Gratitude Friday...

Yesterday was Chris' annual performance review.

Also known as UIL contest.

What UIL stands for, I can't tell you. But it's the governing organization of all extra-curricular activities in Texas.

I think.

Competitions for band are far more structured than what we grew up with in Alabama. Not sure what they do now but back then, it was just band "festivals" and doing well at one meant pretty much zippo in relation to another one.

Here there are regions and areas and cities and likely some categories I know nothing about. You can actually win the title of State Marching Champion. Thus, in theory, that band is the best marching band in the entire state of Texas.

I'm certain there's some debate about that because even though it's a "playoff" of sorts, it's not the best of seven or anything like that. But considering a marcher expends more energy playing his program and marching while doing that during his seven minutes on the field than a football player does during an entire sixty minute game, it's unlikely we will ever see a best of series hit the band world.

Those kids would be dropping like flies.

So yesterday was the UIL competition for concert season.

Chris has been teaching sectionals at 7:00 am and having after school rehearsals until about 5:00 pm since February. There's really nothing I want to do at 7:00 am that involves a room full of teenagers. How he does it, I don't know.

There are pre-UIL concerts where they are judged and work on those comments. There are other band directors who come in for rehearsals and "tech" the bands. If one set of ears is good, five or six are awesomeness.

After his performance or called "on stage", they go back to do sight-reading. I remember entire moments of silence during sight-reading when I was in band.

That's not exactly the goal.

Anyway, the director and band have to play a piece of music they have never seen before. Unlikely the directors have never seen it, but the kids haven't. You get a few minutes to review and then the judges come in to see how you play the piece at first sight.

I know. You're thinking how much fun that would be, right?

Bands are given scores of 1 - 5 with one being the best. The goal is really a total of 6, three 1's on stage and 3 one's for sight-reading.

That's called Sweepstakes.

No, no money comes with this particular sweepstakes win.

Shame.

The scores for each band are posted all over the place. Online and in the host school. So all the band directors everywhere can see what other band directors anywhere scored. It's the best performance review ever. The last two days I've been getting play by play updates on bands and band directors "we" know.

Of course, I started praying for Chris and his band several weeks ago. Specifically for the contest yesterday. Just the usual stuff. You know, I prayed the kids would be rested, alert, focused. Prayed their tongues and airflow would create good rhythms and pitch. Prayed they would keep whatever drama of the week separate from their performances.

I prayed for Chris. The same prayer I always pray for his job. That God would establish the work of his hands, use that work to serve Christ and show his students love.

Then starting Monday I started getting all bold and actually praying for straight ones. A sweepstakes. Bless his work and the kids work with that affirmation.

Totally selfish, I realize.

But is anyone really surprised I can be all bold about asking for something? Right.

You know, I ask for it and I firmly believe God can do it, and I know Chris has done his best and yet I am still awed when what I boldly asked for actually happens.

Yep, Chris' band got straight ones. A six. Sweepstakes.

In complete Chris fashion, he tried to play it off as the judges giving a lot of sixes out to bands.

Whatever. That's not what the play by play you've been giving me has shown.

But I appreciate his humility.

So today I am once again awed and grateful for the Lord's affirmation of Chris' career. Again thankful I can come to Christ all by my self for the privilege of praying for my husband. Grateful for His love and provision.

And very grateful for my sweepstakes winning husband. Performance review...passed.