The 2009-2010 Liberty Belles season begins! I am excited for our new teams, the program changes and to be challenged physically and as a coach. Coach Rosie, Coach Jamie and I have been meeting and talking and planning… it will be awesome – DON’T UNDERESTIMATE is our season motto.
A new season…
April 25th, 2009Wake-up call
February 1st, 2009It was a hint that things on my plate are starting to overflow onto the table…
Early in the morning, I rushed out to my car, with enough time to allow it to warm-up and defrost while I apply my make-up in the visor mirror. I was looking forward to my day as I had spent the previous day in bed ill (been years since I have been ill). I was leaving early, ready to attack my day. I inserted my keys into the inigtion, turned on the defrost and then began applying my make-up.
A few moments later my windshield was clear and my face ready for the office. I spent the next 10 minutes looking for my car keys – in my purse, around my lap, the scary place between the seats, even back inside to check the kitchen counter. I returned to my car, which was still running, to discover – YOU GUESSED IT – that my keys were right where I put them, in the ignition.
Embarrassed, I looked around to be sure that none of my neighbors were outside. As if they could know what I as doing while my car was running.
So, I have too many thoughts going through my brain right now. Whatever, I will deal with that as soon as I can…later.
There was a glimmer
January 6th, 2009Saturday was a grueling practice. One of our squads was needing a little TLC from coaching staff. We started with an hour of extra tumbling practice, followed by a two hour non-stop practice session that involved repeatedly performing the same routine over and over. There were tears and the cheerleaders were getting frustrated too. [ha!]
Then, during the last 30 minutes of practice, I saw it. There was a glimmer of fight that passed over one of the girl’s faces. She was angry – I loved it. Am I crazy? No! It was the first piece of passion I have seen from this group of girls. I thought, “come on baby, use that energy.” She did, she wiped away tears and fought harder to get it right. Her squad picked up on it – a huge jump in their technique followed.
We praised them, they gave a little more. The couple of parents in the room cheered – they brightened and gave some more. At the end of that practice, they had improved by 80%, at least.
The potential I saw on Saturday energized me to the core. It caused me to prance into the office on Monday with an extra spring in my step.
“Come on my baby girls – I can’t wait to see you this Saturday. I can’t wait for your parents to see you on the 17th at the competition. Use that frustration (it is just passion bottled up) to make you better. Show me how good you really are. Now is the time to let it out – don’t be afraid, I BEE-lieve in you. Don’t forget.”
When I am old
January 6th, 2009I have decided that my relationships are too important to allow pride issues to interfere with them. For example, we are blessed people but we live in an average home. It was built in the late eighties and still has its original flooring, kitchen and baths. The original owner didn’t opt for quality when selecting the finishes either. We have three boys that live with us – you get the picture, right? It could stand to be updated and in some cases overhauled. This year instead of worrying about our old carpet or plastic-wood trim, I am going to enjoy my friends and serve them as guests in my home. [OK, so if you know me you know that I don't wait on guests, you are only a guest for about 10 minutes and then you should just kick off your shoes and open up the fridge yourself!]
So my friends, I will be sending many dinner party invites this year. Please don’t look at the soiled carpets, the smudged walls, the knife marks in the linoleum [yes they are knife marks - don't ask] or ask what the funny smell is in the upstairs bathroom [no amount of bleach or scrubbing will make it go away]. Come in, kick off your shoes, grab a Diet Pepsi from the fridge, eat some of my semi-homemade hoover-doovers, be prepared to compete in a card game or share some funny stories.
Likewise do the same – don’t hold back. You aren’t too busy. Invite, attend, we all have some wisdom, acceptance, love or humor to share. God didn’t place us on this earth to be islands right?
Persevere in the New Year
January 1st, 2009I am posting a daily email I receive from Summit Christian Center (Rick Godwin’s church). Too great not to share. You can sign up to receive these too by visiting: www.summitsa.com.
“We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIVThis year – persevere (1)Perseverance means: (1) Succeeding because you’re determined to, not because you’re entitled to. Achievers don’t sit back and wait for success because they think the world “owes them.” No, if you’re wise you’ll ask God for direction, stand firm on the Word He has given you, go forward and refuse to quit. You must adopt the attitude of the man who said, “We are determined to win. We’ll fight them until hell freezes over, and if we have to, we’ll fight them on ice.” Recalling the trials he’d faced, Paul said: “I started, and I’m going to finish. I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door…And that’s not the half of it” (2Co 11:23-28 TM). One word describes Paul – relentless.
(2) Recognizing that life is not one long race, but many short ones in succession. Each task has its own challenges and each day its own events. You have to get out of bed the next morning and run again, but it’s never exactly the same race. To be successful you must keep plugging away. It’s said that Columbus faced incredible difficulties while sailing west in search of a passage to Asia. He encountered storms, experienced hunger, deprivation and extreme discouragement. The crews of his three ships were near mutiny. But his account of the journey says the same thing over and over: “Today, we sailed on.” And his perseverance paid off. He didn’t discover a fast route to the spice-rich Indies; instead he found a new continent. The scriptural key to success is – running the race each day (See Heb 12:1-2).
So, this year – persevere.
These snowy days
December 22nd, 2008Seattle has been blessed with a record snowfall over the last several days. This is a heavenly gift for me. It reminds me of home.
