Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!

Happy New Years Everyone!

I know everyone says this, but I really can't believe another year has come and gone. I remember as a kid, my days would feel like millenniums- sitting in elementary school staring at the clock wondering when the school day would end..to now, feeling like I wake up for breakfast and in a blink am brushing my teeth and heading to bed. What is it about getting older that makes time seem to fly by faster? I think as a child, you don't have a care or worry in the world besides maybe wondering whats for dinner. As a adult, we tend to get consumed with everyday life and worries which in turn causes us to take things forgranted.

I don't really like making 'New Years Resolutions' and I don't claim this to be one, but this year (day by day) I want to slow down and cherish the little things. Cherish the moments. Enjoy those around me more and soak in the memories. But more then that, I want to be able to slow down more and rest in the stillness of Jesus on a daily basis. I desire to delight in Him more. To know Him deeper. To not talk as much and listen more. Lately, I have been so guilty and convicted of being more consumed with meaningless things, rather then stopping and taking in the faithfulness and goodness of God.

2011 is here now. With it comes alot of unknowns of what is to come, but I praise God that He has gone before us and prepares the path He has for us.

Be reminded today, as I have, that you are loved and adored by the King of Kings, rest in His Mercy and Grace and be blessed.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

Despite the 85 degree December weather we've recently been experiencing here in Southern Cali, the temp has finally dropped and it now is beginning to feel more like Christmas time! The lights pave the neighborhoods, the trees are up, and fall decor has been traded in for snowmen and nativity scenes.

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. As much as I love summertime and the beach, I do also love to trade in my tanks and sandals for boots and scarves. I love all that this season brings: cuddling by fireplaces, hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, cruising different neighborhoods to look at lights... the list goes on. But I'd have to say my favorite part of it all is the family gatherings. This past weekend we celebrated Christmas early with my mom's side of the family. My Tutu (Hawaiian word for Grandma) and my aunt prepared a delicious meal and we had a big festivity with our family and friends. It was a great time. My little cousins (I have 4 first cousins on my mom's side) are growing up so fast, so I enjoy soaking them up when we can. My tutu and Uncle Sam sang Hawaiian songs along with different Christmas songs. I cherish these memories we make each gathering. We had a great time!

A couple nights before that we also went out with some of our friends to the Mission Inn here in Riverside. They have an incredible display of Christmas lights every year and is so much fun to see. Later that night, we saw The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader---AWESOME MOVIE! I loved it! I'm a big C.S. Lewis fan and I thought they did an amazing job with this movie. The effects were awesome and I loved it! So I definitely recommend it!

Side Note: I dyed my hair darker! While I was home sick last week, I got bored one night and decided to buy a box and try something new. That's usually not like me at all (I think the NyQuil may have been getting to me, ha ha) but I went for it and I think it's a nice change for now.

Here are some pics from this past month:

Cuddling with tissues

As I lay here sick in bed, almost mute in my speaking ability due to this cough/cold, I was feeling like I wanted to do something productive without compromising my desperate need to rest and get well. Then it occurred to me that I should write a blog! So here I am. I realize I have not blogged in almost 2 months...Not even sure if this thing could even be considered a blog anymore- it's more like a "random sporadic summarized update" compared to the daily thoughts that blogs are intended to be. I will admit it, I am NOT a blogger. Although I wish to be and hope this can one day turn into a place where I can daily (or at least weekly) capture my thoughts in words and share with you whats been happening with "The Carrolls". Until I can come to that place of commitment and dedication, this is all I can give.

With that said, the past 2 months have literally flown by for us! Alot has happened including family gatherings, Thanksgiving, a trip to San Fran and most recently a trip to Florida for our annual PAO conference!  PAO (Pro Athletes Outreach) is an incredible Christian ministry geared towards athletes that we have been so blessed to be apart of the past 4 years (this was my third conference, Daniels fourth). It is such a blessing and a ministry I hold dear to my heart. We were able to hear from incredible speakers, engage in awesome spirit filled worship, and catch up with our dear baseball friends that live in all different parts of the country. Every year, walking away from this conference, we fill refreshed and anxious for the upcoming baseball season. Not only excited about baseball, but for what God has in store thru baseball and outside of baseball. Hearing some of the speakers this past week, reminded me that 'baseball' does not define us (although sometimes we can feel like it can)- but we want to ultimately be defined by Christ! Not only in baseball, but in all we do.

