Special Olympics: 2008 Summer State Games

Dear Diary,

Wow...I haven't blogged since the end of June & I got alot to say but in my last entry I said I was going to tell you about my experience at my first summer games for Special Olympics & that is what I am going to write about in this blog entry.

For those that don't know...I train & compete in swimming. I love swimming...I always have. I feel so free & in another world in the water. It's who I am & I love it. I feel like a dolphin when I'm in the water...maybe that's why dolphins are my favorite aquatic animal!! I might add that it's so fun to win medals...just icing on the cake!!

On to the 2008 SO Summer State Games...they were held in Long Beach, California @ Long Beach State University on father's day weekend. Being able to compete on this particular weekend was cool cuz I was determined to win a gold medal for my father who passed away in 2002...I wanted to honor my father on father's day. It meant so much to me to do this for my dad. In my last entry...I said that the meet in Antelope Valley was setting me up for state games & God taught me something through the weekend at the games.

On Friday...I arrived at LBSU & found my dorm I would be staying in all weekend. My room mate was Lindsay. I always thought dorm rooms were a little nicer but these ones were ok. We had a chance to unpack & stuff before we had to all meet up to go to dinner at the cafeteria. The food was alright. After dinner..we all headed to the pyramid for the opening ceremonies of the games!!! We were all waiting for quite awhile to get our group photo taken for some of the newspapers that were there reporting on the games over the weekend. Here are a few pics while waiting....

Jim my swim coach & I!!

Coach Chris & his wife Lorna

My team mates: Danielle & Regan

Coach Chris & I

Jamie, Coach Karen, Coach Kathy, Amanda & her boyfriend

So after waiting around...I got a little bored so I spotted a reporter from Channel 9 news!!! I went up to her & said I never seen her before on the news. We started to chat a little bit. Then when I was about to leave she asked me if she could interview me & I said sure!!! I was on the news that evening!!!! Here is a pic of her & the camera man...

Then after we had our group picture taken we had to go out to the softball field & wait to walk into the pyramid for the opening ceremony. Since we are hosting the games...Long Beach was the last team to walk in. It was amazing because they had the band playing the Olympic song as we walked in...felt like I was in for more then I thought it would be. The ceremony was so cool...my favorite part was when the SO torch was lit up because it made the state games so much more real to me...like this wasn't a dream-it was real & I was a part of it. I don't think I have ever been part of something so important besides accepting Christ a few months ago-letting Christ into my heart was the biggest decision I'd ever made!!! Ok back to the opening ceremonies...here is a pic of the flame that was lit by my coach's son-Dave Saunders...

The torch was the most important part of the ceremony for me!! So, now I'm moving on to Saturday-the first day of competition. The way they do it is that they do time trials for freestyle only but I did compete in the 25 meter backstroke for medals. There were 8 people in my race. I felt pretty good that I could win the gold. Soon as I heard the beep...I was off the wall in no time. I kept myself focused on my race & not worry about anyone else. I made great time up until the end...I started drifting & basically ran into the divider. Had to move away & get back on track. When I finished...I came away with a silver medal. I was 2nd best. I was a little disappointed & to hear from my mom who was the stands that I was in the lead until I drifted. She said you were like a hair ahead of her & when you drifted she was able to edge ahead of you. So...I felt a little angry at myself. I know I needed to learn how to control myself so I don't drift. It was a good day. Saturday evening was the dance...so here are a couple of pics from that...

Coach Ashley & I

Me, Regan, Lindsay, Lorna, Debbie, & Jamie at the dance

Dave & Regan at the dance....I think they are a cute couple!!!
Lindsay & Coach Kasey at the dance

The next day was father's day & the final day of competition. I was going to compete the 25/50 meter freestyle. I just tried to have a positive attitude & go into the bubble so I kept my ipod on. Listening to music always helps me to prepare for my races. I also prayed at certain times too. I prayed just for God to be there with me & let me feel His presence...which I did. The bible teaches that everything happens for a reason so what happened that day...there was a reason for it.

So my first race was the 25 m freestyle. There were 8 other swimmers in my race. I knew I was up against the best of the best from the state. This was huge for me. I did my best & I came in 5th place. I was very upset as you can imagine!!! I wanted to do so much better. I had one more chance to prove it to myself in my next race.

