Bible Study

I love Bible Study!  I have an amazing

group of girls who are real and open.

Right now we are in the Beth Moore

Study of James.

I also love to share how it all started
for me.  My love for Jesus really didn't
start until I saw somebody near my age
living bold for the Lord.  Her name was
Julie.  Here is a picture of her:

I only knew Julie for 3 short years
because she passed away at the
age of 21.  After seeing how she
lived for Jesus and knowing she
was face to face with Him now
for eternity, my perspective about
using our time for the Lord was
much more clear. None of us
are promised tomorrow and when
we are gone, all that truly matters is
if we knew Jesus as Lord and if
we lived for His glory and loved
others the way He loves! 

Now that I have opportunities to speak
around the country, I share a lot about
the impact Julie made on me.  There is
something powerful when you have a
positive influence in your circle of friends.
Even though I had loving and caring
parents, I still was impacted by the
people I hung out with.  I know that will
be the case for my boys too, so I pray
they continue to choose to hang out with
godly friends as they grow older.

I wanted to write this post because
after speaking in the Ohio Valley
schools last month for Sports World,
I received a few messages from some
of the students I spoke to.  This is
one I just received and it put such a
big smile on my face :

I said that I would contact you in May,
but I wanted to say  something. When
you were at our school, you said you
and Julie had a Bible Study group. I
thought a lot about it. I made a little
Bible group myself.
We just read verses of the Bible
and discuss it so we understand.


P.S. We didn't start yet. I just thought
of it like 5 minutes ago. But
that's what we're going to do.

You never know whose life you
might impact! Choose to make
a difference today!

The lastest. . .

We had everyone over our house for

Easter this year

I love the celebration of Easter
(Jesus IS Risen)

&
I LOVE my Family!!!!!!!

Taylor and Tommy:

Justin (16),  Taylor (12), and
Jake (10)
(oldest in each family :)
All of the cousins look up to
Justin (literally and figuratively)

Kristi w/Jessica & me
(she is our adopted family :) )

Egg hunt all over the back yard:

This is why we celebrate-
death (Jesus) brought life
for ALL through His
resurrection!

A couple weeks ago I went to
Marshall University to speak
on Women in Sports & Title IX.
I am so thankful for the women
before me who paved the way.
Many did not have the opportunities
I had- and I feel so blessed to
have played sports when I did
growing up. 

Maybelle Blair (All-American
Women's Pro Baseball League)
is a friend- and it was so fun
to speak alongside her at
Marshall!  She is so funny
and is always so kind.

I was thankful for the opportunity
that Dr. Kat Williams gave me
to speak on campus.  It was
truly an honor.

I was able to watch Arizona
Softball play in Fullerton last
month and spent some time
talking to my favorite coach
in the world: Coach Candrea!

FCA Softball is still growing.
We need all the support we
can get.  Spread the word and
get involved if you love Jesus
and softball :)

We received these awesome
rings from Josten's rings for
the God & Country Event
in FL this past January.
What a cool gift that was!

Last month I was also in the
Ohio Valley speaking to schools
for Sports World. 

It's always such an encouragement
to be able to remind young students
to keep their hearts set on what they
are passionate about.  I remind them
to give all that they have, stay positive,
make good choices & let them know
that it was my faith in Christ that
made the biggest difference in my
whole life.

OK, last but not least. . .

This should have a whole post
to itself so maybe I'll write about
it again later. . .

I bought the BlendTec Blender.

I am not normally obsessive, but
this thing has me obsessed!  I have
eaten more spinach in the past
3 weeks than I had eaten in a year
or 2 combined!  I LOVE this
blender.  I have been making
2 green smoothies a day and
have been getting so many
different fruits (apples, oranges,
mangos, bananas, strawberries,
raspberries, kiwis) & have been
adding cucumber, carrots, kale,
spinach and flax seed. 

This smoothie was water,
mango, green apple, spinach,
and ice.

And a new favorite: tortilla soup:
all fresh ingredients!

Drew is the only one who will

drink green smoothies, so I have

been sticking to fruit, yogurt, juice

smoothies for the boys.  It's been

nice to have when we are running out

the door to the ball field & it's way

healthier than what we normally

would grab!

Well, that's what we've been up to

lately.  I did have a chance to speak

last weekend at South Hills

Church last weekend and again

at Covina HS on Tuesday.  I know

God is the One who opens doors,

so I will continue to walk in

His will and His way!  There is

nothing better. 

Go Pirates

Baseball season is in full swing!

This is Drew's 3rd year playing
and he's only 6!  Getting an
earlier start than I did growing
up :)

He's having a lot of fun.

He loves having his cousin, Micah,
on his team.

This year they are hitting off a
machine.  He does well at times
and makes adjustments when
he struggles.

It's fun cheering him on.
Tommy is helping coach
too this year!

My baby turned 5!!!

Where has the time gone?

Luke was born 5 years ago:
April 8, 2007 and it was
Easter Sunday

This year his birthday fell
on Easter Sunday once again!

I love that- Easter is all about
NEW Life because Jesus
rose from the dead and
conquered death.

When we trust in Him,
we are promised eternal
life with God in heaven!

I was thankful for the life
of Lukey that God gave
to our family 5 years ago!

We had a small celebration at
John's Incredible Pizza

We had everything we needed for
a party:
friends & family
balloons
food
cupcakes
games
&
toys!

The birthday boy said this was
his best birthday so far!

There were lots of winners, and
a few jackpots were hit!

Jake won 1000 tickets that he
and his cousin, Taylor, shared!

We love our little guy, even though
he's not so little anymore!

5 years old! Our baby is a big boy.

We are so thankful for our
family and friends!

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.

Big Bear Vacation 2012

 We missed our trip to the mountains
last year so we were very excited to
go again this year.  The boys love the
mountains.

 It has been hot lately so there wasn't
much snow.   Luckily right behind our
cabin was a small patch of snow that
hadn't melted yet. But is was so icy
that Luke fell the first night and scraped
his face.

 The boys were outside immediately.

 They even found a snow man that
hadn't melted yet.

 Keith and Jessica came up
a little later on Wed night
and the kids were so excited
to have their cousins stay
with us all week.

On Thursday we took a walk
to the lake.

 The scenery was gorgeous!

I love seeing the water with

snowy mountains in the

background.

                                    

 Keith and Jessica

 Luke was tired and kept

asking Tommy and me to

carry him.  How can you

say no to that face?

 we even found a little snow

on our walk.

 The boys had to put their feet

in the freezing water.

 Family

 At our place, the kids played
with weeples.

 We ate a ton of food and of
course ice cream.

 We stopped at the Discovery

Center.

 On Friday we went and found

a place to tube.  There wasn't much,

but we were determined!

 They went down however they

could because it was so

slippery.

 This picture cracks me up

because if you look closely

there are 3 people on the tube

even though you only see

2!

We played some tennis on

Saturday.  I should say we

"attempted" to play.

 It was a fun and relaxing

weekend with the family.

We played lot of board

games, enjoyed the outdoors,

ate too much food and

watched some movies.

 We made memories that we

won't forget.  Life can get

really busy sometimes so

I savor those moments away

from our hectic schedule.