A Weekend of Change

       

                                               The views right behind our cabin. Gorgeous
        

            If you had asked me a week ago why I was going on the FCA college advance retreat I would have said because our FCA leader Pat Ford pushed it on us, and I’m not lying, he did. Now that I have gone and come back, I realize it was for good reason. It truly was a life-changing experience not just for me but for many of the athletes that went on that trip.
         The day I left I was so caught up in my morning workout and school work and dealing with a lot of other things that I didn’t even really realize what I was about to get into. The 7 hour bus ride didn’t help much either. When we got there it was already time for the first praise and worship and chapel experience. By the end of that night, I realized why I had gone on that retreat and why God had put me in that position.
         We often times lose sight of what is really important. We get caught up in school, sports, jobs, friends, family and so much more that we don’t realize sometimes we just need a break. The first few seconds of the trip I was worried about where the phone charging outlets would be and why I only got two bars and not all four. This quickly changed when I realized that I wasn’t there so I could text my friends or call people, I was there to not only grow in my relationship with God but also to get away and realize what is important.
          If I wrote about this whole trip, it would take up pages but what I really realized is that we can’t really control what is going to happen. It may seem like we can, but there is a “game plan” for us. There are so many lessons I learned from this weekend. Scott Crenshaw was the speaker and he was absolutely perfect for college students. He knew how to make us laugh and feel something but he also knew how to get our minds working and really to think about where we stand in our faith.
         The main things that I got out of the trip were defining my relationships with God and with other people. We often try to control every little detail even though that is all mapped out for us.Second,  I learned that not just in the morning or at night but all throughout the day we must give thanks. A life given will never amount to our 10 minutes of daily prayer, it has to be more than that. Third, I learned that challenges were put in our life to make us and to shake us. This was one of my favorite things Scott had said. We all deal with challenges in life and sometimes we might think it’s a little too much, but really, it’s just enough to get us on track and realize what’s important.

Looking Forward

            You know they always say that once something is taken away from you, you want that thing so much more. This statement has proven to be true for most things I've come across in life. Last year after my surgery I wanted nothing more to play. Getting back on the field was great but like most athletes there were days I would take my talents and abilities to play soccer for granted. 
          This year after my surgery, I doubted the doctor when he said I’d be walking within a week. For the first few days I was in so much pain that I didn’t sleep. Low and behold, a week later I was walking. Walking with a limp but walking none the less. It’s crazy what people take for granted. I didn’t think i’d ever not be able to walk.
          I am about three months out of surgery now and have just started running, jumping, lunging and doing side to side motions.  The feeling I get when I run makes me so happy to think that in three more months I can step back on the field.  It’s crazy what your body can go through. By May, my body will have been through two knee surgeries in the past year and a half.
         My patience has been running a little low lately. I look through soccer pictures from last season and I remember how much I love the game. I have one season left. One season. I’m almost in denial that my soccer career can end after 17 years. I know this season I will not take anything for granted. I am already ready and there are still 6 months until the fall season. God has given me the ability to play soccer and I’m so thankful to have a second, second chance to play again.

Whew, Another one down.

          Well, a few days ago we had another Amarillo Bulls elimination. I've been interning with them since June 2011. It seems like so long, but it also seems like it has gone so fast. Most of the tasks that I do as an intern are graphic design, another intern and I, Tyler, help run the social media, we work game operations and customer relations at the games and we run the occasional errand ( typical intern work).
          The way the internship is run is like the TV show "The Apprentice." As the months come and go, so do more interns. This last elimination was the most intense by far. Our bosses called us into the board room one by one and evaluated us (scary). Then it was time for deliberation as we all sat out there nervous. They called us back into the board room and told us who was eliminated. Sigh of relief. I can go on for another month.
         Most internships just last a few months and then they are done which might not give full potential to interns. By putting a competitive edge on it, all of us have to step up our game in some way or another. We are in the busiest time of our season and want to create the best atmosphere for our fans. I am excited to see what is in store for the rest of the internship and ready to work hard to achieve the Ultimate Sports Intern goal.
        On top of that, our NSAC team has been getting ready. With holiday homework and always searching for advertisements or something that can make our campaign the best. I'm on the road to recovery with soccer ( hopefully being able to run here soon) and this semester is going to prove to be my busiest but maybe my most fulfilling one to date ( if I make it out alive). I'm ready for the challenges that are head of me. As the song goes, "Ain't no stopping us now." That's all