Friday morning

devos in the fitness room

Our last day here begins with overcast skies, pink lightning (so says Jessica) and massive waves. The surf turned Matt Diemer (Dutton Christian Elementary MI) and Jed Christinsen's (Greenville HS PA) hole into a pool (see photo). The local television weather folks are having a great time with all the action. The condo manager said this will probably be the last rain they see until fall. Devos are inside again this morning.

Today will culminate with the traditional talent show and ice cream social.

Practice is postponed until 11:30 a.m.

*notes on devos ...
As a senior discus and javelin thrower, I have spent the last 4 years of my life at Calvin practicing the same 9-step javelin throw and 3-step discus throw. 2-4 hours a day, at least 5 days a week, for approximately 50 weeks out of every year.... the same 12 steps over and over again. Why? What would possess a person to spend so much time and energy on 12 steps? This morning's devotion time said it better than I ever could.

Circled up in the weight room on yet another stormy morning, this morning's devotions were simply a 'prayer and share time.' Within that time, the theme of community could not be easily missed. As we talked about how it is impossible for us as individuals to do anything on our own, we were reminded that a community is able to come along side us and have our backs when we are not strong enough alone. Many people asked for prayers for hometown friends and family, and teammates volunteered to lift those concerns up to the Lord. Others told stories of how God has been calling them to come home to Him or to start in on a new devotional regimen. A guitar was broken out and we sang impromptu praise songs as the weight room workers looked on with curiosity.

Towards the end of the devotional time Joel Baker shared a quote that he had read about how children are always anxious to say "do it again!" when something great happens. He then went on to share how he had come to think of God as that child who takes immense joy in seeing us do great things. He challenged us to picture God smiling and cheering "do it again!" as we round yet another lap on the way to completing the 25-lap 10k, or walk into the ring to complete the same 3 steps and throw yet another discus for the 50th time that week. Al Tuuk then shared a quote from Mother Teresa which said "We can't all do great things, we can just do small things with great love." Through this we were reminded that on each lap of the 10k (a 'small thing' for those who run a 10k.... but a monumental task for those of us who do not run regularly!) we are accomplishing God's glory and leaving footprints. God gives us His strength to be able to get joy out of what might seem as monotonous tasks, and we can turn that joy back to worship Him.

As we came to a close Nate DeHaan shared one last quote... but this one was a little unexpected. Apparently NFL player Terrell Owens decided not to go out for optional practice during his first day with a new team, as he was quoted on ESPN as saying that he did not need to attend voluntary practice; he had a personal trainer to design workouts for him. With that said, Nate reflected on how special the Calvin College track team really is. To be on the Calvin College Track Team is not about running the fastest or jumping the highest to be great. Here, being great is about serving other people. And, conveniently, what makes us great as a team and as a group of athletes is also equipping us to be better Christians.

As I reflect back over my time with Calvin's track team, I don't think I could put it any better. It's not about having the perfect 9-step javelin approach, it's about serving our teammates, coaches, friends and family better. It's about learning discipline. It's about community and being a part of something bigger than yourself. One of the first prayer requests of the day was submitted by Kelly Edwards, another senior on the team. She asked for prayer for those of us who will be graduating in May and leaving this community that we have grown to love and rely on.... however she also reminded us all that--for those of us who will be graduating--our circumstances will change, but our God does not.

For all intensive purposes, the season is just beginning. We have 7 weeks until [the MIAA Field Day] meet and 10 weeks before the NCAA Outdoor National meet. I cannot wait to see how God uses this team to leave footprints in the NCAA Division III, as well on the hearts and lives of our own teammates. However, even if today were my last day on the team, I can honestly say it has been a blessing to be a part of and has forever changed my life for the better--lots of pictures taken, and some of the best footprints I could ever imagine left.
-Annika Krygsman '09 (Whitinsville Christian HS MA)