Humility, the presence of God, and why I love coaching

Many people often times look at me and ask "how in the world do you do what you do?" as they see me and know that I have two small children and a husband at home waiting for momma to get home. Coaching is a stressful job and one that is very thankless, however, where I work, I could not ask for a better place.  Being surrounded by like-minded coworkers and having an administration that is so supportive of you and your efforts.  Prep is truly an amazing place to work.  I also have the opportunity to work in the classroom as well.  The more opportunities I have to be in the classroom, the more I enjoy it.  Basketball has always been an important part of my life.  I have broken serious relationships in order to pursue my dream in playing collegiate basketball and also have spent many hours inside the gym trying to better myself and my abilities.  I have always been a competitor at heart, and I hate losing....I think that kind of comes with having a older brother always pushing you around or holding you down until your cried! :) However, I've always wanted to be "on-top" thinking that "being #1" would always be the best place to be.  And yes, being #1 is an amazing feeling, however, as some would say, staying there is the hard part.  When I began my coaching career at Mississippi College as a Graduate Assistant under Coach Duke, it only took me a few weeks to realize this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.  However, in the collegiate world, you don't have to deal with parents and the students are more responsible and held at a higher standard than those on the high school or junior high level.  I must admit that once I completed my 2-year assistantship at MC, I had high hopes for becoming a "great" high school basketball coach.  Thinking I had all the right aspirations, right mind-set, and people and coaching skills I needed to be successful, I went out and tried to find a coaching job that landed me in Ridgeland, MS at St. Andrew's.  Again, I must confess, looking back, I know that I made some MAJOR mistakes and major screw-ups.  However, luckily and fortunately, by God's divine graces, I have been able to overcome those and move on and grow from them.  Two years after St. Andrew's I was given the opportunity to work at Jackson Prep, and I have been here going on 4 years now.  Helping with the high school and junior high teams, I have really enjoyed seeing the girls develop and have loved being the encourager on the sidelines.  It has really helped me to have a completely different perspective in realizing that basketball is not a major priority in a lot of these girls' lives, however, they do give everything they have while they are here.  Most of them are very competitive and love to win.  Although we love to win here at Prep, one thing that I have come to love about my job is that we really try to get to know the girls and really try to show them that we care for them by being honest, open, and communicating our expectations for them.  We also try to show them what it takes to be a winner on the court, but also one off the court.  We strive to give the girls goals, or have them create their own goals, and personal goals as well.  One thing that I love about coaching is when a player comes to me to talk about "basketball" but God turns that opportunity into a chance to share His Gospel with His children.  This is the most humbling experience of all, that God would decide to use someone like me, who has been so disobedient, so prideful, and so useless at times, to use to share His love with others.  I believe having this group of co-workers to share our faith is part of that and encourages us as well not to be hesitant when God opens a door to share His Word or listen for His voice.  But I believe the only way we can continue to do this if we are in tune with His voice.  I, as a coach, must remember that this job is not about the wins (although they are very nice), not about the drills, or the attention, but all for GOD!  And that these are His children we are taking care of and nurturing to be the children His has called them to be.  My only hope is that I keep this perspective to be the wife, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, teacher, and coach that God has called me to be.  My prayer is that I can be uplifting and encouraging to those around me while still striving to pursue the goal ahead.  Thank you Jesus for making me who I am and forgive me where I fail you!  Humble me and show me your love and grace, so that I may be a light for you to others and spread you love, mercy, and grace to them as well. 

Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men."

Psalm 105:4
"Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually."

Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know that plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." 

GREAT NEWS!!

