Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
December 18, 2009, "The moment when it counts"
"I press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
~ Philippians 3:14 ~
Sweat. Tears of frustration. The temptations to give up and the torturing thoughts of what might happen. The life of a wrestler before the match.
I still remember those moments when Tim, Cody's dad would place his arm around his neck as tears of great frustration rolled down Cody's face. I remember those times when his dad would pat him on the rear saying, "Great job!" And then off on the side showing Cody more moves and how to be better next time. They celebrated and then it was on to preparing for the next match.
There were those times when Cody was making up in his mind that he was quitting as the thought of getting back on the mat made him nauseous. Yet the rewards and the victories seemed to wipe the temptations to quit out of his mind immediately.
I remember there was one night in particular where someone told my husband that he needed to 'back off' on Cody and wrestling. They continued to say that the sport of wrestling wasn't for Cody. I remember my husband expressed his thoughts to me later as he was tempted to back off, but then realized, "No. Cody can't afford for me to back off, I know this is not the time." My husband looked at this person and said something to this effect, "The moment I back off is the moment Cody gives up." Tim knew his son. He knew that wrestling was a 'lifeline' for Cody to remain focused.
Last night every drop of sweat and tears, temptations of giving up, lack of confidence all came to a head when the sounds of the crowd in the stands roared. The roaring sounds cresendoed when Cody stepped onto the mat. The voices of many shouting, "Cody! Go Cody! Go Iowa!" "Come on Cody!" The sounds of many feet stomping on the bleachers as the sound permeated so powerfully throughout the gymnasium.
The wrestlers got onto the middle of the mat. Cody and his opponent shook hands. The referee blew the whistle and the match began. From the moment the whistle blew to hearing the slap on the mat, the crowd stood up and cheered as Cody, undefeated, was able to place another victory under his 'belt'.
I remember at that moment tears welled up in my eyes as I saw Cody walk off the mat after shaking both coaches hands. Cody was headed towards his biggest fan, his life coach, his dad. Tim stood there with open arms as they embraced seeing that the voices of 'back off' couldn't stand a chance. It was the moment that all those other small moments were all about. It was about persevering.
The most rewarding moment? Seeing Cody all through the night encouraging his other wrestling teammates; a true reflection of his life coach, his dad.
As I saw the years prior leading up to last night; I was amazed to see the reflection of his dad. The encouraged Cody became the encourager. The coached Cody became the coach. The one who had his neck embraced was now embracing others.
It leads me to ask myself this one question. Am I a reflection of the Father God? I have been encouraged, am I now encouraging? I have been taught, am I going to start teaching what I have learned, not only with what I say, but with what I do? I have been lavishly and lovingly embraced, am I now embracing others, no matter what or where they are in their lives? Cody's victory on that mat last night was a moment I will not forget. The mat of life, we have the victory, will we obtain it by not giving up? Or will we quit, because someone said to 'back off'?
Don't let the losses tell you that you're defeated. Don't let the wins tell you that you can't learn more.
(Excerpt from 'Triumphant Victorious Reminders'... www.triumphantvictoriousreminders.blogspot.com)
Monday, December 14, 2009
December 11, 2009, "Ellison High Dual Tournament.
Our Leander High School Varsity Wrestlers are 9-0 for the season!!!!!!
Awesome guys...great job...we are so proud of our young men.
I saw a quote today that summed up the sport of wrestling and the character of a 'true' wrestler!
"A wrestler's only companion is the hours of sweat and pain spent preparing for this moment."
~ Senior from LHS from a few years ago.
The schools featured at this dual:
Pool A:
Cove
Killeen
Ellison A
Vista Ridge A
Travis
The team that won in Pool A was Vista Ridge.
Pool B:
Leander
Shoemaker
Ellison B
Vista Ridge B
Harkin High
The team that won in Pool B was Leander.
The two teams decided to have their dual meet on Thursday, December 17th..we will let you know how they do!!!
Cody won every match...all pins! Great job Cody...we are so proud of you...you're doing great in school and on and off the mat! Great job!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November 21, 2009...Update of Tournament!!!
The biggest tournament of the year for Cody...the
2009 Capital Classic Varsity Tournament held at the Delco Center.
Cody listening to Dad's encouragement after his first 2 matches he won...
The 12 teams representing Central Texas warming up...
Family picture (I'm closing my eyes)..Cody getting a break before the championship...
Cody waiting for his name to be given his First Place Medal!
Tristin is so excited for her brother!
Sadly, a blurry family photo..with Cody's first place medal!!!!
I had to save the best for last!!!!! Cody won First place!!!!!!!! Woooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise God! We are so excited for you!
