How many resolutions are too many?

As I begin the new year, there are a number of things I want to be better at. In my relationships, I want to practice communicating more clearly and more consistently. I want to be intentional about spending time with those that I don't cross paths with on a regular basis and that can take some thought and planning in our busy lives.


In my schedule, I want to be better at having time to serve in my church, interact with my neighbors, invite others into my world or activities, hopefully leading to deeper and richer relationships. I want to carefully guard those quiet times when I can study the bible, read books, and pray. I want to schedule times to be physically active, make good decisions about my diet, and get enough sleep. I want to continue to challenge myself, learn new things and work hard, but also leave room for reflection, rest and recuperation.

While my list is ever-growing and full of good things, it can easily become overwhelming. Jesus was asked by an expert in the Mosaic law, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" (Matt 22:36) His answer was amazingly simple: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt 22:37-40)


If I tried to make a list of all the ways these two commandments could be expressed in my life, I would easily fill many pages with examples of practical application. But I know I would be overwhelmed and it would entirely miss the point. The simplicity lies in Jesus boiling down to two things: we must love God and we must love others. This is the litmus test by which we decide what to do each day.


In a similar way, I am trying to simplify 2017 into a couple principles, rather than have a huge list of goals. Number one: Relationships. Our God is a God of relationship and craves our attention and focus. The more attention and focus I give to Him, the more I realize how much attention and focus He has on me. And this allows me to be attentive and focused on others as well. Number two: Health. I want to make good choices for my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Not all areas will always be healthy, but I know I serve and love better when I am healthy in these ways.

This may be too simplistic for some, but it has really helped me each day so far in 2017. I have cut some activities out that are extraneous and self-serving and have spent more time cultivating my relationship with Christ and with others.

Letting go

2016 was quite a year. I have been looking back through my journal recently and can't believe all the things that have happened this year and all the emotional ups-and-downs that accompany them.

Throughout this year, there are many things I've had to 'let go' of. The journey of asking others for my financial provision has been difficult but as I've 'let go' of worrying about it, God has put opportunities and resources in front of me that I wasn't expecting. I felt unheard and unable to influence in my work environment but as I've 'let go' of finding worth in the strength of my opinions, I've been at peace without having to be heard and have had chances to speak in unexpected situations and influence unexpected people. I sometimes feel my life doesn't measure up in comparison to friends or acquaintances but as I've 'let go' of trying to live out someone else's story, I've found genuine joy and gratitude in living out the unique story that God has asked me and only me to live.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Dangers of Emotional Attachment

This summer was busy again with soccer camps and I traveled with a team of coaches to Patterson, CA (east of the Bay Area and south of Sacramento), and St. Louis, MO. It was a difficult summer for a lot of reasons but this was the first summer in 4 years where I was not in charge of the camps program and just another coach within the program.

We all have things we get emotionally attached to. People, places, experiences, even music or food. When we have a work project or program we've worked on, we may tend to attach some emotions to its successes or failures. I didn't realize that all the time, effort, frustrations and joys that I invested in the soccer camps program had really created a deep emotional connection. Soccer camps had been 'my baby' for several years and now I was watching the program carry on without my leadership.

This process resulted in a few different emotions. For one, I was sad to leave a project that felt as if it was progressing in certain areas and felt unfinished. I dislike unfinished projects and feel much more settled when I or someone else completes them or at least reaches a mark that is equivalent to finishing a stage of the project. Secondly, I saw all the issues that were still unresolved from before that I had not been able to tackle or didn't handle well enough to feel satisfied about it. Third, I saw new directions the soccer camps program was heading that would not have been the same as the direction I wanted to take it or a regression in areas that seemed better the year before.

I've had a little time after the summer to reflect and I feel God is telling me two things. The first is to 'let it go.' God asks us to let go of things all the time. The life of faith requires us to let go of the things we know and are familiar with to grab hold of something risky, unfamiliar and unknown with faith and trust that God asks us to do it because it is best for us. I can't move forward to the next step if I am constantly looking back. The second is 'this is MY program.' I got caught up in the idea that the soccer camps program belonged to me or was under my leadership. The truth is, the soccer camps program always belonged to God and continues to be and He will decide its past, present and future. This is a great comfort to me that nothing I have or am involved in is mine. It's not an easy mindset to maintain but it makes it easier to let go of it if I need to.

Why is it so easy to find a substitute God?

