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When I was a child the biggest challenge in my life was trying to learn how to ride a bike.  It was a rough start and took me awhile to get used to the whole balance on two wheels thing.  One event is permanently etched in my memory. It was a sunny day and my friend and I were riding when a car raced down my road.  My friend turned sharply to avoid the vehicle and I followed suit. But I over corrected and tipped, falling face first slicing my chin on the asphalt. Yeah, good times. Five stitches later, I made a pact with myself never to pick up biking again.
Several years later, I realized I’d have to break the pack or be destined to a life at home watching reruns of TMNT.  So again I tried to mount the mighty aluminum hog. This time with the encouragement of my friends I was able to conquer my fears, and make it all the way to Target without crashing.

It’s kind of like high school; freshmen year is pretty rough, being the new kid on the block, inexperienced, and unable to fit in with the big dogs on campus.  A little scary, but I had to stay on my toes to stay alive.  Then comes sophomore year, I started thinking I had to pick up my grades for college, and worry about the classes which were actually starting to become hard.  After passing the second year of high school, I was finally a junior, used to the routine and close to being the top dog, I could almost see the light at the end of the tunnel.  So close but yet so far.  Next up is senior year, I’ll finally be top dog, and in one more year I’ll be on my own, just like how I learned how to pick up the bike again.

Question:

What stage in life are you at right now?

In Psalm 118:6 we read, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” When God is with you, you can do anything.

We all get excited about the Gold medal winners of the Olympics. Everyone tends to focus on wins, but not everyone looks at the great sacrifices that Olympians have to go through in order to be the best.

Shaun White, who won gold in Men’s half pipe, had an accident that nearly ended his career. White was 11 and performing at an exhibition with a skateboarder twice his age, and almost twice his size. White had a head on collision and he suffered a fractured skull and broken bones and told his mother he wanted to call it quits. But his mom would not let him quit, and White pushed through and became the Olympian he is today.

Lindsey Vonn, won gold in Women’s downhill and bronze in Women’s super g, had a crash in the 2006 Torino Games. Vonn suffered a horrific crash during downhill training that had some witnesses believing that her injuries could be career threatening. However, the diagnosis was not as serious as feared, and she was released from the hospital in time to compete in the downhill. Emboldened by the encouraging words from people, Vonn raced despite immense pain in her legs and back.

But nothing compares to the ultimate sacrifice, life itself. This year game supporters were saddened by the passing of Nodar Kumaritashvili who was fatally injured on February 12, 2010, during a training run at the Whistler Sliding Centre when he lost control in the final turn of the course and was thrown off his luge and over the sidewall of the track, striking an unprotected steel support pole at the end of the run. Yet, he wasn’t the only athlete to give his life for his sport, being the fourth athlete to ever die during the Winter Olympics preparations.

Kumaritashvili called his dad before the race and said “Dad, I’m scared of one of the turns,” but even though he was afraid of this turn he went on with the race anyway.

It’s apparent that you have to push past the pain, setbacks, fears, self-doubts, and even the fear to become a true Olympian athlete.

It’s about passing on the torch for this year’s TC Girls Soccer team. With so many newcomers senior players like Megan Brown, Morgan Andre, Danae Smith, and Amy Wright are stepping up to make sure TC soccer talent stays in the family.

“I think the team will have a pretty good year, we have a lot of young new girls but they have a good work ethic and are learning quick,” says Megan Brown, a senior and captain of the team.

Coach Shirley Brand agrees that the freshman will be able to learn very quickly.

“The freshmen are incredible sponges and they listen to everything you say, and are such a blessing, and great things come with time, so I believe they will come out strong throughout the season” says Coach Brand.

The TC Eagles girl soccer team has had a slow start to the season, losing their first league game to Delhi 3 to 0.  But in the next couple of games they will step up their game.

Even Megan thinks the team will grow, not only in skill but also in unity. “I definitely think the team will continue to grow on skills and unity as the season progresses. Even with the few games we have played, we have adjustments and learned from them, which made our skills grow immensely. I am excited to see how we progress as the season progresses. As for unity goes, the soccer team always feels like a family, we become so close as a group. I love every moment on and off the field and will never forget the memories that we’ve made over the years.”

