The Power of Prayer

The night that Jeffrey and I got engaged, my mom gave me the book Power of a Praying Wife, by Stormie Omartian. I’ve mentioned this book before, but it’s had such a profound impact on my life in learning how to pray. My first time reading through, the book appeared to be so cheesy and repetitive. Once I was able to look past that, I started to understand the truth that was within each page, and my eyes began to be opened to the power we have through prayer. Over the last 4.5 years of marriage, I’ve probably read through the entire book at-least 5 times.

The way that God designed marriage is for each of us to leave our parents and join together as one. It is designed for us to know each other on the deepest level spiritually, emotionally and physically. As a wife, my prayers for my husband are more powerful than anything else. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know that the best way to love my husband is to hit my knees in prayer for him. The book guides you through prayers about your husband's identity, faith, confidence, temptations, integrity, job, health, protection, and so on. Although it will likely take time and patience, being faithful in prayer for your spouse will open up doors and opportunities bigger than you could’ve ever thought up on your own.

Early on in a marriage you quickly begin to recognize the things that make each other tick. Those little habits or quirks that you never noticed before that now drive you crazy. When one of you doesn’t respond the way you should, or when you make a decision the other doesn’t agree with. These little things are capable of driving a wedge between you, and before you know it, you can lose sight of each other and what your relationship once was. One of the main points in the book is rather than praying for God to change your spouse, ask him to begin to change your own heart. Begin to pray that God will bring patience and communication to the areas that are difficult. Before long, God begins to change YOU to become more like Him, and all of the sudden those little things are no longer noticeable.

Marriage is not a 50/50, give and take type of relationship. Marriage is giving 110% from both sides. It’s serving and loving and supporting no matter what. It’s praying for God to mold you and shape you and transform you into the husband or wife that your spouse needs, not changing them to fit the mold you’ve designed for them in your mind.

Praying with and for each other has bound our relationship so tightly. God has protected and grown our relationship over the past few years, despite the distance and time we’ve spent apart. We’ve seen him faithfully guide our path in the direction He desires for us to go.

Recently, Jeffrey and I began going through the book Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge, by Mark Batterson. Often times, it is so easy to treat God like a magic wand. When things are easy, we keep him in our back pocket just in case. When times begin to get a little dicey, we pull him out and abracadabra, we begin to plead with him to change our situation. “God, please change this. This is getting a little too close to the edge. I’m uncomfortable. This wasn’t part of our plan.” Then, when things begin to even out again, we place him safely into our back pocket until we need him next.

THIS IS NOT HOW GOD WORKS. I’ve found this to be an exhausting type of relationship to try and keep up. It’s hard to sense his peace when I’m only communicating with him when I need a little favor.

When you begin to make a shift and completely surrender your plan to God, in exchange for his perfect will, this is where you find joy and peace and hope for the future. This is a vulnerable place to be. It is like telling God he can take away everything and completely replant you, if it will bring glory to His name. Now, I am not saying that we shouldn’t ask God for things. Psalm 37:4 says “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart”. He cares about our desires, big or small. I firmly believe in declaring things over your life and believing for them in the name of Jesus! There is so much power in that. However, when we hold so tightly to our own plan and refuse to give it up, we set ourselves up for disappointment and a life half lived.

If you’re still reading this, I encourage to re-evaluate the way you are coming before God. Instead of only asking him for what you think you want, try to learn to trust him a little more. “Thank you God for where you have us right now. We pray for your will and your perfect timing. We only desire to be in the center of your plan. Show us what that might be.”

I just want to say... If you are trying to go through this life without bringing everything before God, you are making it so much harder on yourself. I’ve been there. I’m still there sometimes. Life presents us with big decisions. God promises to provide for every need. He has the power to heal every sickness, restore any relationship, and forgive any sin. In Christ, through prayer, we have the power to slam the door in the devil’s face, unraveling any plans he has to kill, steal and destroy. Prayer provides a direct line to God, through which we are able to walk freely in the name of Jesus.

As one of my favorite pastors, Louie Giglio often says, my only goal should be “to know God, and to make him known”. That’s it. Whenever and wherever that might be, that’s all we want to be apart of.

And so, when you face times of uncertainty and times of waiting, there is no fear. When you know that you’ve already been on your knees, for months, praying for God’s will and nothing else, you are able to walk into whatever situation comes with inexplicable peace and joy, because you know you are exactly where he wants you to be. He will open the perfect door, and all you have to do is walk through it. Whatever your platform or situation, bring it to Him. He is faithful. And no matter what, strive to know his name and make him known.

