January 2012 Archives

On Friday January 20, 2012 a very special occasion occurred in the Gangeholff Center, Concordia University.  For the past four years Concordia's Volleyball team has done especially well and has obtained Four National Championships in the Northern Sun Conference.   But on that Friday night, Concordia was proud to present the banner and the team that had won the fifth consecutive National Championship in Volleyball.  The lights were dimmed, and each member was introduced and met with a cheering crowd. The volleyball coach was introduced and made a speech about his team their accomplishments. The team was then given the honor to unveil the banner that is now proudly displayed in the gym. The crowd was excited as the volleyball girls walked off the court but then settled into their seats to enjoy the second basketball game of the night. Both the women's and men's basketball teams were playing the Dragons from Moorhead, Minnesota.
    Athletic activities require a certain discipline and some might even say a calling.  The dispute over time is what kind of callings Christians have.  People in the past fought over having a position in the church that only calling a Christian could have.  This means being completely devoted to studying and living the word of God and the duties that come along with that.  This belief has slowly evolved into different beliefs such as a calling that involves active service in the world. By being in the world and acting as a Christian, a person satisfies their calling by bring glory to God in everyday life.  A calling can even be stretched beyond that into a person's everyday activities and hobbies. A person should not act differently based on where they are or what they are doing. A Christian should always perform actions that will reflect well on the Creator.  When an individual falls short, how he or she reacts is what will be judged in the sight of God. People are not perfect, only trying to follow in the steps of Jesus.  By doing this, people do not bring attention to themselves but to God. For people are going to sin but that is the only way God can forgive them.
Starting college, a lot of questions came to mind about what I was planning to do with my life.  Along with these questions came worries such as what I should be doing to prepare, what I was supposed to know already, and what to do if I didn't like the situation I'm in. When I am planning for my life very few times do I stop and wonder if I am doing what I want or what God is calling me to do.  As a Christian I want to walk the path that God has for me to, but I still have that pride in me that is screaming to just do what I want. I think that's one of the problems that Christians are having. I want to determine what happens in my life compared to what God calling may be. As Christians, I think that God needs to be applied to every aspect of our life. I get impatient with how God wants me to wait and decide only when I know for sure what he wants. But ultimately that is how God works. In the bible he references that trust and patience are some of the fundamental pieces of a relationship. I know that I can't interrupt what God wants but all He asks is that I try. When I can completely trust God, I won't have to worry about doing the right thing, I will know that He is guiding me step by step. 

Sanneh Foundation is a corporation that helps underprivileged athletes find a path through life that will help them achieve their dreams. It helps the youth of today focus on the leadership roles in life, how sports can help achieve goals, and supports good grades that help prepare for college. The Sanneh Foundation works with various age groups and tries to help kids transition in different stages in life. In order to help fulfill their mission the foundation puts on various events and gets together with other foundations.  The mission states that the Sanneh Foundation wants to, "assemble a supportive network with in the community," and for, "urban youth to become positive and productive adults."  Programs are set up by the foundations to help with certain parts of the kid's lives so that they can become productive adults.  This includes: For All Youth, Kick it Back, and College Prep. With these classes the youth are taught about the techniques involved with playing soccer, leadership on and off the field, and preparing grades and financial aid for college or their future.

                           As a college athlete and productive student I can understand the desire to pursue academics and athletics in one's life.  I come from a small town and know that along with dreams there are complications to getting what you want. By having these things in my life and knowing that it is possible to succeed if you're willing to put in the work, I wanted to be able to give back to those who are still struggling for their dreams.  By working with this foundation I can improve my leadership skills and then help others build up their skills. I also have experience on the soccer field and will easily be able to connect aspects of personal lives to experiences involving sports.  The Sanneh Foundation gives me a chance to explore options in the sports arena for the next stage of my life while also giving me the opportunity to help others discover how they want to start out in life.

                           This Foundation supports a lot of the same goals that people want for their life. By helping kids create a supportive network and community around them they are not only helping the kids but the city itself.  As the kids help build their own networks, I hope to expand mine as well. As part of my job I will be teaching sessions on leadership which will give me the confidence that I lack in my own life. When coming to a college, I lost the environment that had helped me develop who I am and what I was confident in. Now by working in the city and with people who love what they do I hope to grasp the key to finding what I love and how to have confidence in what I do. This opportunity will help me keep in touch with a sport that I love and also give me the experience working with people of various ages. No matter what I decide to do after this, this volunteer opportunity will help others and help me with the rest of my life.