Feeling Thankful for These 10 Things!

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Thanksgiving is of course a time to reflect upon the things for which we are thankful. But like I told Faith the other day, I think we both thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon us.  Each night, we read a scripture together (it's usually one Faith has memorized such as Psalm 23 or John 3:16-21). After our scripture, we recite "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). At the end of that verse, we add our little cheer, "Do good deeds! Say nice things! Be kind!"  This little cheer is just a way to remind both of us, that's how God wants us to act every day. Then we pray, which often begins by thanking God for all that He has done for us and then we pray for others. But the other night after prayer time, I asked Faith to tell me some things she was really thankful for. I told her what I was thankful for as well.  This year, we are feeling especially thankful for ...
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Faith the Soccer Star

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Faith was so excited last weekend when I told her they were having wheelchair soccer again. Her first question was, "Can Adam push me again?" 

I told her I had no idea if he even went to school at the University of Mary anymore. When we got out there, she was disappointed to learn he had another obligation that day. Everyone assured us Adam would be there the next time. She still had fun with a few other guys from the college soccer team who pushed her around to help her play.

In wheelchair soccer, they don't actually use a soccer ball, instead it's more like a beach ball. Normally, the soccer players who push the kids around throw the ball to each other and then help the kid they are pushing hold onto it as they try to get into the net. She had so much fun and the faster they pushed her, the bigger the smile on her face.

Ramsey helps Faith with the ball

Faith making friends
Faith having fun with Garrett the goalie

This weekend, despite the fact she was suffering with a terrible cold and hadn't gotten a lot of sleep, she still wanted to play. She was thrilled to be reunited with Adam, who I found out was a junior in college and had come to Bismarck all the way from Ireland.

Although the organization, Dreams in Motion, has other adaptive sports throughout the year for those in wheelchairs and other mobility challenges, I can't convince Faith to try them. (Although, she did try curling once.) They also have basketball, tennis, skiing, sled hockey and dance. 

Soccer is her favorite but unfortunately, they only have it a couple of Saturdays a year, although they might try to get an outdoor game going in the Spring. We also told Adam we would love to see him play when his soccer season starts at school in late summer.

Faith taking a break
Faith and her all-time favorite soccer player
Everyone's a winner!

Dreams in Motion is a great organization for planning these events. I was also impressed with the dedication of the soccer players from the University of Mary who took time out of their Saturdays to help out and spend time with the kids. You can click on the video below to see everyone in action!



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