Teaching the Basics

Once a month I help in the kid's ministry at church and once a month I have a pretty interesting blog post about some crazy thing that happened. 

Lucky for me, but unfortunately for you, yesterday was pretty subdued. Actually, it was probably the easiest Sunday of teaching I've had in the past two years. I only had to lead games and since the weather was nice, I got to take them outside. Venturing outside means I have to keep an extra eye out for some of ones who like to wander, but it also gives us a lot more freedom. 

This week, the game was pretty simple and straightforward - they basically threw objects at a target and then we chatted for a few minutes about how Jesus is our target and that we are aiming to be more like him. Usually I do a little bit better job of using the game to bring home the point of that week's message, but this week it just seemed like kind of a stretch. Plus, how on earth do you explain to a four-year-old what it means for Jesus to be our target? 

With my 4, 5, and 6 year olds, we had some extra time because the teaching part of the game quickly went south. After about five minutes I gave up and just suggested we play baseball with a big barrel, plastic bat and rubber ball we happened to have laying around. I pitched underhanded to one of the kids while the others stood way too deep in the outfield waiting on a ball that would never in a million years get hit that far. 

As the first kid got up to bat, I realized that even if these kids played baseball, at this particular age they would still be in the t-ball phase, meaning that hitting a moving target could end in a game of catch for me and the batter as he/she chased after all of his/her strikes. I took this as my golden opportunity to make sure the kids went home actually having learned something form me - if they weren't going to learn about Jesus being the target then at least they were going to learn a little about a good batting stance. 

When each kid got up to bat I took two or three minutes to make sure their hands were together on the grip, their feet were apart and in the right direction, and their hands were choked up just the right amount. Just before every pitch I would say, "Keep your eye on the ball. That's all you have to do. Keep your eye on the ball." By the time the second kid got up to bat, I couldn't help but to laugh at the whole situation. Considering the on-base percentage of our church's softball team last season, I'm not sure anyone at our church should be offering these kids batting tips.  

Still, I was shocked when every single kid got a hit within the first three pitches. One of the kids cracked me up. He took his first swing and got nothing but air. As the ball went past him he looked up at me and said, "I took my eye off the ball." I just laughed and told him it was ok. He hit the next one. 

Nothing too exciting this week. Serving in the kid's ministry may not be my absolute favorite, and most of the time I think there is no way these kids are learning anything of spiritual significance from me, but at least we might have a good softball team in 10-15 years. 

To Whom It May Concern - Part 1

Dear NCAA Basketball,

I'm so sorry! I love March Madness, I really do. I love watching to see which underdog team will completely ruin everyone's brackets only to disappear back into oblivion a few months later. This year I had every intention of watching, but the Peyton Across America Tour continued long past its perspective end date and as time went on I realized that Denver, Elway, and Elway's hair were in it to win it and I was getting more stressed with every day that went by. My nerves just couldn't handle awaiting Peyton's decision and the stress of the tournament. Luckily, by Sunday afternoon I had managed to calm myself down enough to watch a few games.

However, Monday afternoon when SportsCenter should have been discussing the state of Ohio cleaning house, Kendall Marshall's fractured wrist, and my beloved Gators, Peyton announced his big decision to the world and all eyes turned back to the drama of the NFL. I'm sorry you are not getting the air time you so rightfully deserve. I'm sorry the off season of the NFL is taking every bit of attention away from the biggest moments of your actual season. On behalf of sports fans everywhere, I'm sorry.

Also, Go Gators!

Dear NFL,

This is only my second year with you and I am starting to question our relationship. In just two seasons I have seen more ego drive craziness than I have in an entire lifetime with the NCAA. I realize the NCAA is not without their problems, but compared to you, well, it's nothing.

Let me give you the breakdown of the last two years of our relationship. Once the lockout situation got resolved, I then got to see the firing of Josh McDaniels, followed by exile of Kyle Orton, then Tebow mania went into full swing. In the midst of miraculous wins, Elway spitefully withholds support of his quarterback. Then, after Tebow gets the Broncos to the second round of the playoffs to be beaten by the team that eventually went to the Super Bowl, Elway reluctantly announces Tim will be the starting QB for the 2012 season and pledges to work with him in the off season. By "working with Tim" Elway really meant courting Peyton because two months later Tim is traded to the Jets with not even an option of staying to learn under Peyton.

I realize you may be thinking this letter should be to the Broncos and not you, but the general integrity and loyalty of your other teams is equally disgraceful. Alex Smith took the 49ers to the 3rd round of the playoffs to be beaten by the team who won the Super Bowl only to have his front office rise as the dark horse and tough competitor in the Peyton sweepstakes. Then when they didn't get Peyton, they asked free agent Alex to return and expect him to do so gratefully. My word. Are you guys serious?

Not to be left out of the contest for craziest leadership, the Jets trade for sweet Timmy after they pledged their loyalty to Sanchez just two weeks prior.

