Full Heart, Exhausted Brain

My heart is full and my brain is exhausted after a blessed Leadership Weekend at Cho-Yeh!

Brainstorming and Team-Bonding -- the 2 words that can fairly completely sum up this weekend.

We brainstormed a lot. We looked at every aspect of camp from the second the campers wake up to the moment they go to bed and brainstormed how to make every single minute better. All I can say is Summer 2013 is going to be LEGIT.

We also had quite a bit of team-bonding. From gaga ball, to 9-Square (4-square on steroids essentially), to meal time, to cabin time, to low ropes activities - we shared a lot of time and a lot of experience together to jump start our skills to work together. We had one hiccup in the low-rope initiatives, but then once we solved that, we worked really well together to get accomplish all the tasks! Our team is looking pretty strong!

I can't wait to see exactly what summer 2013 looks like. To pour into my kids from last year in different ways. To take time investing in this years counselors. To being a support system for fellow leadership. God is so good, and I know that He will be SO faithful this summer, as always!

Cho-Yeh Bound!

It's kinda hard to focus on classes when CHO-YEH is on your mind! This afternoon all of the 2013 Leadership Staff will be heading to Livingston for our first Leadership Weekend. The goal of the weekend: plan the summer. That doesn't sound ambiguous at all, does it? Ha. Ha. Ha.

I'm excited to see friends that I haven't seen since either last summer or Christmas. I'm excited to be apart of this team. I'm excited to get a sneak peak at what this summer will hold.

We are asking for prayers that when we are planning that we are seeking out God's will for this summer, not what we think is best. God has wonderful things planned for not only this summer at Cho-Yeh, but for our team as well. I couldn't be more excited!

Code Maroon. Again.

Once again, Texas A&M University is under a bomb threat.

The threat is to Kyle Field (our football stadium), and so Kyle as well as surrounding buildings have been evacuated. The rest of the campus is remaining open and classes are going on as scheduled.

Although this bomb threat seems a lot less scary than other ones (partially because the university is remaining open and not completely evacuating), it's the fact that anything could happen which is the scary part. There are people out there who could target a campus that has 50,000 students on it daily. There are people who would do that, without warning, and create a disaster on an unsuspecting campus. That's the scary thing about these emergency situations that Texas A&M seems to always find themselves in. Anything could happen, and there is nothing we can do to prevent them.

For now, I am sitting waiting for class on the northside of campus (a good 15 minute walk from Kyle). The atmosphere around campus right now is tense, Kyle is a beloved building to Aggie Tradition, and the fact that our school is being threatened is just scary. Waiting for the all-clear text to come through so we can all breathe easy again!

"Ah, You're One of Those Students"

I had my first math test of the semester last week, and our tests were returned yesterday with this preface: "The highest grade was a 91, the lowest was a 21, and the average was a 68". I was handed my test and received an 88. I was excited! Because the grades were so low we have an extra credit assignment on Friday where we are able to rework some of the problems on the last test for an extra 10 bonus points.

Today I went into my professor's office hours for help on a couple of problems that I still didn't quite understand. This is the conversation that went down:

Professor: What did you score on the test?
Me: An 88
Professor: "That's the second highest grade in the class, and you are upset by that?"
Me: "No, I know that I made some mistakes but wanted to fix them before the next quiz and test."
Professor: "Ah, you're one of those students! Alright, let's see how we can get you to get a 100 next time!"

I laughed. Yes I'm an overachiever and a perfectionist... but it generally ends up working out for me!

Firsts

The past few days have been full of many "firsts":

First 5K! I participated in my first 5K Friday night, benefitting an orphanage in Honduras. Although my friends and I walked most of it (when we weren't walking we were skipping or jumping or high-kneeing), we finished in under an hour -- WHOO!

First Aggie Baseball Game of the Season! Super fun time with precious friends cheering on our Aggies as the BTHO Univeristy of Illinois at Chicago.

