Diary of My Journey Back to the Water
August 8 - August 27, 2007
 
As many of you know by now, I have suddenly found myself back on the water rounding little orange buoys! My journey back to the water came unexpectedly and suddenly to say the least! On August 25th, my son Ty and I will climb aboard a plane to Munich, Germany for the World Water Ski Championships in Linz, Austria. It has been 5 years since my last professional appearance in competition. Years ago I had placed my skis in my garage resigned to and at peace with the fact that most likely I would never take to the water again, or at least in the fashion that I once did. With the physical limitations I was facing as a result of my pelvis being reconstructed, my neck and back pain, the busyness of life being a wife, mother of three, and ministry leader of In His Wakes, I knew that the season of traveling the world as a professional water skier had come to an end. Five years have passed since I stood on the top of a podium at the US Masters Water Ski tournament in 2002. I knew in my heart as I crossed the stage to receive my award that most likely, it would be my last time skiing on Robin Lake. I was in so much physical pain and really not enjoying my time on the water as many of my dearest friends had retired and moved on from the sport. I should have then announced my retirement. Rather, I fought what I knew to be true, that it was time to step off the water, and continued to take to the water, each time more frustrated and more in pain than the time before. As I prepared for the 2003 Masters, my decision to step off the water was made for me. During a practice run at 35 off, the ligaments supporting my hip socket gave way. I crawled into the boat with the help of Andy Mapple, Kris Lapoint and Jennifer Leachman, my training partners for the day. The year progressed in pain and by the end of the summer I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t walk through a mall or play in the yard with my son. Over the winter the inevitable happened …it was time to have my pelvis reconstructed to correct a hip deformity I had dealt with my entire life. In January 2004 and again in July 2004, I found myself heading to Boston Children’s Hospital for a Ganz Osteotomy, a total reconstruction of my pelvis (thank goodness God only gave us two hips!!!). What followed were two years of incredible physical trials as I spent 6 months without walking and a year and ½ of rehab in order to gain flexibility and strength in my hips. In addition to the physical trials, I entered an emotional and spiritual battle that I had never experienced. For the first time in my life I was unable to take to the water and be ‘Kristi the Skier,’ nor could I fulfill the responsibilities of being a wife and mother to the standard I was used to due to the physical limitations. For the first time in my life I had to ask for help. I couldn’t perform and I couldn’t do for others. For someone who gathered her self worth in what she did and how she pleased others, this was a very humbling experience. During this same time, the ministry In His Wakes was growing tremendously and the more I stepped out in obedience to Christ, following His plan for my life, the more the enemy came against me in ways I had never imagined. In addition, in May of 2005 we headed to Russia and adopted our two youngest children, Dalton and Ivy. Our family suddenly became very lively, large and often challenging. My focus quickly shifted off of my physical pain, my own plans and agenda, and moved to our family. I suddenly became a translator, full time ‘referee’ as sibling rivalries were at large, and found myself in the role of a psychiatrist as I tried to understand the emotional trials my new little ones and our seven year old son, Ty, were going through during this transition of becoming a family. During this time I fought to maintain balance in my own life spiritually, emotionally and physically. Since my time off the water, there has been change. Yes, there has been an obvious change in my lifestyle as I am now a mother of three and the ministry is spreading like wildfire. This year alone my family and I have attended over 40 In His Wakes Day to Remember Events. In addition, I have traveled to fulfill obligations across the country as a faith-based motivational speaker and writer. But not only has there been change in my lifestyle, most importantly, there has been a change within. The battles that came against me physically, emotionally and spiritually have been fought, and are continually fought, but may I say, with the grace of God and the strength of His might, they are being won. Through the trials of 10 major surgeries, an international adoption, and the experience of ministry, God has continually shown Himself