The world of Robotics (A Mothers Heat Part VI)

My son has been involved in the robotics program at Davidson High School for four years. It has been an interesting experience. First off I never knew that it was such an interesting competition. They create a company, market a robot that is designed to perform specific tasks; they design, create and build the robot.

Now, this year of course was special because it was the last year. You see my husband and I have helped in different ways throughout the past four years. Honestly I have considered these wonderful kids my children. We even joke about how during robotics I have around forty plus children.  This year there were a total of eight seniors on the team, for these eight they all wanted to end with a bang. In the four years that we have been involved with robotics these eight have experienced placing in the top three at both the local and regional level, but never a first place at both.

This year my husband and I had decided that we were going to be at both competitions to support our son and the team.

The Local Competition:

The team was so excited. They did such a wonderful and swept the competitions with an overall First place and first place in “Spirit and sportsmanship” which I might add they have never won. Now, spirit and sportsmanship was an award that my son really wanted the team to win and he was so very excited. As for me, I was so very proud of each of them.

After, the local win the team had just a few weeks to get ready for the regional level. Our team would work hard to prepare. After winning first place at the local level they wanted to do the same thing at the regional level.  So they prepare for Auburn.

The Regional Competition:

We traveled to Auburn University. The team set up the display and prepared. The competition was stiff and at the end of the day none of us were sure where our team would place. As the awards were called out we won several but it seemed as no one team was scoring in across the board in the different categories. So, it came down to the top award, the overall award. They called out the third place, then second place and our name was not called. Our team thought they did not place. Then the announcer called out Davidson High School as the “First place” winner. My kids did it for the first time for these wonderful seniors they brought home the first place trophy from local and regional robotics competition. They were so very excited.

I loved seeing my son’s face after four years the team ended on top. It was great.

As a mother there were times during these past four years that issues came up and to be honest I wanted to just jump in and fix the problem or issue. Now, mind you when it came to issues of design or math there was nothing I could do. As mother’s we all want to protect, defend and do something when there is an issue, truth is as difficult as it is we must allow our children to experience the difficult. Over these past four years I have had to allow him to experience defeat, and even experience failure not because I wanted to but because it would help him to grow. On the upside because both my husband and I were involved we were able to see him grow and experience victory. He and his other teammates experienced what teamwork, and hardwork can accomplish.

 

I’m Back

The past three weeks have both great and difficult all at the same time. First off I got sick, and for two weeks tried to cure it myself. Well, let me just say that did not work. I finally went to the doctor and was given a shot, a round of antibiotics and cough medicine. The physician told me I had bronchitis and a severe sinus infection. Now that was on Monday, on Wednesday I was offered a new position at work, which I excepted.

So, as you may have guessed, I have been dealing with sickness, I still have a small cough but feeling much better. I have also been training and getting use to my new position. Oh, let me also mention that my family and I are also helping our dear friends with a new church start. So, these reasons have been why I have not written in a few weeks.

Now that things have settled down I will be writing again and continuing with both of the series that I started, A Mother’s Heart and Insecurity.

So, look forward to another post this weekend.

Love and have missed you all.

My Best Gift Ever (A Mother’s Heart Part VII)

His first week home

Eighteen years ago today God blessed me and my husband with one of the best gift ever, my son.

I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. I was in labor off and on all day long. We ended up going to the hospital around 4 pm on February 11, 1994.  For what seem to me as a long time it was just me and Ron. Ron had been calling my mom who had gone to see the movie “Schindler’s list”. Therefore she got there around midnight but she did not miss much because my labor at that time was moving very slow. As you may have guessed it did pick up.

My son was born at 6:26 am on the morning of February 12, 1994. I recall the physician saying something and then I asked what she said. She then told me that there was a loose knot in his umbilical cord. For a moment I was concerned then she said don’t worry it was loose and he is fine. My husband then leaned down and began telling me how much he loved me then said “you did it baby you gave me a son”. I have always found that line so very funny considering that he was the one who decided the sex of our son. It was right after that my mom was standing at the door of the delivery room crying. She later told me that the song “You are so beautiful” was playing on the radio. It was truly one of the happiest days of my life.

