Counting the Cost...

In my last post I announced that I decided to train to become a bobsled pilot and that I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Well, I still don't... but God is awesome and things have actually been going pretty well out here in Park City,  Utah! To sum up the past month: 

I survived my first driving school and can now say that I am officially a bobsled pilot! Ate In-N-Out Burger. Sat on the floor at a Utah Jazz NBA game. Ate In-N-Out Burger again. Had 44 successful training runs. Saw real live mooses (anyone know the plural for moose?). Hung out with Mormons :) Snuck down a closed ski hill at night on an inner tube (yet another life goal accomplished). Fore-ran the World Cup Bobsled races in Park City. 

Overall, a lot of bobsledding mixed with a little fun. God willing, next week my faithful brakeman, Valerie Smith, and I will road trip up to Calgary, Canada for our first official international bobsled races!  

Despite the fact that I appear to be living the dream; there's one thing I've been learning lately - to count the cost. Every single day I am realizing, more and more, exactly how hard it is to make the US Olympic Team. To be honest, it's virtually impossible. I find myself wondering, is this all worth it? 

Then I remind myself. Nothing is impossible for my God and even if I never make it to the Olympic Games all the physical, mental, and financial costs are worth it. Who cares if training is hard? If I have to deal with ridiculous politics? If I literally live out of a suitcase? If my body is bruised and scared? If it's incredibly expensive? I'm on the United States Bobsled Team, I've made some incredible friends, and had some amazing adventures. It's definitely all worth it!!! 

I'll never forget when I was first contemplating quitting my career and packing my bags for the grueling sport of bobsled. It was a tough decision and Elana Meyers shared her story with me. She said bobsledding hadn't been easy but when she walked into the opening ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver it was all worth it. 

I say all this to ask a much bigger question: Are we counting the costs of following Jesus in our lives? I know that everyone makes sacrifices, just like I'm sacrificing a lot for my bobsled dreams. But that's not what I am talking about. The question is - are you willing to sacrifice everything to follow after Jesus? 

Just like I'm realizing how hard it is to make the Olympic Team; I'm realizing how hard it is to make God's team (Matt 7:13-14, 19:24). Sometimes watered down American Christianity forgets to point out that Jesus actually said things like, 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."   Luke 14:26-27

Following after Jesus isn't going to be easy. If anyone tells you that, they are lying. But Jesus does promise one thing, HE is worth it! I can't wait until the day I walk into eternity with Jesus and am able to say, it was all worth it! 

Take 10 minutes to watch the video above. You won't regret it :) 

In the news...

Saying that my brakeman is a big Tigers fan is an understatement. But her Tiger passion led to a conversation with a Detroit couple who happened to be touring the bobsled track, which led to this article. Click the link below and enjoy!

A Big Tigers Fan With Olympic Dreams...

Good times...

The next step...

I've left so many of you in suspense with my recent Facebook status:

"When I look back on every accomplishment God has blessed me with in my life I realize that they all began with one thing - a risky leap of faith. So here we go again..."

All of you know, if I post something like that, there is probably a wild and crazy adventure planned for the near future. Then I added some more suspense when I randomly showed up in Arkansas (when I was supposed to be bobsledding in New York).  So here is my attempt to try and explain the current journey God is leading me on.

I spent the entire summer at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center working hard to get stronger and faster, and I did. In early October we had our team combine testing and National Push Championships and I put up some really good numbers. But there was one problem, so did everyone else.

2012 National Push Championships

I really believe that if I continue down the path of being a bobsled brakeman, that God would put me back on the US National Team this season and allow me to travel around the world bobsledding with my best friends and telling people about Jesus - talk about living the dream! However, its getting harder and harder to make the Olympic Team and I really believe God wants to use me in a new capacity this season that will actually extend my bobsled career.

I'm going to attempt to become a pilot! I've had a desire to become a bobsled pilot since I was in high school and to make a long story short - if I am going to become a pilot - now is the prime time!

So what's the plan? I am currently at my parents house in Arkansas getting some much needed mental recovery. In a couple of days I will head out to Park City, Utah for the winter to learn everything I possibly can about driving. God willing, I will even race as a driver on the Americas Cup tour this season!

So whats so risky about that? First of all, it was very hard to intentionally stop trying to pursue a spot on the National Team for this season. It was hard knowing that I will not be spending the season with my all of my teammates especially Katie Eberling, Elana Meyers, and Megan Hill (who have become so much more than just teammates to me).  Second of all, it's very possible that my attempt to drive could end up disastrous. I am sacrificing something I am decent at (pushing) for the unknown (driving). But that's the beauty of faith:

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1 

But my faith is not in my unknown ability to drive a bobsled. My faith is not in my athletic abilities. My faith is in Christ.  If I never get to the Olympics, if  my bobsled career ends in a few weeks, one thing is for sure: God has a plan for my life and its bigger than bobsled and it will bring His name glory.

So here we go! I have to give a special shout out to my bobsled bud, Val Smith, who is also taking a risky leap of faith by joining me on this journey as my brakeman!

P.S. - I've always wanted to move to Utah! I love Mormons!

Me and U.S. Track & Field Olympic greats: Tianna Madison, Lolo Jones, and
Hyleas Fountain: trying out for the U.S. Bobsled Team this season.

2011-12 Team Meyers!!
(After Elana and Katie won Bronze at World Championships)
Proud to be their alternate - humled to be their friends! 

OTC Sprite-Banana Challenge

la familia...

Family at Jones Beach, Long Island, NY

My family came to visit me in New York! It was awesome to show them how and where I have been training. And it was even awesomer to take a road trip to Long Island to see where my mom grew up! 

Me and my Nepali Sister

My parents checking out
a bobsled! 

Right after my fam's trip to NY, my sister moved to Nepal! She plans to come back to the states for a visit in 3 years! 


Click this link to check out her blog to follow her adventures: Two Candles One Light Blog

Iron Prayer...

The Iron Man triathlon is one of the most grueling athletic events on the planet.  It is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and then topped off with a full marathon run of 26.2 miles. Everyone who crosses the finish line before mid-night is crowned with the official title of "Ironman"! I had the opportunity to speak at the Iron Prayer the night before the big race in Lake Placid, NY earlier this summer. Check it out below!!!! 

Hanging out with some teammates and one of our strength
coachesat the IronMan finish line!!!