All the Way To STATE!!!

What a season these boys have had! Actually, what a career these Seniors have had! Without question, the guys in our Senior class this year have had the most athletic ability as a whole, than any other class we've had. From the time they were in grade school, even before, actually, we knew how talented they were and we're looking forward to watching them for many years. None of us wanted it to be over, and with weight lifting, track, baseball and golf still to go, it's not over, but for the bigger team sports in our small school, it is. This team made it to State for the second year in a row, played the same team for the second year in a row, and unfortunately got beat in overtime for the second year in a row...this year by six points, last year by five.  These boys aren't used to overtime! They've not seen it many, if any other times in their whole careers!!

The amount of talent in the top of the team, which happens to be all of the Seniors, is unreal! Many of them are going on to play a sport in college. All of them could and may. We look forward to hearing about them and watching them. We also challenge them to go and be the best person they can be, not just on the court or field, but in life. It's easy to get caught up in the sports life (I mentioned recently that I do it, too!), but that's not ultimately what is important. Who you are matters. What you stand for and what you fall for matters. That's what's important. How you finish this life matters. Eternity matters.

Our son is a Sophomore on this team. He's had a great experience! We look forward to him becoming a leader for the team in the next few years and watching how they grow and improve as a team. Maybe these successful years aren't "over"! Maybe they will continue! Either way, I'll be there cheering the Tigers on! I can't wait! 

Thank You, God!

Well, the snow I was excited about Friday caused our weekend to be a little different than we expected.  The Area Championship basketball game for our HS boys was rescheduled until tonight.  The Saturday basketball game for our youngest, whose team is in a city league, was canceled.  Worship and classes were canceled for our church family all day yesterday, except that we had a short service and lunch with our Tipton Children's Home church family.  Plans changed, making this week crammed even fuller!

But, even with the few conflicts of basketball games mixed with livestock shows today and tomorrow, I'm still thankful that the snow and ice caused us to slow down a stay home more.  It enabled me to catch up with some things I needed to get done.  It allowed me to get better prepared for this week's events.  It gave me more time with the family since they were in the house even more. So, thank you, God! I needed that!

This morning, two of our boys and my husband are going to get pigs ready for the show that starts at noon.  Goats will also weigh in this morning.  As the youngest was getting ready, he said, "You know? The thing about stock shows is that everyone helps everyone."  Yes, they do! In fact, my husband said that if everyone hadn't pitched in to help him yesterday afternoon and evening, he couldn't have gotten done with all of the pigs that the TCH kids have to show.  What a great thing that everyone helps everyone!  Isn't that the way all of life should be?  Thank you, God, for little things like stock shows, where real-life examples are lived out for us to see and learn from.  Help us to always be willing to help others when they need it - and even when they don't - help us to still reach out to do what we can do to ease their load.

Thank you, God, for this "work" week full of activities and opportunities.  May we use each day to glorify you and to shine our lights brightly for Jesus.  Help us to look for opportunities to share Your Son with others as we go throughout the days.

Be still, and know that I am God.

    I will be exalted among the nations,

    I will be exalted in the earth!”

Psalm 46:10

Longing for Home

Every year during basketball season (which is my favorite sport, by the way), I feel as if we are barely hanging on.  We have games five nights a week - all but on Sunday and Wednesday - and  then, of course, we're busy those days with worship and Bible classes.  So there's very little time for anything else.  It doesn't last long because we're a football school and have had great football teams for several years now, so all of our basketball is crammed into a few short weeks.  And now it's basketball playoff time, so the schedule eases up a bit.

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

"As long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord."  Hummmmmmm.......

Do you see what that's saying?  If we feel at home in this earthly body and are too comfortable in this world, we're away from the Lord.  Do you prefer to be away from this body and be with the Lord?  Do you long for heaven?

I must admit that at times - like during this basketball season - I get to enjoying this earthly life a little bit too much! I like watching my children play. I like being with the fans.  I like spending time as a family at these activities.  But then I get to missing my earthly home, since we've not been there too much. I "long" to be home without activities and schedules.  

But what about my heavenly home?  Do I long for it?  Of course I do, at times.  I often think if Jesus did come back "today" that none of this "stuff" would matter, but do I really long for it like I should?  Do I crave it and want it to happen soon or would I rather have Him return according to my own schedule?  I'm afraid that sometimes I enjoy this earthly life too much and would prefer Jesus to wait until a certain event is over.

