any day now

im still laying on that physio bed, doing awkward stretches, and saying to myself  "ok, come on God; any day you want to heal this hip flexor of mine will be good with me - but please make it soon!"
i still have patience - which there really is no other solution because there is nothing i can do about it. here i am, halfway through soccer season, and having to take another week off of soccer. as my physio would say: "do you have any lazy friends? (umm ya, I could think of a few), pretend you are them and don't do anything for a week. don't even walk for a long time or stand for a long time."  loosing hope over hear....i was flipping through a notebook today and it just so happen said this verse:

Romans 8:28:  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

so tonight, as i sit and watch my soccer game, and think to myself  "God any day now...", i find a new sense of hope as i think that God will work this into good.

it's coming amy....it's coming.....

~amy

the soccer ball

I asked someone going on the Africa mission’s trip from my church to keep her eyes out for a soccer ball that she could bring back for me. i didn't keep my hopes up just in case she forgot, or couldn't find it, or didn't have time....WRONG.....Sunday morning she handed me a bag, and there it was - a soccer ball that kids use in Africa....

i never thought that i would have so much feeling and emotion for a soccer ball. like it's just a soccer ball. because i play soccer, my heart goes out to these kids who are playing with something not even close to what we use here in North America. each girl on my team brings a soccer ball to practice, and then my coach brings some. when a ball is flat we just kick it to the side like it's no big deal and grab another ball. but here are kids playing with a ball like this, not complaining, but having hours of fun.
right now, it is currently sitting on my shelf next to my trophies from tournaments as a reminder that's it not all about winning; it's not about the fame and trophies - it's about what you put into those tournaments and how much you worked to earn the trophy. but, it's also about your attitude - how you act on and off the field, how you treat your teammates and coaches, how much you respect the ref and the other team, and your affects on how the other team is playing whether you are loosing or winning. now i look at this simple made soccer ball as inspiration to give it my all for the kids who play soccer with a ball that wouldn't even be considered an option here in Canada. i couldn't imagine bringing that ball to soccer practice, and asking my coach if we could scrimmage with it. or could you imagine a referee bringing that ball out to the field during a match in the world cup?
i never thought i would feel this way about a soccer ball. it is something so small that we take for granted.
now i just need a picture of me playing soccer with kids in Africa, and i'll be satisfied....someday :) .....

~amy

it could have been worse

these past 2 weeks have been brutal. for a girl like me, 2 weeks of no soccer or physical activity has me sitting here in agony. i still went to all of my soccer practices, but just stood on the sideline, hoping that this hip flexor of mine will co-operate soon so that i to can be practicing with my team mates. well 2 weeks later, 3 (soon to be 4) physio appointments, many minutes of icing and stretching.....i got the 'ok' to start running again - just running at 80% and then practicing this monday at 80% for my game on tuesday (where I can go full out). this past weekend has been hard to get running again, to get back to the cardio shape i want to be in, but it's working...the hip flexor is feeling fine, and i am looking forward for a practice and game, finally.

~above, me at physio. this machine feels like bugs are crawling all over you, but it warms up the muscles and feels good afterwards :)

but, in the midst of this situation, i changed my perspective. sure, i had to to take two weeks off, sure i couldn't practice, sure i wasn't fulfilling my goals for this summer, but it could have been worse. i could have done more then a strain. i could have had a game that i would have to miss. it is in the midst of this situation where i learn that God is in control. i challenged myself in this situation to change my perspective just like Bethany Hamilton did. i looked at it as an opportunity to give my body a break, and to challenge myself to eat better. God knows the goals i'm trying to achieve, He knows how serious and passionate I am about this sport, and He is there with me. so i give the thanks to my almighty Coach who had this situation under control all along.

women's world cup 2011

most people like the men's world cup more.  i have no clue why.  sure guys have abs, maybe (in some scenarios) are better at sports, physically. but being a girl myself, i love watching the games and being able to relate to how they are playing, and learning from these experienced role models that i'm watching.  i love the world cup tournament.  i think it's fascinating, and inspiring - that teams from around the world gather in one country and play as a team. they are playing the sport they love and are so passionate about with everything they've got for the chance of winning a title and trophy.

who am i cheering for? i don't really care who wins. Germany has a good chance, but i'm liking the USA team because of some of the athletes on the team: Amy Rodriguez (my girl), Lauren Cheney, Heather Mitts, Abby Wambach, ETC.  but of course, being a Canadian who couldn't cheer for their country. I mean, Christine SinClair, and Kaylyn Kyle are on the team.

Lauren Cheney is a forward on the U.S. National Team. she scored the first goal against Korea on Tuesday. and it was beautiful! even though Lauren is one of the younger players on the team, she is tough, and strong, and determined to make her coaches and team proud. she is focused on bringing her A - game everywhere so that her team will look to her a leader and role-model. this video shows how passionate and serious Lauren is about soccer. her love and passion for the sport gives her motivation and makes her determined to do everything with 110%.  by the way....love her shorts..... :)

Heather Mitts is a defender on the U.S. National Team. this video kind of reminds me of me. Heather tore her ACL and had to have time off.  now I only strained my hip flexor and had to take 2 weeks off, but we both agree that it sucked.  Heather had  to miss the World Cup - that's crazy.  that's disappointing.  my coach doesn't think it's a good idea to play my game on tuesday, and in shock i simply said no way i'm playing. i've been resting for 2 weeks and there's no way i'm missing a game after 3 practices.  but could you imagine missing the biggest tournament in the world?!  she learned a lot about herself during her time off, and learned that obstacles define who we are.  i love that Heather didn't give up, and after she recovered, got right back out there and was hungrier more then ever to play the sport she loves.  i also love that she speaks so highly of her teammates, and looks to them for advice and encouragement and motivation to work hard.

~amy

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