A Few Spare Minutes

So things are still moving faster than ever, but I have a few spare moments to write an update while I wait for the people from AYSA (Alabama Youth Soccer Association) or Affinity (rec league scheduling system) to call me back.

While we're ALL ALWAYS busy, I can honestly say I have not experienced what I have in this past month since Ive started at NorthStar. Last Saturday (2/20) was the 3v3 tournament and it was a HUGE success. The partnership with Homewood was a good choice and the weather was PERFECT. We met to talk $$$ this morning and with the sponsors who contributed on behalf of NorthStar, the program is walking away with over $5,000!!! SO awesome - especially for our first go-round. We had amazing help from volunteers all over, and getting to work with Homewood was so big for us. NorthStar soccer made its print in the greater Birmingham area soccer world - hoping and praying that it carries on even bigger than what I can see or imagine.

Im notorious for biting off more than I can chew, and then somehow managing to get it done. While Im not 100% complete with the MARS League scheduling, Ive managed to figure out what is needed to be done (and get the work done) as the MARS League Administrator. Have had pretty good contact with DOCs from clubs around Bham so far, and hopefully there will be more to come. For the most part, people have been really encouraging of my efforts - scheduling rec games for over 85 teams is a beast. A big thing Im learning and realizing is that we are in a constant mode of preparation. Where God has put us now is building and preparing us for tomorrow, next week, next year, five years from now. This has given me encouragement and hope in the work Ive been doing on this scheduling stuff. Have had near breakdowns in trying to figure out the process of what even needs to be done, but I know the experience Im getting now and the eternal hope by which I live will not only keep me going and persevering, but will also go beyond what I think the immediate or intentional impact can be - both in my personal experience and to those around me.

So in this time of craziness, I dont want to carry myself in a "woe is me - I have so much to do" mindset because frankly, whether Im busier than those around me or not, no one really cares. I am realizing how much I think of myself, and that's not okay. What is okay is throwing myself before the Lord in response and proclaiming, yet again, that His power is made perfect in my weakness. Its bittersweet being in a place where I feel like I cant possibly do something apart from the hand and power of the Lord...it always reminds me that this place is the constant state of our being, whether we recognize it or not.

Now regarding the start of our season last Monday - wow. We had the majority of our kids show up to every practice. Unbelievable and un-heard of for NorthStar Soccer. Obviously thats not my doing either because my efforts toward communication with families/players has been minimal due to the size of the MARS/scheduling stuff on my plate. We have over 110 kids registered (compared to 75-80 in the fall) and more are calling in each day...will need to cut off registrations soon ;)

Face-time with kids has not suffered amidst the chaos. Praise God. I want more of that - more life on life impact and opportunities to love...whether I feel like it or not, because God is God and loves whether we feel that or not as well.

Lessons Learned

So I don't have time to blog right now at ALL, but this is too good not to document/pass up.

I just got back from a meeting with our Birmingham Southern partners who coordinate with the volunteers. My passion for Christ and sharing the Gospel exploded all over the coaches packet that I typed up and, without really revising/thinking about it, handed to the BSC volunteer coordinators. There is the "requirement" of the declaration of faith all over it, and the language is very much Christianese...well that will scare people away who don't quite buy into it/even believe it. The LAST thing I want to do is make this seclusive "Christian bubble" for my kids and the ministry. There is so much value in "world perspectives" coming in to NorthStar Soccer, and while I want the Gospel to be preached (if necessary use words), teachable moments to be seized, and disciples to be made, opening up the ministry and leadership to those who may not be on the same page could prove valuable for all parties involved.

There is such a balance needed for communicating and sharing the faith. I make an attempt to indulge myself in the Word, remain continually in prayer, and dwell my heart and mind on my faith throughout each moment of the day, but I must consider 1 Peter and how the apostle made it a point to live among the people and culture where the believers were. Not only to live among them but to be a part of them. God, help me to discern how to channel my passion and eternal mindset in a way that translates well to the world around me.

Im am SO thankful for that experience - the past hour of seven people gathered around a table discussing how to effectively unite passion and sensitivity in a way that will communicate well to all across the board. The Gospel does not come into this world without a bit of friction, but God has orchestrated this friction to work out for our good and His glory. Praise be to the God of the Gospel, who has divine purpose in every situation, working out our sanctification in the process. Jesus met us where we were - in the flesh - and lived among us. Let us be like Christ in that we meet the world where they are...becoming like the world to communicate to the world the message of hope that we bear in a way that all may understand.

I love this.

Only a Glimpse...Sheer Facts

A record of God's Faithfulness:

So much has happened in these past few weeks, I honestly don't know where to begin.

