Some of us are home

On Tuesday, Ryan, Jackson and I, flew home to Ohio.   We had great flights....even with a TV on our longest flight.  Jack and I got to watch Soul Surfer on the plane, which I highly recommend.  Oma picked us up and dropped us off at home.  The next day we finished unpacking and getting groceries.  Then on Thursday after some time at the pool, Ryan had his first football practice.  Mind you it was hot and we haven't see much above 75 all summer and that was only a few days.  But he did great.  He claims that they pretty much ran the whole time.  On Monday, they start the full contact so we shall see how that goes.

Chris and Ty are still in Alaska with the players.  Ty thanks Chris about 10 times a day for letting him stay.  He is having a blast hanging out with dad and the guys.  They have been in Kenai most of the time.  On Thursday, Chris was able to baptize five of the guys.  He said that even though it was cold (water temp about 40 and the air temp around 50), that it was awesome.  The guys are excited to follow Christ.  They had their finally discipleship yesterday and their last game is tonight.  Sunday, they will drive 3 hours to Anchorage and then catch their flight to California.  Pray for them....pray that their last days would be a sweet time of fellowship.  Pray for Ty...who now has a cold that his ears won't bother him on the flight.  Pray that when they get home they would follow through on the commitments they have made.  Pray that they would be strong, stand for Truth and live for eternity.

Debrief and packing

Monday, was a crazy day.  We packed up our bags and apartment.  Then the kids and I went off with our friends the Wuerths for one last time together.  We played 3D mini golf (yes quite the experience for the moms).  It was great since Lana, my friend, sister was also in town.  It was great to catch up.  Then we jetted home to pack a little more before meeting Chris at Outback with the guys.

Chris went to debriefing with the guys.  This is a time of wrapping up the summer and all that they have learned.  Chris gives each of the the guys a Bible and second year players get a study Bible.  They also sign baseballs to give to one another.  Then each player has an opportunity to share what they thought of the summer.  Some of them just express how great it was.  And others let the emotions run.   It is a sweet time for them all.  Then we follow it up with a nice dinner.  Afterwards, Chris gives us the low down on how it went.  One story I have to share is Reva.  You have prayed for him all summer.  During debriefing he wrote out what he wanted to say...which is impressive with his language skills.  He was so excited and grateful for all that he has seen and done.  It is an awesome reminder to us here in the states who take for granted all that we have.  Here is a young man from Mexico that had the summer of his life and is so THANKFUL.  I pray that I will learn from Reva....to be thankful in all things.
As we were leaving that evening...I went over to Chris's van to chat with him.  He takes 4 guys home so his van was full.  Do you know what I saw.....each player was looking through their new Bible.  It was awesome.  We pray that these men will be men that love the Word.

Sunday Kids Camp

On Sunday, one of our players hosted a kids camp to earn money for his trip.  My kids were thrilled that they  got to participate and were ready to go 2 hours before needing to be.  At the camp the kids went through different drills of hitting, pitching and throwing and catching.  They had a great time.  Further more the kids in Eagle River were so excited.  It really does seem as if this community will jump on board.

Engaging the battle

Today, Chris and I met one of our players for lunch.  He had asked after I shared with the players if he could get together with Chris and I to ask some questions.  It was great to get to know him more as he shared his story with us.  He had questions regarding his former girlfriend, her parents and consequences of poor choices.  After talking with him, he is ready to have some hard conversations when he gets home.

It was interesting walking away from the situation and noticing how "dating" is so different than it was.  I know this makes me sound really old.  But way back when...there weren't cell phones.  You didn't know where your significant was every other was every minute.  You actually planned out your communication.  You actually looked people in the eye instead of talking to them with your thumbs.  You didn't have the Internet with you wherever you went with all the good and bad that goes along with it. 

The reality is...is that we have three boys.  Three boys that will have to battle for their purity.  Three boys that are turning teenagers soon.  Three boys that will want to date soon.  Three boys that we pray their heart will be motivated by a heart for the Lord.
Pray with us...for these players as they battle!

Last Game for some of us

Yesterday, was the last game, for Ryan, Jackson and I.  We leave on Tuesday morning to get Ryan home for football.  So we headed up to Matsu.  Ryan was the bat boy and Jack was allowed one more night in the dugout down in the bullpen.  Ty had to sit with me and cheer on the team which he wasn't thrilled with until he realized that he would be in the dugout all next week. 