faithful, compassionate, patient, loving, kind, merciful, forgiving, in control and always with a plan! He has revealed His plan for my life, a plan which includes combining my passions, Jesus, water sports and people, for His glory. I have watched Him do magnificent things in the ministry and in the lives of my friends, family and in my personal life. I don’t know what the Lord is up to but I am excited and curious to see why He is leading me past the waters’ edge and out into the deep. I know that nothing is by accident and although I don’t understand the plan, I do know that Jeremiah 29:11 says that it is a good one! No matter what happens out there on the water on Tuesday, August 28th in Linz, Austria I can rest in the fact that God’s plan is sovereign and He is writing a story that is going to impact lives…mine included. You may be wondering why I am so certain that God is the One leading me back onto the water again. There are many reasons. First of all, as a performer, a world class competitor, and someone who has always been concerned of what people think of me and what I do, getting back on the water in such a prestigious tournament, and with such little practice would be insane! I haven’t competed in 5 years and I can count the number of slalom sets I have had in the last few years on one hand! The tournament is in less than two weeks and these girls have been training like crazy for this event. Going to ski in front of my peers after a five year lay off and 12 days of practice doesn’t sound like my idea of fun! Nehemiah 2:12 says that God had placed a task on Nehemiah’s heart. I believe that going to the world’s to compete is a task and desire that the Lord has placed on my heart to do. It makes no sense to me, nor to my friends, but it is a desire that will not go away and it keeps growing stronger and stronger. The cool thing is that as the desire grows, my peace is growing too. This peace is most certainly from God as usually I would be panicking with an event this close and being so unprepared! As I look back over this past year, I can already see how God has been preparing me, unknowingly, to take to the water again. I had a desire to start going to a nutritionist in the spring and have totally changed the way I eat and care for myself. As I began to start taking care of my physical self, I lost the few pounds that I had gained after my surgery due to my inability to exercise (and eating off of 3 kids plates!!!). At the same time I had the desire to start trick skiing daily as I found it to be a great way to get physically strong and it is a great way to spend time with my kids who are all water bugs. Without the on-water time from trick skiing, I definitely would not have enough physical strength to get back on the water so fast. I also have watched plans change in regards to our Russian adoption of Nicholas, Ivy’s biological brother. They have been temporarily put on hold and perhaps it was so that I could be available to go to Austria. I don’t have all the answers but I do know that I am excited. I am excited to see God’s plan unfold as He takes me on a new adventure. This time around, one thing is for sure….it is going to be different! I can no longer ski in my might and physical strength…I have none. If I go too hard too fast, I will send this neck, back and hips of mine into major spasms and will be unable to train. No longer can I focus solely on my skiing as I don’t have time with the demands on my life as a mother, wife, and ministry leader. This go around I am going to have to rely on others, ‘One’ in particular. This time it will not be by my might, nor by my power, but by the spirit of God. Am I saying that God is going to jump on my ski and win for me? No. What I am saying that this time there is a purpose far greater than I can imagine or see and my goal is to follow the Spirit’s lead wherever that may take me. I am to be ‘strong in the Lord and in the might of His power’ (Ephesians 6:10). Is this a return to the sport for years to come? Is this experience a one-time event? A gift from Him to allow me to experience skiing one more time. I don’t know. But I do know that I am going to enjoy the ride. Who knows what is in store. What seems impossible to man is possible with God and I know that the power behind me is far greater than the task before me. Do I think that it is possible to go stand on top of the podium after 5 years off? All things are possible to him who believes. But I am not going with the focus and purpose of winning. My desire above all is to go ENJOY myself, to ski in peace rather than fear, and to touch lives along the way. I will go and give my best and I will just let God take care of the rest! I cannot tell you how humbled and thankful I am for this amazing opportunity to