pre-season part 2

A full week of pre-season has gone by. This week we had 3-a-days M/W/F and 2-a-days on T/TH. I am feeling some pain and aches from pre-season but all things considered I am feeling great.

This coming week we have our first two games in Chicago. One on Friday and one on Saturday. I am scared out of my mind. Scared of our lack of preparation. Scared out what the outcomes will be. Scared at how my ankle will hold up. Flat out scared.

However, throughout this past week and going into this coming week, I will know I have done all I can do if I hold nothing back. If I give it my all in ever training session we have. If I work my butt off because I am knowing I am playing for Christ. If I work my butt off because I know that I am playing for my team; not for myself. Throughout this week it is my goal to lay EVERYTHING on the field and hold NOTHING back.

God has given me the gifts and talents of soccer and I need to be sure I bring honor and glory to HIS name through these gifts. I know I have done my part when God is the one who I am worshiping and playing for. This week I strive to lay it all on the field for the only one who matters - God.

pre-season

Well...

I am back at school and have start pre-season. We moved into Cornerstone on August 7. We have been in pre-season for almost a week and a half. Things have been going really well. Let's back up and start at the beginning though.

July 31 I went to Montana with 20 other Cornerstone athletes for an leadership/influence retreat. I had an amazing time. The things I learned about myself and my teammates that went with me were incredible. I grew spiritually in so many different ways. I will write a blog about what specifically I learned later.

August 7 was move in day. Everything went well and I am living in a married housing apartment with Amanda and Paigers. I couldn't ask for better roommates.

Monday, August 8 we did some ACL prevention/performance testing and training. All went well. On Monday night, the team left for Kalkaska, MI. to run a soccer camp Tues.-Thurs. at a church near Starwood Ranch (where we spent the nights). The week went really well and our team began to bond.

We returned home late on Thursday night. Since then, we have been training throughout the days and bonding as a team in our free time. I love my team and am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing family.

We have run the 2 mile twice. My first time was 14:40 and my second time was 14:30. I am very happy with these times and have no complaints. All I am looking for is improvement each time. We are running the 2 mile again tomorrow morning at 6 am.

My body has been holding up well. My ankle can cause me a little soreness at times, but other than that I am feeling better now than I have any other pre-season. I was nervous coming in that I would not have rehabed well and my ankle would act up more than it already is. I will continue to push through and push myself and I am sure all will be well.

I continue to look forward to this fall for many different reasons:

-I am excited for the rest of pre-season; to continue to bond with my team and grow closer together as a family.

-I am excited to play our first game; to know that all our hard work and dedication and pre-season paid off.

-I am excited to start classes again and be with all my Social Work friends and professors.

-I am excited to start my internship and see the life of a school Social Worker.

-I am excited to live this year with my best friend and favorite roommate ever.

-I am excited to grow spiritually in my walk with my Lord and Savior.

I will try and update again soon :)

Last Night at Home

I am sitting by the kitchen counter and reflecting on all that has happened this summer. Tonight is my last night I am spending in my bed. I cannot believe that my summer went so fast.

I accomplished a lot this summer. I have been working out harder than I have ever worked before and I have had a grand time with friends and family. God has taught me so many lessons this summer and I feel like it is only the start of my relationship with Him.

I have learned how to forgive and forget, to love and let go, and to live my life to its fullest. I cannot say there is one thing about this summer that I regret. What excites me most is looking forward to this fall.

A week of camping with the whole family at Young State Park. This week will bring back sad memories as it always does. We were at Young State Park when we got the phone call that Rosemary passed away. However, we are grieving and learning how to move on. However, camping is one of my favorite activities. Campfires, beach, laughing, tent sleeping, family, bike rides, runs, walks and so much more. This week is going to go by way too fast.

Next is a week spent in Montana. I am going with a group of athletes from Cornerstone. There are 2 or 3 athletes from each sport that are going. I already feel as if God is going to do big things on this trip. I may have already said this but I am SO excited to see what God reveals to me over this week.

So often I feel as if I am closest to God when life is rough. I suddenly decide, "oh shoot, I better pray more and read my Bible." I want God to be real to me and closest to me all the time, through the good and the bad. I feel as if this trip could be good for me in many different ways.