“When you pray to God regularly, irregular things happen on a regular basis. You never know when or where or how God will invade the routine of your life, but you can live in holy anticipation, knowing that God is orchestrating supernatural synchronicities.”

Pick up one of these books if you need a little guidance like I do. But give it a try. Commit to one week, one month, six months of prayer for whatever situation you’re encountering, and tell me that God does not prove faithful. I promise your life will be radically changed.  

The Power of a Praying Wife 

Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge  

Why Every Girl Needs a Sister

Next weekend, my cute baby sister graduates from high school. She has worked so hard to get to this point, and I am so proud of her and everything that she has accomplished. She is so strong and shines brighter than anyone I’ve ever known. She loves fiercely and doesn’t let anything stand in the way of her boldness.

In honor of her and her graduation, I thought I would share why I love her so much.

My top five reasons I believe every girl needs a sister:

Improved Wardrobe:

This one seems like a no-brainer to me. Having a sister means that your wardrobe is automatically doubled. If you have a sister, and you fight over clothes, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG. By choosing to have an “open-closet” policy with one another, the number of items to choose from is multiplied. You always swap clothing, and never have to worry about having nothing to wear! You know her closet will make up for the areas yours is lacking.

Honesty:

Having a sister means you will never have to wonder what she is thinking... about you or anything else. The honesty between sisters is too real. Positive or negative, it’s an unspoken promise to always tell each other the truth. From “You look great!” to “Gross, I can see your mustache from all the way over here. Are you going to wax that?” You will never have to wonder how you look, because… well... she is going to tell you exactly what she thinks. From major life decisions, to boys, and bad hair days… sisters tell their honest opinions 100% of the time. Sometimes it’s awful, but it is oh so necessary.

You Can Relate on a Deeper Level:

Sisters can relate on a deeper level than most. You are raised the same, taught the same values, and share the same family. You usually understand each other’s weird quirks and habits because you know where and/or who they came from. You share all of the same favorite family memories, and are always making new ones together. She has an inside look into your family life, because she is a personal part of it… the good and the bad. You just get each other.

Emotional Support:

Sisters are good for emotional support. They listen. They love the people you love, and despise the ones you don’t. They want what is best for you. Sisters let each other cry when it’s necessary, and tell you to grow up when it’s not. You pick each other up when you’re down, but aren’t afraid to give a slap in the face and say “GET OVER IT”.

Built in Maid of Honor/Life Long Bestie:

No amount of time or distance is going to come between sisters. Your relationship is lifelong, and time will do nothing but strengthen the bond. You are in each other’s life from the beginning to end. Every memory and milestone, she will be a part of whether in person or in spirit (or FaceTime). From being your very first dress up doll, to standing by your side on your wedding day, she is the one that you want to be holding your hand; the auntie to spoil your future babies. She will be there with you in the best times and worst, your number one and partner in crime. You’re stuck with her, so you might as well make the most of it.

Sisters are the best. Whether biological, adopted, in-law (I have the best one of these too), or friend... get yourself a sister! You need her, and she'll be the greatest thing to ever happen to you. 

And so, to my sister,

I am so thankful to have you. As you prepare to enter into the big, wide world, always remember who you are and where you came from. Remember the values we were raised on, and stand up for the things you believe in. Stand firm in who you are, but do not be afraid to let go and have fun. Do your best in everything and dream big. Don’t be afraid to fall, because we will be there to catch you. Chase your dreams and don’t stop until you reach them. Keep your eyes on HIM, because there is no other way. I am so proud of you! 

You did it!! I love you, baby sister. 

What Life in Minor League Baseball is Really Like...

It seems like people are always curious and confused about our strange life. It is so bizarre and not really what most people would expect. “So, where exactly do you live?” “How long?” “What’s it like?” Well, it really is one of those things that you do not fully understand until you have experienced it, but I decided to try and offer a glimpse into what life in minor league baseball actually looks like. It is probably different than what you imagine it to be.   

1. Most get paid approximately $3.50/hr... and ONLY during the season.
 

Yep, you read that correctly! The number one misconception about MiLB life is the glitz and glam. Many people seem to think you are raking in the cash, living the high life of fame and fortune. Well, it’s not true folks. Hate to break it to you, but committing to play professional baseball in the minor leagues is being willing to accept a lifestyle of uncertainty and a paycheck equivalent to less than ½ of minimum wage. Players spend close to 10 hours/day, 7 days/week at the field, so don’t even think about trying to get a second job! With that paycheck, you must buy groceries, pay for gas and rent… and don’t forget about club house dues. So not only are most players and their families barely scraping by, but there is definitely no such thing as saving a dime of that paycheck.

