Just got back from a trip to Nauvoo. It was a wonderful time with those who were there, and those that were unable to come were missed (Mike, Pat, and Dani, to name a few). Jared, however, could not stop saying 'rustic,' and turned every statement or question into a pun. If that was the biggest setback, I would say it was a darn good trip.
Now, to business. There was once a Russian Nuclear scientist who fell in love with an woman. However, he refuted all claims of God, a concept she most heartily endorsed. What was the outcome?
I have always loved romantic stories, and this is one I randomly thought of during the 6 hour drive home from Nauvoo. I am not sure why I thought of this story line in particular. I do not know any Russians, much less ones that were Nuclear scientists during the Cold War and are atheists. I think it is the concept of 'sticking to your guns' in the face of another doing the same that intrigues me, especially when it is someone you care for and your views are conflicting.
I am genuinely curious as to what would happen in this relationship. I know in a cheesy romantic movie, the soviet leaders would force the scientist to surrender the girl on pain of death, but he would then arrange her escape/rescue, not go with her to the US, where upon he would eventually become converted, and lose his life in a Russian gulag, but in a romantic way.
Here is my thing; I have been in love, but unfortunately I have dedicated my love most strongly to other people. A more interesting, and far less romantic in conventional senses, would be a man would loves his job and his family and his home, and is asked to leave it all to go on a mission... what would he do? There is no immediate, foreseen reward (such as a pretty American girl), and the world we live in would be less receptive to a man giving up two years of his life for God than fleeing his country for love and freedom. Trust me. I have been in variations of both stories.
Here is a style of love I have always revered; that of a Knight for his Liege. The ritualism that is portrayed in the relationship is honor and respect from both parties for each other. The Knight would sacrifice all he had, life, limb, and fortune, in an effort to serve his King. He bowed before him, served him in menial tasks, and was willing at all times in all things. This selfless service is true love; a willingness to abandon your own desires and goals for another, because when you love someone their desires become as great and important to you as your own.
How can I learn to honor and serve God in a way that is on par with that of the knights of old for their king? How can it be that I, one who has devoted so much of his time to studying and learning of the great code of chivalry and those affiliated with it, can be such a 'moderate at best' servant to his own Lord?
I must learn to love the Lord my God with all my soul, with every fiber of my being, and to learn and know his will, and live in a way that demonstrates that I believe it. I do believe in these things. What is left for me to do is to live this glorious, wonderful gospel.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Quoter not Quoting!
When I was in High School, I was helping to plan and prepare for a Youth Dance being held at the Sheboygan Ward building. My brother had taken point on decorations, and then my friend Jared and I got to help with food. I was perfectly ok with that. I happen to very much like food. Jared and I were able to work with our employer at the time, Coldstone Creamery, to acquire through official channels two full sized pans of ice cream, and I believe a smaller one or two of sorbet. As the Black Eyed Peas said later, tonight's gonna be a good night!
When we were on our way to pick up the nummy, icey treat, I was quoting movies and song lyrics at an amazing pace. Seemingly everything anyone said that drive I could find in a movie. Before I go any further, let me explain that almost my entire family has a tendency to join in on quote-fest at some point. Tom and I do it the most, Brandon and Briana do it rather often, and many times more accurately than Tom and myself. Tyner likes to join in as well, but my mom picks her moments. She recognizes very well when to deliver a line and recently is on a "Best time to use that Quote" of the week award since its inauguration. On this particular day, she was slightly fed up; laughing, but probably wishing that I could carry on a conversation using my own words. So she gave me a challenge.
She told me to see if I could make it from Coldstone all the way to Church (an 8 MINUTE DRIVE!!!) without quoting a single song, movie, show, or commercial (you would be surprised how quotable some commercials are.) I made it to UW Sheboygan, about 3 minutes, before a commercial surged uninvited through my vocal chords. My mom just laughed at me.
If I ever annoy you with movie/song/television/youtube video quotes, please excuse me. It is very much who I am, much like my hair color and goofy smile. I could change it, but I don't think there is a problem with it, and it would take too much to alter it, and it is something that I happen to like most of the time.
