OK, I'll have some! In fact, I had some last night! Last night was our last game and the other coach served me up 2 slices of some humble pie! Mmmm Mmmmm Good!
The first slice of humble pie came when we were about to begin the game and the other coach came over and asked if he could have prayer with me and my team at center field before the game got started. We had not really done that with any of the previous teams that we played, but that really shouldn't catch me off guard should it? After all we are at the YMCA and I am a fellow Christian! I think it reminded me of why I was really suppose to be out there coaching these young boys. Yes, I wanted to make each child a better soccer player and I wanted them to have fun while learning, but I really should have done a better job with them in leading them to be Christian athletes and help mature them spiritually. My focus should not have been on how many games we had won and by how many goals. It should have been on leading (coaching) through Christian example. Now, I never expressed to the boys that we should go out there and win. I always stressed to them that the main reason we were out there was to have fun. That is true to an extent, but the main reason we do anything is to glorify God. Next time, I will stress that more than anything and I will remember that we should begin each game with prayer. I mean after all, I play on a men's basketball team and we pray before every game! Shouldn't we more so pray before every game with our kids to teach them the value of playing sports with a Christian attitude? Of course! Kudos to the other coach! By the way, he was at least 10 - 15 years younger than me!
As you know I have said that so far the boys' soccer team was undefeated. I shall now emphasize the word WAS. My second slice of humble pie came when his team, who by the way was much smaller (and much faster) beat the socks off of my team. I'm not sure what the score was because I stopped counting when it was like 4-0, but I'm pretty sure it was bad!
Nonetheless, we had a lot of fun and had our awards banquet at Fuddrucker's after the game. Each of the boys got a trophy and had a blast hanging out with each other!
Remember, LIFE IS GOOD!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and Family
Click here to read the story.
I actually had the opportunity to meet Steven Curtis Chapman and his family several years ago at a concert with Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin. I had been asked to be a runner for the concert and that consisted of picking up the singers from the Hyatt and driving them to the arena and driving them anywhere else they needed to go while in town for the concert. I got to hang out backstage all day long with these folks (from 8:00 a.m. until almost midnight). They were all very nice folks and I was invited to go into their dressing rooms and hang out as well as eat lunch and dinner with them. I watched the concert from right behind one of the large speakers on the stage. It was very cool! I even got to take the members of Casting Crowns to the airport to a private jet. I walked out onto the tarmac with them and had prayer with them before they boarded the jet.
As far as Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, they were all there that day and it was apparent that they were all very close to one another. I remember observing the family being very loving toward one another and praying for their food at lunch and dinner. It was neat to see how they all interacted with one another. I even remember seeing one of the oldest boys playing with his young adopted sisters and carrying them through the halls backstage. They each had their own scooters and would ride them up and down the halls. Even SCC got on the scooter once! I don't want to make it sound like I know them, but when you are a part of the family of God, you just find that unique connection with other Christians that can't be explained.
Nonetheless, this family definitely needs our prayers right now. I can't imagine what they are going through, especially the teenage son that was driving the car. He especially needs our prayers. Take a moment right now to ask for God's peace and strength to be with this family and help them to weather through this unexplainable storm. Also, take the time to thank God for all of his blessings in your own life.
I actually had the opportunity to meet Steven Curtis Chapman and his family several years ago at a concert with Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin. I had been asked to be a runner for the concert and that consisted of picking up the singers from the Hyatt and driving them to the arena and driving them anywhere else they needed to go while in town for the concert. I got to hang out backstage all day long with these folks (from 8:00 a.m. until almost midnight). They were all very nice folks and I was invited to go into their dressing rooms and hang out as well as eat lunch and dinner with them. I watched the concert from right behind one of the large speakers on the stage. It was very cool! I even got to take the members of Casting Crowns to the airport to a private jet. I walked out onto the tarmac with them and had prayer with them before they boarded the jet.