travel the world with my son. I am thankful for the opportunity to be back on top of the water and this time, I am going to enjoy the journey. I am humbled by the response and encouragement of people who have heard about my return to water skiing. To document this amazing journey I am going to keep a journal so that I don’t forget the goodness of the Lord ad so that you can join me on this journey as well. My goal as I take to the water is to experience skiing in a new way. I want to experience skiing with a peace of mind, stillness of soul and in a spirit of rest. I want to experience skiing in God’s strength and not in my own strength and own ability. This journey is an opportunity for God to break me free from the fear that gripped me on the water, the thoughts that crowded my mind, and the worry’s that tired me. Most of all, I want to learn all God has for me to learn from this experience. I don’t know what this journey has in store for me but I can guarantee you it will be an adventure to remember! ________________________________________________________________ What follows is a day by day journal of my ‘life’ on the water documenting the two weeks preparing for the World Championships. I will be adding to this blog daily until my departure on Saturday, August 25th. Wednesday, August 8: A burning desire to ski in the world championships is rising up within me and no matter what I do, it is not going away! Tim is shaking his head and saying, “Kristi, it is in two weeks!” I thought I should take a ride and see what happened. I went out on a Synchro, a fat ski of sorts, and went at it like a wild women. The result was a spasm in my neck which has my entire back in knots. I haven’t skied 34 mph in years!!! I feel like I am flying!!!! Thursday, August 9: I can’t move my neck. I talked to Jeff Rodgers about my desire to go to the Worlds….his reaction was supportive. There is no way I could ski today. My neck is in so much pain but the cool thing is, my back and hips feel ok. I emailed Bob Corson to see if it is even possible for me to enter the worlds. He immediately emailed back and said, yes indeed, according to rule such and such, the world record holder has an automatic entry. We headed out to Orlando today around lunch time to take the kids to Universal. We are spending the night in Orlando tonight as we fly out early in the morning for a ministry event in Texas. Friday, August 10: Woke up at 3:45 and got the kids dressed and headed to the airport in Orlando for a 6 am flight. We landed in Texas at 7:30 am and had a great day. I left Frank Harrison, head of the US Team a voice message. He is the one who will enter me and I need to make contact with him and discuss my intentions. I left my ski at home as my neck is a mess and I didn’t think I would have the opportunity to ski. With car seats and luggage for 5 people, the skis would be too much to worry about! Saturday, August 11: I shopped a bit today and got the kids some things for school. I met up with Helena Kjellander Velintin. I shared with her about my thoughts on skiing…she said, “Go For IT!” I tried to convince her to come out of retirement with me! I spoke with Frank Harrison and told him of my desire to ski at the worlds and although surprised, he said that he would take care of entering me in the tournament. Sunday, August 12: I went to Marine Creek in Fort Worth for an amazing In His Wakes’ “Day to Remember” event with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Ft. Worth. We had 10 boats being operated by amazing volunteers from the Metroplex ski club. I haven’t told anyone here of my possibility of skiing the worlds. TBN was there filming all day and I watched God open many doors for the ministry and also watched Him work in the lives of volunteers and our participants. Monday, August 13: This is our last day in Texas. My neck is still a mess but it is getting better. I am ready to get home and try to ski as I am officially entered in the Worlds as of yesterday! The cool thing is that although I am not able to ski and the tournament is less than two weeks away, I have peace. I know that this peace is from the Lord because every ounce of my old self would have been a nervous wreck at this point and worrying about what everyone is going to say! I am experiencing my first lesson in patience as my flight was cancelled and we are not going to get home today. I took advantage of the time and made a few calls to obtain some equipment as mine is VERY OLD! Jodi Fisher is searching for a ski to send me. I also ordered bindings, a vest and a rope. Mine are all dry rotted! Tuesday: August 14: We are still making our way back home from our trip to Texas. We spent the night in Orlando to try and get some rest as we got in from Texas so late. The kids are