Clayton's Story

A friend shared this video with me today- it's so powerful
and reminds us to think about what matters most in life.

My Guitar Hero

I am an athlete, plain and simple. I love to
compete, I love working hard physically and pushing
myself, and I love team sports. I have no
musical talent! I love to sing as loud as I can
in worship songs, but feel sorry for anybody
who has to listen to me.
My son, Jake, on the other hand, has tried baseball
but has no interest at this point. He also did Taekwondo
and enjoyed it but wanted a break after a
couple months. So now he's taking guitar lessons with
his friend, Elijah. So. . . Jake is my guitar hero!

Jake and Elijah

God's Call Ministries

Check out our website for God's Call!

Pressing On

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
that the excellence of the power may be of God
and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every
side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed." 2 Cor 4:7-9

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, knowing that the testing
of your faith produces patience. But let
patience have its perfect work, that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
James 1:2-4

". . .but one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind and reaching forward
to those things which are ahead. I press
on toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 3:13-14

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will
say, rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

These are the verses that come to mind when
I think about people I know who are going
through tough times right now. There are so
many things going on in the lives of people
around me including people losing their jobs,
losing their homes, many people I know finding
out they have cancer or tumors, marriages on
the brink of divorce and so much more! Life
can seem hard enough sometimes just to get
through a rough day but then you add these
life changing circumstances and it seems too
much to bear. For those who are Christians,
I know that they get through these times by
leaning on God and trusting Him to get them
through to the other side. I feel overwhelmed
when I hear of others I need to be praying for
and feel like I can't do enough. This is where
I believe and trust God's Word. God hears the
prayers of his children and He will answer. We
don't always understand what or why God allows
trials and maybe things don't happen in our
timing, but we have to remember that He is God
and His ways are above our ways. We also need
to remember that He loves us and will make all
things right in the big picture. When things are
hard, I am reminded and so thankful that this is
not our home. Life goes by so fast and one day
there will be "no more tears" and "no more sickness"
and "mansions for each of us" who love Jesus Christ.
I am pressing ahead and praying for those around
me and trusting God for the results.

Rahab - Turning to God

You gotta love the story of Rahab in the Bible (Joshua 2:1-21).
It is astory of prostitution, refuge and redemption. Rahab
was a prostitute in Jericho who hid two spies in her home
when Joshua sent them to check out the land.Word got to the
king of Jericho that the spies went to her home, and they
asked her to turn them over. Instead Rahab hid them on the
roof and told the authorities that they already left. She
told the spies that the people of Jericho were afraid because
God has given the land to His peoplecand she said “the LORD
your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath (v.11).”
Eventually she lets them down by a rope after asking for her
and her family to be spared when they take over Jericho. The
spies promise to protect her and her family for hiding them
but they needed to be inside her house when they came. The
sign to them would be a scarlet cord. So Rahab hung a scarlet
cord out her window when the Israelites took over Jericho and
they killed everyone except for Rahab and her family. Rahab is
even mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11:31: “By
faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not
believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

It doesn’t matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, it
matters if we put our trust and faith in the Lord God. When
we do, we will begin to choose what is right in God’s eyes,
even if it is not popular with those around us. Rahab offered
the spies a place of refuge, and her life was protected as a
result. Not only was her life spared, but it was redeemed by
the Living God!

Rahab's choices affected those closest to her. Her family
was also spared from death. We all impact those around us
and we may never know how much until we get to heaven. I
am thankful that God uses everyone who chooses Him!!!

Life lessons from painting

Before


Recently I painted my son’s room and I wanted to laugh at
the way my mind thinks. As I’m painting the room and dealing
with emotions (impatience, frustration, being overwhelmed,
excitement & relief), my mind relates my experience to my
Olympic experience and also my experience with God. I know,
it’s weird and believe me, I’m not making these things up,
they just come to mind.