As far as Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, they were all there that day and it was apparent that they were all very close to one another. I remember observing the family being very loving toward one another and praying for their food at lunch and dinner. It was neat to see how they all interacted with one another. I even remember seeing one of the oldest boys playing with his young adopted sisters and carrying them through the halls backstage. They each had their own scooters and would ride them up and down the halls. Even SCC got on the scooter once! I don't want to make it sound like I know them, but when you are a part of the family of God, you just find that unique connection with other Christians that can't be explained.
Nonetheless, this family definitely needs our prayers right now. I can't imagine what they are going through, especially the teenage son that was driving the car. He especially needs our prayers. Take a moment right now to ask for God's peace and strength to be with this family and help them to weather through this unexplainable storm. Also, take the time to thank God for all of his blessings in your own life.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Happy Anniversary!
Today is mine and Megan's 8th Wedding Anniversary. We have actually been together for almost 15 years! I think we actually met in late September of 1993.
I was working at Chuck E. Cheese at the time and Megan came in one day to apply for a job. At the time, I think I was actually stocking the salad bar when she came in so my view of her was a little obstructed, but I saw enough of her to know that she was "easy on the eyes". My best friend at the time, Dave, came over and asked me if I saw the girl that just came in. I told him that I didn't really get a good look at her. He said that she was hot! So about 10 minutes went by and she came out of the back after talking with the manager and began to leave. I think Dave stopped her to ask if she got the job and she said that she did. I only saw her walking out of the door this time, so I only saw her from behind, but I still liked what I saw. Dave came over again and proceeded to tell me how hot she was. I told him that I thought I might ask her out and I think he replied with something like ... I saw her first or not if I ask her first. I can't really recall.
Anyways, she started a few days later and I was assigned to train her on her first Saturday doing birthday parties. I think the whole day we made eyes at each other and for the next several weeks we continued to flirt with each other as we would pass by each other. I remember she would walk by and would come up behind her and untie her apron or just give her that look to let her know that I was interested in her. At the time, I had recently gone out with a couple of girls there and so there was a great deal of tension in the air. Nonetheless, I took the next step and asked Megan out on a date. I remember we were standing right in front of the drink machines. Can you believe that Megan told me NO? That's right! She told me that she HAD to go out with her friends that night. I asked her if she really HAD to or was she just blowing me off. We did decide that we would go out the following weekend, but come to find out, she didn't HAVE to go out with friends that night. She already had another date (I'm glad that didn't work out)! So she began our relationship on a lie! Just kidding Megan! I know you were just protecting my feelings (ie. ego)!
So on October 30, 1993, we went out on our very first date. I could probably write for several hours about everything that I remember about our first date, but I won't bore you with our sappy love story! I'll just say that it was the beginning of the rest of our lives together! So we dated for 6 years before we got engaged. I couldn't get her to commit to marriage! Just kidding! It was the other way around. She couldn't get me to commit to marriage. I'll admit, the thought of marriage was a scary thing to me. I knew that she was the one, but I just didn't know if I was quite ready. Also, I wanted her to finish college before we made that commitment. I didn't want her to quit going to college just to get married. Also, as long as she was still living at home, her dad was paying for her college! Call me cheap, but I call it smart!
Then on June 12, 1999, I went over to her house on a Saturday evening. We were grilling out with her parents and her dad and I were outside grilling the meat. That's when I asked for his permission to marry her. I remember being so nervous! He told me that he was so glad that I had waited for her to graduate college and that he was cool with us getting married. I remember telling him that I was glad that he was cool with it, but that if he had said NO, we would still have gotten married. I can't believe I said that, but he simply replied ... I know! Anyways, after dinner, Megan and I went for a walk through her neighborhood as we did often back then. We got back to her house and went on her back porch and talked for a while. Megan was really wanting to get married and started asking me when I thought I would be ready. I had avoided those conversations for so long and I told her that we were just going to have to wait a little longer. She looked so disappointed. Then she was staring out into the backyard and I took that opportunity to kneel down beside her. When she turned around and looked she saw me kneeling down on one knee with a ring in my hand. I said the sappy things that guys say when the propose and asked her to be my bride. She put her hands to her face, cried and we hugged. She never did say yes (she claims she did), but I took her excitement as her saying yes!
