Iowa Games Ultimate Champions

Josh and Jon and some of their friends competed in the Iowa Games Ultimate Frisbee tournament today. The Cobra Kai team got off to a tough start after they thought they beat the UNI team 7-5 because of the time cap. After the two teams shook hands and began to leave, the tournament official arrived and told them that they needed to continue to play out the game. Cobra Kai let the game slip out of their hands and lost a heart-breaker, 8-9! It was a tough way to begin the tournament.

They lost their next two games to two teams that went on to qualify for the medal round. Cobra Kai finished their pool play strong with two wins and qualified for the "We Almost Made It Consolation" bracket! They won the next two games, finishing 4-3 for the day and won the Consolation medal!

It was great day, in spite of the sun burn that I got. Got to remember to bring the sun block next year. You can see a slide show of the day by clicking on the picture above. Congratulation Cobra Kai. You are Iowa Games Ultimate Champions!

Winners

We had the season-ending Linn-Mar Baseball Banquet tonight at the high school. The dish-to-pass didn't disappoint and there was plenty of food to feed the 8th grade through varsity baseball teams!

At the end of the evening they handed out the awards. The season was a little disappointing regarding wins and losses. But we are proud of Jon and how he persevered through the difficulties, never complaining. He finished hitting .333 and led the team in stolen bases.

And this evening, Jon was rewarded for his hard work and positive attitude. He was voted to the Mississippi Valley Conference All-Academic team. And he was voted by his teammates as the Most Valuable Role Player. Coach Lechner said that "Jon is the nicest player he has ever coached."

Way to go Jon! You have been an inspiration to all who watched you play this year. Thanks for giving your best, working hard, and doing it all with a positive attitude. In the score that matters most, you are a winner in every way!

Birthday Boys

Today is Josh and Jon's 19th birthday. It's their last year as teenagers! That doesn't seem possible.

We celebrated by going to Olive Garden for dinner, one of their favorite restaurants. As is our custom, we put the birthday person on the "hot seat" and shared what appreciated about them.

And of course, the evening wouldn't be complete without a birthday dessert! A dessert for the birthday boys! Happy birthday Josh and Jon.

Looking Backward, Moving Forward

The extended Flage family gathered today in Waukon in northeast Iowa to help celebrate Gladys' 90th birthday. Family members traveled from Georgia, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa to be together for this special event. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the day.

God has been good to give Gladys 90 full years. It was an awesome time reconnecting and interacting with family.

The day was especially meaningful for myself and the entire Flage family as the party was held at Zalomona Presbyterian Church in Ludow, Iowa. This is the church that all six children attended growing up on the farm. It's the church that Sharon and I were married in, in 1977. It's the church where Sharon's father's funeral was held, and the place of his burial in the adjoining cemetery. And it's the place of rest for Frederick Flege, Sharon's great grandfather.

Our families are growing, expanding and changing. During this past year there have been two weddings, several graduations and some important birthdays! By God's grace, our lives continue to move forward. Life always moves forward, it never pauses or stops.

It's good to be reminded of our past and of God's faithfulness to us over the years. But the past is valuable only to the extent that helps us move into the future. Our lives are not meant to be a monument or memorial to the past, but a movement that inspires others to step into the future. Life is meant to be lived looking forward, not backward.

There are new opportunities to explore, new challenges to undertake and new promises to claim. There is a new generation watching and waiting for their turn to lead. What encouragement and gift will we give them for their journey?

On the way home in the car this evening I was talking to Josh and Jon about the day and some of my thoughts. Sharon stayed behind in Waukon to spend time with her family. I told the boys that if Sharon lives to be 90 and if I have passed away, to make sure that they throw her a great 90th birthday party. I explained that daughters are often the ones who take the lead in caring for their parents. And with four boys, they would need to step up and take initiative.

What they shared with me next floored me. Jon said, "Don't worry dad. Jason, Josh and I have made a pact to make sure that our families stay close. We will take care of mom." I was speechless as the tears streamed down my face. My boys have become men. They are ready to move into the future with faith and confidence. They are ready to take what they've been given and make their mark on the world.

Welcome to the Family

We had our 7th Annual Picnic and Baptism at Pleasant Creek State Park this past Wednesday evening. The weather was spectacular, it couldn't have been more perfect. We enjoyed an incredible spread of food, a time of worship lead by our Senior High, and then testimonies and baptisms. You can click on the picture above to see a slide show of the evening.

The picnic and baptism is a great picture of the church in its purest form. Families come together around the person of Christ to enjoy a time of food, fellowship, worship and public declaration of our faith. It's a wonderful image of what it means to be part of the family of God.

33 people made public declarations of their faith in Christ through baptism. It was so awesome to see dads baptising their children. But the most special thing for me Wednesday night was the privilege I had of baptising Josh and Jon. It doesn't get better than this.

I'm so proud of both of you and your desire to follow Christ. There's no greater joy than to know that your children are walking in the truth. Josh and Jon, welcome to the family!