So, it's been a little bit since I have been on here.  Christmas has come and gone, Hunter Mason (my new nephew) was born, then back to somewhat of a normal schedule for me until school started, which was today.  I thought that I would dread going back to work, not being able to see my girls a good bit, but it is kind of nice to have some down time from them and to get back into the "swing" of things.  I also have enjoyed seeing my students and basketball players.  I have tried to have a "new" perspective this year and I am trying to be more positive and encouraging.  In the classroom, on the court, in my home, and at church.  Speaking of church...WhiteStone, more specifically....let me tell you some GREAT NEWS!  Sunday, Dec. 30th was suppose to be our last official meeting, but God showed up in a BIG and MIGHTY way. We were closing due to financial problems and not being able to pay rent and salaries along with other things.  Also, we have not grown numerical, so it seemed to do the right thing.  But God has different plans.  Saturday, Dec. 29th, the DAY before our last meeting, the owner of the strip mall where we are renting not one, but two units, called one of our elders and told him that we could stay there for as long as we wanted to for rent FREE!!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT??!?!  Adam and I were so dumbfuzzled and shocked we couldn't even process what was going on.  Well, I am not sure how many people knew when we came to church the next morning, but you could tell that God was doing something.  Now we have spent this past Wednesday in fasting and prayer to try to figure out what God is wanting us to do.  We know that only God can do something like this and God has a reason for keeping His church open.  Adam and I are not sure what all is in that plan, so please pray for us and the rest of the congregation that we walk the correct path that God wants us to take.  I kind of feel like God is saying "ok, I've taken your financial burden away, not what are you going to do about....put your big boy pants on and GET TO WORK!"  I just hope and pray that others in our congregation feel the same way.  If there is something that I know, it is this, the work can not be done if people aren't willing to get their hands dirty and to be honest, I think there are a lot of people, including myself, that our hands are pretty manicured and clean right now.  SO, please continue to pray for our church, WhiteStone, and pray that God uses His church in an amazing way and that we can make a difference in our community and take the burdens off of those who need it, because that is what He has done for us!  Love you all!  God Bless! <><

Psalm 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. 

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

Philippians 4:6-7
“Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You just never know what the day will hold

Well, this week has been a great one!  It has been extremely busy with visiting family, celebrating Christmas, and the birth of my new nephew, Hunter.  But these last couple of days I have really been able to relax a little and spend some quality time with my girls.  Today has been the first day, that I have felt I have needed "a break" because they decided to not nap at the same time.  Needless to say, I have been pretty much a couch potato! The house has stayed somewhat cleaned and clothes have been washed, dried, and put up, but other than unpacking Abby & Lily's bag from Nanna and Poppy's house (Jennie and Gary - Adam's parents) I haven't had to do too much.  Adam was off from his part-time job (Allstate Insurance Agent) on Christmas day and has had to work every day other than that.  So, it's pretty much just been me and the girls.  On Saturdays, Adam usually studies for his sermon for Sundays and does his touch-up on it.  Today he decided to go to Cups on Flowood, which apparently had an influx of college-age bodies in there and was extremely loud.  He usually has some things contemplating in his head about what he is going to preach on throughout the week and since he is an expository preacher (preaches in order in a book in the Bible), he pretty much knows where he is going the next weekend.  He spent today wrapping up, what he thought would be, his last sermon at WhiteStone today.  As he was coming home, I asked him to stop in Target to get some diapers for me, and he received a phone call from one of the elders in the church.  This elder proceeded to tell Adam that he spoke to the owner of the location we are renting and he has decided to help us out and let us stay there for however long we needed to without paying rent!!!!  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!?!?!  The day before we are suppose to have our last fellowship as a church, God decides to surprise us all and use this man to help out WhiteStone.  So, you never know what the day will hold!  All week, Adam and I have been trying to prepare ourselves and our minds for what tomorrow would look like and God goes and gives us a miracle!  We have no idea what God has in store, but I am excited to see what happens!  I am clenching on to and claiming Jeremiah 29:11 right now because only the Lord knows where this is going, because only He is able to do something this incredible.  Adam and I are still trying to process everything.  The question is now, what do we as a church do?  Do we sit back and just keep going as is, or are we going to make a change, and are we willing to?  God has kept us open for a reason, and my prayer for tomorrow's service is that God's presence be known and that we truly seek out what the Lord wants us to do and get up and start doing it.  Things only get done when people are sensitive and obedient to the Spirit and are willing to give up everything they have to go serve Him.  May we serve Him with a humble heart and a servant's attitude.  Please continue to keep WhiteStone Church in your prayers tomorrow as we seek out what the Lord's will is for us as a church!  I praise you oh God!  Thank you for being awesome and still being in the miracle-working business! <><

