Loyalty

Loyalty is faithful adherence.

This is a quality that I want to have in my life.  My friends and family members have all said that I have loyalty.  Loyalty to them and also to other things that I have passion in is extremely important to me.  In my own opinion, loyalty is a respectable quality to have.  For some reason, when I see loyal people, I want to be like them.  The disciples were loyal to Jesus as they followed Him on a crazy, but amazing journey, and also Jesus was loyal to the Father by dying on a cross for our sins.  That is pure loyalty and I am not sure I am there yet, actually I know I am not there yet. 

Every day, I try to be a loyal person and help out.  As an assistant basketball coach, I help support my head coach with making sure players and equipment gets to games, help with stats and interpreting them, watching game film or anything they ask.  When it comes to my friends, I try to be a listening ear whenever they need it.  In my walk with God, I stay loyal by living my life in accordance with His word with Christlike character.  Like any human being, we always fail and fall short, but the best thing to do is to pick ourselves up and keep going.  We are forgiven.

Is loyalty a quality you want to work on in your life?  I still am, every single day.

T~Money

Health and Fitness Battle

I have had some good journeys and bad journeys when it comes to getting healthy and fit.  About 9 years ago I was able to lose about 60 lbs. and get into the healthy range of my height and weight.  Then my life made some drastic changes due to stress with moving, job changes and other things that all I did was eat and I gained a lot of weight.  Now I am in the process of trying to loose that weight again.  Like always, it is another journey.

I will be completely honest and say that I love food.  Put a good sugar cookie or something chocolate in front of me and I will eat it.  I tend to lean towards eating the bad things for you all the time.  I am though trying to change that.  I have been doing a little bit of research on what types of foods are better for you and compiling a list that is available to me so that I am reminded of which foods are healthier choices.  The struggle is always there for me.

I have always been a very active person.  The cool thing about my current job has a great relationship with a local fitness gym that gives great deals.  So I was able to get a family membership with my parents at a low monthly rate and my mom splits the cost with me.  Right now I am going about 3 times a week with a hopes of going 5 days a week in the future.  I just keep trying to build up my strength in my entire body.  Some days I don't want to go or I am tired from working all night, but I try to make it and do something.  I am learning balance when it comes to when the best time is to work out.  It is very interesting to me.

So that is the last thing I will mention in this post, balance.  Every journey in life has to have balance.  That is what I am trying to learn all over again.  Balance needs to happen in our personal lives, relationships, fitness lives and our spiritual lives.  It is a must.  My final thought today, where in your life do you need to do some balancing out in?

T~Money

Spending Time With The Lord

Did you know that it is really important to spend time with the Lord on a daily basis through worship, prayer, reading your bible and a devotional?  I know this, but I will be honest and say that I don't do it every single day and I know that that saddens the Lord.  I have repented over and over and over again for not spending time with God and because He is so loving and merciful, He forgives me every single time.  I try to spend time with Him every day.  Each year I kind of make it my personal goal to spend more time with the Lord.  So far this year has been pretty good, but I want to do it more.

All the times that I spend with Jesus are so precious to me.  When I talk with Him, I get to know Him better.  It is just like a real relationship with your friends today.  To get to know someone better, you have to talk with them.  It is plain and simple.  To grow in our relationships with God we have to spend time with Him.

If you want to increase your relationship with God, take time out of your day to meet with Him.  It will truly change your life.

T~Money

Basketball Referee

Being a basketball referee or any type of referee is an extremely hard job.  Whenever they are doing their job, they are making judgement calls.  It all comes down to what they see on the court.  I was a referee about 10 years ago and there were times that I didn't like it, but for some reason I always knew I could do it.  I stopped to go do others things, but just recently I have been thrown back into it and it got me thinking about fairness, a person's character and so many other things.

Being a referee is a hard job.  The fans, coaches, and players either like you or hate you because of the calls that you make during the game.  Referees can be bias if they like a certain team or not.  Honestly there are good officials and bad officials.  The best thing to do is to be fair.  Fairness is what counts.  The calls need to be the right calls.

