It's truly an incredible sight and feeling, that you get when you see God working and moving in your life. Yeah I've been lost on the blogging part, but been working for the kingdom of God ohhhh Lordyyy how great it's been going. Ok first off lets start with the biggest change although nothing big at all lol. I changed rooms, I'm now in another room with just one other guy although it's much better and a lot more quieter and relaxing, this kid is probably labeled as a misfit, or a bandit. He's always loud and messing around, but really in the room he's quiet and very calm he loves to sleep. He's a forward a greattttt player, although his attitude is what might hold him back from going far. Anyways Marlon and I talked a lot he knows about me, and I now know more about him. For example he's an only child and most of his salary he sends back home to his family, his mom and dad are very poor. Anyways he had been seeing me now for a couple days praying and reading my book about God and one day while a group of 4 of us went out including him we got into a conversation about God, and I told him I don't see you pray do you pray? And he said well a bit, but I really don't know how to pray. So I told him tonight we'll pray together, now remember I would need to pray in portugese for him to understand and God knows that I can't speak real good portugese but nonetheless came the time and I told him so let's pray. Now my worship music on itunes probably consists of 60+ songs, I chose a random song from my list, and well God knows what he is doing and the name of the song was.....Teach me how to pray. Now people will say, oh coincidence, but people with faith and that know how God works know that this was clearly him being in control of the situation, I know longer feared about paying in portugese I just let the Lord flow through me and so he did. It was super nice, and we've been praying every now and then together but I do talk to him very often about God. And he is interested in it, and he loves falling asleep to the music of God as do I. So now since it's just us two I put some worship music on and fall asleep. Now as many of you know by now 10% of my salary I always find a way to give it back to God through the church. charity, or someone in need, whatever God puts into my heart. Well this month he told me to give it to him, and not tell him what to do with it but let him decide. Yesterday I gave him the money, and although he insisted he didn;t need I told him, I'm not giving you money God told me to do this, this is God giving it to you thank Him. And he told me thank you, and today told me that he is going to send the money to his parents ; that was exactly what I prayed for. Amazing how good God is.
Yesterday was also an amazing as God spoke to me directly in prayer, and in the natural (real life). After our last training session of the day, I went to shower and as always when I shower I pray to God give Him thanks, and glory for a good training session etc. Anyways God spoke to me about forgiveness as I prayed, there was this kid, who really betrayed me twice, and he was my best friend. It hurts a lot when someone does it to us, yet we do it to God everyday like nothing, and still he forgives us day after day, that's cause His love for us is unconditional no matter what He will love us. So as I continued to pray and listen to Gods voice, my girlfriend and brothers girlfriend also have a bit of bad tension I guess you can say, so I'm praying for that too be done with too. And I'm sure soon enough that tension will be gone. God didn't stop talking to me there though, later on i found out that in one of the rooms, our goalkeeper of the U20s is a leader of a bible study Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Anyways I asked if I could go to it, and he said of course. It was amazing he has such a fire and passion for the word of God and to grow spiritually. So the bible study for those who don't know is something like he prays, then random people get up and read bible verses. Now if anyone has ever picked up a bible you knowwww how big it is, and how many verses there are. Anyways one kid gets up, and I don't remember what verse but it went something like this..... God speaks to us saying if I sent my only son down to Earth to suffer, and die for your sins, for you to be forgiven, then why can't you forgive someone on the Earth for something they did wrong. Anyways I already sent a message to this kid and am awaiting a response, if he answers back before I wrap the blog up then I'll post it.
Now on to soccer stuff I know most of you aren't interested in my endeavors spiritually with God, but it's my blog so too bad if you don't like it. So yeah now back to soccer, I only have 8 more weeks in Brazil then it's off to play somewhere new and begin my career. When my agent came we spoke and he said that my plan was always to come to Brazil and TRAIN for 6 months not play in a league here or anything, it was to get better stronger and faster and learn to play the best soccer in the world. Let's face it there is no better soccer than Brazil there really isn't, you can debate other countries but Brazil will always be known as the best. So I'm going home likely around December 11th or 12th and will be leaving in January. Where too?! Well that hasn't been decided yet but I will be playing in one of the following countries come January....Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, or Portugal. Obviously to me Portugal is most appealing cause it's in Europe where the highest level of club soccer is played, and paid. But it's not what I want instead I'll leave it in Gods hands to decide where it is that I go. Also Argentina would be pretty amazing as that's where my girlfriend is from and she could visit me a lot more often and who knows maybe move to Argentina with me!! <333. Also Argentina has really good soccer, so obviously pretty appealing as well. So all in all I'm super excited to finish my training very strong in Brazil, go back home spend some much needed time with my family, and head out to somewhere new. I hope everyone is doing well back home, and is doing great with all their endeavors. Blessings to all.