Two days later on Valentine’s Day Ron and I brought home this beautiful baby boy 6lbs 12in and 191/2 inches long. I told Ron this is the best Valentine’s Day present that I will ever receive.  Now you know why I call him my heart, it is because it was the Valentine’s Day heart that I received in February 1994.

 

Today as I write this I look at my son and see a young man where my baby use to be and wonder where did the time go. I can hardly believe that it has been 18 years since God brought this wonderful young man into my life. I am truly blessed and honored to be his mother.

Son, you have and always will be my heart. I love you more than I ever thought I could love. I am so very proud of you. You are a wonderful young man with so much love and potential. I look forward to continuing to watch you grow. I am so glad that God gave me you. Love Mom

Mothers,

Treasure your babes they grow up so fast. Love your babes God entrusted them to your care and that is a true gift from God.

 

Are you ready to change (Insecurity Series Part 2)

Insecurity, you have to admit the word really does not even sound good. Insecurity also plagues many of us weather we want admit it or not. One of the main problems with insecurity is that it will continue to affect your life until you are ready to deal with and make the change from insecurity to security.

In Beth Moore’s book “So Long Insecurity” I find it very interesting that the title of the first chapter is “Mad Enough to Change”. In truth that is the truth until we get mad enough not to allow insecurity to run our life and change we will stay the same.  Now I have dealt with insecurity for a good portion of my life and over the years have dealt with pushed it down and then allowed it back in however, today I am ready to get rid of it for good, not just layers but for good.

For many women we try to find security in men. The problem is that our security in ourselves and in our womanhood cannot come from men. I love how Beth says it “Nothing is more baffling than our attempt to derive our womanhood from our men.” Men and women are different and handle their insecurities in different fashions, let’s face it women are typically more emotional than men. For many years I tried to find my security in men. My parents divorced when I was eight and to be honest for many years I lived in fear of my Dad mainly because during my parents’ marriage there were a lot of arguments. In fact, from an early age I learned to walk on egg shells. So, when I grew up and started dating I tried to find the security that I did not necessarily get in my childhood in the different relationships, which was a huge mistake. Ultimately this did nothing but cause my insecurity to be worse.

Now, please understand it is not just men that women try to find security in we also try to find it in those around us, like friendship. Friendships would be another area that I have tried to find security in. For me trying to find security in friends is setting that person and our self up for a fall, which can hurt or even ruin a friendship. I have some that have had to be restored and some that still lay in ruin. Insecurity hurts, it can hurt you and it can hurt others.

Now, I am going to write something that you will see written in this series many times. Our security needs to be grounded in Christ. If we are secure in Christ the rest will fall into place.

So, my question to you is this; are you ready to walk away and leave behind the stronghold of insecurity? Are you tired of it running your life? Understand these questions cannot be answered by anyone else other than you.

I look forward to your comments or questions.

Tracy

I have missed you

WOW, I have missed my bogging friends. I have been sick this week but am much better now. This weekend I will be posting a blog on Insecurity. So please stay turned.

Tracy

I’m tired of insecurity (Security Series)

One of my favorite Bible teachers and author is Beth Moore. She has written a book called “So Long Insecurity”, which happens to an issue that I have had to deal with all my life. So, when I decided to begin reading the book, I was not expecting that God would have me blog about this subject (at least not yet). But, here I am and I feel like that is exactly what God wants me to do.

I have really been hesitant about starting mainly because this is such a sensitive subject for me. For me I started out very young having security issues and it did not help that I carried it over into my adult life. Now, I would love to say that insecurity is completely behind me but it is not, it is something that I have continued to work through. The more I thought about me and the difficult time I have with insecurity I figured I am probably not alone. In fact I know that I am not. It also made me think of some questions.

