2012 Dodgeball Champions

I am proud of our champions! I am excited that the other team finished 8th out of the 10 competing. Elmira has had a long history of being less than stellar at dodgeball. This group of kids worked well together, showed discipline, listened well, and had a ton of fun. Many good conversations were had on the bus and throughout the season. I pray for each one of these students!

Below is the Championship Elmira squad. Below that all the kids that showed up from across the county for dodgeball. And finally below that the championship sponsor the Farm Store (where the trophy will be displayed for the next couple weeks.) Thanks to the Farm Store for you support of Elmira Campus Life and the dodgeball team, also thanks to all the parents who made that gym rock and stayed engaged the whole season, and Stacy Cornelius for cupcakes!

Dodgeball 2012

What an interesting season! 2 kids suspended by parents due to grades, 2 kids flaked out, one girl has her foot in a cast, another broke his arm two weeks ago, and one student was sick for 3 weeks. Luckily I found a couple replacement girls and for the first time Elmira fielded a full squad of 8 on the dodgeball court. The result 4-0 on the day. The other dodgeball team has their best result going 2-2. While the records aren't important from a ministry perspective they are from a moral perspective.
Last year Elmira had only one team and didn't win a single game. Sure they won a match here and there but never the whole game. This year @ 9-7 and 5-11 the two teams are doing well and moral is good. Every now and again a kid from the team that is 5-11 will say I stacked the better team. I try and explain if that were true they wouldn't have 5 wins.
Besides building relationships, which team sports do very well, I get to talk to students about their motivation. Why are you playing dodgeball? To have fun? You have a friend who plays it Your competitive and want to win? You love the sound of a dodgeball hitting another in the face? The reasons vary but the overarching theme is if you aren't motivated correctly how can you even think about success? Where does the best motivation come from? Then the conversation continues.

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Duck Game vs WSU

I had the privilege to take four of my students to the duck game vs Washington State. It was fun and a good bonding time with two freshman and two sophomores. The two sophomores Stacey and Ashley (sitting next to me picture right) are Beaver fans. I was hoping to convert them to duckonianism and I believe that would make Jerry happy. I had a good conversation with Stacey on the drive home about the heart of God. The three girls attend (or loosely do) some church. My goal is to get these students into relationship, or deeper relationship, with Jesus Christ. I never force anything on them, just discuss and support them regaurdless of their decisions. Unlike as a duck fan, For Jesus I am not in the conversion business. I am in the relationship business and Jesus decides what areas of life are in need of revision. I simple guide and encourage with the leading of the Holy Spirit. On the Jesus end I think these students are experiencing Christ love and moving slowly closer to Him. On the Duck conversion thing....their still beaver fans :)