Seriously, so blessed!

This morning, before work, I stopped at the Starbucks store in our building to get a breakfast sandwich. I have a Starbucks ‘Gold Card’ which has stored value on it that I use for purchases. I got my sandwich and then went to get on the elevator to go to my floor. When I was putting my Gold Card back in my wallet, I realized that my Bus pass was not in my wallet! This is an annual pass worth $990. After a panicked search and rifling through my pockets and wallet, it was nowhere to be found. I quickly retraced my steps, looking all around on the floor in the store. I started to feel sick about having to replace it. After a fruitless triple-check through my pockets and wallet, I decided to keep going to my office. While riding the elevator up, I started having that ‘Kurushii toki kamidanomi’ feeling (English translation: In times of need, call on God.) At first, I was having the ‘Why Me?’ whine-fest. I was complaining internally that I have been paying our tithing, I dont need this right now as we are saving up for the Disneyland trip, etc. Then, as I arrived at my floor, and tried to compose my emotions, I said a more thoughtful prayer. I had a calm feeling come over me as I was prompted that I should return down to the store on the first floor and a confirmation that I would find the pass down there. Pushing out the feelings of doubt that I would just be disappointed, I followed the impression. When I got back down there, there were at least 10 people waiting in line for their coffee. I got back in line, waited as patiently as I could for my turn, and finally made it back to the front of the line. There was one more person in front of me. I was still scanning the floor and the area all around when I looked on top of one of the cash registers. There, set to one side was an annual bus pass just sitting there waiting for me. It was for the $2.50 fare that I pay, and I knew it was mine. It was all I could do to resist grabbing it and running off gratefully. I waited my turn and told the barista I had dropped my bus pass. She knew right where it was and quickly handed it to me. I am so thankful to the good Samaritan who turned it in. It would have been so easy to take it and resell it for a lot of money. Its nice to have continued hope in the goodness of mankind. It is also nice to know that the Spirit will guide you in times of need and trials. I know God answers our heartfelt prayers!

Even more Mojo

Last night, after soccer practice, Austin had a recorder concert at his school. He changed out of his soccer gear in the back seat and into his suit. We got there and saw that he was definitely the best-dressed boy in the event. :) There were about 175 kids in the concert from grades 3,4 and 5. The music teacher, Mr. Garcia, has a program called ‘Recorder Karate’. It bases the kids skill level on how difficult the songs are to pass off. I think there are about 10 levels that the kids can pass off. Austin is up to a 1st degree black belt, and played ‘Ode to Joy’  There were only three other kids in the school, (fifth graders) who had passed off a higher level. Austin is so dedicated and determined that he can do anything he sets his mind to.

Austin even got a nice intro from Mr Garcia. He introduced him and told everyone that Austin was amazing as he is the only 3rd grader to have passed off that high of a level. It turned out there were no other kids that had passed off the black belt, so during the concert, Austin ended up playing solo! When he stood up to play, the other kids clapped their hands and people in the audience cheered. He grinned sheepishly, and then began. He played beautifully, and didnt crack under the pressure. We were so proud of him, and he looked so handsome in his suit.

Afterwards, we went to celebrate at Baskin Robbins. It was a wonderful night!

More Mojo

I had taken Austin to ‘Select’ team tryouts for under 10 boys team in Federal Way. This kid is amazing. He excelled against the skilled competition from the league. He really seemed to love playing against and with other boys with great talent. He broke through on a number of plays and scored a bunch of goals in the 3 on 3 scrimmages that they played. He was passing well and hit it off with a number of the other players. Multiple times I could see the coaches taking notes as he made great plays. A few times, the head coach even called out when he made good plays. Austin was a bit nervous as to whether he would make the team. I told him he had nothing to worry about based on what I saw.

Then we got the fees documentation from one of the coaches. It would cost around $1,000 to play for the club! I had a good idea going in that this might be the case, but good grief! They only play with 6 on a side and they are only 9 years old. After passing this information onto LeAnn, and having a discussion with Austin, we felt we could hold off for another year on this. (and save quite a bit of cheddar in the process) He is still getting good growth opportunities now in the mod program that he is playing in. The level of competition is quite good this season, and it has been more challenging for him to get his standard ‘hat trick’ each game. He took the news quite well. I think he was most interested in seeing how he stacked up against the other skilled players his age and found that he was at the top level.

Fast forward to yesterday. LeAnn got a call from the Select club coach. He told her he was very interested in having Austin play for his team and were very impressed with his skills. I could see Austin beaming in the back seat as LeAnn explained this to me. She told him that we decided to wait for a year, but that he would likely go for it next year. It sounded like the coach was sad about that. He told her that they would still like to invite Austin to some of the clinics and such that they have during the summer. (Likely they are still hopeful that we will change our minds before the fall season…)

Amazing job Austin! It is so fun for us to see your growth and skill in this fun sport.