Life

I feel like over the past few weeks I have simply been going through the motions. I sleep, workout, do homework for my online class, help my mom around the house, and occasionally babysit. I have to admit I feel as if I have been pushing God aside these past couple weeks - for no particular reason. When I think of the amount of time I spend doing useless activities it makes me sick.

I do have to admit, I have enjoyed my summer very much. I did VBS for a week, went camping for a weekend with my family, spent some time up at the cottage, and have hung out with friends. As I look towards my last two and a weeks I have left before preseason I am going camping with my WHOLE family for a week and spending a week in Montana.

My family (dad, mom, Daryl and Sara and kids, Ben and Anna, Tim and Kaye, and I) will ALL be camping up at Young State Park for a week. Looking at this week I see how blessed I am with my family. I love every single one of these people. The laughter and tears we share, the good memories and bad, the successes and failures. I would not be who I am today without the support and love of my family.

I am going to Montana for a leadership week/conference. Ever since I found out I am going to Montana I have felt like God is going to do some big things while I am there. He is going to move mountains, change lives, and be more real to me than ever. I am ready to fully open up my heart to Him and allow Him to work in me as well in the lives of others.

After camping and Montana I have a month of preseason at Cornerstone. I am living with Paige and Amanda. I cannot wait to move in with these two. I have missed Paige so much over this summer and have felt like I am missing out on her life and I don't like it much. Preseason is going to be a great time to play my heart out in soccer, hang out with Paige, and continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord.

Conflict

For those of you who don't know, I hate conflict. With a passion. I don't like it when people are mad at me. I don't like it when I am mad at others. I don't like disappointing others. And I don't like it when I know two people I love are fighting. I hate conflict.

In order to avoid conflict, I have a very hard time saying "no." My roommates could confirm this. When people want things from me or need me to do something I generally say "yes." Lately, I think this has become too much of a problem. Saying yes isn't a bad thing, but when I have a hard time telling someone no (even if they won't be mad at me) I think it is a problem.

Conflict has been on my mind a lot lately and throughout this last semester. My new goal, is to learn how to say no when it is not in the best interest for the other person or if it doesn't work out with me. Following through on this realization will be the hardest part.

Despite all the disadvantages of hating conflict, I have to admit that in relationships it works out well for the most part. I try to go with the flow and offer forgiveness willingly. One of my new favorite songs is 7 x 70 by Chris August. The lyrics are this:

I lost count of the ways you let me down
But no matter how many times you weren’t around
I’m all right now

God picked up my heart and helped me through
And shined a light on the one thing left to do
And that’s forgive you

There were many times I was let down this past semester or stuck in a hard spot. I was drained physically, emotionally, and spiritually. However, through it all I could tell God was there healing my heart and helping me through these hard times. Because of God picking me up and putting me back on my feet, I found forgiveness in my heart to offer to those who hurt me.

Success?

I successfully completed my duathlon on Saturday. My goal time was 1:45.00. I finished the duathlon in 1:42.08. Everything went so well. I thought I was near death at the end because it was very hot (about 94 degrees when we finished), but I most certainly did not die.

After completing this duathlon and feeling successful, I got to thinking: what is success? Is success finishing something you started? Is success making others happy? Is success having a lot of money and a lot of friends? I feel like in this day and age people define success in the wrong way.

According to dictionary.com success is defined in this way: 1. The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

2. The attainment of popularity or profit.

This is how the world views success. I would agree in some ways that success is accomplishing an aim or purpose that you have set for yourself. I will consider myself successful if I live my life to the fullest, with no regrets and not holding back. Through doing this, I will strive to serve the Lord and love Him with all of my heart, mind, and soul and to love my neighbor as myself.

I am happy to say that I successfully completed this duathlon and am slowly getting back into running and learning how to love the gifts and abilities God has given me.

Duathlon

I am currently sitting in Florida right now and couldn't be happier :) I love it here, and I love spending time with my brothers. As I look ahead to this weekend, I am SO excited for the duathlon. Ben, Tim, and I all registered and are doing a duathlon together in St. Augustine on Sunday. It is a 5k run, 20k bike, 5k run.