hanging in there but very tired. It is obvious that Ivy would not be able to handle the trip to Austria. The decision is made for Ty and I to go and for Tim to stay behind with the two little ones. We got home around 11. I started stretching and headed to the lake with Tim. What an amazing thing to be back on the water with my husband, it is like old times. He is suddenly back to being the coach, driver and ski technician. He has literally rummaged through the garage and found an old ski I used to ski on and put it together. My bindings are so old but like an old shoe, they are comfortable! My first set went ok. I rode behind the boat for the first pass in order to feel out the ski. I missed my first attempt at running the course. Boy does 34 mph feel fast! Especially after tricking all summer! I finally ran my 28 off pass. I took about 3 passes, just enough to get a rhythm established. I cannot attack it too fast or I will be off the water physically. I took another set late in the afternoon with Kyle and Tim. It is like déjà vu! Here we are 18 years later and the three of us are in the boat together. Amazing! I skied behind his boat as it is more current than mine (I have an open bow and older version). I ran a couple of 28’s and 32’s. At least this time I ran my first pass! I still feel like we are flying! Wednesday, August 15: I am a bit sore in my traps but not too bad. I took a set around lunch after I took the kids to school orientation. I skied well considering how long it has been. I ran through 28, 32, and then ran some 35 starts. They felt good. I shortened to 38 and gave it a whirl. My timing was off but I felt good. I am just not quit strong enough behind the boat and my right collar bone is swelling and hurting. I injured it back in July tricking and I am thinking it is either fractured or there is a large bone spur. Something isn’t right for sure. I am heading to the chiropractor on Monday, the earliest I can get in. Tim suggested I use a wider handle and that seems to take some of the pressure off my collar bone as it opens up my shoulders more. I booked airline tickets for Ty and I. I knew I had been racking up points on our American Express card for something, I just didn’t know it would be for a flight to Austria to ski! Ty is more excited about the airplane ride in business class than he is about going overseas. His first question was if we were going to get food and watch a movie on the plane! Thursday, Aug 16: I headed out around noon with Kyle and Tim. I had woken up early, around 5 to write our small group bible study and had to take Dalton to the doctor in the morning. There is so much to do prior to my leaving. I spoke to Britta Llewellyn who is from Austria. She is going to send me some information on hotels. I also was able to secure practice on Lake 2 at the site…that was a blessing. My first set today went well. My timing is coming back and I feel good mentally on the water. I ran through 28, 32, 35 and then tried some starts at 38. My collar bone is strained and shooting pain as I ski. I am icing it immediately. My hips feel fantastic and back is good. My neck is holding on, a bit spasmed but overall, I am pleased. I took another set prior to dinner. I ran two 28’s, and two 32’s. I am tired physically and mentally after a busy day writing, emailing and being a mom. Rick Renner’s ministry called to see if I wanted them to pray about anything in particular with me…yes, pray for peace and for me to be able to go and enjoy myself ! I am open to whatever He has for me! Friday, Aug 17: I am taking the day off. I am off to Orlando to speak at Correct Craft’s Company Wide Bible Study with Shaun Murray and Emily Copeland Durham. I prepared to speak on one topic but as I was driving down to Orlando, I realized that the Lord wanted me to share about this adventure. I feel like there may be someone there who God wants to encourage to trust Him. I believe He has placed an incredible desire on their heart but they have been afraid to step out and follow their heart. I pray that my stepping out will somehow be an encouragement to them to just do it! Often times what is placed on our hearts can seem to be an overwhelming task, or a task that doesn’t make since. I can promise you that this adventure doesn’t make since to me but I can rest in the promise that God has a plan and whatever it is, it is a good one! My mother called this morning and my Granddaddy Charlie is being transported to the hospital. He collapsed on my mother and she had to call the ambulance. I am sore but not in pain other than my collarbone. I am a bit stiff from driving in the car for 5 hours to Orlando and back for the speaking engagement. Jeff Rodgers stopped by the house tonight while in Florida and we took a ski ride together…never