From one Ball to Another

Well, it's over. Last night was the last night of BASKETBALL league, and quite honestly, I'm a little sad. Not like spend-an-evening-crying sad, but just bummed cuz I was really enjoying my time at the games. I was beginning to understand (and enjoy) it more and more. Another thing is that I didn't really start coming out of my shell until last night. For some of you that know me, you know that it takes a little while for me to warm up to people. I have to get to the level of comfort before I really start to show the Leah that my closest friends know. Until that point, I tend to be a little shy and reserved. It was getting better with each week, I started to branch out and talk (a little bit) to people that I didn't really know. Last night though, I probably talked and laughed with more people that I didn't know than I did all "season." Oh well...there's always next year to talk more... =0) As long as Joe or Jared ask me to come back, that is. I may not know how to play the game, or know the calls, but I DO know how to run a scorebored, so that would save them the hassle of "training" someone else.

Anyhoo...now that that's all over, I'll be starting SOFTBALL league; I'm looking forward to it. I promise I won't throw balls at people in order to tag them out...promise. =0) I asked Doug from Kent City Baptist (KCBC) if women were allowed to play on the boys team, he said "not really" and that he thought there would a women's team, but wasn't sure. Then I talked to my best friend who goes to one of our opposing churches and she said that they could use another girl (it's co-ed) so that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to play for Snow Bible Church...I can't promise them anything spectacular, but I'll definitely try hard. More importantly, it'll get me out of the house a couple times a week and I'll actually be having fun, rather than stuck in a building...working. I don't know the first thing about playing a real game of softball (except for "hit the ball and try to get to the white base before someone touches it or you with the ball," so hopefully, someone can give me some insight. I'd hate to make a fool of myself out there. Anyway, I'm out. I've gotta get back to work.

Weekend to Remember!

Wow...this weekend was crazy for me. A ton of fun, but crazy. Friday, immediately after work my mom, dad, sister and I all left for my grandma's in Ludington. Soon after we got into Ludington, we stopped at KFC to pick up some chicken to bring to my grandma's for dinner. It was during that stop that Amber decided to pull out her camera and it turned out to be a hilarious experience.

Saturday we threw a "going away" party for my cousin who will be heading off to Colorado for work and at the same time a birthday party for my great-aunt who just turned 89. I always love being around my family. We're a loud, crazy group of people and it just makes for an exciting time. After we ate a few of decided to go outside and "play." Some of the cousins (me included) played a couple games of volleyball and then it was decided that we were going to put on a Turner softball game; crazy, crazy, crazy. Of course, with it being MY family, it wasn't your normal game of softball...nope- my aunt decided that it was going to be ONE HANDED...meaning, when you were up to bat- you could only swing with one arm. On top of that, I was the pitcher for our team, albeit not a great one, but the pitcher none the less. Needless to say, my arm is still feeling the burn. Oh, and just in case you ever decide to play softball, word of advice - you're not allowed to throw the ball at an opposing player running to first if you know for sure that you're not going to be able to reach her in time. Trust me, I learned that one real quick this weekend. =0) I don't think Jessie really appreciated it either. The other team won, but I personally think it's because they have a bunch of cheaters. Just personal opinion. =0)

Then on Sunday two great things happened:

A.M - We had the first service in our new church. What a great turnout. We packed the building, overflowed the parking lot, and just had a GREAT service. It's going to take me some getting used to because this building is way bigger than our previous church, but I will get used to it because I know that God is going to use Kent City Baptist in a great way. I can't wait to see the way he uses us!!

P.M - I went to the Michael Bublè concert with Amber; what a blast!! Before I continue, a HUGE thank you goes to Casey from Paradigm. She is the one that gave Amber the tickets; $80 tickets nonethess, so THANK YOU! Before he came on, they had an opening act, the name of the act was Naturally 7. It was a group of black guys that had not ONE instrument, and yet had a "band." Each band member created the sounds of an instrument with their voices. Me trying to explain it would give it no justice, so please, check 'em out at YouTube.com (search 'wall of sound' or 'Naturally 7'). After they performed, Michael finally came out. He was amazing! He was also hilarious; cracking jokes all night long. I'm really glad I got to go see him. It was definitely a concert I won't forget for a very long time.

Anyway- this thing is already long enough, so I won't make you suffer anymore. I hope the rest of you had a great weekend also.

Music to My Ears (literally)

Sunday, April 20, 2008 @ 8PM at the Van Andle Arena, I will get to see this man perform live. I am SO excited...If you like Frank Sinatra and that sort of music, then you too would like Michael Bublè. My sister got some free tickets from a friend at work, and she was kind enough to invite me to go with her. I'm so glad she did, cuz I can't wait to see him...

Short post, but it's all I've got for the day!

Dependence

If you haven't read the book Mistaken Identity by the Van Ryn and Cerak families yet, I suggest you do; it's a powerful book. If you don't know what it's about, I'll give you brief synopsis.

In April, 2006 a van of Taylor University students were hit by a semi. Out of 9 people, 5 died; out of that 5, one was mistaken for one the survivors. Both families give their account of everything from the day of the accident to "today."

Now, why do I suggest it?? Not just because it's a great read, or because it gives you some insight to something that made national (and even international) news. I suggest it because it's proof of how great our God is. More than once I was moved to tears reading this book (I'm not one to cry over books), several of those times, I was sitting in my desk here at work. The dependence they on had on Christ is astounding. Every inch of their life revoloved around Christ and the works he wants us to do for his glory. I honestly don't know what I would do in their situation. I would hope that I would be bold and continually ask God for the strength and support he so willingly gives rather than become angry and confused and turn away. Another reason I suggest you read it is because even if you can't relate to every last issue that they're going through, somehow, you will be able to relate to the way God moves in our lives. Some of my tears were tears for the families and the losses they experienced, the emotions that hit them, and the pain they endured. However, the majority of my tears were because I could relate to the way that Christ has moved in my own life over the past couple years. Our God is an amazing God, through good and through bad, and this book sheds light on just how great He is and how much He truly loves us, all of us.

So please, go out to the nearest library, bookstore, or Walmart and pick up a copy to read, and when you do, see it as more than just a great story. Open your hearts to the message it has and expect to be moved.