What a great time of year! Thanksgiving, for me, can be sometimes overlooked. My decorations for Christmas go up earlier and earlier each year. I am already listening to the 24/7 Christmas music station on my radio. I am really not sure why that is, but I want to take the time and say publicly to the world. . ."I am so thankful!"
I am thankful that even after all the ups and downs of the season, we are still playing. I am thankful that after all the morning sickness, I have passed the first trimester mark and have a little belly to rub:) I am thankful that, although I can't go to my dad's birthday party because we will be playing this weekend, he is turning 61 and is still the best dad in the world! And I am thankful that God spends every day with me, loving me, not in spite of who I am, but because of who I am! Lastly, I am thankful for you! Even though I may not know your name or where you live, I am thankful that you let me come into your lives and let me share what God has done in mine.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this , that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Bell
Hello Friends,
I heard this story and wanted to share it with you today.
The story is told in England that at the time of Oliver Cromwell a young soldier was tried in military court and sentenced to death. He was to be shot at the "ringing of the curfew bell." His fiance climbed up into the bell tower several hours before curfew time and tied herself to the bell's huge clapper. At curfew time, when only muted sounds came out of the bell tower, Cromwell demanded to know why the bell was not ringing. His soldiers went to investigate and found the young woman cut and bleeding from being knocked back and forth against the great bell.
They brought her down and the story goes, Cromwell was so impressed with her willingness to suffer in this way on behalf of someone she loved that he dismissed the soldier saying, "Curfew shall not ring tonight."
What a great story! A story of love and sacrifice which we all know as coaches wives. Someone once said the definition of sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love even more. Know your sacrifice for you family does not go unnoticed. You are loved and appreciated by your Heavenly father! Oh and I love you too:)
I heard this story and wanted to share it with you today.
The story is told in England that at the time of Oliver Cromwell a young soldier was tried in military court and sentenced to death. He was to be shot at the "ringing of the curfew bell." His fiance climbed up into the bell tower several hours before curfew time and tied herself to the bell's huge clapper. At curfew time, when only muted sounds came out of the bell tower, Cromwell demanded to know why the bell was not ringing. His soldiers went to investigate and found the young woman cut and bleeding from being knocked back and forth against the great bell.
They brought her down and the story goes, Cromwell was so impressed with her willingness to suffer in this way on behalf of someone she loved that he dismissed the soldier saying, "Curfew shall not ring tonight."
What a great story! A story of love and sacrifice which we all know as coaches wives. Someone once said the definition of sacrifice is giving up something you love for something you love even more. Know your sacrifice for you family does not go unnoticed. You are loved and appreciated by your Heavenly father! Oh and I love you too:)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bake Shop Talk
Hello Friends,
So I was in this little bake shop yesterday (baby needed some no-bake cookies:)). I was waiting on my order when I couldn't help over hear a conversation that was taking place at the table in front of me. Seated at this table were 4 ladies in their late sixties, early seventies. What I expected to hear was talk that included, "So I saw the grandkids this weekend," or "I loved that quilt you made for the church benefit dinner" or "Did you hear Marge's husband passed away yesterday." You know, the stereotypical conversation of older ladies. Not today! These ladies were talking football-college football! And I loved it. I sat there listening to them talk about Oklahoma State's defense during the Texas Tech game and the match up between OU and Texas Tech coming up in a few weeks. They even threw in there votes for this year's Heisman race.
They called my name to pick up my order and I did not want to get up-heck, I wanted a little piece of the seventy year old action, but the baby won this battle. As I got back in my car and was satisfying my (I mean the baby) craving, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. I was reminded of what a great game football is and how awesome sports can be, in general. I know we get so bogged down with the ups and downs of sports as coaching families, but I want to remind ourselves of what great games they really are. Our husbands got into this profession for the love of the game. We need to remind them and ourselves of that.
Sports is the one thing that transcends all age boundaries . It is the one thing that you can talk to your grandpa (or grandma) about and it not be awkward. It is the one thing that can bring a family together after Thanksgiving dinner. And it is the one thing that is talked about from TV to Radio to the coffee shop to the bake shop.