thought I’d do that again! I was SOOOO nervous with Jeff in the boat and tried my best to show him how well I could ski…ha! Anyway, I was all over the place. As he described it, my mind looked like it was a computer trying to figure out everything and my 28 off looked like I was trying to run 39! It felt like it too! I feel at peace and good about the upcoming adventure. I am excited. I still have yet to receive a new ski, rope, vest….but old faithfuls are holding in there. It is a miracle that I have been able to ski two days in a row. For the last three years, since my pelvic reconstruction, I haven’t been able to slalom ski twice in one month. I truly feel that it is a miracle that I am on the water. I am finding myself emotional, as I am so thankful for the opportunity to be back on the water. I never in a million years would have dreamed I would be skiing for our country again, and most importantly skiing for the Lord competitively. I believe I was taken out of the sport for a season to refocus, to be changed within and to get my priorities straight. I am excited about the peace I feel and the confidence I have on the water. The ease in which I have come back in 5 sets is a miracle to be sure! My parents have made their tickets. My mom got emotional on the phone about seeing her little girl ski again. My dad is preparing for the trip and four dear family friends are coming as well. USA Water SKi announced the fact that I am skiing in the worlds...calls and emails are coming in! Saturday, Aug 18: Woke up at 6 am to warm up for my 8 am ski set with Jeff and Kyle. I am sore but I am looking forward to redeeming myself after last night’s set. I can tell you this, that last set has followed me around the house for hours! I would think about it, tried to put it out of my mind and go do something in the house and sure enough it would follow me into that room! No matter what I did, the unsettled feeling that I had on the water kept coming to mind. This is the part of skiing I don’t like and want to be set free from! I am so hard on myself and desire every set to be perfect. A task that isn’t possible! I skied well with Jeff and indeed did redeem myself. I was tired last night and I was dropping my hips into the buoy. Today I thought about one thing, pushing my hips up into the handle off the second wake. I know that isn’t the new technique but it works for the old style Kristi. I am taking the rest of the day off. I did a few things with the kids and got them ready for school on Monday. I prepared dinner for friends of ours who were coming out to eat with us. We had a great time of fellowship and prayer time. Sunday, August 19: Got up early and prepared for my singing special at church. I got home from church, went grocery shopping for the upcoming week, and then I climbed in bed. My body feels like I have the flu! It is worn slam out from all of the skiing. It isn’t in pain, it is just stiff and aching all over. Ivy climbed in bed with me and she booted up my old computer and typed for hours (even though she can’t spell a word at age 5). She was just happy to be with mom and doing what mom does. Ty climbed in bed with me too and watched TV. Dalton headed over to a friends to play baseball. I taught the kids how to do lunch boxes today. Ha! I despise making lunches so I got them excited about it and wrote out a chart for them to follow. Hopefully this excitement will last until next June! Monday, August 20: I feel much better physically today. The kids started school today, there was a bit of excitement in the house. After dropping them off, I headed to the chiropractor in Gainesville and got adjusted. That seemed to open everything up. I went shopping for a suit case on wheels since Tim isn’t going to be there to carry all the luggage! It is huge and when I got home, Ivy was determined that suitcase was her new backpack for school! I came home and took two sets. I tried two different skis. I skied well on both but not sure which to go on. As Kyle described it, one is like a safe 3 iron, the other is like a driver! I can go safe or go for it! Which do I do? When I got home from picking the kids up from school, there was the Fisher ski waiting for me. Tim got home from work and put it together for me. It is now 5:45 and I am on the water for a third set. What is wrong with this picture???? I have guests arriving at my home in 45 minutes for the Bible Study that I teach out of our home on Monday nights. I guess I am teaching with wet hair tonight…I am donning that look a lot lately. Thank goodness for longer hair. The ski felt good. I actually skied better straight out of the box on the Fisher than I have on the other ski. 38 had that old time feeling…like it used to. I wasn’t afraid of the speed or the shortness of the rope