Little League World Series

"The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."  That was the slogan of the Wide World of Sports on ABC many years ago.  It rang true watching the Little League World Series today.  This may be the first time I've actually watched the the final game, but I think I was a little more intrigued because it was South Korea vs. Hawaii.  

It was also a little more appealing just because both teams had so many Asians...ha!  Well, it's true.  I always find it interesting studying the faces of South Koreans...especially kids and young adults.  I guess I'm looking for similarities or something.  But, there were just as many Asians on the Hawaii team which was pretty cool, too!

I just kept smiling as I was watching the game seeing the pure excitement and joy in the athlete's faces.  The pitcher for Hawaii was smiling from the start and had a great smile!  And, the South Korean players had so much fun during player introductions that you couldn't help but cheer for both teams.  I loved seeing the happiness on their faces after a great play, cheering on their teammates, and especially the sportsmanship.  The Hawaii pitcher hit one of the South Koreans while batting and walked over to first base to shake his hand.  Classy.

But in the end, there was the joy and exhilaration from the Hawaiians for winning and the devastation and sadness from the South Koreans that truly summed up "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."  I felt so bad for some of the boys from South Korea who were crying, especially the catcher who took it particularly hard.  But, loved seeing all the hugs by both teams at the end.  So fun to watch and that's why we all love sports in some form or fashion.  

Cheers to the last week of August and may blessings fill up your week!!

Motivation for Monday

Another Monday is upon us and I'm hoping the following will propel you into a new week with a positive mindset and an uplifting outlook!

Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation of all abundance. (Eckhart Tolle)

You are strong because you are imperfect. You are wise because you have doubt.

A real sign of progress is when we no longer punish ourselves for our imperfections. (Yung Pueblo)

So far, you've survived 100% of your worst days.

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

The man on top of the mountain didn't fall there.(Vince Lombardi)

Do what you love and you'll never have a problem with Monday.

Have a blessed week ahead!!

Rain, Rain....Keep Coming!

Finally!!  Rain!  That's a rare pronouncement in Texas in one of the driest months, especially towards the end of summer.  It's been a really dry summer and my poor lawn is feeling the effects of it, but we finally got some measurable rain and some cooler temps!  I'll take it...and more and more and more...but alas it'll end by Tuesday.  

I can't imagine living in a desert area or somewhere where it doesn't rain much, like Lima, Peru.  When I visited there for work years ago I went on a city tour and they told us that Lima didn't have drainage in the city because it doesn't rain that much there.  What?!  Really?!  I never heard of such a thing before, but it was true.  However, with climate change and how severe storms of every kind seem to be these days I wonder if that will change.

Are you a rain person or not?  What do you like to do when it's raining out?  Stay in with a good book, movie or try out a new recipe?  I usually catch up on a movie I've recorded or there's always a Hallmark movie playing.  But, after such a dry summer I'd be happy if it rained all week!

I know in the States there is flooding on the east coast and forest fires on the west coast.  So, I'm praying for both coasts and those affected by nature's fury.  May blessings meet you where you are this week and provide comfort, relief, and peace.

Saying Good-bye....

In a couple of previous posts, I wrote about a Korean couple that attended my church and sat in the same pew as I each week.  When I first met them I wondered why such an older couple (past retirement age) would be attending a Christian church vs. a Korean church.  I just figured as an older couple they would be set in their ways and in their culture and prefer a Korean church.  

Over the past few years, we've said hello to one another and more recently the wife would talk to me before the service started.  So, I got to know them briefly, but after I had my book signing at the church and she bought a book we started to chat more often at church.  I felt more comfortable asking her questions about the Korean culture...like what my Korean name meant (that's one of my previous posts).  Her husband didn't really ever say much to me, but would always nod his head to say "hi" when they arrived each week.  Over time, he didn't come as often and at the end of last year she told me that he wanted to start going to a Korean church and they wouldn't be coming to this church anymore.  I did find myself missing them a bit as the beginning of this year went on.  

I missed church for awhile in the spring and just started attending again regularly in July.  She was there with her daughter and told me that her husband had died in May.  I was surprised and saddened by the news and felt bad that I hadn't known sooner.  That Sunday one of the hymns we sang was "How Great Thou Art" which was one of her husband's favorite hymns she told me afterwards as she wiped tears from her eyes.  So, the past several Sundays she's been there, as have I so that we can catch up.  

She's moving back to New Jersey where her kids live next week.  It'll be sad to see her go, but it'll be good for her to be near her kids and grandchildren now since she doesn't have any family here.  Her son was at church with her today, so I got to meet him and I know she'll be well taken care of when she moves.  

Last Sunday after church we went to lunch.  We went to a Korean restaurant, of course, and the waitress spoke to her in Korean.  When she asked what I wanted to drink I had to tell her I only spoke English.  I asked her a lot of questions about different foods, customs and her kids, and we had a good lunch.  However, my chopstick skills were seriously lacking!  Seriously!  I did well enough to actually get some food in my mouth, but at one point the waitress stood next to me with a concerned look on her face as she viewed my chopstick skills.  No pressure.  No embarrassment here.  Sheesh.

Yes, I'll miss seeing her on Sundays again, but I know she'll be much happier living closer to her family.  I wish her well and think we'll keep in touch via email.  Blessings to her and her family as she makes the move up north.

And, blessings to you as summer continues to heat up in the final days before school starts again!