This is Chris with our head coach Brett Butler.  He has done a great job with the guys!

After the game, which we lost, our players shared with their team.   One of them shared his testimony while the other shared the Gospel.
Ryan and Jack were sad it was their last game...we have never left the team early.  But they are excited to go home too.  We have a full weekend of packing, a kids camp, and debriefing.

Zilla being the bat boy

Ty was the bat boy today!  He loves it when it is his turn to be in the dugout.  He works hard at it too.  He almost got hit by a foul ball and a bat though today.  And of course he likes to shoot me on his way back into the dugout.

Rejoicing!

So last night after Chris got home and we were chatting about the game and the day.  Then after about an hour of us chatting he FINALLY mentions his good news.  Ok, yes, I gave him a hard time for not sharing earlier. He was chatting with Taylor Ackenhead, who is one of the players that we were praying for.  Taylor grew up in a solid Christian home.  Throughout the summer Chris had noticed that he hadn't fully surrendered his heart to the Lord.  So yesterday he asked him about it.  Basically through the purity talks his heart was convicted.  His dad at one point had called him and Taylor pretty much blew him off.  Then his mother sent him a letter that she had been working on for awhile.  Basically, in the letter she called her son out on his lack of surrender to the Lord.  Well after reading the letter he was weeping.  So that night he prayed with Tyler Shryok (who is actually a close friend of his from home, who is on the team) to receive Christ.  It is so exciting!  It is exciting to see his heart soften and to see how the Lord used all the circumstances to draw his heart to himself.  Keep praying for these guys and rejoice with us!

Day Off

Today was a day off for the players.  So as a family we went out to Eagle River to explore it some more and to check out the field one more time before meeting with the city on Thursday.  There is a huge hill (you can't tell in the picture since I zoomed in....but it is big)  at the field that the boys wanted to climb so after running up there and practically falling down it, they felt like they had conquered it.
After that we headed to Thunderbird Falls.  I had been there once before when the boys were little, but Chris hadn't seen it and the boys couldn't remember it.  So we ventured out on the hike.  It was beautiful.

The boys were thrilled to explore everywhere and Jack ended up with the most mud on him.  There were even salmon in the water that Ryan came close to grabbing by his hand.  Then we found a hollowed out tree that reminded us of one of our favorite books My Side of the Mountain.  So each of the boys took a turn in the tree imaging what it would be like to live in one.

I know it is a little excessive on the pictures...but it is easy to take pictures in nature and the grandmas will be happy.  After that we had Ryan tell us how to get home, which turned out quite well since he kept looking for landmarks to find his way.  Then we stopped off for pizza at our favorite Alaskan pizza place, Moose Tooth Pizza.  Ty was thrilled that we got seated right away since usually the wait is 1 - 2 hours and it was 4pm and he hadn't had lunch.  He and Jackson were amazed that they had "survived" without lunch.  Oh they have much to learn.  All in all we had a great day. 
We start our final two weeks with our players tomorrow.  Please pray for them and for us...that we will finish strong.  Pray for those players that need to talk with Chris that they will seek him out.  Pray that they will surrender their hearts to Christ!

Better than an All Star Game

Today was the first Alaska Baseball League All Star Game and Home Run Derby.  It was raining throughout the entire derby and game and was only about 50 degrees.  Some of  the players on our team who weren't selected looked at me partway through the rain delay and said I was crazy that sit through all their games.  Needless to say they have a deeper appreciation after this lengthy game.

Marshall (pictured here) and Chris Talley were selected for the home run derby.  Marshall was able to go long for one, but Chris was unable to produce.  Neither of them advanced but they were thrilled to participate.
We also had some players on the All Star team and they played well.  They were all very excited.

But even watching our players doesn't compare to the conversation that Chris had with one of our players.  Basically this player has fully surrender his life to Christ this summer. He asked Chris if he would baptize him this summer because of the influence that Chris has had on his life.  Now that is better than being an All Star.

