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