I have been reading the book of Job as part of my assigned Bible reading. It's a confusing book. (I've read it multiple times and still don't fully "get it" so don't overanalyze my mini-synopsis from a theological standpoint).
Job has the perfect life: a wife, a host of kids, health, wealth, and a highly regarded godly reputation. Then, in a twist that seems so odd it doesn't seem like it could possibly be a nonfiction story, Satan accuses Job of only loving God because his life has been so richly blessed by God. God disagrees and the two strike a deal. Satan can attack Job - up to taking his life - to test him.
Job loses everything. His children all die in a freak accident. His wealth is stolen away. His wife tells him to curse God and die. And then his health is taken from him. All of this happens in the first handful of chapters.
The rest of the book of Job - save the final chapters - are narratives of Job pouring out his heart to his best friends, who completely botch their theology and their attempt to comfort Job. They take turns telling him all the things they perceive he did wrong to bring the suffering upon himself.
It's not an uplifting Bible story. Certainly not the one your pre-schooler will learn about in Sunday School. So much of this book FEELS like it does not align with the narrative of the God in the rest of the story of the Bible. The God who creates beauty, loves deeply, redeems the broken and promises to make all things new again doesn't seem to be one who would allow suffering of this level just to prove a point. The book of Job raises more questions than answers for me and that's okay. I like serving a God that is so much bigger than me that I can't really fully comprehend all the pieces of who He is. But I digress...
Thirty-seven long chapters into the story, Job and his friends are done arguing and beating each other up verbally. They pause to just sit in their sadness. I bet they wonder where God is in all of this. I know I would.
Chapter 38 starts with this beautiful phrase.
"Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm."
Friends, even when God is silent... when we feel ALL ALONE in our suffering... when our friends or spouses say the wrong thing... when death robs us of those we love... when we lose everything financially... when our health is unexpectedly taken from us... EVEN THEN... we are never alone.
God is with us in our suffering. He can handle our questions. Our disbelief. Our raw emotions. Our fumbling. Our failures. He is with us in the storm.
Sometimes we have to work through all the crap and verbal vomit to come to a place of silence.
Then... the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm.
I am so grateful to serve a God who speaks. In my suffering. In the silence. In the highs and lows of life.
Our 15 year daughter Alli is currently in Uganda with a team of mostly high schoolers working and serving the people in Gulu. She has dreamed of this moment for seven years.
Seven years ago, life was HARD for our family. Alli was in a dark space... struggling in every aspect of her sweet little life. Every single day was a challenge for her, and for us as her parents trying to help her. In the midst of this season, Pastor Mutatu, an African pastor, visited our church. He was also a guest at a small group Curt and I were a part of. That night, at small group, I had "A Moment." The heaviness of life was suffocating and I broke down. Our group came around Curt and I and prayed for us. They prayed for our Alli. They prayed for Grant, Katie and Paige. It was powerful.
Alli - age 8
She lobbied hard for a typewriter for her birthday.
And then Pastor Mutatu said, "I want to meet your daughter. I have a daughter the same age and I know they would be friends."
A few days later, Alli sat across from Pastor Mutatu, her creamy white skin a beautiful contrast to his rich, dark skin, and they talked. About life. About being eight years old. About the challenges she faced... about the challenges he faced. About his family... about hers. They lived a half a world away with lives, that on the surface, appeared to be as different as their skin colors. But as with most things, their commonality was so much greater than the few things that divided them.
Pastor Mutatu asked good questions. He challenged Alli on her areas of weakness. He spoke words of life and encouragement over her strengths and the good that he saw in her. In a season where success was hard to come by, this was LIFE GIVING.
And then, in his beautiful accent, he invited Alli to be "the first child missionary from our church" to come and join him and his family in the work they were doing in Africa. Without hesitation, our girl - who had been crippled by anxiety for years - said, "Yes if my Mom and Dad will let me." It was a holy and powerful moment. One I can't talk about without crying, even though it's been seven years.
Friends... our words hold power. With them we can kill a spirit or be an agent of healing.
The time was not right for Alli to travel to Africa, but Pastor Mutatu planted a seed. He gave Alli a vision of a world outside the confines of Newberg, a love for the African people and a dream to serve them some time in her life.
A few months after her meeting with Pastor Mutatu, our girl broke down. It was scary, but God is so good. He was right there with us, in the muck and the mire of the darkest days of our life. With the help of a team of talented professionals, we started on a very long journey toward mental, physical, and emotional health and healing. Seven years later, our Alli Girl is healthy and thriving, something I am grateful for every single day.
