Top of the RHS gym
I am a member of the graduating class of 2000 from Ramona High School. I qualified for Nationals as an Olympic Style Weightlifter 3 times during my high school career. Twice I did not go because of finances. The third time, as a senior, I did not go because Armando the mechanic could not fix the van within 8 hours when the a/c compressor busted one early morning at 2am in Tuscon, AZ. I would like to say, "Blast you Armando..." but I've learned to forgive the good hearted mechanic as he gave me a life long-lesson that I won't ever forget... Take advantage of opportunities when you can, if you can.
I also played volleyball for 3 years at RHS, and contributed to making RHS Men's Volleyball a respectable force to face in California. My Senior year, we made it back to CIF for the first time in many years, after a winning season. (The year after my former teammates made it to the semi finals in Southern California... lost in 5 games by a spread of about 2-4 points in the final match against La Jolla)
I played freshman football my freshman year, and participated in spring training the following spring. I quite football after that in order to be a student leader in my church's youth group. My senior year, I considered coming back to football, but after having to choose football or being a leader with the Jr High ministry, I finally decided to stick with student ministry.
Sometimes I wish I would've put off helping out in ministry for a 2 months, but as i reflect back on the decision, I have to think i made the right decision, because at the time, it was my way of putting God first in my life. Something I need to think about much more frequently than I do.
Anyways... I mention all this because I believe I was a decent athlete (although my brother was better... an incredible wrestler who won many meets and regional titles... definitely a name among So Cal high school wrestling back in the day.) ...I mention all of this because my greatest compliment of my high school career had nothing to do with athletics, I believe it had everything to do with my heart.
I remember sitting in youth group, and my youth pastor chose one particular youth group at the end of the year to brag on us seniors. When he got to me... he said, "I hope you FLUNK." And it was emphatic too! At first I was a little confused, because if you ever make it to Ramona California, nestled in the hills of San Diego County, you may drive by good ole' RHS, but what you will see is something that looks like a low security prison with chain.link fence bordering the entire perimiter of the school. Those of us who graced the paths and grass know where to slip in and out, but to the untrained eye, finding a way in unoticed would be challenging. To say the least, repeating a second of high school was the last thing on my mind.
Reverand Jim Roy said, "I hope you flunk..." but then he continued on with how much of a joy it had been to have me in his ministry, and I've never forgotten it. Hopes of me flunking has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest, compliment I have ever received. As I look back on our (Beth's and Mine) time here in Croatia... I'd have to give myself an F a couple times when it comes to dealing with culture stress, putting others before and above me...aka, not being selfish... I'm probably flunking the encouragement grade and building up Croatians rather than tearing them down, especially on the football team. For that I'm sorry, and I try to stuff down my pride at every practice to share God's love and joy with my teammates... these past 15 days have been tough with cancelled practice due to weather. Tomorrow I will focus a little more on trying to leave a legacy for flunking for the right reasons instead of the wrong ones.
I also played volleyball for 3 years at RHS, and contributed to making RHS Men's Volleyball a respectable force to face in California. My Senior year, we made it back to CIF for the first time in many years, after a winning season. (The year after my former teammates made it to the semi finals in Southern California... lost in 5 games by a spread of about 2-4 points in the final match against La Jolla)
I played freshman football my freshman year, and participated in spring training the following spring. I quite football after that in order to be a student leader in my church's youth group. My senior year, I considered coming back to football, but after having to choose football or being a leader with the Jr High ministry, I finally decided to stick with student ministry.
Sometimes I wish I would've put off helping out in ministry for a 2 months, but as i reflect back on the decision, I have to think i made the right decision, because at the time, it was my way of putting God first in my life. Something I need to think about much more frequently than I do.
Anyways... I mention all this because I believe I was a decent athlete (although my brother was better... an incredible wrestler who won many meets and regional titles... definitely a name among So Cal high school wrestling back in the day.) ...I mention all of this because my greatest compliment of my high school career had nothing to do with athletics, I believe it had everything to do with my heart.
I remember sitting in youth group, and my youth pastor chose one particular youth group at the end of the year to brag on us seniors. When he got to me... he said, "I hope you FLUNK." And it was emphatic too! At first I was a little confused, because if you ever make it to Ramona California, nestled in the hills of San Diego County, you may drive by good ole' RHS, but what you will see is something that looks like a low security prison with chain.link fence bordering the entire perimiter of the school. Those of us who graced the paths and grass know where to slip in and out, but to the untrained eye, finding a way in unoticed would be challenging. To say the least, repeating a second of high school was the last thing on my mind.
Reverand Jim Roy said, "I hope you flunk..." but then he continued on with how much of a joy it had been to have me in his ministry, and I've never forgotten it. Hopes of me flunking has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest, compliment I have ever received. As I look back on our (Beth's and Mine) time here in Croatia... I'd have to give myself an F a couple times when it comes to dealing with culture stress, putting others before and above me...aka, not being selfish... I'm probably flunking the encouragement grade and building up Croatians rather than tearing them down, especially on the football team. For that I'm sorry, and I try to stuff down my pride at every practice to share God's love and joy with my teammates... these past 15 days have been tough with cancelled practice due to weather. Tomorrow I will focus a little more on trying to leave a legacy for flunking for the right reasons instead of the wrong ones.