When we were on our way to pick up the nummy, icey treat, I was quoting movies and song lyrics at an amazing pace. Seemingly everything anyone said that drive I could find in a movie. Before I go any further, let me explain that almost my entire family has a tendency to join in on quote-fest at some point. Tom and I do it the most, Brandon and Briana do it rather often, and many times more accurately than Tom and myself. Tyner likes to join in as well, but my mom picks her moments. She recognizes very well when to deliver a line and recently is on a "Best time to use that Quote" of the week award since its inauguration. On this particular day, she was slightly fed up; laughing, but probably wishing that I could carry on a conversation using my own words. So she gave me a challenge.
She told me to see if I could make it from Coldstone all the way to Church (an 8 MINUTE DRIVE!!!) without quoting a single song, movie, show, or commercial (you would be surprised how quotable some commercials are.) I made it to UW Sheboygan, about 3 minutes, before a commercial surged uninvited through my vocal chords. My mom just laughed at me.
If I ever annoy you with movie/song/television/youtube video quotes, please excuse me. It is very much who I am, much like my hair color and goofy smile. I could change it, but I don't think there is a problem with it, and it would take too much to alter it, and it is something that I happen to like most of the time.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Time to bring in the closer
Has there ever been something you have to do that you just didn't want to? Go to college? Get a job? Read a book? Ask for directions? Shovel the snow off the sidewalk? Go to Church Sunday morning? Go to sports or drama practice after a long day?
Yup, I been there. Right now, there is something I have to do, that my friend is pushing me to do, and I don't want to do it. I made a note in my journal that I had to have it done... yesterday. And yet today, I have left it unfinished.
If you know me, you know I procrastinate, but this is different. I don't know why, but there is a fear in these things that isn't present when I put off cleaning my room, or doing my homework. I am almost as afraid of doing these things as I am of not doing them, or screwing them up.
I know I need to prepare to serve my mission, but every time I bow my head to pray, or open my scriptures, or journal, I get nervous, anxious, and worried. I am frightened that I will do something wrong in preparation or in the field that will damage those around me.
These fears are unpractical. What GIVES me strength in preparing for my mission are the very things I am afraid of doing wrong. So how bout this, fear. I pray for strength, guidance, and direction before I do anything else.
I know from experience that through fasting and prayer, I gain strength to do those things I must, whether spiritual or of the world. It seems strange that by seemingly depriving myself of essential ingredients for life (food and water) bring me strength. The amazing thing that I have experienced is that I feel better, happier, less burdened when "starving." I am more in tune with the Spirit of God, and my willingness to sacrifice these requirements of temporal life works as evidence of my commitment and devotion to Heavenly Father. Though I LOVE eating, as soon as it became habit for me to spend the first weekend of every month fasting, it was easy. I didn't feel hungry, or thirsty, and within 3 months, I was routinely running, lifting, or playing volley ball, football, or ultimate frisbee 23 hours into my fast. I more readily read and understood scripture, kept a journal, and followed commandments better than ever before.
So I guess this is a round about way of me saying I need to make a call.
Yup, I been there. Right now, there is something I have to do, that my friend is pushing me to do, and I don't want to do it. I made a note in my journal that I had to have it done... yesterday. And yet today, I have left it unfinished.
If you know me, you know I procrastinate, but this is different. I don't know why, but there is a fear in these things that isn't present when I put off cleaning my room, or doing my homework. I am almost as afraid of doing these things as I am of not doing them, or screwing them up.
I know I need to prepare to serve my mission, but every time I bow my head to pray, or open my scriptures, or journal, I get nervous, anxious, and worried. I am frightened that I will do something wrong in preparation or in the field that will damage those around me.
These fears are unpractical. What GIVES me strength in preparing for my mission are the very things I am afraid of doing wrong. So how bout this, fear. I pray for strength, guidance, and direction before I do anything else.