It took seven years, but our girl is finally in Africa, living out a dream that God planted in her heart. Alli raised $4,000 to go on this trip. Many of you donated to her trip, gave her cans to recycle, hired her to babysit your kids or feed your pets, or paid her for free throws that she made. She got a job and funneled all the money she made toward the cost of the trip. Thanks to Our Village and Alli's hard work, she was fully funded before she left. THANK YOU!
Dropping her off at the airport. All the feels.
Alli's team. They were meeting up with a few more college kids from our church who were already in Uganda.
First of two 10+ hour flights to get there.
We have very limited contact with Alli while she's gone, but Tom, her team leader, sends us updates. He also happens to be an award winning photographer. Today he sent photos from their first full work day in Gulu. I cried when I saw the photos of our girl. There is no question she is thriving. These photos are the happiest, most genuine images of our girl. Just look at that smile!
I'm not sure where you are in life right now. Maybe you're in a spacious place... a season of thriving and abundance. Maybe you're in a dark, miry pit wondering how you will get through the next hour, let alone the day. Wherever you are at, God is with you in that space. He sees you. He knows you. He loves you. He has beautiful things planned for you and your life.
Take a long, slow deep breath.
Inhale the goodness and peace of God.
Exhale anxiety and fear.
There is hope.
It may take a week, a month, a year, or maybe seven... but that smile of yours? It's gonna beam again soon and you're gonna bless the people around you with it.
"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." - Psalm 56:13
On November 10, 2018, the Newberg High School boys water polo team won the Oregon 6A state championship for the FIFTH consecutive year. Very few high schoolers can say they played in a state championship game. Even fewer can say they WON a state championship. What high schooler gets to say they won the state championship EVERY SINGLE YEAR they were in high school? My boy and his buddies. That's who.
End of the season banquet
Last year's state championship game vs. Lakeridge was intense and hard fought. Read the details here. Lakeridge's league MVP graduated, but they returned a big chunk of their starting lineup. Newberg returned our entire starting lineup, minus one. The Fab Five - who all lettered as freshman and helped their team win an unexpected state championship - were now all seniors. They would accept nothing less than a fifth state championship. Early in 2018, they started a hashtag: #5x. It was their reminder of the season goal.
Fab Five at a photo session we did before the season started
Training for 2018 started the day after they won the state title in 2017. Almost all the water polo boys swim for the high school team in the winter, and they aren't slow. They helped lead their swim team to Newberg's first ever district championship in the winter of 2018. They also sent a ton of water polo player/swimmers on to the state meet. #attakids
Cheering on the final relay to seal the win
District Champs!
Spring is when club season ramps up. Newberg Water Polo Club's team is basically our high school team with a couple of additions that come from other towns. Our high school team battles it out against club teams stacked with the best talent from all the local Portland schools and still wins. A lot. These boys are good.
Spring session bleeds right into the summer season. All summer long, our kids trained: in the pool; dry land; sometimes twice a day. Grant had four part time jobs (three on farms and one for an event company), because they are all willing to flex around his high maintenance water polo training schedule. In July, the boys traveled to California to play in the Junior Olympics. They anticipated getting crushed by the strong, stacked California club teams, but surprised themselves and won several games. #attakids
Fab Five at the Junior Olympics (we didn't go so I copied this from Grant's Instagram feed).
High school season officially started mid-August. By the time Day One rolled around, our kids were already in incredible shape. They were strong and experienced, and it showed. They crushed every opponent they faced. No one could touch their impeccable defense and strong offense. Every single one of their starters can score. When one was double teamed, they'd get the ball to the open player who would score. Their talent goes so deep into their bench. Newberg was the team to beat this year and it would take a GOOD team to do it.
The first close game they had was against Johansen, a California team, in the championship game of our home tournament. Johansen expected to come to Oregon and win the tournament, but they couldn't keep up with our boys, so they played dirty. It was ugly to watch, but our boys kept their composure and systematically dismantled them, winning decisively 10-3. #ATTAKIDS!
Home Tournament Champs
Lakeridge was last in our league rotation. We faced them first in their shallow-deep pool. The game was all we hoped it would be. Lakeridge came out firing and scored three, quick, unanswered goals. It was the first time all season our boys had been behind in a game. Newberg adjusted their defense and started chipping away at the lead. The game was intense and highly physical. Late in the game, Grant scored from the hole to tie it up.
Lakeridge and Newberg both scored once more, sending the game into overtime. Lakeridge scored first in overtime, putting the Tigers in an unfamiliar come-from-behind scenario. But I was confident.
I spend a lot of time with these boys. This was their senior season. Defeat was not an option. With two minutes left, Zach scored back-to-back goals, leading the Tigers to an 8-7 victory. It was so exciting! Everyone in that building knew this game was a preview of what should be the state championship matchup.