God Bless :)
Friday, October 16, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Understandinnnn'
So as I've gotten further into reading this book I already feel that about 40 pages in I've learned a lot, and have heard God talk to me. Then I heard God speak to me again when I started praying about my soccer career. It hit me, I'm truly in a place where all there is to do is play soccer, and the internet literally. Now I prayed to God saying it gets hard you know cause it's get mad boring over here a lot. Then He told me where else can I send you to get better at soccer and grow with me....I kinda let that sink in and observed my life in Brazil. Okay soccer wise a good place for me to get better stronger learn, it's Brazil the best soccer in the world. Why so boring how shall I fill up my time? Then I heard this, where in the world can I send you where you can receive good soccer, while also getting closer to me, then I noticed God made them put the rule of the internet going out at 11:00PM for I can dedicate my nights to working out and to God, if not I would be stuck on facebook or poker etc. Then I thought about going out? There's nothing to do here? But if they was something to do to keep me distracted would I ever really sit down and read a book? I just see that God has put me in this enviorment to not only grow soccer wise as a player, but also as human in getting closer to God. I have never felt this close to God as I've mentioned, and I now know how to live my life with God. So he's setting me up with this foundation for when I do go to somewhere more distraction filled, wherever that may be.
On the soccer aspect when I spoke with Luiz Muzzi he told me so far everything was going according to plan. By the way I can't play this year cause the registration deadline closed on Sept. 15th although Edu my coach did tell me that he would've put me in some games to play with but I wasn't registered. I asked Muzzi why I never got registered up, and he said the plan was to not expose me to playing till January, but as soon as January gets here that I can expect to be playing on a team, maybe here in Brazil or maybe somewhere else around the world. I obviously want to go play in Europe maybe somewhere like Portugal, but honestly I leave that in Gods hands and let his will be done. So soccer wise I'm excited for January but until then I'm definintly working hard. I've kept a good routine of working out at night on my own, and I've also began eating from the salad bar, also beans, and other foods that I don't like but I know I need to eat, so I've been mixing all my food up and eating. Lastly I've also been drinking my creatine, so my soccer life feels pretty complete, and progressing all glory to God. So my next step in my career will be in January I'm excited to see what's going to happen. I wish I could fast forward there, but it's the journey along the way that makes it a rewarding feat when you've accomplished stuff.
So yeah soccer wise, life wise everything seems perfect I can't be happier with the way things are going, I just hope I get moved to somewhere new in January not that I don't like Brazil but I need a change of scenerary I think something like Europe! Haha we'll see if God feels I'm ready to go out there. I'd like to give my two cents on the US U20 Mens National Team, and there recent faring at the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Egypt. I gotta admit, I was pretty upset to never be considered to play on this team especially after the year I put up in the academy, nonetheless they had a very good team going, and I think they were cocky, and too laid back and got their butts handed to them. It sucks cause I really wanted too see them succeed especially have two friends on the team Bryan Arguez, and Gale (last name too long) lol. But oh well, I think their defense was weak besides Gale and their right back Williams I think his name was he was a fast player with a fro. Also I think their goalie was outstanding, the midfield was okay, and up top they lacked playmakers I like Tony Taylor but they need people who are willing to come receive the ball and lay it off or turn a man with it like Jozy Altidore but whatever that world cup has come and gone. Maybe I can look forward to the U23 World Cup who knows...
Lastly there is a sick movie coming out in the states in fall it's Lebron James documentary on his life, I read online he cried when he saw the movie air for the first time, so it must be pretty cool it drops this fall, when I get back home I'm defenitly going to be seeing it, name of the movie is more than a game. Oh and incase anyone wants the book I been reading it's called "Discerning the voice of God" it's a really really good book, everyone should check it out, it's definitly helped me out. Alright I'm out got gym pretty soon. Blessings all.
God Bless
On the soccer aspect when I spoke with Luiz Muzzi he told me so far everything was going according to plan. By the way I can't play this year cause the registration deadline closed on Sept. 15th although Edu my coach did tell me that he would've put me in some games to play with but I wasn't registered. I asked Muzzi why I never got registered up, and he said the plan was to not expose me to playing till January, but as soon as January gets here that I can expect to be playing on a team, maybe here in Brazil or maybe somewhere else around the world. I obviously want to go play in Europe maybe somewhere like Portugal, but honestly I leave that in Gods hands and let his will be done. So soccer wise I'm excited for January but until then I'm definintly working hard. I've kept a good routine of working out at night on my own, and I've also began eating from the salad bar, also beans, and other foods that I don't like but I know I need to eat, so I've been mixing all my food up and eating. Lastly I've also been drinking my creatine, so my soccer life feels pretty complete, and progressing all glory to God. So my next step in my career will be in January I'm excited to see what's going to happen. I wish I could fast forward there, but it's the journey along the way that makes it a rewarding feat when you've accomplished stuff.
