God can clean any mess!

OK, I love how God brings thoughts

about every day chores and life

that relate to our spiritual lives.

As I was washing dishes yesterday,

below is a thought that came (I have

had this thought before, so I

figured this time I would blog

about it).

We are all born sinners in

need of a Savior.  Jesus died

on the cross for all of our sins.

We need to ask Him to be the

Lord of our lives so He can

make us clean.

Even as Christians, we can

still get dirty!  We all are

different (like there are different

types of dishes), and even our

sins are different (some take

longer to wash off- they

are harder to let go of). ALL sin

was paid for on the cross, but

there are still consequences

when we sin.

The keys is to come to Jesus so He
can help us to see that He is the
One who has set us free from
our sins.  Nothing is too hard
for Him to clean (He has paid
for EVERY sin, no matter how
BIG or small we see that sin).

John 8:36

"So if the Son sets you free, you
will be free indeed."

1 John 1:7

"But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood
of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from
all sin."




Some stuff washes right away and we
never struggle with it any more.

Other stuff takes a little more
time with Jesus, growing in the
Word of God, praying for God's
strength to change, and trusting
that He has set us free- believe
Him.  Walk in Freedom!  Soak
in His love, truth, grace, and
mercy.

As we understand that He
makes us clean and begin
to live in freedom, we
realize God has made each of us
uniquely for different purposes.
All our purposes, though
they are different, are to bring
Him glory.  There is nothing
better that walking in the
freedom and being cleansed
from your sin and becoming
who God has made you to
be!

Isaiah 64:8

"Yet you, LORD, are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand."




Remember:  We sin and it can be
dirty, but we have a Savior, Jesus
Christ, who covers our sins and
makes them white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18

“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD, “Though your sins are
 like scarlet, They shall be as white as
snow; Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."

God is faithful- if we just come to
Him, and receive the cleansing
that ONLY He can give!


1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

One last thought:
When the dishes are sparkly clean,
they are READY to be USED again
by the one who is making the meal.
They are shiny for all to see!

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven."

What I've been up to. . .

Where does the time go?  I say this
so often!  We live in a culture where
we are going a million different directions!

So here's what I've been up to lately:
Tommy and I took a trip to Florida
a little over a month ago to see the
area where my boys and I will spend
the summer.  I have taken the position
as Assistant Coach for the USSSA
Florida Pride in the Professional
Fastpitch Softball League.  There
are 4 teams in the league and the
best softball players in the world
are competing on these 4 teams.
In fact, the team I will be coaching
has 4 players who were my Olympic
teammates in 2004 and two USA
Olympians from 2008 as well
as 2 Canadian Olympians.  I'm
looking forward to this opportunity!
My sister-in-law, niece, and nephew
will also spend the summer with us
in Florida.  I'm sure it's going to be
a summer we will never forget!

I spoke at a couple Opening
Ceremonies for Softball Leagues
recently (Chino Hills & Fountain
Valley).  I love talking to the girls
and parents.  I know that it's been
forever since I've played :) but I
love to share some highlights and
remind them to make sure and have
fun out on the field.  The sport of
softball had such a huge impact on
my life because of the people it
brought into my life.  I love sharing
my passion for the sport with others.

I also did a softball clinic for pitchers
and hitters with Eastvale Girls
Softball.  This is the local league that
my niece plays in and it is growing
every year!  I had a chance to speak
at Cal Baptist's Softball Fundraising
Banquet last month and then went
out to a game.  The team is very
good once again and it was fun to
watch them beat the defending DII
Champions in UC San Diego. 

Talking about college softball, I had
the chance to speak to some girls
with Oregon State Softball when
they played in the Long Beach
State tournament.  I shared my
testimony and talked a little about
"running to win the prize". 

I am thankful for every opportunity
I get to share.  It doesn't matter how
big or small the venue is.  I spoke to
a couple small mom's groups this
past month and it was such a
blessing to me.  I hope they were
encouraged as I shared what God
put on my heart for each of their
groups.  I always ask God to show
me what verses to share and what
points to make when speaking. I
am so thankful God always answers
my prayer!!!

Tomorrow I fly to Ohio to speak
for Sportsworld.  I'll be speaking
at 9 schools and 1 church.  So. . .
10 talks in 3 days! 

A number of years ago God gave
me a passion to speak to others
and encourage them.  I didn't have
many opportunities back then and
I wanted God to take away the
passion because I felt like I didn't
have an outlet.  Now I see why
He made me so passionate about
it.  During that time, I had a lot
of growing to do and still do, but
He has brought opportunity in
His perfect timing.  I will always
trust His plan over mine!

My wonderful husband is so
wonderful working with me
to juggle our schedules.  He is
such a hard worker and helps
so much.  I couldn't do any
of this without his help!  I know
God gave him to me for a
reason! 

Besides all of that, baseball
season has begun.  Drew is
playing for the Pirates and
got a hit in his 1st game off
the machine.  It was his
first time ever hitting off a
machine.  I love seeing the
smile on his face and I can
tell he loves to play!  Jake
and Luke are his biggest
fans and love to cheer him
on.  I am thankful for my
family!!!

Softball Poem

An athlete asked me if I would help
her in a school project and write
a poem for her.  I am not a poet :)
but I thought I'd take a shot at it for
fun.  Here is what the result was:

Softball is a game I play,
I work hard at it every day.
When I compete, I come alive.
To be the best is why I strive.

Catch, throw, run, and swing,
It comes down to the little things.
I love my sport thanks to my team.
To win the championship is my dream.

At the end of the day,
softball is just a game.
To win at life
is my bigger aim.

I live for God because He loves me.
I give my best for the world to see.
I hope to make a difference,
Wherever I go and get the chance.

When you find out what you love to do,
the sky's the limit-there's no stopping you.
Shine your light, don't be afraid to fall,
Every day is a gift, so give it your all.