Starting the Year with a Bang!

So, my year started off with a bang...literally. My father-in-law (Papa Chuck) was visiting from Anchorage, Alaska. We love his company when he makes it down to the Lower 48. He took our family to do something we have never done before. He took us to an indoor shooting range. Let's just say that we had a blast. No pun intended. I must confess that I don't know a whole lot about guns, but he brought an array of handguns. Nothing like shooting stuff with your family or seeing your son post, "Busting caps at the range #idontmiss."

Now, my youngest son, Nate, is fascinated with all sorts of outdoor TV shows, but he has never shot a gun before. I thought he would jump at the chance to shoot the largest, loudest gun Papa Chuck had. Well, I was wrong. Nate would only shoot the .22 pistols. On the other hand, my daughter Grace fell in love with shooting. She would have shot all day long if we had an unlimited supply of ammo. Not only did she shoot the most, Grace only wanted to shoot the higher caliber guns. After one round with the .22, she was ready to move on to the "Big Boy" guns.

I want to brag on my little girl. She has a fearlessness that I have never possessed. A fearlessness and courage that none of my boys have either. When we go to theme parks, she wants to ride the tallest, fastest, scariest rides in the park. I don't know where she gets it from, but I am proud that she conquers life without fear. Shannon and I have often wondered where she gets it from because both of us approach life with much more caution. I know it will serve her well, and God will use it some day.

I did not want to include this, but my wife would never let me live it down if I didn't. Shannon has never shot a gun before. So, she picked up a 9mm and took aim at the target 15 feet away. What do you think happened? I don't know if it was beginner's luck or if she has a hidden talent, but Shannon hit a bull's eye with her first shot. Notice that smile on her face is not just that she hit the target dead center. Her smile is full of pride and gloating that she did something none of the rest of us did. Good job honey!