This blog was originally created for one purpose: for my own memory. I wanted this blog up so I would never forget high school, and if I ever did, I could just come back to this. I would see where I've grown, what I've learned, and how I've changed. Now is the time for the culmination of what this was supposed to be come into effect. This is in no way my last blog. I will use it as I have been in college. I will always keep this because I don't wanna forget it. So here we go.
First off, I would like to thank my friend, whom I have written about frequently in this blog, Kendall, for indirectly reminding me that I wanted to summarize all of high school, like I have done for each year individually. Thanks buddy, I'm gonna miss seeing you everyday
Freshman year: This year was my year of finding myself. I started off the year on a rough foot. I was one of two, since I have a twin brother, who had moved to Cave Spring from Hidden Valley, the rivals. I didn't wanna be there, so I am pretty sure you can guess what was going through my mind. I had noticed the things a normal 14 year old boy notices: girls. There were many pretty girls, and that excited me. I wasn't sure why that's the only thing I cared about, but hindsight is 20-20, right? I went through my classes just meeting people... or trying to, anyway. I wanted to have a solid group of people that I knew beforehand that I could hang out with. A few people noticed me and my brother as the new kids. That's always interesting. The very first day, I apparently caught the eye of a girl who was a sophomore, who I did end up dating, but that's not a story I will go into now. I was a football player, and I loved that. Getting into the Varsity football games for free, and getting to see people every weekend was the best. I remember one day that girl was sick and this stranger, who, little did I know, would grow to be my best friend, said he'd take me to her at the high school after the game.
I was still into my own thing back then, and I drank and smoked both cigarettes and weed. I did these things almost every weekend. Hanging out with my best buddy, David, and getting in trouble. My life was alright, I just wanted to have fun. I have said this, but in mid-October, I starting going to Young Life, the ministry that would end up having a big part in changing my life. I loved it for whatever reason. I kept going. I never thought I was going to learn so much in the short time, but I knew I was changing into a different person about January, 2010. I started typing with decent language. Capitalizing the beginnings of words, names, and using mild punctuation. I don't know why, I think it was the girl rubbing off on me because that's how she typed. People were either sick of me, or loved me at this point. In February, I started to wonder about my life. Baseball had failed me for a fourth time. I didn't know what I was going to do, even though I had my girlfriend. I had gone up to a friend's house, and gotten really high, but no one knew it. I just know I had to find something to numb the pain. Around the end of February, to the beginning of March, my girlfriend and I started fighting. We eventually broke up, which is the worst thing that happened to me all throughout the year. I really questioned what was going on. I was still going to Young Life though, so that gave me a little bit of an escape from everything. In April of this year, I had been done with the way I was living life, and I decided that, after a Young Life club, that it was time for me to accept Christ into my heart. My life wasn't dramatically changed, but it was changed. I was always in a good mood, and I couldn't explain it to save a life at the time. I learned years later that it was a feeling of what joy really is like. Didn't have a bad day for a good 3 months after that. Hung out with my new best friends all the time, and life started to change. I didn't act the same, I didn't speak the same, I didn't even look the same. I was different, and I was okay with that. All I could do was look forward to what would be the best week of my life. I had learned much that year, but the theme I have for freshman year is definitely: "Who Am I?"
