A Battle of Epic Proportions

You know, as a child you always dream about those big moments in life. For many American kids the picture is painted as 4th and long from the twenty yard line with 10 seconds to go. For the African or Brazilian the moment takes place on the soccer pitch with time running down and, of course, the Canadian youngster dreams of a tie game in double overtime for the Stanley Cup win.

Well, on December 26th, 2006 I was able to participate in such an event. It actually happens every year for me. It's called the Michel hockey game. You see, every year my uncle rents the ice for one glorious hour that puts family against family and the winner takes home all the glory. But before I get to the bone crushing details, let me paint the background picture.

My mom grew up in a family of nine children, seven of whom were brothers. Naturally, these siblings gained a great deal of rivalry. This was picked up in the form of hockey. With nothing else to do during Canada's winter the brothers started playing hockey at a very young age. Even my Mom plays hockey, and is quite good.

Now, fast forward a few decades and all these brothers have children who, naturally, play hockey as well. Thus, you have about twenty able bodied nephews who play hockey. So, that's what we do every Boxing Day. We have the Michel Cup.

However, this year was different. For one hour it would be a full equipment, backs to the wall, gladiator against gladiator ESPN epic event. Pride was on the ice and everyone was ready. Our family, who has three hockey players started with the pregame meal the night before. Always pasta and chicken.

I couldn't sleep, because the thoughts were running through my mind of massive open ice hits, glorious goals, feathered passes, and third period heroics. I was ready, both mentally and physically, but I couldn't sleep. So, I got up and visited the photo albums that we kept around the house of our younger years. Pictures of my brother and I in minor hockey, playing pond hockey, and skating at young ages. I realized that there was a family dream that I needed to carry. It was on my shoulders as a young man to keep this dream alive.

Finally the moment came. After an energy boosting breakfast, my mom, my brother and I went downstairs to get all our equipment together. There was a twinkle in each eye and the moment was almost magical. For the first time all three of us would play on the same line, skating with the same goal in mind.

An hour later we stepped on the ice. The cold rush of wind was on my face as I took those first strides. It was perfect. Each person had their own warm-up routine. My brother and I skated side by side staring each of the rival cousins or uncles in the eye. We had a look of pure intimidation and determination. We were here for business.... but so were they.

And so the puck dropped. I took the opening face-off and dropped it back to our defenseman. The game was on. It was quick. No gliding here. On the ice, hard skating, passing and shooting. This was perfect for all those TV viewers. About halfway into the first period they scored their first goal, a nifty move by one of my cousins who stepped in from the blue line and rifled a shot in the top corner. Then we scored and back and forth it went for the next hour. However, with a few seconds left they were up one goal on us.

I jumped on the ice determined to change fate for our team. The puck was behind our net and I circled waiting for the pass. Click, it hit my stick, and I was gone. One move, past the first defenseman, and two strides later I was in one-on-one with the next defenseman. He drifted my way and I saw, out of the corner of my eye my cousin streaking towards the net. So, I slowed drawing the defenseman my way and I floated a perfect pass to my cousin and got leveled. When I got up it was glorious, my cousins hands in the air skating my way in a victory lap. We had tied the game with just seconds to spare. So, it ended, with pride being saved for both teams and brothers were still brothers at the end of the game. It was epic.

Here Fishy, Fishy...

You'll notice that in my previous post I made reference to my sudden urge to be a part of God's great outdoors, including fishing. However, I have begun to question the existence of fishing.

Some would say that there is an element of conquering the minds of fish and luring them to chase your bait. I'm here to say that fish are stupid. I read an article online saying that trout will basically strike at anything that hits the water. Hoping that this article was correct, I went fishing the other day. I had lures, but I also decided to use corn, which was suggested to me as well.