and just committed and skied. It was a good feeling. I was on three skis today but the cool thing is that I skied confidently and hard on all three. This is helping my confidence. It was a productive day. Tuesday, August 21: Sore is an understatement! My body is screaming! I woke up early and headed to the infra-red sauna in our exercise room. I also did some light Pilates and rode the bike to loosen up my hip flexors. The kids wanted to go to McDonald’s for breakfast so we left the house early. I made a pit stop to CVS for some ibuprofen! I came home and just chilled out in the yard reading the Bible and praying. Tim came home, set up the ski with a new setting and we went for a ski ride. The new setting didn’t feel well. We made another change…better but not perfect….made yet another change and I think we are there! My goal today was to be set on a setting so I can just go ski. I cannot stand the uncertainty of which setting we should use on the ski. I just want to go ski. Three sets by noon…I am toast. I am taking the rest of the day off and perhaps tomorrow. Wednesday, August 22: After dropping the kids off at school, I met Tim and Kyle at the lake for my morning ski ride. I went out one of the skis I am trying but for some reason, my hip is not reacting well to it. Part of the reason is that my pelvis has been reconstructed, the other part is that the equipment is taking a little bit more out of me than I am ready for. I think under normal circumstances (having more than twelve days to prepare) I would be strong enough to handle it. I took two sets this morning. Since Monday I have been on a different ski or different setting every set. It is wearing on me physically and mentally. After my sets, I came to the dock and the In His Wakes team was waiting on the dock for me. We had scheduled three days of meetings months ago with our entire team to reflect on the year and prepare for next year. Little did I know I would be training for the worlds during it. As I made my way to the house, I emotionally broke down from the pain my body is in right now. It is head to toe throbbing pain. You know the feeling you get when you cut something and it throbs, well my entire body is throbbing and I feel like I can barely move. I think I am putting way to much emphasis on the ski and settings and just need to trust what is deep down inside of me. I believe when I get out there on the water in the competitive setting, it is going to come flooding back. Someone on the chat room discussion made a comment about my not being able to compete against seasoned competitors. Well, I disagree. Something about having 30 years of competition and 20 years of professional tournaments seems to have seasoned me quite well. I have made the decision not to look at anything anyone is writing. It doesn’t matter what people think or say. We met from 10 until 4 in regards to IHW matters. After picking the kids up from school I made my way back down to the lake for another set with Tim and Kyle. Now I know I am crossing the line physically but I have to make a decision on the ski. I took two more ‘mini’ sets and made my decision. What it is? I won’t tell. I have peace and can now just focus on what I need to do.....go ski my heart out! Thursday, August 23 Taking the day off physically! I spent the day packing for Ty and I. He is so excited and I am growing more excited every day. I am just ready to go to Austria. This morning there was an incredible email from Helena Kjellander reminding me to visualize myself running those passes. She’s right. I had just started doing that a couple of days ago but hadn’t thought of the importance of it. So....instead of running actual buoys, I took the boat out in the middle of the lake and just sat there running passes. Boy, taking three sets mentally is much better than taking three sets physically. I can walk after!!! I took a swim out in the middle of the lake...I had a few thoughts about gators and my being out there without anyone, then I decided that I was being ridiculous and kept swimming. I looked ridiculous as I was swimming in my clothes as I hadn’t put my swimsuit on prior to heading out in the boat. It was awesome being out there. It was so peaceful. I was able to pray and just praise God for all that He has done this week. It was cool that when I started downloading some pod cast for my trip, the first one I came across was Joel Osteen’s “The Power of Visualization.” How perfect. I listened to it and see that it is not only scientifically proven that visualization will help but it is biblical too. I have never visualized myself winning because I thought that would be conceited of me. Well, not this time around. I believe the Bible when it says that God can give us more than we can ask or imagine...well