First week back from Thanksgiving

So i had an interesting first week back here in Boston.  On my way back up here i heard the Lord say to me  "Dont go by your feelings".  In addition to a couple other things.  So this week i had a good time "not going by my feelings".  At the beginning of the week (monday)  i felt weak.  Physically and spiritually.  Physically because i got in very late sunday night.  I was supposed to get back here at 8p.m.  But with all the traffic i didn't end up getting back until 11 o clock at night.  It was not very much fun to spend all that extra time in the car, but the Lord very much helped me through it.  But with getting in so late i still had to get up the next morning for practice at 7 a.m.  But also i felt weak spiritually.  But the Lord gave me a great scripture,  "when i am weak, then i am strong".  I found physical strength from the Lord and the Lord gave much too that day in my private times.  Also i got an email from my dear brother Elijah Hughes and he gave me a great scripture that really encouraged me.  "for i am watching over my word to perform it."  I was greatly encouraged by that!

We had practice, monday, tuesday and thursday.  Wednesday we played an inter-squad scrimmage game.  The coach said that the inter-squad game would determine who would play in fridays game.  I played really well in the game and i had fun.  I had a good week of practices too.  

Friday i went to the game and i found out that i wasn't playing.  I was a bit surprised because i thought that i played really well in the inter-squad game.  But the Lord really helped me to be fine.  I had an opportunity before the game on friday to talk with one of my teammates about the Lord.  It was the 3rd goalie on the team.  He doesn't ever get to play, but he does always dress.  But the trainer forgot his jersey this game so he didn't get to dress.  So before the game we got to talking about the future and stuff and he asked me what i was looking to do next year.  I said i wanted to go to school.  I told him i was looking to have a strong second half of the season so i could be picked up by a good Div 1 school.  But in the midst of that conversation i saw an opportunity to talk with him about the Lord.  So i said that i was not worried about next year because i am trusting in the Lord.  He is catholic (we have talked a little bit before about the Lord, so i know he is catholic already).  But when i said that he was like "oh yeah man, thats so good.  Sometimes i find it hard to just let that control go but id like to"  I got to talk about the Word and how there is life and power in the word.  But it was a good short little conversation with him and effective to.  So i was pleased to be given that opportunity to be used.  

We won that game on friday 3-2.  Then saturday we played the same team again.  I wasn't sure what to expect for that game on saturday.  When i got to the game i found out that i wasn't dressing again.  The coach kept the lineup the same as the night before.  The Lord helped me again, as i was very fine.  But throughout that game i had to keep watch over my thoughts.  My mind was starting to wonder and think about things and it was not benefitting me at all! haha.  So when i got back home i needed to spend some time with the Lord.  I read about Joseph.  I got a couple things from Chapter 39 of Genesis.

2 "The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man" 

3 "Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand" 

23 "whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper"

So as i was reading these i said, my situation wouldn't SEEM to say that i am a successful man.  But i am taking these as mine!  Saying that my teammates, my coach will see that the Lord is with me and how the Lord causes all that i do to prosper.  Something else that Pastor Stanley said in a meeting a couple weeks ago really helped me.  In the message "Press on to Glory"  he said  "Do you practice settling for less?".  Less than Gods best for you?  The Lord reminded me of that and it helped me so much.  God has so much more for me and He helps me grow in expectation of His best.  I was reminded by carol that growth is the Answer.  Growth comes in my private times with the Lord. 

But then today i was able to go to church with Mike and Nancy.  It was nice since i hadn't been there for a long time.  Then this afternoon at 2 we went over to a couple's house in the church for a worship/fellowship time.  It was a lot of fun really.  At first we just hung around and talked.  Then we sat around and had a time where people shared what they are thankful for and what the Lord is doing.  Then we had a short time of worship and people talking again.  After it was all over and we were about to wrap things up i felt from the Lord that i should speak.  The Lord put the words in my mouth and " The spirit of the Lord spoke by me" (2 Sam 23).  It was excellent to be used.  I talked with them about the blessing of Abraham that is on our lives in Genesis 12.  That this salvation is much greater than our present experience of it.  They seemed to be talking like we were in lack and that just getting by was alright.  So i was talking about how the Lord has the best in store for us and i was able to ask them the question that Pastor Stan had given to us  "Do you practice settling for less?"  But it was a good opportunity and i was very thankful.  

So that was my week.  Thank you all for praying continually for me.  What i have asked the Lord is that these 3 weeks (now 2) would be 3 weeks where i am moving from the 6th, 7th defenseman up to the top.  To the number 1 spot.  Not that i would be the number 1 defenseman before christmas break, but that i would be moving up in that direction.  So that is my expectation and if you all would want to join me in that that would be great!

Love you all!  See again very soon!

Games this upcoming weekend, friday, saturday and sunday.  Bye for now!