The last couple months have been a bit of a whirlwind: Raleigh, NC for a non-profit communications conference, coaching at tournaments in Cincinnati and Indianapolis, traveling to St. Louis and Grand Rapids to help set up soccer camps for this summer, and the Basics Conference for pastors at Parkside Church. Whew! One thing I really like about travel and being on the road is you have opportunities to get different perspectives from the familiar. I am often more likely to strike up conversations with others and ask questions. I am exposed to stories, ideas, experiences, and places that spark reflection, creativity, inspiration and hope. I often feel rejuvenated and ready to enter back into day-to-day life with a fresh and new outlook.

I think the biggest takeaway that I had from my latest travels is that God is God. This is an idea I can't unpack in a few sentences but the main idea here is that it's helpful to be clear who God IS and who God IS NOT. I think I often confuse God with things that are spiritual such as reading my bible or worship songs or a beautiful mountain sunrise. These things are great but they aren't God. Or I tend to romanticize about certain places or times in my life as being ideal and treat them as being divine but they aren't God either.

We know that people aren't perfect. That is usually pretty clear. People are messy and have faults. But there are other things we don't so quickly see as being fallible as well. The idea of sports ministry seems so perfect to me. The idea of living out a passion for sports and serving and loving people in the name of Christ is great in theory. But in practice it's very messy and difficult. And it's NOT God. I didn't realize why I've been so disappointed lately until I realized I was treating ministry like God and expecting some idealized version of life just because I am doing ministry. Ministry isn't God. The organization I work for isn't God. The church I attend isn't God. Only God is God and if I am constantly seeking things that seem holy or spiritual or the "right thing," I will miss out on the real thing.

Problem-Solving Might Hold Us Back From Growth

It seems as if problem-solving is one of the most prioritized skills in our culture. Perhaps in the days when professions were simpler to explain (I'm a banker, cook, milkman, blacksmith, etc.), work tasks were more repetitive and explainable. Nowadays, it seems impossible to explain a work title in only a sentence or two. We are constantly asked to problem-solve in the varied and unpredictable lives we live.

 

There is nothing wrong with problem-solving and we should definitely teach our children the process of reasoning out good decisions. But an aptitude for problem-solving can also lead to a very dangerous characteristic: Self-reliance. I am quite guilty of falling into the self-reliance trap. I will often expend huge amounts of time and energy trying to find every possible way to figure it out or do it myself before I ask for help.

 

Another product of the problem-solving approach is a tendency to view all situations as needing to be or able to be FIXED. I've been told this is common to males but it isn't exclusive, for sure. My goals at the beginning of 2016 had more to do with trying to fix things in my life or in my work, and I've once again wasted a lot of energy trying to solve things that may not necessarily be problems.

 

This week, my simple goal was to ask God to fill me with love and patience and then spend the day expending it and starting over the next day. It's amazing how much the "problems" I've been focusing on this year have dissipated and I've found other things to focus on. Even if I "fix" something today, there will be something else tomorrow. It is becoming clear I need to be more about God's plan than my problem-solving.

Reflections on 2015

I stole this listicle of questions from Annie Parsons' blog. It was actually a great way to reflect on 2015 and think about the year ahead.

Being thankful for having less

Ok, November we think about being thankful so this is no surprise that I've been thinking about gratitude this month. Sometimes, a topic will strike us in a new and different way so here are some thoughts.

First, it's easier to be thankful with less. Wait, huh? Let me explain. If you have ever been on a long camping trip or vacation to a place with more rustic facilities, you are so grateful when you get back to your own bed and clean toilets. Any food item that you designate to yourself as a treat and only have once in a while becomes a bit more special when you have it. I think we are more thankful when we have less or have thing less often because you are more appreciative of life's luxuries when you have them. And let's face it, most of us enjoy quite a number of luxuries most of the world doesn't.

Second, it's easier to be thankful when you are around others that are thankful. I would like to think I'm independent enough to not be swayed by other people's attitudes and emotions but I am highly influenced by level of gratitude in those around me. That means I am probably influential on others in the way I choose to be thankful.

Third, it's important to remember the source of blessings. For example, when I am thankful for a safe trip, I can remember to be thankful for the men and women serving our communities to maintain order, keep streets clean and safe, street lights functioning, the car manufacturer and mechanics that make sure my vehicle will work properly, musicians that provide me with entertainment to keep me awake, etc. There are so many factors that make a road trip from point A to B possible. And ultimately, all those blessings come from God.

