Hey COUGAR CRAZIES! (Whether you are a member of the group on Facebook or not, I deem you worthy of being called such due to the fact you're reading this blog! Congratulations!)

I could probably write a pretty lengthy book based on everything that has happened since my last post, which was merely written to get as many readers as possible to attend the Cedarville game a week ago Saturday. I don't know if it was the post, the weight of the game, or the constant "HEY YOU SHOULD COME" that I told everyone all week, but we had a TON of supporters out to Cedarville last week, and it made for a FANTASTIC game!!! Let me tell you, pretty crazy stuff! Ha ha, I encourage you to check out the write up on the game, or perhaps the YouTube video that Tyler Nelson was so gracious to put together...neither of which were per my request! Ha ha, needless to say, we won and got to play again yesterday in a much-needed redemption match against Walsh.

The Walsh game went pretty smoothly. They had the wind behind them the first half, which made it difficult for us to get things going, but we managed to get out of the half without conceding a goal while managing a few dangerous chances but no shots on goal. The second half opened up nicely as Chris Allen scored two what I like to call "gut-check goals", meaning he dug deep and managed to score...I don't really know how as they weren't super pretty, but they crossed the line and that's all that counts. Scott Spangler, on the other hand, opted away from the "gut check goal" and went with the more "FREAKING SWEETEST THING I'VE NEVER SEEN ON SPORTSCENTER GOAL" as he put a 50-yard free kick into the upper 90. Trust me, I was running straight at the goalie/post expecting a rebound and was stunned when I heard the pleasant swoosh sound that only happens when the ball hits the net...truly a great goal! Thanks to the win, we will be missing more school and weekends at the library to travel up to New York where the conference champs, Roberts Wesleyan, await us. I'm really looking forward to heading up to see Mike (featured in a previous blog video) and my other New York friends as well as contend in the final four for the conference tournament championship and an NAIA national tournament berth.

That would probably conclude the soccer part of the narrative story that was my last week, but unfortunately soccer was the not the most important or significant thing that happened in my life since my last post. Around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, I received a message/email/phone call all relatively simultaneously on my smart phone from a friend/sister/parent saying and I quote:

"Your house is on fire"

.......huh?

"No seriously, the house is burning down right before my eyes"

......oh boy

Praise the Lord, all of my family members, pets, and a few important photos and journals all survived the fire with minimal to no damage. Our house on the other hand opted to end its 109 years of existence in a rather elaborate fire display. Everything is considered a total loss. What isn't crispy is soaked clear through, and my family is quickly realizing what it means to live with the daily provisions of the Lord. Our church family, friends, family, and body of believers have been a tremendous support to us in this crazy time, and we're waiting to see what the next step is in our life based on the Lord's directing.

Strangely enough, this whole thing has really been an answer to prayer.

"What prayer?" you ask.

The prayer that went "What should we do with the house??? options are A, B, C, D..."

And God said something along the lines of, "I don't respond with letters in the alphabet. I know what is best and I will take care of you. Trust me, I am faithful."

So, that is what we are doing now. We are trusting that He is faithful and will continue to take care of us. I appreciate the prayers and will be sure to continue to update you all as the season continues to unfold and our lives post trials by fire (to coin a phrase).