I must imagine something...so I am going to imagine myself winning. A friend the other day, a competitor friend, made the comment that “You aren’t coming to win.” Well, I am surely not coming to give the girls the title...I will put up a fight by giving it all I have. That’s the thing, if you give it your all, you’ll never be disappointed! I have so many regrets throughout my career...most of them was because I let fear hold me back. Well, this time I have nothing to lose! I have to just go for and I pray God will give me the strength (as He says He will) to lay aside fear and enjoy the ride. I am to be strong and courageous. Strong in Him, in the power of His might and courageous by laying fear aside and stepping off the dock...literally! Friday, August 24: Took the kids to school and headed home for a ski ride. Kyle has left so I asked my friend Amy to ride in the boat to help balance it out...I told her it was either her or the 80 pound dumb bell! She was kind enough to help me out. Throughout our friendship, she like most of my friends have never seen me ski. My set was just like in my visualizations except this time it was a reality. I skied to the end of the 38 off straight off the dock, one of the most beautiful 38’s I have ever run. It feels so natural, like I haven’t taken anytime off the water. No one but Tim, myself, and close friends/family who have traveled the last 5 years with me can understand what a miracle is taking place on the water. I have had more sets since last Tuesday than I have had since 2002 combined and my pieced together body has held by the grace of God. I am taking the rest of the day off. I have to get my toes painted so they look good coming out of the end of the bindings! I am ready to go tomorrow, all is packed and I am going to do some last minute things in Gainesville than head to see Mr. Bean at the movies with my kids tonight. I have been reminded over and over again to just go and rest this week in Austria. I have put so many expectation on myself over the years....what people expect of me, what God expects of me, what my parents, Tim, sponsors, competitors, and fans expect of me. I have programmed myself to “be” who people think I should be. God has reminded me to go, to be still mentally, and to “be” who He created me to be.....a light. I am a doer and the minute I stepped out in faith on this journey, I started thinking of all the things I need to “DO”. I started to set up a speaking engagement in Austria, started putting together ministry materials to make contacts for world-wide Day to Remember events, I started trying to organized a booth for In His Wakes at the site. I started trying to ‘reason’ in my mind all the reasons God has for me in Austria. Some great friends came and reminded me to just quit being a Martha and go be a Mary (read the story of these sisters in the Bible...I am the one running around..the Martha who desires more than anything to be the Mary). It is ok to rest, to enjoy my trip and not do so much. This brings me much peace! I plan to take one set tomorrow. Not sure if I will have time to type, but I will try my best to update this from Austria. Thanks for coming along on this journey with me! Saturday, August 25: Up at 6 and finished up some office work for Tim’s construction company. I just ready to climb on the plane! Last night we decorated the ski with In His Wakes stickers, it looks cool. I am a bit stiff this morning but excited beyond words. Already, the past 12 days have blessed me in ways I never dreamed. I have learned so much about myself and have been blown away by the emails of support from people I don’t even know! They have sent scripture to encourage me and to claim. I have been reminded of the power of the Word and the plans of God. I am blessed to be sure! Sunday, August 26th: Ty and I arrived into Munich about an hour late. It was 8 am, Sunday morning (2 am Florida time). We slept very little on the flight, about 2-3 hours. Even in first class it is difficult to get very comfortable. In addition, Ty was SOOOO excited as he had never sat on the front side of the ‘curtain’ (in first class). I was sleeping great when he punched me in the arm to tell me breakfast was here! He was clicking buttons, playing games on his personal tv and putting his seat up and down just because he could. After picking up bags and going through customs (very easy here) we made our way to the car rental. We then drove from Munich, Germany to Linz, Austria. It took us until 4 pm in the afternoon to arrive at the hotel. We made it without any wrong turns, I was quite proud of that. We stopped in Salzburg and went for a bit of sight seeing. This was 2 hours into our trip so it was perfect timing to stop, eat and stretch our legs. It is a beautiful city where the