I know from experience that through fasting and prayer, I gain strength to do those things I must, whether spiritual or of the world. It seems strange that by seemingly depriving myself of essential ingredients for life (food and water) bring me strength. The amazing thing that I have experienced is that I feel better, happier, less burdened when "starving." I am more in tune with the Spirit of God, and my willingness to sacrifice these requirements of temporal life works as evidence of my commitment and devotion to Heavenly Father. Though I LOVE eating, as soon as it became habit for me to spend the first weekend of every month fasting, it was easy. I didn't feel hungry, or thirsty, and within 3 months, I was routinely running, lifting, or playing volley ball, football, or ultimate frisbee 23 hours into my fast. I more readily read and understood scripture, kept a journal, and followed commandments better than ever before.
So I guess this is a round about way of me saying I need to make a call.
Friday, October 21, 2011
How I See It
Following the dominant offensive performance by Lutheran Tuesday night, I was introduced to a number of students. They were very interested in two things about me. Firstly: Are you actually gay? Secondly: Are you really a Mormon.
The first question was very quickly answered. “No, I’m not. However, I am rather in touch with my feminine side, and was invited to go homecoming dress shopping, thus becoming a ‘Gay Friend.’” By the way, ladies, gay guys are not accessories, but people. They should not be every girl’s new addition to their Coach Bag and mini poodle. Treat them like people, please.
The second question was initially answered even easier. “Yes, I am.” The follow up questions, however, seemed to have no end. I was asked the standard high school guy questions “Can you have 16 wives?”, ”Can you masturbate?”, ”Do you get to drink?”, “Have you seen the South Park episode?”, and the like. There was one fellow, a more collected and seemingly mature young man, asked a more respectful question. “So, what makes you guys different from Christians?”
This is a question I had been asked many times in the past, and one that is always a little awkward to answer. “Well, we are Christians.”
This always gets a brief laugh, and then the more intense questions begin. So here is what I believe, as written in the Articles of Faith, a collection of 13 short statements that abbreviate our beliefs, much the same way the 10 commandments was a succinct collection of commandments. However, following each article, I will give my own beliefs regarding it.
One: We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
I believe that I am literally Heavenly Fathers spirit child, and that everyone is a child of God. He loves each of us beyond our comprehension, so much so that he sent his only begotten son on this earth, Jesus, for us (to be explained in Article Three), and gives us the ability to have the Holy Ghost to guide us in our lives.
Two: We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgressions.
When we are born, we are not born with original sin. We will be judged for what we have done, with knowledge. Child, being completely ignorant, cannot be held accountable. Those who have been taught the Gospel are held more accountable than those who have not, and we will be judged based on our decisions with relation to our knowledge.
Three: We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
It is only through Christ’s atoning sacrifice and God’s grace that we are able to repent of our sins and return to Heaven. We will be fairly judged, and how we lived our lives, practiced faith, and honestly repented will determine our salvation.
Four: We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
In order to be converted, we must first have a faith in Christ, a working faith that will guide our decisions. Next, we must repent of the sins we have committed, and absolve ourselves with Christ. We must then be baptized, fully immersing ourselves under water, and rising up, symbolic of our death and rebirth through Christ. Last, we are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost, a constant companion of those that are worthy that can guide and direct us as we go through this world, speaking to us in a still, small voice. This is the process of true conversion, and by continuing to heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can lived a righteous life.
Five: We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer the ordinances thereof.
All those that are ordained to teach and direct in the Church are called of God through prayer. These people have been appointed by those that have authority, who ask God for guidance.
Six: We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
Our church is organized the same way that Christ had organized his church when he was on the earth. We have a Prophet, responsible for the world wide church and every person on the earth. He is supported by Apostles, local authorities in Stake Presidents and Bishops who work with members in more and more local areas, teaching, guiding, and assisting all those that are under their care.
Seven: We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
Through the gift of the Holy Ghost and through the Priesthood, we have the power to be inspired to understand languages we do not know and be understood by those who do not speak our language. We can also receive revelation pertaining to our authority (Mothers for their family, the prophet for the Church, Bishop for his ward, etc.).
