For those of you that have kept up with my writings so far, don't worry. I will not be writing a new post every other day this entire summer. If the title didn't give it away already, we have arrived down in PCB (Panama City Beach) and finished our first day at SLP (Summer Leadership Project), so I figured it would be good to share with you in more detail what will be happening down here. I will be extremely busy after these next few days, so my posts will begin to dilute down to about 1 a week or so, so please ask me any questions if you have them as I continue to share my experiences with you.
We left from my house at 9:30 in the morning with me, Andy Chambless, and Jesse Nestor and got down to The Ambassador at 3:30 PM. Immediately after we got out of the car, I met my room leader, Wes Coberly and found out my room would consist of me, him and Andy. We unpacked everything in our rooms and then went and hung out on the beach with everybody since we don't have any work yet. After that, 333 (our room number/ nickname) drove around and Wes showed us where the Wal-Mart basketball courts were. We came back to our room, ate dinner and got ready to go to our first meeting of the summer.
At the meeting, we got our handy-dandy notebooks and after we heard a talk and the rules were discussed, we were finally handed out our places of work. This is where God's first miracle happened. When I first arrived at SLP, and was signing in, I was reminded that I would need my Social Security Card so my employer could look at it when giving me a job. Of course, I didn't have it and my mom would not be able to get it out of her security deposit box until Thursday, so I was pretty much out of luck until then. Then, at the meeting, right before jobs were given out, we were told that there was only one place that did not require us to bring our Social Security Card and that is Holiday Inn. Much to my joy, 333 got assigned to work at the Holiday Inn, so crisis averted.
If you remember from my first blog post, I said this trip was not your normal church camp where we show up, hang out and have a good time and go back to our old lifestyles. SLP is real life and real struggle and we as a community will have to fight through our own trials and help carry the burdens of our brothers and sisters as well. That being said, I already love how 333 is looking so far. I got to spend a lot of time getting to know Andy this past semester through D-Group and have also already gotten to have a deep talk with Wes. The coolest thing about this room is how all 3 of us want to willingly make the effort to grow closer together and really get to know what makes us click.
That's pretty much how the first day of project went. I know it wasn't anything too in depth, but if you take anything from this post, let it be that all of us who are on this trip are children under the same God. Whether we have known each other for 10 years or just met today, He has power to bring us together and build us in the love He has provided. I have only known Wes for a single day, but have been blessed with the chance to open up to him what I struggle with and how he can hold me accountable throughout this summer and he and Andy have done the same. None of this could be done without God making it happen.
I also want to again thank all of you who have been reading my blog and have supported my trip whether monetarily or through prayer. You have done more than I could ever imagine and I am forever grateful.
Thank you and God Bless,
Stewbear
Monday, May 20, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Movin' Day
In less than 24 hours, I will be on my way to Panama City Beach (PCB). As I go through my final checklist, I can't help but think of the amazing and mysterious ways my God has worked in my life up to this point. That being said, I would like to share with you just a small story about how PCB has already played a roll in my coming to Christ...
... Ever since my Sophomore year in high school, my life goal was to play baseball at the collegiate level. I played 3rd base, but most of all I was a pitcher. And I was a good one. Pitching was my only chance to play in college since I didn't hit for enough power as a 3rd baseman. I studied the game, would stay up late watching games between teams that I didn't even care about (for example, Twins vs. White Sox) and worked constantly on my mechanics. I got to a point where I was able to tell what the pitcher was going to throw next. I even stopped playing basketball after my Sophomore year just so I could focus on baseball. It was almost an addiction.
All of the work I put into baseball didn't end when my regular high school season ended. After a disappointing 2nd round finish in the playoffs my Junior year, I continued to play all throughout that summer. I played in about 10 tournaments with various teams and did about 5 showcases and even had a personal try-out with East Cobb Baseball in Atlanta. Then, in the last week of June, I had one final tournament down in PCB with a small travel team called the Macon Titans. It wasn't a big tournament (there weren't many scouts there), but it was the beginning of a huge change in my life.