Five days later, our boys took their undefeated season to a tournament in Washington hosted by Curtis High School. The Curtis boys' team had a win streak of more than100+ games going. They were big, strong, and experienced with a bunch of seniors on their roster, just like Newberg. It was the number one goal of our boys to beat Curtis in their home pool. And THEY DID IT! Snapped that Curtis win streak with a 10-8 victory in the championship game, and kept Newberg's undefeated season rolling. I got to be an official chaperone for that trip and it was a highlight of the fall for me to have my Sequoia filled with these boys that I have come to love like my own sons.
Tournament Champs at Curtis
The following weekend Newberg and Lakeridge both traveled to Modesto, California, to see how they matched up against bigger, stronger, better California teams. Curt and I always said, "When Grant is a senior, we'll go on the California trip." You better believe we got ourselves down to California to be Those People cheering in the stands for every game and sending play-by-play updates to the parents back home.
Oregon teams typically go to California expecting to lose, but with the intent to learn from playing more experienced teams. The Modesto tournament setup puts all the weight on the first game. If you win your first game, you move into the winners bracket and the worst you can get is 8th place out of 16 teams. Lose your first game? The best you can get is 9th place.
Every single team our boys faced this tournament was big, strong, and experienced. Lincoln was our first opponent and Newberg won 10-7! Our second game was a rematch against Johnansen. Johansen was out for revenge, but Newberg controlled the entire game and won 10-8. All the boys played great, and Grant scored a lot. Here's a video summary of his highlights from day one.
Their third opponent was Granite Bay, a constant California powerhouse. Granite Bay sent Lakeridge to the losers bracket in the first game to battle for 9th place. It had been years since Newberg beat Granite Bay. There was a lot riding on this game and we all could feel it. We expected an epic battle, but our boys destroyed Granite Bay 10-4. And just like that, our boys found themselves in the championship game of a California tournament!
Our opponent in the championship game was Davis. Davis' star player (who Grant was assigned to guard), plays for the USA national water polo team and is committed to a Division I college team. He was HUGE and scored a goal with three Newberg players draped all over him. But somehow after that first goal, we contained him and stayed in the contest.
Davis was up for the majority of the game, but our boys did not quit. They battled back to tie it 2-2 at the end of the first quarter. Got behind by three goals in the second. Scraped their way back to within one goal with 59 seconds left in the game.
We had possession and were setting up an offensive play, but Davis stole the ball, then went down and scored to secure the victory. Davis handed our boys their only loss of the entire season (5-7 final score) in a game that came down to the last handful of seconds. We were so proud!
The boys left California exhausted, but confident. They knew they had what it takes to beat Lakeridge and win state. Now they just had to do it.
Me with the Fab Five in Cali. I just love these boys.
Second place - Modesto Tournament
Three days later, Newberg and Lakeridge met for the final contest of the regular season in our home pool. It was senior night. It was surreal to be buying balloons and making a poster for Grant, OUR senior. I put "5x" in the bottom corner of his poster then pulled myself together to go to the game.
You know it's a big deal if I attempt a craft. Crafts are not my thing.
Our fam, minus Alli plus Britney
Grant and his sisters
our boy.
One by one, they announced each of the TEN seniors (four girls and six boys). They ran through a tunnel of their teammates to their parents and family members waiting with hugs and treats. After the fanfare, the boys got in the water and dismantled Lakeridge 11-4. It was never even close. What a way to finish out their season and secure another league championship.
our senior. #allthefeels
Our boys rolled through the district tournament, trouncing their opponents 18-2 and 20-5. Everyone on the roster got to play in both games. The following Friday was the state semi-final game against Westview. Grant scored SIX goals and helped lead his team to a 21-9 victory. Again, everyone on the roster got to play.
After the semi-final victory
Grant's cheering section for the semi-final game. SIX goals for our boy.
His sisters and the Menke's
Lakeridge had a similar trip through the district and semi-final games. No one could touch them.
A showdown was on.
Saturday night, November 10th, at 7:00 p.m. both teams stood on the pool deck at the Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center and faced a packed house. It was standing room only and it was LOUD.
Fab Five have cap numbers 1-5.
for the state title game, they announce every player before the game starts.
TIGERS!
wall to wall fans.
Both teams came ready to play. Lakeridge scored first and the game quickly became a defensive battle. The teams traded goals and came into half time tied 3-3.
Newberg's defense shut out Lakeridge's offense for the second half of the game.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was 4-3. Newberg had the advantage but Raleigh, one of our senior starters, was out on ejections. Oz, one of our three juniors in the starting rotation, had to step up and fill the void. He excelled.
