Basketball

The girls played basketball for the first time this winter and have had a great season!  They were able to be on the same team, which we were very thankful for!  They had one practice a week and one game a week from December through February.  We saw improvement in their basketball skills and enjoyed seeing them work together with their teammates.  

This was the practice before their first game, when they got their jerseys.  They were so excited!  Bert, Claire, Abby and I would walk on the walking track above the court while they practiced.  We could watch them, but also enjoy talking and getting some exercise.  

Emily asked me before their first game....

"Mom, when we play basketball are we going to be on TV??"

We actually played for the church where our girls go to preschool since our church doesn't have a team.  It was fun to see some kids that we know from there.  

Their friend Waylon, who goes to MCBC with us, was on their team too.  He and Hannah are the same age.  

Emily getting a little Daddy coaching at half time.  

After each game they circled up and prayed together.  

Mimi and Papa got to come to a game and E and H loved having them there.  Papa took off work just to be there...that's true love!  

Towards the end of their last game their coach ask the ref if he would hold Hannah up so that she could make a basket.  He did and I was so excited I was able to get a picture of it (Bert wasn't able to be at this game because he was at a conference).  Both teams cheered and clapped after she made the basket and Hannah was smiling so big as she was running back down the court I thought she might burst.  It was precious.  

After each practice their coach would have them sit down and he'd take a few minutes just talk to them. They would take prayer requests and talk about different things, but everything he said to them was very gospel-centered.  

We were in the car yesterday and Hannah said out of the blue "Whatever you do, do it for God's glory!!"  I asked her where she learned that verse and she said "from my basketball coach."  We're thankful he took time to teach them about basketball and the Word.  

The girls received their first trophy and their were soooo proud of it.  They kept saying...."it's gold, it's real gold!"  

It's been a really fun season cheering on our big girls!  And they may not have been on TV, but we couldn't have been more proud of them if they were!  :)