So I bought the paint and wanted to start painting right away.
I found a paintbrush and opened the can of paint. Before I could
paint, I needed to tape the base boards, chair railing and crown
molding, unless I wanted to see marks of paint all over the place.
So I proceeded to start taping and remembered just how long
this part takes! I became impatient because I had to be careful
to keep the tape on a straight line. I did part of the room and
thought, I really want to paint, so I’ll tape the other part later.
Then I got the paint brush and started edging the bottom, top and
corners. I got a little annoyed that this part took so long too,
because I really just wanted to grab the roller and do the “fun”
part. It’s always the quickest and easiest part! I realize that
the reason rolling is so “fun” is because all the hard work was
done first. When I finally finished the room, I appreciated
the “hard” part the most because as I took the tape off, the
lines were straight and the room looked great! I started out
impatient because it took so long and ended up excited that I
FINALLY painted over the artistic masterpiece of bright pink
marker all over one wall by my 2-yr-old son, and the room was
finished! All the work was more than worth it!

Half-way there


So what were my other thoughts? I thought about how on the
Olympic Team we practice and work out many times by ourselves
hours a day, and also travel the country to play over 60 games,
all in preparation for the Olympic Games. When we finally get
to the Olympics, the hard work is done. Now it’s time to show
what we’ve been working on all year! When I stood on the podium
and the Gold Medal was placed around my neck, I knew that ALL
the HARD WORK was MORE THAN WORTH IT!

And finally, my walk with God: I daily have victories and
struggles and learn many lessons along the way.
Many times it can seem like life is the longest marathon
ever! No matter what I go through or how much “hard work”
there seems to be, to know God and experience His love is
MORE THAN WORTH IT! One day I will see God face to face and
I will find out what that means in a whole new way! I also
can't fathom the thought but God loves us so much that He
sent Jesus on the cross for our sins because He thinks
WE ARE MORE THAN WORTH IT!

The hard work was worth it!

Do Not Be Conformed, But BE TRANSFORMED!

Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

I love the entire Chapter of Romans 12. Verses 1 & 2 tell us WHAT to do and verses 3-21 tell us HOW to do it; be “holy” and “renew our minds”. The main points of how to live this out is through love (even loving our enemies), humility and service to God through the gifts that He’s given to us. One verse that also sticks out is “Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good (v.9).” This is part of not “conforming to this world” but can be a hard thing to do when our society tells us to call things good that God says are not. We are called to love everyone, but to turn from sin. As we strive to become living sacrifices like God calls us to, we will no longer compromise and agree with things that grieve God’s heart. I have experienced God’s transforming power in my life and even though I looked and acted like a moral person most of the time before I gave my life to God, God had A LOT to change in me. I am thankful for God’s forgiveness and know that it’s only by God’s strength that I can live a life for Him. I started to renew my mind with the TRUTH of what is right and wrong, according to God’s Word, as I learned and believed the Bible. I still need God’s grace daily to help me not to conform, but to be transformed- I am a work in progress, and progress is all about moving forward! As God works in me, I will be able to prove that His will is good, acceptable, and yes, even perfect!

Scottsdale, AZ visiting Nana and Papa

We spent a couple days in Scottsdale, AZ with my in-laws from Boston. After a 5 hour car ride with some screaming, snacking and finally, napping, we made it and we headed straight for the pool. The temperature was 114 degrees! I went to college at the University of Arizona but I never stayed for the summer and the scorching heat. Now I know why I never did! Anyway, we made the most of our short visit. We swam in the pool, hung out In the Jacuzzi, went to the Arizona Mills where Jake and Drew jumped in the Euro Bungee & rode the carousel, swam some more and finished the night off with smores! The best part was seeing Nana and Papa who we don’t get to see very often. We were thankful for the opportunity to spend some time with them!

Ready for our road trip


The only time Luke isn't screaming or asking for
something is when he's eating!


The boys LOVED going through the waterfall with Dad!


Luke- Hanging out at the pool


Nana and Papa with their grandsons

Making smores

Ready to eat their SMORES!

We had to take this picture because Tommy told Drew: "The
sign SAYS: No Climbing" and Drew said, "Stop it. Signs can't TALK."
It was so funny!

Night Swimming

Family pic at the Time Share

3 Generations of Amico boys

Following vs. Leading

John 11:26:”If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.”