During that final tournament in PCB, I began to feel a sharp pain in my elbow. I had spent plenty of time in the training room for arm troubles throughout my career in baseball. I had deltoid strains, a disturbed growth plate in my shoulder, and tendinitis in my elbow before, so I just assumed this was tendonitis, too and decided to not worry about it until after the tournament. I ended up throwing 9 innings throughout the week with the pain in my elbow, and then when it hurt too much, I was put in the outfield. By then, the pain from throwing and even gripping a baseball was getting to be unbearable. After this week, the next few months flew by. I went on to get an MRI and found out my Ulnar Ligament was beginning to uproot out of my Ulna. So, from August to December I didn't throw, hit, or play on the Wii. I even taught myself how to bowl and shoot basketball left handed so I could at least do something, but overall, I was basically out until the doctor said I could begin playing catch again in December.
In December, I began a gradual throwing program and was feeling much better after 4 months of minimal activity. My arm began to get back into shape and I even did a showcase in January in South Carolina (I did not pitch during this). Then, after all the winter workouts and conditioning, my coach let me start in our scrimmage game against Houston County. This was the first time I pitched 100% since I was hurt, and it ended up going horribly wrong. After about 20 pitches, my arm popped. I tried to throw another pitch and it went about 57 feet and just like that, I was out. I ended up missing 3/4 of the season on the bench until I finally forced myself to play 3rd, and did not throw a single pitch my entire Senior season. I was miserable. I wanted nothing more than to play college ball and as I said before, pitching was my only chance. So, soon after that, I gave up on the sport.
You may be asking yourself, how does this relate to a blog about Summer Leadership Project (SLP)? But, as I think about how much of a blessing it is to get to go on this trip, I am reminded that God has been working on my life to get me here for a long time, now. I ended up not playing baseball in college, but instead got into the University of Georgia (by nothing less than a miracle, because my grades were not amazing in any way), and after having lived for myself for the large part of a semester, I was introduced to the loving community of Campus Outreach. I can't help but imagine where my life would be if I had not so graciously been injured.
What caught my attention so much is that this whole chain of events began with pain in my elbow in PCB, and now I am going back to PCB to grow in awe of an unpredictable and immeasurable God. Looking back, I can see more clearly the direction he has led me and continues to lead me, and as I leave for SLP tomorrow, I am reminded that even though my struggles seem to be too much for me to bear, he has put it in his plan for my good (Romans 8:28). Though my mind can get so focused on the short term outcome of events in my life, it is comforting knowing that God is always planning to do something amazing through it.
I would like to thank those who have supported me and continue to pray for me and my brothers and sister as we continue to be molded into the image of God. PCB isn't known for it's worship of God, but he is sovereign in all things and has power to make any event work for his glory. I also want to leave you with one verse that sticks out to me as I finish off this post...
... "For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those that have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
Please send me an email at swbowers@uga.edu is you have any questions or want me to pray for you in any way.
Thank you and God Bless,
Stewbear
... Ever since my Sophomore year in high school, my life goal was to play baseball at the collegiate level. I played 3rd base, but most of all I was a pitcher. And I was a good one. Pitching was my only chance to play in college since I didn't hit for enough power as a 3rd baseman. I studied the game, would stay up late watching games between teams that I didn't even care about (for example, Twins vs. White Sox) and worked constantly on my mechanics. I got to a point where I was able to tell what the pitcher was going to throw next. I even stopped playing basketball after my Sophomore year just so I could focus on baseball. It was almost an addiction.
All of the work I put into baseball didn't end when my regular high school season ended. After a disappointing 2nd round finish in the playoffs my Junior year, I continued to play all throughout that summer. I played in about 10 tournaments with various teams and did about 5 showcases and even had a personal try-out with East Cobb Baseball in Atlanta. Then, in the last week of June, I had one final tournament down in PCB with a small travel team called the Macon Titans. It wasn't a big tournament (there weren't many scouts there), but it was the beginning of a huge change in my life.
During that final tournament in PCB, I began to feel a sharp pain in my elbow. I had spent plenty of time in the training room for arm troubles throughout my career in baseball. I had deltoid strains, a disturbed growth plate in my shoulder, and tendinitis in my elbow before, so I just assumed this was tendonitis, too and decided to not worry about it until after the tournament. I ended up throwing 9 innings throughout the week with the pain in my elbow, and then when it hurt too much, I was put in the outfield. By then, the pain from throwing and even gripping a baseball was getting to be unbearable. After this week, the next few months flew by. I went on to get an MRI and found out my Ulnar Ligament was beginning to uproot out of my Ulna. So, from August to December I didn't throw, hit, or play on the Wii. I even taught myself how to bowl and shoot basketball left handed so I could at least do something, but overall, I was basically out until the doctor said I could begin playing catch again in December.