Eight: We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
Eight: We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
The Bible was written by Prophets of God, and we read and study it as doctrine. Te Book of Mormon is also written by Prophets of God, and testifies of His glory and Christ’s sacrifice for us. These writings work together to teach and guide us in our lives.
Nine: We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
God has given us personal revelation through prayer and fasting, and also authorities that can receive revelation pertaining to our lives that can direct us to paths of happiness and righteousness.
Ten: We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
All those who accept the Gospel are adopted into the Abrahamic Covenant made in the Book of Genesis. We will receive and inheritance of the Kingdom of God, and shall be blessed. In the last days, we shall be gathered and Christ will return, brining about a time without temptation when Satan will have no power upon the earth.
Eleven: We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, and what they may.
In the US, we have been blessed to live in a country where we have freedom of religion. Though we believe heartily in missionary work, we respect those that wish to worship otherwise. When I leave on my mission, I will be working every day to LEARN the Gospel, so that I can TEACH the Gospel. The better I understand it, the better I will live my life. I will not be working on conversion rates, but on teaching others, and listening to their questions so that I can help make my world better.
Twelve: We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
We live in this world, and follow the laws of the land. We do not speed, murder, import cocaine, etc.
Thirteen: We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
We attempt to live our lives that best exemplify the example set by Christ, working toward perfection each day so that we can have as happy and blessed a life we can here and in the afterlife.These are just the bare basics of the principles of my beliefs. There is so much more that I strive to learn and know, and so much I fall short in.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
How does she know, you love her? How does she know, she's yours?
I now want to watch Enchanted again, but Youtube is sucking.
Watched the Season 3 season finale for Lie to Me tonight. It was touching. At the very end of the episode, Cal's daughter asked him a very touching question, which got me thinking. (For those who want to see it and haven't stop reading now, and skip ahead to where it says CONTINUE ADVENTURE ON PAGE 9)
Emily, the daughter, asked Cal if he loved Foster, his close co-worker and friend. He responded easily with a yes, at which point Emily prodded with a more pressing "do you REALLY love her?" type question. He paused before saying that he did indeed love her. Emily looked confused for a moment, then asked what he was waiting for, meaning why he hadn't tried to pursue anything with her. Cal simply said he didn't know.
CONTINUE ADVENTURE ON PAGE 9
Page 9
I am in a similar point in my life. There are things that I know I want, that I know are in my power to reach for and work for, but that I continue to put off. Now I'm not saying I need to profess my love for someone, but I have been in that situation, and I was scared. To segue, when it comes to the fairer sex, I have no courage whatsoever. I have found that I can flirt shamelessly, and yet if it is a girl that I genuinely like, I lock up. I have trouble telling them anything about how I like them, and even, at times, get more bullying than usual in an attempt to cover up my true feelings. (bullying in the sense that I like to point out something that I actually like, insult it, and then apologize emphatically while giving them an actual compliment to it)
In other aspects of my life, I have yet to reach out to the Green Bay Packers and ask for an internship in their scouting department, or quality control, or statistics scribe, whatever. I mean, I REALLY want to work for the Packers, in most any aspect that was available to me. But instead, I apply for things I don't want to do, because if I got turned down for something I wanted, it would hurt too much. If I didn't accomplish what I didn't really want to do, meh. Whatever.
I guess, Lightman and I have something in common: neither of us want to lose the thing we care most about. But if I don't go for that job, I know I will never get it. So why not go for it? I have a good chance... Right?
Watched the Season 3 season finale for Lie to Me tonight. It was touching. At the very end of the episode, Cal's daughter asked him a very touching question, which got me thinking. (For those who want to see it and haven't stop reading now, and skip ahead to where it says CONTINUE ADVENTURE ON PAGE 9)
Emily, the daughter, asked Cal if he loved Foster, his close co-worker and friend. He responded easily with a yes, at which point Emily prodded with a more pressing "do you REALLY love her?" type question. He paused before saying that he did indeed love her. Emily looked confused for a moment, then asked what he was waiting for, meaning why he hadn't tried to pursue anything with her. Cal simply said he didn't know.
