After lunch we had about an hour and then we headed out to our game. We were five minutes into our trip to the gym driving, when we got stuck in some crazy traffic! So, we pulled the bus over and we walked. We had to carry all our gear and then of course clothes to take showers with, so we looked like a homeless team walking ;)…no it wasn’t that bad, but I was thinking in my head, “I wonder how many teams have to walk 10-15 minutes to their game”? I guess it was a nice little warm up for us! We ended up getting to the gym about 45 minutes before the game!
The game was not really a close game. We were down by around 20 points at half time, and ended up losing 93-76! Fenerbahce is undefeated in the league so far. After the game we took showers and walked back down to the bus. On the way back to Ankara we stopped at Burger King to eat. I have figured out, that on the way back from Istanbul we always stop at either Burger King of McDonalds. We got back home around 1:00 a.m. I was glad to get home!! After playing pretty much the whole game, the 7 hour bus ride, and the cold I am battling, my bed never felt better J.
Coach gave us Sunday off! This morning I woke up around 8:30 a.m. and left for church around 9:30 a.m. I must say, that it was not the easiest thing to get up this morning, but it was so worth it!! Lindsay (one of my roommates) and Dila (Turkish teammate) went with me to church!! We had a blast at church! Dila loved the service and told me, “Canim, every Sunday I am here with you!” When we got back to the apartment Jo had pancakes fixed for us…thanks Jo!!! She even made some that had chocolate chips in them J.
This afternoon we hung around the apartment. I was able to talk with Katie (one of my former teammates at Liberty), which was a blast!! I think we could talk for hours…she is over in China playing! For supper tonight, we decided to go out to eat. Jo, Dila, Lindsay, and myself ended up going to a restaurant called Sushico…let me tell you it was so good!! They have a menu that you can order unlimited Chinese, or you can order unlimited sushi. I ended up ordering unlimited sushi, and Dila ordered unlimited Chinese so then we just split our food J! All of the food was extremely fresh and tasted great!! I absolutely love sushi…the cooked kind, no raw stuff. I will definitely be going back there at some point. To top it all off, we could even get a dessert as part of the deal, so I ordered fried bananas pieces drizzled in honey…delicious.
After supper finished I was stuffed! It was sprinkling outside, but we decided to walk around for a little bit. After walking for about 15 minutes, we took a taxi to the bus station and then took a bus (dolmus) back to our apartment. As we were walking over the street on a bridge, we came across a little girl who was sitting huddled all by herself on the steps. She looked cold and so sad. I felt like scooping her up and taking her back with me to my apartment. It made me think of how thankful I need to be. I have a warm place to live, a wonderful family, and the list is too many to write. I had so many questions going on in my head. Does she have a family? Is she able to go to school? I don’t know what the little girls’ circumstances are, but I know the One who does! I prayed for the little girl, that the Lord would be real in her heart and life. We all stopped and gave her some money, but no amount of money can make someone happy or content. It is at times when I see people like the little girl that my heart cries out. We sang a song today in church and some of the words were, “He gives and takes away”. There truly is a season for everything in life! I challenge you to remember to be thankful for the small things in your life. Do not take things for granted, because in a blink of an eye your circumstances can be changed. Think about Haiti…no one expected an earthquake like the one that they were hit with. Think about the little girl…imagine having to sit on some steps out in the cold begging for money or food.
I was listening to a song as I was typing this blog, and these verses were read at the end, and I thought they fit perfect with what I was talking about!
"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak and weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives POWER to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:28-31
The Lord is the only person who never changes and is ALWAYS there for us when we need Him! I challenge you to take time this year in 2010 to strengthen your walk with the Lord. If you do not have a personal relationship with Him, I pray that you would do so today! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!!
Verses of the Day:
Psalm 54:4 “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.”
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
It is now after 11:00 p.m. as I finish typing this blog. Tomorrow we have one practice at 3:00 p.m., so I am excited to sleep in!
I feel a lot better today! I think my cold is on the mend J. Hope you all have a great Sunday J.