"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

"Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" Exodus 15:11

"For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

Book Review #1: Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic.
So, I decided I would do some book reviews in case there were any people who might be interested in anything I read.  If you know me, you know that I am not a big "reader" but my husband is, and I must say....he is rubbing off on me. :)  Adam is a theologian and he loves reading books about church planting, church growth, theology, reformed theology, etc.  He reads people like Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler, C.S. Lewis, John Piper, A.W. Tozer, just to give you a little idea.  He has a MASSIVE book collection.  He once said that when he dies he wants to donate he books to an up-and-coming young pastor or to some library....and trust me, he could definitely help either one out! :) However, with all of these books lying around (and most are in storage-THANK GOODNESS!) I try to pick one up every now and then, but one thing I love about my husband, he never forces me to read anything.  Now, I will tell you this, it is always good to read something that will build you up and give you realistic expectations, not something that will influence you to the wrong ideas or to do the wrong things.  I kind of go by this phrase, "what goes in, must come out." So what you are putting in your mind and heart, will come out in way or another, so fill yourself up with uplifting, positive, and godly things.  Once I became I Christian, I started reading the Bible a lot more, but I also read devotional books (Women of Faith) and some Joyce Meyer books.  Now, I use to be a huge Joyce Meyer fan, but some of her things are not scripture-based.  Thankfully, the Lord brought Adam to me to help me realize that I still needed to work on my foundation as a Christian, and although reading the Bible is the place to get that, sometimes you need some other stuff to help you understand some things.  When I would go into LifeWay, I would always have this overwhelming feeling and felt like I wanted to buy every book in the store.  But be aware, not every book in a Christian book store is a good book to read, or even a "Christian" book.  If you are thinking about purchasing a book, make sure you do research on the author and on the content of what you are about to read.  However, I have just recently read, Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic.  This was a stocking stuffer Adam gave me this year for Christmas, and I must say, it is umm....3 days after Christmas, and I've already finished it! LOL!  Now, before you think I am a fast reader, I must tell you, there are 20 short chapters and the book is only 102 pages...my kinda book! YAY!  The last book I read all the way through, The Help, I couldn't put down and I started reading it at midnight after I had initially started it and never went to sleep until 6 AM.  Needless to say, the next day was extremely long!  Well, this book, Loving the Little Years, is a book I feel that I had to "chew" on some of the words for a while, but I was thirsty for more.  I told myself, I am going to try to read 2-3 chapters a night (when it is finally quite around here) and hopefully I'll finish it before going back to work.  However, I was fortunate to get done a little sooner than that.  I finished it last night and I must say, this is one that I would advise anyone with small children to read.  To give you a little bit of history about me, I did not grow up in what you would call a "Christian" home, you know, the kind of family that is at church every time the doors open, but I did grow up in a home where family ALWAYS came first. Just ask my husband and some of my close friends, family is big with us Davis's...my mom use to go by this phrase, "You mess with my family, and you mess with me." And if anyone knows my mom, you know that is a promise! However, my mom and dad set a great foundation for teaching me how to be a wonderful mom and parent, which I hope I am fulfilling, but I did not know how to intertwine the Christian life into that.  This book is extremely helpful for young mothers or mothers of young children to help them understand and except the chaos around them.  It really gives you a Christian perspective of how to raise your children the way Christ would want them raised and either by not being too harsh on your kids or sheltering them too much or either by trying to be their friend. And as a mother, I want to do the very best I can with what God has given me, because I am under the understanding that they are not mine to begin with, but God has given these children to me to help them become the people He wants them to be.  And lordhavemercy...you know I'm gonna need a lot of prayer for that! ;) However, I do and do so desperately desire to have a Christian home where my children can look back and know that they have a firm foundation and they can know how to stand on their own two feet when the time comes.  This book shows how to deal with sin, and not just your child's sin, but how to adapt and understand that sin is everywhere, even in your home.  It also shows how to know your children have boundaries and what happens when they test those boundaries.  It also talks about prioritizing your time and your energy, because your children are the most important thing and the most important job for you to do.  As Jankovic puts it, "They are the only part of your work that truly matters."  And as mothers, sometimes we have a tendency to not give time to ourselves, and she talks about this too.  Jankovic having 5 children herself, all under the age of 5, does a great job with this book in my opinion.  She doesn't over elaborate, but just states the facts, and gives some real-life examples of her story and you feel like you know exactly what she is talking about and you are right there with her! I highly recommend this book to anyone with small children and I have and am even contemplating giving a copy to Abby's teachers at daycare due to them playing the "mother" role while I am away working.  Daycare workers need to understand that we are entrusting our children in their hands to help mold them.  I'd love to hear your feedback if you get a chance to read this book and also feel free to add any comments on any suggestions of any other books to read.  Thanks! God Bless <><