First time getting my hair cut in College Station... Terrifying? Traumatic? Petrifying? Yes, those are all appropriate words. Here's the story:

*Walks into place #1. Notices there is a huge line and only guys are getting their hair cut. Absolutely no girls are, and there is only one person working*
Me: "Hi, I was wondering if y'all have any appointments today?"
Worker: "No."
Me: "Okay, do you have any tomorrow or later this week?"
Worker: "Nope."
Me: "When is your next opening?"
Worker: "We don't do appointments, it's just walk ups."
*Decides the place smells funny, and looks super sketchy so walks out*

Next place looked a bit more promising. There was no line and their was another lady getting her haircut. Perfect! I just needed to trim my dead ends anyways. Well... I sat down and explained what I wanted and she began to cut. No shampooing, no wetting the hair, no brushing the hair... just cutting. And she began to talk to me about how her son is addicted to porn. Yes, that conversation was VERY one-sided on her part! She was done in 5 minutes, I paid my $13, and walked out, immediately throwing my hair up into a ponytail.

I'm hoping that once I shower and blow dry my hair how I normally do it will look a bit more like normal? Thank goodness for messy braids where nobody can tell how horridly your hair is cut!

Roomie Date

Happy Valentines Day from Rachel and I! After a busy day of classes and polo practice I enjoyed a lazy Valentines night with this lovely lady! We "enjoyed" some chocolates that her mom sent (they were kinda iffy.... and that's putting it nicely), as well as some candy and pizza rolls that I brought back after practice while we studied. We laughed and giggled and loved just spending time being goofy now that most of the stress of this week is over with.

Although today was chill and not revolving around any love filled boyfriend drama (or boys at all), I enjoyed just being lazy.

And the best part of today? Getting this picture in my email from the orphanage in Honduras. Sara is holding the "e" in "we". MADE MY DAY. Although I know the chances aren't really a reality, I still dream of one day being able to call Sara my own; I do know that one day I will adopt a child though and be able to celebrate Valentines Day with them. For now, this will have to do!

Out of the Mouth of a College Kid

Just in the past 12 hours...

"Can I throw this damp towel in the dryer without washing it? It's just going to get dirty again tonight."

*Pulls sweatpants out of dirty laundry basket. Sniffs*
"SWEET! These don't even smell bad. Looks like I can wear them for the second day this week. Or the third..."

"Do apples expire? I think I have had this one for at least a month."

Rachel: "Do you have any dishes you want me to wash real fast?"
Me: "No, I'm good, thanks though!"
*10 minutes later*
Rachel: "This cup has cranberry juice caked to the bottom! What the heck? I thought your dishes were clean!"

Rachel: "Have I worn this shirt this week?
Me: "I don't think so?"
Rachel: "Smells clean enough!"

#CollegeLife

Momma Duck

At the start of last semester I made it my goal that no freshman on the polo team would feel as awkward, isolated, or lonely as I did the fall of my freshman year. In the process I grew pretty close to the Class of 2016, and several have become really good friends.

This weekend was our first tournament of the season. We played really well, and we now know some things that we need a bit of work on. There were many highlights: beating Texas State who won last years conference, scoring several goals, being ejected for a silly reason, stealing the ball from several players, and spending the weekend with my team. One of the proudest moments though was getting to watch my freshmen play. Myriam played incredible at guard. Maddie's defense was impecable. Melanie was our starting goalie and made some phenomenal passes. I LOVED getting to be their cheerleader on the side of the pool when I wasn't playing.

When I was bragging about how well they did to Carley, her reply was "you are such a Momma Duck!". I laughed, but it is true. These girls are my babies and I have enjoyed seeing their quiet, shy, and uncertain selves blossom into loud, confident, and sassy polo players.

After this weekend, I am a very proud Momma Duck. And even though they don't need me any more, they can swim on their own (literally), I will always be their Momma Duck!

From the Summer League Days

Happy Birthday Daddy!! Through thick and thin he has always been by my side. He has supported me through everything. At my first swim meet when I was only 4 years old, I was "that kid" who hung on the lane rope bawling my eyes out and took a good 10 minutes to swim across the pool -- he was there on the side cheering the entire way. When I played in my first water polo game and ended up shooting on the wrong goal, he was in the bleachers cheering me on even though neither one of us knew the rules to water polo. And today, on his birthday, he is driving up to College Station to watch me and the rest of the Texas A&M Women's Water Polo Team BTHO Texas and Tech! I couldn't be more blessed to have him as my Daddy.

I am thankful that both of my parents have been active supporters of my athletic career. My mom has always been an emotional supporter; my dad has always been the loud and vocal supporter. 

Yesterday was Dad's birthday, and when I woke up this was the memories that floated through my mind.