Mr. Altuis

It was a sunny day in Anchorage, but a little hot for Ty, so he decided to go sit with Mr. Altuis in the shade.  Mr. Altuis is a sweet man who has watched AIA for the last ten years.  He use to be a chaplain in the Army and he retired in Alaska.  He cared for his dear wife until her death a few years back.  He loves coming to the games.  He loves the Lord and watching baseball.  This year since we have been in Anchorage he has been able to come to most of our games.  Sometimes he even brings his mitt.  The players talk to him after the games.  We have so appreciated getting know him better this year.

Yesterday

Yesterday, I spoke at discipleship.  Every year, I share my testimony and give a Q & A, which typically revolves around the role of a wife, marriage, modesty and parenting.  It was a sweet time with the guys and I hope that it will open up some conversations with the guys (they are still scared of me since I am the coaches wife). 
Afterward we picked up Alex and Adria to come to the the game with us.  We ate dinner quickly and baked brownies for the team, which were fresh out of the oven when we went to the game (one player ate 7 because they were still warm).  Alex hung out with Jack and Ty while Ryan was in the dugout.  And Adria was a delight for me.  Yes, she talked the whole time but as a mother of boys, I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Jackson and Ty signed up for the kids games and got selected for the Hula Hoop.  This definitely isn't our best sport but they had fun and were excited to win burgers at Red Robin.
After the game, Chris pitched to the kids which was a highlight to Adria, who asked if we could do it again tomorrow.

Finally, we won!  After losing so many days in a row that was exciting.  Charlie Gillies (from The Master's College) pitched a complete game shutout.  We were excited for him and the team.

Of course the whole team tried to embarrass him while getting interviewed.  We will see what today has in store.

Joy in the Midst

"if anything is praise worthy, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

A little boy (Ty) sitting on a players lap when we lose in the 10th inning

My favorite flowers picked on our walk.....later that evening we found a mouse in the house.  Ty is now trying to catch the mouse so he can have a pet.  He even made a trap....yellow piece of paper (to look like cheese) with tape on it for the mouse to stick too.

And even though we are tired (the pile driver started at 7:58 am), even though we have been losing, we rejoice.  Because one of our players realized through the purity talks that he wasn't surrendering everything over to the Lord and after Chris confronted him on it and the Spirit worked on his heart, he is a changed man.  We rejoice because of the Cross.

Rejoice with us and please continue to pray for these men.

Game at Eagle River

Last night we had our first game in Eagle River.  Eagle River is a town about 30 minutes from Anchorage that would like us to have our home field there next year.  It is a beautiful community right at the base of the hills.  It is what you think of when you think of Alaska.  The community seems excited about the possibility of us coming.  Ty had fun getting to help with the hose as you can tell on the picture.  I told the boys that if we decide to go to Eagle River that I might have to get myself a bear gun.  The bears are pretty much throughout that region.  Anyway despite our lose to the Pilots it was a great night.

Bear Paw Parade

Today the guys were in the Bear Paw Parade in Eagle River, Alaska.  Eagle River is the town that we are considering making our home field next year.  Their state representative Stolz asked us to be a part of the parade.  The players passed out free tickets, candy and brochures.  Ty loved giving all the kids high fives and candy. Tonight we have an exhibition game there against the Pilots. 

Day at the lake

Today was a beautiful day!  So we decided to walk to the lake and spend the afternoon there.  The boys and I played kick ball and then they played on the playground.  Then after walking home we got ice cream cones at McDonald's, which Ty now thinks is the best deal in town.  Tonight we played here in Anchorage and lost to the Pilots.  We have had a few rough games with the umpires but that is part of baseball.  Keep praying for these men....that they will seek the Lord.  Usually these last few weeks are when lots of the deep conversations start to happen.  Pray for Chris that he will know who to seek out and that the Spirit will move in their hearts.