All aspects in sports can reveal a person's character.  I know this from first hand experience.  I have been a player, a coach, a fan and even a referee.  I have done my fair share of yelling and showing bad character at games.  Sometimes the passion just over does it for me and I behave badly.  I can literally get out of control.  Over the years I have had to learn what it is lie to be in control and attend games just for fun remembering that it is just a friendly competition.  Also, you never know who you know could be there and see you act badly.  I have probably lost friends because of how I react at all sporting events.  I want to be a role model for younger people so I try to the best of my ability to show Christ like character.

Now when I am at a game, I have respect for the referees because they are human and they call what they can see.  Thank you Lord for revealing the character traits that I needed to change through sports competitions.  I want to be more like You everyday.  Amen,

T~Money

Being Organized

During another blog post that I wrote this month, I talked about how sometimes we need to declutter our lives by getting rid of different things that we don't really need.  When I did my decluttering, I reorganized some things.  Papers were thrown out, things put in boxes, clothes and other items were donated to charity, but importantly things were getting organized and I was feeling less pressure in my life.

That is what happens to me in my life, when I am not organized, I feel lots of pressure and life is not enjoyable.  So I try to live my life with as much organization as possible.  I will be honest that there are times when I am not organized at all.  There will be laundry on the floor in my room, papers on my desk that need to be put away and other things just lying around.  Whenever I take the time to get reorganized, I always feel good.

So here is my question to you, are there things in your life that you need organized?  If so, I would take the time to do it.  It is well worth it in the long run.

T~Money

Gonzaga University

A few posts ago you all got to see the essay I used to get into Gonzaga University.  I have wanted to go there for many years.  I had looked into going to Gonzaga right out of high school, but it cost way to much money so I went to another public university.  The desire to go to Gonzaga never went away.  I always wanted to get a degree from my dream school.  I even did things like become a Gonzaga Women's Basketball Season ticket holder which I am still today.  The nudge to go still didn't go away.  I wanted to be a student.  I wanted to learn from these professors. 

So in the Spring of 2012 I applied and was accepted to the school.  I was running around like a mad person because I was so excited.  I did spend just over 2 years going through the program and enjoyed my time at the school.  The conclusion and reward is that I came out with a Master's Degree in Sports and Athletic Administration.  Now I just get to pay back my loans for going back to school, but it is all worth it.

If you have a dream to go to a school that cost to much, still try to go for it.  The ways for paying for it will be there because God is our provider.  If He wants you to go then you will go.  Keep on dreaming big!!!

T~Money

Why Not You?

Why Not You? is a quote from Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson.  This was a question that his father always asked him.  Russell Wilson was small for his size so when it comes to playing quarterback, people just kind of looked at him and said, he won't do great things and so forth.  In the 4 years he has been in the NFL, he has led the Seattle Seahawks to 4 playoff performances, including being Super Bowl Champs in Super Bowl 48.  The question from his father was a motivator for him to go out and do great things and do the impossible when other people said he couldn't do it.

Russell Wilson is probably my favorite football player.  This quote is a quote that I try to live my life by.  I try to look at every situation or challenge that I am in and say to myself, "Why Not You?"  I truly believe that I can go out there in this world and accomplish anything like anybody else.  This quote helps motivate me like it did with Russell Wilson.

So I will ask you the same questions, "Why Not You?"  If you are struggling with self doubt right now and believe that whatever you are going through that you can't do it, I pray that you remember that you CAN do it!!!  Christ is right there with you to walk with and take you through it.  You truly are a person who is called for greatness.

T~Money

Changing My Clock

Because I work "graveyard" at my job, I actually sleep during the day when everybody else is either at work, school, coffee meetings or anything else.  When it comes to the weekend, I try to be like a normal person and sleep when regular people are sleeping.  That usually happens for 1 night and then I have to change my clock back over so that I am rested and ready to go for my shift Sunday night.  That is what I am doing right now.  It is almost 3:00am in the morning and I am about ready to go to sleep for a few hours before I wake up and go to church.  Then I will come home and take a good 3 to 4 hour nap and then go to work tonight.  I know, this is a crazy schedule and right now it is my schedule, but no matter what, I am extremely thankful for the job that God has given to me so that I can pay my bills.

I will say this, it isn't that hard now to change my clock over because I am use to it.  It was hard at first, but not now because I know what I am doing.  As long as I know my schedule then I am good.

So there is a little tidbit about how I survive the graveyard shift.  I am just glad that this schedule is consistent all the time.

Good night or good morning to you all.