All of this just upsets me. If this is what it means to be an NFL fan, then I am not sure I have it in me. How can I be loyal to a team when a team isn't loyal to its players? I just keep getting told over and over, "this is the way it is" or "it's just business." Just because something is the status quo doesn't mean it's ok and it certainly doesn't mean I have to be fine with it. NFL fans also excuse this inhumanity because the players make millions of dollars. We can all agree that you shouldn't treat someone like less of a person if they are poor, but apparently it's fine if they are rich. Please explain how that makes sense.

I really hope that once my emotions settle I can make a logical decision on if I will be continuing our relationship, but right now I am regretting all of those moments I sacrificed with my first love in order to get to know you.

Dear ESPN,

To quote my friend Megan Beam quoting the great philosopher Taylor Swift, Why you gotta be so mean? But seriously, do you remember singing Tim's praises two months ago? Because I remember that. He made believers out of all of you. You just couldn't get enough of the kid. Now here we are, back in the same place with you telling us that no one will want him, that he is no good, and he can't make it in the NFL. Just so you know, there is a way for you to objectively report on his strengths and weaknesses without being so cruel.

Furthermore, stop making crap up. Stop telling America that Broncos fans are so happy and see Elway as our hero. There are plenty of people happy about Manning, but there are just as many furious over the loss of Tim and quite frankly the entire situation. You are making my whole state look ridiculous. Just stop.

Report on the NCAA tournament. Those guys are working hard and deserve some air time. Get it together.

Dear Frank Tripucka,

Seriously?

Dear Skip Bayless,

Thank you. You deserve some kind of a medal. You have stayed true to your thoughts on Tim through everything. You like him, and you are willing to stick up for him no matter what. You may be one of the most bias reports at the Mother Ship, but praise God someone in that business understands the meaning of the word loyalty. Please continue to call out those Broncos players being ridiculous. Thank the Lord someone has the guts to do it. 

Dear Broncos Fans Who Told Me Elway Would Keep Tim No Matter Who Won the Peyton Sweepstakes,

I told you so.

Dear Eddie Royal,

Congrats on the move to a team with a QB who has a better passing game than Tim. I know you wanted that. Also, how silly do you feel right now?

Dear Brandon Lloyd,

If Eddie feels silly, I bet you feel really silly!

Where Were You When...

Where were you the day Peyton Manning told John Elway he was joining the Broncos?

I rarely get sick and usually even if I am sick, I still go into work. Monday though, I just couldn't do it. I started getting sick on Sunday afternoon and by Monday morning I just knew work was out of the question. I got up around 7am when my alarm went off, let the guys at work know I wasn't coming in, and rolled over and went back to sleep.

11am I woke up again because my night table was literally hitting the side of my bed thanks to my phone that had fallen victim to a vibration seizure. Around 11:30 I was finally conscious enough to put the facts together - my phone was blowing up, maybe I should take a look and see what was going on.

My favorite text was from Sam Bhatt. All it said was, "I bet you're getting a lot of texts right now." Funny guy.

In addition to Sam's text, I noticed the six other texts (with more coming in by the second) and a voicemail. After sifting through a few of the texts, I figured out what was going on and immediately turned on ESPN to see the live coverage of the breaking news - and I consider it breaking for a multitude of reasons.

Some people get aches and pains in their joints and know there will be a change in the weather. Me? Well, my body intuitively knows and starts to shut down when something goes wrong in the Tebow Nation.

Apparently, while I was at home trying to stay awake for more than 30 minutes at a time, the joke at work was that I "somehow knew" what the day would bring and my body turned on me, forcing me to stay at home.

Honestly, even if I was at work, I don't know how much I would have really been able to accomplish even if I was feeling 100 percent. It's hard to focus with that kind of craziness going on, especially when it could and did ultimately affect Tim. I could only watch about two hours of media coverage before I fell back into unconsciousness, which was for the best because that's the extent of the madness I could stomach anyway.

Where were you the day Peyton Manning told John Elway he was joining the Broncos? The shot was heard around the United States, but is still resounding here in Southern Colorado.

Jambo!

Consider this my final post in a 3 part Disney Half Marathon Weekend blog entry extravaganza. I promise, this is the last one and then it's back to current happenings.

I just couldn't conclude my postings without featuring our hotel. We stayed at the Jambo House, an African inspired hotel close to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Jambo means "hello" in Swahili. I promise, I already knew that thanks to three months of living with a Kenyan. I know this sounds so silly, but Kenya is just one of those places that I have heard so much about that I feel like I've been there.

The thing I love about all Disney hotels is their attention to detail. You can walk down the same hallways and sit in the same lobbies for days and not notice every decorative detail. 

Even though we are locals and have never lived further than an hour and a half away from Orlando, (well, I guess technically, I am not longer a local) the LaSelva family is no stranger to Diseny hotels. When I was a kid, and even in high school, one of our favorite family weekend getaways was to go camping at Disney's Fort Wilderness. We love that place, basically because it's more of a resort than a campground, complete with complimentary fresh baked cookies and lemonade at check-in. One of the coolest things about staying at the campground is that you get to use all of Disney's public transportation which made it really easy to pool hop from resort to resort.