I tested the validity of this article when i saw a couple small trout lurking near a drowning tree. Sure enough, the little suckers went right after the corn that I threw near their noses. Excited, I hooked a couple of pieces of corn and tossed my line in. Again, the little trout went after the corn, hook and all. However, they were to small to catch. I then contemplated diving into the water myself to see if they'd attack me. Then I could grab them and conquer these little guys. Remembering the temperature of the water and my need for vital organs I decided to remain frustrated.

Other people would say that fishing is about being in tune with your surroundings and being at peace with nature. Okay, granted this is a wonderful philosophy, but when you're not catching any fish, there's no peace of mind anywhere. Cast out... reel in. Repeat. That's all you do while thinking about the "intelligence of fish."
Still some may fish out of the necessity to provide food. This reason is good, but it would only mean that I would starve to death if I had to fish for food. I'll leave this for the professionals.

But then i remember that fishing can be fun, when you catch fish that is. It doesn't matter of the size as long as you've got something with fins and gills on the other end of your line. Then you can say that you've been succesful in outsmarting those scaled creatures. Another attractive thing about fishing, is "the one." Every fisherman catches one fish that he will always remeber. This fish, will keep him coming out weekend after weekend for the rest of his life in search of the bigger fish in the sea.

Well, I've got some more fishing holes that I'd like to explore. But for now, enjoy the salmon fillets yout buy at the grocery store.

Never Go Camping With a Canadian

Even I felt like a polar bear on Saturday night, except polar bears have thick layers of fat to keep them warm. That's right, November camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains. What the crap was I thinking. My premise for this adventure was to revisit old memories, or make new ones...

But let me start at the beginning. I caught the camping bug a couple of days ago. I went to Wal-Mart and bought knives, a toque, and some fishing gear. None of which I would need. Anyway, I wanted to go fishing and camping really bad. Don't ask me why, I just had the desire.

I knew that I needed someone to go with because I wasn't about to venture into redneck-infested woods by myself. If you've ever seen "The Deliverance" you'll understand my thinking. So, I asked a good friend of mine, whom I will not name because he is probably plotting my murder right now, to go brave the woods.

I even picked a place that was recommended for good trout fishing. My plan was to drive up there, set up camp and catch dinner (I brought cans of beans just in case). So, off we drove, with new camping gear in tow, and ready to have an adventure.

I found the road that we needed and I took a perilous right hand turn that would test my iron will. It was a dirt road and there were small, dilapidated houses on either side of us. The best part was that the road continuously got narrower and narrower. Then it happened... our first encounter with the rednecks. They were in front of their house skinning a dead deer, with the whole family outside. I think little Suzy was carrying a bigger knife than I had, and she was the one hacking away at poor Bambi.

They waved. I waved back and kept driving. I didn't want to say anything at this point because I knew that there was no way we could set up camp in this neck of the woods. Suzy would have tracked us down and ended our adventure. So, I kept driving until I came to a spot in the road where the river flowed right over top.

"I think it's too deep," I said.
Agreeing, my friend said those words that are still ringing in my head. "Yep. We'll have to head back."

I agreed silently and turned the truck around to face that hillbilly family again. When we passed them this time they all looked at us. It was kind of like a scene from a scary movie. That slow motion, music playing moment, where the dryness of your pants is tested. Yep, that happens in real life too. Without thinking I dropped my truck into second and lit that place up. I dared to look in the rear-view and saw something that haunts me to this day (even though it happened yesterday). Little Johnny, as I will call him, pointed at me and mouthed the words "I will get you." I almost passed out.

On to plan B. My friend, with shaky words, communicated that he knew of a campsite that we could utilize. It was in a National Forest and there weren't people around. I should have taken the hillbilly death threat as a sign to go home to the warmth of Forestbrook apartments and to the comfort of a real bed. However, my masculine pride has the strength, and cold determination of little Suzy's 3" blade that she used to skin Bambi.

So, we drove through some beautiful scenery that served to calm out nerves. I was once again excited by the time we reached our campsite. This I could handle. Our home for the night lay nestled in the woods beside a small mountain stream.