T~Money

Essay that got me accepted into Gonzaga University

This last year, I finished up and earned a Master's Degree in Sports and Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University.  Here is my essay/letter that I sent to the dean to with my application.

As a 13-years-old girl, I sat in my living room intensely watching the 1999 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Sweet Sixteen game between Gonzaga University and the University of Florida. Casey Calvary tips in the missed runner shot by Quentin Hall for the game winner sending the men's basketball team to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. At that moment, I fell in love with Gonzaga basketball, the university, and the commitment of excellence that is taught to each person who walks onto the campus in Spokane, WA.

 

Sports became a part of my lifestyle as a young girl. The main sport in my life is basketball. My mom witnessed me coaching my imaginary basketball team on the driveway as I ran through drills, plays and scrimmages. As the years went by, my passion for basketball just grew to the point that I got involved as a player, referee, stats manager, and coach. My coaching experience came in the summers of 2005 and 2006 when I traveled to Billings, Montana to coach with Northwest Basketball Camps. I led one team to a camp championship, but the most important things I gained from these two summers were valuable coaching tips, players building confidence within themselves and lifelong friendships.

 

I am privileged to grow up in the family business called D-Mac Construction. As a little girl, my father would assign me tasks within the company. I started with picking up nails on job sites to typing all of his bids for clients and balancing out his business accounts. To this day, I continue to work in the family business as often as I can to help support my family for all they have done for me. Through this experience, I have learned responsibility, commitment and customer service. With these qualities, I will be able to inspire athletes to have a strong work ethic through basketball.

 

My life journey threw me a fastball when I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2007 during my senior year in college. Asperger's Syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder that is defined by evidential difficulties in social interaction, along with limited and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests. Does knowing that I have this disability give me a fear of not being a good basketball coach or the fear of not having the ability to interact with players? Yes it truly does, but I have learned to overcome my fear by making the Eastern Washington University Dean's List, completing my Bachelor's degree, being more social with other people and acquiring the tools to relate to them in a whole new way.

While attending Eastern Washington University, I took an interviewing class to prepare me for job interviews after I graduated. My professor gave the assignment to go out and interview a person who has a profession we would like to do as a career. It wasn't a surprise to anyone that I decided to interview Gonzaga's head women's basketball coach, Kelly Graves. I sat in his office and did a 45 minute interview learning all about his life, family, and coaching tips. It was after that interview my family and I became Gonzaga women's basketball season ticket holders and have been ever since. As a season ticket holder, I have gained relationships with the coaching staff, players and other fans. The atmosphere in the McCarthy Athletic Center at every home game has the feeling of a family and that inspires me to follow my dreams of becoming a college basketball coach.

 

In April of 2011, I made a choice to turn my life around. I moved into Anna Ogden Hall, the women and children's recovery program through the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane. Upon moving in, one of the counselor's asked me, “Trinity, what is the one thing that you have in common with all of women in the house?” My answer was, “I don't know.” Her response was, “You have been hurt.” That is so true. Like any human being, I have been hurt by family members, friends, and others from my past. Now I have been here 10 months and have learned social skills, received healing and most importantly found the strength and confidence to be who I want to be and go after my hopes and dreams.

 

In closing, Eastern Washington University gave me an outstanding education for my Bachelor Degree, but I believe that Gonzaga University's Sports and Athletic Administration Master's Program will give me the finer education that leads me in the direction of my dreams to coach basketball. I hope to make an important difference in society on the sports spectrum; Gonzaga University will provide me that opportunity.

Thank you very much for your time.

I hope you enjoyed reading that.  I had tons of help writing this which I am extremely thankful for.  This was a dream come to to be accepted into this program.  It I can go after my dreams so can you.  God put those dreams in our hearts for a reason.

T~Money

Vision Fulfilled

Just a few days ago, I realized that a vision that I had while at a Young Adult gathering at my old church, had been fulfilled in one way or another. 

First let me tell you what the vision was.  When I was praying and worshiping the Lord, He gave me a vision.  As I was receiving the vision, I was walking in a straight line and could see a square that looked like the out of bounds lines of a basketball court.  Then I looked over at the front row of chairs and they looked like two benches, one for each team.  Then I noticed that the pulpit was placed in the middle of the square.  Finally we use to have flags all around our sanctuary and two flags lined up perfectly so that they represented two basketball hoops.  Then I felt the Lord say to me that I would be a basketball coach and coach my basketball team on biblical principles.  Ever since that day, I have held on to my faith that the Lord would make this vision come true.

