Congratulations, Alpha!

A Team's Alpha squad scored a personal high of 218/250. Congratulations Grant, Peter, James, Benjemin and Bryan! Grant scored a personal best of 49/50, Peter scored a personal best of 47/50, Bryan scored a personal best of 44/50, Benjemin scored a personal best of 40/50 and James scored a personal best of 38/50. Congratulations, Alpha!

Mark coached them up well!

AYSSP Tournament

This weekend we've been up and out early for our shooting teams' first tournament. A Team's juniors, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta shot first in the tournament yesterday and did a great job all around. Bravo shot 85, just 2 points under their team best, and when we left they were holding top spot. Charlie and Delta members shot well and several shooters shot personal bests. Congratulations to all our shooters!

Alpha, our senior team, will shoot today. The last two practices have been rigorous and these boys have really stepped it up and bonded as a team. I'll keep you posted with the results soon!

Mark and I have loved working with all these kids! They are all good kids and we're glad we've been able to get to know them and their parents better.

Next year we plan to shoot more tournaments throughout the year to give the teams more experience and practice. It's amazing to watch the progress made in just three short months! The kids are loving, not only shooting, but the friendships formed and grown. Mark and I are loving the way this sport includes the entire family!

Back in Our Happy Place

On top of the mountains,
Chilly and blue,
The Goff clan rejoices
As they take in the view.

We each have a favorite,
Place in our heart,
Of travels and adventures,
But right from the start.

Our hearts were knit,
Together with love,
For this majestic sport,
Whizzing downhill from above.

Who is the fastest,
Well, Grant wins that prize,
But Julia can jump,
Nearly sky high.

Kendall is graceful,
As in circles he spins,
While Quentin zips past,
And backwards he spins.

Mark is a jet,
I'm clean-up crew,
Every once in a while,
I have to pick up a few.

 But falls and spills,
Are part of the fun,
Thank you, Lord, for the joy,
Of such family fun!

Mother's Day

Today, in church, a video ran celebrating moms with crayon "kiddie" pics accompanying nice sayings about moms.  Some of the sayings were things such as:

You taught me how to love.
You wiped all my tears.
You always encouraged me.
You were always patient with me.
You were there for me.
etc...

As I was watching and thinking how nice it was, I began to think about the people around me.  I don't know them all, or even most, but what I do know is that with 300-500 people sitting around me, there is not only likely, but most definitely, several sitting in there who can't relate to that video.

Several souls never nurtured during childhood.
Several bodies never bandaged and kissed.
Several egos never encouraged.
Several hearts never comforted and made to feel loved.
Several with needs never met even by their own mothers.

What does a video like that mean to them?  Do they believe those things are possible?  Are they able to break this cycle and lovingly parent their own children today?

Where do these people learn to be patient?
To be loving?
To feel secure?
To comfort and care?
How do you learn to comfort, encourage, love?

This is no overnight lesson.  It takes years to learn these traits through examples.  My heart goes out to those who missed out on being mothered.  But never, for a moment, doubt the fact that our great God, healer of hearts, can and will heal the wounds created by the neglectful behavior of earthly men and women.  He can not only heal the wounds, but teach us to love like Jesus loved.  There's no need to pass that neglectful legacy on.  Seek Christ and ask Him to heal your wounds.