Happy 4th of July

Today we had a double header scheduled, but partway into the first game it started to rain.  Unfortunately the other team didn't want to get the field ready so they canceled the games.  So during the rain delay Ty decided to slide into home plate to the cheering on of both teams.  He was freezing cold afterward and had to put on daddy's sweatshirt and shorts, which was quite a sight.  He was a little bummed the player who said he would do it too, didn't.  I asked him if it was worth it and at first he said no, but later when a player gave him ice cream he said it was worth it.  Anyway it was a bummer the game was cancelled the weather is now beautiful and we were ahead in the game. 
You can't really see fireworks in Alaska, in the summer since it doesn't get dark.  But we hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Pray for Steve

During our last game in Fairbanks we were visited by a former player of ours, Steve.  Steve is actually from Alaska and currently lives up there.  Pray for Steve.....for he is not walking with the Lord.  I have to be honest that it was hard to see.  It was hard to see that a man that knows the truth, doesn't accept it.  And he knows the truth....not only was he with us for a summer but attended The Master's College for two years.  It breaks my heart and yet that is the reality of what we do.  Not everyone accepts the Truth.  Chris reminded me last night that it is "his" choice...we are called to share the Truth.  Pray for Steve...pray that he will repent and submit his life to the Christ and that he will find his joy in Christ alone.  Pray also for us that we will be able to focus in on the men that we have with us now and that we will share Grace and Truth with them.

Host Families

Our time in Fairbanks was bittersweet.  It was great to be with the host families that have supported our players for so many years.  It was bitter...that we didn't win much and that also that could be our last time in Fairbanks.  The first family in the pictures became a host family last year.  The Merksammers are the ones that took us last year to see the helicopters that he flies.  This year he is deployed for 12 months to Iraq.  He has already been gone for 5 months.  It amazes me the hardship that our military families endure.  I grew up in the military but during a time of peace.  I think this is his fourth or fifth deployment.  Pray for them as they are apart from each other.
The second family, the Kerstetters, have been hosting 9 out of the last 11 years.  They love having the boys and look forward to it every summer.  They are moving from Alaska back to the lower 48.  We will miss them and so appreciate their service to us.

On the road

We have been on the road for the last ten days.  Yes, the Beck's have been in one hotel room for the last 10 days which is probably why I haven't posted much.  Picture three boys in a hotel room....it is interesting to say the least.  Yesterday one of them must have played with the alarm/radio so at 4am the radio started blaring country music.  Needless to say we are all a bit tired.
We started the road trip in Kenai and are currently in Fairbanks.  It has rained a lot since we have been here and we had two games cancelled.  One day the boys and I went to the Ice Museum.  Yes, we have been there before but Ty doesn't remember much because the last few years we haven't done a lot of the tourist things.  Anyway Ty was very fascinated how the man carved a snail out of the ice. 
Yesterday, Ryan went with Chris to discipleship and BP and I took Jackson and Ty to Pioneer Park.  Ty was thrilled to ride the train again.  And Jackson loved playing miniature golf although he got beat by his MOM.  We went to the Carousel but our friend Carl wasn't there.  I found out later that evening that he had died back in March.  It was sad for all of us.  He was always so kind to the boys.  We aren't really sure where he stood with the Lord either.  I know that the Lord calls people to himself and that it isn't dependant upon me, but it is convicting none the less.  I pray that I will be more purposefully with asking people where they are at spiritually.
Today, we had our annual lunch at the Duke's.  Don and Dee Dee have been such an encouragement to us.  They have constantly helped with host families and prayed for us and our players.  We had a great time hanging out with them.  And of course Don loves to spoil the boys with fireworks (they get the parachute ones since you can't see the colored ones here in Alaska, in the summer).  The boys had a blast getting to run around and have fun.  Tonight is our last game here and tomorrow we will head back to Anchorage on the 6 hour drive.

Baseball in Alaska

Okay so this is what baseball in Alaska is like.....COLD!  I know that all of you reading this in the lower 48 are sweating but here in Alaska it is cold.  Of course everyone asks us if we are from around here, because they are running around in tank tops and shorts, but to us it is cold.  We are in Kenai.  Today we looked for caribou but didn't find them.  We also visited the old town which was originally Russian.  There we learned about the Orthodox church.