After some time to relax...I had to get ready for my next & final race-the 50 meter freestyle. I had to prepare myself & went into the bubble. In the back of my mind...I had one shot left to win a gold medal for my father because it was father's day. My dad is no longer on this earth but I still wanted to honor my dad with a gold medal. I had prepared myself & was as ready as I could be for this race. I just had to remember not to worry about others just focus on what I needed to do. So, when the race was done...I came in 4th. I think that if I did a flip turn-I would have came in 3rd but I didn't do that because I didn't feel comfortable for some reason & my coach said only do it if you feel ok with it. I did my best & I had to be ok with that.

I believe God was trying to teach me something through all this. I learned something about pride & humility. I learned that I shouldn't think I would win all the races I was in that weekend. That the competition would be so easy. I know this more then anyone that it's hard. It takes hard work to be on top of that podium with the gold medal. Through out the season...I was mostly on top of the podium so when state games came I thought that's where I would be once again. That was being prideful & wrong in God's eyes. I needed to humble myself before God & with the new competitive season coming up that's what I'm going to remember. Just do my best & not worry so much about the outcome.

So for it being father's day that day & wanting so much to win a gold medal for my dad. I also came to realization that my dad would have been happy...no matter where I placed. I looked at it as I wanted to win a gold medal to honor him but I didn't. I got a silver medal which my dad would have been very proud of. So, I know now that I did honor my dad with my silver medal & just being there competing. Making it to state games isn't easy...you have to prove that you want to go bad enough & your willing to work hard to get there. So, I know God wanted me to learn that too. It didn't matter which color medal I received or even where I placed....I still honored my father just by making it to the games...

Peace, Love, & Jesus,
~*Kelly*~

Special Olympics: Antelope Valley Swim Meet

Dear Diary,

I am going to tell you my thoughts on the Antelope Valley Swim Meet for Special Olympics. Let me just say that this was the last meet before the Summer Games a week later. My first thought was that I can see what kind of competition I might have at the State Games a week later because alot of swimmers who were at that meet were at State Games. For this meet...I was going to race the 25m/50m freestyle, 25m backstroke, & the relay race...that only required me to swim 25m freestyle. I said to myself..this will be so easy to win. My goal was to win 3 gold medals because it wasn't definate about the relay race until the last minute but I wanted to win 3 golds for the races I was in.

My first race was the 25m freestyle...I blew that race. I came in 4th place and got a ribbon. I was angry and upset that I started crying. I just knew I could have done better then I did but I got off to a bad start, then I choked on pool water, and felt like I couldn't breathe..had to cough it out then finish the race. Surprising enough I came in 4th place with 6 people in that race!!!!

My second race was the 50m freestyle...I won the gold medal on that event. After the first race..my coaches kept me focused for the other races. They do what they call "damage control" which means when your not happy with your performance or upset about where you placed..part of the coaches job is to keep you focused on your next race so you don't "crack" under the pressure. Surprising to me though is that the girl who took the gold in the 25m freestyle race...I was in the same race and as you know I got 4th but we were both in the same race for the 50m freestyle and I was able to beat her for the gold...she took the silver. That's just weird to me how I blew the short race but beat her in the longer one!!!!

My third race was the 25m backstroke and I won the gold medal on that event. I pushed myself on that and I was done a bit before the swimmers made to the other side. In fact...the guy that took my time on that race said "Dang girl...you hauled @ss!" I was just like shocked that he said that...I mean the way he said it. I said "Thanks"!! I started to cry because I was so happy about winning that race.

The last race was the relay. I never had to swim relay in a meet before but there's always a first time for everything so this was it for relay. I only had to swim 25m freestyle and I was first in the water. The way the coaches decide what order you swim in relay is called strategy my friends. They start it off with a good swimmer, followed by a faster swimmer, followed by a slower swimmer, and the fastest swimmer(for the relay team) swims anchor which is the last part of the race. So, like I said I was first in the water and I did ok for my first time although I was nervous. The other girls on my relay team was Regan, Lorna, and Lindsay. As a team we won the gold...pretty awesome to me because it takes team work to get it done and we were able to enjoy victory with the gold medal. Congratulations to my team mates for a job well done!!!!