I awoke this morning to find my two youngest boys sleeping on the living room floor, dart guns and light sabers littered around them. I assume they were looking to sleep near the Christmas tree. As I adjusted their blankets and added an additional layer to keep them toasty (and sleeping), I stepped on an action figure and tried to keep a wimper from escaping my lips. I nearly fell onto one of the boys and instead performed some accidental acrobatics worthy of Cirque.
I gingerly pulled myself to a standing position and smiled gratefully. I love raising boys. There will come a day when I will never have to pick up an action figure, toy gun or stinky tennis shoe. I will miss the hubbub and chaos of these days. I have faith that my boys will grow into amazing men – conquerors, mighty heroes of this day, faithful husbands and fathers.
Thank you Father for these days.
Do you Bee-lieve?
December 21st, 2008This is the text that was included inside a bumble bee back-pack charm I made for my cheerleaders and girls in my Bible study group:
According to the law of aerodynamics a bumble bee cannot fly. Its body is too heavy in proportion to its wings. The bumble bee does not know that it is not supposed to be able to fly, and so it goes ahead and flies anyway.
You are capable of AMAZING things because you were created for greatness. Do not listen when people say it cannot be done. You are courageous, beautiful and powerful!
Psalm 139:14, Romans 8:37, Ephesians 2:10
I am posting it here because I know there are many of us grown women who need to hear it too.
Have a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy the abundance of God’s peace and grace as you spend time with friends and family this season.
John
September 29th, 2008I am currently working my way through the book of John in the Bible. In the past, I have stayed away from this book because it was confusing to me, but I must be in a different place personally because I am so encouraged by it lately.
Anyway, I was at my favorite Starbucks this morning reading and came across the story in chapter 9 where Jesus encounters a man who was born blind. In the process of healing him, Jesus spits into the dirt on the ground and makes some mud (um, odd to anyone else?). He takes this mud and rubs in onto the man’s eyes. Then, he instructs the man to go wash in a pool. The man returns home to his family able to see for the first time in his life. A miracle, awesome right?
However, as you read on you find that the Pharisees badgered this once-blind man regarding his relationship with Jesus and his “sins” before he was healed. Eventually this leads to the Pharisees throwing him out of the city. Now, here is the really cool part. In verse 35 the Bible says that Jesus heard of this and came back to find him. JESUS CAME TO FIND HIM after hearing of his calamity. I remember the spit-mud on the eyes part of this Bible story from memory, many of us probably do. I don’t ever recall reading the latter section of the story. Jesus heard he was struggling then came personally and affirmed his faith (verse 38).
This week ends a season of calamity for my family. I am so grateful for being delivered out of it. However, I can recount throughout this season Jesus affirming me that He was right by my side. “I am here, you are not alone, do not fear…” Just like this blind man, Jesus didn’t ignore my struggle, he just affirmed my faith. He is so faithful.
Be encouraged and blessed!
in the middle of it all
September 25th, 2008I was just doing some Bible reading this morning and came across John 6, the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. We have all read this before but this morning a couple of pieces just jumped out at me (which seems to be how God speaks to me lately, or the way I am willing to listen).
All of these people are assembled to hear Jesus speak or to receive miraculous healing. Realizing the physical needs of this multitude, Jesus asks one of his disciples where they can buy bread to feed them all. So here are these disciples, not entirely yet sure who Jesus is, young, not wealthy faced with feeding 5,000+ people. I have done enough event planning to know that even with a team of caterers, this is no small task. The noise level involved with feeding that large of a group without a PA system, would be daunting alone. Then, verse 6 says, “He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what he was going to do.”
I thought, “Hmmm, here I am in my life faced with some large tasks just ahead of me and I bet that God knows already what he is going to do about them.” I need to just relax a bit, ease up on my reigns and seek Him a bit more to find out how we are going to handle this. HE ALREADY HAS A PLAN.
Then, just after that in verses 16-21 the disciples are in a boat heading to Jesus’ next speaking engagement in Capernaum. :) [I am so funny I know.] There was a strong wind and the waters were rough. They were ROWING (thank you Father for motorized boats) for 3 to 3.5 miles and then they saw Jesus approaching, walking on the water. So just like I would have, they freaked out and were afraid. But then Jesus spoke to them and said, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”. Verse 21 was the interesting one to me, “Then they were willing to take Him into the boat,”. OK, so I assume that before that they were like, “Row faster, he’s catching up.” Right? But, it was the voice of God that quited them down so they were able to receive Him.
Boy, this is me right now, rowing and rowing and rowing just trying to get out of the storm and away from the things that scare me, when I just need to hear the voice of God to understand and receive. Thank you Father for your word, for my church so that I can receive of you and not be in fear.
Hopefully this encourages you as it has me this morning. SLOW DOWN AND LISTEN, GOD ALREADY HAS A PLAN. And, stop rowing so quickly… aren’t you tired?
Pajamas
September 18th, 2008This past Saturday our Junior squad spent an evening at my house for a pajama party. It was a great last fun time before the riggors of competition season begin. I was so proud of the girls as I watched them interact and mingle. I laughed at their answers during the games we played. I was frightened at times by the volume and ferocity of their interactions. I apologized to my neighbors the next morning. 
Growing up with a brother, these girl sessions are sometimes foreign to me. I find that I watch them with the detail of a scientist or wildlife expert watching animals in the wild. “Hmm, wonder what that means? Is that aggressive or friendly behavior? Should I keep hidden or run for my life?”
In all seriousness this is a great group of girls and we are going to be fierce competitors this season!
