We are in Charleston!

We are in Charleston, SC! YAY! We are living in the cutest little neighborhood. One where all of the old, brick houses are identical. One where your neighbors sit on their front porch and wave to you as you walk by… every single time. It is a place where you meet someone one time, and they remember your name and everything about you when you see them at a game three days later… and where literally all you ever do is sweat. 

It has been fun to see so much of this side of the country in just one short year since Jeffrey was drafted by the Yankees. What a blessed journey it has been thus far!

Jeffrey has been playing for the Charleston RiverDogs since April, while I have been in Corvallis finishing up school. We are so happy to be together again, and to be saying goodbye to long-distance… at least for now. 

The RiverDogs have had a successful season so far. Jeffrey has been starting in centerfield as leadoff batter, although that has been put on hold lately due to a couple of minor injuries. Over all, he has enjoyed the season so far and the relationships he has developed with his teammates and coaches. 

Minor league baseball can be quite the grind… spending ten hours/day at the field (EVERY SINGLE DAY), bus rides lasting up to 16 hours, and eating basically the exact same thing over and over and over again.

You have to take everything one day at a time and learn that planning is the most unrealistic thing you could ever do! Whether it’s an injury placing you on the disabled list, getting the call up (or down), or being traded to a completely different organization… everything is one day at a time. You can really only focus on today, become the best you can be today, give 100% today, and see what the next “today” is going to throw at you. 

Thankfully Jeffrey is embracing the grind, and taking full advantage of this opportunity… to play a game he loves so much for a living! We are so thankful!

It is so easy to get caught up in the fast-paced fight to the top of the totem pole (especially when your own teammates are your biggest competition), but Jeffrey has managed to keep his head in the right place. 

While talking with a friend that is struggling in his faith, I listened to my precious husband speak straight fire into his life.  He is such a great example to me that there is so much more to the picture and in life than just baseball. As he would put it: Get your priorities straight. You go out there, you love God, you love your teammates, you love the game, and you grind. 100%. Every single day. You become the best servant, leader, and friend that you can be, while working to become the best player you can be. You give your best effort, and you wait to see where it’s going to take you. 

Baseball is not just a sport anymore. It is a passion, a career, and a mission field… and you’ve got to embrace the grind.  So we will do just that, and we will wait and see where it is going to take us.