SPORTS!! Got to LOVE it!!!!
So I was in this little bake shop yesterday (baby needed some no-bake cookies:)). I was waiting on my order when I couldn't help over hear a conversation that was taking place at the table in front of me. Seated at this table were 4 ladies in their late sixties, early seventies. What I expected to hear was talk that included, "So I saw the grandkids this weekend," or "I loved that quilt you made for the church benefit dinner" or "Did you hear Marge's husband passed away yesterday." You know, the stereotypical conversation of older ladies. Not today! These ladies were talking football-college football! And I loved it. I sat there listening to them talk about Oklahoma State's defense during the Texas Tech game and the match up between OU and Texas Tech coming up in a few weeks. They even threw in there votes for this year's Heisman race.
They called my name to pick up my order and I did not want to get up-heck, I wanted a little piece of the seventy year old action, but the baby won this battle. As I got back in my car and was satisfying my (I mean the baby) craving, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. I was reminded of what a great game football is and how awesome sports can be, in general. I know we get so bogged down with the ups and downs of sports as coaching families, but I want to remind ourselves of what great games they really are. Our husbands got into this profession for the love of the game. We need to remind them and ourselves of that.
Sports is the one thing that transcends all age boundaries . It is the one thing that you can talk to your grandpa (or grandma) about and it not be awkward. It is the one thing that can bring a family together after Thanksgiving dinner. And it is the one thing that is talked about from TV to Radio to the coffee shop to the bake shop.
SPORTS!! Got to LOVE it!!!!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Great Weekend
Hello Friends,
I just wanted to let you all know what a great weekend we had, and it had nothing to do with football:) Crazy, I know. It was great because at 5:00 on Saturday night I witnessed one of the greatest things of my life-my husband getting baptized. Just so you know, because our church is so big we have services on Saturday and Sunday. Family and Friends were there all to support his decision to "take the plunge." I was sitting there feeling like I was getting ready to watch my husband coach in the state championship or something. I was excited, anxious, a little nervous-all at the same time. To set the scene-our church has a big pool they put up in front of the church for baptisms. While the worship music is playing they bring the individuals who have made this decision to get baptized all out at the same time. There he was-the 4th person in line. They bring each one in the pool one at a time, they ask them questions, and then here it comes. . .a pastor puts them under water and then they shoot up a brand new person. For my husband, this brand new person just happened to shoot up back in college, but he never got baptized. This act was an act of obedience for him. I have watched while God called him into coaching and use it as a ministry and he obeyed, I watched God call him to share his faith in front of hundreds of people and he obeyed, and I have watched God call him to get in the Word and he obeyed and i watched God call him to fight the pride and get baptized and he obeyed. With this one act-he encouraged me and inspired me to listen to God and obey! It is a great honor to follow his spiritual leadership for our family.
As I told you in a previous post this hasn't always been the case so when I was watching, I couldn't help but get overwhelmed with emotion. I have been a part of this man's life from when we were in grade school all the way to his baptism at the age of 31 and I can tell you I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world. The good, the bad, the ugly, the great all led to this moment where I got to see God work in him, creating with in him a man after God's own heart. The answer to many prayers, years of prayers happened on Saturday, November 1 at 5:00. Let this be a testimony that God is Faithful!!! Not in our time, but in His! I can't wait to see where God will take him next.
Baby Update: We had a checkup and everything looks great so far!! 10 weeks woo hoo!
I just wanted to let you all know what a great weekend we had, and it had nothing to do with football:) Crazy, I know. It was great because at 5:00 on Saturday night I witnessed one of the greatest things of my life-my husband getting baptized. Just so you know, because our church is so big we have services on Saturday and Sunday. Family and Friends were there all to support his decision to "take the plunge." I was sitting there feeling like I was getting ready to watch my husband coach in the state championship or something. I was excited, anxious, a little nervous-all at the same time. To set the scene-our church has a big pool they put up in front of the church for baptisms. While the worship music is playing they bring the individuals who have made this decision to get baptized all out at the same time. There he was-the 4th person in line. They bring each one in the pool one at a time, they ask them questions, and then here it comes. . .a pastor puts them under water and then they shoot up a brand new person. For my husband, this brand new person just happened to shoot up back in college, but he never got baptized. This act was an act of obedience for him. I have watched while God called him into coaching and use it as a ministry and he obeyed, I watched God call him to share his faith in front of hundreds of people and he obeyed, and I have watched God call him to get in the Word and he obeyed and i watched God call him to fight the pride and get baptized and he obeyed. With this one act-he encouraged me and inspired me to listen to God and obey! It is a great honor to follow his spiritual leadership for our family.