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
Psalm 127:3

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

So it begins...

Well, so it begins, I have been contemplating on starting a blog for a while now.  I pitched the idea to my husband, Adam, and he thought it was a good idea as well.  One other reason why I think that God has encouraged me, in one way or another, to do this now, is because since we have paused on having children for a little while, our life is going to change in one or another in 2013.  Adam has been thinking about starting his Ph.D. ever since he completed his M.Div. last December.  However, financially, this has not been foreseeable.  His parents would say that they always knew he would work on a Ph.D.  If you don't know Adam, he is very bright and very dedicated to doing what God has called him to do.  We have been married for almost 8 years (March will be our 8th anniversary) and he has completely changed his entire demeanor in that time.  He has softened over time and strives to be the best father and husband for his family.  So, this thought of him starting on his Ph.D. has pretty much startled him. I think he is concerned about doing to what he desires (to work on his Ph.D.) because he wants to be able to provide for his family.  However,  I have been the one who is trying to encourage him to get started on it.  I know that God wants us to better ourselves and God has gifted Adam with the love to study His Word and gifted him in teaching and preaching.  Now, still, we have no idea how this is going to work financially, but we are praying that if this is God's will that He will guide us and provide, as He always has.  Just recently, WhiteStone Church, the current church we are currently serving at, decided to close it's doors due to financial and other instabilities.  We both have felt that God called us to this place and we have both felt we have served the best we could here, but now, God has planned for it to close its doors.  Although this is very upsetting, we know God has plans for us and plans for His people at WhiteStone.  I say all of this to say that financially, starting to work on a Ph.D. and all the preliminary work to get in (GRE, language classes, etc.), we are still not sure how it is going to work out, but we do know that God will provide one way or another.  I am very excited about this new season in our lives and excited to see what God has planned for us.  So, I hope you join us on our next journey and hopefully you will see how God is working in our lives and understand that God is sovereign over so many things.  And please understand, there will be times that I am so brutally honest and in those times I will need encouragement and you will see where my faith lacks; but I hope, overall, I can be transparent encouraging you to see and understand that God can use anyone.  No matter what background, no matter what mistakes, what social status or economic status.  But God wants to use you and me.  He doesn't need to, but He chooses to!  I hope that in a year we can look back and see where God has stepped in and completely taken over our lives and I hope that we all can have grown from these experiences.  Thank you for letting me share.  God bless you and many blessings to you all for 2013 and the many years to come! <><

Jeremiah 29:11  
"For I know that plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."