The TC Eagles soccer team’s second game was against le grand, and they have already made major improvements, although they lost 1 to 0, they played a great game.  The team’s next game was against Waterford, they have already grown into a great team. They defeated Waterford 3 to 2.  The team will have some hard games coming up next game, where they will be playing Mariposa at home.

You are my strength when I am weak
You are the Treasure that I seek
You are my all in all

What would a church service be like without its worship songs? Would it be quiet? Perhaps a naptime? Would we sense God’s presence? Its funny how much we take for granted, such as the songs that prepare our hearts for God’s word. That is one of the reasons Chelsy Carlson serves on the Praise and Worship team every Wednesday.

“Worship is a fantastic way to honor God,” says Chelsy. “Worship is essential in a Christian’s life. Coming before God and worshiping Him is simply giving back all the love He poured out on us at the cross, and in everyday that we live our lives. Worship is out of Love. And more than anything we want to see God glorified at Turlock Christian.”

Schyler Johnson agrees, believing that worship helps us acknowledge God for who he is to us, “This is a very good way to honor God. He commands it and we should love doing it as His children.”

The worship team consists of: Schyler, Chelsy, Trevor, John, Jesse, Ashlee, Julia, Morgan, Rachel, and Jordan. Chelsy summarized what each member brings to the worship team:

• Trevor definitely is the backbone of our musicians. Besides being obviously gifted in music, he’s probably one of the greatest men of God that I know.
• Schyler is probably grown the most out of everyone so far this year, both spiritually and musically. He is always himself, and I appreciate it. It’s cool to see him finally become comfortable with who he is.
• John always perseveres. Literally, he doesn’t give up and I love the kid for it.
• Jesse is his own guy. He brings such a different dynamic to the group and we all love him for it.
• Ashlee has such a good heart and a heart for worship. She is definitely a silent leader and her faith is really encouraging
• Julia is a very strong woman of God and truly worships God just because she loves Him. There’s really no gray area with her. Her love for God makes it easy for her to worship Him. She’s a breath of fresh air.
• Morgan is a worship leader. She’s incredibly driven and desires to honor God with her music. She’s definitely gifted, and I can’t wait to see how far she goes in worship.
• Although Rachel doesn’t do chapels or concerts with us, she is a great member of the team. The technical stuff is crucial, and she handles it like a champ.”

Some people argue whether hymns are better then the contemporary worship songs. But in truth, we’ll probably never know with certainty whose songs (or which songs) exalt God most. But it’s not our place to decide. Worship should not be a time of fear, of wondering whether or not God will accept our sacrifice. In Psalms 51:17 it states: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” So basically we need to open our hearts to God and give our whole selves to him in any way that we can.

It’s not everyday that a TC student wins a nationwide competition for having coolest cow, but for Senior Natalie Sanders it’s all part of her dream. Sanders recently attended the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky, where her cow competed with 250 others for the title of 2009 Junior All American Summer Yearling.

Sanders’ heifer named, Select Minister Elodie “ET”, placed first in its class, claiming the title. The competition was held in Louisville, Kentucky, at the North. The cow show Natalie attended was called the All American Junior Jersey Show, the largest Jersey cattle show in the world. In addition her cow, WF Axel Rosita placed 4th in the aged cow class.

Sanders was ecstatic about the win, “I was very excited and overjoyed! It took weeks and months, all of my free time practically to prepare.”

Sanders isn’t new to cow shows, raised on a dairy, she’s been competing since she was four. Her career goal is to someday work in the Dairy Industry.

For now, Natalie is currently making preparation to attend again this year. “This year the shows will start again in March and I will be getting the cows and heifers ready. The cows have to be clipped, or given a haircut, and eat special food so they will be in top condition. They are pampered and treated like royalty as they prepare for the show.” Sanders is hopeful but realistic when it comes to competitions, “I feel that the next competition will hopefully go well, but it all depends on what the judge likes on that particular day.”

But Natalie, why the strange names? “I did not name Rosita or Elodie, the people that first owned or bred them did. Usually cows are named based on who bred them, their mothers name and their father’s name.”

