Monday, August 4, 2008

Beautiful Serenity

Thanks to all for the emails and the many many prayers going up for me!!! It is such a blessing to have this kind of back up! And I can see the effect as well! My shooting continues to improve as I continue to relax, trust the Lord and be confident. God is faithful! Today in my Bible study I read Psalm 94:17-19 "If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, 'My foot slips,' Your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul." God is a stronghold and a refuge for those who fear Him. And He has equipped me every good thing both physically, as an competitive athlete , and spiritually, to complete the purposes He has for me here. But through this whole experience already, I can tell I am growing in my faith AND becoming mentally stronger for the competition to come.

Training went very well today. That day off yesterday did wonders! I think just about all the archery teams are here now so the training field is packed for practice. It was VERY humid today... though it was also very overcast. The kind of humid where you could just stand in the "shade" and drip. I am so happy I was able to come here early to prepare for the weather.

My day off was great! Part of my team and I attended the Village church service. It was very good, small and traditional. But Archery was about 80% of the attendance between the U.S. and Mexican teams ;-) Later, Khatuna and I hung out by the pool for a couple hours to relax. In the evening we went to the University where the USOC set up like a "home base" for the USA athletes. There are training facilities for several sports (only USA athletes have access) and personal coaches are able to lodge there. But WE went there for the dinner. It was wonderful! Set up in a beautiful Asian style restaurant with tablecloths and candles on every table. The dinner was delicious, mashed potatoes, chicken, pasta, salad bar with fruit, cookies and baked apples for dessert! After dinner we explored the athlete lounge. I feel so indulged. Especially after the dinner... but then, in the lounge we have board games, a huge flat screen TV with tons of DVD's. Video games, which, from what I understand was quite impressive, but since I don't play I have no idea. It was so comfortable with sofas, pillows and blankets everywhere and we could order smoothies as well!

Upon returning to the village we heard music coming from the international zone. I went to the outdoor ampitheater to watch the show. I was blown away! I believe the performing group was called "My Dream", I think the group was from China and all the performers were disabled somehow. The dance group, consisting of about thirty dancers, were all hearing impaired and followed the beats given by to attendants on the corners of the stage. They were amazing! They would have been amazing without being deaf, but considering this, they were incredible! There were several visually impaired vocalists, one young lady, my favorite singing performance, sang "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." The voices of all the young people just touched me very deeply. Last, I saw a pointe piece by a young lady who must have been only about 14 years old, she was also hearing impaired. I think it was "The Dying Swan" piece (is that title correct Andrea and Lorraine?) from Swan Lake. She was exquisite! I thoroughly enjoyed the performances, it was the perfect ending to my day off.

But now, I have to run, I have a massage pretty soon and cannot be late. Thank you once again for following my progress, sending your notes and love and most especially your prayers. God bless!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey there. Glad to hear your training is going so well. Keep up the great work and enjoy every single moment of it. I know I wouldn, and by your blogs, you seem to be doing just that. Best of luck and congratulation's.

-Chris

MarciaAnn said...

Good luck I'll be part of the crowd cheering you on from my couch!

MarciaAnn said...

Good luck with everything. Enjoy all the sights, the sounds, the excitment, the awakening - I'll be one of those cheering you on from my couch!

Anonymous said...

hey jennifer it was great seeing your articlein todays paper. i was encouraged to read it. i will definity keep up to date with your blog and remember you in my prayers.if you would like feel free to follow along in the blog that i write in(http://woodsjourney-mrw2403.blogspot.com/) as i follw along yours. i hope to hear from you soon.take care

Anonymous said...

Dear Jenny-
May the Lord continue to hold you close and strengthen you in spirit and body. You are in our prayers. We love you, the Adamos

Anonymous said...

Hello Jennifer<
I had to contact Alexander the other day wanting to wish you Gods speed and safe travels only to find that you had already left for China. But now even better, I've found you here! You go girl!
Isaiah40:31
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Wayne N Lorna Hall
OKC OK

Anonymous said...

Hey Jenny!
I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you and that I'm cheering for you! I think that it's so awesome that you and other Christian athletes are being a light to the Chinese people. You are an amazing athlete!
Suzanna Nachbar
Casper WY

Tim said...

Good Luck Jenny!!!! I'm dang proud of you! I guess this means I might have to admit you could out shoot me now? *sigh* OK! You win!

Anonymous said...

Jennifer,
I just watched you video on msn where you discussed your faith and quoted Galations.
God Bless You!
We need more Christian sisters like you to be strong in faith and providing testimony about their faith to the world.
I'm sure you know this but Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
May you always be in God's will for your life and enjoy His presence:)
-Michael

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