Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sports. Show all posts

January 31, 2014

what you won't see this weekend

well folks, this weekend is a big weekend for people like me. there's this thing called the super bowl where men in tight pants (yep, i said it) fight over the pigskin in hopes of a shiny silver trophy. oh, and there are usually some great commercials and delicious food involved. what's not to love?!

however, there's a side of this thing called the super bowl that you won't see. but that's the point. they don't want you to see it. but you should see it. why? because we need to end it. it's this thing called slavery. i'm not talking cotton fields in the deep south. i'm talking street corners and strip clubs. this video gives you a glimpse into what i'm talking about. it's from the final four last year, but sadly it's still oh-so-relevant.


and if you missed it, this report from fox news highlights the efforts leading up to sunday's big game. we've gotta get the word out one broadcast, tweet, facebook status, and blog post at a time.

that being said, there are a lot of great organizations doing a lot of great things to end human trafficking. you may not be part of the rescue or sting operations, but you can help raise money and awareness if nothing else. help them shine a light on slavery. and please, by all means, do not encourage these monsters. the pornography industry does just that. it exploits these men and women, often children, for the sake of cheap pleasure. don't do it. that's another person's life you're talking about.

spread the word. let's end this thing.

:: steps off soap box ::

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

September 10, 2012

a pirate's life for me

 
bucs in the red zone. 

bucs touchdown!! 

terrible field position for the bucs, but the action was on our end!

with our fearless leader, vicki, and amy after the game.

i'm not sure there's a better way to spend a sunday afternoon than watching some nfl football on tv. unless of course, you're watching it live. you know, say....front row with a large diet coke in a souvenir cup and a container of chicken strips and fries? yep. i'd say that's a pretty good way to spend the day.

kudos to vicki for scoring free tickets and coordinating another family first outing. and excessively loud cannon fires to the bucs for actually winning this time. way more fun to watch when the home team wins.

go bucs!

bekah

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

August 4, 2012

love what you do


Those are the faces of a few someones who love what they do.

There’s something special about watching someone do what they love to do. Maybe even what they were born to do. But it’s even more special when history is being made in the process.

I’ve admitted several times during the Olympics that I’m more hyped about watching women’s soccer than I am about watching beach or indoor volleyball. That says something, especially when you consider that Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings are in final pursuit of some gold medal history of their own.

I know that I have a mildly obsessive personality and that's certainly the case with the Olympics. Although admittedly, I’m more than mildly obsessed with our US Women’s National Soccer Team. I’m a freak about them. I faithfully stalk the US Soccer website for new videos, articles, blogs, etc. And then I scour the web for more. It’s easy to get sucked in because it’s obvious that our US women love the game and love each other. A lot. That and they want another gold. Real bad.

But more than anything, I’ve fallen in love with the players and want to see them succeed every time they step onto the pitch.

[You like that? I’m even using soccer lingo now.]

There are some great players who love Jesus a lot and are loud and proud about it. And there are some great players who need Jesus a lot. And I can’t help but think that the Lord is doing something awesome on this team every single day. That excites me even more.

And let’s not forget how fabulous it is to have the world’s eyes on a women’s team. They’ve captured hearts and fans across the world. Well done.

On a side note: I don’t think I’ve ever been so confident in a team where I have no influence. I mean, even when they went down 2-0 against France within the first 15 minutes of the Olympic opener, I had no doubt they’d come back in style. And they did. 4-2 to be exact.

[There was a lot of fist pumping during that one. I fist pump every time they score. Don’t mock me.]

It’s weird how confident I am that they will maintain control and dominate each time they play. Maybe it’s because they’re just that good.

Gold or bust.

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

August 3, 2012

gabby douglas: a win-win situation


I think it's safe to say that most of America (and possibly the world) is captivated by a little 4'11" ray of joy otherwise known as Gabby Douglas. Or more affectionately known as the "flying squirrel." Not only does the girl have one of the most contagious smiles I've ever seen, but she loves Jesus loud and proud. Mad props to her.

After winning the team gold and then the individual all-around gold, the girl is literally on top of the world. Moments like these are when I brace for awesomeness, hoping that the athlete loves Jesus and will broadcast it loud and clear. And not in a cursory, flippant way. In a heart-felt, I-wouldn't-be-here-without-Him kind of way.

Gabby did just that.

"Being the Olympic Champion is definitely an amazing feeling. I give all the glory to God, and it’s kind of a win-win situation. The glory goes up to Him and the blessings fall down on me.”

“It means so much. All the hard work and dedication, and effort put in the gym...and hard days. Hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made. So if you push through the hard days, you can do anything.” 

Well said, Gabby. Well said.


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

July 26, 2012

raising an olympian

if you haven't spotted them already, there are some fabulous videos out there by P&G called Raising an Olympian...all about the impact moms have in the lives of their kids. i'm putting a few of my faves below so you can enjoy them and get the Olympic spirit flowing through your veins too. enjoy!

Lolo Jones


Jordyn Wieber

Kortney Clemons


Kerri Walsh-Jennings


Ryan Lochte


live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.

July 25, 2012

olympic induced insomnia


i have a feeling i won't be sleeping much between now and august 12th. as much as i love watching sports on tv, i make an absolute fool of myself with how much i stalk the olympics. i'm a sucker for a good personal story behind an athlete and will promptly become anyone's #1 fan if i see a documentary on them. or a team for that matter. i mean, i don't even like soccer that much (if you ask me, it's too much running and work for 1 or 2 goals when it's all said and done), but i'm more than a little obsessed with our women's soccer team. and our gymnastics team. and lolo. and misty & kerri...yep, i can't think of many things that could top the two weeks that consume my entire existence every four years.

if we're being honest, the olympics are partially responsible for willing me through preseason my freshman year of college. it makes it hard to complain about the pain, soreness, and exhaustion in your own life when you're watching history and sheer greatness play out before your eyes every day. athens 2004 was better than any icy hot or pool recovery workout.

that being said, if you haven't done your homework on a few members of Team USA who are not only the best in their sport, but also love Jesus a whole lot, let me enlighten you. i love [read: obsess over] watching Jesus peeps do their thing on the biggest athletic stage in order to create opportunities to bring Him glory.

so by all means, if you know of some other solid Jesus peeps i should stalk, let me know and i'll promptly add their event to my london 2012 master list. yeah, i'm not joking. i actually have a master spreadsheet with event times listed. like i said, i obsess.

so, in no particular order, here are some of Team USA's Jesus peeps who are boldly speaking His name every chance they get. [take a minute and read the articles. they may be a little long, but they're worth it. i promise.]




U-S-A!! U-S-A!!

live unashamedly :: laugh uncontrollably :: love unconditionally.