Then, 11 months later, on Saturday, May 20, 2000. We took the plunge and got married! We have had so much fun over the years and have grown closer to each other with each passing year. Marriage has been great! I have always dreamed of having my very own family and I am so glad that I have that with Megan. We have Tyler (5) and Ryan (4) and we are so blessed! God has been so good to us! I won't try to paint the picture that our marriage is perfect because marriage is a lot of hard work! We go through those valleys just like every other married couple, but always seem to come out on top!
Megan, thanks so much for 15 wonderful years! I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
I was working at Chuck E. Cheese at the time and Megan came in one day to apply for a job. At the time, I think I was actually stocking the salad bar when she came in so my view of her was a little obstructed, but I saw enough of her to know that she was "easy on the eyes". My best friend at the time, Dave, came over and asked me if I saw the girl that just came in. I told him that I didn't really get a good look at her. He said that she was hot! So about 10 minutes went by and she came out of the back after talking with the manager and began to leave. I think Dave stopped her to ask if she got the job and she said that she did. I only saw her walking out of the door this time, so I only saw her from behind, but I still liked what I saw. Dave came over again and proceeded to tell me how hot she was. I told him that I thought I might ask her out and I think he replied with something like ... I saw her first or not if I ask her first. I can't really recall.
Anyways, she started a few days later and I was assigned to train her on her first Saturday doing birthday parties. I think the whole day we made eyes at each other and for the next several weeks we continued to flirt with each other as we would pass by each other. I remember she would walk by and would come up behind her and untie her apron or just give her that look to let her know that I was interested in her. At the time, I had recently gone out with a couple of girls there and so there was a great deal of tension in the air. Nonetheless, I took the next step and asked Megan out on a date. I remember we were standing right in front of the drink machines. Can you believe that Megan told me NO? That's right! She told me that she HAD to go out with her friends that night. I asked her if she really HAD to or was she just blowing me off. We did decide that we would go out the following weekend, but come to find out, she didn't HAVE to go out with friends that night. She already had another date (I'm glad that didn't work out)! So she began our relationship on a lie! Just kidding Megan! I know you were just protecting my feelings (ie. ego)!
So on October 30, 1993, we went out on our very first date. I could probably write for several hours about everything that I remember about our first date, but I won't bore you with our sappy love story! I'll just say that it was the beginning of the rest of our lives together! So we dated for 6 years before we got engaged. I couldn't get her to commit to marriage! Just kidding! It was the other way around. She couldn't get me to commit to marriage. I'll admit, the thought of marriage was a scary thing to me. I knew that she was the one, but I just didn't know if I was quite ready. Also, I wanted her to finish college before we made that commitment. I didn't want her to quit going to college just to get married. Also, as long as she was still living at home, her dad was paying for her college! Call me cheap, but I call it smart!
Then on June 12, 1999, I went over to her house on a Saturday evening. We were grilling out with her parents and her dad and I were outside grilling the meat. That's when I asked for his permission to marry her. I remember being so nervous! He told me that he was so glad that I had waited for her to graduate college and that he was cool with us getting married. I remember telling him that I was glad that he was cool with it, but that if he had said NO, we would still have gotten married. I can't believe I said that, but he simply replied ... I know! Anyways, after dinner, Megan and I went for a walk through her neighborhood as we did often back then. We got back to her house and went on her back porch and talked for a while. Megan was really wanting to get married and started asking me when I thought I would be ready. I had avoided those conversations for so long and I told her that we were just going to have to wait a little longer. She looked so disappointed. Then she was staring out into the backyard and I took that opportunity to kneel down beside her. When she turned around and looked she saw me kneeling down on one knee with a ring in my hand. I said the sappy things that guys say when the propose and asked her to be my bride. She put her hands to her face, cried and we hugged. She never did say yes (she claims she did), but I took her excitement as her saying yes!