As I told you in a previous post this hasn't always been the case so when I was watching, I couldn't help but get overwhelmed with emotion. I have been a part of this man's life from when we were in grade school all the way to his baptism at the age of 31 and I can tell you I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world. The good, the bad, the ugly, the great all led to this moment where I got to see God work in him, creating with in him a man after God's own heart. The answer to many prayers, years of prayers happened on Saturday, November 1 at 5:00. Let this be a testimony that God is Faithful!!! Not in our time, but in His! I can't wait to see where God will take him next.
Baby Update: We had a checkup and everything looks great so far!! 10 weeks woo hoo!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Holding your husband's hand
Ok, so you read the title and you think, this is going to be a lovey, dovey entry. Wrong!! Your husband may or may not be like my husband. Display of affection is made either after a conscious effort or a strong nudge from myself. He tries and has such great qualities, but that is just not his strongest. No, I am talking about something totally different.
There is a story in the bible that is one of my favorites. It is found in Exodus (yes, exodus) 17:8-13. In this story the characters include Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur. God's team (Israelites) were fighting a group called Amalek. Moses told Joshua he would go up to the top of the hill and stand with the staff of God in his hand (vs.9) while Joshua went and fought the Amalek. Starting in verse 11 it says, "Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew tired, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."
I love that!!!! That is the best story and such an amazing picture of friendship, family, and the spouse relationship. Ladies, whether you are in your husband's season or you are preparing for your husband's season, there IS going to come a time when he gets weary and tired and you are going to have to hold his hands up. He may be tired of his team-hold his hands up. He may be tired of the media-hold his hands up. He may be tired of losing-hold his hands up. How do you do that: Pray and Words of Encouragement. There is nothing that makes a man stronger than a wife that prays for him daily. There is nothing that builds a man up than words of encouragement from the one person that knows him better than any one else.
And believe me I realize you are tired, heck, I am tired, but that is why we have each other. Wives, to pray for each other and build each other up so that we can in turn hold our husband's hand.
There is a story in the bible that is one of my favorites. It is found in Exodus (yes, exodus) 17:8-13. In this story the characters include Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and Hur. God's team (Israelites) were fighting a group called Amalek. Moses told Joshua he would go up to the top of the hill and stand with the staff of God in his hand (vs.9) while Joshua went and fought the Amalek. Starting in verse 11 it says, "Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew tired, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."
I love that!!!! That is the best story and such an amazing picture of friendship, family, and the spouse relationship. Ladies, whether you are in your husband's season or you are preparing for your husband's season, there IS going to come a time when he gets weary and tired and you are going to have to hold his hands up. He may be tired of his team-hold his hands up. He may be tired of the media-hold his hands up. He may be tired of losing-hold his hands up. How do you do that: Pray and Words of Encouragement. There is nothing that makes a man stronger than a wife that prays for him daily. There is nothing that builds a man up than words of encouragement from the one person that knows him better than any one else.
And believe me I realize you are tired, heck, I am tired, but that is why we have each other. Wives, to pray for each other and build each other up so that we can in turn hold our husband's hand.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Believe God
Hello my friends!!!
Can I just tell you how excited I am to have such new friends from all over the country brought together by 3 things: faith, family, and football (and/or any other sports-they just didn't start with "F").
First, I want to let you know I received a prayer request from Heather in Kentucky and I want to ask all of the readers to please pray for the Gunner Gillespie family. Gunner was an 8 year old boy who lost his battle with a brain tumor last week. His father is a HS Basketball coach in Kentucky.
