Memorable Moments in Ultimate

I love playing Frisbee. And I might even say that I'm actually pretty good at it. But there are two things I don't do. Or don't do often. And that is jump and dive for the disc. I'm somewhat vertically challenged. And I just don't dive. I will say though that jumping does happen more often than diving.

But this week I had two amazing dives! It really was just that. Amazing. For the first dive I just went for it. One of my teammates threw the disc a bit off and I knew I needed to get it! So I did! And in the process I took one of the guys down with me. Oh well. He was fine.

The second dive was even better. It rained most of the day today. So the field was somewhat wet and there were puddles in various areas. I went to catch the disc and it skimmed off the tops of my fingertips. In the following split second, I realized that it was totally reachable. So I dove for it. And ended up in a HUGE mud puddle. I was covered head to toe. But I got the disc! And it felt great!

So this is me documenting my first two notable dives AND catches. Yay for Ultimate!

Being Directed

I am still meeting with a spiritual director once every three or four weeks or so. Depending on my travel schedule and his availability when I'm home. Anyways, we met earlier this week and it's always such a relaxing and refreshing time. In the beginning of the meeting I never know quite what to say or how to start. It's hard to just launch into the thoughts that are swirling around in my head. So I usually find myself just sitting there and looking at David waiting for him to ask me a question. Which he will. And then an hour and a half later I find myself with nothing more to say. It's always amazing to me how this happens. I just open up and the words begin to flow out of me. Often times my mouth isn't able to keep up with my thoughts. But things always come out. Things that I didn't even know I was thinking about. Realizations are made. Questions are asked. It's a very healthy thing for me to be doing. And I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to have found David. After our meetings I feel light and free yet challenged and motivated. It's great.

Swinging

So I found myself with a free hour this afternoon. And I asked myself what I should do with it. Should I take a nap? Or should I take a walk? Keep in mind that it is an absolutely gorgeous day outside. The moment I remembered that there was a park just down the street I knew what I had to do.

I went for a walk. When I set out I had hopes for a swing set to be somewhere along the path. I was not let down!

I walked into the park, crossed over a bridge and started down what looked to be a brand new sidewalk. Then the sidewalk ended but I just continued on around the edge of the water. I made it around to the other side and that was when I saw the swings. They were beckoning me to come to to them. And so I did.

There weren't other people in the park. If I was back in Elgin at Wing Park there would be dozens and dozens of people everywhere playing soccer or basketball or tennis, children would be playing on the playground with parents nearby talking with friends. You'd hear kids screaming as they chased one another, or laughter from the games.

But not in this park. It was silent. I could hear the birds. The water hitting the stone edge. I crossed a large empty field towards the swing set. There was no one else around me. After I rolled up my pant legs so that I could bask in the sun I sat down and began pumping my legs.

Back and forth. Lean in and lean back. I can't even remember the last time I sat down just to swing. I found myself going higher and higher. Focusing on the squeakiness of metal on metal. I just wanted to touch the bright blue sky.

I couldn't keep on going forever so I decided it was time to stop and continue on my walk. Yes, walking was a much better idea than taking a nap.

Youth, Camp, and the Environment

So this weekend I have found myself in McPherson, Kansas for a Regional Youth Conference. And I found myself spending time with the youth in the Western Plains District, leading them in camp games and learning/remembering about environmental issues.

These happen to be three things that I like a lot. Youth. Camp. The Environment.

Youth happen to be a passion of mine. I could see myself working with youth full time in the future.

I've spent several summers at camp and I know lots of crazy camp games. And now thanks to this weekend I know more!

Some of you may not know this, but I was an environmental science major at college. I forget how much I really enjoy the concepts and ideas and various aspects of environmental awareness until I participate in weekends like this.

So this has been a good weekend for me. Maybe all these realizations are something that I should be paying attention to. Maybe I will...

Your Story, My Story

What is your story? What is my story? What is the story of the person in the room with you right now? What is the story of your co-workers? What about the people you pass on the street every day?

I just started reading What is the What? The story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Even after the first few pages I started asking myself these questions. We each have a story, our story. But how often do we let our own story be heard? Or take the time to hear where other people have come from?

If someone asked you right now, this very moment, to tell your own story what would you say? How would you begin? Would it flow together and make sense, or would it be fragmented and out of order?

One night after dinner and a long hard day of work, one of the young Nigerian workcampers asked for the elders among us to share stories from their childhood. Ralph, a 76 year old gentleman who grew up in Nigeria shared several humorous stories. Something about a spitting cobra in the outhouse... Then this young man, Isau, shared his story. His entire story. I wish I had been able to catch more than I did. He was very passionate in his sharing. Then my dear friend Anthony shared his story. It was one of hope and happiness and trust and love and faith and determinaton. His story flowed and it left me wanting to hear more and to learn more about this man and his family.

It seemed to me that the men and women that I was able to work with and get to know, knew three things. They knew:

1. Who they were.
2. Where they came from.
3. Where they are going.

Now, while that may be a very generalized statement, I find that it is not the case for me. I struggle everyday with who I am. I struggle everyday with where I am going from here. I have no idea. Sometimes I think that maybe I know. But I find myself becoming almost paralyzed from all the options and opportunities that I have.

But each and every day I find myself thinking about my own story. And how, when asked, I might tell it.

Care Free Me

Last night I was hanging out with the girls. Nothing new. Nothing out of the usual. But at the same time something was different. I was talking. And laughing. And acting somewhat crazy. Some might even think that something had been put in my water.

The last few months have been stressful. And emotional. Many highs. Many lows. Lots of thinking has been involved. I dare to say that opinions have been formed. Conclusions reached. Goals made.

There are many questions still to be asked. Many thoughts to process. Experiences to recall.
My future is unclear. Unknown.

But for one night. I was care free. And happy. Weights were lifted from my shoulders. I could breathe. And laugh. And listen. And smile. And be in the moment.

And it was good. No, it was great.

Letting God Bless Me

Tonight many from the HACoB gathered together for a time of remembering and thinking about what Christ would have gone through on this night before His death. It's a hard thing to think about. And strangely enough I'm not sure if I ever have in great detail before. What this night meant to Him and those he spent it with. To have taken the time to wash the disciples feet and break bread with them. Knowing what was to come the next day. I think for myself, I tend to look past the events that lead up to Easter and focus on the hope and the renewal of life and the gift that Easter brings to us. But without the events leading up to Easter Sunday, there would be no reason to celebrate. It would simply be another day in the year. It's good to be reminded of what it is that Christ did for us. 

I find myself growing more and more each and every day. I just thought to myself, "is this really me talking?" Sometimes I have to wonder where these thoughts come from. But then I think to myself, I'm just getting older and maturing and starting to really think things through. Instead of simply going through the motions, I'm beginning to think about why I am going through the motions. And this is true in many senses of my life, not just with my faith.

It could very well be that this little girl is growing up. Finding my place in this world. One question that I have been asking myself over and over again, is wondering if the decisions I make are based on what I want or if it's what God wants of me. I've been talking with several people about this and some wisdom has been shared. What if what I want and what God wants of me are one and the same? Maybe God just wants me to step up and do what I really want and allow God to bless that. Definitely something to consider. 

For now, Happy Easter.