By this time, however, darkness was looming. SO, we decided to set up camp. I put the tent up, and my friend went in search of some firewood. I should have mentioned previously that due to rainy conditions the past days, there was no dry firewood. That wouldn't stop us, as we reverted to primal instincts, or displays of manly strength. In other words, we started a competition of who could fell the largest tree in attempts to produce firewood for our survival.

I lost. But, it's okay because I was just glad we had a little bit of dry wood for the fire. So, I built and lit the fire. It started well, and had the signs of making a roaring beast.

Ten minutes later it was reduced to a flickering, minute, flame. So, we threw some bark on the fire to make us fell better. Ten minutes later it was again flickering and threatening to go out. We finally managed to strengthen it again by fanning it with all our strength. My arms are even sore as I write.

Ten minutes later it was smouldering ashes. I admitted defeat and said that I was climbing into my sleeping bag. This, unfortunately, was the start of a very unpleasant night. My friend got in his sleeping bag and we chatted for a little while, reminiscing on successful camping trips with our Dad's and finally drifted off to sleep.

Only to awaken in the middle of the night, scared to death because we couldn't feel our faces, hands, or feet. To top it off, I had to make use of nature's outhouse. However, as I tested the air by exhaling, I decided to utilize whatever warmth I still had in my sleeping bag and keep it in the sleeping bag.

My sleeping bag was rated to 40 degrees and his was about the same. We needed an extra twenty degrees on that rating to make us a little bit comfortable. I prayed that we would see the light of day in the morning. I think he prayed that I would die so he could take my keys and drive home.

Amazingly, after tossing and turning all night, we woke up alive the next morning. We got up, stepped outside and ran to my truck. I started it, blasted the heat and started thinking about what happened. Before I got to far into my thoughts I interrupted myself and made an analytical judgement. We need to pack up and find breakfast somewhere. Sometimes I surprise myself with the efficiency of my thoughts.

So, that's what we did. Hastily, we threw everything in the tent, took the poles out and carried it all to the truck. There was no need to put the fire out because early in the night it died anyway. Soon, we found Hardees and ate like mountain men experiencing a new delicatessen.
So, when all is a said and done, I have a new appreciation for warmth, friends, and fire. Be warned; never accept a proposal from a Canadian to go camping in November.

Liberty University Women's volleyball game vs. Coastal Carolina. Photgraphed on November 14, 2006 by Caleb Atkins. Do not use without prior consent.

Liberty University Women's volleyball game vs. Coastal Carolina. Photgraphed on November 14, 2006 by Caleb Atkins. Do not use without prior consent.

Liberty University Women's volleyball game vs. Coastal Carolina. Photgraphed on November 14, 2006 by Caleb Atkins

Do not use without prior consent.

Liberty University Women's volleyball game vs. Coastal Carolina. Photgraphed on November 14, 2006 by Caleb Atkins

Obedience

I have been struggling lately regarding a vision for my future.... It seems like a lot of my friends have a firm grasp on what they want their lives to hold 10 years down the road when i can barely see three days ahead. I dont really know if this is a bad thing but I began to wonder what was the key, if I didn't have vision, for my life. Joshua is the key.

Well, the story of Joshua got me thinking. Joshua finds himself leading a nation in the midst of the largest military campaign in Israel's history. With a rag-tag nation behind him, Joshua encounters success and fame as he destroys enemy after enemy. What's even better is the glory that The Lord receives time and time again.

So what is his secret? Obedience.... That's right, it's not training, studying, or stealth regarding battle; it's his obedience of God that leads him to victory. Sometimes God called for "foolish" tactics (marching around a city and yelling), and other times God called for ambush tactics. However, whatever the tactic, Joshua obeyed and encountered victory.

Even at the end of his life and leadership of Israel, this is what the great leader had to say to his people. "Be very strong; be very careful to obey all that is written in the book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left." (Joshua 23:6)

So, I guess I need to catch the obedience bug before I focus on what my life will hold 10 years ahead. Take it one day at a time and build principles in my life and God will give me vision.