In all of it, my mind has gone straight to 1 Corin. 2:4-5...

"...my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

Here goes...

Ive taken on a new role as Mid-Alabama Recreational Soccer (MARS) League Administrator. Sitting in a room full of grown middle-aged men, I in my youth and lack of experience was nominated MARS League Administrator to oversee and correlate the schedule for the 14 clubs with recreational teams. This is huge for NorthStar in that I will have the opportunity to directly communicate with DOC's from 14 clubs in the greater Birmingham area, as well as with the head coaches of all the teams. Also, NorthStar will have a significant presence in the functioning of this league...not to mention the additional salary stipend that I/NorthStar will receive for the labor...Yes. Much needed.

Hill School has been named the target school for this spring's soccer recruiting efforts. The school is home to kids in Smithfield community, many of which live in the Smithfield public housing on the north side of Legion Field. Last week Paul and I stopped by to present to the principal the idea of a free soccer clinic held at the school one day a week. I had tried to initiate the clinic at the Smithfield Community Center but was turned down, resorting in the efforts toward Hill. The principal showed me favor and even threw out the idea of my visiting the PE classes (when I started talking about lunch like what I do at Princeton).

So, my first day of PE was last Thursday. I met Coach Bright and we clicked instantly. I found out she is a believer and we left the day encouraged by each other's acquaintance. Tuesday brought Day 2 of Hill School PE, and I walked in the gym to find a woman NOT dressed for PE, on her cell phone, asking me if I would take over class for the day since she had to leave at noon. Ecstatic at the opportunity (though I was TOTALLY being taken advantage of), I accepted and four hours later added "Hill School PE Substitute Teacher" to my many job titles that I have acquired in the last 7 months ;) How awesome is the provision of God in that He allowed me to be in an "authoritative" role to formally introduce myself, NorthStar Soccer, the upcoming Monday clinic and personally hand out the permission slips to every kid in the school, all in the matter of ONE day!?!?! And as for the class...I have no idea where I came up with PE activities for pre-K thru 5th graders...h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s!!! Clinic starts Monday...PRAY!!!!

100% of the coaches I have lined up for the spring season all, literally, came to me. I definitely have made my effort in recruiting, but thank you Lord for the reminder that you do things on your way and your timing. Cosby is a current UAB education student who has college soccer experience, is tutoring at the YWCA one day a week and plays soccer with the kids when the homework is completed. He heard of me through his church and found and sent me a facebook message initiating contact and interest in coaching. After meeting with him and confirming that his heart and focus is in line with the mission behind NorthStar Soccer Club, he told his class about his new commitment and miraculously collected over $200 from his classmates wanting to support the effort. Cool.

And Dawjer is an MK who grew up as a minority overseas...he's craving time in a context outside of the Samford bubble and white suburban coaching, realizing that the generally thought of "uncomfortable inner-city environment" is truly where he desires to be. He proclaimed to me, without any probing on my part, that he wants to invest time and build relationships in a ministry. Um, yes please.

And Lauren has one of the biggest hearts/passions for NorthStar kids that Ive ever seen. As a family studies major needing an internship and Samford Soccer player already investing into the program, its fitting for her to coach this season. Coincidence?? Nope.

Finally, yesterday I received a call from Troy who has wanted to spend time in an inner-city context for years now (has done soccer ministries overseas) and is looking to give his 9 year old son exposure to a context outside of Homewood. He is offering to coach a NorthStar team with his son, 2-3 other Briarwood boys, and 2-3 NorthStar boys. I have been praying for this!?! Didn't even go searching. Came to me. As seems to be the trend, obviously.

And lastly, the update on the Alabama Women's Soccer Foundation story...

I went to their board meeting on Sunday night and walked away with a significant contribution to the spring program with future contributions to be evaluated based on the allocation/use of the given amount this spring. While I am SO excited about this contribution, the thing that made me even more excited and encouraged was their heart and Spirit-led support behind me and NorthStar Soccer. I got to share my story and the program (which has seemed to be the trend in multiple situations this week...) and they were so moved by what God is doing and how NorthStar Soccer is the exact type of ministry that they have been looking to support. Im blown away by their hearts and action behind the support of soccer for the under-privileged in Birmingham. And to think that their foundation started after having to pay off fields down 280, leading to their initiating a thrift store, which has generated enough income to not only pay off these fields but now support multiple soccer-related ministry efforts in Birmingham!?! PURPOSE in all things is His way of working. Sign me up.

There have been other "divine appointments" in these past couple of weeks, but Ill stop with the above. God is at work. And Im loving getting to witness His provision and web of connections. And to think its only a glimpse...