CONTINUE ADVENTURE ON PAGE 9
Page 9
I am in a similar point in my life. There are things that I know I want, that I know are in my power to reach for and work for, but that I continue to put off. Now I'm not saying I need to profess my love for someone, but I have been in that situation, and I was scared. To segue, when it comes to the fairer sex, I have no courage whatsoever. I have found that I can flirt shamelessly, and yet if it is a girl that I genuinely like, I lock up. I have trouble telling them anything about how I like them, and even, at times, get more bullying than usual in an attempt to cover up my true feelings. (bullying in the sense that I like to point out something that I actually like, insult it, and then apologize emphatically while giving them an actual compliment to it)
In other aspects of my life, I have yet to reach out to the Green Bay Packers and ask for an internship in their scouting department, or quality control, or statistics scribe, whatever. I mean, I REALLY want to work for the Packers, in most any aspect that was available to me. But instead, I apply for things I don't want to do, because if I got turned down for something I wanted, it would hurt too much. If I didn't accomplish what I didn't really want to do, meh. Whatever.
I guess, Lightman and I have something in common: neither of us want to lose the thing we care most about. But if I don't go for that job, I know I will never get it. So why not go for it? I have a good chance... Right?
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?
The other night, I fell asleep to rain on m roof, and this morning I woke up to it. There is a steady, cold drizzle falling on Sheboygan, and I generally love these days. In the hot summer, a rainy day was a wonderful day for a run, and an amazing day for a game of ultimate frisbee. My best game ever was this past summer during a pouring rain. I dove for 6 scores and slid a combined 80 feet after the catch. Great day. Two of my most memorable practices from high school cross country involved rain. One, a Wednesday freshman year, was cancelled because we had enough wind and rain to lean at a 45 degree angle into the wind without falling down... until the wind cut out quickly. Then you had better catch yourself, or your face would. The other was my junior year, and Woody Hanson came back for a practice. We did a rabbit run through Evergreen. It was the only time I had not caught someone in a rabbit.
Days like this bring an element of peace to me. The sound of rain is comforting, and reminds me of my Scottish heritage. And these days, I begin to think about where I will serve my mission. With over 350 missions in 162 countries, I am really in a guessing game as to where I will be from early 2012 through the same time 2014. When I start thinking, I start drifting off into what it could be like, and where I would like to go. Disclaimer: I do not know the exact limits of certain missions, but these are the broad and/or specific places I would like to be... which probably means I won't go to any of these places.
#1 Alaska: A land of incredible natural beauty with mountains, snow, and very little sunlight, I have wanted to go to Alaska ever since my friend Mark Palenske told me he would take me if I set a school running record.
#2 New Zealand: Another area with rolling hills and mountains, swathes of seemingly untouched wilderness. It doesn't hurt that they play rugby and filmed Lord of the Rings here.
#3 Scotland: I have wanted to run the highlands since first seeing Braveheart in 1996. The land is a rugged and wondrous place, and I have wanted to see if I could blend my phoney Scottish accent successfully with the real guys. Wearing a kilt on my mission would be a huge bonus.
#4 Ireland or England: Countries that I have either had an innate connection with (The Isle), or have simply immersed myself in the history of (England) to the point where I want to visit both. Living there for two years and hearing the history from the people themselves would appeal to the historian in me.
#5 Italy or France: I count myself a romantic, and being able to travel to the two countries I consider the root of romanticism and learn a language that I have wanted to learn for years would appeal greatly to my softer side.
#7 Middle East: I'm not sure where I would want to be specifically, but probably Israel, or Saudi Arabia. Israel because of the great amount of religious history, and also the locations of such political strife from the Egyptians invading, the Babylonians, the Greeks, Romans, and eventually the armies of Europe, Mongolian hordes on the doorstep, Ottaman Turks, etc. Saudi Arabia because I would love to learn to learn to speak Arabic, a seemingly beautiful and flowing verbal and written language.