Now lets fast forward a few years, up until November 2014.  I sent an e-mail to a head girls basketball coach at one of the local high schools in Spokane, asking for the opportunity to volunteer with the basketball program that year just to gain experience.  That e-mail was sent to the athletic director who contacted me, then interviewed me and then offered me a job.  That job was the JV girl's head basketball coach.  The school, was Northwest Christian Schools.  A school that thrives in educating kids with a Christian/Biblical education. 

So here I was fulfilling the vision that God gave to me those years ago.  I was a head coach, coaching a team that was based on biblical values.  I wish I could have realized it then, but am grateful to have realized it at all.  I am amazed at how faithful God truly is on keeping His promises to His people.  I am thankful that He doesn't give up on us either.

So that me ask you this, if God has given you a vision, or dream and it hasn't come true yet, keep waiting because His timing is perfect.  He will make it come true.  Don't worry.  Now, if God hasn't given you a vision or dream, ask Him for one and He will give it to you.  They are amazing and I am glad that He showed one to me.  God is truly awesome!!!  Just saying!!!

T~Money

Basketball, The Game I Love

I was asked to write down reasons why I love the game of basketball for a counseling assignment when I was in counseling about 7 or 8 years ago.  Here is what I came up with.

What draws me to the game of basketball?

• fast pace
• statistics of the game
• strategies of the game w/ plays and breaking down the defense
• teamwork
• family atmosphere
• intense environment
• interaction between players, coaches and fans

What different emotions does the game of basketball give me?

• intensity
• acceptance
• confidence
• strength
• good feeling
• totally in love
• stressful (only in tight ball games)
• comfortable

Basketball is a game that I love.  The game is apart of me.  I love going to games, watching games on TV, looking at game stats and learning more about the game any chance I get.  What sports or games do you love?  Never lose passion for those things or anything that you love.

T~Money

Weekends

Weekends are extremely important to me.  Lots of things happen to me on weekends.  I usually use these times of the week to play catch up from everything that has happened throughout the week.  I run errands, clean my room, do laundry, go to church, read, workout and so many other things.  I sad thing is that when I feel like the weekend has just begun, then it is ending and a new week is upon us.  I do find some times to just rest and have "me time".  Other things I do are hang out with my friends.  Weekends are so much fun.

I am thankful that God made weekends when He was creating the world and the days, weeks and years.  If it wasn't for weekends I wouldn't know how to rejuvenate my life from the busyness I have throughout the week if God hadn't created weekends. 

Hopefully you are able to do fun things on your weekends and get rejuvenated for your week and weeks ahead.  Weekends are a good thing.

T~Money

Honoring A Good Man

Today is the day that we honor a man that tried everything he could so that everybody no matter the color of your skin or race or gender could be equal. This man was always on a mission. He was loved and hated at the same time. He was always in God's will and because of that he lost his life. This man is Martin Luther King Jr. 

Martin Luther King Jr. was an honorable man. I honestly don't think I could do what he did or even have the boldness like he did. This man is an inspiration to all. I think it is a good reminder that we should try to have the Christlike character that Martin Luther King Jr. did. 

Finally remember that God has a plan and will for each of our lives. Let's seek Him to find out what it is just like Martin Luther King Jr. 

T~Money

When I Became A Christian

I have grown up in a Christian home my entire life and go to church on a regular basis.  I am blessed to have two parents that put Christ as the center of their marriage and our home.  I truly don't think that it wasn't until I was 9 years old that I truly knew what it meant to be a Christian.

It was March 1995 and I was at a church doing to an event that was like vacation bible school called Puppets and Praise.  It was a group that shared the gospel story through puppets.  It was extremely entertaining and enjoyable for my age.  It was the second to last night when the group does the gospel message and invites kids to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  It was that year that I truly felt the Lord tugging on my heart to accept Him fully.  I know before that day that I had asked Jesus into my heart, but I don't truly believe I understood what it truly meant until that day. 

