The power of HOPE

What does God say about Hope?

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

 -Romans 5:1-5

I have a question I want you to really think about... Why does Hope not disappoint us? We've all heard of the word, and I'm sure we have all told someone or have been told to "have hope". But the Romans Bible verse makes a pretty strong statement. "Hope does not put us to shame, hope does not disappoint us, hope maketh not ashamed, hope never makes us ashamed" Whichever translation in the Bible you may read, Hope is sufficient. 

Think of something hard you're going through right now. Think of how the world goes about telling you how to solve this problem, now think how God calls you to have hope in Him. What does that look like? What does that feel like? For me it is a huge challenge. When something is not going as planned, or I am feeling down about a situation, having hope isn't my first thought in recovery. But according to Romans, God puts us through tough situations that lead to suffering, which builds our perseverance, which reflects on our strong character, and gives us more hope that THE PLAN HE HAS FOR US IS BETTER THEN OUR OWN. Its a simple concept, but easily forgotten. "The best is yet to come" is a quote I imagine God whispering to me when i fall. Whether that be a answer that takes a day, month or year to get, or whether that is Eternity. What God has for us is more then we can ever ask for. 

I challenge you to choose hope in God and what He has for you, instead of your own plan next time something doesn't happen the way you imagine it to go. Take a step towards him. Pray more, trust more, and believe in that Hope he says that won't fail us. 

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  

4 reasons why you need to purchase a Journaling Bible

WHY IM OBSESSED WITH MY NEW JOURNALING BIBLE

and why you need one!

Before I explain why you need to get this new bible, let me give you a little back story. At my Bible study a couple months ago, one of the girls had this cute little book sitting on her coffee table, and one of us picked it up and opened it up and saw that sure enough it was a Bible. That was the first time I have ever heard of a thing. I told my mom about it and how it would be a great graduation present, and we went into the store and ended up walking out with a new custom made Journaling Bible. I made my first entry last night, and am still smiling about it, which is why YOU NEED TO BUY ONE TOO! Here are 4 reasons why this purchase will bring your joy.

1. IT'S BEAUTIFUL 

It really is. This little book is dainty and beautiful. I bought one with a decorated cover, and also got my name engraved on it. Not to mention, the inside opens to scripture that has a tiny font and big margins. To me it just looks so fresh. I already know that in the future when I get my own apartment or house it will sit on my coffee table, maybe in a bucket or next to a cute vase with Sunflowers in them. This is the one I recently purchased 

2. YOU CAN DO SO MANY THINGS WITH A JOURNALING BIBLE

I google searched Journaling Bible and clicked pictures, and look at all the beautiful things people have done with theirs. If you are a doodler, you need to jump on this. Or, if you are a note taker, yes you need this as well. I also look forward to writing note about sermons. My regular bible has tiny tiny little notes or phrases or explanations in it. I look forward to water color painting mine, doodling in color pencils, and even highlighters. Check out some of the cool things people drew in theirs!

 

3. IT'S FUN AND RELAXING

I drew my first doodle last night on a busy saturday night with some friends over. We all were just hanging out, talking, and I had my journal out and was drawing in it. Im sure you've all seen the newest thing where there are adult coloring books, yes, those are great. If you're into that, get one I'm telling ya. You are in the word, free hand drawing or doodling about GODS WORD. Its a good time :) Here is mine from last night that I drew from Psalms 9:10!

4. YOU'RE SPENDING TIME KNOWING THE WORD, AND HIS LIFE/LOVE.

Isn't that the point of a Bible? To open it, to read it, to analyze it, and TO KNOW JESUS. Having this Bible is going to allow me to doodle, but more importantly reflect on verse that stands out to me. Spending a hour perfecting a bible verse actually allows me to focus word by word how important they all are. You have to someone narrow down which Bible verse you are going to choose, but I'm willing to bet that the one you choose is a special one. 

May 22-28th, 2016

If you could take a wild guess what May 22-28th is, would you guess the Ultimate Training Camp? Because if you didn't guess by my previous three blogs where I talk about it, then clearly you're not catching on. UTC is a big deal. It was a big deal in my life, and moved mountains in so many different ways. SO YES.. May 10-30 I will be at UTC Interning, and guess what, it gets better. THERE WILL BE 3 SMU ATHLETES WHO WILL BE AT CAMP TOO. Our student government approved my budget request, and we are getting funded to go to this camp. How amazing is that? It pretty amazing. Thank you for all of those who have been praying for this meeting. Major appreciation. God answers prayers, and is continuing to move mountains. These three athletes have no idea how much their life is about to change. 