In December, I began a gradual throwing program and was feeling much better after 4 months of minimal activity. My arm began to get back into shape and I even did a showcase in January in South Carolina (I did not pitch during this). Then, after all the winter workouts and conditioning, my coach let me start in our scrimmage game against Houston County. This was the first time I pitched 100% since I was hurt, and it ended up going horribly wrong. After about 20 pitches, my arm popped. I tried to throw another pitch and it went about 57 feet and just like that, I was out. I ended up missing 3/4 of the season on the bench until I finally forced myself to play 3rd, and did not throw a single pitch my entire Senior season. I was miserable. I wanted nothing more than to play college ball and as I said before, pitching was my only chance. So, soon after that, I gave up on the sport.
You may be asking yourself, how does this relate to a blog about Summer Leadership Project (SLP)? But, as I think about how much of a blessing it is to get to go on this trip, I am reminded that God has been working on my life to get me here for a long time, now. I ended up not playing baseball in college, but instead got into the University of Georgia (by nothing less than a miracle, because my grades were not amazing in any way), and after having lived for myself for the large part of a semester, I was introduced to the loving community of Campus Outreach. I can't help but imagine where my life would be if I had not so graciously been injured.
What caught my attention so much is that this whole chain of events began with pain in my elbow in PCB, and now I am going back to PCB to grow in awe of an unpredictable and immeasurable God. Looking back, I can see more clearly the direction he has led me and continues to lead me, and as I leave for SLP tomorrow, I am reminded that even though my struggles seem to be too much for me to bear, he has put it in his plan for my good (Romans 8:28). Though my mind can get so focused on the short term outcome of events in my life, it is comforting knowing that God is always planning to do something amazing through it.
... "For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those that have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)
Please send me an email at swbowers@uga.edu is you have any questions or want me to pray for you in any way.
Thank you and God Bless,
Stewbear
Monday, May 13, 2013
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
You've all probably heard the cliché in the title before. The phrase refers to the seemingly unending wait that comes before a major event. This phrase fits my mood perfectly right now. The only way it could be better is if it read, "The calm BETWEEN the storms," since I just hectically finished taking my finals at the end of my second year of college, and now await the day when I leave to go to my first ever Summer Leadership Project (SLP).
I would be lying if I said I weren't nervous. SLP isn't just any church camp where I get to go have a good time, show off how far I can throw a football, make an appearance at the "churchy" events, and be on my merry way back home where I jump back into the same lifestyle I had before. This trip, from what I have heard and witnessed, will be much different. Those "churchy" situations aren't going to be some side note, but instead, learning how to follow Jesus and be completely overwhelmed by his amazing love for me is THE REASON for me going to SLP. This will be no cake walk. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples to go and share the gospel to cities around the area. As he was sending them off, he said, "Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves." (Luke 10: 3)
Many people have asked me why I am going to PCB (Panama City Beach) for a trip to grow in my faith. PCB isn't really known for it's love for the gospel, but as a place for partying. The previous passage mentioned in Luke answers that question. We are not called only to the easy places where we can live in comfort (don't get me wrong, those places are important too), but we are called to step out and take risks and be in situations that we would have no chance to get through without having to completely trust in the sovereignty of God. That is exactly why PCB is perfect. This trip will not be easy, but it's in the hard places where God really gets to flex his muscle (2 Cor. 12:7-10).
While in PCB, I will have a job, be living in a room with multiple guys, and will learn how to manage my time and money wisely. This is all part of the real world experience of SLP. We will not be cut off from the world, but will be living right in the middle of it. God will be pushing me to my limits both physically and mentally in everyday life.
As nervous as I am about how tough SLP will be, I'm excited for the growth and knowledge that can come from it. It's going to be 9 weeks of gospel, reality checks, work, and love with about 100 of my brothers and sisters all pursuing the same thing I am. SLP will definitely be a storm of sorts.
If you are wanting to support my trip whether through prayers or monetarily, you can reach me at my email: swbowers@uga.edu or send mail to 791 Downing Street, Macon, Ga 31204. I am beyond grateful for all of your love and support, and can't wait to let you know how this trip goes.
To finish my first blog post, I also ask all who read to pray continuously through this summer. Please pray for me and those going with me to constantly grow in dependence in our Savior, Christ Jesus and for us to be stitched together in the love given to us. Please tell me how I may pray for you as well!
With much love,
Stewbear
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