Sophomore year: This year was definitely a new adventure for me. I actually thought of myself higher than normal. I viewed myself as a leader, in football, in school, and in Young Life. I was really looking forward to this. I had a different girlfriend, and lets just say that was not the best relationship I've been in. I was on JV while playing as a transition player for Varsity. I played in a majority of the games, because this was a year where we either lost, or we crushed every team we played. This year was a year for leadership and learning about my new life. I read the Bible because I wanted to for the first time as a freshman, and I actively studied it myself this year. I wanted to know everything. I got lucky in class, because this was probably the easiest year of high school for me. My English teacher was on Young Life committee and I tied Jesus into everything I wrote about. I got 100's on like everything because of this. I wanted to understand this idea of following Jesus, because I had never heard this phrase in my life before I started doing so. When the girl I was with and I broke up, and I started dating a new girl it got better. I was happier with this new girl, and I was ready for the challenge. The family loved me, a little more than I expected. She and I broke up, and I hated that. It didn't kill me though, because I had Jesus. She and I continue our friendship to this day, so it was alright, I eventually started to notice a friend more than I had before, even though I had been down that same road before with the same girl. First time didn't go well, I don't know why I thought the second time would be different. Once again, hindsight is 20-20. I was crazy about it, and I can admit that. Though I had my times that I would stray away, every time I did, I would think about her, and I probably missed out on a lot of great relationship chances because of it. I had made many new friends from doing things like Work Crew weekends, and fall weekend. People from Hidden Valley and Patrick Henry High School didn't seem like they were as bad as I thought they were. I knew I was right where I was supposed to be though. I decided to give up on baseball finally. Instead, I listened to a new friend named Kett, who told me to try out for soccer. He thought our JV team was going to suck because of everyone good going to Varsity. We also didn't know the raw talent we were going to have from the lower grades. With that being said, I tried out, and somehow made the team. The coaches both told me that I was fast, and in shape. I however had zero knowledge about soccer. I knew how to kick a ball really far but that was it. So I played forward, where all the best players play, right? I loved soccer though. It became a big part of who I was. I haven't said much on Young Life yet, so here it goes. In Young Life, I was part of the campaigner group. I wanted to be as involved as I could because I wanted to be what a very big group of guys was to me the year before. I invited my friend John to come, and John enjoyed Young Life, and gave his life to Jesus at Fall Weekend. That made me happy because I know the Lord had used me to help that happen, even though He doesn't need my help. Throughout the year, I learned the simple struggles of a Young Life leader. Worrying about how many kids are hearing the Word for the first time vs those who believe in Jesus already. We didn't have a lot of people going to Young Life all the time because if I'm honest, we probably didn't really invite kids as much or as intentionally as we should have. I know that with the exception of John and a few other friends, I didn't. I also was juggling a new thing for me this year: learning how to be a Wyldlife leader. I knew close to nothing about Wyldlife, but I wanted to be involved, and I talked to a few friends, and then my Area Director who agreed to let me lead. It was more of a learning experience, but I think I met plenty of guys who helped me learn the ropes. I didn't do much in Wyldlife, but I was always there to help. On a big personal note, a few friends and I had made a big decision in our walks with Jesus. We were going to get baptized. On May 8th, 2011, a few of my bros and I got baptized in the baptismal of the Church of the Holy Spirit. We learned about baptism and what it means. I learned a lot through this experience. All throughout the year I grew, both as a person, and as a Christian. The crazy thing that happened this year is that I moved again, but I wasn't in the Cave Spring district anymore. I was for sure going to be forced to go to Patrick Henry or PH for the next year. I was stressed like crazy about this. It drove me insane. Through it all, I kept my faith though. I don't know what I would have done without the people, or without my faith. There were many low moments, and there were many high moments. If I had to place a theme on this year it would probably be "Who Is God?"
