I also got to see an old friend yesterday. The picture above is me with AJ. She is the strength coach of the team I am playing against today - so awesome to get to see her and spend a few minutes talking with her.
I am ready to get er done today :) So awesome it is down to four days until home. My goal is to finish the year of 2012 strong. Whether we win or lose these next 2 games before our break, I want to be satisfied knowing that I went out on the court and gave it my best effort, ultimately wanting to honor and glorify my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today we play Ceyhan at 11:00 a.m. EST which is 6:00 p.m. here. The game is not on TV, so you will not be able to watch it. I will let you know how the game goes sometime tomorrow. After the game we are leaving directly from the gym and driving up to Istanbul. The drive is at least 12 hours, so it is going to be a long trip, but with each mile I must remember, I am getting closer to home. We will arrive in Istanbul sometime Thursday morning and then I am sure we will be resting most of the day. We may have to practice, but it won't be hard I am sure. We will also practice Friday, and then game day is Saturday against Istanbul University.
Schedule for remainder of my time in Turkey before flying home for a break:
December 26th - Game @ Ceyhan, then drive through the night to Istanbul
December 27th - Arrive in Istanbul in the morning - rest most of the day and maybe practice.
December 28th - Practice and Rest
December 29th - Game @ Istanbul University at 9:00 a.m. EST which is 4:00 p.m. here.
December 30th - Fly out from Istanbul at 6:30 a.m. EST which is 1:30 p.m. here in Turkey.
December 26th - "Jesus Calling"
I AM THE GIFT that continuously gives—bounteously with no strings attached. Unconditional Love is such a radical concept that even My most devoted followers fail to grasp it fully. Absolutely nothing in heaven or on earth can cause Me to stop loving you. You may feel more loved when you are performing according to your expectations. But My Love for you is perfect; therefore it is not subject to variation. What does vary is your awareness of My loving Presence.
When you are dissatisfied with your behavior, you tend to feel unworthy of My Love. You may unconsciously punish yourself by withdrawing from Me and attributing the distance between us to My displeasure. Instead of returning to Me and receiving My Love, you attempt to earn My approval by trying harder. All the while, I am aching to hold you in My everlasting arms, to enfold you in My Love. When you are feeling unworthy or unloved, come to Me. Then ask for receptivity to My unfailing Love.
1 John 4:16 - "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them."