CHECK THIS OUT.
In one of my very first blogs, I talked about the amazing family I am apart of at UTC. The friends i have made that i continue to talk to everyday. Since we all to camp with different people, from different schools, from different states, it was all God's masterpiece to slowly have us build relationships with each other when we all met and continued to hang out every night. With that being said, out of the 11 of us, 6 of us are going back to UTC to intern!!!!! 

This picture was taken one of the last days of camp. We were a strong knit group, and we collected everybody in the sea of 150 of us to take a picture with the beautiful rocky mountains in the background.

Top Row: Ben, Me, Megan, Maddie, Kelli, Nicky, Heydin (bottom row) Dom, Jaxon, Rachel. 

I can't help but think this was God's plan all along. He had 5 of us on the same little shuttle from the airport to camp, he had us live next to two more girls, and he placed us in small groups. That then was the start of sitting next to each other on bus rides, eating all meals together, saving spots for each other at group sessions, and endless nights long talks long after "lightsout". There was no way this group of friends was ironic. It was all part of a bigger plan. And now, 6 of us get to be reunited for a week and a half at the place that started it all. UTC. This time, instead of being campers, we will be with each other everyday every minute as interns being trained, and leading this whole camp. It will be an amazing week. God had this plan constructed in his head, and I think its a beautiful thing. Shout out to you Jesus. I cannot wait to continue to invest in these peoples lives.

So thats the little preview of how excited I am for UTC camp. 4 of us from SMU and our advisor David Crawford will be going to Colorado Springs at the end of May. If you can keep the five of us, as well as my friends who will be interning with us in your prayers, I would love that.

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

-John 11:25-26

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  

Prayers for Thursday

THURSDAY IS A BIG DEAL.

Check this out. If you've followed my blog, you have probably heard the phrase UTC or Ultimate training camp thrown around. This camp changed my life, and impacted me as a student athlete in so many ways. Saint Martin's has 3 student athletes signed up to go to camp. Soccer player's Brittany Orloski, Christian Caro, and baseball player Zach Stevenson. I wish you could see the smile on my face as I start to imagine the life changing week these friends of mine will have. Oh and side note, I was accepted to intern at the same camp. I will be there leading, riffing, and running the whole camp. I GET TO WITNESS THE JOY, PASSION, STRUGGLE, and immense victory they will have this upcoming May. 

Here's where the PRAYER REQUEST FOR THURSDAY COME IN.
Every thursday, I attend our SMU student government meetings. With the help from some friends, I was able to make AIA an official SMU official club. This allows us to advertise, and request a budget. The main reason we could use a budget, is to give students scholarships to go to camp. So in a couple days on Thursday, I will be giving my proposal to the student government officers in request for a request of about $4,000-5,000 to fund us 4 students who are going to UTC camp. The cost would cover our registration fees, airplane tickets, and even simple charges for a shuttle bus.

Not only do I want to ask for prayer, but i want to celebrate God's good work he recently did with providing students and an advisor for UTC camp. I tried to request the same amount about a month ago, but was denied because SMU only funds conferences if they have an advisor to go with them. About a month ago, after i was denied, i was pretty crushed. I worked really hard on advertising for camp, and last minute getting a couple athletes to go. I made a budget the last day before camp registration closed, i asked for help from another school's AIA budget (shoutout the Nikkita and UW's AIA) and as soon as everything was put into place, it came crashing down with no answer on how to recover. Our advisor for AIA would be traveling to nationals with out track team and could not make it. Now with the help of a couple prayer warriors who to only pray for me, but pray for AIA at SMU continually prayed for God to open some doors. That's when I've never been so thankful for someone to ease drop on a phone conversation. I was talking to out advisor about how there's just no more options to get funding, and my boss at the gym overheard my conversation and suggested ways to get money. I had to explain to him that there was no way to get funding, because we needed an adult advisor. "I'll go" was his next answer. How cool is that? The struggle went from 100-0 with someone simply eavesdropping. And that is the shoutout i have to give to God for being faithful for chasing after what he wants.

These lives of the four of us are going to be changed because of this camp. Getting funded by the school to cover majority of the cost of this trip will be an absolute blessing. If you could please join me these next couple days to pray that God will take control of the approval of this budget request. God is continue to slowly move mountains. Slowly but surely. And this would be a mountain that would effect more then just the four of us going to camp.

Thanks everyone <3

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
-1 John 5:14

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  

Stand firm. Stand together. Stand out.

