Matthew's AWANA Award Night

When Matthew started AWANA back in September, it was a slow start at best. There were tears, Doug needed to stay with him for the entire time (leaving him unable to teach the upper grade school kids as he usually does), and lots of encouragement needed to return each week. BUT... he always would come home from club with a smile on his face and wanting to practice his memory verse. We knew we just had to be patient and get him settled, and hoped and prayed he would take off. It took until right before Christmas before he would stay in class without Doug there, and by the end of January he was fully engaged on his own, and LOVED going to club on Wednesday nights. We are so proud of him, how much he wanted to be memorizing God's word, and how much he thoroughly enjoyed his time with his fellow cubbies.

Last night was his award night, and he was SO excited that we were celebrating HIM! :)

Happy, excited boy!

Getting his award from his small group leader Mark

Mark was so impressed with how much Matthew has grown this year, and proud of him for being such a good friend to the other kids, even though he was the one who really needed encouragement!

That face.....

Love my Cubbie!

Mom and Dad... super proud!

My favorite people in the world....

Grandad and Grandma came up from Dallas to celebrate with us.. Matthew was excited and really touched that they would come "just for me!" We are thankful for them!

While he is glad to be done with AWANA for the year, he has already been asking when club starts again! Thankful for this organization and how it really pours God's Word into kids, including my sweet boy!