Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Day One: Qualification

We just returned from the field after competing this morning. It was such a beautiful morning! A little cooler for a nice change. I started as usual by warming up at blank bale. I had a clear plan for today: work on setting my bow shoulder and keeping it and my head solid for a smooth shot. I had our coach, Don, video me during practice and saw I needed to keep my shot even smoother. I will try to post this video. I shot strong and well. My shots kept getting better and better till the last two ends where I think I started trying too hard and being too careful. Being careful never pays off ;-) And I did pay for it. But I still ended up well and my shots continue to improve as I continue to work on smoothing out the rough spots. I had a great time, though, and am excited for the eliminations rounds tomorrow! If you would like to see the results you can find tham at: www.archery.org Click on Boe 2008 and all the news and results will begin to come up.

Mandy shot well too and kept a great attitude even though she missed the top 64 cut by 7 points. We are now wanting to go shopping and have been considering taking a train to Bordeaux on our day off to tour.

All I can say is, I am so glad that God takes us through rough times and trials so He can mold and change us. It's never fun to not have things go your way. But it's the unpleasant and even sometimes the painful experiences that grow us and teach us to lean not on our own understanding but to trust in the Lord with ALL your heart. I'm not saying I FEEL glad about the difficulties I experience, but that I have decided to be happy for them because I know that God is sovereign and that He has a Master plan for my life. He is using even the little details of life to work toward the big picture. That is, to know Christ, to become more like Him and to glorify Him in all things. I pray that I can press on, through the frustrations and difficulties and come out more like Him than before. Thankfully, it is His work (the life changing and faith building), and He who is the Author and Finisher of my faith will be faithful to complete the good work that He began in me.

4 comments:

kz said...

Jenny,
Thanks for blogging. It is good to be able to keep up with you. I am praying for you and Mandy. So glad the two of you can be there together.
Have fun!
Karen Z

Anonymous said...

Hey Murph,

Since nobody seems to have commented on your blog yet, let me be the first.

Congrats, again, on making the Olympic team! We are very proud of you.

See you (and Mandy?) in July.

Sue said...

Just a random fan from Facebook but so inspired by your testimony of faith in your blog. So as a sister in Christ I wish you God's blessings in Beijing

Sue said...

Just a random person from Facebook but after your inspiring testimony of faith I realize we are sisters in Christ. So, in Christ, I wish you blessings pressed down and overflowing in Beijing. May your witness continue to all you meet.