If I am going to make it my goal to please Him, then I will have to begin to say in my mind, "I prefer to leave this earthly life and be at home with Him".  I must learn to deny my selfish, earthly desires, and focus on heavenly, spiritual thoughts.  This life is temporary, no matter how caught up in it we may be.  The spiritual life will last for eternity.  It's easy to forget....or fail to acknowledge....that huge fact!  It's easy to get caught up in this "season" (whether basketball or any other earthly season) and forget that it doesn't really matter in the scope of eternity!

Today, I need to be singing this song:

THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

(Albert E. Brumley)

'52 Acclaim Music

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through

My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Oh Lord you know I have no friend like you

If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do

The angels beckon me from heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home in this world anymore

Let's all strive to long for home - our heavenly home.

ALL THE WAY TO STATE!

This picture is from City League Basketball 7 or 8 years ago.  We knew then - well, even before then - that this group of boys had amazing talent, and that we would see them go far in sports when they were in high school. And they haven't proved us wrong one bit!

They've dropped a few teammates (one being my son, who is pictured here, but decided that he would rather play golf than the other sports) and added a few, but they've just continued to grow and mature, and added some discipline and control along the way, to make them get to where they have gotten so far.

This year, for the first time EVER, the Tipton Tigers won the Area Championship!  That meant they got to go to the STATE basketball tournament in Oklahoma City!  We played last Thursday.  It was an exciting time, and although we didn't get past the first game of the State Tournament, it was still a great accomplishment to get there. We are all looking forward to getting back there next year, and getting past that first game.  We want to play at THE BIG HOUSE!  They will do so next year, just by getting to the State Tournament.  But they will play there on Friday night, too.  They will do it! I just know it!

              

Our nephew, Travis (pictured right), is the coach for the boys' basketball team.  Taking them to State hadn't been done in Tipton basketball for 40 years! Coach Chambers, pictured left, accomplished that task through the losers' bracket, in 1974!  How neat that he was able to go cheer on Travis' team this year! He is a great supporter of our schools' athletics. I'm sure he could easily remember the excitement he felt, himself, 40 years ago!

Growing up in a smaller town than Tipton, basketball was our "big" sport. I'm always sad when the basketball season is over.  And for Tipton, since we made it to State in football, it shortens the basketball season by a month.  That makes it extra-fast!  So, I don't like to hurry things up or see my children's lives go any faster, but I must admit that I'm ready to shout again, "ALL THE WAY TO STATE!" :)  Go, Tigers!

CALL IT BOTH WAYS!

CALL IT BOTH WAYS!

It doesn't take long into a basketball season before you hear that familiar phrase. In fact, maybe you're even the one saying it! But maybe, like us, we're just the ones hearing it. Really hearing it. And it was directed towards my husband! And I didn't like it! At all!

This week was our annual elementary tournament. Several teams come to our large gym, they turn the court into two smaller courts with side goals that come down. The referees are locals - like my husband, brother-in-law, a few teachers, and a few high school basketball players. Strictly volunteers. No pay, just glad to help out the local school and visiting schools.

It didn't take long before fans (and coaches) were yelling about the calls they did make or they didn't make. They were even talked about on a small town radio station! Now before you think they really were that bad, consider that these kids are 5th and 6th graders, maybe some 4th graders. Many, if not most of them, have never played much basketball before and they're still learning the game. They're learning to dribble, to pass, to guard, to shoot, to be in the right places at the right times. And for many, at least in our town, they just finished football and went to basketball maybe two weeks ago. Not very long for practicing in their short gym period and with so many students.

Here are a few things we heard, and mine and my husband's thoughts about them afterwards:

1. Call it both ways!
What the fan really means is call it MY way. If the calls were all in his/her favor, he/she wouldn't be yelling!

2. They're walking! They're fouling! They're doing.......whatever!
Yes, they are some times. Both teams are. Look really closely and you'll notice. But, they did call it when it was bad...just not the occasional.

3. You need to call everything!!
Really? There were two teams playing at a time, starting at 4:00 and ending about 8:00. If EVERYTHING was called, it wouldn't have been over until midnight. Really. Again, what the fan means is call everything on THEM.

