Merry Christmas

A few friend just having some fun.

The Sun

If you haven't already seen the sun, check it out, it's stunning.



Sunsets never get old, just more amazing.

What consistently amazes you?

Girls Korea Volleyball Update

Update on Far East Girls Volleyball that happened Nov 2-8th.
The girls played great and came in 6th place out of 12 teams.
Yuria Durham (pic below #2) was chosen to be part of the all-tournament team.
That is big considering there are only 10 spots and 120 other girls to choose from.
Thursday night of the tournament we played a late game that started at 9:30 at night. Even with a late start the girls played their best game of the year. As a coach it was a pleasure to watch them play way above there potential. I just sat there and watched waiting to interject, but I had nothing to say, they played fabulous. After the game my wife caught a picture of what joy looks like. I don't think it was the win, I think it was the way everyone played as a team to get the win. But the win does help.
I can't thank God enough for giving me such an awesome team. Totally dedicated; to each other, to the game, to growing in God.
What great memories my wife and I have with these 8 girls in Degu, Korea. Wish you were there.

Camp 08 Tokashiki

Two years ago we had the privilege to go to beautiful Tokashiki Island for High School camp.  This year we had that same privilege.  What an awesome time to spend with incredible kids on a beautiful island.  It was a time to just enjoy the kids as a young adults instead of students.  We had a whole bunch of fun, going to the beach, playing games, talking about God and life, making connections with people and just enjoying Gods creation.  I was certainly blessed and felt like God planned this camp to show us just how good He is to us. 

One thing that just pulled at my heart during one of the chapel messages was how calloused we are to EVERYTHING!  I take so much for granted.....life, health, friends, food, family, comfort, the list goes on and on.  I have so much right in front of my face and after a while I get calloused to it.  Well this camp helped me rip the callouses of life off and appreciate all of the great things God has given me.  It's so nice appreciate the things I once took for granted.  It is like putting on new eyes and finding presents where there were once burdens.  I think God reinforced this when I was listening to one of my favorite speakers, Dr. G,  he said if we earn 2,200 dollars a year you are considered to be in the top 15% of the richest people on earth.  Wow, how stupid I was to think I had it bad, to think that I didn't have enough, to take so much for granted,  I don't think I can ever be forgiven for being so selfish and blind to the extraordinary gifts God has given me.  Forgive me God for I don't know what I'm doing, thank you for giving me eyes to see.

The picture below is of the class of 09', what a great bunch of kids.  You can be sure they are not taken for granted.

Can you find Ryo?

Wow!

If you have read my post "Best Game Ever" back in Feb of 07, tonight comes in right around that.
This season we have a talented bunch of volleyball girls that I bragged on in the last post, and for good reason.
Tonight down 2-1 in sets vs a school 10x bigger these girls were able to compose themselves, believe that they could win and see it through to completion.
We won in the 5th set 15-11, it was amazing.

I find the older I get the more I enjoy watching others be successful because of the empowerment you end up giving them.
These games may seem like just games but I see them as much more. I'll try to give you reality and what I see as a coach.

Not giving up even when their down 2-1.
I see is not giving up after they are passed up for their 2nd job interview.

Putting in the extra effort during practice even when their tired.
I see wives putting in the extra effort to make their marriage not just good but great.

Working as a team.
I see learning how to relate to others, how to lead and how to follow in the real world.

Dedication to the team, even when it's hard.
I see as a dedication to live for Jesus, even when it's hard.

Yes I see much more than just a team I see the future and I am comforted in knowing who will be leading the charge.
What do you see?