This year’s volleyball team had a successful season, which put them in the playoffs. “This year we were planning on going all the way. We were ready to take Davis, but unfortunately we came up short. We had a very good play off season and I am so proud of everyone finishing with a fight,” says Megan Brown senior player for the team.

The Lady Eagles went on and played their first game in Marysville. The team was pumped for this game but it was going to be a little different from their average game. Instead of playing on a hard wood floor they would have to play on carpet.

“We had practice on carpet the day before. After our day of practice we were very ready to play,” said Brown. Even with playing on the carpet they easily defeated their opponents, New Life Christian. After that game they were very excited and pumped for their next game, but weren’t ready for what happened next. Johanna Muller, a key player, sprained her wrist in practice before the big game. In spite of her injury, Muller played in the game to help her team. The team tried their best but in the end they lost 3-2 to Woodland Christian.

“I think everyone was really bummed after our last game,” admitted Brown. “It was probably the hardest loss all season, not just because it ended our season but also because we wanted that game so bad,’ she said. However, the team’s returning players remain optimistic for next season, rebuilding with new players and returning juniors.
Still, Brown can’t help but reflect on such an uplifting year. “This season was definitely so a lot of fun, and I loved every second of It. I think this might have been my favorite group of girls I have ever played with. They really made everything such a joy. I am really going to miss each one of them next year.”

Questions

1. When did God send the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee?
2. Who was Caesar during the time of Jesus’ birth?
3. When was Mary found to be with child?
4. What was Joseph going to do when he heard of Mary’s pregnancy?
5. Where was Jesus born?
6. How many magi came and what gifts did the magi give to Jesus?
7. How will the Shepherds find baby Jesus?
8. Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?
9. What did Herod ask the Magi to do?
10. What prophesy was fulfilled through the birth of Christ?

Answers on the Page 2.

For most volleyball athletes a bad play is when you miss the ball completely, for Johanna Muller a bad day is when you never see the ball at all. As Captain of the girl’s Varsity volleyball team, Muller is used to pushing through tough moments. A rare condition, which causes her to blackout, hasn’t stopped her from serving up intense competition for the Eagle team.

“Johanna is a great captain, she has all of the girls respect and they all look to her when they need advice or help on and off the court” says Coach Landmeier.

This tenacity is typical of TC’s Volleyball team. Last year the volleyball team made it to playoffs, and this year’s team beat Waterford with a score of 3-0, as well as Delhi with a score of 3-0, and remained undefeated until losing 1-3 to Mariposa. But according to team member, Rebekah Muller, losses only serve to make the team more determined.

“It was a hard blow to everyone, I think, because we all know we could have won. But that just makes us want to beat them next time even more. So we are very much looking forward to that,” says Rebekah.

Something else contributing to the team’s positive attitude says Rebekah Muller, is the cohesive relationship between the girls. “The chemistry between all the girls is great, on and off the court. Having a team (007) and coaches that are like family is such a blessing for everyone.”

So will they make playoffs? Rebekah suggests that answer is dependent on a couple of things. “I think we definitely have the potential to make playoffs, but it all depends on everyone’s drive and determination, and God’s will.”

I’d say that’s the right approach.

There are two million vehicle crashes in the U.S. every year. It is estimated that every year about 40,000 people die from car crashes.

My family is one of the lucky ones to survive.

We were in a serious car accident on December 23, 1999. There were three things that kept us alive: Rick Jones was an alert driver, seatbelts, and the family’s guardian angel.

I remember how we were all very excited to share Christmas gifts with our good friends. We were about halfway to Waterford on Hickman road when it happened. It was too late when we saw the four large iron gates blocking the middle of the road. Our driver swerved to miss them, but the erratic correction sent our vehicle rolling down a 20-foot embankment. I know we flipped at least three times, but miraculously, our vehicle landed on all four wheels.

I found this to be very interesting, because it showed me how God is always there for us. Just as the it says in Psalms 33:20-21, “He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.”

It reminds me that God’s hand is always upon us, and His angel isn’t too bad a driver either.

1. Think back on a time where God has protected you.
2. Take time to thank God for being your shield.