Why do so many women have a difficult time with insecurity?

Why do we continually try to find security in so many different places?

Why do we tend to believe the world verses trusting that our security, worth and value should be found only in Christ?

I welcome all comments and look forward to you joining me on this journey. I don’t know about you but I am tired of insecurity. My desire is to draw closer to Christ and to be able to rest in the security that only Christ can provide.

Would you be willing to sacrifice?

The beginning of the year I started reading through the bible with a group of wonderful ladies. Last week one of my readings was Genesis 22, as I was reading this section just spoke to me and really made me think.

(Genesis 22:1-12 ESV)

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

This story in Genesis 22 about Abraham and Isaac has always been one of my very favorites. It is a true story of faith in the almighty God and knows that He will provide. When you read the story it amazes me how when the Lord cam to Abraham, told him to sacrifice his only son; Abraham set out to do it without question. Each time I read this passage it makes me think of the times when God wanted me to do something and instead of just doing it I question.

Now, Abraham was and still is considered a man of great faith. Even with a difficult request, he was faithful that God would provide. Look at verse 7, Isaac asks where is the offering; Abraham with tremendous faith says “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” That is and amazing sentence, because even though God had sent Abraham out to sacrifice his only son Abraham had faith that God would make the provision.

If God made provision for Abraham then, God who loved us so much that He sent His only son would make provision for us. When was the last time God asked you to sacrifice something? Did you do it without question, without pouting without hesitation? When was the last time God told you to do something and you just did it, having faith that if a provision was needed God would provide?

Would love your thoughts.

Tracy

Football Senior Night (A Mother’s Heart Part VI)

Now, my son is on the football team but not in the way you might think. Stefan is on the film crew. He has served on the film crew for 2 ½ years. So Stefan comes home and asked his dad and myself if we would like to escort him out onto the field senior night. You can probably guess the answer was yes. I was so excited, we were not sure if they were going to consider the film crew for senior night. In the past the film crew has not been included but Stefan has become close to the football team and the coaches. Funny thing is the D line otherwise known as the defensive line adopted Stefan as member.

That night……………

We got to the field around 5:30pm and we were escorted to the area where all the other parents were standing. We gathered with the parents of some of Stefan’s friends and of course starting talking about how none of could believe the kids were seniors.

As I stood there waiting I took a moment and just watched my son as he laughed with his friends. Two of them who have been friends since they were in the 3^rd grade were joking and playing around. For a moment they were little boys playing. Then I realized they were young men getting ready to start a new chapter of their lives.

That night I also prayed, Lord let me be like Mary after the birth of Jesus when she treasured up all those things and pondered them in her heart. I wanted to remember every moment and treasure them all.

They lined us up; the film crew was right behind the football players, then the mascots and cheerleaders. I found it amusing that Stefan, and two of his best friends were right together.

We need to pause a moment…..

In the ninth grade Stefan took a computer class (he ended up taking 2 classes) and his teacher was also the defensive line coach. It was this coach who introduced Stefan to filming. He also became a mentor and friend to my son. In fact every time I see him he tells me what a wonderful young man I have raised. He is one of those teachers that I am so thankful that has been in my son’s life.

Now back to our game night……….

When it was time for the ceremony to begin the other team members cleared the field with the coaches. The ceremony began and each seniors name was announced and they would say who was escorting them onto the field. The football team has a tradition after they walk through the color guard; each player shakes the head coaches hand then runs through the rest of the team. It is a way for the rest of the team to show there respect for the seniors, it is something the team has done for years.

As we walked down the field and the announcer called my son’s name, tears welled up in my eyes. I was and still am a proud mom of my young man. There we were the three of us dad on one side, my son in the middle, and me on the other side. In those moments I thought about when he was little how he would walk between us and my husband and I would hold his hands and swing him. I thought about his first day of school all those years ago. Our picture was then taken and we walked through the color guard. The principle was at the end he shook Stefan’s hand put a medallion around his neck and told us how proud he was of Stefan. At this point we thought that was the end.