WASHINGTON STATE LEADERSHIP FORUM

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to a conference called the Washington State Leadership Forum. To break down all of those fancy words, the conference was held at a hotel in downtown Olympia, which is closest to the capital. This three day event allowed Business owners, CEO's, Legislators, and Governors to spend time with young adults who are in a leadership position with God being the center.

The first night, we heard from "Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Can't Hold Us music video director, VMA, and Grammy winning Jason Koeing gave a great message. Im going to give you some of the things he said that impacted me the most. He spoke about his life and how Jason started to listen to what he felt that God was talking to him through his conscience.
Here are some of the things that he said that stand out to me.

-Hearing and listening to the God of the Universe is the most important thing. Not winning Grammy awards.
-People in power are the loneliest people.
-God can do exceedingly more with your life than you can imagine.
-Ask God to clean up your conscience
-God does not make replicas, stand out
-1 Peter 2- Who is going to harm if you are eager to do good?
-Open your hands and be willing to accept God's plan
-Ask God to clean up your conscience
-God once suffered the unrighteous for the righteous, that we will come to know no sin.
-Add value wherever you go!

Jason even told us of one of the toughest times of his job when he decided not to produce Macklemore's song Same Love. He said he had a problem with one of the lines in the song. The song says "I can't change even if i tried, even if i wanted too." The problem he had with those lyrics is that he was so passionate about believing you can change. You can change with Jesus. He can change your heart.

The talk was so refreshing to hear a successful YoungLife Leader, Husband, successful businessman be able to look out in the crowd and say that following God's plan and not his own plan was the best decision he has ever made. He has is all people I'm telling you, but he is willing to say that Jesus has given him life. Far more then his career, or any other success.

Reminds me of the Verse from Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who are called according to His purpose"

This retreat was amazing. I was placed in a small group with some amazing student leaders from all over washington state, and we all had the same calling, struggles, worries, and goals. God taught me so much at the WSL. I hope those little quotes from Jasons talk encouraged you as much as it did me. Follow Jesus. Chase after Him. His plan for us is far better then any plan we have more ourselves. Have that hope, that He will lead you down the right path if you are willing to trust him and follow him. He calls us to bigger and better things.

OH && MONDAY 3/14 WILL BE SPENT GETTING HALF PRICED APPS AT APPLEBEES TO CATCH UP ABOUT SPRING BREAK AND LIFE :)

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

DIY Devotional (S.O.A.P)

Devotional?
This blog is to explain something I will be adding at the end of each blog. It is called SOAP, and it is a "DIY" (do it yourself) kind of devotional. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. All you need is your bible, and a journal and pen if you want to record your answers down.

Why Journal?
I love journaling. It is a great way to see your journey and walk with God progress. Sometimes I will open up the first couple of pages from my old journal and read all my old prayer requests and see how God chose to answer those prayers. A lot of times it is easy to get caught up in the life that the world provides us with and distracts us with, instead of walking day by day with the Lord. Journaling is a great way to start off your day as well as end your day.

Example: 
I am going to give you an example of S.O.A.P that I just did from the book of Philippians. Coach Brewer made us a template on what soap is, and suggested a 5 week study through this chapter. I will share with you this document after my example :)

Here is a simple example of what SOAP is through the passage Philippians 1:1-18.

• SCRIPTURE: "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with Joy because of your partnership int he Gospel form the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" -Philippians 1:4-6"

• OBSERVATION: First thing I noticed was Paul's use of the word "JOY". Joy is internal and everlasting happiness. Praying with joy is more meaningful then praying with happiness. Also, pray with joy knowing that Jesus will bring good work to my life when I seek him with my whole heart. HE who created a good work will carry it on. Paul is writing this to give encouragement to all the Saints at Phillipi. He basically is telling them, don't give up if you don't see immediate results.

• APPLICATION: In order to apply this to my life, I need to remember that my timing may not always be similar with His timing. A perfect example is with seeking a relationship. What I may think is a perfect time for me to have a boyfriend, may not be God's idea as perfect timing. Little reminders like Paul's allow me not to get discouraged. Also, the part where he says "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion". I know i seek for immediate "results" is many different ways when it comes to AIA, prayer requests, bible studies, or even with relationships with people who matter. I seem to think that if i do this, then God will do this. But no, God has a plan and his timing is perfect, and He will carry out my good works with His perfect timing. 

• PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank you for this beautiful sunny day. I Thank you for giving me 30 minutes of quiet time where I was able to draw near to you, and be encouraged by your word. I pray that the next time negative or lonely thoughts arise in my head, that my first worried thought can be put into a prayer. I know you know every single thought that goes on in my head, and even thought i may not understand them, help me to surrender my worries to you. I pray that i am also humbled by the words i read today. Your promise is so much greater then any part time satisfaction i may receive from my good works. Help me to seek your recognition and be patient when i do not understand your grace. Your plan for me, your thoughts about me, and your desires are all greater then my own. I pray for my family, my teammates, and my roommates back at home. Thank you for giving me another day to experience your love. AMEN.

This is a template of SOAP with more explanation! 

Because I am in California, I will not be at huddle tomorrow, and Torin will be leading it. Keep your eye out for a text from him or myself!

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Preparation for huddle on Monday

This week's Huddle will focus on the importance of Fellowship. We will be going through the following hurdle principle, and discussing as a group our thoughts and inputs. Look forward to seeing every one MONDAY 2/22 AT 8 IN THE TUB :)

OH, and I forgot to mention the best part. We're playing "that one game" (that has no name) from the Winter Retreat. The pool game. Bring your strategy and athleticism, because its about to be competative!!!! 

Here's the verses we will be discussing in the hurdle

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Why YOU NEED to go to the Ultimate Training Camp

If you are a College Athlete who is currently a freshmen, sophomore, or junior.. SIGN UP FOR ULTIMATE TRAINING CAMP. With 3 months away, there are only 25 slots left.

First of all, what is UTC? Hopefully you watched the intense 5 minute Youtube video. The UTC (Ultimate Training Camp) is a high intensity sports camp for college & pro athletes.  We tackle the issue of how to blend faith and sport together on the field of competition. We teach athletes five Biblical Principles and then allow them to test those truths in a 20-hour sports marathon known as The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. Our goal is to help every athlete in every nation understand how the gospel impacts their sport and life.

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that the reason AIA is an official SMU Assmu approved club was so that we would have an opportunity to  use a budget that will specifically be used to send student athletes to go to UTC. 

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that the following season after UTC camp we had our worst record in the four year career, but I understood the true meaning of winning and had more victory then previous years. I also played with the most freedom and connection to God then I've ever experienced in 22 years of being an athlete. (Trust me, It was a competition to beat my brother as soon as I came out of the womb)

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that going to this camp changed me inside and out as a christian athlete

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that because of my decision of going to UTC camp, I have been closer to God during this past year then I ever have in the past 21 years.  

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that at UTC camp you will be surrounded by almost 200 collegiate athletes while learning daily principals about how to seek God before, during, and after competition. 

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that "I'm busy and can't go" won't work because there are 3 different dates and locations, Colorado, California, and Twin Cities. 

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that IF I KNEW WHAT I KNOW NOW, I wouldn't have waited till my senior year to go to camp.


WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that because UTC changed my life, I have applied to intern and be a leader at UTC Colorado this summer to make an impact by sharing my story with current student athletes. *prayers needed, I find out if I was chosen in a couple weeks* 

WHAT IF I TOLD YOU that I am willing to answer any questions, or even take you out to coffee to convince you to go :) my email is mcfaul_abby@yahoo.com if you want to shoot me some of your questions. 

This was my S.P.E.C.I.A.L. team. We finished in 2nd place.

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

  

Athletes in Action through pictures

My journey so far with Athletes in Action

As last week I touched on the basics and ABC's of Athletes in Action, I thought this week would be a good follow up to add some pictures. These four pictures show four different events that have made me fall more in love with AIA and the new friends it brings along the way. you will find the following collogues in order...

1. AIA weekly huddles at SMU

2. Ultimate Training Camp and the most beautiful Jesus loving athletes I've ever met

3. Ultimate Training Camp- "Water to Wine, Team 9"

4. Greater Seattle AIA Winter Retreat 

 1. AIA weekly huddles at SMU

Being the AIA president is not only a big responsibility during soccer and school, but it the bigger scheme brings so much joy to my life. Once a week, we try to meet as a group to do various events. These events include games and small groups, dodgeball nights, skippable events, movie nights, and even we listen to group speakers. The first picture, I want you to focus on two things. 1- how tan we look because this was taken back in September & 2- the smile on our faces. This was a very happy moment for me. We successfully ran our first "welcome to AIA and free pizza" huddle on September 14th. Check this out. WE HAD OVER 50 ATHLETES JOIN US. Athletes from every sports team on campus besides one. Us four put so much time and effort into planning, that God provided us with a huge group to have fun, laugh, and spread His name. You can also see the other athletes from the first club playing a minute to win it game that same night. The two bottom pictures on the right show us playing spike ball (good call Kalle) and the bottom picture we went to the movie theater to watch Woodlawn. GREAT MOVIE. This next week, we have Pac-12 stand out Collin Henderson, and NFL Veteran Charlie Martin coming to share "faith after football". That will be Monday Feb 8th at 8pm in the Tub. 