Ever since that day my life has been changed.  The journey hasn't been easy by all means, but it has been worth it.  I have made many mistakes and sinned many times, but each day I wake up knowing that I have been forgiven and can start again.  What makes going on this journey so worth it is knowing and testifying at all the great things that God has done in my life along the way.  The other Christians that He has put into my life to help and bless me along the way and even the people I have gotten to bless as well.  Being a Christian is not an easy journey, but one worth going on.

If you have never received Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World who took away all sin into your heart, I would encourage you to do so.  If you have any questions about it, I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  Please don't hesitate to ask.  I pray that you would all know and have relationship with the most awesome God there is out there.

T~Money

Playing Drums

When I was in the fifth grade, I had the opportunity to play drums in the school band and I caught on really quick.  When I was a sophomore in high school, I ended up taking a percussion class and even marching in the Spokane Lilac Parade. 

Then just after I graduated high school, I decided to join my church's worship team and play the drums just like my dad had done for over 15 years.  I was on my church's worship team for over 11 years before I was called to change churches.  I had so much fun playing the drums.  There were even times when I got frustrated, but I kept on playing and the joy of playing came back.

The reason that I love playing drums the most is that I get to hit something.  It is very relaxing whenever I played drums.  I can't sing on key at all so getting to hit something unto the Lord was right up my sleeve.  I also love playing the drums because it means that I am making music and I already told you in an earlier blog post tonight just how much I love music, so there it is.  I was self taught on the drums.  I never got a true formal listen.  Even today I practice here and there.

Ever since changing churches, I haven't gotten onto the worship team there yet, but maybe one day.  I look forward to the day I get to play in a worship band again.

So what instruments do you play, if any?  If you don't play one have you ever thought about picking up one?  It is a lot of fun.  Don't just take my word for it, go into a music store and pick something up.  You may actually like it.

T~Money

Nickname = T~Money

You have probably noticed that I sign off on every blog post as T~Money instead of my name Trinity.  Well T~Money was a nickname given to be as a basketball coach at a basketball camp over 10 years ago and it just stuck with me.

I was a basketball coach for NBC Camps in Billings, MT back in 2005 and the group that I coached with decided that we were going to have nicknames that all had to do with money and I got T~Money.  I haven't been called it for a while, but it is still one of my favorite nicknames that I have to date. 

I enjoy having a nickname even though I am grateful for my given name.  My given name of Trinity is special to me.  The name Trinity means three-in-one.  In my family I am the third child in one family and the only girl so it kind of fits.

So there it is, my nickname?  What is your favorite nickname that has been given to you?

T~Money aka Trinity

TV Shows/Movies that I Watch

This particular post is just like the one I just posted on about music.  I sensory the type of TV shows and movies that I watch.  I don't watch movies or TV Shows that have very many swear words in them.  I will not watch anything that has the F-Word in it or a rated R movie.  I will confess that I do own 1 rated R movie and that is Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.  The only reason I actually own this movie is because of the message of the movie. 

Some of my favorite movies have to be, Anne of Green Gables series, The Sound of Music, Top Gun, Runaway Bride, The Hunger Games Series, War Room, Hallmark Channel movies and many other types of movies.

Some of my favorite TV Shows have to be JAG, Castle, Chicago Fire, Last Man Standing, Full House, sports and many others.

I will say that my two probably favorite TV channel to watch are the Hallmark Channel and the Disney Channel.  I love these two channels because the programs that they play are family friendly and anybody can watch them.  This might sound really cheesy, but I don't care.  I would rather have something wholesome going into my soul then something that shouldn't.

Have you ever taken a look at the things that you watch and decided if you should stop watching them or not, I have and it has benefited me tons.  Maybe you should do it, just a thought.

T~Money

Music that I listen to!!!

I love listening to music all the time.  Even right now I am listening to some as I write this blog post.  If you saw me at the gym, I would be listening to music, or cleaning my house, or especially at work.  Growing up, I was one of those kids that you could find having their own personal concert in their living room with music just blasting out of the speakers.  I would definitely call myself a rocker.

I am extremely sensitive to the music that I listen to.  I love listening to Christian music like Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Plus One, Natalie Grant, Missi Hale or even worship music from Passion or Planetshakers.  I also love music that has an inspiration music or purpose to it.  It took me a while to like, but I am a country music fan because those songs tell stories.  I will even confess that I am an old school boy band listener like Backstreet Boys and N'Sync.  I do love also listening to soundtracks from movies that have good music selections.  Even Disney songs are amazing, just saying. 