So yeah soccer wise, life wise everything seems perfect I can't be happier with the way things are going, I just hope I get moved to somewhere new in January not that I don't like Brazil but I need a change of scenerary I think something like Europe! Haha we'll see if God feels I'm ready to go out there. I'd like to give my two cents on the US U20 Mens National Team, and there recent faring at the 2009 FIFA World Cup in Egypt. I gotta admit, I was pretty upset to never be considered to play on this team especially after the year I put up in the academy, nonetheless they had a very good team going, and I think they were cocky, and too laid back and got their butts handed to them. It sucks cause I really wanted too see them succeed especially have two friends on the team Bryan Arguez, and Gale (last name too long) lol. But oh well, I think their defense was weak besides Gale and their right back Williams I think his name was he was a fast player with a fro. Also I think their goalie was outstanding, the midfield was okay, and up top they lacked playmakers I like Tony Taylor but they need people who are willing to come receive the ball and lay it off or turn a man with it like Jozy Altidore but whatever that world cup has come and gone. Maybe I can look forward to the U23 World Cup who knows...
Lastly there is a sick movie coming out in the states in fall it's Lebron James documentary on his life, I read online he cried when he saw the movie air for the first time, so it must be pretty cool it drops this fall, when I get back home I'm defenitly going to be seeing it, name of the movie is more than a game. Oh and incase anyone wants the book I been reading it's called "Discerning the voice of God" it's a really really good book, everyone should check it out, it's definitly helped me out. Alright I'm out got gym pretty soon. Blessings all.
God Bless
Sunday, October 4, 2009
NineTeeeen.
19th birthday has come and gone. It began nicely, waking up to beautiful emails from my, mother, father, girlfriend, and older brother. These emails made me feel super happy, until the last one from my brother ; it was written with such honesty and purity, it completely overwhelmed me, half way through the email I gave in. I gave in to something I hadn't in probably some years, I gave into crying. Tears streamed down my face, as I finished reading what my brother wrote it was as if he took what was in his heart and put it on paper, and it's as if those words broke me, not in a bad way but in a way that I can't even put into words my self. Tears of joy continued to roll down my face, as I responded to his email, it was so touching. It was also my mother's birthday and I wrote her birthday email as well.
The morning was pretty normal, standard stuff breakfast, showering, praying etc. I met with Luiz Muzzi later on and he gave me gifts that my parents sent with him. I got all these great cards from family, and friends. I also received my beautiful pair of cleats, and a book I think the name of it is "Discerning God's voice". I've now read the first 30 pages and I'm pretty hooked it's really a great book, and well written I'm enjoying reading some every night. Anyways the day progressed and we had a "palestra" with Nike. For those who don't know Desportivo Brasil signed a 3 year contract with Nike so they're the new sponsors starting in January. They spoke about Nike's past and there plan with us the uniforms etc, the coolest part was that we get to try cleats for them like test their new cleats out so that's pretty neat! Later on we had training, where I felt I had one of my best training sessions so far, I did very good leading my team to victory in a half filed game. After had dinner relaxed in my room, then had a via internet birthday celebration with my family. They even got a little cake and sang to me happy birthday and I blew wind at my webcam to act as if I were blowing out the candles, it was really a fun time. Then they were headed out to dinner for my mom, and I headed out to dinner with 5 friends from here we went to a really good pizza buffet, where I ate probably 9 pizzas but had 6 different type of pizzas and when the bill came, my good friend Bruno Andrade paid my part of the bill ; he insisted. Anyways after that we took a cab ride back home, and just relaxed. I prayed began reading my book, and fell asleep it was a great birthday in which surpassed my expectations. This blog is kind of short, I wanted to leave this blog specifically for my birthday, I will soon be posting up another blog on the future of my career. Big steps coming up soon. So next post all soccer related! Thank you all for your birthday wishes as well. I'm pretty beat right now so yeah end. Here some pics of the night.
God Bless :)
The morning was pretty normal, standard stuff breakfast, showering, praying etc. I met with Luiz Muzzi later on and he gave me gifts that my parents sent with him. I got all these great cards from family, and friends. I also received my beautiful pair of cleats, and a book I think the name of it is "Discerning God's voice". I've now read the first 30 pages and I'm pretty hooked it's really a great book, and well written I'm enjoying reading some every night. Anyways the day progressed and we had a "palestra" with Nike. For those who don't know Desportivo Brasil signed a 3 year contract with Nike so they're the new sponsors starting in January. They spoke about Nike's past and there plan with us the uniforms etc, the coolest part was that we get to try cleats for them like test their new cleats out so that's pretty neat! Later on we had training, where I felt I had one of my best training sessions so far, I did very good leading my team to victory in a half filed game. After had dinner relaxed in my room, then had a via internet birthday celebration with my family. They even got a little cake and sang to me happy birthday and I blew wind at my webcam to act as if I were blowing out the candles, it was really a fun time. Then they were headed out to dinner for my mom, and I headed out to dinner with 5 friends from here we went to a really good pizza buffet, where I ate probably 9 pizzas but had 6 different type of pizzas and when the bill came, my good friend Bruno Andrade paid my part of the bill ; he insisted. Anyways after that we took a cab ride back home, and just relaxed. I prayed began reading my book, and fell asleep it was a great birthday in which surpassed my expectations. This blog is kind of short, I wanted to leave this blog specifically for my birthday, I will soon be posting up another blog on the future of my career. Big steps coming up soon. So next post all soccer related! Thank you all for your birthday wishes as well. I'm pretty beat right now so yeah end. Here some pics of the night.
God Bless :)
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