One Day at the Warm-up

…and the car trip to Houston. I find it ironic that I should be the first to post about this tournament, while all the actual competitors have apparently vanished. =)

I was immensely happy to be able to ride up with some ARCers for the first day of the tournament. I do not approve of how close the Houston and Dallas tourneys are, and how the people at Dallas will not be the same people as at Houston. And so I came to Houston to visit, although I’m competing at Dallas. I must say it was amazing. The Warm-up tournament was my first tournament last year, when I walked through those doors to be confronted with more friendship, more laughs, more anticipation, more.. everything! than I had ever imagined. NCFCA grabbed me by my unsuspecting heart, and opened the door to opportunities unfathomable. They’ve only been building, with CFC being an integral part of the process. I cannot be grateful enough for this clarity and resolution I’ve been granted…. and it all exploded at the January Warm-up last year. (I can’t say it began there, because I can see how God used other events and people to set me on this track, before I attended my first tourney.) I can’t quite see what the future will look like, but my opportunities and talents and friendships are coming together now, and I know (and am still learning) how I can use them.

I’d like to encourage all of you to consider these tournaments as a springboard to the sky. I hope God will use the January Warm-up for the ultimate good in your lives. And if, as I did, you suddenly find yourself soaring through unknown beauty, remember who gave you wings, and why. We laugh, we love, we live for Him! There is no other alternative, actually, because without Him, we cannot have true joy, true love, or true life!

Pictures!

We stopped at Bluebell Creameries in Brenham on the way to Houston. A lot of ice cream and a lot of ARCers in one building!

Oh, this would be the Epic Car Picture.

Some girls I love. <3

And I just thought this picture was pretty legit. Right outside the apologetics rooms! This take quiet skills.

Congratulations to everyone who broke! I’m terrifically happy for you. I hope to see your wonderful faces at Regionals. Until Dallas then, I remain your devoted club member who doesn’t come to meetings very often,

~Grace