Walking

Okay so on Saturday, Ryan, Jackson and I went for a run-walk.  The night before we had discovered a lake near our  apartment and they thought we would walk around that.  But I wanted to find a new path.  So we started to follow a bike path.  It was beautiful, the sun was finally shining in Alaska and we discovered two more small lakes.  Well I don't really like to back track on a path....I learned it from my mother in the woods in Germany and she always found a new path home.  So we tried a new path.  Well we actually joined the course of the Mayor's Marathon.  The sign said it was the right way but after about 2 miles I looked at the boys and told them we were lost.  I knew the direction we needed to go though.  So we asked one of the marathon workers who had no clue how to help us.  So I talked the boys into going  on a path through the woods.  Now you have to understand...we are in Alaska...and moose and bears are common.  We were still in Anchorage and bear aren't as common but right now they have their cubs and are more aggressive.  So we started making noise and going through the woods on the path.  After about a mile, I thought we were on the right path but I wasn't 100% sure.  Of course I hadn't brought my phone, water, nothing.  The boys were a bit worried so we turned around and ended up back tracking our path.  (We did realize the path through the woods was right though).  So 1 1/2 hours later we were back at home.  It was a beautiful walk, although a bit humbling when the people started to cheer us on like we were the marathon runners!

Last night Ty wanted to hike, so of course I wanted to find another new path (maybe there is a theme here).  We were trying to take him to one of the lakes that we found on Saturday that has a park and beach.  So I tried to find a bike path with no avail.  Anyway he was a bit disappointed it wasn't through the woods but was through the campus, until we happened upon this moose.  If you look closely at the picture you can see the moose in the background.  The moose was about 90 feet from us.  Then of course he thought it was a cool hike.  Thankfully the moose didn't charge after us!

Of course after telling the locals at the game yesterday about our adventure of getting lost, one of the locals told me he was going to bring bear spray for me to borrow for the summer.  He told me that the bear has to actually be pretty close to spray it :(  okay I think a gun might be easier!

Reva

Well we are getting into a routine here in Alaska.  The guys have been very engaged in discipleship which is great.  The guys have been playing well also...we are 3-2.  This is a picture of Reva our player from Mexico.  His english is improving and he appears to be having a great time in America.  We are praying that he will come to know the Lord this summer.  The other players have done a great job with him too.  Not sure if he is tracking fully in discipleship.  The other day he asked Chris if he could ask out the beautiful girl at the concession stands.  Chris just asked him what his girlfriend at home would think...and Reva said he wouldn't tell her.  Chris then told him that no that wasn't such a good idea. So maybe he isn't getting the "Love, Sex & Dating" series, but please continue to pray for him...that he will see Christ. 
Thanks for praying!

We have arrived

We arrived on Sunday to Alaska.  Sorry it has taken me awhile to post but I have been very busy cleaning our apartment and getting it ready.  Our travel day went great.  In fact we kept telling ourselves...this is going really smooth.  We were able to find enough host families for June and so we got all the guys to their homes.  Then we as a family headed to our apartment.  Well I am going to look at the positive...it is very spacious and has a washer/dryer (I have never had laundry in our place any summer that we have traveled).  The place was very dirty (it is a dorm apartment), but that is enough said.  So we slept and spent most of yesterday cleaning and shopping to get it ready.  We played on Monday and won our game too.  Today we continued to unpack and then the boys and I met with our friends the Wuerth's (Lana is my room mate from college and our kids love hanging out every summer).  Chris went off to discipleship, which he will be teaching for the next two weeks.  He started his "Love, Sex and Dating" series.  This series is always a big one for the players.  One they learn that we base our standards  from God's Word and then they learn truly what God's Word has to say about purity.  Pray for the guys as they listen to this, that their  hearts would be impacted to love and obey the Lord.  Tonight we played in Matsu but the boys and I left earlier because Ty wasn't feeling well (I think he is just exhausted), so I don't know the score.  Please pray for our family to get rest and that we would be healthy that we could serve the Lord well.  Pray for Chris that he will have strength as he teaches and that the Lord would speak to the  guys hearts.  And pray for Reva, Scott, Taylor and Milt to become believers.

Host Family BBQ

We had our host family picnic at the Warnocks again.  It was a great time.  It was fun to see the guys hanging out having a great time.  And we are so thankful for our host families at WHCC.  They love hanging out with the players and spoiling them.  It is always a highlight of our summer.  This year the BBQ was on Chris's birthday so we celebrated that also!

San Fran!

Today the team went to San Fran.  They toured all of the exciting sites from the Golden Gate to Fisherman's Wharf.  After the tour they hung out at Fisherman's Wharf.  The boys and I met Chris there and saw the sea lions and had our yearly donuts.  Then we were off to the Giants vs Reds game.  Ryan loves the Giants so this was a huge highlight for him.  Unfortunately the Reds won.  It was still fun to see the World Series Champs!