So what does that mean for me? Right now I'm thankful for less. I live in a small studio apartment. I don't eat out much. I don't have cable tv. And I'm really thankful for it, it has helped me see how much I have. I also resolve to be more thankful not only internally, but externally, sharing my gratitude with others. Lastly, I want to be more aware of God, the giver of all good things, in all circumstances.

Happy Thanksgiving!

How do we engage our culture and still have balance?

Over the past two years, I have been part of a men's group at my church. We have been going through a curriculum called CLC (Christian Leadership Concepts) that covers a variety of topics that pertain specifically to men. It's been a great journey with a great group of guys. The last unit in the curriculum is called "Engaging Our Culture" and talks about serving and witnessing while being rooted in biblical truths.

Looking back, my ministry life has been a bit of a pendulum when it comes to engaging the culture around me. At times, I am eager and passionate to connect with many types of people, and to participate in art, music, sports, technology and sharing of ideas. At other times, I find myself retreating from the world of entertainment and culture, and try to limit my influences and narrow the group of people I spend time with. I see time periods in my life where the I've swung far to one side or the other.

Watching too much tv around World Cup time

Maybe this is ok. Often I think I'll achieve the right balance in many areas of my life "at some point." But I think the truth is, we never really reach a perfect balance. We tend to have seasons of being more social and other seasons of being more reclusive. Sometimes I watch too much TV, and other times I go on a media fast and am extremely careful about what I watch, read and listen to. I don't think there is one right answer. God wants us to be diligent and wise, but he also wants us to get out of our shell and live and engage with those around us. If you have ideas in this area, please feel free to share.

Maybe I need to adjust the lens

I am no photographer. I enjoy taking pictures, absolutely. But I don't have the skills of knowing how to compose a shot or check the light levels. Sometimes I consider taking a class or reading a book but the notion usually passes, and I go back the simple pictures and selfies I normally take.

I recently went on a 4,000-mile roadtrip across the country. I started at Lake Erie, drove south to Kentucky, across the plains to Denver, and through the mountains and desert of Colorado, Utah and Nevada. It was a fantastic trip and much of the entertainment was simply enjoying the incredible landscapes of this immense country.

I took a lot of pictures. Digital photography is great because you can take a lot of terrible pictures and know immediately whether you need to try something else or just give up. I played around with different ideas and got to know my camera better just from trial and error. One thing I was struck by was how much my life felt like I was viewing it through a camera lens lately.

When I am in a very busy season or focused on one project, it is much like taking a close-up picture of an object like a flower or a fancy door handle or something like that. You spend a lot of time trying to get it framed just right and focused so the details stand out. But it can be very easy for me to stay in a "close-up" mode and miss what is happening around me.

It took an epic road trip across 10 states for me to "zoom out" a bit and get some perspective on life. There are so many people living lives that are so unlike mine in places that are so different from my everyday experience and I just plain forgot because I was so wrapped up in my own life. I needed to adjust the lens at which I was viewing life.

So the question is...do I need to do this more often? Focus and details are great and have their place, for sure, but I feel convicted to build some more time into my schedule to "zoom out." There is so much to see, and even though I realize how small a part of the picture I am, I still feel like I am more in focus because of it.

Can we become dependent on serving?

Recently I haven't been very consistent in going to church on Sunday. Part of the reason is my busy schedule with lots of weekend soccer tournaments, but for some reason, church hasn't been very enjoyable. I've had a hard time pinpointing why I don't enjoy attending a Sunday service.

Image from Flickr-Brian Jeffery Beggerly

For a while, I surmised this was because I don't really know that many people at my church and making connections in Ohio has been a slow process since I moved here. The relationships that connect people to the whole of the church are important for a sense of belonging. The more I think about it, the more this excuse seems irrelevant. I have been going to the same church for 2 years now and know enough people to feel I belong to the community. Then, I thought, maybe I am just not connecting with the messages and my faith isn't growing. Again, it didn't take much reflection to see that my faith has taken some giant steps forward recently and the messages I hear are relevant and convicting.

Image from RightNowMedia.org

So, what is it? Why do I hesitate to spend an hour of my Sunday at church? I am reading Matt Chandler's "To Live is Christ and to Die is Gain." Chandler talks about church as being the "lamest hobby ever," and the danger in compartmentalizing our faith to a certain location or time or setting. I think I've fallen into this trap but I am actually doing the opposite of what Chandler is talking about.