4. Didn't you see that?
No. Probably not. You are a ways from the action and usually up in the stands, so it's easier for you to see it than it is for a ref who can't look at everything. He/She must look at the play/action where the ball is. One of them may be back a ways, but then the offense may be blocked from their view.

5. Come on, REF!
You know what? If you really feel like the refs are that bad, why don't you become a ref yourself and make the system better! This more for paid/professional refs, of course....not the volunteers at an elementary tournament.

If you're a fan, please open your eyes to TRULY see everything that is going on. Don't look only at the other teams' offenses, but at your own. Open your mind, as well. And maybe, for once, don't open your mouth! Ha! Ha! Remember, little ones are listening to you. They're watching your example. When you yell rude things, they'll learn to do the same. And sometimes it isn't just parents, it's grandparents!

And remember, little Johnny may not grow up to be the greatest basketball player in the world. But if he's your son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter, the most important thing you can do is to be there. Even if they only sit on the bench.

Senior Night and Homecoming 2013

We experienced a first this week.  Actually, we experienced a few firsts and several "lasts".  Fun, extra-curricular activities signifying that the end of high school, for our oldest child, is approaching very quickly!

Tuesday night was our high school basketball teams' "Senior Night" and Homecoming.  Lauren was a part of both celebrations.  I thought I would be sad, but I didn't have time to be sad, really.  Too busy to think about it, I suppose.  And then I wonder if "thinking" about it is sad, but that actually "going through it" isn't as sad??  Maybe at the time you go through it you are caught up in the moment and memories and don't think of being sad.  Not sure about that.  I'm pretty sure I'll be sad during some of these times in the next few months.

It was an exciting night for Lauren and her friends as Homecoming candidates and for each of their families, as well.  Fun memories of their Senior year, and the last "home" game for the season....and forever for some.

The last team prayer on the home court - the new tradition I told you about recently, but one the Seniors have shown as an example for the rest of their teammates and fans.

A celebration of memories for all of the Seniors and their families.  The last time to be cheered on by the home team fans.  The anticipation of playoffs beginning tomorrow.  

Congratulations, Seniors! We're proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to your successes in the future!

Let Your Light Shine

Last year I posted a picture about two basketball teams coming together before a game to pray.  Our team was in the playoffs and when we traveled out of town to play the opponent, we were inspired by the leadership and example of one girl on their team.  She would lead the girls from her own team, as well as the other team, in a prayer before the game.

About a month ago, a few girls on our team (including our daughter), decided to begin the basketball prayer circle before each of their games, inviting the opponent to join them.  All of the teams have been willing participants in the prayer before each game.  It's a great thing to see!  God is definitely being glorified by the hearts and examples of all of these girls!

I wonder......Is this example continuing on and other teams doing so at their own games?  Will it cause other teams to decide to do next year for their own teams?  Are the fans in the stands being inspired to go and let their light shine in a different way because of this example?  Is the prayer changing the hearts of some of the players?  It's interesting to me that it's been only with girls' teams, so far.  Will boys' teams begin to do prayers, as well?

Each of these questions is something that really may be happening.....all because of one girls' example last year.  We never know where our influence will go and the good it will bring to the lives of others.  We will never know how far our example may reach.  

Let your light shine today!  Someone is watching for your example!

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praiseyour Father in heaven. 

Matthew 5:16

The Good, The Bad, and Sadly, The Ugly

The Good: Last night our high school basketball team was playing the in consolation side of the Area Tournament....a game that, if won, would send our team into the State Championship playoffs next week. The team was excited!  The fans were excited!  The opponent team and fans were excited!  It was a great atmosphere, with lots of visitors and past Tipton alumni in attendance - ready to watch the Tigers try to do something that hadn't been done in many, many, many years.

The team we were playing had dealt our first loss just the previous week.  Our boys were ready to show their stuff.

The Bad:  Unfortunately, many of our shots were just not going in.  Usually, even if one or two of the boys are "off", the others pick up the slack.  Last night, all of them made some, but no one was really "hot".  Foul trouble got the best of us a few times and turnovers plagued at times.  I'm not sure that we ever had the lead during the entire four quarters ( I could be wrong) , but at the very last second, something good happened:

The Good (again): Our point guard, who typically doesn't shoot a lot, drove in for a shot, which was kind of like a lay-up looking, jump shot at the top edge of the three point line. IT WENT IN!  The crowd jumped up and screamed (our side, anyway :)!  This shot tied the game, put us into a four-minute overtime, and almost made me have a heart attack! (not really, but it felt like it for a few seconds.)  It was unbelievable!  Something we'll never forget.