I am honestly scared out of my mind for it. Tim and Ben are both in much better shape than me and more used to the weather down here. I had a terrible training run yesterday morning. I am taking today off to try and recover so I can come back strong tomorrow.

As I train for this duathlon (and for soccer this fall) I am constantly reminded how mental running can be. If I go into a run unsure of how I will perform or how it will turn out, I normally don't run as well. However, if I go in and have a positive attitude and keep telling myself, "nothing less than my best" I am generally much more satisfied with my results.

I love running and would love to continue to get into it more. I don't want to lose it this soccer season either. My goal is to get my 5k time to under 22 minutes. This will take a lot of motivation, determination, and commitment, but I believe it can happen.

This duathlon is my start to running more and I cannot wait for it. For the anticipation of the start. The nerves as I begin the first 5k. The speed I can go while being on a bike. The sweat I will feel through it all. The pain during the last 5k. And the joy when crossing the finish line.

I.Can't.Wait.

summertime :)

As I sit and think about the summer I have in front of me, I am very excited about what God has in store.

One of my main focuses this summer is to get in shape and prepare for this coming soccer season. Not only do I need to prepare physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. Ever since surgery on my right ankle, I have been pushing myself to my limits. I have never enjoyed the pain and joy that running brings as much as I do now.

I keep asking myself why? Why do I enjoy running SO much more now than I did before surgery? I think I have two answers. 1) my right ankle is not in any pain anymore, like it was before surgery 2) after having running taken away from me for 3 months, I have never been more thankful and appreciative of God giving me the ability to run - I don't want this gift he has given me to go to waste. Now, I know I am not a phenomenal runner by any means, but the ability to run in and of itself is a gift form God.

Move in day for Cornerstone is August 7 this year. This will quickly approach. My goal is to enter preseason more in shape than I ever have before. I am not sure why I have so much drive this year compared to the previous years (you would think I would have been scared enough my freshmen year to work my butt off, but I wasn't). I have the opportunity this fall to step up my game and I do not want this opportunity to pass by without me taking it.

Other than training for soccer, I am going to Florida for a week this summer to hang out with my brothers. We are all doing a duathlon together when I am down there which I am thrilled for (and a little nervous). I have multiple weddings to attend, a week of VBS of which I am leading games for, and a week of camping up at Young State Park with my WHOLE family (Ben and Anna, Daryl, Sara, Samuel, Hope, and Aliyah, Tim, my parents, and I). I. Cannot. Wait. It is rare that we get the whole family together and oh so much fun when it does happen.

I would like to be able to find time for friends and beach days and all that excitement, which I am sure I will. This summer will be fabulous :)

Rosemary's 12th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Rosemary Joann! I love you and miss you princess :)

As I sit and reflect on Rosemary's life, so many memories and emotions come flooding back. Rosemary has impacted my life in so many ways and I will never forget her life. It is hard to believe it has been 2 1/2 years since she passed away. In some ways it feels like it was just yesterday, and in other ways it feels like it has been longer than that.


This is the last birthday we were with you on...your 8th. On your 9th you were at Viskers for the weekend, and on your 10th you were celebrating in heaven.

Rosemary -
I just want to thank you for the great little sister you were to me. I always loved coming home and seeing you laying on the floor. I hate coming home to an empty house now. Before you passed away, there was ALWAYS someone home, generally you and mom, now, there is no need for someone to always be here.

You were always willing to listen to all my complaints and take the blame for everything I got in trouble for. You were my favorite little girl to babysit. You were always happy and went with the flow.

Rosemary Joann Stegink, I love you and thank God for your life. You impacted me in ways no other little sister could. You taught me what it meant to be responsible and to love and care for children with special needs. I love you SO much and not a day goes by when I don't miss you.

friendships

Over these past 5 months, I have learned a lot about myself and my friends. There have been some rough times when I did not know what to do.

Through all of this, I have become so thankful for those that God has placed in my life. I have some of the best friends a person could ask for. There were times over this semester where I felt very alone, and that no one cared. In these times, God kept tapping me on the shoulder saying, "I'm still here, I have not left you, and I never will." What an amazing realization and promise.

