for our medals after the Closing Ceremonies were over.

I scan the kids' faces at this time, and I won't lie... they were pretty downcast and disappointed. I felt so very sad!

Then, it was time to announce the Champion Award recipients. In Third Place... and earning a spot at the Provincial Tournament, is Team 2260... Westcreek Einsteins!!!

Wow! I could not believe what I was hearing! I had to look around to see other people's reaction to make sure I did hear what I heard! The kids' faces all lit up with HUGE smiles... it was sooooo heart-warming to see! I just love it when the underdog wins, don't you?!?

Our prayers, our "five stones and slingshot"... they were truly all that we needed!

My boy posing with his medal and the team trophy!

So, that was Saturday! A pretty intense day, I must say.
Needless to say, the weekend quickly ran away from me with all that excitement. Monday was a blur... and Tuesday saw me and my girl driving out-of-town to visit the offices of Compassion Canada in London, Ontario... which is about 2.5 hours away from where we live.

My girl helping out in Compassion Canada's mail room! So much fun!

Friends, as I started out this week and inventoried the weekend's result and also what was in store for me this week... God allowed me to be keenly aware that no matter how "small" and "unqualified" we feel or think we are, He can always use us for His glory!

As I've been reading in a Christmas devotional called Joy! to your World! A Countdown to Christmas on YouVersion, I am encouraged and spurred on by Mary's example... she said, "May it be done to me according to your word. (Luke 1:38)"

Has God asked something difficult of you lately? How have you responded?

When God requires one of His children to lay down their will and their way for His best plan, often there is a struggle of the human will.

God is looking for... men and women who are willing to serve Him out of love. God is looking for those who willingly submit to His ways and plans simply because their heart completely belongs to Him. God desires men and women who will allow Him to interrupt their well-thought lives with His unbelievable plans!

"... May it be done to me according to your word." Is that the resolve of your heart as well?

As I continue to count grace-gifts, with unending thanks... to The One who helps us when we are facing giants... these are the things I am thankful for this week... #1679 - #1689:

:: An underdog win! So awesome!

:: His grace... allowing me to face giants without fear.

:: Grace changing my heart, warming it up to desire His will on a change that He is seemingly putting in my path.

:: Our whole family serving dinner to some under-privileged youth. 

:: My girl on a weekend retreat, team building with the group of youth that she will be serving with during this upcoming March Break. They are headed back to UrbanPromise Wilmington!

:: An awesome church family whom we feel right at home with.

:: Prayer support from our Home Church family.

:: Our Lead Pastor, who texts me with a prayer encouragement on Tuesday right before I step into a significant meeting.

:: Friends and family who support in prayer.

:: My girl... for her moral support & prayers! I learn lots from this incredible young lady... so thankful she's mine! :-)

:: His mercies, new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. He is enough!

Happy Wednesday, friends!
On this seemingly shortened week, this is my prayer:

When Christ is at the centre, when dishes, laundry, work, is my song of thanks to Him, joy rains. Passionately serving Christ alone makes us the loving servant to all. When the eyes of the heart focus on God and the hands on always washing the feet of Jesus alone, the bones, they sing joy, and the work returns to its purest state: eucharisteo. The work becomes worship, a liturgy of thankfulness.

~ Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.

Let's soar together, friends... let's do justice, love mercy and walk humbly!

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Compassion is a command, an act of worship, a song of thanks to Him.

Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God!