The First Start
Before his first start of the 2015 season, Adam, Amelia, and I met up with a dear friend of ours - John Kiley - at a local Subway. We met John four years ago in Olympia and have been richly blessed by his friendship and love ever since. This guy's the real deal. Loves Jesus. Loves people. Loves serving. And loves to talk about how much the Huskies suck (ha! Take that John)!
This week, John and his select basketball team flew down to NOLA (from Olympia, WA) to build houses and serve this community, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina TEN years ago. The boys grew closer in so many ways this week - opening up about their lives and struggles and dreams as they teamed up to bless the people of New Orleans. Some of them also grew closer to the Lord...and even still, others grew closer to a decision for Christ. Praise God! And so, to piggy back on their incredible time here, John asked if Adam would share his testimony with the boys. Yesterday was the only available opportunity, so in a small Subway, just 7 minutes from our new home, and only hours before his first pitch of the season, Adam stood in front of 11 guys, 5 coaches, Millie, and myself...and shared his heart. And his testimony. And all about how Jesus has radically changed and saved his life. It was a beautiful moment sitting there - in such a public space with people filing in and out for lunch - listening to him open up about his identity in Christ. I might sound like a broken record when I say this - but I am SO proud and humbled by the man I get to spend this life with. As our years go on, I am more and more in awe of his sacrificial heart and passion for sharing the Gospel. Especially on a day when conventional, worldly wisdom would call him crazy for not taking the whole day for himself. Because after all, this is why God have Adam his talent - so he could share the story of what Christ has done in his life, regardless of the circumstance. We are grateful for John's invitation to share with his players and pray that if any of them were on the fence about Jesus' gift of salvation, that this trip - and even Adam's testimony - helped them make a choice to trust Christ as their Savior.
Daddy's first start of the year went well - aside from a rough first inning. He held on though and settled down, delivering a good performance...especially considering a two-hour rain delay that threw a wrench into the day (making it too muggy to even take a decent photo)! He walked two hitters in the first inning...and then gave up a double, which scored them both. Of course. Take away those dang walks, and he would've had a quality start. DAD!! QUIT IT! ME AND MOMMY DON'T LIKE WALKS! But we DO love you!! Good job Pops! (But sorry I didn't watch too much of your game - I was sleepy...a little grumpy...and a LOT out of my element - but Mommy told me all about it. Hopefully as the season goes on, I'll get used to the insanity of night games and how it rearranges our days and be able to watch you for myself).
His final line of the night:
6 IP, 5H, 4R, 4ER, 2BB, 2K in 87 pitches.
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