2008 to 2010

We got back late Monday night from a 3 day roadtrip to Appleton,Wisconsin against the Timberrattlers. Appleton is where it all began for us. Daniel started with the Wisconsin Timberrattlers in 2008 when they were the Seattle Mariner's affiliate. It is where Daniel played that first season after we got married. Being there brought back alot of memories for me, along with mixed emotions...

We experienced alot of highs and lows that 2008 season. We were so excited when Daniel reached his goal of making the Class Low-A team (The Wisconsin Timberrattlers). The season started out on a high, Daniel was hitting .339 in 56 at bats with 10 stolen bases in his first 15 games (I can brag, I'm the wife). While on a road trip in South Bend, Indiana after going 3 for 4 that day (there I go bragging again) Daniel was hit by the pitch. And that quick, he broke his hand and would miss the next 2 months while it healed. As soon as the Mariner's and doctor's felt Daniel was well enough to play again, they sent him to Arizona to get some at bats in. We decided I would go along with him to AZ because we figured it would be a good opportunity for us to see our family. Leaving our belongings and car behind in Wisconsin, we headed to Arizona. After getting some games in Arizona, the Mariner's informed Daniel that we would not returning to Wisconsin, but instead, California, the next level up!

We we're excited, yet weary coming off an injury. We left from Arizona straight to California for Daniel to join the High Desert Mavericks. Knowing we had to figure out a way to get all our things out of Wisconsin, we took advantage of the All-Star break that took place a week and a half after we got to Cali. We decided during that time, that we would fly to Wisconsin, pack everything up in the car as quick as we could and drive back to California during those few days that we had off. Then, as soon as we arrived to Wisconsin, plans changed quickly. The Mariner's called and told Daniel they wanted him in Arizona TOMORROW! We quickly packed everything up, stuffed our car to it's full capacity, left our keys with the Clubee to be shipped back to California and we're back on another plane within 24 hours.

While in California, Daniel really struggled to pick up his hitting. He was still feeling an immense pain in the wrist below the hand he had broken. After being there for a little over a month, I got a call from Daniel on a Sunday. I remember it clear as day. I was having lunch with Daniel's parents after Daniel had left for the field when my phone rang... Daniel had informed me that the Mariner's were sending him back to Wisconsin. I was devastated. We had just got our car back to Cali, moved & unpacked into a house we we're renting with another couple from the team and I was loving being back home close to family and friends. I knew there was no way I was going to be able to move back out to Wisconsin and finish off the season with Daniel. We had already got rid of our apartment out there and had already spent way too much on moving expenses that year, so I knew I was going to have to stay behind in Cali. It amazes me how the Lord always meets us where we are at, when we need it. As I was driving to Daniel's game that day, I was listening to our local Christian radio station, the lady on the radio was talking about how her and her husband had to be apart during the summer and the verse she shared was Isaiah 40:29-"God gives POWER to the WEAK and STRENTGH to the POWERLESS." I was blown away on how perfect that verse was for me in that very moment. There I was, powerless, knowing my husband was going to leave and that I couldn't go with him nor know when I would see him again, but what a peace in knowing that God would give me the STRENGTH I needed to get through it. That night, Daniel got home from his game at 11:00 and he had to leave at 2:00 in the morning to catch his flight. So we had 4 hours to pack up and say our goodbyes. I was able to visit Daniel a couple times before the season ended. After the baseball season ended, the M's sent Daniel to Seattle for an MRI. Turned out, he had 2 broken bones in his wrist that they hadn't caught before, which explained all the pain he had been feeling.

Being back in Wisconsin, I did alot of reminiscing. It was tough being there, knowing that this is our third time in this league. (Everyone who reads this should already know, but Daniel broke his thumb last season-so we faced another injury season, that's another story). Being in Appleton this past week, stirred mixed emotions for me. At times, I felt discouraged knowing that we are still in this league, but other times I felt full of praise thinking back on what the Lord has shown us since we've been there last. It made me realize that even though we may not have alot to show for on paper for baseball the last 2 seasons, the Lord has taught us so much and we have grown so much in the last 2 years. Two years ago, when I would sit in those Appleton stadium seats and watch Daniel, baseball was our world. At times, maybe even our idol. Sitting back there this time, two years later, having gone thru the things we have gone thru in baseball, I have so much more of a peace at where the Lord takes us in baseball, whether I like it or not, or whether it makes sense to me or not. Because no matter what it is, He will be there with us each step of the way. Going through the injuries and having baseball taken away from us at those times was so humbling. We have grown so much through them and I know we still have alot of growing to do, but I praise God that "HIS GRACE is sufficient for us"!