 I praise God that His mercies are made new for me everyday, when I truly don't deserve it. None of us do. Ephesians 2:4-5 "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." I love this verse and am humbled by it. It says that God is 'RICH' in mercy- which means He has an abundance of mercy He is willing to pour out on us when we surrender to Him.

So as I wrap this up (I got top ramen calling my name) I encourage you to be reminded and reflect with me today on God's RICH mercy and His precious grace.

Big Twenty-Two

I celebrated my 22nd birthday this past Friday and had such a blessed day! Daniel and I left Thursday for a weekend getaway to San Diego. Friday morning we attended our cousin Michael's graduation from bootcamp from the Marines (so proud of you Mikey!). After that we got some lunch and then treated ourselves to spa pedicures. I convinced Daniel to have one with me and I think he's going to officially be addicted! Later that night, we got to get dressed up and went on a 3 hour dinner cruise and had such a blast!

Another season come and gone

We're back! Yes, we are still alive despite our lack of blogging. It has now been over a month since my last entry- that last entry being a very exciting one for us! In my last blog, I was ecstatic to announce that Daniel was heading home to California to finish the baseball season with the Mavericks. That's a call up we've been waiting for and anticipating for awhile now, so it was so exciting to see him in a Maverick uniform again (he played there for awhile in 2008); more then that though it was just exciting to have my husband home again. It was a very fun last few weeks of baseball for us. Thank you to all of you who came out to support and cheer Daniel on those last games. The last game was particularly exciting for us because Daniel hit his 10th homerun of the season (Praise God!).

 The baseball season is now over and we are so thankful and blown away by God's grace this 2010 season. It was very fruitful both on and off the field and we finally made it through an entire season with no broken bones!! We did face two stints on the DL, but nothing major. The 2008 and 2009 seasons were pretty tough going through the injuries we went through. These athletes can face an extreme amount of pressure at times and to see Daniel's drive and perseverance through the diversities he's faced so far in baseball makes me so beyond proud! I believe God has a plan for our lives and I believe He has special plans for Daniel in baseball.  But more than anything, I want us to always live in the will of our Lord. It's easy to lose track of our priorities when thinking of baseball. Of course we would love to reach the goal of making the big leagues someday and I believe my husband has the ability to get there. But  I don't want us to ever lose sight that all we do is for the glory of our God; not for our own glory. His timing is perfect and He places us where He wants, when He wants. I constantly find me needing to remind myself that the organization Daniel plays for is not in control, but God is! He has the ultimate say on our life and in where baseball takes us. Being in this career has challenged our faith on many levels, but I praise God for the lessons we have learned so far and are still learning.

It is nice to be back home again close to family and friends. First chance we got, Daniel wanted to hit the beach so we did and he loved it! We're enjoying the offseason and are looking forward to relax and slow down for the next 5 months. I'll try to blog along the way. Big shoutout to all our Clinton friends and family too- we miss you guys and are so thankful for your support and encouragement this year!

California Here We Come

So much has happened within the past few weeks and since the last time I have blogged. Due to the fact that I am on here so late, am tired and feel my writing skills lack creativity at the moment,I will try to quickly sum it up as best I can:

#1: I am back home in California. I left Iowa 2 weeks ago. Daniel and I decided it would be best for me to get home to Cali before the season ended so I could look for a job and get things together for us for the offseason.

#2: After a discouraging first week of job hunting, turning in resumes and applications, I am now an employee of the Hampton Inn Moreno Valley Hotel! Praise God! I start this upcoming week.

#3:Daniel went on the 7 day DL last week after stealing second base and jamming his shoulder. It wasn't a bad injury, he had full mobility but was just sore. He is feeling great now!

And now on to the BEST NEWS (#4): DANIEL IS COMING HOME TO CALIFORNIA TOMORROW TO FINISH THE BASEBALL SEASON OFF WITH THE HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS!!!

I am SO EXCITED! He called me about an hour ago and his flight leaves early in the morning. Even better, he is flying into the airport 30 minutes from where we live, so I get to pick him up from the airport!!! Words can not describe how ecstatic I am! What a sweet blessing this is! Just today, I was feeling bummed out and missing/wanting my hubby home. Here I was, thinking I wouldn't be able to see him for a few more weeks,to get news that I will actually get to see him TOMORROW! What an answered prayer! Praise God for His wonderful unexpected blessings!

Thank you all SO MUCH for the prayers and support! We love you guys!

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"!