The Bad (again):  We got on top and ahead quickly into the overtime, but the opposing team caught up.  It went back and forth and back and forth.  Both teams fouled and both teams turned the ball over.  We ended up losing the game by four points.

The Ugly:  This is the hardest part to write.  Harder than the loss itself, because this part gets personal.  But, it is a part that I feel needs to be admitted and addressed.  The ugly was bad sportsmanship.  It wasn't just during this final game, but especially during this final game.  In a playoff or tournament championship game, spirits are high and emotions are often out of control.  It's easy to say things without thinking.  I've been guilty myself.

Last night I saw and heard some very, very unsportsmanlike conduct from our fans and players.  So much so that one of my children, who happened to be sitting by me close down by the opponents bench, got up and left to sit by his dad (my husband) up high.....to be out of that yelling and name-calling.  It was bad.  It was embarrassing.  At one point I turned and said out loud "Be quiet!".  I shouldn't have said that, I admit, but of course the fan didn't hear it.....because they were yelling at the refs.

One of the saddest things I saw about sportsmanship was a few weeks ago on Facebook.  It was another close game, and again, some were complaining about the poor officiating and the fact that we lost.  Someone, who apparently lived here years ago made this statement, "Well, I see Tipton hasn't changed.  Still blaming the refs when they lose."  Wow.  That is really, really a sad statement to have said about your town and your fans......a town I love and people I love......and where my children are being raised.

Are officials sometimes bad?  Absolutely!  Sometimes they mess up and some times they mess up big.  But, most of the time.....if/when they are bad.....it's equal on both sides (bad for both teams).  Sometimes it is one-sided, or it seems to be one-sided.  But, you know what?  A call is a call and you and I yelling isn't going to change it.  It only makes us look bad, and makes us look bad to everyone around us.....to the other fans.....to our children.....to our friends, etc.  Another thing to remember is that if you and I were officiating, we would be yelled at, too....for missing things.  Fans are looking from a distance and often-times, from way above.  Refs are right by things and looking at what is right in front of them.  They may not see what we see from up above.  It doesn't seem to make sense some times, but if we were in their shoes, it just might.

So what can we do, as fans??  If we feel we've been wronged by the officiating, instead of yelling it from the stands, write a letter to the headquarters (in Oklahoma it's OSSAA.com).  Say what you think, but do it respectively.  Don't name-call.  Don't demean.  Just point out facts.  Not opinion.  Be objective.  Realize that, YES, your child CAN make a mistake.  It is really possible that YOUR child messed up on his/her own.  It is not always someone else's fault.  It does not always have to be blamed on someone else. (Yes, I'm on a rant right now! I have another rant about team discipline and champion attitudes, but I'll spare you....for now :).

My husband has great advice when it comes to this:  He says, "Unless a team makes every shot, every free shot, never fouls (legitimate fouls, of course :), and never turns the ball over, it can NEVER, NEVER be blamed on an official."  That's pretty wise right there, isn't it?

Feed Them and They Will Come...

As our high school teams began the past-District playoffs, I decided to feed them breakfast on the Thursday before the big game beginning the next weekend tournament.  Last Thursday, in addition to all of the meat/egg dishes, I made them these English Royalty Chocolate Chip Scones (Posted at www.3cherrycokes.blogspot.com from last week).  Most, if not all, of them had never eaten a scone, so they were introduced to something really new.

I promised the girls and boys' teams that if they were still in the quest towards the gold ball at State, I would continue to feed them a breakfast each Thursday.  With this week's hectic schedule, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to swing having the breakfast, but then I saw one of the girls and she asked me about it.  I told her I was trying to, but wasn't sure (mostly because I wasn't sure what time the teams were leaving school).  

But what she said made all the difference:  "You promised you would, so I was just wondering."  At that moment, I told myself that I/we could make it happen, as long as the coach said okay.  If I've promised something, I will do whatever it takes to make it happen.  I don't like breaking promises - at all.  I don't want it to ever appear like I have lied.  She was just asking a question and not trying to make me feel bad, but her simple question made me even more determined.