2. Ultimate Training Camp and the most beautiful Jesus loving athletes I've ever met

Okay, so before you read about these pictures, you have to comprehend the truth behind this caption. When I write the most beautiful Jesus loving athletes I've ever met, you need to believe me. Because that is the absolute truth. I went to this camp with my teammate Kelli in hopes to bring some encouragement back to my soccer team. I wasn't expecting to be impacted by this group of random athletes from all over the country. During that week, we all just clicked. Half of us met at the airport as we drove in a little shuttle from the Denver airport to Colorado State University. We decided to follow each other through  the check in process and all roomed either together or close to each other. And with those two little coincidence, the rest in history. I am not kidding when I say these people have encouraged me, pushed me to be better, and have impacted my life more then they realize it. We have talked everyday since camp. Let me say that again. This amazing group has been in communication DAILY for the past 9 months. Its the best. Updates on our games, encouraging bible verses, pictures of passages or quotes, prayer requests, and even hilarious pictures. The list goes on and on. And THANK YOU JESUS for each one of them. Also, check this out. In this group of 9 friends, 4 of us have applied for the same Internship to go BACK to UTC and Intern. I can't imagine what those two weeks would look like leading those athletes at UTC camp who's shoes we were in that previous year. So to you "Jesus True Homez" I love you all so much.  

Check out the 5 minute promo video for UTC, Click the link below!

UTC CAMP PROMO VIDEO :)  

3. Ultimate Training Camp- "Water to Wine, Team 9"

How sweet of a name is that? We were team 9, and our team name was Water to Wine. Man. that just has such a good sound rolling off the tongue. OKAY SO! Obviously at UTC camp with 150 college athletes, there is going to be some kind of hue competition right? Well my idea of competition was nothing compared to the competition UTC had in mind. They had us compete in a all camp 20 CONSISTENT HOURS called the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. And let me start off by saying, team 9 got 2nd place :) I'm still a little bitter that we couldn't pull off that first place victory, but second place was an amazing accomplishment. Team nine consisted of Miami University of Ohio wide receiver Sam, Michigan State swimmer Alex, Wake Forest soccer player Katie, University of Michigan soccer player Nicky, University of Missouri tennis player Beatriz, and SMU soccer players Kelli & I. Being chosen for captain with Alex was one of the most honoring moments at camp. We sat through a 2 hour draft process and one by one individually picked our team. And with 4 soccer girls, a fish, a freak of an athletes football player, and a little spice from a foreigner, we KILLED IT. Can We focus on the bottom right picture. Because during the tug-of-war competition, Team nine won 6 consecutive matches. We were one loss away from the championship round. I don't know if you realize it, but thats huge. With 5 girls, we killed those teams with HUUUGE D1 football linebackers. This was the moment where we all got emotional, and knew God was giving us the true strength and victory. So to TEAM 9- you guys were my rock, and brought me so much joy and showed me how to truly compete with Jesus during those 20 hours. Love and miss you all. 

4. Greater Seattle AIA Winter Retreat 

Last but not least, AIA had a local winter retreat that was up in Bellevue. Nine of us (smh athletes, grads, and friends) all got in a van Friday morning and drove up to camp Sambica for a over night retreat with other athletes from the Seattle area. We joined athletes from UW, SPU, SU, and KIRKLAND. This retreat was an awesome answer to prayers, and had so many moments to connect with local athletes about God. The worship was off the chain, the scavenger hunt was intense, Snoqualmie falls was beautiful, and the conversations we all had were authentic and real. I was able to share a quick ten minute talk about my testimony and how AIA  has drawn me closer and closer to God and my spiritual walk. So to the nine of you who never got annoyed of my begin you to come and finally agreed to join me, thank you so much for coming. Those intense moments with the pool table, spike ball, and worship allowed me to bond closer to each one of you! 

I attached a little minute and a half video of that talk I shared that weekend :)

Don't forget to join us next week for  Pac-12 stand out Collin Henderson, and NFL Veteran Charlie Martin coming to share "faith after football". That will be Monday Feb 8th at 8pm in the Tub.

-Abigale McFaul

Smu AIA President

Lover of Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18