expect the unexpected

life really is unpredictable. things can change in the matter of seconds. while reading the Apolo Ohno book, he explained how he would picture how the race would go during while warming up or putting on his skates. he knew his competition so well, and because he was so mentally strong, he would plan out how he was going to pass the Koreans - take the inside or outside; he already set out the pace. he had the whole race planned out, and most of the time they followed as planned. he explained one time, how there were about 6 people in the race, and 5 fell, and the person sitting in last (who always just barley made the cut) came in first, and got gold. that one man falling - and then taking out the rest of his competitors, except one, who everyone knew that he would probably never see a medal in his life, now walking away with gold - was not a part of Apolo's vision before the race. it was unexpected.

who knew that i would be getting hurt this much during this soccer season. who knew that the soccer season that was my training season and having big plans and goals would be put on hold because of a strained hip flexor.  i rested for one week then went to physio. the physio news - strained hip flexor (common for sprinters...makes sense....) stretch then ice for 10 minutes, 3 times a day, and two more visits to the physio during the week. didn't see that one coming did you? the answer is no. did i ever think that the soccer season i was most looking forward to, with the plan of soccer practice 3 times a week, plus a game, plus workouts monday, wednesday, friday, and saturday, and cardio workouts tuesday and thursday would be put on hold for two weeks, leaving me waiting in agony and anicipation to get out and do the things that i love to do? nope - not at all. lesson learned - expect the unexpected. life is what it is and changes in the matter of seconds. everything happens for a reason. my reason is still to come, but i know it will!

~amy

strength

because I am an athlete,  i know a lot of strength.  I understand what it takes to gain muscle, working out, and being mentally strong.  i get it, i understand it.  but i admit, that there are times when i feel helpless.  when i feel like i have literally nothing left to give or to lay down.  when i've reached the bottom of my, what seems like a never ending bucket.  at times it is hard to dig deeper, and to find the next handful of strength to create the next play or get back to help my defenders, or to push myself in the last 100m of the 400m race, or to get up after someone did a move on me in wrestling.  it is those times when i feel weak, helpless, and have no idea how to carry on....but during those times in sports or even in the everyday battles of life that is when i call onto the ultimate strength giver.  i know a lot about strength that everyone wants in the sports world, but i also know that my God is stronger than any obstacle.  he is stronger than any athlete i compete against;  stronger than my coaches;  stronger than my mind;  stronger then my lungs;  stronger then my very own muscles.  he is stronger.  and knowing that as a fact is what helps me during those moments when i am literally dead.  all i ask for is his strength to help me carry on, and in that moment it is like i can dig a little deeper and find a little more strength to continue.
my favorite line from soul surfer fits this topic just perfectly. i absolutely love it, because Bethany didn't let anything stop her, and get in her way of achieving her dream. i love that in the tough times she looked to God for strength. she trusted that God would renew all of her strength and help her live the promising future God had in store for her. i love that she declared that over her life ~ i can do all things through him who gives me strength!
i also admit that this happens often. ~ this past weekend i was away at a soccer tournament, and i had to ask my God for strength constantly. i had to ask him to help me carry on and forget about my hip flexor, my huge blister on my foot, exactly where i kick; to ignore how tired i was.  i also had to ask for strength to ignore the horrible calls the ref was calling, and the rugby-like pushes from behind i was getting in the semi-finals from a team who needs to to learn to play real soccer. it takes strength to get over things like that, and it's in those times exactly when i learned that my strength just isn't good enough. no matter how good of shape or strong i am, i can't depend on my own strength - and i am not the one to just settle. i have played soccer for many years, but never have i played soccer like i have been this year - all thanks to a God so strong, who can help me in the midst of my situations when i need him the most!

~amy

perspective

I was looking at the pictures of my friends trip to NYC, and one picture stopped me, and I wrote it down.  It was a saying on a sign, that looked like was on the highway or something. it said:

Every challenge is an opportunity. 

It is hard to see the opportunities that lie right in front of us when we are challenging with something.  Bethany Hamilton inspires me in this case.  she lost an arm, but she still wanted to go surfing, and took 'being famous' as a chance to share her faith.  she used this situation to grow stronger with God.  in the movie, Soul Surfer, one of my favorite parts was the conversation she had with her youth pastor.  Bethany was trying to find the good perspective in the situation she was in, but she explained that she doesn't get how this is a part of God's plan for her life; and the youth pastor (Carrie Underwood) said this.  It's all about your perspective on life, and the situation.  you can take the situation as only a situation and deal with it like a situation, or look at it with a good perspective and take it as a challenge for your life.  no one said it will ever be easy, but also what Carrie Underwood, as the youth leader, said is that if you are dealing with anything that's just to hard to handle or doesn't seem to make much sense, get a new perspective. then she left that scene with a verse. Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you, and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.

~amy