Being back home...

Well it's been a long absence but I am back!


Today is off to a great start. Enjoying my first Pumpkin Spice Latte, ever. It's surprisingly invigorating. Reminds me of Australia, their pumpkin obsession, it's literally a staple in their diet. It is also an amazing way to usher in Autumn. My second Autumn season of 2011. It's also my second visit to Starbucks since being back. Oh how I have missed the creativity of baristas and their ingenious misspelling of my name. "Elisha", "Aleesha", "Alysha", and my personal favorite, because I obviously look Hispanic, "Alicia". I seriously missed the joy that comes from the little things like that. 

Elisha

So where do I start? I figure photo updates will be the best option rather than pages and pages of the past month and a half but we both know I won't stick to short paragraphs.

Let's see I left you all on the edge of your seats. Major cliff hanger. Did we make history in South Australia!? YES! Yes we did. My club won the last game of our conference play which ensured our spot in the finals. Of course in the first round of finals we were matched up with the two-time defending champs. Huge rival being our star point guards former team. It was the perfect set up for a Cinderella ending. We came to battle. We gave it our everything and it wasn't enough. We fell short. Just a one possession difference. Losing by a mire 3 points. It was one of the most emotional endings I have ever experienced. We accomplished what the club envisioned. We made history and unfortunately it was cut short too soon. Essentially the clock struck midnight at 9pm. But here's what happened, the lady lions became a team. Not because we finally had some checks in the W column, I remind you my team was 0-18 in previous seasons. The girls finally learned and understood the value of hard work, dedication and triumph in adversity. We had our first coach resign and an amazing new coach take the reigns mid-season. Which meant learning an entirely new offensive and defensive system. Some of the lady lions received harsh criticism for the first time in their entire careers while others finally learned what it meant to play and succeed at an elite level. We were all at different stages. For the girls who were "lifers", meaning they have only ever played for the lions, the culture change of the team winning was a huge shock. For others it was a shock to see the lack of intensity and urgency. For me it was the initial shock of being treated like a good, to finally being valued as a person, to actually accomplishing what I came to do in the first place. It was shocking that something finally went the right way. I don't know if I'll ever be able to put into words what this last season of my career meant to me. I'm glad I was given another chance. I'm thankful for the women and men I met along the way. I feel blessed to have a family in Australia.

Team huddle before the Final Game

Game Time

Our AMAZING fans.

Article in regards to the games, if you're bored:

http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-3656-0-149596-0&sID=39560&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=16584932&sectionID=39560

Despite the loss, I still had four, bittersweet weeks left in Australia. So...I got a tattoo. A reminder of what my time in Australia taught me. Without a doubt I know I am God's Beloved. Nothing else matters more to me than this precious truth that I was shown. It's based on Mark 1:11 which says "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus heard these words from God shortly after his baptism. As soon as He heard them it's like He realized who He was. I know these words forever changed Jesus and once I grasped them in Australia, they changed me forever.

Before I left Australia I was confined by a lie. Entangled in a web. Wrapped around this idea that my achievements proved my worth. Not surprising as I have been an athlete my whole life. One with a blessed, successful and fulfilling career. It has always been another game to win, another season to be leading scorer, another chance to prove my greatness. It was this incorrect mindset that proved my achievements justified my existence. It's pathetic and hard to admit. My identity was rooted in my achievements as a student-athlete. Upon graduation I sincerely believed my identity was in Christ, but it was the shocking aftermath of a beautiful career gone south that showed me I didn't. I chose to listen to what the world said defined me. Success, wealth, beauty. All the wrong things. And when it all went south, when I lost everything I worked so hard for, my self-worth diminished as well. 

In Australia I experienced God's love in so many new ways. Partially because I was completely out of my comfort zone but also because I was finally open to receiving all that God had for me. I surrender my idea of success and in return learned that God loves me no matter what I do. In my case I was focusing on a vocation. I was striving for all the things of this world. As I shifted my goals and focused onto obtaining a career I wanted immediate success. The job of all jobs. I didn't want to have to settle in a job that wasn't ideal.  And because that happened I felt like a complete failure. Proving again my achievements or lack of them proved my worth. To be honest going to Australia meant that I had an opportunity to accomplish the impossible AND it was something to set me a part from all of my friends. On a larger scale, the class of 2010. No longer was I the one sitting at home comparing myself to what everyone else was doing. I became a comparison. I was out in the world. "Look at me now". It was sick and twisted and I can't believe it got that bad. Despite this ugly attitude I never wanted my time in Australia to be about personal success. I liked the title International Professional Basketball Player but I didn't want it to become my identity since I was struggling with that. I genuinely felt called to lead the team to a new era and when I finally experienced what I was up against, failure seemed imminent. It was more than scary and a huge refining process. I realized that if I succeed, if I fail, it doesn't matter. God is well pleased, and I just can't emphasize that enough. He is well pleased with me because He loves me. It's what He has done. It has never been about what I can or cannot accomplish.

