to dwell

This may have been post number five if my wonderful computer could figure out how to connect to Internet that boasts the connection as “Very Good.” But alas, it has much trouble with this.

But let’s avoid any sort of rampage about such trivial things, shall we? I’d rather touch on some greatness that has happened these past few days.

First of all, we won our very important match Tuesday night 4-1. This win allowed us to advance in, I believe, the Turkish Cup standings. It is strange, though, that after playing this team twice in a row this past week (both Saturday and Tuesday), we still play them three more times—in Turkish League (different from the Turkish Cup) and in European League. If you’re confused, don’t worry—so am I.

I did end up playing a couple rotations near the end of the last set. I know Beppe was a little nervous since I had only been practicing two days so far. But I was ready and was stoked…and God blessed it. Now, don’t go thinking that I lit up the stat board or anything, because I didn’t (one point, baby!!). But let me tell you that it was such a beautiful way to start my pro career.

The best way to describe it is that I was WHOLLY PRESENT. I had prayed before the match that God would keep me from the great amount of distractions that await in a moment like that, where every eye in that gym wants to see how good this new, frizzy, American really is, thus pride and insecurities and uncertainty were likely to flare. I had no idea what pre-game warm-up was, and I didn’t even have a jersey until we finished peppering! But through God's incredible faithfulness, all this, all these external things would enter my mind and slide right back out, then instead I would notice, encourage others, and ready myself.

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” Psalm 37:3

I subbed in. The smiles and “Bravo, Tracy!” from my teammates was a blur in the first moment, as all I could think about was getting to my ready position at the net to block. Raising my already sweaty hands, I felt awkward calling out hitters, because nobody else did it—so I said it quietly to myself. The first ball was a wacky dig that forced me to quick-decision-bump-set Mirka on the outside who crushed it (yeah….she’s Cuban). Whew! Later, I got a bad touch on the block, and after a second of internal scolding, I took my position for serve receive, got the call from Naz our setter, and my heart suddenly leaped a little. I took on a wide smile and was so excited for that ball to come over the net so we could all try again. Thank You, Lord, I whispered. I LOVE this stuff!

Okay… so I won’t give the play-by-play, but if you must know, I blocked a tip straight down due to my sweet hang time (my what?) to make my mark on that scoreboard! All in all, my pro “debut” and our great team win really pumped me up. I am also looking forward to exploring further this notion of being wholly wherever you are. Where anything but the present seems not to exist. Thoughts of the past or future may float in, but quickly dissipate, because the moment, the present seizes every sensation, every attention. Like I said--beautiful.

Today we leave for a Turkish city far, far away. We have a match on Saturday and should return to Istanbul that night. Nancy said we will go by plane then by bus, and apparently in two days we get to spend eight hours on that bus! Ahh….good times and, hopefully, good pics!

A few random things of note about life here in Istanbul:

- Traffic is horrendous. Next time you feel like shouting “duck!” to a wayward driver in the States, remember to be thankful that street lines actually mean something.
- Flip flops are “shocking” to people. In a breezy 60 degree sunny day, everyone was afraid for my life—that I would fall ill for wearing such atrocities.
- It is important to look chic when going to a shopping mall here. I felt quite dumpy simply wearing a black Columbian fleece with jeans. And sweatpants in public—unheard of!
- My Italian/Turkish broken English accent gets better by the minute, people! Just you wait!