ISSMA

Today was ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) Competition for Riley. This is a judging of the student's music ability on their preferred instrument. In the past Riley has always played the xylophone but this year he decided to try playing the snare drum.

The trouble with that was we really couldn't help him at home as much as we would have liked because he has electric drums here and we can't hear them. Besides, Rodney and I are not up on all the different drum rolls and things anyway. We thought he was getting extra help at school but found out today, that this only happened once.

So Riley did most of this on his own except for his tutoring with Rick, the music leader at our church. Riley and he usually meet once a  week but Rick threw in some of extra practices just to make sure. Thank you so much Rick for the care, love and concern you have for our child!! It sure made a big difference for him. RILEY EARNED A GOLD MEDAL!

Another thing that really touched us today was how all his fellow drum line students and band teacher hung out with him. They listened to his warm up, hung out in the hallway as we waited our turn, carried his drum for him.,wherever we went, and even went in with him as he played for the judge. You should have seen the smiles on all their faces as we were told he made gold. Their genuine concern and affection for Riley brought tears to our eyes.

 Psalms 112:4,6 "Says that light shines in the darkness for good people." "A good person will not fail and he will always be remembered."

I can tell you that we will never forget the ones who are so good to our special son! Riley has made gold before, on the xylophone, but this year, as he worked so hard and we had to let go and let things just happen we realized, again, how special this time and place is for our family.