Junior year: As I said, I was forced to move schools this year. I was no longer a Cave Spring Knight, but a Patrick Henry Patriot. I viewed myself a little differently. I still believed that Young Life was my place to be a leader. Football however took a turn for the worse. I didn't have the heart I used to have, and I just wanted to be done with it. I was slowly realizing that there was no shot for me getting a scholarship even though the year before I had met the Old Dominion University and James Madison University football coaches. I didn't think it was possible. I eventually got tired of my coach, and in probably the most disrespectful way, quit his football team. No, I am not proud of this, but I do not regret doing it. My father was angry at me, but to me, it seemed that all he cared about was my football, and all I cared about was Young Life. I kept going to Young Life, and the most amazing thing happened. My brother had finally agreed to come with me to Young Life Fall Weekend, and got his first taste of what Jesus really is. Even though he doesn't understand it because he doesn't want to understand it, he got his taste. I was jumping for joy, and crying my freaking eyes out. I eventually got my best news all year, that I would be moving away from PH, and going back to where I felt at home: Cave Spring. I had made many friends, and even gained a lot of knowledge about Young Life, and myself. I was overjoyed to be back at Cave Spring though. A few things had changed when I got back. Not everything was the same, but I gladly adapted to the changes. and started going back to my old shenanigans. I was still a Wyldlife leader, and this year I met two guys who I am glad to call some of my best friends who are in middle School. A set of twins named Ryan and Austin. They are currently in the 7th grade, but they kind of remind me of me when I was that young. They just look better. I loved these guys from the get-go and they became my guys. I went to Wyldlife Winter Weekend and even though they go to my middle school of Hidden Valley, I spent a lot of time with them. I loved those guys. Most of my time after this weekend was spent doing my normal Cave Spring thing, playing soccer, and going to Young Life. I made the varsity soccer team, and immediately I had a few issues. A few of the guys on the team really made me angry, and it took a lot from me to not retaliate when they said something to me. We never actually had it out, but I really did not like these guys. That's a whole different story though. Towards the end of the season, I started to kind of get along with them a bit, and all was well. I also got to go to what would become my only prom of high school. I spent a lot of time preparing for it, and probably not enough time actually thinking about who I was going to ask. I asked 2 or 3 people who ended up not going or going with someone else. I then realized that I should just take a leap and ask the girl I had liked at the time. My friend Stephanie. Well my search was over. Prom is in 2 weeks and if she said no I just gained 150 free bucks. I asked her after Young Life, and to my surprise she said yes. I was pleasantly surprised. Prom was amazing though, and I would not have traded it for anything in the world. It's still one of my favorite high school memories At the end of junior year, the biggest, and best adventure I had been on to that date was about to start. I have blogged about it, talked about it, and done everything I can to remember it, and it was the best time of my life. Young Life Work Crew June 2012 at Rockbridge Alum Springs in Goshen, Virginia. I met 40 or so of my best friends ever. A lot of those people I don't get to talk to a lot because of whatever reason but the ones I do still talk to I cherish, deeply. I learned more there than anything, but if you wanna hear about that, read the blog on Work Crew. I learned a little bit about myself, and a lot about who I was going to be this year. I learned about different people and who they really are. I also learned that God is in control of every situation, and I can't really expect to understand exactly what is going on, all the time. I believe a theme I can have for Junior year would definitely be: "Let Go, and Let God"
Senior Year: This year began with more excitement than any other year. I knew it was going to be a hard year, and I wanted to make the most of it. My friend and I talk about it in almost every blog we have on here since August 21 of 2012. We can't take anything for granted, because before we know anything, it's gone. Football began the way it normally did. Hype, excitement, just wanting to be back where I belong. I was doing alright for myself, and then problems started. See, from the time between junior and senior year, I had moved into the PH district again, but didn't talk about it to anyone. The only people who knew were graduated and couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't trust my sister to get me to practice apparently so my starting position became a long shot dream. I cared but I didn't. I tried to act like I did so my dad would be happy, but I hated the fact that I had to live a double life for him. He wanted nothing but football for me, and he thinks that I got screwed out of a great career. I didn't care enough to do anything about it. At this point I knew it didn't matter who was trying their best at all the time, or at some points, who was actually better. Our coaches had their plan and it seemed to be what they went with. A lot of us didn't agree with it, but we couldn't change it. I knew it was only a matter of time before my last football season would end. I had watched a few of my best friends have their final volleyball season end in a heart breaker. I never had the thought that just a few weeks later my football season would end in the same fashion. A ball that probably shouldn't have hit the ground, hits it. Even though we played on a Bermuda grass field, it echoed throughout my head. I could just see my career flash in my head, and I couldn't believe it was over. The tears came almost instantly. I then was called onto the field to have my career end the way I guess I wanted it to: With me on the field. Tears going down my face, as the other team kneels the ball to run out the clock. How badly did I want to strip the QB and make a run for the end zone? You have no clue. I couldn't