Jesus was talking to the disciples and I want to point out the word follow. God has plans for everybody who will follow Him in obedience. Many times we have our own plans in our heads about what we want to do, where we want to go and what we think is best for us. When we get sidetracked, we begin to take the lead and forget to follow. Jesus was very clear that there is a cost to follow Him and that cost is our lives. The verse before John 11:26 says “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep if for eternal life (v.25)”. God knows that we think we know best, but Jesus reminds us to keep our eyes on the big picture: eternal life. By losing our life, He means living it for God and not for our own pleasure and glory. This goes against our nature to look out for number 1, but when we obey this command, we will receive honor from God. I don’t follow religion, but I am a follower of Jesus. I’ve found from experience, it’s much better to pray and trust God to lead me and open doors for me than making my own way and asking God to join me. As a parent, I know what is best for my children and ask them to trust me when I'm leading them. God asks us to trust Him! He is our Heavenly Father who knows all and LOVES us more than we could ever imagine!

ASA Nationals in Oklahoma City

I just returned from Oklahoma City where I spoke to the top 64 18&U Softball teams in the country. They had Opening Ceremonies at the Hall of Fame Stadium. I have so many memories from Oklahoma City and the Hall of Fame Stadium. This was the stadium where I played in 4 NCAA Women’s College World Series Championship Games, winning 3 of them. This is also where I attended the first ever Olympic Team Tryout and was named to the team at the age of 21. This time I was there to speak to the girls competing in their National Tournament.
Friends have asked me if I have a set speech when I speak and the answer is no. The reality is that I have never said the same speech twice. I have spoken at a lot of different events that have different audiences, so I really try to see who I’m speaking to and share from my heart. I have experienced so much through my successes, and I believe we can always learn lessons from our wins and also our losses. So as I shared from my heart with this group, I wanted to remind them that ALL the hard work they put into practices, lessons, workouts, games and tournaments was preparation for this tournament. At the same time, the focus needs to be on how to be the best TEAM. I talked about supporting each other and believing in each other. I shared a little about each Olympics I competed in and lessons I took away from those experiences and I finished up by sharing what I believe a TRUE Champion is: One who not only has talent and speed or strength, but one who works twice as hard when no one is around as they do when they are with their team. A TRUE Champion is one who can lead her teammates to believe they can succeed when their backs are to the wall and who has passion and heart when she plays the game. One who refuses to give up no matter what! A TRUE Champion is one who makes those around her want to be better because she is always striving to be her very best. She is somebody who doesn’t make excuses when she makes a mistake, but wants the next ball hit to her so she can redeem herself. She is one who does what is right on and off the field. I told them that a TRUE Champion cannot be taught, but this kind of character comes from within. We all have the ability to be a TRUE Champion, but we must choose to be one. A TRUE Champion lives in the moment and this is their moment to shine!
After I spoke I stayed and signed autographs and took a few pictures. I really do love people so I enjoy meeting these talented athletes and their families who have worked extremely hard to get to this level in the sport of softball. It was fun to catch up with some friends from the USA Softball staff while I was there as well. Once again, I am grateful for the opportunity to encourage and motivate others to be their very best on and off the field! I also saw a couple girls (Talee and Skylar) who I coached at Chino Hills HS and I talked to a few of the girls who played in the Under Armour All-America Game in FL. Softball is a SMALL WORLD!


I stopped by the Hall of Fame located next to the
field to take a few pictures from the past!

1996 Olympic Team Collage

2000 Olympic Team Memorabilia

2004 Olympic Team Memorabilia located in the Hall of Fame

2008 Olympic Team Collage

I saw Diana (from Chino Hills) who is a friend and her daughter, Skylar
is in the tournament.

Umpires enjoying the GOLD

Nancy, Julie and me

All 64 Teams and umpires on the field for Opening Ceremonies

Speaking to the crowd

Tremors from New York

Girls in the tournament waiting for pictures/autographs

Everybody who waited to talk and take pictures was so nice.
I appreciated all the nice comments about my speech and hope
those girls go out and have the tournament of their lives!