With the first three high school soccer games under our belt, and looking at two double game nights this week for the middle school and high school girl's soccer teams, we are officially living on the pitch again. For those non soccer moms, the pitch is simply the soccer field, and it's our home for most of spring with both girls playing on two different teams.
It's some hard and busy weeks until the end of May, but it's also exciting and rewarding. My girls were both voted captains of their teams, and I am a beaming mom. They have loved the game since the age of 4, and I love watching them play (until my oldest gets a yellow card, but that's another blog for another day.)
I was not the athletic type and our rural hometown didn't know a thing about soccer. I had a friend that had an offer to play at the local college for softball back in 1998, but the stipulation was she had to play on the first ever girls soccer team for the college as well. I went to watch her play a few times, and the game and the rules were so confusing. I would have never dreamed I would know the game like I do now all these years later and be the mom to three soccer players.
My husband did grow up in the city and played the sport all through school. He even had a chance to play in Jamaica on a mission trip. My oldest daughter may have a similar opportunity this coming summer, and I am delighted to think she could share her love for Jesus and her love for soccer with small children.
Soccer is hard; it is physical, and it is a lot of running. They can look pretty beat up after a game. Scrapes and muscle cramps are always being treated. The girls train and practice on most off days, so it's a lot on their bodies. A few years ago I started making energy balls or power bites as they are called in our house. These recipes are all over Pinterest, but I thought I would share mine. They keep in the fridge for 5-6 days or in the freezer for about 2 months. I pop out about three and put in their lunch box in the morning, and they are thawed out and ready by game time.
Just like the girls need the energy and power protein provides, we need God's strength and power to get us through these long hard days of soccer season. We can't do this thing called life alone, and with His help and guidance we make it to the games and practices and try to be a light for Him on and off the soccer field. His power sustains us each and every day, and I am so thankful for His strength and promises.
Col 1:11 "being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy"
Salty PB Power Bites
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup pretzles
1/4 cup nuts (I use whatever I have on hand...peanuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashews or almonds)
1 cup peanut or almond butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla
1 scoop protein powder
1 Tbsp Chia seed
Wiz together in a food processor. I heat the peanut or almond butter for about 30 seconds in the microwave so incorporates better. I also add a splash of water until I have the right consistency. Roll into bite size balls and drizzle with melted dark chocolate if desired. Store in the refrigerator.
Comments