Michigan Trip

We got back this past Monday from a 6 day road trip to Michigan. We don't have our car out here in Iowa this season, so I wasn't sure if I would be able to make the trip up to Michigan. But the Lord provided (once again!) and I was able to hitch a ride from one of the pitcher's parents who were planning on going. They were visiting their son from Montana and had their camper trailer attached the their truck. They also brought their dog and cat along, so we had a full car. It took us about 8 hours to get to Midland. We drove thru the night, so I mostly slept. Midland was a blast and the stadium was awesome. Daniel hit a homerun while we were there too, so that was exciting!

Along with this lifestyle you really have to be ready to "roll with the punches" because you never know what's going to come up. Before getting married, anyone who knew me, knows I was the biggest planner! So much so, that when Daniel and I got engaged, I made a "pros" and "cons" list (the "pros" definitely outweighing any "cons") and had a 'budget list' to show anyone who thought we shouldn't get married young, that we had no reason not to. I was pretty compulsive about organization and having every detail planned out. First week of spring training after we had got married, I quickly learned you can't plan for too much and to always have a plan B, because the unexpected happens quite often in baseball. So I have pretty much completely almost 'let go' and have learned to go with the flow!

So while we were in Midland, Michigan, we didn't realize it before, but I'd be stuck in Midland an extra night after Daniel's team left for the next series in Lansing. The people I rode up with were camping out and decided it'd be best to leave the next morning,which made way more sense for them instead of having the drive thru the night. Daniel's team left after the last game of the series to head to Lansing. Well God is sooo good and amazes me how He always works out the details in my life when I have no idea what I'm going to do. While I was in Midland, I met this wonderful family of a ballplayer that was visiting from California to watch their son/brother play on the Great Lake Loons (the opposing team). They were amazing and we instantly hit it off. They were so sweet to let me crash with them in their hotel that night I was 'homeless'. I love how baseball has allowed us to meet such wonderful people! They were such a blessing!

Anyways, we headed to Lansing the next day and had a great time there as well. Michigan was a blast and I'm so thankful I was able to go.

More fun news, Daniel and I were able to share in our host family's son's wedding a couple weeks ago. It was an afternoon wedding and I'm so happy Daniel was able to go with me. I'm usually solo at weddings, so it was a treat to have him there. I also helped out with the rehearsal dinner the night before and worked with some incredible woman.

Other side note, a nice man from Clinton has been letting us use his old 85 Ford truck. This thing is a beast and you have to pump the gas peddle a few times before turning the key and starting it (fun stuff, but hey it gets us from A to B and we are so grateful!). But the truck broke down on us a couple weeks ago, so we we're left bumming rides from whoever we could. I'm happy to report that it is now fixed and back to life! :)

Baseball Season 2010

Here are some pictures so far from this 2010 season:

These are some of the girlfriends/wives of the players

With out host mom Debe and host brother Aaron at the drive inn theatres

Daniel and Grandma Beck

Host Fam- The Fullans (Debe,Jim, and Aaron)

Me & Grandma Beck

Me & Nijeska (another player's wife). She's from Venezuela and only speaks Spanish.

 So I've been working on my Spanish.

Daniel got to sit with me on the 4th of July after the game to watch fireworks :)

"And it's outta here"

Sorry for the delay in blogging. We have been keeping pretty busy over here in Iowa and I have found little time to get on here to give you all an update. We have been on a couple road trips since my last blog...one to Peoria and another to Kane County in Illinois. We also had a few days off during the All-Star break, which was a blast. We spent some time with my grandma and family in Illinois. It was about a 2 1/2 hour drive for us. We also went to a drive-inn theatre with our host family. Whom by the way, have been such a sweet blessing from the Lord in our lives. Daniel and I lived with them for a portion of the 2009 baseball season, but this year we've really been able to spend more time with them, they have really become family to us. Baseball is so neat in that way that it takes us to towns and places we'd never go and allows us to meet such wonderful people. The whole community out here in Iowa has left such a sweet impression on my heart. I have gotten to know a great group of season ticket holders over at the Lumberking stadium and have really enjoyed getting to know the people out here.

Anyways, things have been going well. Daniel hit a homerun in his last game out in Kane County (I added the video below, sorry it's a little shaky-I got excited, haha). Praise God! Also, there's an awesome guy out here in Clinton who has also become a good friend to Daniel and I that records and uploads alot of videos of the players out here. You can check it out by searching 'Daniel Carroll' on Youtube.

I have been loving being out here with Daniel again. The Lord has been showing me alot to be 'content' in where He has us in baseball. So often, it's easy to get caught up in the 'ups' and 'downs' of baseball, but I find so much peace in knowing we can find stability in Christ! I'm sure I've shared that before, but I can't help but to be excited about that!