My first swim meet when I was only 4 years old. I refused to wear a swim cap, my goggles could never stay on my cap, and my suit was about 5 sizes too big. We had no idea what we were signing up for, but I was soon to become "that kid" who hung on the lane rope bawling my eyes out and took a good 10 minutes to swim across the pool; my dad was cheering the entire time.

My very first water polo game ever. I was a freshman in high school, had never seen a game before, and only had 3 days of practice under my belt. I was ecstatic as I got to play the last quarter, and ended up shooting on the wrong goal. Dad was in the bleachers not only cheering, but quickly trying to pick up on the first sport that one of his children had played that he didn't understand.

Yesterday, on his birthday, he chose to come up to College Station and cheer on the Texas A&M Women's Water Polo Team, as we played in the first tournament of the season. And he proudly sat there, beaming, as I took an ejection (something reserved only for the most aggressive players in the pool). 

I am so thankful for my sports-loving and enthusiastic Dad!! 

Mary and Martha -- Luke 10:38-42

At the end of Luke 10, Jesus is staying at the house of Martha and her sister Mary. Martha gets caught up in preparations and wordly distractions while Mary finds herself just sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha complains to Jesus that Mary isn't helping her, and Jesus responds by saying that Mary has chosen what is right and it won't be taken from her.

This week I have been so busy between classwork and helping out friends who are going through rough times. It has been draining in every sense of the word. I have still found time to have my quiet time, but it has been more of a me asking God for help as opposed to just sitting and meditating on His word. Everyday we have to make a choice: are we going to sit at the feet of Jesus and let Him take care of us, or are we going to be distracted by the preparations the world demands from us?

Sit at the feet of Jesus. Spend time there, and realize how insignificant the world seems in comparison to the grace He offers.

Exhaustion.

The only word I can pick out to describe this week right now, is that I'm exhuasted. I haven't been in bed before 2 AM all week, and then haven't been sleeping through the night. I've been busy from the moment I got up to the second my head finally hit my pillow. On Tuesday I left my dorm at 8:30 and didn't return home till midnight. That's A LONG time!

I've been sheer exhausted. Blessed beyond measure, but exhausted. And I know this weekend won't have much time for relaxation as we have a water polo tournament both days in College Station.

I took some 'me-time' tonight as that hasn't happened all week, and am feeling much more refreshed. I washed dishes and have cleaned up my room. I was able to watch an episode of Grey's when it actually aired. I took a 45 minute shower and just stood there.

Thankfully, I only have one class tomorrow, and then Rachel and I are having a roomie night (those actually happen pretty frequently). And then POLO all weekend! Enjoying this bit of relaxation before the storm of the next week hits!

SHALOM - Show Hope

Breakaway does one big mission project every year, a Shalom project. This year they have partnered with Show Hope, and organization that works to provide orphans medical care as well as help families cover some of the costs of adoption.

Tonight, we discussed this project. Our goal, as a ministry, is to over the next 4 weeks raise enough money to pay for 20 orphans to have medical attention for the next year. On average, each child costs about $3,500 for one year. We are also helping 7 families adopt a child, matching Show Hope's donation of $4,500 per family. All in all, we are trying to raise about $100,000 between now and Spring Break in order to help these kids out.

That wasn't the part that got me. My heart has had a passion for orphans for a long time. The part that got me was seeing other people fueled up for this, and my fire being rekindled. Y'all, 7% of the people that profess they are a Christian adopted one child, the orphan problem in the ENTIRE WORLD would be gone. 7%!

I am so excited to see what God is going to do through the campus I love and a passion that I love in the next few weeks!

APARTMENT!

It's official guys... I have finally finished applying to live off campus at an apartment complex! It is 4 bedroom and 4 bathrooms, with a kitchen, living room and a patio. And it's completely furnished!! So far I will be living with Rachel and Maddie, and then our 4th girl is still up in the air a bit. But Maddie, Rachel and I will all be living together!

I am so blessed that the Lord placed both of these girls in my life this year. He gave me the most wonderful roommate, Rachel, and allowed us to get along and live so well together that we get to do it all again next year! And He placed Maddie in my life through polo, allowed us to fellowship and bond with each other, and has given us the opportunity to continue and further that relationship as we live life together next year!

I am so incredibly blessed. God is just too good!