God,
We ask that you would please be with the family of Gunner. I know they are hurting right now but I also know that your Word says you are "close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in Spirit." Be their comfort and peace right now. If there is anyone who knows what it means to lose a son it is you Father.
Amen.
I want to share with you a thought that I often speak about. The difference between believing in God and believing God. There is such a huge difference between the two and I hope by the time I share them with you-you are challenged and encouraged.
Let me start by saying, Believing in God will get you about as far as believing in Santa Clause. Not very.The bible tell us in James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." Those are some powerful words. They teach us that we can't just believe in God we must believe God. So what do I mean by Believe God?
First, Believe God when he says he has a FUTURE for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a Future." In the life of sports you never know where you are going to be, where you are going to live, but He does. He has plans and a future for your family. Believe Him!!!
Second, Believe God when he says he is FAITHFUL! In 2 Timothy 2:13 it says, "if we are faithless, he will remain Faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
There is an old Indian legend that says that in order for a boy to become a man, he has to sit outside on a tree stump, in the forest, all night long with his eyes closed. No matter what he hears or feels, he can not open his eyes or he fails. For those boys who succeed they get to open their eyes when they feel the sunshine and what they find is their father was standing beside them the whole night, watching and protecting. They didn't see him-but he was there. They didn't hear him-but his was there. They didn't feel him but his was there! Whatever you are going through right now, remember, you may not feel God, but He is there. You may not see God, but He is there! And you may not hear God-But He is there. Believe HIM!
Third, Believe God when He says you are FORGIVEN! Psalms 103:12 says, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us." You may say, "but Sarah, you don't know what I have done." And I will say, God Forgives you! No matter what. You may say, "So why do I still feel guilt and shame." That is not God not forgiving you-that is your spiritual enemy (Satan) not letting you forget. You are Forgiven! Believe Him!!
Lastly, if you miss this part then you have missed the entire message. Believe God when He says, "This is my son whom I am well pleased". . . nobody comes to me except through Him. You see, we don't get to experience God's future, His faithfulness, or His Forgiveness without experiencing His Son, Jesus Christ! This is exciting! We have hope, we have peace, and joy like we never knew before!
I was the biggest Michael Jordan fan growing up. I had his shoes, his posters, his book etc. I knew his stats, career etc. But if I were to walk up to Michael Jordan today and said, "Hey Mike." He would say, "I don't know you." That is the difference. I know of him, but I don't know him.
Believe God today and all that He has in store for you, your husband, and your family!!!
Can I just tell you how excited I am to have such new friends from all over the country brought together by 3 things: faith, family, and football (and/or any other sports-they just didn't start with "F").
First, I want to let you know I received a prayer request from Heather in Kentucky and I want to ask all of the readers to please pray for the Gunner Gillespie family. Gunner was an 8 year old boy who lost his battle with a brain tumor last week. His father is a HS Basketball coach in Kentucky.
God,
We ask that you would please be with the family of Gunner. I know they are hurting right now but I also know that your Word says you are "close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in Spirit." Be their comfort and peace right now. If there is anyone who knows what it means to lose a son it is you Father.
Amen.
I want to share with you a thought that I often speak about. The difference between believing in God and believing God. There is such a huge difference between the two and I hope by the time I share them with you-you are challenged and encouraged.
Let me start by saying, Believing in God will get you about as far as believing in Santa Clause. Not very.The bible tell us in James 2:19 "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder." Those are some powerful words. They teach us that we can't just believe in God we must believe God. So what do I mean by Believe God?
First, Believe God when he says he has a FUTURE for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a Future." In the life of sports you never know where you are going to be, where you are going to live, but He does. He has plans and a future for your family. Believe Him!!!
Second, Believe God when he says he is FAITHFUL! In 2 Timothy 2:13 it says, "if we are faithless, he will remain Faithful, for he cannot disown himself."
