Fun at Tweetsie Railroad

Gator Tatoo

Jacob made an effort to scare away the Friendly Frogs last night.

Nap at the Pool

All this swimming will wear a girl out!

Waiting to Swim

It was fun to look over the deep well last night and see Jacob and Brooks sitting together, waiting for their next turn and watching their fellow GVP swimmers compete.

(I know the picture is small, but they're the two boys sitting along the edge.  B has his cap on.)

Father's Day at the Pool

Jensen Our Gymnast

Jensen wrapped up her semester of gymnastics this week.  For her final lesson yesterday, parents were permitted to be on the floor with the kids in lieu of having to be up on the viewing deck.  It was exciting to observe the things she could yesterday that weren't even being attempted several months ago.  Jensen has grown stronger and more confident through this experience.

Everybody gets a medal!!!

With her coach and fellow classmates...

Jensen's Big Decision

As Believers in Christ, Jennifer and I certainly hope and pray that each of our children will make a personal and life-long decision to follow Christ.  We've come to know that life with Him is the greatest choice we've each made.

Jacob insists that he invited Jesus into his heart one day while sitting in the back of our van driving down Bryan Blvd here in Greensboro a few years ago.  However, he didn't immediately tell us about his decision.  No problem.  It's his decision...between he and the Lord, but we didn't get to really celebrate with him in that moment. 

Jensen, always one to ask relatively deep questions, has been hinting at being on the verge of this life-giving decision for months.  Wanting her to make as independent a decision as a 5-year-old can make, we've not pushed her into a decision.  Rather, we've told her to wait until she's ready.  Several times she indicated she was going to wait until being 6 or 7. 

On Sunday night (June 3rd), Jennifer came out of the kids' bedroom commenting that, "Jensen is close to asking Jesus into her heart" .  (Often, Jennifer snuggles with Jensen after singing/praying during which time Jensen will fire off question after question.)  Sunday night was no different...except it was.

On Monday morning, Jensen woke up and was excited to inform Jennifer that she'd asked Jesus into her heart after Jennifer left the room the night before "while listening to Jacob breathe after he fell asleep".  I have this beautiful picture in my mind of what that looked like...Jensen staring up at the top bunk, Cinderella night light on, wheels turning in her mind, a heart opening up, nothing but the sound of Jacob falling off to sleep.  On a night that seemed like most every other, Jensen took the personal initiative to confess her sins, ask for forgiveness and invite her Savior to live in her heart.  I've got to believe there was a simple smile on her face as she rolled over and drifted off to sleep.  The Bible tells us there was celebrating in Heaven as her soul was saved.  I know that Jennifer and I have been celebrating in our hearts ever since.

Big 24 Hours for Jacob

Jacob has completed three memorable events in less than 20 hours.

First, on Tuesday evening, Jacob participated in his first swim meet.  I'm told 350 children ages 5-18 representing 2 pools competed meaning the streets surrounding our pool were packed full of mini-vans and full-size SUVs. 

Initially, Jacob was overwhelmed and apprehensive.  It's an intimidating sight for adults too!  Fortunately, he calmed his nerves and gave a great effort in the five different events to which he was assigned.  He even overcame having his goggles around his chin after diving in for one swim.  Our sense is that he started to catch the fever of competing both for his team and trying to improve his own personal best times.

After a late night and an early morning, Jacob was asked to lead his 1st grade peers with the Pledge of Allegiance, Cheetah Chant, School Pledge etc to kick off the end-of-year awards ceremony.  Sweet boy had to hold a microphone and everything.

Here he is welcoming the parents/guests in attendance (the first several rows were reserved for the students once they finished singing...I promise there were a few people there!)

Leading the Cheetah Chant...

Finally, today was also the talent show at school.  When Jacob first told us he was going to try out for the talent show we thought it was one of his infamous April Fools (May Fools) jokes.  However, he was serious and proceeded to earn a spot in the show by playing a stirring rendition of Yankee Doodle on the piano.

Either Jacob didn't understand or wasn't able to comprehend that the talent show was for the ENTIRE school.  Therefore, after figuring out today that he'd be playing in front of nearly 1,000 people, he got quite nervous.  However, what calmed his nerves was Jennifer's willingness to sit next to him while he played and he pulled it off!  I should clarify that for the entire hour he waited for his turn he knew Jennifer was going to sit with him.  There wasn't a "frozen" moment backstage or on stage.

Jacob had a piano recital several weeks ago with his fellow piano students, but the crowd was a much more manageable 100ish.  Today was an all new ballgame.  Despite his nerves, he's already announced he's going to try out again next year!  We'll see.

Jennifer commented that when Jacob's classmates saw that his nerves were starting to get the best of him while back in their classroom before the show, they were all very encouraging and supportive.  We're not surprised.  He's had a sweet group of classmates this year.  The girls always include Jensen when she's around for things and the boys all seem to look out for each other.  We've been thankful for that.

So after all this, I think Jacob is ready for his last day of school tomorrow!