Then, 11 months later, on Saturday, May 20, 2000. We took the plunge and got married! We have had so much fun over the years and have grown closer to each other with each passing year. Marriage has been great! I have always dreamed of having my very own family and I am so glad that I have that with Megan. We have Tyler (5) and Ryan (4) and we are so blessed! God has been so good to us! I won't try to paint the picture that our marriage is perfect because marriage is a lot of hard work! We go through those valleys just like every other married couple, but always seem to come out on top!
Megan, thanks so much for 15 wonderful years! I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
So Far So Good
Tonight we had our 5th soccer game and I am proud to say that we are still undefeated (5-0). Technically, we don't keep score, but everyone knows that everyone is keeping score in their heads. We don't make a big deal out of it, but I would say that most of the dads, not only on our team, but on the other teams too, are keeping score. They know whether their team won or lost. I think it's just in our competitive nature. I would say that the kids have no idea whether we win or lose. I really do think that every kid on our team is really just having a lot of fun! I really can't take all the credit either. There is another dad that has been helping a lot, especially while I was out with my knee surgery for a couple of weeks and even since the surgery. He has been a big help!
This is Tyler last Fall.
This is Tyler this Spring throwing the ball in.
Anyways, here are some pics of T & R playing soccer. We are, obviously, the team in gold.
This is Tyler last Fall. This is Tyler this Spring throwing the ball in. This is Ryan. Doesn't he look cute in his uniform!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
I'm back!
Sorry for the long break, but I think I really just needed some time away from a computer. I was at home for 2 weeks after my surgery and I think I may have gotten on the computer once or twice in that 2 week period. I did return to work last week, but worked from home every day. I am back in the office this week working away on a project that I don't think will ever happen, but if it does, at least I will be ahead of the game.
As far as my knee, I am actually doing pretty good with it. I do have my days where I try to do too much and end up having to ice down a swollen knee by the evening, but other than that, I think things are going well. Physical therapy is going as expected and I hope to only go one more time next week.
Soccer has been going great! Tyler scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday! Our team is undefeated (4-0)! It has been fun coaching them and watching them develop.
Church has been great! We have been going to a class on Wednesday nights called "Tyranny of the Urgent". It is a class that discusses our priorities and fosters discussion on how to decifer what we choose to do with our 24 hours each day. Everything seems so urgent and demands our immediate attention a lot of the times, but is it really urgent? Is it important? Is it really meant for you to deal with at all? I will talk more on this class later, but for now just wanted to mention it. The people at church have especially been great! We have received many cards, e-mails, several dinners, and a peace lilly over the past few weeks that I have been recovering from knee surgery and the passing of Megan's grandpa. He was 92 and lived in Oregon. He lived a long and fruitful life and will be missed by many!
Sorry to be so short with everything today, but I am getting ready to leave work and wanted to update my blog since it has been a while. One last thing ......... 37 days until we go on our cruise!!!
As far as my knee, I am actually doing pretty good with it. I do have my days where I try to do too much and end up having to ice down a swollen knee by the evening, but other than that, I think things are going well. Physical therapy is going as expected and I hope to only go one more time next week.
Soccer has been going great! Tyler scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday! Our team is undefeated (4-0)! It has been fun coaching them and watching them develop.
Church has been great! We have been going to a class on Wednesday nights called "Tyranny of the Urgent". It is a class that discusses our priorities and fosters discussion on how to decifer what we choose to do with our 24 hours each day. Everything seems so urgent and demands our immediate attention a lot of the times, but is it really urgent? Is it important? Is it really meant for you to deal with at all? I will talk more on this class later, but for now just wanted to mention it. The people at church have especially been great! We have received many cards, e-mails, several dinners, and a peace lilly over the past few weeks that I have been recovering from knee surgery and the passing of Megan's grandpa. He was 92 and lived in Oregon. He lived a long and fruitful life and will be missed by many!
Sorry to be so short with everything today, but I am getting ready to leave work and wanted to update my blog since it has been a while. One last thing ......... 37 days until we go on our cruise!!!
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