We have been completely and abundantly blessed that Jeffrey received a signing bonus that is able to take care of all our needs, but not every player receives that. A large majority are living paycheck to paycheck, hoping to make just enough to continue pursuing this dream. 

This season I have also had the opportunity to babysit and bring in some extra cash, but believe me, it is not easy getting hired when employers know you could pick up and move across the country at a moment’s notice. 

It is times like these when we really notice the Lord’s provision, and His promise to meet our every need.

  

      2. You do not have a home.

Never has the phrase “home is wherever I am with you” been so incredibly relatable to us, as it is now. In the minor leagues, “moving” does not usually involve moving trucks, furniture, and boxes upon boxes. It most likely means packing up your few suitcases you live out of, your two plates, two forks, two pillows, and a crockpot and driving to the next place you will call “home”.  

This is a lifestyle where you live in hotels, sleep on air mattresses on living rooms floors, and 5 players (and a wife or two) living in a 2 or 3 bedroom, unfurnished home is completely expected and normal. It is a lifestyle where an ironing board is equivalent to a kitchen table, and your shower curtain rod doubles as a closet. It’s where eating dinner on the floor is normal because you know as soon as you purchase a couple chairs, it’s going to be time to move again, and you will not have room to take them with you. 

MiLB life is definitely a life of simplicity. It teaches you to value each other’s company over material possessions. It shows you that a roof over your head, food to eat and friendship are all you really need. It reminds you to be thankful for all that you have, to laugh at how comical your life seems at times, and to hold all of the memories close.  

From multiple roommates, to exploding A/C units in sketchy motels, Jeffrey and I have learned to find humor in everything. Over the last couple of years our mindset has transformed from seeing the negatives, to hysterically laughing and thinking “How in the world did we get here?” The only way to really go about it is to fully embrace it. 

      3. There is no such thing as planning.

You don’t plan where you are going to live or when family is going to book a trip to visit you more than a few weeks in advance, because honestly… there is a 99% chance you are going to end up somewhere totally different than expected, at a completely different time than you thought. And guess how much say you have in the matter? ZERO! So don’t even bother with the planning and scheduling, because it’s not going to work out. In fact, you can’t even plan what organization you are going to be playing for, let alone what affiliate. All it takes is one phone call, and you’re on your way to your next “home” miles and miles away.

 

      4. Your family and friends make the sacrifice too. 

Baseball season is extremely long. From Spring Training through playoffs, you may end up playing over 7 months out of the year. Not to mention getting invited to an instructional league or fall league. This means your season has the potential of being 9 months long, and during those months, you play nearly every single day. There is no vacation time or paid sick leave. 

It means missing out on family vacations, graduations, weddings, birthdays and reunions. It can mean spending most of the year across the country, never getting to see your family and friends.

I am blessed to be able to be traveling with Jeffrey this season, but for many, it means saying goodbye to girlfriends, wives and children. It means fathers potentially missing the birth of their own children, or not getting to send them off on their first day of school. It’s players being willing to uproot everything they have ever known, and move to places they have never seen. 

This is what makes the off-season so precious. It makes a phone call or FaceTime so valuable! We are thankful for the sacrifices our friends and families have made for us along this journey. We love you SO MUCH.  

      5. Your entire career depends on your body.

The life of a professional athlete is unique in that your entire career is riding on your physical health and ability. It takes one illness or injury to end everything you have been working your entire career toward. No matter how good you are or how high of a draft pick you may have been, it only takes one unfortunate circumstance, and it can all be taken away. You have to learn to play for today and hope everything else falls into place. 

We are so unbelievably thankful for this journey that we are on, and all that the Yankees have done for us. We have learned to enjoy every opportunity, every day that we are given in this sport. Whether Jeffrey plays for another year or another decade, we will always look back on these years with gratitude. We wouldn’t trade the people we have met or the places we have been for anything in the world. Getting to travel, play the game that you love and be taught by the best in the world is not something to ever take for granted. 

We may not have a lot of say about where we go or when we do, but we are thankful to have a Savior whose plan is perfect! You show up, you work hard and you give it all you've got. You take the minor leagues for what it is: all of its twists, turns and weird quirks. You enjoy every single second of it... because really, that's all you can do. And we absolutely love it!