Symanzik Family Update

Mikayla is playing high school volleyball this sports season!
They had their first game yesterday.

While watching the girls play, the verse from Psalm 100
was going through my head. And I was praying for the team
to learn not only the skills of playing the game of volleyball,
but also the skills of how the discipline, hardwork, etc.,
of the sport can be carried over to the dailyness of living,
serving the Lord with joy and gladness in all of life....

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Ben started the process of testing for his blue belt in karate on Saturday August 11. He performed a kada, sparred 4 two-minute rounds with one opponent, sparred one two minute round with two opponents, and sparred one two minute round with four opponents.
He also broke four boards. Check out the video at youtube.
http://youtu.be/5WPfJIOECOE
His Bible memory testing and self defense are this coming weekend.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 (NIV)
25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating
the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave
so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

(ESV)
25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it
to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I
do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Ben and I think there is a sermon in these broken boards...

a message about how God can use the broken pieces of our lives to build His kingdom...

about how perseverance leads to the goal of His high calling

about how sometimes, often times in the struggle there is a wounding

like Jacob and his hip, like Paul with his thorn in the flesh
but in the end is triumph!

Philippians 3:13But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

blowing out candles

dad and sons computer programming

friends and family!

Ben is 11 today!
May he continue to grow in God's wisdom and grace, becoming a man after God's own heart, seeking first HIM and HIS kingdom all the days of his life.

You are a blessing, Ben!!!!!!