SermonStudio

Laura Fischer is growing up to be a lovely young lady. She is an example of grace and perseverance. Why? Read what this tenth--grader wrote in a school essay after a trip she took with her church group:

"During the long ride into Minnesota, I occupied my time with watching the mountains rise up from the powdery white earth. It was a perfect day. The sky was completely clear and the sun reflected brightly off the snow. We pulled onto the road that would lead us to Lustern Mountains. There were people everywhere. All of the local people had decided to go skiing that day because of the beautiful weather.

"I was in the rental office when I discovered that most of the resort's equipment had already been rented out, so I decided to try snowboarding. I was assigned a deep blue board with step--in bindings. I thought that it was very nice, and I couldn't wait to get out on the slopes and try it out. First, however, I put the board down on the lodge carpet and snapped my boots into the bindings. I leaned first one way, and then to the other, practicing my turns. I leaned to the left, then to the right feeling more confident, and suddenly I fell over and discovered just how hard getting up after taking a spill would be.

"It didn't discourage me, though. I quickly scrambled to my feet and headed straight for the bunny hill. Grabbing hold of the towrope, I pulled myself to the top of the small hill on unsteady legs. Standing nervously at the top of the hill, my heart began to pound. With a surge of adrenaline, I began to slide down the hill. At first, I slid a few feet, and then I fell. I got up, and promptly fell again. After about five or six tumbles, I was finally at the bottom of the bunny hill.

"My dignity completely gone, I decided to try it again - you can't start out as a pro, can you? So, once again, I latched onto the towrope and hauled myself back up to the top of the hill. This time, I was a lot more cautious and I did a tiny bit better. My first day of snowboarding went on like this, with me going up and down the bunny hill. When it was time to go, I had almost mastered this tiny hill. Looking at a map of the park, I spotted a run called Big Bunny Run, so I made a mental note to check it out the next day.

"The next morning I could hardly move. I felt about as flexible as an iron pole. I was stiff and sore from head to toe. I was also ready to get back on my snowboard. I had promised myself that I would learn to snowboard, and I had my mind set on trying the Big Bunny Run.

"We got to the resort exactly at opening time. I could have gotten skis, but I had promised myself that I would stick it out with my beautiful, deep blue snowboard. I put on my boots and snapped them into my bindings. The only difference from the day before was that this day I was alone. Yesterday, other beginners had come to the little bunny hill and tried to snowboard, too. On this day, everyone had gotten skis and they were already zooming down the more difficult runs. I was alone in my effort, but I was feeling especially confident that day.

"I proudly rode the chair lift to the top of an enormous hill. I stood at the top looking down for a long time. I wondered if it had been a mistake to try to go down this hill. I gave myself a mental shake, reminding myself of my promise to learn, and soon I was down the slope. There was only one problem ... I was sliding down on my hip. Quite embarrassed, I stood up, shook the snow out of my hair, and got back on the chair lift. This time I knew what to expect and I seemed to make it a little farther than I did before. I made it almost a fourth of the way down before adding another bruise to my already battered body.

"As the day wore on, I felt myself improving. I made it almost all of the way down the hill once. I knew that it was getting late, though, and that soon I would have to stop. I would put all of my dwindling strength and concentration into my last run. I rode up the chair lift, and gave myself a pep talk. I reached the top of the hill and took a deep breath, knowing that if I thought about what I was about to do too much, I would fail. I pushed off and slid expertly down. I turned left, then right. I checked my speed, slowing almost to a stop, then let myself go faster and faster. I sped right up to the lodge, and stopped. I unsnapped my boots from the step--in bindings, and I knew that I had done it. I made it down the mountain!

"I was sore and exhausted, but I was filled with pride. I was so proud that I thought that I might burst, right there in front of everyone. As I returned the rented board, the deep blue board with step--in bindings, I felt as though I was turning in a friend that I would never see again. I took the boots off with care because I was very sore. I put my shoes on and limped back to the lodge to wait for everyone to come back. I had never worked so hard, and I was ready to go home.

"The next day was a school day. It was a very long day. I ached all over, and I was so tired that I found it very hard to concentrate. It had been worth it, though. I proved to myself that I am a very strong--willed person. When everyone else gave up, I kept trying. I had succeeded where others had failed. Of course, I still wasn't the best snowboarder but I could hold my head up high and show off my now purple bruises with pride because I had won."

Ah, such grace!