Great job to all the young men who were at this intense event! Great job to these amazing wrestlers for your sportsmanship, training, dedication and hard work! God bless you all!
Up To Date...
I will keep you up to date as to how he does today. I will probably post something late this evening or tomorrow afternoon...
Thank you for keeping Cody 'Iowa' in your prayers! He is doing awesome!
Much thanks and love...
First Wrestling Tournament For the Season, Weight, 152 pounds
"But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it."
~ I Corinthians 10:13 (New Living Translation)~
School. Peers. Quizzes. Tests. Sports. What do these words describe? A student/athlete. Today is Cody's first wrestling tournament for the season. To watch the discipline of our son, a junior in high school, and a wrestler (rated number four in the state of Texas, weight bracket 152) is utterly amazing and convicting. Especially one that is still growing into his body; the aches of hunger and the workouts before school, during and after. Conditioning and preparing his body for the season.
The preparation before his first meet is grueling and comes months before the actual season begins. The foods he has stayed away from; the foods he is tempted to eat. Then on top of that, his growing body screaming out, "Feed me!" The peers shouting out, "Party over here with us; take the edge off!" Yet to see the champion mentality rise up in him is nothing short of amazing. I am finding that the passion for the win is stronger than the temptation to give in (That's a great one Lord).
This leads me to my passion for Who God Is and His Unfailing, loving heart. Is my passion for Him stronger than the passion to give into those habitual sins? I'm so not there. I am not feeling condemned, but it brings me to this place where I truly desire to want my Father God to be blessed more than I desire to be blessed.
What are one of the tools He has equipped us with that can lead to this passion? I would have to say that most likely praising Him for His great faithfulness, which leads us in a state of reminding ourselves of who He is; not who He isn't. With that praise to Him we also exercise the fruit of self control. It's not something we pray for, it's something He has already placed within us by the Holy Spirit when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior. It's literally stirring that 'fruit' on the inside of us with the help of the Spirit of God.
Am I prepared for the next 'meet'? The next challenge? Unfortunately, there's not a 'schedule' of when the next challenge will occur or at what venue. However, this just shows how vitally important it is to be prepared in God, in the physical realm and in all other realms as He leads and even as the commonsense He has given us leads. The preparation is not about me taking on the challenge, it is about my trust in my God that will get me through the next challenge.
Today, I am reminded that the passion for the win must be stronger than the temptation to give in.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Photos
Great 'still' photo of me wrestling in Iowa...
My 'date' for homecoming...Kylee
My truck...
Homecoming 2009 with my best friend
and wrestling 'brother' Jonathan.
My sister made me this plaque for me...she is 9.
First Place for '09 Cedar Park Invitational
Schedule!!!!!
Make sure you have Adobe Reader before you open the link:
The link opens right up to the schedule! If you have any issues...please email me at:
tacriswell2@yahoo.com
http://lhs2.leanderisd.org/athletics/wrestling/sked0910.doc
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wrestling Season is almost here...
Look out...here he comes at 152 lbs.
He is a Junior in high school and his goal is the state championship!
We will let you know when his schedule comes out for this year...hopefully many of you can make it to root him on to state! Thanks for your support over Cody 'Iowa'!
This blog is dedicated to all of Cody's family! He has A LOT of family who love him so much!!!!
First and foremost to probably his biggest fan besides his dad...his Grandma Criswell. Right before wrestling season started he received a surprise package in the mail from Iowa...as he opened it, he realized it was from his Grandma Criswell. The package as it was opened consisted of his favorite wrestling college, the University of Iowa Hawkeyes! To really appreciate this, you have to understand that for Grandma to even 'muster' the word, "Hawkeyes" is like a curse word proceeding out of her mouth...haahaahaa! For she is a MAJOR Iowa State Cyclones Fan! This gift from his grandma is one of the 'tools' that has been used to get him pumped up for this season!!!!! Look out opponents...he is ready for the gold!!!!
Here are some photographs of Cody opening up his surprise package from Grandma Criswell!!!! Inside the package was a University of Iowa wrestling 'hoodie' and these awesome, awesome wrestling shoes; the color of the Hawkeyes!!!!!
This blog is also dedicated to his biggest fan, his dad!
This blog is also for: his Uncle Greg and Aunt Trisha, his cousins, Mariah, Macayla and Maggie. Uncle Jeff and his cousin Hailey. His mom and Don in California, his Grandpa Len, Aunt Gina, Grandma and Grandpa Boroskin, Aunt Tonya and all of Cody's other family throughout! We know that you all are cheering for him...and he appreciates that!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
