Dear 2010.....

Dear 2o1o,

Well....just a few more days and we can put 2010 into the history books. I can't really say that I will miss you 2010. I am kind of glad that you are over, cause it has been one hell of a ride. And in appropriate fashion, the year has come full circle, and one of my most stressful and frustrating situations ended up working out just the way I wanted and had hoped it would end up originally.

But I can definitely say that I learned a few things

1. You should never have to apologize for loving what you do with your life and being you. We are each created by a masterful Maker.

2. Patience pays off. And so does holding onto something you believe in, because just maybe it may work out and the patience will pay off.

3. Love on people. Period. Pretty simple. Pour into someone. Cause some how it always seems to fill you up as well.

4. Sometimes I take life too seriously. Sometimes you just need to laugh at your self, act like a child and take a deep breath from real life.

5. Surround yourself with people who love you for you. Who speak life into you.

6. Never underestimate yourself.

7. Yes this world is full of crazy people and people who will continually disappoint. But the world is full of good people and good hearts. Even more encouraging, we have generations coming up that have amazing hearts.

8. We have choices to make every day. To swing by the Starbucks drive through or skip it today. Choose joy. Choose to rise above situations. Choose to fight the good fight.

9. Perspective is an amazing thing. Maintain it.

10. Be thankful and show gratitude every day.

11. We live in a beautiful country and world. It would be a pity not to explore it. GET OUT!

What a year it has been. And Christ continues to reveal himself in small ways, big things and crazy situations. When I am WEAK.....is when I find STRENGTH in HIM. My only true REST comes at the feet of CHRIST. I still swear there are times where God is just looking down on me and laughing.

I am lucky....despite the craziness of this world, crap situations and everything in between. I am blessed. And 2010 has been a constant reminder of that.

I am humbled by how blessed I am.

So 2010.....here is to you! Here is to the journey, as beautiful and ridiculous as it was.

2011.....I can't promise that I will remember to write the correct date on my documents for at least 5 months. But....I am ready for you. I am anxious, nervous, excited and thrilled for the new chapter that 2011 promises to bring.

So long 2010........2011....I have high hopes for you!

:: in the meadow we can build a snow man::

Tis' the season. Christmas lights are up, Christmas music is showing up on the radio and my personal favorite, the HALLMARK CHANNEL!!! Yep...that's right. The hallmark channel airs Christmas movies back to back all month long. Sure, the acting is pretty horrible, and the story lines are predictable. But with the corny and cheesy plots comes a little glimmer of holiday hope. One problem here in Denver though, is that it doesn't look or feel like Christmas. It has been in the 60's and there is not a single flake of snow in sight.

This year, I have been more in the Christmas spirit than ever. So much so, that I put a Christmas countdown paper chain up in my athletic training room. I have come to the conclusion that there are two specific reasons why I am full of Christmas cheer this year.

1. I miss my family. And when I say family, I mean my immediate family and friends in Durango. The random people that I run into on Main street or in Durango Joe's. Also, due to the craziness of my job, I haven't been able to spend quality time with my family in far too long. I am counting down the days until I can wake up in the morning and share a cup of coffee with my Dad and watch it snow.

2. Even more reason to celebrate....I have survived the first semester, managing all the student athletes on my own. Against all odds and when people thought I wouldn't be able to do it....I HAVE. I survived. Even when people had set me up for failure, doubted my abilities and made me feel second rate, I have taken on the challenge and owned it.

So take that!!!!

So Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday's everyone!!! I hope that you all find reasons to celebrate.

A fetus in Mary, a force in you. He will do what you cannot do. Wasn’t this the promise of Jesus?

The same hand that pushed the rock from the tomb can shove away your discouragement. The same power that stirred the still heart of Christ, can stir your flagging faith. The same strength that put Satan on his heels can, and will, defeat Satan in your life. The same power which brought Christ into Mary’s world, will bring Christ into your world.

thoughts from a surgery waiting room

Well....not exactly how I planned to spend my night. Started out as a typical day in my training room. Coffee brewing, the guys turning ESPN on and I try to patch my athletes. But little did I know that the end of my evening, or should I say the beginning, would bring me here.

The surgery waiting room is empty. I am sitting here by myself......typing away, the TV on, phone in hand and waiting for someone to update me. All the lights are off, except in the room. There is a Christmas tree on the second floor that is breaking up the erie darkness.

I can't help but think how many families have sat in my same seat, waiting to hear news of their loved ones. Waiting for doctors to burst out that door and share the good news. Or how many families who sat here, hearing the worst possible news they could have ever imagined.

Its is erie in here. Kind of creeps me out, but hospitals do that in general.

Kind of puts things in perspective. Funny that the first time I have really had to sit by myself is here, in a surgery waiting room. A worried mom calling me on her way and of course, there is some sort of toxic spill on I-25 that is adding a painful 20 mins to her drive.

And as I always say, I am reminded how blessed I really am. How lucky I am to be in this place at this time. I am reminded daily that I am here for a reason. To be the person that holds the hand of a scared athlete being pushed off to unexpected surgery. Or to be the sounding board for another. Despite the frustrations and stress, lack of sleep and everything in between, I am lucky. I get to witness amazing things every day and witness the mysteries of this world and of this human race, bones, muscles, internal organs and each single cell.

"Behind them are three boys kicking a soccer ball on the beach. With effortless skill they coordinate countless muscles and reflexes, engage and disengage perfectly designed joints … all to do one task—move a ball in the sand.

Miracles. Divine miracles.

These are miracles because they are mysteries. Scientifically explainable? Yes. Reproducible? To a degree.

But still they are mysteries. Events that stretch beyond our understanding and find their origins in another realm. They are every bit as divine as divided seas, walking cripples, and empty tombs.

And they are as much a reminder of God’s presence as were the walking lame, fleeing demons, and silenced storms. They are miracles. They are signs. They are testimonies. They are instantaneous incarnations. They remind us of the same truth: The unseen is now visible. The distant has drawn near. His Majesty has come to be seen. And he is in the most common of earth’s corners." Max Lucado