Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Later today, Vickey Ritchie and friends will gather at Hillsville Elementary School for Special Olympics Basketball 🏀 practice. The final stop ✋️ of a whirlwind weekend for the group. It’s 8 am. now, and Vickey has no idea of who all will walk through the gym door later on until it happens. Yet, everyone will feel welcomed, and she will adjust on the fly as needed because that’s what leaders do.

Have a Blessed Day 🙌

The story has to start in the press box 📦 at Cavalier Park as Head Coach Rick Nester was one run away from run ruling the Radford Bobcats. Carroll County was leading 11-2, and we were having some fun with guest announcers for the Lady Cavaliers. Standing next to me was little Eden Nester, granddaughter to Coach Nester.

Eden reappeared just seconds after her aunt, Raylee Goins, had stepped into the batters box with the game winning run standing on third base in the form of Brooke Webb. Webb had almost ended the game a few minutes earlier, but her rocket 🚀 hit off the fence instead of clearing it.

Goins pushed our Foul Ball contest from 12 to 16 in an at bat that felt it lasted for five minutes. Eden was being patient and was going to announce Bayleigh Allen. There were two outs, and if Aunt Raylee didn’t deliver, we would be heading to the sixth inning.

About this time, I noticed little Gracie Richardson bouncing around in the stands. This triggered a look further up the bleachers, and I noticed Mr Paul Nester. I asked Eden if she wanted to acknowledge her great uncle Paul, as the Lieutenant – Governor of Laurel Fork. We couldn’t say the Mayor of Laurel Fork because that might not have been as obvious in regard to a fun joke.

Eden passed on that one but did say that she liked her great uncle. Goins finally delivered a hard hit ball to end the 12-2 victory, I delivered my normal end of the game well wishes to everyone while I was packing up my gear ⚙️.

Down the stairs, stopping long enough to speak to Donna Nester, letting her know where my next stop ✋️ was. Donna had watched her Son in the opening game of the doubleheader ( 11-1 victory ) before heading across the Boulevard to support her husbands team.

The walk across the parking lot, driving 🚗 over to Bill Worrell Field, parking in a safe place, and then heading towards the field. When I knew that something Biblical was happening is when the first person I walked by was our OneofUs.Care card carrying Pastor, Stephen Puckett. I can not recall another single time when our paths crossed at a sporting event.

The smooth sound of Marc Motley announced the next Martinsville Bulldogs batter, causing me to look up and acknowledge his efforts. Not missing a step, I continued walking towards the Carroll County dugout.

The very first pitch I saw 👀 was the last pitch of the night. Roughly 15 seconds later, we were set to take the team photo.

It’s worth noting 📝 that 2/3 of the Junior Varsity Cavaliers coaching staff are related to Paul !

On the way back to the car, I sent the photo on to Ryan at The Carroll News in case he could find space for it later. Today, I have shared with folks through text messages, some to numbers that I don’t have saved.

We are so very proud of the Nester Nine Baseball team and everything that they have accomplished !

God wanted me to capture the moment as it happened and under Photo Credit it should read : Raylee Goins. If Goins doesn’t end the game exactly when she did…… oh yeah, there’s yet another tie to the Family Tree 🌳

I encourage you to check out his latest effort, either in print or on-line, at The Carroll News 📰