#8 Eastern Europe: The entire region is littered with mountains and a people as tough as the land. Also, my former boss, and friend, wants me to go there and meet a mutual friends sister and marry her. Not exactly in my plans, but I would be remiss to omit this.
#9 West Virginia: Sorry Brando, but the countryside is all rolling hills and mountains, good weather from what I saw, and close to so much history that I studied in my civil war immersion.
#10 Utah: I know, but I haven't ever been to Utah, so I figure a two year stint there could do me well. Plus, it is a GORGEOUS state, voted the most beautiful area of the US by my former Middle Eastern History professor.
Well, that rolls up my top 10 (12 if you split 4 and 5 into two each, and about 25 depending on how many Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries you count), and I honestly do not know where I am going. All I can do is prepare myself to be ready when m name is called.
Where do YOU think I will be going?
Days like this bring an element of peace to me. The sound of rain is comforting, and reminds me of my Scottish heritage. And these days, I begin to think about where I will serve my mission. With over 350 missions in 162 countries, I am really in a guessing game as to where I will be from early 2012 through the same time 2014. When I start thinking, I start drifting off into what it could be like, and where I would like to go. Disclaimer: I do not know the exact limits of certain missions, but these are the broad and/or specific places I would like to be... which probably means I won't go to any of these places.
#1 Alaska: A land of incredible natural beauty with mountains, snow, and very little sunlight, I have wanted to go to Alaska ever since my friend Mark Palenske told me he would take me if I set a school running record.
#2 New Zealand: Another area with rolling hills and mountains, swathes of seemingly untouched wilderness. It doesn't hurt that they play rugby and filmed Lord of the Rings here.
#3 Scotland: I have wanted to run the highlands since first seeing Braveheart in 1996. The land is a rugged and wondrous place, and I have wanted to see if I could blend my phoney Scottish accent successfully with the real guys. Wearing a kilt on my mission would be a huge bonus.
#4 Ireland or England: Countries that I have either had an innate connection with (The Isle), or have simply immersed myself in the history of (England) to the point where I want to visit both. Living there for two years and hearing the history from the people themselves would appeal to the historian in me.
#5 Italy or France: I count myself a romantic, and being able to travel to the two countries I consider the root of romanticism and learn a language that I have wanted to learn for years would appeal greatly to my softer side.
#7 Middle East: I'm not sure where I would want to be specifically, but probably Israel, or Saudi Arabia. Israel because of the great amount of religious history, and also the locations of such political strife from the Egyptians invading, the Babylonians, the Greeks, Romans, and eventually the armies of Europe, Mongolian hordes on the doorstep, Ottaman Turks, etc. Saudi Arabia because I would love to learn to learn to speak Arabic, a seemingly beautiful and flowing verbal and written language.
#8 Eastern Europe: The entire region is littered with mountains and a people as tough as the land. Also, my former boss, and friend, wants me to go there and meet a mutual friends sister and marry her. Not exactly in my plans, but I would be remiss to omit this.
#9 West Virginia: Sorry Brando, but the countryside is all rolling hills and mountains, good weather from what I saw, and close to so much history that I studied in my civil war immersion.
#10 Utah: I know, but I haven't ever been to Utah, so I figure a two year stint there could do me well. Plus, it is a GORGEOUS state, voted the most beautiful area of the US by my former Middle Eastern History professor.
Well, that rolls up my top 10 (12 if you split 4 and 5 into two each, and about 25 depending on how many Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries you count), and I honestly do not know where I am going. All I can do is prepare myself to be ready when m name is called.
Where do YOU think I will be going?
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
There is no I in team... but winning team has TWO i's... just like your face!
I witnessed a great offensive performance by the Lutheran High School Girl's Volleyball team tonight. They easily outplayed Green Lake, winning handily in two games. Well done.
While watching this game, I focused intently on the gameplay, partly in an effort to ignore the lack of pants that volleyball players wear now. After the game, I realized that I was so impressed with how well they played that I didn't have to try to watch the game. After the first point, I was locked in. I noticed how easily, and quickly, and uniformly the teammates swarmed to, and from, the ball on a number of plays. They seemed to know each other well enough that much of the time they did not even appear to use verbal communication. They worked together with devastating efficiency.