Grant - after his stellar performance in the state semi-final game - was double and tripled teamed the entire game. The Newberg boys trust their teammates and they exploited this game strategy, dumping the ball to their open teammates. Nathan and Alex - the other juniors in the starting rotation - made Lakeridge pay. Together, they combined for five of Newberg's six goals! Back to back goals in the fourth quarter by Nathan and Alex put the exclamation mark on the victory, but Newberg's defense had to finish it out. Lakeridge fought to the very last second in a game that was billed by the media as "one of the best state championships Oregon has ever seen." Final score: 6-3.
Grant and Dane
Acknowledging their fans and holding up five fingers for FIVE TIMES
Celebratory jump in the pool with the coaches
Fab Five with their trophy
Each member of the Fab Five earned all league and all state honors, and Wilson won MVP of the state for his incredible performance in the goal. Grant took home first team all league and first team all state honors. We are SO proud!
First Team All League. First Team All State. Atta kid!
Our family on this incredible night.
Dad and Marcy came from Bend to watch G play.
It was a fairy tale ending to one incredible high school career. I stood on the pool deck, bawling, with my phone in one hand videoing the celebration, and my camera in the other snapping photos.
I never doubted for a second that our boys would win. This was their senior season. They wanted 5x bragging rights and they got them. They also earned a 34-1 season. Nearly perfect.
In Grant's lifetime, I have watched hundreds of water polo games. And yet, I would watch hundreds more. I have loved every second of watching my boy and his best buds morph from little boys into grown men. Throughout the journey, their character has developed too. These are good boys. Do they make mistakes? Sure. But they are kind, inclusive, hard working, athletic, and oh so fun. I have loved being a Super Fan.
Little baby water polo player Grant
Senior water polo player Grant and state champion
Celebrating the victory at Abby's. Love my boy.
Well done boys. You know we parents are proud of you, but it's not just us. On December 3rd, the boys were invited to a Newberg City Council meeting. The mayor and council members honored them for their successes and declared, "the citizens of Newberg are proud of you."
December 3rd - honored by the city
It's the end of the era for the Fab Five. Wilson will head off to the Marines and Raleigh off on his mission for his church. Dane, Zach and Grant are in the thick of college applications, but none of them are convinced they want to play college water polo. How could you replicate the brotherhood these boys have formed? It will be interesting to see where they end up and if water polo continues to be an active part of their story.
Pre-season photo session
End of season banquet holding five state champion trophies
Wilson - #1
Raleigh - #2
Grant - #3
Dane - #4
Zach - #5
Years from now, we will all still talk about the Fab Five and their epic journey from unexpected freshmen champions to dominating senior stars.
You are halfway through your senior season of water polo. Undefeated still and working toward your dream of being state champions every year of your high school career. Your season gets tougher tonight: a repeat of last year's state championship game and then some tournaments with good competition in the next two weeks. This morning on my run I was praying for you and felt compelled to write you a little love letter.
I am a Super Fan, and not because you win all the time, though that is pretty awesome. I am a Super Fan because of the young men you are and the young men you are becoming. Are you perfect? Heck no. But you are fun, smart, hard working, kind, and inclusive. I have thanked God often that he gave me all these "sons" to love. The brotherhood you have is unique. You will carry these friendships with you into the rest of your life. What a gift!
You boys - especially the seniors - have stepped up to mentor the younger players. When you were freshman, the older players believed in you, coached you, and included you as equals in spite of your youth. You boys are now carrying on that tradition. I kind of want to burst with pride over all of it. Stay kind.
You work hard. When I saw your freshman year practice schedule, I was skeptical. It seemed too intense. Too hard. Too much. But you stepped up to the challenge and got stronger every day. All year long. For the past three years, you have built upon a foundation of hard work and mental stamina.
Six days a week of practice with weight belts and extra swim sets before or after games? Those early morning weekend and late night practices? Insanely hard, but you do it without complaining. Your work ethic is remarkable. It's a life skill you will come back to over and over. You have trained yourself to show up: on the good days, the bad days, the tired days, the sick days.
You boys are in the best shape of your lives and it shows. It is so fun to watch you string victory after victory together. But I would be remiss if I didn't give you a motherly warning. Don't get cocky. The Bible says, "Pride goes before a fall." Arrogance is ugly, but humility?
Humility is so, so attractive. Be humble.
Keep your cool. When things get rough in the water, stay classy. Don't resort to playing dirty. You don't need to do that to win. Rise above that stupid stuff and let your play speak for itself.
When you get tired, trust your training. Pull from that reservoir of physical conditioning and mental stamina. If you're exhausted, I guarantee your opponent is too. It feels hard because it IS hard. But you? You can do hard things.
No one cares about your dream the way you do. *
Only YOU can make your dream a reality. So get after it.
Tonight is a big night. It's going to be fun to watch you. Win or lose, I want you know I love you and how proud I am to cheer you on. Let's do this.
Love,
Momma Jodi
*adapted from Rachel Hollis' book Girl Wash Your Face