Growing up, Disney was as familiar to me and my brothers as going to Grandma's house. In fact, once when I was in high school, we lived at Disney for almost a week. My family had to evacuate our home for a hurricane and we didn't have time to get to another state and my Dad's job at the electric company required him to stay behind anyway. Little known fact: Disney is one of the only places with their own generators, meaning they never lose power - making Disney a great evacuation option. Even now, years later, I remember how compassionate the staff was to our family and others who were evacuating. I am sure all of this is sounding pretty traumatic to any non Floridian readers, but I promise, hurricane evacuations were as normal to me as summer camp.

All of that to say, when my mom suggested we stay at a Disney hotel, we all had different opinions about exactly which one we chose. Finally, after much deliberation, we decided to try a hotel none of us had been to, the Jambo House. From what I knew about Africa, it all seemed pretty authentic, right down to the wallpaper in the bathroom that highlighted the Masai tribe, a tribe that a few of my friends have spent time with while in Kenya.

The coolest part about the hotel, and the part I wish I had more time to enjoy, was the animals. This was the view from our balcony. 

The whole hotel circles around a giant observatory where a host of African animals live. It's like waking up to an African safari right outside your door. I wish I had more time to just sit around and enjoy it. How awesome would it be to sit out on a rocking chair reading a book and look up to see this:

And with that, we conclude our 3 part mini series on the Disney Half Marathon Weekend - constant activity, little relaxation, and plenty of laughs - pretty typical LaSelva family weekend.

You Just Finished Running 13.1 Miles...

What are you going to do next?

We're going to Disney World!

Oh wait, we are already at Disney World. So we are going to go back to the hotel, shower, change, take a quick nap, and then go back to Disney World for a day at the Magic Kingdom. No, I'm not kidding. My parents thought that a family day at the park would be an awesome way to follow a 13.1 mile run. In reality, it was probably the best thing for my body to be walking (probably more limping then walking) around instead of crashing in my bed watching TV, but it was a pretty painful afternoon.

Our first order of business after pushing through the park's turn dial was finding something to eat. No one had eaten since before the race and we were starving. So what did we decide on? Gigantic, baseball park style, hotdogs.

After lunch it was time for some Disney fun. The interesting thing was that not one person in my entire family even attempted to find a park map. We just didn't see the point in carrying one around. We know exactly which rides are among our family favorites, we have the strategy down to a science so that we are not waiting in line for anything longer than necessary, and we know the fastest way to get to every ride and most restaurants from any point in the park. These are things you just know when you go to Disney at least once a year for your entire childhood.

The Buzz Lightyear ride is one of our favorites, although my dad and I usually lose horribly - this time was no different. My brothers play too many video games, or at least that is always my excuse.

The Haunted Mansion still creeps me out even as an adult. There is always something that surprises or scares me. I always feel bad for the people who work close to this ride because they have to wear these period styled costumes that include gigantic dresses and lots of layers of thick clothing. I can't imagine wearing that stuff in the Florida heat, but their "characters" are really rude so being paid to be rude to vacationers can't be all that bad. 

Pirates of the Caribbean is another LaSelva family favorite - and we loved it LONG before they made the movie and incorporated Captain Jack into the scenes of the ride.

As you can see, even now that we are all older, it's still impossible to get a good family photo with a six person family.

Considering a LaSelva family day at Disney usually lasts from the moment the gates open until the moment they close, it was odd for us to get there around lunchtime and leave around dinner time, especially when we weren't even making the hour drive home but just a short bus ride back to our hotel. 

Speaking of the bus ride back to the hotel - after literally half a day of walking around the park, we sat down on the bus and my brother J.J. (who slept in the hotel while Josh and I ran the Disney Half) said, "I'm glad we are heading back, I'm pretty tired and sore from walking." I just stared at him in disbelief. Was he seriously complaining about being sore and tired? And complaining to me and Josh nonetheless? I swear our family would make one heck of a reality show.

The main reason we headed back to the hotel a little early was not that J.J. was so sore, but that I wanted to eat dinner at one of the restaurants in the hotel. They had a African buffet that looked phenomenal and since we had hotdogs for lunch, I wanted a true celebratory meal. Buffets are my absolute favorite!

Round 1:

The food was so good! I think everyone in the family was pretty thrilled with my restaurant choice, even my brothers who are always skeptical of new things, especially when it comes to food. I think I out-ate everyone though. After three rounds of dinner plates, it was time for dessert. 

My dad assumed I would come back with one dessert - oh dad, you should know by now that is just simply not a possibility. He couldn't stop laughing when I walked back to the table with a sample of everything on the dessert bar. 

Not long after dessert I was in bed only to get up early and head to the airport to fly back to Colorado. Even though the day at Disney was a painful one, it was still a great day with the family. When I was younger I took days like this for granted. I had no idea how quickly we would all grow up and go our separate ways. Now, the days we are all together are so few and far between. I think all of us have a new found appreciation for days like this one.