I will tell you this, I will not listen to any music that has swear words in it.  Those types of songs don't uplift me so I don't listen to them.

So let me leave you with these two questions: What type of music do you listen to do and is it the type of music that uplifts your spirits?  If the answer to the second question is a no then maybe you need to take a closer look at the type of music you do listen to.  Just a thought.  Many blessings as we enter into a brand new week.

T~Money

Favorite Things About My Job

So I would love to tell you about my main job.  Do multiple jobs right now.  I work for my father's business, I am a basketball coach, and my primary job is as an Inventory Control Clerk for a company called URM Stores, Inc.  As a company we sell food to grocery stores and help grocers build new stores and other things.  I work in our main warehouse and the best way to describe my job is that I count product and play hide and go seek with the product.  Some days it is a lot of fun and other days it can get really frustrating, but I am grateful and thankful for my job.

So here are the favorite things that I love about my job:

1.  I get to wear comfortable clothes like jeans, t-shirts, and hats.
2.  I enjoy math very much and this job allows me to do that.
3.  I get to listen to music when I am in the warehouse.  Just have to have one earbud out so that we can hear all of the forklift drivers driving around.
4.  I get a lot of exercise.  Our warehouse is 17 acres and I walk a lot.  On an average night I can walk between 6-7 miles a shift.
5.  I work with some awesome people which makes for a fun working environment.

These are just a few of my favorite things.  Hopefully for all those working out there, you can find favorite things about your job.  May the Lord bless you as you work hard for your employer.

T~Money

Some Great Advice Given To Me

About 6 months ago I was in a bad place in my life.  I had no job, and was getting into debt that I knew I shouldn't be getting into.  I was still trying to find my "dream job" of being a collegiate basketball coach, but not having any luck.  I then met with my Pastor from my church who gave me some great advice that I pass on to anyone who would want to here it.  The advice was this.  "You need to do the stupid job to get to the dream job."  This piece of advice was a wake up call for me because I always thought I would just go do the dream job now and everything would be okay.  I typically forget those other steps.

So that is what I did.  I went out and obtain a "stupid job" that turns out to be a job that I like to do so that I can pay my bills and keep learning new things so that I am ready for my dream job.  I will be honest, I thought I was ready for the dream job now, but I was way wrong and know that I have lots to learn in all areas. 

So I leave you with this.  If you are like me and dream big, remember that to get to that dream you need to do the stupid job first.

T~Money

$1.5 Billion Powerball

I have been doing a lot of thinking about this huge Powerball that I just found out has at least 1 winner.  Honestly, it would be nice have that kind of money.  I mean I could quit my job, travel the world, buy my own house, pay off my debt, and give it away to family and charities. 

Then I brought my life back into perspective and I realized that I don't need money to be rich.  I am truly rich because I have a personal relationship with the Almighty God Most High, Jesus Christ.  That relationship is the most important to me that I really don't care about the money.  So when it came to the Powerball, I didn't buy a lottery ticket and I am okay with that. 

So here is my advice for all.  There is probably a really good chance that if you bought a ticket that you didn't win, but if you did congrats.  No matter what, Jesus is the ultimate prize that we all truly need.  My prayer is that you would truly find happiness and joy in a relationship with Jesus.  Jesus is the provider of all our needed and can do things that money can't do.  So there you have it.  God bless all of you.

T~Money

Wednesday Night Church

When I was a young kid, the old church that I went to offered Wednesday night church.  It was so much fun to go to.  It wasn't like a Sunday morning service with worship and a sermon or Sunday School, but a thing called Pioneer Girls and Boys Brigade.  You would meet with the kids your age and do fun activities together.  Some of the fun things we did were learn how to sew, memorize the books of the bible for prizes, earn badges to put on our banners and so much more.  M favorite thing was the Derby Car races that we did every year.  I still even have my cars and trophies.  Those were my most favorites times and I think my competitive side had an influence on it a little bit.

When I grew up, Wednesday nights became Youth Group nights and that was a great time, hanging out with friends and learning about how to be a Christian when it is the teenage years are the ones were kids get swayed back and forth all the time.  I had some great times with my friends getting to know them better during these years of my life.

