Swamp Visit

This morning we had to be at the Gainesville Rock Gym by 9 am for John-Thomas's first rock climbing competition. Brought snacks and drinks and my Northanger Abbey book to read but didn't remember the CAMERA. Fortunately the G.R.G. has lots of photos on their website. That place is incredible. The kids who climbed were unbelievable. I'm spent after 3 or 4 easy climbs and these kids climbed 8-10 hard climbs, sometimes falling over and over again and then succeeding. One kid not any bigger than Emmett struggled to get to the top and I had tears in my eyes when he made it, I watched the same kid another time and teared up a second time. God must feel that way when we are having a hard time and yet persevere.

I was supposed to watching my own kid and I was clapping and cheering on that other boy. Crazy. I only got nervous for my own son once but definitely felt his disappointment when in the end he was too tired to try anymore. 3 and 1/2 hrs of climbing is plenty. Several times my heart was racing like I was watching an intense movie. In the end he came in 5th. The other boy from our rock gym came in 7th so that tickled our son's mild competitive side. In three weeks there will be a competition at our gym, hopefully I will get some pictures then.