I'd like to believe I was like Jesus before His baptism in Mark 1:11. Although I know I was not diligent in prayer like He was. I wanted to know who I was and what I was supposed to do. Like Jesus it was this verse in the context of my experiences in Australia and New Zealand that gave me confirmation and affirmation in my true identity.  

No matter what vocation or future success and failure I come upon, I am not defined by that. I am God's beloved. My understanding of myself and mission are rooted in the light of this relationship. I finally accepted and understood it in Australia. It was like I came to know Christ for the first time. All over again. It was intimate and real. For the rest of my days I want to honor it and continually welcome it. I want to accept the consequences of God's love.

I put it on my foot because I hang my head when I get self-consumed. Yet there it is on my foot. My forever reminder. Causing me to lift my head with the right perspective. To praise Him for who I truly am and denounce what our culture says. I am worthy, I measure up, I have everything I could ever need, I am perfectly loved. Nothing else will ever defined me except beloved. Praise God for who He is and how He loves.

By the way, it hurt REALLY bad. I'll probably have to get it touched up which I'm dreading. I didn't cry but I did break out into a cold sweat. Most likely the shock of it all.

Sorry this "quick" update is turning into a novel. I should just go with the picture idea here on out.

I went to the end of the season Halls-Woolacott bash with the Team. Jess won MVP of our league and Toddy got Coach of the Year. Well deserved.

Me & Toddy

Char & I all spiffed up

My little MVP

Last gig with the Centrals :(

I left Adelaide two days later and headed to Sydney for what turned out to be more than the original planned stay. You got to love flying stand-by. I stayed with an amazing AIA family who are stinting there. I was blessed beyond belief by their love. Not only was it a fantastic time of debriefing, I also got to enjoy the sites of Sydney with the company of fellow Americans. I love the Wenig's and am forever grateful for my stay in their home.

Little AJ on the Opera House steps

Look closely :)

After three days of trying to get on a plane I finally did and before I knew it I was back in the states. I had a few quick days at home and then I was off to see Joshy wed Natalie. Not going to lie. I balled like a baby when Nat came down the aisle. It was the best wedding I have ever been to. I got to play the role of a honorary groomsmen and it was the BEST. Guys are awesome during the wedding chaos. I've only ever been with the bride on their wedding days. Helping my mom with hair and rushing around to do touch ups. If I had my way I would always be with the groom and his men. We sat in the hotel. Lounged around and then casually got dressed 30 minutes before it was time to go. It was awesome. Of course my camera died the night before the wedding. I blame jet-lag for the inability to pack my charger. The hot Arizona heat was refreshing as it was my first time back in the heat. Of course the rain followed me home and just as Josh and Nat said "I do" the rain started to fall.

"Normal" groomsmen duties

The lovely couple at rehearsals

photos taken from She.we Studio

Then I was back on a plane home and onto a boat. Off to Mexico with our family for an entire week. Party of 39 anyone? Free trip courtesy of Marty & Grandma. Marty is such a G. We went to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. It was good to finally be with the family again after 7 long months! 

zip-lining in Puerto Vallarta

Thanks to the Aussie winter my skin was white as snow. This is moments before I get severely burnt.

Adios Puerto Vallarta

Formal Dinner

Cabo San Lucas

I liked this pelican. He has flair.

Lover's Beach

All of the Grandchildren

I would like to say that I was fully recovered from jet-lag at this point but I wasn't. Still hadn't even been home, despite "being home". I was exhausted to say the least. Daniel came out to visit recently. I was so glad he was able to make it to San Diego. We celebrated my Grandma's birthday, watched Trevor dominate in the pool, experienced the wonder of Red Tide and Daniel got to meet the whole family. A perfect first real weekend at home:)

Besos.

I get to be little next to him.

Mom looking like a SHRiMP!

My favorite boy<3

Happy Birthday Grandma & Marty. The girls made the cake.

Save the best for last. This is our 2011 Christmas Card ;)

Basically this is a summation of the last month and half. Highlights of what you all have missed or should I say what I have failed to write about. Excited to continue writing about the journey being back at home. To enter this next chapter in my life.