CATALINA GETAWAY

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL MINISTRY

A little over 3 weeks ago, Jenny and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with the UCLA women's basketball team on their team retreat.  This year's retreat was spent on Catalina Island, which for those of you living outside of Los Angeles, is a small island located about 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles.  It was a beautiful weekend filled with lots of fun activities (i.e. kayaking, snorkeling, zip lining, hiking, etc.), which also included several team building sessions.  

Couldn't get enough of this morning view

Jen & I were given an opportunity to lead one of those sessions.  We spent our time leading the girls through a brief exercise designed for them to affirm and encourage one another.  They seemed to enjoy it.  The opportunity to lead a session such as that was invaluable, because it involved the entire team, and not just those who would normally experience us during a pre-game chapel session.

Group pic (not quite the entire squad)

Perhaps, the most exciting part of the retreat for us, was the sand volleyball game that took place during our free time.  As many as 7 of the girls participated and as you can imagine, the competitive juices took over.  Jen and I were on opposite teams, so you know it got even more competitive:) (Feel free to ask Jenny whose team came out on top, LOL; no thanks to me, of course.  Thankfully, my team had quite a few former high school volleyball players on it)

On our final day, instead of taking the 20 minute boat ride back to the main part of the island, with all the others, I decided to get a little adventurous by hiking the four miles back.  Thanks to Tony, (asst. coach), and Lisa (team athletic trainer), I was able to conquer the first mile and a half, which was ENTIRELY uphill and took nearly an hour to summit.  What a hike it was!

Mission Accomplished!

Ms. Adventure is all set for a little zip lining

A rare kid-free getaway

This coming weekend, the Lady Bruins officially kick off the 2014-15 season on the road, as they take on a couple east coast teams.  They are healthy, hungry, and hopeful for what the coming months will hold for them. 

 We are grateful and excited to journey with them once again.