Many times I caught myself asking the question, "Why?" Why were things happening to me, why were people treating me as they were, and why was I continuing to be placed in such a terrible spot. Looking back on it all, it is easier to understand why, and I think it can all be summed up well in these verses:
James 1:2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

God has taught me so much about myself through these trials. And through these trials I have grown stronger in Him, which I am very thankful for.

Back to Work

I just wrote a long post and it all got deleted :(

I will try and sum up what I said in a much shorter post, because I need to get to bed.

These past 5 months of my life have been some of the most frustrating, stressful, and hard months I have gone through. Yet, these months have been some of the most rewarding months of my life. God has been so good and taught me so much through these tough times.

5 months ago, I had surgery on my right ankle. I have never been more broken, frustrated, and confused about my life. I felt like I lost my identity when I lost my ability to walk, run, and play soccer.

I have gone through rehab and healed quicker than anyone could have imagined. The lesson I have learned through these past 5 months is to never take anything for granted. I am thankful now, more than ever, for the ability to walk, run, and play soccer.

I run now more than ever because it allows me to spend time with God. Running also allows me time to admire the beauty of His creation. I am so thankful to God for giving me these special moments with Him.

There were many tears that were shed these past months and many days I just felt like giving up. I did not know where to turn with frustration since I couldn't go pound a soccer ball into a net, or go for a fast run and sweat off all my anger or stress. Through it all, I learned that I need to turn to God in these tough times. Soccer and running will not always be there for me, but the Lord will. He will never leave me or forsake me, and for that I am thankful.

I thank you Lord for these past 5 months I have gone through. As frustrating as they were, I have learned so much and can look back on the rehab and say that I am truly thankful to You for putting me through these trials. It is only through the fire and the pain that I am made a stronger daughter of the King.

Summer

I keep telling myself I will update this blog more than I do. It sure would be nice to stay on top of it, but obviously it doesn't happen.

I have been down to Florida twice this summer already (in May with Mindy and in June with my family). I am going again in July with Tim and then flying back. I love going down there to visit Ben and Anna and see all of their friends I have gotten to know a little bit.

I am also going to Minnesota this next weekend with Daryl, Sara, Samuel, and Hope for a COTP (Children of the Promise) reunion. I am very excited as I will know some of the kids there since I spent 10 weeks total down there over the time Daryl and Sara lived there. My main purpose in going is to help entertain Samuel and Hope on the 9 hour car ride there.

Other than going random places, I have been babysitting at least 4 days a week. Three days for an nine week old boy and one day for the six Solomon children :)

The rest of my life is filled up with working out for soccer. It is a wonderful life.

I also spend time with my family and friends (when I can fit it in). Samuel and Hope are growing and changing every day. It is fun to watch them both grow up and change.

I hope to keep this up a little more than I have been :)
Anna

Life goes on....

As always life is very very busy. During the week I stay busy with classes, weight lifting, training, and babysitting.

All my classes are going all right. My biggest struggle is Old Testament Literature and History. I also have a Social Problems class that can be very problematic and a struggle. Other than that all my classes are going well. Busy, but good.

Soccer has also been going good. It keeps me very very busy. I lift at least three days a week, and do ankle rehab at least three days a week. We also have a circuit training a day a week and then play two to three days a week. I love soccer and have never put this much time into it.

I also am babysitting two families in Grand Rapids. Every Wednesday night I babysit at the Stersics and then I babysit the Messings off and on. It has been very nice to have a little extra income while in Grand Rapids.

On the weekends I often come home. I frequently babysit the Solomons (my favorites) on the weekends. Other than that I do homework and try to hang out with some friends in my little spare times. Sundays are my favorite favorite days of the week. I LOVE LOVE my Church. I believe it is my favorite hour of the week. I also love the family time we spend on Sunday afternoons. We play lots and lots of games and just hang out with Daryl, Sara, Samuel, and Hope. And of course you can't forget Sunday nights :) Popcorn and milkshakes and games. The best night of the week as well.