There is an old Indian legend that says that in order for a boy to become a man, he has to sit outside on a tree stump, in the forest, all night long with his eyes closed. No matter what he hears or feels, he can not open his eyes or he fails. For those boys who succeed they get to open their eyes when they feel the sunshine and what they find is their father was standing beside them the whole night, watching and protecting. They didn't see him-but he was there. They didn't hear him-but his was there. They didn't feel him but his was there! Whatever you are going through right now, remember, you may not feel God, but He is there. You may not see God, but He is there! And you may not hear God-But He is there. Believe HIM!
Third, Believe God when He says you are FORGIVEN! Psalms 103:12 says, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us." You may say, "but Sarah, you don't know what I have done." And I will say, God Forgives you! No matter what. You may say, "So why do I still feel guilt and shame." That is not God not forgiving you-that is your spiritual enemy (Satan) not letting you forget. You are Forgiven! Believe Him!!
Lastly, if you miss this part then you have missed the entire message. Believe God when He says, "This is my son whom I am well pleased". . . nobody comes to me except through Him. You see, we don't get to experience God's future, His faithfulness, or His Forgiveness without experiencing His Son, Jesus Christ! This is exciting! We have hope, we have peace, and joy like we never knew before!
I was the biggest Michael Jordan fan growing up. I had his shoes, his posters, his book etc. I knew his stats, career etc. But if I were to walk up to Michael Jordan today and said, "Hey Mike." He would say, "I don't know you." That is the difference. I know of him, but I don't know him.
Believe God today and all that He has in store for you, your husband, and your family!!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Encouragement to you
Hello Friends,
I can call you my friends because we already have an instant connection. Sports! If you are not at a game you are preparing for a game and if you are not preparing for the game, you are talking about the game, and if you are not talking about the game, you are thinking about the game. It doesn't matter if you are in your husband's season or not: There is no off season!
I wanted to address a comment from a coaches wife that is so true, but the desperation in her heart pierced mine. She commented, "I once had a parent tell me that it is just a GAME. I turned and started crying. It's not "just a game," it's our life. It's whether I get to stay in my house one more year. It's whether I get to keep my job, or move my family, or leave my friends. It's NOT just a game for any of us." There is so much truth to these statements, but one of the things I found most intriguing was not the desperation in her words but the devotion to her husband and her family. Even though we are devoted to our husbands this is a hard profession for the exact reasons she mentioned. The thing I want to encourage each of you is, though it looks like our husband's profession is the hands of teenagers, parents, and/or administrators we need to be reminded (myself included) it doesn't! Where we live, where we coach is in the hands of the God Almighty! The bible says in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." As Christ followers, God's plan includes your family! What the enemy means for harm, God will always make good come out of it somehow. How awesome is that! We have been given the promise that "He works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." That includes losing seasons, disgruntled parents, uncooperative adminstrations.
Be encouraged, God is your offensive coordinator. He is in the booth able to see things we can not see on the field. He is in control!!!!
I can call you my friends because we already have an instant connection. Sports! If you are not at a game you are preparing for a game and if you are not preparing for the game, you are talking about the game, and if you are not talking about the game, you are thinking about the game. It doesn't matter if you are in your husband's season or not: There is no off season!
I wanted to address a comment from a coaches wife that is so true, but the desperation in her heart pierced mine. She commented, "I once had a parent tell me that it is just a GAME. I turned and started crying. It's not "just a game," it's our life. It's whether I get to stay in my house one more year. It's whether I get to keep my job, or move my family, or leave my friends. It's NOT just a game for any of us." There is so much truth to these statements, but one of the things I found most intriguing was not the desperation in her words but the devotion to her husband and her family. Even though we are devoted to our husbands this is a hard profession for the exact reasons she mentioned. The thing I want to encourage each of you is, though it looks like our husband's profession is the hands of teenagers, parents, and/or administrators we need to be reminded (myself included) it doesn't! Where we live, where we coach is in the hands of the God Almighty! The bible says in Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." As Christ followers, God's plan includes your family! What the enemy means for harm, God will always make good come out of it somehow. How awesome is that! We have been given the promise that "He works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose." That includes losing seasons, disgruntled parents, uncooperative adminstrations.
Be encouraged, God is your offensive coordinator. He is in the booth able to see things we can not see on the field. He is in control!!!!
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