I have compartmentalized my faith walk into my quiet times during the week and my job in ministry and as a result, Sunday has become a day for my hobbies, including attending church. Perhaps I am so dependent on 'serving' through years of church leadership that now I have a difficult time 'just' singing and listening to a sermon. I guess it feels too passive and I feel I'm treating Sunday services as lectures to gather information. I never thought I would disassociate church and my faith, but that is exactly what I have been doing lately. Jesus wants us to live out our faith daily, including when we are at church. What a crazy notion! In my effort to live out my faith in other areas of my life, I forgot to take the time to praise and worship God with the church community to which I belong and make it about Him and not about the Sunday routine or the camaraderie of fellow believers. The great thing is, the more I get it wrong, the sweeter it is when I really rest and receive God's grace and forgiveness.

Are words necessary?

Image from quotesvalley.com

For many years I have loved the quote "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." This quote comes in various forms and is often attributed to Francis of Assisi. I think I like this idea because I don't think of myself as being much of a talker, especially with people I don't know well. Over the years, I have learned how to be social and the skill of making 'small talk,' but really, I prefer to be by myself or around people that I know very well.

This month, I have been reading "Teaching to Change Lives" by Howard Hendricks. I was struck by a concept in the book on the communication of the gospel. Hendricks says, "If witness through our lives alone was enough, then everyone exposed to Jesus Christ during his time on earth should have been converted. He was the only person who ever lived a perfect life, yet even he shared his message verbally as well." Jesus was an example everywhere he went, but lives didn't change simply because Jesus came into contact with people. He also needed to speak the truth and share God's plan of salvation.

For me, this is convicting. I would rather not talk to people about Christ or "be annoying" by speaking up with the truth when it is needed. I would rather serve, be busy with activity, try to be a good example, and not cause controversy by being too honest. But this is not the call of following Christ. We must also speak and communicate to others the truth and wisdom that has been imparted to us. My theology shouldn't be shaped only by quotes or passages that fit my personality.

Prayer...why do we minimize it?

Prayer is a funny thing. Often when I pray, I want it to sound good. I want other people to be impressed with my prayers. I want to pray for the right things, but often pray for things that only I care about. And after I pray, I don't let my mind stay focused. I wander right back to the daily distractions and quickly forget about what I just prayed for.

 

Photo used with permission from Sports Friends

I think one of the reasons my prayers can be trivial is because I forget who I am praying to. God. You know, the God of the universe. The God who created everything. The God of 7 billion people on the planet. But this same God also gives me the same caring attention a close friend would when I come to Him to pray. He already knows my needs, worries and desires. What a gift, to be able to converse with God! I need constant reminding of how amazing prayer can be, rather than something to check off my list. I am truly thankful for those who are consistent and diligent in praying for family, friends and their communities.

Hello, I'm a...missionary?

I went to Indiana last month to attend a support-raising conference. It was interesting
to meet various missionaries and hear about the ministry work they are involved in. When
asked what kind of missions I do, I hesitate for a moment because I'm not sure if
"running a soccer camp program" counts as mission work. During the conference, I
experienced a "mind-shift" that changed my perspective. It's been difficult to think of
soccer outreach in Cleveland as missions, but I'm coming around to the realization that I
am, in fact, a missionary.

Why has it been difficult for me to say, "I'm a missionary?" For one, I'm near a major US
city. Cleveland, Ohio isn't exactly the first place people think of when using the word
missions. Also, the mission "work" I do is hard to describe to others when much of my job
duties seem to be more "play" related, revolving around the game of soccer. I also don't
have teams of people visiting to see the ministry, taking pictures, and reporting back to
their churches.

The reality is, Cleveland is a mission field: People here need the gospel, youth soccer
players and families need to be ministered to, and coaches need training in serving in
their area of influence with integrity and passion. There is no one else that is doing what I
am specifically doing because it isn't easy. But I didn't realize that God called me into
"missions" until very recently. It's strange when you feel like you have become something
you never thought you would be, but I'm glad I am where I'm at and thank God for
orchestrating it all.

What does it mean to work for God?

I recently attended the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit and was pleased to hear a message repeated several times during the conference. "God doesn't know the difference between church and politics, between the marketplace and non-profit. We are the ones who build these walls."

When I was a teenager, I didn't have a very clear view of what kind of career I was to have. I was decent in math and science in my studies, so I thought I would study engineering in college. I made the decision because it seemed logical and I needed to choose something to focus on. Over the course of my college years (let's just say it was an extended period of time), I had a number of experiences that began an internal struggle about what my occupation should be. I went on several mission trips in inner cities and in other countries and got more involved in ministry leadership. I felt I needed to either choose a 'normal' career in the marketplace or one in ministry.