This weekend and week my family is doing respite for a foster baby. His name is Jack. I have spent a lot of quality time with him this weekend. Last night I was up with him at 2:30 and 5. My mom was up with him twice as well. It was not a good night sleep with him. I also took him to Church with me this morning. It has been a very good baby fix for me.

I think that's all I have to say about what is happening in my life.

Busy, busy

I realize I have not posted in a very long time. My apologies. It might just be my goal to get this blog back up and "running".

I have obviously been at Cornerstone for a semester and have started my second semester. My first semester went really well. It was a challenge and very busy. I took 17 credits and played soccer.

I ended up really well in my classes and soccer went alright. I love the girls on the team and they have become such good friends to me. On and off the field. We did not make play offs this year which was slightly disappointing, but it gives us that much more to look forward to for next year.

God has been working my life in various ways in the past year. It has been such a roller costar ride. Full of ups and downs. But through it all God is good and has gotten me through. I continue to rely on Him in all I do and go to Him daily. I would be so lost without Him.

-Anna

Hello all!

It has been a long time since I've posted. That means life is crazy busy!

Here is what has been happening since I last posted:

We went up to my grandparents cottage for the Fourth of July. It was a great weekend filled with lots of fun and laughs. I water skied, which I have not done in a VERY long time. I also tubed with Tim and swam and all that good stuff :)

After that, my brother Ben got married in Florida on July 11. My parents, grandparents (both sides) and Tim and I drove down to FL. Daryl, Sara, and Samuel flew. The wedding was beautiful and everything went perfect. Congratulations to Ben and Anna Stegink! (I am the ORIGINAL Anna Stegink)

We then went to spend a week at Young State Park with my dad's side of the family. The weather didn't cooperate, but despite that we had a wonderful time with family.

Other than all that I have been busy babysitting the Solomons, spending time with friends, and going over to the Bierengas to play Uno.

I move to CU on the 13th and it is coming up fast. I am very excited to move on in life, but also scared. I will miss my family and friends SO much.

I hope you are all having an amazing summer!

Anna

Summer is here!

Summer is here and I am crazy busy!

Father's day weekend I was on a youth retreat with Pathway Community Church from Fort Wayne, IN. The retreat was in Marion, IN. It was a TON of fun. There was about 650 middle schoolers there, 65ish from Pathway. Laura and I went together and were youth leaders. It was a GREAT time with kids and all the other amazing leaders from Pathway.

We are getting ready to go up to the cottage for the weekend. It will be amazing. I can't wait for relaxation and family!

Ben is getting married in 10 days! It seems crazy that it is almost here. We leave for Florida a week from today. Sara, Daryl, Tim, and I are all in the wedding.

Shortly after we get back from Florida we are going camping for a week at Young State Park.

I leave for CU in aprrox. 6 weeks! I have been working out at least 4 days a week and it is definitely wearing me out! It will all be worth it in the fall though :)

I am at Solomons right now and Lindsey is forcing me to post this! :)

Other than all that I have been getting in as much time as I can with friends and family.

---Anna

Soccer season is here.....

Spring is in the air! Soccer has officially started. Our first home game is Tuesday, the 14th. I can't wait!!!! We are going to have an awesome season. We just got invited to a Loy Norrix invite, with Sturgis and Allegan. We play Sturgis our first game! It will be a challenge, but I can't wait!

On another note, I only have 3 1/2 more weeks of KVCC left. I graduate on June 5, and my open house is on June 7.

On another note, I am at the Solomon's right now! We are having a wonderful time. The three youngest are all sleeping, Kristin, Lindsey, and I are doing this crazy blog thing, and Jenna is busy doing school. Bummer for her.

My cousin Tiffany is in town until later this afternoon. She came on Sunday night and we have been doing all kinds of fun things. Yesterday we made Easter cookies, she went to see a movie with my mom, and we watched American Idol. She has also been to the Museum, to Sara and Daryl's house, and all kinds of other fun things, that I never got to do when I was a kid!
Anyway, I should get going now, but enjoy your beautiful day!
Anna

Maybe I should get this blog up and running? Maybe not, I don't know. My day today was amazing though. I realized how much I love my friends and how much they mean to me. I would be SO lost without them. :)