though. It was all over, and the last whistle rang out. The ride back was the worst, but I can say I enjoyed my 5 year span as a football player. going into Young Life was interesting though. We had a new leader come in from Chesapeake, Virginia. This was not what I was expecting. Though I am glad it happened, I thought it was for PH, whose leader had just left to Baltimore with his wife. Mezz came in, and has really changed the face of Cave Spring Young Life. He is loved by many people in the school, and I will miss him greatly while at college. Young Life exploded this year. We had many people going and it was the best. I am not talking about the other side of Young Life, but numbers are not what we are going for. We just knew that those people who were going, were the people that really needed it for a change. I lead Wyldlife for most of this year. Around January or something like that, I auditioned for a play and got a part in it. I then realized I couldn't do soccer, this play, and Wyldlife, so I chose to stop leading Wyldlife. It was probably a bad decision, but that's a different story. I eventually couldn't be used in the play, and I was a little upset, but I was okay with it. I kept going with Young Life however, and it was going well. We had a few rough weeks, but we had a few weeks where it seemed many people were there, and they loved it. Going away from Young Life to college, this was a whole different world as well. I had wanted to be at the University of Mary Washington for a long time before I had gotten here. Now that I was here, it was real to me that I had a long shot of getting into most of the colleges I wanted to apply to. Here's the kicker, I had one more college that I looked into besides the 3 football coach schools, because I had met Richmond's coach Junior year, and Mary Wash. I had Liberty University. I knew I could get in, but I didn't know if I would. I applied with the help of a few people, and after getting all of the logistics settled, I called them with my guidance counselor to find out I had been accepted! I got my official letter about 5 days later. I couldn't believe it. Most people apply to 5 or so colleges, I actually have two friends who applied like everywhere in America it seemed, but I had applied to one. Thought about applying other places, but decided against it. 1 for 1 ain't bad! I would have a few issues later in the process, but now it's all settled, and will be able to go this August. Soccer season was my last opportunity to hang out with some people. I love soccer more than I loved football, and I can honestly say that. The season started out amazingly. Winning 5 games straight. We thought we were untouchable. We then went on a few game losing streak. We lost a few games we should never have lost. We got overlooked a bit in our district though. We lost our first district game to Salem, then beat Pulaski. We lost to the 2013 State Champs Blacksburg, beat Christiansburg and Hidden Valley. 3-2 doing better than the year before which we thought was weird. Repeat this order for the second go round of the games and we were 6-4. Having done this we ensured a third seed in the district tournament. We then played Pulaski again, won that game, and then Salem. We lost that game, and had to Play Hidden Valley again. We had lost to Salem 3 times already, and beaten Hidden Valley twice. It's hard to beat a team that many times in a season. We played a very close game, and then my friend Hunter hit a shot that hit the net. We went nuts. Ending Hidden Valley's season, and giving us a shot at the region tournament. We had to play Bassett, which we won 3-0 at the cost of our best player. We then played Salem. I've said it's hard to beat a team 3 times. It's even harder to win 4 times. This time would be different, and we beat them 2-1 thanks to goals by Kett and Hunter I believe. We then lost the Blacksburg in the region championship. We weren't upset. We then made the State Tournament, and even though we went through a lot of adversity, we made a great run. First Cave Spring soccer team since 2007 to get that far. We felt good. We did lose our first game against E.C. Glass, who went on to lose to Blacksburg in the state championship. It sucked, but we had a great season, and I loved my guys. This team had become a part of me, and I will miss it greatly. If I could have a theme at all for senior year, it would be: "Adventure"
It feels good to be done with this. I can't believe this is over, but I won't forget it. There are a few more things I am gonna do. I am gonna put a song that makes me think of each year, a quote that makes me think of it, a Bible verse and the theme. It's just for fun.
Freshman year:
Theme: Who Am I?
Song: Desert Song by Hillsong and Take Me As I Am by Lecrae
Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Quote: "Life Opens Up When You Do" - Crest Slogan.
Sophomore year:
Theme: Who Is God?
Song: One Sixteen by Trip Lee
Verse: Romans 1:16
Quote: "I Can Hardly Find The Means For All The Words I Mean To Speak" - I think Donald Miller, but I can't remember.
Junior year:
Theme: Let Go And Let God
Song: Beautiful Feet by Lecrae
Verse: John 3:30
Quote: "Sometimes You Have To Talk To God About Someone Before You Can Talk To Someone About God" - Josh Goody
Senior year:
Theme: Adventure
Song: Free and Easy by Dierks Bentley
Verse: John 15:1-13, Galatians 5:1
Quote: "Take The Chance While You Still Have The Choice" - My current girlfriend, Brittany.
Thanks guys, this has been fun. Maybe a college version needs to be done. I will use this blog if I do that. If not, I'll use this blog as a ministry factor like I have been.
I love you guys!
TJ
