Lazy Sunday

We're all home in one piece. I'll be adding to the blog over the next few days as more athletes send me things they would like to add.

winning poem ::
Ode to Gulf Shores
I love you a lot,
I hope every year that it will be hot,
That wish however is sadly in vain,
As my hopes of sunshine drown with the rain.

I love you so much,
Al Hoekstra tells me you owe your existence to the Dutch
Calvin Al says we built you from scratch.
And ever since then we have been so attached.

Down from Grand Rapids we all make the trek,
Snowstorms in Arkansas, what the heck!
500, 400, 4, 3, 2–oh how my trip is not complete without you.

Sprinters at 10; was it hurdlers at noon,
I hope Baker will call with the answer soon.

Devos in the morning, then get to the bus,
If you're not on by 10, please do not cuss.
Just join us with distance, they know the way,
How many miles to the track? you will say.

Better make it to Scoops at least once per trip,
Lick up your ice cream so it won't drip.
Join us at Lambert's and eat some throwed bread.

Now it's off stuffing our faces until we feel dead,
the outlets to get us some great deals,
the same shoes as coach Kim, what a steal!

Talent night’s my favorite, always a scream.
Ask Sarah Orendorff–Jed was a dream!
Toasters, guitars, movies and what not.
The Minnesotian track jackets–now they were hot!

Back on the bus after trainin' all week.
Saturday's run in the rain makes my shoes reek.
18 hours on the bus seems quite a while,
But oh Gulf Shores, how you make me smile.

-Kristen Van Sickel '09 (Trinty Christian HS, Pittsburgh PA)

another entry ::
I used to run the 400,
I used to run a minute race,
I used to spring till I was dead,
but now I'm here to pace,

(chorus)
Oh the times they are a changin'
I'm retiring my uniform
I'm joining now the coaching ranks,
With Diemer, Kim and Norm

I used to wear an inner tube,
and lead the freshman games,
but now I try to stand and watch
and merely learn their names

(chorus)
I used to run the 4 by 4,
but now I'll time your split
and shout along the backstretch
'till your racing fires lit

(chorus)
Yes, I'm trying something new now
I'm taking a new approach
So let me help you where I can
as your new assistant coach

That sounds kind of depressing when I type it, but I am not depressed. Running sucks sometimes, and I don't miss all the throwing up... The part that does suck is that I have to wear a watch. That feels weird.

-coach Joel Baker '08 (Kalamazoo Christian HS)

Friday evening

Photos from the "talent" show.

Friday afternoon

Lightning keeps everyone inside packing, rehearsing, napping and playing.

Friday mid-day

The lightning did not let-up so the throwers went back to the condos to train in the parking ramp. The radar shows some clearing in the afternoon.

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)

Thursday evening

Our annual trip to Lambert's Cafe. Everyone is served a cheeseburger and soda along with their choice of vegetable (see list after the photos). Lambert's uniqueness is found in how we get the rest of our food. Servers mingle with the diners–offering fried okra, macaroni & tomatoes, sorghum & honey, black eyed peas, apple butter and fried potatoes while busboys toss hot rolls here and there.

• Baked Potato, Candied Yams, Cottage Cheese, Baby Carrots, Cole Slaw, Turnip Greens, Sliced Peaches, Corn, Baked Beans, White Beans, Green Beans, Sliced Beets, Fried Apples, Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Potato Salad, Cold Chunky Applesauce, Pineapple Walnut Salad, Cucumbers & Onions

Thursday afternoon

A blustery afternoon. Seems like a third of the students and all of the coaches went down for naps. More of the same on the beach–corn toss, ultimate and sand castles.

Thursday mid-day

Hurrah, we only had a few light showers during training and now the sun's peeking through the clouds. Not a day for sunbathing but a nice day to do some beach combing, work on the homework they 'saved' for the trip and practice for Friday night's talent show. We also have the volleyball tournament finals before we head off to another long standing tradition ... Lambert's Cafe. A new twist this year–due to budget cuts we each will pay $10 for the meal ... a sacrifice the atheltes understand and are more than willing to make.

Thursday morning

We awoke to the sound of thunder rolling over the gulf and rain on the windows. We moved the 9 a.m. devotions into the fitness room (second floor window in the photo).

*notes from devos ...
As most of us woke up to hearing huge crashes from the waves outside our doors and gray, rainy skies we met in the condominiums' weight room for devotions this morning. While other patrons silently jogged on treadmills our huge group listened to a story from Ben Lewis, a freshmen distance runner.

Ben started out the morning by reminding us of the 'Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints' theme of the week. Furthermore he explained that over the past few years he had learned the importance of being ONLY footprints. It is important to only step where, when, and because God has led.

He went on to tell the story of a friendship he had had back in high school. Gradually one of his close friends had slipped into a bad crowd and been doing things that did not line up with who she had originally claimed to be. Ben admitted readily that he prayed about the situation--but that it was a prayer that served him and only him. He felt as if HE needed to somehow 'fix' his friend's problems instead of waiting to be led by the Spirit. As a result of his actions---which were very good and Godly actions, but that simply did not have God behind them--he ended up losing the trust in the friendship and his opportunity to show her God's love.

Although the story did not have a happy ending, after Ben was finished Diemer reminded us that God can make our misguided steps into something beautiful for him. However, it was a great reminder of the importance of leaving footprints that are within God's will and God's will alone. Despite our best intentions we so often feel compelled to run on ahead of God or leave footprints slightly off of His path. However, God's calls us to walk His road at His pace.
-Annika Krygsman '09 (Whitinsville Christian HS MA)

Wednesday evening

More of the same–condo dinners, X-Box, films and games inside with Calvin walks and souvenir shopping outside.

Settlers of Catan

Wednesday afternoon

Tradition, tradition, tradition ... I suppose I sound like a broken record throughout this blog ... but this afternoon we upheld another Calvin College tradition–First-Year Games. As we all know Calvin has so many traditions that connnect us to the college and allow the current students to become part of our alumni community.

volleyball tournament–semi-final results ::
• jumpers over mid-distance (2-0)
• throwers over vaulters (2-0)

balloon butt bust
won by Alex Edwards '12 (Lutheran Westland HS, Southfield MI)

egg toss
won by
Sarah Orndorff '12 (Huron HS OH) and Karl Falk '12 (homeschooled, Placerville CA)

relay race
nobody injured, everybody wins