Then after not doing anything on Wednesday nights, I had the opportunity to help run the Youth Group.  So for over 5 years, I loved leading on Wednesday nights.  When our numbers of kids dropped, we decided to stop doing it.  I didn't want to stop, but my schedule was so busy that it was a good thing for me and my partner.  I still wish we were still doing it through.

Then after being at the same church for over 29 years, the Lord moved me to a different church that does a regular Wednesday night service.  It is so much fun to do to.  It is the filler up that I need to get me through the rest of my week.  Actually, maybe I need to cut this post short as I need to go get ready for church.  So God Bless everyone and it you need to attend a Wednesday night church service, just let me know.

T~Money 

Never Give Up

So this blog post is a few days late and expect a couple a day blog post as I get caught up.  As of right now, I am behind on one of my goals and that is to write a blog post every day for 1 year.  Some life events happened early and I got a little behind, so be it.  The biggest thing is that I am not going to stop.  That is what happens to a lot of people.  They start a goal, but once they "fail it" or "fall behind" they stop.  I will admit that I use to do that.  Something is different in me this year and I am not going to do that.  I will not give up.

So that is what I want to leave you with today.  No matter how hard you fall behind on your goals or even "fall down" don't ever give up.  These are my favorite this to say to a basketball team when we are down.  Nothing is every complete unless we say it is.  When we are defeated then we do not succeed.  So always get back up, keep going, and follow through, no matter how far behind you get.  It is so much fun to keep going and not give up then concede in defeat.

Never Give Up!!!

T~Money

A Letter To My Nieces

I first heard this singer at a Women of Faith conference in Spokane, WA back in 2007 or 2008 and all I could think was she has an amazing voice and I would buy her CD that day.  I was mesmerized by her range and how smooth her voice truly was.  So one day, I started searching her name on You Tube to see if she had any music videos out and I came across this video she made as a tribute to her nieces and it really touched me because like her, I am an aunt to 3 amazing nieces and 1 adorable nephew and I want whatever God wants for them.

In this video she talks about how her nieces should trust God, go after their dreams, and not go along with what the world thinks.  Her words are my prayer that I want for my nieces.  I want them to grow up believing that they are amazing and that God truly has a plan and purpose on their life.

By the way, the singer's name is Missi Hale if you ever want to listen to her music, she has some great stuff on Itunes.

Check out the video and I pray that you will be touched, just like I was.

T~Money

2016 Goals

Each year I try and set goals that I attempt to obtain throughout the year.  These goals range from reading, writing, eating, fitness, spiritual growth, and even character traits. So after thinking about it throughout the end of last year, I would love to share with you my 2016 goals. 

1.  Facebook and Tweet a bible verse and quote or saying for each day of the year.
2.  Write a blog post every day of the year.
3.  Read a daily devotional every day - This years chosen devotional is Wrecked By Tana Miller (so far I am getting wrecked and can't wait to see how God uses this book to change my life this year.)
4.  Read 26 books adult books this year from fiction romance stories, to leadership books, to autobiographies.
5.  Go to the gym 3-5 times a week.
6.  Only eat the food that I take with me to work and not the snacks that are out in the break room.  (I am going to try this for a month to start)
7.  Learn more about the game of basketball
8.  Demonstrate self discipline and self control in the decisions that I make.
9.  Grow in my skills when it comes to my job.
10. Pay off some debts.
11. Increase my faith, take some risks, and Dream Big.

One thing I love about goals is that they can be changed.  We are almost one week into the New Year and I have done a decent job with my goals, but know that it will take everything in me to accomplish them.  I look forward to the challenge.

I encourage everybody to set goals, even if you struggle in keeping them.  It is always good to set your eyes on something and try to go after it.  Just remember to keep them obtainable and reasonable and you will succeed.  Keep up the good work if you have already started reaching your goals.  We can do it.

T~Money

Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt No Fear

The subject for this post is the domain name for my blog.  Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt, No Fear.  This is a quote from a Disney movie that I enjoyed watching last year called Cloud 9.  The movie is about a girl who thinks she is good at snowboarding, but finds out that everybody has just been passing her along because she is the daughter of the resort owner.  She then has to go and prove herself to everybody that she can do it, be the best at snowboarding.  This was a great family friendly movie for all.