Now I love watching many sports, and I have seen LeBron dominate a court, Pujols smash wins for the Cards, Barry Sanders carry the Lions for years (no wonder he retired early. Have you ever tried carrying a whole football team on your back?), track athletes win state school titles by themselves, swimmers breaking records to make up for teammates less than glamorous relay splits, etc. But I have never seen a single person dominate a volleyball court (excluding sand, here). Tonight I witnessed a truly team oriented sport. Now I know Wilt Chamberlain wouldn't have scored 100 without four other guys on the wood, and CJ2K needed somebody in front of him, but for the most part, they are very replaceable guys around true Stars (note the capitalization).
Two years ago, I watched the national title game for NCAA DIV I Women's Volleyball. It was sweet to watch them fluidly move around the net, surround the ball while moving key teammates to the corners and net, mixing feints with spikes, and moving up blockers while keeping the open spots covered... two years later, I still remember watching that in the Horse and Plow.
In everything we do with others, there is an element of trust with everyone else involved. I trust my sister to be compelled in most things that she does, except for eating, doing dance/kickboxing aerobics, and drawing. I trust my friends to not push me to drink, smoke, or any unclean thing when we go out, and they trust me to help keep them safe if they do decided to engage in aforementioned activities. My mom trusts my dad to clean the kitchen if he didn't do his other responsibilities, and to attempt to clean the garage every year for her b-day. But The QB trusts the tackles to block, pitcher trusts the outfielders, who trust the pitcher, and the professional bowler trusts his bowling ball.
These girls seem to trust each other whole heartedly on that court. I fully expect a state championship, and maybe even a repeat performance next year. Thank you for showing me how perfectly people can operate when they are in tune, and good luck Thursday night!!
While watching this game, I focused intently on the gameplay, partly in an effort to ignore the lack of pants that volleyball players wear now. After the game, I realized that I was so impressed with how well they played that I didn't have to try to watch the game. After the first point, I was locked in. I noticed how easily, and quickly, and uniformly the teammates swarmed to, and from, the ball on a number of plays. They seemed to know each other well enough that much of the time they did not even appear to use verbal communication. They worked together with devastating efficiency.
Now I love watching many sports, and I have seen LeBron dominate a court, Pujols smash wins for the Cards, Barry Sanders carry the Lions for years (no wonder he retired early. Have you ever tried carrying a whole football team on your back?), track athletes win state school titles by themselves, swimmers breaking records to make up for teammates less than glamorous relay splits, etc. But I have never seen a single person dominate a volleyball court (excluding sand, here). Tonight I witnessed a truly team oriented sport. Now I know Wilt Chamberlain wouldn't have scored 100 without four other guys on the wood, and CJ2K needed somebody in front of him, but for the most part, they are very replaceable guys around true Stars (note the capitalization).
Two years ago, I watched the national title game for NCAA DIV I Women's Volleyball. It was sweet to watch them fluidly move around the net, surround the ball while moving key teammates to the corners and net, mixing feints with spikes, and moving up blockers while keeping the open spots covered... two years later, I still remember watching that in the Horse and Plow.
In everything we do with others, there is an element of trust with everyone else involved. I trust my sister to be compelled in most things that she does, except for eating, doing dance/kickboxing aerobics, and drawing. I trust my friends to not push me to drink, smoke, or any unclean thing when we go out, and they trust me to help keep them safe if they do decided to engage in aforementioned activities. My mom trusts my dad to clean the kitchen if he didn't do his other responsibilities, and to attempt to clean the garage every year for her b-day. But The QB trusts the tackles to block, pitcher trusts the outfielders, who trust the pitcher, and the professional bowler trusts his bowling ball.
These girls seem to trust each other whole heartedly on that court. I fully expect a state championship, and maybe even a repeat performance next year. Thank you for showing me how perfectly people can operate when they are in tune, and good luck Thursday night!!
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