Proud of our Grandchildren

I am struggling with pride today. We had such a busy week filled with grandchildren's activities that my heart is just so full of love for them and pride for the successes they experienced. I know we aren't to be prideful. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18 NIV). But I thank God and I give God the glory for the way all things worked out for good.

Truly, God was with us all week long. Paige (17) started the week out by traveling to Wyoming to compete in the National High School FR Light Rifle Championship. She finished first in the Iowa competition and was 22nd in the national contest of about 130 competitors. She was disappointed because another shooter hit her target forcing her top score to be eliminated. But she gained valuable experience and had fun, too.

Graham (5) got to experience his first week of Vacation Bible School. He loved it and learned a lot about Jesus and God. He met a whole group of new children and made lots of new friends. On Thursday Calvin (16) was in the spotlight with his lambs at the Boone County Fair. He did an amazing job getting his sheep ready for the show and an excellent job of presenting them before the judge. He was named the elite sheep showman champion. Besides the many times he was in the ring with his own sheep, he also helped other FFA and 4-H members show when they had more than one in a class and with their pens of three. Because he had the champion ewe and champion market lambs he advanced to the Central Iowa Showdown on Sunday to compete against the champions from 10 area county fairs. He won the regional Commercial Ewe Lamb contest there.

Payton (11) got the attention on Sunday at the Polk County Fair. She, too, has worked hard all year with her lambs and has developed a tremendous knowledge of sheep and showmanship. For her small frame she has the skills to control lambs much heavier than she is and she is in demand to help other exhibitors with their sheep in the show ring. She had the champion commercial ewe and was named intermediate sheep showman champion, competing in a class with older youth because she won the junior showmanship honor last year.

Payton, Bailey and Graham all had fun in the county fair's mini tractor pull. It was hard work and they all got a ribbon for their efforts. Piper (3) wasn't old enough to compete in anything this year but she has developed a taste for the competition and participation that will be in her future. We are so blessed to have six grandchildren and are thankful we are close to them and able to watch many of their activities.

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children" (Proverbs 17:9 NIV).