The main character quoted a line before making a dangerous run down a mountain to prove a point.  That line was "Nothing's Impossible, No Doubt, No Fear".  Ever since I watched that movie, that line has stuck with me.  I use it to motivate me to conquer my goals and dreams, but I also use it to motivate others in whatever they want to accomplish.  My basketball players would say that it was part of our pregame chats.  I use it quite often then and I still use it today.

This saying goes along with a bible verse in which Jesus quotes, "All things are possible with God."  I use this to remind myself that I can do anything that is set before me.  No matter the circumstance, I can do anything because God is on my side and takes me through any situation that I walk through.

So I will encourage you that All things are possible with Jesus.  So don't have any doubt or any fear, just trust and have faith that He knows what He is doing.

T~Money

Decluttering My Life, and Stuff

After all of the blessings that I have received this Christmas season in the form of material things, it made me think that it was time to get rid of some old things and donate the things that can be used by somebody else.  So that is my chore for this coming week.  I do pray that when I go through this process and all my stuff that God will show me other places in my life that I need to clean out.  For some reason I just have this urgency to get rid of things in all areas of my life.

I will say this all started when my parents asked my brothers and I to go through our "boxes" of things that they had saved when we were kids growing up.  When my brothers were here for the holidays, we did there boxes and had a great time going down memory lane.  Then just after they left, I went through my own boxes and had a great time doing it, going through my own memories and clearing things out.  It was a great experience, but so much more things to go through.  I look forward to enjoying the ride.

So I will end this post with a thought provoking question for us all.  Are there things in your own life that you need decluttering or clearing out?

Happy New Years!!!

T~Money

2015 Christmas Letter/Year Review

Christmas 2015

Dearest Family and Friends,

This may be the shortest Christmas letter I will ever write, but I wanted to give you some highlights from this year. First off, let me say this has been a year of transition and leaning on God no matter the circumstance. He is always there and faithful in everything.

2015 Highlights Include:

-Completed and received my Master's Degree in Sports & Athletic Administration from Gonzaga University.

-Changed churches after attending the same church for 29 plus years.

-Started a new job as an Inventory Control Clerk at URM Stores, Inc. The best description of my job is I count product and play hide and seek.

-Not coaching basketball at any school due to a crazy schedule, but putting my two cents in whenever possible.

-Still doing the books for my dad's business.

-As always, huge Gonzaga Women's Basketball Fan.

-Continuing on my weight loss goals (an ongoing battle for me).

-An avid book reader and aspiring writer when time is available.

-Turned the big 30 this year. Looking forward to the next decade of my life.

Through all of my transition, I have truly been blessed. God is truly an awesome God in everything. My prayer is that we always remember that Jesus, the reason for the season, is with us no matter where we are in life.

Merry Christmas, 

Trinity aka T~Money 

     

Personal Themes For 2016

About 4 years ago I heard a friend of mine shared that she had chosen a word for that particular year and wanted the Lord to show her everything about that theme word in His word.  That really caught my attention and I decided in that moment that I wanted to do the same thing.  So for the year 2016 I have actually chosen two words that go hand in hand and they are Self Discipline and Self Control. 

Definition of Self Control: control or restraint of oneself or one's actions, feelings, etc.

Definition of Self Discipline: discipline and training of oneself, usually for improvement.

Another thing that I do is tag on a theme bible verse for the year which is 1st. Cor. 9:24-27.

1 Cor. 9:24-27 states:

²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. ²⁵ Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

This is one of my many prayers for 2016 that I will live a life that is of self discipline and self control and not let temptation rule over me.  I now I can do it with the right motivation and Jesus by my side.

Well there you have it peeps.  Hope 2016 has started off strong for all of you.

T~Money

 

Happy New Year!!!

It is hard to believe that as I sit on my couch, listening to amazing music that it is already the year 2016.  To be completely honest, I am in awe at how fast the years just keep clicking by.  Most importantly, I am amazed at the faithfulness that God continues to show me on a daily basis even as I still sin against Him regularly.  I am truly thankful for the Savior's Love.

This is a short post for now.  I will give you a sneak peek at one of my goals for 2016 and that is to write a blog post every single day of the year.  It will kind of be like my online journal for the year.  I plan on writing about a bunch of different topics.  So stay tuned.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine bright upon you in the year 2016.

T~Money