Church Softball

This summer our church has joined a town softball league. That is the brief version. The extended version is that our family is part of it - Matthew, Zach, and I play on the team while Monica, Logan, Alana, and Jesse play on the sidelines. It's been quite a fun thing to be part of! While there have been some long practices the kids have handled the late nights very well. They entertain themselves and play with other kids that may be around or Monica takes them to the nearby playground and the have fun there. Initially our practices were COLD but now things have warmed up quite a bit and tomorrow morning we expect our practice to be the opposite end of the thermometer.

Matthew is one of the pitchers.Zach plays when he can but, like we explained to him, this is kind of like AWANA for the big kids so the younger (read smaller) guys are often the benchwarmers=) He can play just as good as the rest of us but is waiting for his size to catch up with his skill!

Zach and I are often in outfield....not always a lot of excitement out there....=)

More than the games, I enjoy the practices. One reason being that we haven't won a single game yet and some of the other teams can be VERY ANNOYING! Did I say that? I meant spiritually challenging for someone like me who doesn't have the 'turn the other cheek' thing mastered just yet. It's good for me....I guess. (*One of the reasons for our team is to be a testimony to all the others that are mainly made up of unsaved people. It's been a good means of contact.) But, another reason I enjoy the practices more is that it is a relaxed time with our friends and just enjoy our church family in a different setting that usual.

For example, Jenna=) Doesn't she have on a great shirt?

Here we are at one of our practices....lined up and batting off of Dale's homemade T's.

That week Logan was able to participate in the practice as well.

Anyway, as this will most likely continue all summer I may write more about it at another time. It really has been enjoyable....now if only we could WIN!

UPDATE ON JAMES:

Today James is having surgery on his internal defibrillator. The one that he has may be causing some of the problems he's had lately (passing out) and they hope to be able to 'patch' and fix any problems they may find. His memory seems to be improving slowly but is still a matter of prayer. As of a few days ago he did not even remember his father being with him in the hospital for the first few days after the accident. Thank you to those who faithfully ask and pray! James' mom is keeping us posted and each time we talk with her she mentions how grateful she is for the many people praying for her son.