Sorry there hasn't been an update on how things have been going for awhile... But since the last couple weeks of the season, finishing camps, driving home, and now back to Tennessee, I have had very little time to sit down and write out my thoughts regarding just the last month, let a lone my whole summer. The bad part about blogging is when you get behind, there is so much you want to talk about, but continually find less time to talk about more happenings. However I think I have figured out a way to adequately reflect on my summer of playing soccer, loving people, and being encouraged to do as much of those as possible... I'll put up some pictures, and you know what they say about pictures... they paint a thousand words... or something.
The trip to Pinotepa and Ometepec in the south west pacific coast of Mexico was great... My eyes were opened to so much in terms of ministry and culture. A culture so consumed by soccer provided us with an amazing platform for ministry... even if they weren't interested in hearing our story at half time or after the game, they still wouldn't miss the opportunity to see there hometown players play against a group of Americans. This trip challenged me in so many ways in dealing with so many people... my teammates, the missionaries we partnered with, the players we played against, the fans who watched us play, and the churches who helped us a long the way. The amount of contact we made was incredible and hopefully it's a project that the Seahorse organization can continue to follow up with in the years to come.
Seahorse Soccer Camps- "All My Might"- Colossians 1:29 "And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power which mightily works within me." That was the theme verse for our week of camp... on top of our soccer curriculum of dribbling, passing, shooting, heading and defending, we also had a bible curriculum which focused on what it means to love God with all our might. Topics included what is so mighty about might, loving god with all our might, when our might isn't enough, and the gospel which represents God's might power. Every thursday was decision day... we would use the evangecube and tell the kids the story of Jesus on the cross and what that means for us. It was great to see kids make personal decisions to follow Christ through our camps, and to be able to sit down and talk to them personally about these decisions... I don't think I will be able to view soccer camps in the same way ever again. The pictures below include pictures from decision day, coaches campers game, jersey day, and crazy hair day.
coaches campers game
Jersey Day
Jersey day with the Chik-fil-a Cow
Crazy hair day (with my mustache)
Decision day/coaches time
On top of our missions trip, and camps, we still had our PDL season... we finished the season 4-4-8 right in the middle of the pack... It was a tough season, the demographics of the team always seems to be changing. I found myself playing all positions again, which is something that I have been used to doing in the past. Except now the competition was even higher. I can honestly say that growth came in all areas this summer... Faith, soccer, and relationships... Being on a team of quality soccer players who could also encourage me spiritually is not a situation you will often find yourself in. Yet the bar has been set, and I have a good idea of what it means to bring Christ central to competition... which is something that I have struggled with my whole life, balancing Christ and soccer. The pictures below are just various pictures throughout the season...
Game vs. LA Legends
Getting announced
Home game vs Ventura
Me being a dork... walking out to the field.
Away game at Ventura, I ended up getting knocked out this game with a run in with the keeper. Uncle Chip and my parents were there for that one.
For one of my last home games, my parents were able to come watch me play as well as a few of my uncles (dad's brothers) who were currently living in California. It was great for me to catch up with my parents and play in front of my Uncle Chip since he had never been able to attend any of my high school or college matches, yet he was always able to remain one of my biggest fans and closest supporters. Being able to spend time with Chip, Doug, my parents and even some new friends John and Ryan was a good way for me to wind down the season. I don't know how much soccer I have left in my future, but it wouldn't have felt right without being able to play in front of Uncle Chip. (Pictures compliments of Chip, thanks!)
My cousin Coryn was there too!
Coryn lives in Newport, unfortunately I didn't get to see her until the 4th of July and she was able to make it to a few of my games shortly there after.
The Webb family- (Left to Right) Bethany, Robb, Myself, Faith, and Melanie. This was my host family for the summer and some of my biggest fans. Unfortunately they had to leave before my last week there to go on vacation so this was our last day together before our game that evening. I was truly blessed to live with such a generous family and felt more like a member of the family than a guest in their house.
On my way back to TN I was able to spend some time in Colorado with a lot of cool people... The Suttons were a family that my parents had met only once before but were able to get to meet the whole family, (Left to right- Heather, Vickie, Stormin Norman, Ryan, Myself, Mom, Cristina, and Dad) and instantly hit it off with everyone... The best part was all of us kids were the same age and just had a blast going hiking, cliff jumping, sight seeing, and playing board games till the wee hours of the morning.
I want to say that for the most part sums up my summer in California... there's just no way. I know there is stuff missing here or there. The experience was invaluable, and you can't even try to quantify the amount of learning that took place this summer. I was constantly reminded that God is everywhere, working in everyone, even when they are unaware of it... and often times I am unaware to God working around me. I don't know where this experience fits into God's big plan for me, I met a lot of people who I feel have been very influential in my life this summer and can see working with them again in the future loving people together... I can say that I am very excited about the new stage of my life which begins soon here in Nashville. In a week I will start training for my new job working campus recreation and have been accepted as a graduate student into Belmont's grad program.
I originally started this blog to keep you all posted on how my summer has been going. I do not know if I will continue to blog or not... but as this new job unfolds I may consider putting my thoughts down and just to discuss how God's been challenging me. Thanks again to all those who helped me in making this summer possible, it was a true blessing.
-Cyrus