This week I got a few moms to help me with the meal, which helped (didn't get me to bed any sooner, but it helped with the food!).  We served more chocolate chip scones (pictured above and made by another mom), fruit, homemade cinnamon rolls, and I made hash browns, breakfast burritos, and sausage & biscuits with gravy.  They had plenty to eat, for sure!

The cheerleaders joined in with the teams as they prepared to cheer on their friends and ball teams.

After a few refills of plates, it was time to get on the bus and head to the first round of the Area Tournament!

                                      

Part of the reason I wasn't sure about the breakfast had to do with these shirts pictured above!!  For the first time ever, we ordered playoff shirts!  In a matter of four days (with no school on Monday), we collected money for these shirts.  We had 217 shirts ordered on Tuesday morning.  Wednesday I drove to San Angelo, TX to get the shirts....about a 4 1/2 hour drive.  I wanted to make sure we had time to deliver them Wednesday afternoon for the game the next day.

We arrived at the huge gymnasium.  It was so neat and a fun atmosphere.  My boys and husband got a tour of the facility and the high school from a former teacher and student of THS.  They thought that the whole town of Tipton would have been equal to the number of about one class at this big high school!

Sadly, one of our starters and point guard, Amanda, had emergency appendectomy yesterday morning and didn't get to play.  Without getting down and discouraged, our girls played their hearts out!  Even after getting behind, they came back to within a few points several times.  We lost, but we gave them a good run for the win, for sure!  The girls are done now, but our boys won!  More basketball this afternoon and hopefully tomorrow!

I love this sign on the Yukon gym.  Love what it says!

The teams asked me yesterday if I would feed them breakfast next week.  That would be the State Tournament.  I told them I would - most definitely!!  Then they asked if I would the next week.....after basketball is over.  I loudly exclaimed, "NO!"  :)  It is really a joy feeding these kids.  They appreciate it and I enjoy doing it for them.  Little things.....showing that you care in simple ways.....means a lot to people.  

Take the time to do something for someone TODAY.  If you choose to feed teenagers, they will come! And they will come back for more!  And you will "Shine Like Stars" in doing so.

Have a great weekend!  I'll keep you posted on the playoffs and the quest for the GOLD!

A Special Moment.....A Great Example

Last night our high school girls' basketball team played in their first game of the Regional Tournament.  We played Ryan (OK).  The Ryan girls set a great example....probably a tradition they've had for the whole season, if not for years.

As the two teams gathered in a circle right before the game, one of the girls prayed for the teams and the game.  The words were not clear to us in the stands, but the message to each of us was certainly clear!

Thank you, Ryan Cowgirls, for the example you are setting for others!  May we have the courage to use our lives in a way that sets an example to others, as well.  To God be the glory in all that we do and in all that we say!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart    

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Hoops for a Cure"

Today was the first day of an annual high school basketball tournament that is the highlight of many surrounding schools in this area each year during this first full week in January.

Our new girls' basketball coach lost his mother to breast cancer about 15 years ago, so raising money to help find a cure for cancer is close to his heart.

This year for the first time at this specific tournament, the new coach is sponsoring a fund raiser is being held to raise money for this cause.  Small little ribbon/pink items are being sold (bracelets and antenna ribbons), along with pink cancer ribbon shaped sugar cookies and t-shirts. (To purchase a ribbon cookie cutter, click here.)

I volunteered to make the cookies for the tournament.  I enjoyed making them and icing them, but it was sure hard to make them on the first day back to a regular schedule after the Christmas/New Year break!  It was hard not to EAT the cookies and I'm actually trying to eat better in this new year!

The coach purchased pink basketball suits for his team to wear at his previous high school and was able to get them for this new team to wear during this tournament. The girls were very excited about their pink basketball suits!  In fact, a few of them mentioned that it would be fun to change our school colors from black and gold to PINK!  I'm not sure the boys would go for that!

A few weeks before Christmas, forms were sent home with students to order "Hoops for a Cure" pink t-shirts.  Our family ordered shirts and wore them today.  I didn't get a family picture with all of us in the t-shirts, but did get the four kids before school this morning.  At least it made this first morning going back to school after the bread a little more fun!

On this Gratituesday, I am grateful for "Hoops for a Cure".  It is a unique opportunity for others to get involved in helping find a cure for cancer - specifically breast cancer.