more than winning..

i love inspiring movies. i love the emotion they evoke in me. i love the celebration of victory when not only the good people win, but when hearts are impacted and lives are changed.

jordan and i rarely get to go out to the movies, so with our final weekend of summer we headed to the theater saturday night and saw "when the game stands tall". two big thumbs up from the suggs. this movie is not just a a feel good movie. it's not just celebrating the victory. in fact, it's so much more than that. it's about brotherhood. relationships. sacrifice. rising up when life struggles hit you. seeking to fight for one another. looking beyond the game, or even winning, but finding who you are and how you will live because of the struggle. to be committed and give perfect effort.

being a coach and teacher, jordan and i both have had our fair share of battling what is more important. is it the title? the success? winning? getting appreciation? meeting expectations? seeing change or transformation? is our to-do list taking more priority than where we are or who we are around? are we making it about us? or are we striving to make much of God? are we loving God and loving people?

from this one movie, my mind races to ask those questions. in our culture today, we are measured by our success or achievements. somehow we've been placed under a standard or expectation by others. on the other side, one cannot necessary measure a heart that has been impacted or a life that has been changed. i didn't realize how certain people played a part in my life until later when life is tested and the hardships hit. that is when you know who you really are and who truly will stand tall next to you. all the little things in life then fade away. all the titles, wins, loses go away. 

[i am beyond grateful for my best friends (you know who you are) who have never wavered in their support throughout my life and all what has been thrown at me. you have bravely stood tall, held me up and fought for me. you have become precious irons in my life. for that i am forever thankful to my God in heaven for the gift of you.] 

what a reminder to me and jordan as we head into a new school year. tomorrow is the day we start year 3 at nbca. we have been given such a platform to be in the lives of teenagers each day. whether that's teaching in front of them or coaching them on a court or a field. we've been given a responsibility, to not just add to these students academic education. not just prepare them for the next year or even their job. we've been given a chance to invest in the very lives of the next generation. in hopes they too will make much of Christ and live fully for Him. i want our days with these students to be filled with life giving conversation. with laughter, encouragement, prayer, character building, and most importantly helping them understand who they are in Christ. 

so yes, there is so much more than coaching, than winning, or even success. 

as one of the coaches from the movie said, 

"don't let the game define who you are, 
but let the way you live your life define you."

a sugg summer ends...

Sugg Vacation in Port A

Well the Summer is gone and it's hard to believe that Jordan and I will be starting our 3rd year at New Braunfels Christian Academy. Just 2 years ago we met for the first time. It's amazing to me how time flies and all that God can do in a short amount of time. We have LOVED all the ups and downs of married life and how we've grown together in our 16 1/2  months of marriage. It's true what others have said that marriage only shows more of your selfishness and pride. The Lord continues to point out in me my insecurities and struggles, yet brings a freedom through His grace and redemption. I am one blessed woman to have married Jordan.

Recently I have had the privilege of witnessing this man be such a strong warrior for me and my heart. He has been man of protection, love, wisdom and justice. He has ministered to my heart more than I could put in words. Throughout this season we are in, God surely has anointed our conversations with such richness. It's been one of the blessings in disguise that I wouldn't trade for anything. I guess I didn't recognize how God can use tough moments, to ignite a freshness. I have to believe hard moments and tough situations can be turned around to be used to bring much glory to God! That is my hope anyway.

As a new school year begins, I can only hope for all that God will do. Jordan and I have much to be grateful for over the past few months. We have been in our new home for 3 months now and we are looking forward to hosting many events throughout the year. It's still a work in progress as far as updates, but that won't keep us from opening our doors to whomever will come despite the flaws. We are blessed to be in a wonderful neighborhood and the surrounding community. We are grateful for a church body in which we can connect, be challenged and grow spiritually. We are thankful for our jobs and the Lord's provision financially. We are thankful for the future plans God continues to write for us and place in our hearts. We are overwhelmed by the Lord grace and mercy. We don't deserve any of this. Our prayer is that we choose to honor the Lord in these things as well as bear His image through our words and actions.

~THE SUGGS

Here are a few pics from the Summer...

Golfing in Port A

Family Crab & Shrimp Boil in Galveston

 

Sugg Family Selfie...weekend in Granite Shoals on the Lake!!

our summer so far!

an update...the short version...

May 15 - we closed on our beautiful house & moved in with a slew of workers, trucks and car loads. we could not have done it without all our friends and family helping us!

May 17 - Senior Graduation & a hill country wedding in Fredericksburg. Jordan gave an amazing speech and we had a blast with our friends celebrating another couple joining in marriage.

May 23 - last day of school & summer 2014!

May 27-30 - I ran my first volleyball camp & had a great turn out! My high school kids sure help out in ways I cannot repay. After 4 full days and 8 hours of coaching each day, I was exhausted to say the least but thankful for a successful camp!

June - lots of house projects...painting all rooms, removing wall paper, painting trim, removing & painting all doors, removing carpet, painting door knobs & hinges, buying furniture off craigslist, finding unique pieces at max's house (awesome consignment/antique place) and now awaiting new flooring.

It's been a crazy June already filled with more projects than I can handle and more paint than I ever wanted to buy. My head has never been more overwhelmed with decisions, but I'm learning more each step of the way. Sometimes I stop in the middle of my thought process and can't believe how much pressure I'm putting on myself to decided on a shade of white or grey. It's the littlest things that God speaks to be most. I'm am ready to be done with projects for now. Jordan and I are both ready to through open our doors for guests and company. We are looking forward to all that is to come and every day it gets a little closer.

We are extremely grateful for this home the Lord provided for us and the place he has put it. We have been here just over 5 weeks and couldn't be happier. We look forward to spending our time with others and not on projects.

Ready for a getaway this weekend on the coast with some family!

March Madness...Sugg Style

well for most people, march madness is full of college basketball games. but for jordan and i, our march is filled with much more than that...

march is full of celebrations which continues on in april. first off, jordan's birthday is march 10. we were on spring break spending it in beaver creek, colorado with some of my family. we skied, relaxed and enjoyed being in the mountains for the week.

then the next big and new celebration we've had this month is that we found  home! we are currently under contract with a home and so thrilled.  we are in the 10 day option period so a lot could happen within the next week, but we are beyond excited at the realization of us having our 1st home. we have been looking since the end of january (i guess since the last post), so we are thankful to finally be at this stage in the process.

future sugg shack

our third celebration of this month is by far the best...our 1st year anniversary!! today, march 30, is the day i walked down the aisle to the most amazing man and promised my life to him. it's been the most exhilarating year filled with ups and down, challenges, blessings, more trips than we can handle, friendships, laughter, tears, celebrations, talks, adventures, dreaming, making memories and all around the most fun one could have with a husband. we definitely surpassed any expectation we had for year 1 and we only hope year 2 will have just as much bliss!

dinner at flemmings steakhouse

night at the majestic to watch wicked