VOLLEYBALL SEASON

This is my second year coaching volleyball and I'm so excited about this season. It's been so much fun watching a group of girls come together and commit to a common goal. Watching my team develop over the last year has given me a good framework on how positive results are developed. The process goes something like this; time, with massive amounts of communication, hard work and desire, equals positive results.
We have high hopes this year of going to a volleyball tournament in early November and representing OCSI with fearless determination, passionate faith and desiring for God to get all the glory. Please join with us on this journey with prayer and thanks to God for giving us such desires when in reality it is so unimportant.
I ache for the homeless, I pray for the desperate and lost, I care for those who are hurt.
Sometimes I don't know why God gives us such enjoyment and leisure in a world of so much hurt, I just pray that this process we are traveling through together makes these girls stronger in there walk, that obstacles are just part of the story so that we can come to a clearer understanding that there is no place that God can't take us. And finally that we can fall head over heals in love with God for the grace he pours out on us and the pure love that compels us to desire Him more and more each day.

"go and make disciples" Mt 28.19

2 weeks back

Robyn and I have been back for 2 weeks now and things are going great.
We have an awesome staff this year and the kids seem tuned in to what God is doing.
God has been working in my heart a lot since I've been back, mostly pride and patience.
A lot of things have gone wrong right from the start but I'm learning to approach things differently.
I'm learning that I can affect people more by what I do and how I do it, than what I could ever say.
I'm learning that when things don't go exactly the way I wanted them to, that God has a plan.
I'm learning that God is more concerned about my heart, than about others.

I know what your saying, and I have learned these things long ago as well, but I'm human and I'm learning that I forget a lot,
and what I do learn I don't like to act on.

Sometimes I forget that we are major players in life instead of spectators and we just need a little nudge into the arena of life again.

Thank you God for pushing me through the door way into full life again.

07-08 Abridged School Year in Review

Fitness Center is Done!

I did a quick post probably about a year ago on a weight room and I wanted to update you on the progress.
Check out the slideshow below to see the New OCSI Fitness Room.
A lot of hard work and dedication was put in to make this a success.
I thank all who had a part weather small or big in making this happen.

Savor

I've always believed that without leaving you can never miss someone. I also believe that the longer you leave the more you anticipate and savor the time you spend with people when you reunite. I try to keep this in focus throughout my life but of course I get caught up with, well, life. I wish I could treat people like I haven't seen them in two years even if I see them everyday for 15 years.

This is our niece Eve that we have never seen (before this picture) but have heard about and seen pictures of. We have come to know so much about her and she dosen't know anything about us except maybe a voice comming out of a telephone for time to time. Maybe that's why she has a look of fear on her face. But it doesn't matter to us because we loved her without even meeting her in person, we loved her before she was born.

I pray that I don't have a look of fear on my face when I meet God, I pray I continue to seek Him and He continues to reveal who He is so when we meet I can smile and savor the moment.



Isn't she cute!

6th Graders

I can remember when I was in 6th grade. Awkward. Pretty much sums it up.
I had the chance to hang out and talk with a bunch of cool 6th graders this past Friday.
It's so humbling to know that these kids are an integral part of Gods plan.
We ate, we played, we sang, ate again, bonfire, laughed, ate some more,watched movies, played dodge ball, ate....agian, and talked about God.
Sounds like a good time to me .I talked to the whole group about how big God is and about how it's all about Him, not us. I talked about how we have Joy by following God. I talked about how our desire should be God and Him alone, and they GOT IT............ But I don't even get it, not yet at least.
Man those kids are smart.

2 for 2

Born on May 13th + Married on May 13th= Never forget your wedding anniversary

Robyn and I had a relaxing day recalling our past year of marriage. The thing I love most about Robyn is that she is candid and caring all mixed up in one. I love talking with Robyn about where she is with God and what He is doing in her life. It is the best story on this earth.
I have enjoyed watching Robyn grow this past year. It becomes clearer as we journey together that when you love you give them room to grow. She inspires me to be a better husband just by the way she loves me. She is beautiful in ways that words don't encompass. I have messed up a lot over this past year but she has given me room to grow, time to think and most important forgiveness. It drives me crazy knowing that someone can love me the way Robyn does, it brings emotions that I have never felt before, it lifts my spirit, it encourages, it engages , it is surreal.

