The Week Ahead 1.2 to 1.7

Some of you may have seen this logo on some of the information sent over the last couple months. It is a logo we used for the team about 6 years ago. We took the verse from Romans 8:27 (R827) and used it as a theme verse. In all these things we are more than conquerors (I used "champions" for our purposes). I continue to use the idea of Romans 8:35-37 as a foundational verse as a coach. It came to mind Friday night and was a part of what I was going to do devotions on Saturday morning with the team.

The athletes I get the privilege to work with, have a tendency to equate their value to things like winning or being the fastest, or strongest, or any other number of things that go with athletics in general and swimming in particular. I do too, at times. However, this verse reminds me of two things. 

1.) Though the things we do from a day to day basis are valuable, and God wants us to put our best effort into them, our ultimate value is much greater than those things. We all need a reminder of that. 

2.) God's ability to conquer our difficulties and demons is NOT dependent on the strength of our faith. 

This is good news as we continue to struggle through the difficulties our team has faced and continues to face outside of the pool. This is good news to young men that are struggling to understand where they fit in God's plan. This is good news for parents (myself included) that are praying daily for their sons and daughters as they guide them into adulthood. Indeed, "through all these things we are more than conquerors."

Sorry for the mini sermon, It was on my heart today. 

New Years Relays -  We had a great time today with our annual New Year's Relays. If you can picture guys chugging eggnog between 25's, or trying to exchange wet tshirts between relay teammates, or swimming on a floating mat, or trying to down a powdered donut as fast as possible, you have a good picture of the Annual New Year's Relays. 

The competition was fierce, but the Red Hot Oompa Loompa's won 39-32 setting one new record in the process.

Though we don't have splits you can see the results and the records on the teams Top Ten page. Once on the page, click on the "New Year's Relays" tab at the bottom.

CHRISTMAS BREAK PRACTICES CONTINUED

We have another week of practices during Christmas break. The guys are doing a great job and we are just getting started. You could see at this past Tuesday's meet how much the hard work is paying off.

Here are the details for the week (These might be slightly different than I had originally had been told) 

Monday: - 7:00 to 10:00, Diving 8:30 to 10:00
Tuesday: swim meet in the evening
Wednesday: - 7:00 to 10:00, Diving 8:30 to 10:00
Thursday: - 7:00 to 10:00, Diving In the evening (4:30-6:00??)
*We Might be able to go 8-11 so that we can go right from practice to our Pizza and Bowling activity.

Friday: - 7:00 to 10:00, Diving In the evening (4:30-6:00??)

Saturday: - Right now we are scheduled for 9-11, but I am working with the pool and the orchestra director on this time. Stay tuned.


OTHER ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK
January 3 - Home meet vs. Spring Lake
No practice today. Sleep in. Take it easy, but not too easy. Please think about the fuel you need for the meet.
Athletes need to be on deck at the Aquatic Center at 5:10. Warmup is at 5:30 and the meet begins at 6:30.

January 5 - Pizza and Bowling following practice. We eat at the north side Pizza Hut (River Ave) and bowl at Northland Lanes. We wrap up about 2:00


NEXT WEEK
January 10 - Meet @ East Grand Rapids

• Bus departs from the Aquatic Center at 4:00pm. 
• There will be a Zeeland pick up at 4:15. 
• Warmup begins at 5:00 
• Meet begins at 6:00. 

Saturday, January 14th: HOSTING the Division 3 Midseason Invitational -

I do need a couple siblings that can help with awards and results.

Tech Suits - I will be sending out more information about tech suits in the next few days, but I wanted you to know that Making Waves will be at the D3 Invite to help athletes consider the correct size.


The Secret phrase is "I love Pizza & Bowling day." Find me Monday to give me the secret phrase.