Volleyball Ain't Just a Game!

Just a quick note to get you updated on what's going on in BEEEE-UUU-TEE-FUL Tennessee...

The weather starts out in the high 20's - low 30's each day --BRISK might too mild a word. Calling the wind "biting" might be too mild a word, too! But I'm not complaining. It's been bright sunshine and beautiful scenery.

Today was our first day of actual games. But since our first game wasn't until 2pm, we had a bit of free time this morning. We decided to take the girls to a nursing home in town to do a little something for someone besides ourselves. At first some of the girls were a bit skeptical about this activity. On the way to the nursing home, they practiced a few songs to sing. They are ALWAYS singing on the way to and from games...so this seemed a natural fit.

After arriving at the nursing home and making sure we would be welcome (of course we were welcomed with open arms!), the girls started out by visiting with a sweet lady that one of the girls knew. Seeing all eight girls packed into Mrs. Senter's half of the room was pretty interesting. But then... they started to sing and I stood mesmerized by the sweet sound and the look on their faces. It was amazing.

After singing a few songs for Mrs. Senter's and her insisting on hugging EVERY girl, we moved on to another room. As soon as we would finish in one room, the nurses and aides would hurry us to Mrs. So and So's room "who would really like to hear you sing." At each room, one or two of the girls would introduce themselves as a volleyball team from Florida who were playing in a tournament on the mountain. Then they would ask if they would mind if we sang for them. The residents were always enthusiastic and seemed to really enjoy each visit.

We were able to go from room to room for about an hour. When time was up and I had to insist on leaving (we HAD to go or miss our game!) the girls were disappointed. As we got back in the car, ALLLLLL the girls were so excited and were asking if we could do this again -- even when we got home! The girls were so warm and sweet to these people it was hard to keep from crying!

Yes, I know what some of you are thinking (as usual)..."Meggy-girl you cry ALLL the time anyway!" Well, let me tell you, the other mom with us was crying, too! It was so wonderful. I've never been more proud of those girls. It was a special time that I won't soon forget. I'm still crying just thinking about it!~

Now, for other news that is important...but in terms of God's world, not nearly as important as the start of our day...

We won all three of our matches today. We even won the match we played at 9:30 tonight! Personally, I think it's pretty rotten that they make these girls get up and have breakfast between 7am and 7:30am --then expect them to play volleyball that late at night! Our game didn't actually start until about 10pm. This is so hard on our girls, but we survived!

Winning all our matches seeded us #1 in our pool (or group for you non-team sport people). Tomorrow starts the actual tournament where we have to really buckle-down and play hard. It is a double-elimination tournament, so if we lose 2 matches, we're done and headed home. If we win both our matches tomorrow, we won't have to play again until Friday. But if we lose even one, we have to win a bunch more games in the Loser's Bracket before Friday in order to win the tournament.

Sounds complicated, but that's just because I write weird. Sorry...my brain has been up since 6am and it's after midnight...so I'm surprised I can type at all! But I just had to tell you about the nursing home. I'll have some pictures AND video when I get back home.

Please keep us in your prayers!


Stay tuned!

P.S. MamaWeso hasn't pushed me down any steps so far!

P.S.S. Hey Cousin Sue, the road up Dayton Mountain has a sign "Historic Trail of Tears" Ever been here? I'll have to look for more info to send along to you!