Day 309-Patricia

(Tuesday)

Hey guys,

     Sometimes, we have bad days, days when everything is going wrong, and days when we just need some extra lovin', and today is that day for my wonderful friend Patricia. Patricia is a soccer star, she always has been, and I know she always will be, but she is also a star just as a person, she has such great strength of character, and she has a servant heart, and it shows in everything she does. Tonight, Patricia had a BIG soccer game, against the only other team in their division that was undefeated, but we had a home field advantage, and could not imagine losing to this team. About 15 minutes into the game, Patricia(who is already playing injured) got kicked in the ankle, and fell to the ground. Our whole group of supporters for Patricia held our breath as they walked her off the field, and began to wrap her ankle. Our hearts all broke for Patricia, she KNEW how important this game was, and she did NOT want to let her team down. We all assumed that after they duct taped an ice pack to her ankle, she was out of the game, but after the half-time huddle, she came back carrying her ice pack, socks and shoes on and ready to get back in. About 10 minutes later, she was fouled AGAIN, and AGAIN was hurt and taken out of the game. She was not going to let them get the best of her though, she DID come back in, and she played her heart out tonight. Unfortunately, they ended up losing their first game of the season 1-0. As I waited for Patricia, so many feelings flew through my head, sadness about the loss, sadness for my friend who was hurting and heartbroken, but also PROUD of that friend, proud of the amount of sheer determination that she showed out on the field. Each and every time she was pulled out tonight, my friends and I looked at each other and said, "There's no way she's going back in...", and she proved us wrong each and every time, she went out there full force, and full of determination, because soccer is her passion and soccer is what her heart lives for. Patricia's love for others, and love for God is almost unfathomable at times, for example, shortly after she FIRST got hurt and before she got pulled out, one of her teammates got hurt, and Patricia put aside HER pain and frustration to be the first one by her side lifting her back up and encouraging her. Patricia is a natural born leader, even though she is only a freshman, she has shown so much maturity, and passion by stepping up in the youth group, by being there for those who need help, and just by living her life wherever she is, whatever she's doing, for Christ. Patricia, I am so, SO proud of you. Your strong character, care for others, passion for Christ, and leadership qualities are SO much more valuable than how many soccer games you win or lose. You are a beautiful and wonderful daughter of God, inside and out, and that is SO much more precious than any soccer trophy or soccer game. I love you with all my heart baby girl! Sleep well, ice your knee, ankle, and probably every limb of your body, you deserve it! 

<3 Always,
Rose