Prison, games and fevers

Well the team ended up winning in Yuba City. So far the stomach flu hasn't spread further around.  Please continue to pray. 
Saturday, the team went to Soledad Prison.  They played two games with the inmates and shared with them.  They even had the warden give them a tour.  The games were in the rain, but they had many opportunities to share with the guards and inmates.  The host family BBQ which usually happens afterward was cancelled because of the rain. 
Sunday, the team went to West Hills Community Church, who had D. A. Carson as the speaker.  His sermon was great on Psalm 1.  It was a great time of worship.
Monday, the team went and played another game which they won 9-2.  They  are also playing tonight, but I don't know the score yet.
Unfortunately for the Beck boys....they have all come down with a fever and possible strep or ear infections, with stuffy noses and sore throats.  Monday we went to Urgent Care (we go there every year it seems) and got some antibiotics which we are hoping will knock out everything before we get on the plane on Sunday.  The boys are bummed we haven't made it to a game yet but hopefully we will get healthy soon.  Please pray that they would feel better soon and that the rest of us don't get it.
Please also pray for host families in Alaska.  We only have about 9 guys housed as of now. 

Flu & Game in Yuba City

Well today is our first game in Yuba City.  The guys are excited and although it is a 3 hour drive it should be a lot of fun. 
The stomach flu is going around the church here and now two of our players have it.  Mark Schook and A.J. Work got it last night, so they will be staying home today.  Pray that they would feel better and that the rest of the team and our family wouldn't get it!
Thanks for praying!

Players came today

Today the guys flew in to Morgan Hill, CA.  We as a family got to meet them at our annual pizza get together.  They then got picked up by their host families and off to their new adventure.  The kids and I got to go over to Bob and Nancy Wells new home and have lunch today with the Wells.  The kids had a great time finding bugs in their pond and playing with Legos.  It was a fun time getting to catch up with them.

Please pray Juan, one of our players from Mexico, who is still waiting to receive his Visa.  He really wants to come and we pray that he is able to get here to California before we leave for Alaska on the 12th.
Danielle

Finally here

We were meant to fly to California on Wednesday but our flight got canceled.  So we spent the day in a hotel near the airport to fly out the next morning.  Thursday we showed up at the airport and Ty was sick and so was I.  So after being sick at the airport...I decided not to fly and Chris flew on with the boys.  So I spent the day with my mom and after rest felt better.  So today I actually got on a plane...and we are all now in California.  We are with the Well's and having a blast.
Danielle

Heading Out

Today we are finishing up our packing, cleaning and saying many goodbyes.  Tomorrow we will get on a plane for California and in a couple of days the team will meet us there for training camp.  Pray that in the midst of the craziness of it all that our hearts will be focused on the Lord.  We long for His will to be done this summer!

Wiffle ball with former players

This week we got to have our former players stay with us.  We had a great time with them.  They had to leave today but not until after a wiffle ball tournament.  

One week and counting

We we leave one week from today.   And no I haven't started packing yet. This week The Master's College is here for the NCCAA World Series so we are hosting some of our players from last year team.  Ryan, Jackson and Ty love having Hank, Tyler and Reid stay with us.  We aren't getting much packing done but it is such a neat reminder of why we do what we do.
Reid traveled with us in '04 and after playing pro ball and getting married he is an assistant coach at The Master's College.  He has a heart and passion for the Lord and these men.
Hank his brother traveled with us the last two years.  He has been at Master's the last two years and grown a ton.  He graduates in December and is considering going to seminary.
Tyler graduated a week ago and is getting married in three weeks.  He has no idea what he will be doing yet is trusting in the Lord to provide.  He and his bride already plan on helping out this summer in the junior ministry at their church.
These men are why our life is so crazy now.  They are why we are already exhausted from hours of planning.  They are why we get excited about traveling for 2 months every year.  They are why Ty wakes up every morning counting the days until we leave.  It is their hearts for the Lord which excite us!  Please pray for these men and for the men that will travel with us this summer....that they will be drawn to Lord and walk worthy of their calling.  We pray that our Lord will be Glorified!