I am so thankful for my family, Robyn Lynn Robison.
May God bless us another year.

3 of diamonds?

My friend sent me a video the other day that made me laugh because it's funny watching myself in elementary school dressed up like a card for Alice and Wonderland the musical. So funny I took a look at it again, this time a little closer.
Questions you ask yourself when your older.
1. What am I doing with a 3 of diamonds? Ben has the Ace of diamonds and I'm stuck with a three.
2.Why didn't he tell me to pick something cool like the Ace of spades, obviously he knew what the deal was.
3. Check out the hats. The attention to detail just doesn't add up, we are diamonds and we are wearing heart hats. Please, does anyone take elementary musicals serious anymore?
4. One thing good about this picture is that this is the first time I've ever been photographed being taller than my friend Ben, significantly, I look like a giant, I'm towering over him (I know it's a bit much, but when you have the chance).
Anyway, to sum it up, this is great!

Nerf football

It has been 4 years to the date of my Dad passing away. This one event that involved only one person but has impacted uncountable lives. I think the hardest thing is loosing memories and stories that I shared with my Dad.
Here is one that I hope I don't forget anytime soon.

I can remember in the backyard passing a Nerf football back and forth for hours after hours. There was a big oak tree my Dad would throw in front of and I would run behind loosing sight of the ball and when cleared the ball would be in the air and I would have to dive to catch the ball landing on the ground and getting grass stains all over my clothes. I can't count how many times we've done this after school until the sun went down but I can tell you one thing, everyone meant the world looking back. I pray that I can spend time with my children, one day, passing a football until it gets so dark we're forced to go inside. Thank you God for the simple times that mean so much.

Share your story of my Dad, I'd love to hear them.

PE Class

I have been talking with my high school kids at the end of each class this week about Good Friday.Questions from "Why do they call it good, if such bad things happened?" to "I thought they broke His legs?". You can imagine there has been good conversation and insight into this day. I brought them through step by step, from the flogging, beating, and finally the cross.

I have never really taken the time to study this on my own but after doing so I feel so ashamed of the pride I carry around. Each day I talked about the different sufferings of Jesus my heart began to weep and understand a little bit more about what God did for me personally. I think following Jesus is coming to terms with the fact that in some huge part I am responsible for his sufferings.

After my last high school class discussing the agony of the crucification the class went inside to change but one girl kind of dragged. I asked her what she was thinking and at first she couldn't put her hand on it. After a bit, she said in deep reflection a response that echoed what I have been feeling this whole week.

"It just touched my heart."

Isaiah 53

Speaks for itself What has God done for you lately?

Hang out with the locals.

We had a chance to head up to Nago for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
It was a great day even though the cherry blossoms were not in full bloom.
Mom had a chance to spend some time with the locals, she even made a friend at a park.It has been such a blessing to have my Mom visit Okinawa. God has used her to impact so many people in such a short time. It's nice to know that wherever you go there HE is. All we have to do is be open to the will of God.

Spirit

Spirit week is upon us at OCSI. This is a time of unity between the high school grades. Each grade competes in a variety of events that are fun and exciting for the students and teachers. I just hope that the Spirit of God will be evident this week in Okinawa, that we learn to focus on His Holy Spirit and how it should be central in our lives. Just as God made a covenant with a rainbow to never flood the earth again, Jesus gave us a promise that he would send the Holy Spirit to teach us all things. If we lack wisdom we might be looking in the wrong place. If we find ourselves always wrong maybe we should ask the person who authored the answer key.
Where are you looking to find your answers?

Okinawan visitor

Robyn and I are excited to have my mother come and join us in Okinawa for about a month. We will be doing all the tourist things but she will also be teaching at OCSI. I am so grateful to have a Mom that is willing to go on vacation but still work for God in anyway He sees fit. She is teaching praise and worship dance to a few of the elementary classes and one class of 9 high school girls. Robyn and I are both enjoying this time together.

Mom,Robyn and Paul at Sunabe Sea Wall