Today is our last day to prep for Jake's first speech tournament.

The title of his speech is the same as the title

of this post.

He is an artist.

I know I brag tons on this blog about Calli because our

interests are so similar. She's like a little me around here, 

only

 she is MUCH nicer! 

Sometimes I pray that I will become more like her.

She really is one of the most precious people I've ever met

and proof that you do your best to raise your kids,

but God's graciousness completely overrides our best attempts,

meaning I can't claim credit for how sweet and delightful she is.

However, today I am going to brag about my boy.

I adore him.

He is an artist, an artist, and an artist.

He is technical, skilled and some of the most amazing things 

that he does are completely self taught.

He is allowing himself to be stretched in this speech club

and especially by rising to the challenge 

of this extra-early-in-the-season qualifier tournament.

As he ran through his speech a final time before bed,

I saw in his eyes the light, wonder and pride of workmanship-

because he knew that he rocked it.

You see,

drawing, sculpting, and composition 

come naturally to him-

almost easily

and he is impressive.

But speech, performing, and competing

do NOT come naturally

and he felt the feeling you feel

when you did something hard

and did it well.

Brag. Brag. Brag.

Naturally, this reminds me that this is the kind of 

growth and character development

that I want to continue to experience in my own life.

I want to do some hard things too.

 I want to sign up for another half marathon.

I want to train consistently.

I want to make my Weight Watcher goal.

I want to take some more mission trips.

And a long list of personal things that I'd like to do even better.

We all have them.

So Jake's speech reminds me that one thing at a time,

with focus and discipline,

the help and coaching from those who love me,

and 

practice practice practice,

that we can accomplish super hard things.
A big cheer for all the students in Jake's speech club,
best wishes, big prayers for an awesome first tournament.

Have a happy Friday everyone

and 

a big cheer for you and the super hard things

you're working on!