Chronicle of a Trojan: 2014

Friday, October 10, 2014

Friday, October 3, 2014

#webelieve

It was a regular day a few weeks back when I found myself with some (rare) free time before school got out so I drove up a little early to watch our girls practice basketball. I sat quietly reading a book as they began scattering in and getting ready for practice. I asked a few of them about injuries and how they were doing and visited a little with some I've known most of my life who are like family, (and cannot believe are SENIORS!)

This team also has a handful of exchange students joining their ranks this year. It was fun watching them learn a game so many of us love.

After everyone got on the floor, the girls gathered and started their practice with this-

This picture features great kids from four countries preparing for another day on the court.

They gathered without fanfare and went about their usual business... which was to pray together before they began.

There were not hundreds of people sitting in the stands to witness their display of faith. Just one person they are used to seeing around. I put my book down as quickly as possible, wrestled my camera out and snapped this picture before they finished.

There is definitely something to be said for proud, public displays of faith. But there is even more to be said for gathering as individuals on a regular basis, to reach out to God with thanksgiving.

Maybe this is something that happens everywhere. I hope so. I can only speak for what I saw here and hope there are others to capture the actions of thousands of other kids worldwide, in increments of 20ish in this case, whose faith ranks as a high priority to them. There are subjective examples of evangelism, and there are individual examples. Around here, it's more of a hands-on kind of deal. Not to mention the idea of introducing our faith to a student from a different country who may not have ever had an introduction otherwise.

We all hear about the fear and dread of the future with the scary things that are happening in the world. I get that. I feel that fear also as a parent of young children. But seeing a group of kids gather, on their own, with or without fanfare and certainly without an authority figure directing their actions, and give thanks to God... well, that gives ME faith in our future.

I know of no perfect place. I know of no perfect people. I only know of flawed people who confess that they stumble and reach out to God as their guide. Hopefully they reach out with love. And sometimes, we are fortunate enough that they can, and do, also reach for each other.

If a basketball is a part of that process, why not?!

Yes, we are a "basketball school" in rural southwest Arkansas. It is far from all we are but it is certainly a part of us! We don't win them all but we work hard every year and usually, at the very least, give most folks a run for their money even if the scoreboard isn't in our favor at the end.

I am proud of this group of student athletes. They work hard on the court and in the classroom. They aren't perfect.

But they are thankful.

And so am I.

Everyone was not here the day I watched practice so a few team members are missing. I'm sure they'll show up in this blog during the season. :-)

Ashley

Kateřina

Maggie

Allison

Josie

Lauren

Megan

Morgan

Shannon

Star

Taylor

Cammie

Kacie

Kayla

Jaylin

Anna

pallacanestro, basketbal, บาสเก็ต, basket

Friday, September 5, 2014

2nd Annual Mrs. Madsen Exchange Welcome!

Lots of goings-on at Kirby School as the 2014-2015 heads into its fourth week!

Over 50 students have signed up to be on this years archery team!! Mrs. Wright is working hard to get everything ready with the much appreciated assistance of Sara McKinney! Archery update, with photos, coming soon!

Today, (Friday, Sept. 5,) Mrs. Linda Madsen held her 2nd Annual "Exchange Student Welcome" party in her classroom! Both years have featured a fun gathering complete with snacks, enjoyed by all! Below, are Ale, Nubia, Ashley and Miguel this time last year!

Exchange Student Welcome - 2013

* * * * *

Today's party was full of big smiles and lots of laughter! 12 countries worth, I believe! It is a wonderful thing to witness!! (Click on pictures to enlarge and right click to save!)

Welcome 2014-2015!

A sneak shot! :)

International Trojans pictured with Mrs. Madsen at left!

Cheesin'

:-)

Thursday, August 28, 2014

pallacanestro, baloncesto,篮球, บาสเก็ต... Basketball!

It has been a fun and interesting two weeks at Kirby school by all accounts!

Lais, (my awesome exchange student from Brazil,) just told me... the first week, she didn't want to go to school at all. The language barrier and everything... EVERYTHING, in English, was a challenge at first. And still is, truly. But, she finished the thought by saying, now she wants to go to school!! So the terrifying culture shock and newness is beginning to adjust for her, and hopefully all of our exchange students!

Last night, I read a post on Facebook written by Alex, the student living with the Foshee family. Of course, Google translate is really awful, according to Ale and Nubia, but I still enjoy reading our exchange students posts, choppy translator English or not!

Alex wrote about his first week, the classes he was taking and so forth. And then this, about basketball. (keep in mind Google translate is not very good!)

"Roh my God basketball! The level is monstrously high! Purer, everyone knows how to play basketball, girls as well as boys! And they are machines! Really I feel so little... and I will upgrade!"

You get the idea. :-) (I hope I don't embarrass him buy sharing his post. I love it!)

Each day, I pick up my daughter from her classroom and then drive over to the gym to pick up Lais. Usually we sit down and watch practice for about fifteen minutes before we head home.

It has been SO MUCH FUN to watch!!

It is no secret that I love to watch basketball. Especially our Trojans! This year, the bar is high, just as we hope it is every year, but it's also full of newness and camaraderie as our seasoned Trojans help our exchange students learn the ropes. They laugh and kid, they try to explain different drills to the new kids, etc., they run from one end to the other doing all the things that we all did at their age.... And this year, playing ball in our gym every day, are kids from six countries!! And that's just the boys team! (Girls team update later!) We have Alex from Belgium, Julian from Italy, Cale from China, Bill from Thailand, Marco from Spain, and our boys from Kirby, Arkansas, USA!

I've only been in the gym a few days a week for about fifteen minutes usually. But from last week til now, our exchange students have improved quickly!!

I love seeing the friendships and trust forming between these guys who have never known one another, and are from such different worlds, as they help each other while overcoming not one- not two- not three- not four- not five, BUT SIX(!) language barriers, and work every day to improve!! And while I'm sure it's been quite a distraction getting everyone acclimated to Kirby basketball in the first week, Marty sure smiles big when he talks about his new team members!

Well, you can't help but smile!

It's about more than a game that we admittedly, all love. It's about seeing friendships born on a basketball court and flourish through the joy and misery that is practicing basketball in 98 degree heat every afternoon! It's about hearing your local boys cheer on and encourage guys they've only known a couple weeks who can barely understand them! It's about the click, that happens when you *finally* know which direction you are supposed to be running at which time, or when that layup finally falls through the net.

This summer and this school year has brought with it, many challenges. Kirby families are hosting 16 exchange students and I feel confident in speaking for all when I say... we are all already attached!!

This year is something different at Kirby School.

Something awesome!

GO TROJANS!!!

Alex

Bill

Cale

Marco

Julian

Dawson

Clay

Joe

Trevor

Lee

Spencer

Lane

Carson

Brady

Shawn

Layton

Sam

Joseph

Logan

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Making the world a smaller place!

I am so enjoying see pictures and hearing stories! Think my favorite story so far is the continual disappearances of Cale! For a tall guy, he seems to be stealthy! LOL!

If I don't have pictures of your kids, tag me or send them to me! Would love to include everyone!