This seems to be a common struggle for young people who get more serious about living out their faith. They feel they need to prove their commitment by going into so-called full-time ministry. In 1 Cor 7:17, Paul writes, "Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. I don't know if I would've been a great engineer, but it is comforting to know God would use me in any job that I end up in. Paul also writes in Col 3:23, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

Sometimes my job feels great and other times it just feels like work. Over the last few years, I am starting to see that wherever God has me is where He wants me to be and He wants me to work for Him. Not for others. Not to prove my faith. Not to fulfill some sense of obligation. He wants me to work with love, integrity and justice out of gratitude for the way He created and gifted me.

My New Year's resolution? Small things.

New Year's resolutions. It's a tradition that some continue to partake in but it seems many Americans feel the tradition is a waste of time. According to statisticbrain.com, only 45% of Americans continue to follow the tradition of making a New Year's resolution, and only 8% of those are successful in achieving their goal. In fact, 25% give up on their resolution after the first week! I have made resolutions in the past. Typical ones like eating better or exercising more and have had varying levels of success but I'm not convinced they make much difference. For one, I often don't make specific enough goals and it is hard to measure if I'm making any progress. I also rarely tell anyone else what my goals are and as a result, I have no accountability. But I think often, I don't feel like making a resolution is worthwhile unless it's big. Big as in, a major change. I mean, what is the point of making a resolution if it's small or not significantly different from before?

This mindset is not bad and definitely needed at times in our lives when we really need to set out in a new direction. But big changes and life-altering paths are difficult to sustain and can often have a difficult transition period as we change routines or habits. It can impact relationships, or result in less sleep or new stresses. Besides the difficulty, big changes often don't tackle the root of the issue. For instance, if I decide to work out because I don't like my body, I set myself up for a difficult few months ahead. If I don't work out or fail to stay away from the candy aisle or am sick for a week that throws me off my routine, I will most probably look in the mirror and be discouraged. Even if I succeed and have a great workout schedule and get fit, I have now set the precedence that I am happy about myself only if I continue to stay fit and my body fits certain parameters. The root of the issue is that I have bought into the lie that I need to look a certain way and that doesn't change with a few months at the gym. Not that I really know how to get at the root of the issue, because I have struggled with my body image for many years and it isn't something I can deal with in a one-year resolution.

Ok, so what's your point? I will concede that sometimes change needs to come swiftly and abruptly, like tearing off the band-aid, but most often, the best and most sustainable change comes slowly and in small increments. My grocery buying habits are much better than a few years ago but it took some time and some careful planning to make sure I stuck to a specific list when I went to the store. Now, I get more nutrition in my cart and less useless carbs. My calendar and work organization has gone through countless changes and tweaks as I figure out how to balance being productive, social, active and also get enough rest and relaxation. Sure, the small things don't get a lot of hoopla or attention, but they are oh so important.

So my New Year's resolution for 2014? Small things. Simple things. Actually doing some of the things I believe in. Speaking up when I need to speak or being quiet when I need to hold my tongue. Giving up a couple cups of coffee each month to donate the money to a cause I care about. Last year, I noticed on the receipt that the cashier missed an item during checkout but I was already at home. It was a small item, and I debated for a while whether to drive back to the store. I wish I had. Sure, it's a small thing, but if I believe that is the right thing to do, then I should follow through. Even on the small things? Yes, especially on the small things. If we are faithful to do the small things, the big things become...well, not so big. Because we start to see everything as important. And not just things, but people. The small interactions with seemingly insignificant people become important and worthwhile. At least that's what I hope. So I have a reminder in my room that simply reads, "Small Things."

Happy New Year, everyone.

Leaving Seattle

Three weeks in Seattle in August. Could life get much better? The weather has been absolutely beautiful and it has been so great to catch up with friends and family. I had so many great moments and will miss the people and familiar places.

Northeast Ohio has some hiking trails, but I was itching to go on a hike in the Cascade mountains and gain a little altitude. The Naches loop trail in Mount Rainier National Park was fantastic with lots of great views and a number of alpine lakes along the route, including Dewey Lake (pictured). I miss being a part of the wilderness ministry at Bethany Community Church in Seattle but I was grateful to get out on a hike and have great conversations along the trail.





I have found that when I lived in Seattle, I would often choose not to participate in tourist activities. It is much different, however, when I know I only have a specific amount of time in the city to explore and did the "Ride the Ducks" tour for the first time. What an entertaining tour and a great way to see the city! Obviously, most people that take the tour are from out of town, but I would recommend the tour even to locals. I got to play "uncle Ryan" to Kaiah and Petra, my very good friends' daughters and we quacked and made way too much noise the whole time.




