Thanks for visiting!

Tim plays baseball and Whitney follows him around. This page was created so that our friends and family can have a glimpse into our daily lives while we're on the road. Love and miss you all!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Article and Pics

Well, here are some pics from Tim speaking to the kids the other night...







And here is the article they sent in to go with the pictures...

Inspired at Coolray Field

As a culmination to a very busy, service-packed school year, members of the Loganville Elementary School’s Jr. Beta Club spent Friday evening at Coolray Field. They watched as Gwinnett Braves pitcher Tim Gustafson helped to shutout the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. After the post-game fireworks the students were in for a big surprise. Gustafson came out to meet the group. Before taking pictures and signing autographs Gustafson talked with the group about the importance of good grades and always doing their best. He told the group that playing baseball had always been his dream but that he knew baseball couldn’t last forever…so he needed to make sure that he had prepared himself for his future after baseball. Fifth grade student Josh Moore said, “Mr. Gustafson made me realize that if I want something, I have to go out and work for it...and that includes doing my best in school.” The timing of the dialogue between Gustafson and Jr. Beta members was perfect…the group will enter middle school in the fall, a time notorious for pre-teen challenges with identity, more peer pressure, and academic excellence.


A BIG "Thank You" To Loganville Elementary's Jr. Beta Club for coming out and listening to what Tim had to say. We both thoroughly enjoyed it!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

*BIG Smile* All Around

I am SO VERY proud of my husband. He's been pitching so well and, most importantly, improving every game. But that's not really what I'm talking about...

Sure, I am proud of his baseball accomplishments but that's not why I married him and it's not why I'm so proud.

Last night he pitched 6 innings with 4 hits and no runs. GREAT game. But afterwards, a local elementary school Jr. Beta Club came and he spoke to them afterwards. Watching him stand in front of those kids and use his platform as a baseball player to positively influence these kids' lives is what really made me proud. Seeing his eyes light up as he told them how important it was to maintain good grades and make smart life choices, etc. made my heart swell to triple it's size with pride for him.

A friend of ours (THANK YOU Henley!) and one of the teachers took pictures so when I get them, I'll post them for you to see.

He could give all of the glory of his success to himself. He definitely works his tail off, but he gives every ounce of praise to our God above and uses his job as a baseball player for the positive. He gives back what he has been given and THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is only one of the many many reasons I love my husband.

Well, that and the fact he's really, really, really, ridiculously good-looking...

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Gethsemane...again

Okay. So, I wanted to delve a tad bit deeper into my last post seeing as how I was a tired and scattered brained fool who couldn't string a sentence together.

It really never ceases to amaze me at how just when you think you're at the end of your rope and can't take anymore, Jesus shows you something that keeps you going a little longer. For me, He's showing (as in 'still in the process of') me the importance of finding my joy and peace from HIM. Nothing else. Let me see if I can timeline this somewhat for you...

I was frustrated. God led me to the aforementioned Needtobreathe song (Garden). This song showed me how in Jesus' most difficult time, he was begging God to take this cup (His upcoming crucifixion) away. BUT. But then He says that if it is in God's will that He die, that it be used for the glory of Christ.

I'm ashamed to admit that I don't think like that as often as I should. Not MY will, but YOURS be done.

Then, God led me to a sermon (that I will GLADLY share with anyone who is interested) that my grandmother gave me. It's actually not so much a sermon as it is a pastor telling a story about the Bema Judegement. I have never felt so inadequate as I did after I listened to that sermon. It speaks of how when we get to heaven, Christians will have a sort of 'awards day' for lack of better word. Basically, we will be rewarded for our actions here on earth that were used to further the kingdom of Christ. NOTHING. ELSE. MATTERS. to Jesus.

Did you get that? No? Let me say it again...

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS TO JESUS EXCEPT WHAT WE DO TO FURTHER THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST.

Wow. I've wasted a lot of my life on things that are of no importance whatsoever to Christ.

If that wasn't enough, I've started reading David Platt's new book "Radical". Read it. He talks about how we as Christians have shaped God into who we are comfortable with, not who the Bible tells us He is. It talks about how we make the 'American Dream' our ultimate purpose in life when that doesn't matter at all.

So basically, what I'm learning is how to find true happiness, peace, joy, and pure contentment on this earth because I know that all curcumstances here are temporary. Where the REAL treasures are, well... they're in eternity.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Gethsemane

So, this is normally a post that I would put on my personal blog, but seeing as how baseball is the root of my problem, I'm posting it here as well. I'm also a bit scatter brained so excuse the choppy thoughts...

I've struggled lately with prayer.

With baseball, nothing is certain and loving Tim as I do, I want him to succeed every time he steps on the mound. Because of this, I pray...alot. When I say I've struggled with prayer, what I mean is how to pray, when to pray, what to pray for, etc. I don't want to have a selfish prayer, but at the same time I don't want to NOT ask God for His blessings. To say the least, I've been confused...

As I've stated in previous posts, I love Needtobreathe. I was listening to some of their music today and found a new song called "Garden". The whole song is amazing but it was the following lines that grabbed my attention:

'If tomorrow means my death, I pray you’ll save their souls with it'

This made me read the events of Gethsemane again in Matthew and found this passage in chapter 26 vs 42...

"He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

In Mark 14 vs 36 it's worded like this...

"'Abba', Father," he said,'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"

This helps me.

Here are the words to the Needtobreathe song...

Won’t you take this cup from me
‘Cause fear has stolen all my sleep
If tomorrow means my death
I pray you’ll save their souls with it

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

In this hour of doubt I see
But who I am is not just me
So give me strength to die myself
So love can live to tell the tale

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you

Father let my heart be…
For you

Let the songs I sing
Bring joy to you
Let the words I say profess my love
Let the notes I choose
Be your favorite tune
Father let my heart be after you



Anyways, again, sorry for the choppy thoughts but hopefully you understand what I'm trying to say...