Thrive at CCC

I'm going to a women's retreat

I know what you are thinking...sounds awful! It took me several years to agree to go to this thing. Thanks to a church event back when my girls were toddlers, I decided it was better to do a scrapbook weekend with friends than a women's retreat with a bunch of annoying women. Seriously, if I am going to spend lots of money and be away from my family for 1-2 days it better be fun or a time of great spiritual growth (or both). No kidding one of the sessions I attended back in the day was "how to dress your shape" WHAT??? That did me in! To be fair, there may have been something good presented that day, I just don't remember. I vowed to never go again. I don't want to learn how to fold napkins, use a scarf as an accessory or clean a bathroom in the midst of a women's retreat at church!

Geepers...a lot of punctuation and frustration just flowed out of me.

Anyway, I am so happy that Christ Community Church knows how to put on an event for women. And I'm thankful to some persuasive friends who got me to go back. Over the years at CCC I have had a variety of roles, this year I am a table leader again. Other than my loyal GF Tami, I do not know who will be at my table. This is both a source of excitement and anxiety. This week I am focusing on prayer for the event, the speakers, the table assignments, the attendees, the weather and health. God is able to do more than I could ever imagine. If you are so inclined please lift up this event in prayer.

As a table leader I am also trying to come up with something special to make for each person at my table. I can't spend much money so it may be a little sign with scripture on it. I will let you know if that actually happens. With a theme of "courage" I like the verse below. (I know I just mentioned it in my last post) I will take suggestions for other short verses.

Happy Presidents' Day!

Pray for our leaders!

Soccer Husker Commit 2020

I love seeing God's hand at work.

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, Reagan's college soccer recruiting started very early. She was on a visit at Creighton University before her freshman year of High School. It was exciting but knowing what I know now, I wish we would have said "no" to all those early visits, they created too much stress for our young soccer player. Fast forward one year to the fall of 2017, Reagan had lots of schools talking to her every 2-3 weeks and she decided to commit to a Division I, Power 5 conference soccer program by November/December 2017. Chris and I were not in support of that early commitment and we weren't convinced that she was looking at the right school for her.

First shingles attacked Reags in September and soon after she tore her ACL during a soccer game. These devastating injuries had Reagan wondering why God would allow this to happen to her at the worst possible time. College coaches at Kansas University, Minnesota, Notre Dame and Auburn University all got cold feet, after months of constant recruiting they turned their backs on Reagan. ONLY ONE COACH reached out to Reagan after her injury, Coach John Walker from the University of Nebraska. His message was simple, "You are going to be fine! You were great before and you will come back stronger after surgery." WOW! Remembering the phone call still makes me a little emotional. This is just what our depressed daughter needed to hear.

Reagan's road to recovery has been hard and she still has a long journey back to the pitch but what I have seen in her is amazing. She is a fighter. She is smart. She is persistent.

Here are some statements:

"Mom, do you think God allowed shingles and the ACL to happen so I could slow down?"

"Watching the game from the sidelines has taught me so much about my teammates."

"I won't ever take playing soccer for granted again."

"Why do they complain? I would give anything to play right now."

Growth seldom happens in times of comfort. God's not mean and He doesn't make bad things happen to us but He will use trials to shape us. The bible is filled with stories to support this idea...pruning of the branches or the refining of metals in the fire. And Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us of God's great plans for each of us. The bible says, "plans to prosper us and not harm us." I love that. Reagan's temporary set back is actually a set up for great things.

About a month ago to the amazement of my friend, I said these words aloud, "I am thankful for this injury." Is it coincidence that as our hearts began to change so did our circumstances? No, I don't believe in coincidences! Blessings are often disguised when we try to follow our own agenda but when we seek God first, they are visible.

Several months ago Reagan had ZERO interest in Nebraska Soccer simply because it was in Nebraska! The fact is, she wouldn't allow herself to see that UNL had everything on her list of wants and needs. Last week Reagan had a second visit with the Husker staff and team. It was abundantly clear to her (and her parents) this is where she is meant to me. To say the next 55 hours were rough would be an understatement. Our 16 year old child had to make some adult decisions and one of them was letting go of one dream in order to pursue another. Now that's maturity. Here are some of the things that helped Reagan see the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the place for her.

• Player Development
• Family atmosphere on the team
• Coach Walker believes in Reagan now as much as pre-injury
• Holidays with family
• Financial
• We love the HUSKERS! (I added this...not on her list)

We don't know where God is going to take Reagan but we know He loves her and has great plans for her. I pray that she continues to trust God, listen for the Holy Spirit and direct people to Jesus.

Below is the announcement our club coach posted on Twitter

G O   B I G   R E D ! ! !

Could She Be A Husker?

I started going to Nebraska Cornhusker football games in 1990. I met my husband in 1994 and once I found out his family had 4 season tickets, I knew it was true love. (kidding...not kidding)

Fast forward 23 years and we have a soccer player visiting the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, home of the Huskers. It's her decision but I've gotta say it would be pretty exciting to have our daughter playing for this Big 10 program, just 50 miles from our home. Academically it's a great fit, in fact Nebraska has produced the most academic All-Americans in the nation, more than Notre Dame, Standford and Penn State to mention a few. The science behind the training, fitness and nutrition is mind blowing. Even though Nebraska Soccer tends to recruit later than most other Power Five programs they still produce professional and national team players every year. That development of the player is critical! The freshman housing isn't the best but all other facilities are top notch. However it is Coach John Walker's character that may be the deciding factor.

Reagan didn't want to take a
picture with her parents

Hawks Championship Center
the indoor training facility

Soccer locker room at Hibbner Stadium

Reagan's ACL recovery is going well. We are so grateful to have an unofficial visit during her time of healing. If it works out, we will be headed to Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Ok for another unofficial visit on Sunday.