The head coach then came up to Stefan told him what a great job he has done filming the football team. He then pointed over to the football team that were still lined up and said go ahead son run through your team they are waiting for you.  I wish you could have seen the look on my son’s face. You see in years past only the football team runs through the team this year the coaches and team wanted to include Stefan. He was ecstatic. As my son ran over to his team, I saw out of the corner of my eye, the coach (the one who has both mentored and been a friend) was moving from the side lines. He had been on the side lines to watch his boys walk and be honored. Now he was trying to get to Stefan. When he did he reached out and gave him a pat on the back. In that one moment I saw how much he cares for my son. It was amazing. Stefan ran through his team, as I watched I heard the team cheering him on and even calling him “shaggy”, one of the nick names the team calls him.

This night was everything I thought it would be and more. I was both exciting to me and difficult. It was an ending and yet a beginning. That is one thing I have been learning this year, his senior year. There have been many and will be many last times but there are also many firsts. While this was the last game for the seniors, it was also one of the first times the seniors were recognized.

Mothers remember to ponder each of those memories and treasure them in your heart.

2012 insights Video

My husband with the use of some interesting animal photos has created an interesting video. Click on the picture and it will take you to the video.

 

Feel free to share and leave comments.

Looking to the Past and Going Forward

It seems that every year around this time many of us are writing down our New Year resolutions. You know the things we did in years past that we no longer want to do in the up coming year or things we want to do better in the up coming year. I have done the same thing in years past, but three years ago I was challenged to do something different.

A few years ago my husband had stepped down from a position at a church and to say the least I was hurt and broken. Looking back now I had been in a difficult season in my life. I was depressed and felt as if the entire world was against me. I literally wore my hurt like a badge. I also felt as if I had no friends or at least no real friends. I felt abandoned. I thought I was alone but I was not God never left me. It was during this time that I realized in order to regain ground I was going to have to run to God with all my might. We started attending a church and little by little God was restoring me not back to where I was but rather to where He wanted me.

That December just a week before the new year the pastor preached a sermon that spoke directly to the part of me that was still hurting and in need of healing. I do not remember the entire sermon but what I do remember was this: “Don’t take the junk you are caring this year into the next.” For the next few days I just could not get that phrase out of my head. So I began to pray and just ask God what I needed to do.

Over the last few days of the year God began to reveal what I needed to do and that was to ask for forgiveness because I have been holding unforgiveness in my heart against some people. I kept hearing the question “Do you want to keep going like you are right now?” I was going to continue into this new year with unforgiveness and still broken. I then sat down at the computer and made  a list of those I needed to forgive and I wrote them a letter. I did not bring up what they did or how I was hurt I simply took responsibility for not forgiving. New’s Year’s Eve I put those letters in envelopes and put them in the mail box praying over them and then I released them and told the enemy that he no longer had a hold over me it was done. When I put them into the mail and walked away I felt lighter and better than I had in months. Now please understand in writing those letters it did not excuse what they did or did not do that is not what it was about, it had to do with me not them. God will deal with them but at that moment He, my Father was dealing with me and what I needed to do.

I learned a great deal from this difficult season in my life but what I remember each year around this time is the statement. I have no desire to take any of the junk from this year into next year. So you may ask how is that done.

1. Pray ask God if there is anything in your life that you need to let go of. Things like anger, bitterness, unforgiveness…….

2. Then ask God how He wants you to deal with it. For me it was writing a letter. For you it may be to go to that person.

3. Do what God says to do.

4. Remember you may or may not be received but you have to be obedient to God. I never heard back from the letters however one of those letters restored a friendship with a couple a year later.

I still make a new years resolution list(mainly because I just love a good list), but I also include doing a spiritual check to make sure that I am not taking any extra baggage into the New Year that is not welcome.