I was also lucky enough to see the Seattle Sounders vs Portland Timbers game with over 67,000 spectators! That is incredible for two American soccer teams playing a regular season game. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. Great job by my photographer friend, Brandon Bleek, in capturing some great pics of the night. So thankful for all the great people I know and experiences I get to enjoy.

Soccer camp in Redmond, Washington

After my own coaching tour in Ohio was complete, I flew out to Seattle to join our team of coaches in the Pacific Northwest to be part of the last Ambassadors camp of the summer in Redmond, WA. This camp has been going strong for many years and is connected with Overlake Christian Church. We had about 130 campers and a ton of energy to go along with them.

We were blessed with really great weather all week and I was very grateful to be part of a fantastic coaching team. Having had no team of my own to coach all summer, I was very excited to have my own team, the Norwegian Falcons. They were a great group of kids and I hope to see all of them again at future camps.

Thank you to everyone for making this summer possible. All the churches involved, all the parents, all the campers, and all of the coaches. Many people gave a lot of their time and energy to make these camps happen. But I want to thank all of the people supporting Ambassadors programs through their donations and volunteer time. It is great to be at camp with the students but there is absolutely no way we could do this without a larger community to stand with us. There were so many campers that built relationships with church staff and volunteers and with each other this summer through the camps program. We also had dozens of students make a decision for Christ and expressed a desire to plug into the local church community. We don't know what the future holds for many of these kids, but we are grateful for the chance to plant seeds of faith, hopefully connecting families to places of worship where they can grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus. I cannot be more happy to be a part of this work.

Soccer camp in Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Five weeks has gone by so quickly! Our last camp of the coaching tour is in Chagrin Falls with our partner church, Fellowship Bible Church. This is the first year this church has hosted a camp and we could not be more pleased with the organization, involvement and energy level of the camp week.

We've had a number of little surprises this week like the raccoon sleeping in the dumpster or a kid getting stuck in the seat on the child swing. The weather was fantastic, not too hot with a comfortable breeze and the coaches thoroughly enjoyed their week. For some of the coaches, it was their last week in the States and a bittersweet ending to an amazing experience. There is really no way to describe the community that forms between a small group of people that come from many countries, many backgrounds and speak many languages but share the common bond of a passion for soccer and a belief in Christ. I will miss our morning prayer times, the mischievous pranks, the encouraging words, and the feeling of being on a team that served each other. What a great summer!

Soccer camp in Green, Ohio

Our team of coaches traveled to Green, in the suburbs of Akron for a soccer camp with our partner church, The Chapel. This church campus is incredibly beautiful and has softball and soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, and a mile-long walking trail around the campus. A very nice setting for a soccer camp and the weather was very nice, not too hot with a gentle breeze.

We had 38 campers this week, and while the numbers were less, the energy level remained high and the coaches have really enjoyed being around the students this week.

On another note, I have found that this group of coaches really enjoy playing jokes on each other. After camp one day, coach Jenna got a rather strange surprise in her gear bag but could not figure out why her bag seemed so much heavier. The following morning she discovered a large rock in the bottom of her bag that another coach had carefully placed when she wasn't looking.

She was a good sport about it and even had the coaches sign the rock to remember the occasion.

A word about our coaches

I know there are many people all over that serve their communities and people in their communities that deserve a ton of thank yous and recognition. I hope that wherever you are, you are thanking those people who serve and consistently give of themselves to others. I thought it necessary to say something about the some of the people I've had the privilege of spending some time with. So I just want to thank the coaches I have been able to work with this summer.

Have you ever seen such a beautiful group of people in all your life?

This group of coaches from Brazil, the Netherlands, Egypt, Nigeria, Liberia, Mexico, South Africa and the United States has done extraordinary things this summer. Coaching summer camps is not an easy thing to do. Not only are they in charge of coaching, herding, interacting and supervising children, they are talented entertainers, singers, speakers and teachers. They have been on their feet all day in rainy, muddy conditions as well as very hot, sunny and humid conditions. And yet they consistently pour out their energy, love and care on the students that show up for camp everyday. I am truly blessed to be around these people who gave up their summers to serve in this way, without pay. In fact, most had to raise money in order to be here.

It may seem like a small thing to spend a summer coaching at soccer camps, but small things can have great impact.

(They are also just a lot of fun to be around.)