Sound of Music was filmed. We saw amazing churches and ate in the square. The hotel in Linz is nice. When Ty and I were making our way up the elevator to our floor, a ski friend from Canada mentioned that a fellow competitor, Whitney McClintock had twisted her ankle in a strange slalom crash yesterday. Whitney does alot with In His Wakes and is such a lovely Christian young lady. When I got to the room I felt lead to go to her room and pray for her. We had a great chat and prayer. Who knows...perhaps this is one of the reasons I was brought here. I told Ty we have to stay up until at least 7pm....we made it to 7:30! Before going to bed, Ty ate some chicken schnitzel...he had heard so much about schnitzel. I think he was a bit disappointed to realize it is basically flattened fried chicken. Prices are very high here...about twice what you’d pay in the states. Water runs about 5 dollars a bottle at dinner, coke is much cheaper but as most of you know...I don’t do soda. My nerves are ok. It is very weird being here. Part of me feels ‘dead’....not sure how to explain it. I just don’t ‘fit’ in this scene any more. I see all of these people but really don’t know any of them....the competitors seem so young. I don’t think they know who I am either. I see judges from the past but I cannot remember alot of their names as I only saw them in international tournaments. I registered tonight, got my competitor photo badge, my ski bibs (that was a weird flash from the past!) and received my official ‘goodie’ bag from the Austrian federation. Monday, August 27: During the night we woke up at 3:45 am. Fortunately, we feel back asleep and slept until the alarm wen toff at 7am. I was out cold when the alarm went off. When I walked into the bathroom I felt like death warmed over! My head was throbbing, my body was so stiff I could barely move...I thought “Lord, what is going on!!!???” There is no way I can ski today unless something happens. I stretched and moved around the room, soaked in the tub and prayed ALOT and finally I started feeling a bit better. I went to breakfast with Ty...I am missing my food! It is hard to stay on my organic diet here. We went to the lake around 10. I was scheduled to ski on Lake 2 at noon. I got there and they were letting me ski on the main site with the Austrian team. The site is amazing! I’d be lying if I said my ski ride was amazing...well I guess it is amazing that I am out there having a ski ride! Putting my ski on and having people watch me ski is WEIRD to say the least. It has been so long! My first pass was ok, the course (water) skied a lot quicker than I have been used to in Florida. Add to that major jet lag and a stiff body and it doesn’t make for a good combination. I had an old coach of mine ride in the boat, Tanguy Benet. He kept his mouth shut until the end...he couldn’t take it any more and said “SKI HARD!” He told me I was trying to make everything perfect and I wasn’t reacting to what was going on during the course. He was right. Finally, my last pass I got on it and skied it very well. I have to admit, on one of my passes, I didn’t even pull out for the gates at the right time. There are jump buoys in the water and I pulled out at the wrong time, much too late and I went shooting right past the entrance gates. Talk about humbling or should I say humiliating!! Tanguy was just shaking his head. Of course, close ski friends of mine had just arrived on site and loved every minute of that! We all had a great laugh. I am glad the set is over! The site is beautiful. I am fighting alot of emotions right now. I am confused at why I am here. I am frustrated with how I felt on the water today. I wouldn’t be totally honest if I didn’t admit I am battling fear. I am taking every thought captive and replacing it with verses. I found some awesome ones in Isaiah 41:10-13. They are my verses for tomorrow! I think today I went out there and skied in my strength. I didn’t invite Him to come along with me. I mentally prepared and went out there saying I can do it to myself over and over.....but I cannot do it alone! I cannot do that tomorrow. God and I have already had a little chat....He is officially invited to ski with me tomorrow. I don’t think I will make that mistake again. So many amazing people have emailed and are reminding me to ski in His strength. I am being reminded to praise Him and that praise is the weapon to come against all these emotions. I also read today about being filled with the spirit so there is no more room for anything else! (Like fear, confusion, doubt....). We are off to try and locate my parents, there were to arrive in Munich this morning. I have opening ceremonies tonight where they parade all of the athletes. Tuesday....see the separate blog entry....My day on the water.