So the question remains is did I accomplish what my goal was the Antelope Valley Meet? The answer is yes. I did win 3 gold medals and a 4th place ribbon. I said my goal was to win 3 gold medals but I didn't say what races I would win them in. So I did accomplish my goal and I'm happy with that!!!

That is all for now. My next entry is going to be about the 2008 Special Olympics Summer Games that were held at Long Beach State University on Father's Day weekend.

Until Next Time,

~*Kelly*~

P.S.- At the swim meet in Antelope Valley....I did alot of praying before my races but God taught me about getting "a big head" in swimming...thinking that I was going to win every race that I was in. I took a 4th place in the 25m freestyle and I was extremely upset and crying. God showed me that I need to be a good sport when I don't win. I guess I was putting standards on myself and when I didn't reach them...it really bothered me because I was trying to please other people to make them proud of me. I felt like if I didn't win...they would be disappointed in me. God allowed that experience to happen to teach me about being a good sport and I believe now He was setting me up for State Games which I will tell you all about in my next entry.

Moments I've Experienced God...

Dear Diary,

I've been thinking about all the times that I've experienced God in unique and intimate ways. So..to help me through tough times in my life...I decided to record all of those times so I can look back and be reminded that God was always there and He loves me...

*It was early on a Sunday morning when I felt God's presence. He was pulling on my heart strings to come back to church. The pull was so strong that I felt I needed to obey Christ...so I went to Knott Avenue Christian Church. (January 2008)

*I know that meeting Dan Harper(ILLUMINATE Pastor) was a blessing. God used him to speak to me. I met him my first time at Knott Ave. We spent some time talking about my issues and I realized that I can't be perfect in the eyes of God. Only He is perfect...but with Christ...I can become more like Him. Jesus sacrificed his own life to save mine...He went through the ultimate punishment to save me from my sins so that I can have eternal life and live forever!!! PRETTY INTENSE BUT AMAZING!!!! (January 2008)

*Accepting Christ. God made me feel that He is the truth, the light, and the way...the only way. He wants to help me with my issues. Without Him..I'm nothing. But with Him...I can do anything. I felt His presence so strongly that Sat. morning...that's when I accepted Christ....I'm forever His child and will never leave Him again for anything or anyone!! (February 2, 2008)

*My baptism. You can read about it in an earlier post but I can tell you that it was an AMAZING experience that only God can let happen!!! (February 10, 2008)

*You can read about this experience in an earlier entry about the situation with a manager I had at work. God really revealed Himself to me through this experience. It taught me so much about God and His creations. I came to realize that I am God's creation and He shapes me the way He wants me to be. I also see more of God's creations on this earth...never did I notice the snow capped mountains or the sunshine on a beautiful day...I do notice it now and that's God...He made nature colorful and beautiful. It seems like when your not a christian...you don't really notice because it's all black and white but when you do become a christian...you do notice because GOD CREATED THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE ON IT!!! TRULY AMAZING!!! (February 2008)

*God was with me at my very first swim meet. I was extremely nervous going into the meet but God was with me. I could feel His presence that day. I prayed alot prior to the day of the meet and God was right beside me the whole day. I wanted to win a medal so badly and with God on my side...I came home with 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal. I couldn't have done that without God's strength..with God I can do all things...the bible says so but without Him...I'm nothing. It really taught me to put my trust in God in any situation that I need to trust Him with. (March 29, 2008)

*When I got back from vacation..For 3 weeks..I went through a really difficult time with God. My faith in Him was being tested and satan almost won the battle. I had so many people praying for me during that most difficult time but I had to "do business" with God. I think I was trying to get other people to fix it for me but they can't. Only God can fix it. I prayed myself about everything that I was feeling but the thoughts of satan were still in my head. One Thursday night at swim practice...I had a realization...it was like I saw the light of God beaming down on me. I heard His voice say to me "Now if you can train as hard as you do in swimming then why don't you use the tools I have given you to fight satan?" I just was like wow...it's tools such as praying, being in God's word everyday, talking/surrounding yourself with other christians, trusting God that He never lets you go, and to always wear the "Armor Of God"...it makes you stronger when you tell satan to vanish and turn to God. Now I understand about what it means to have faith and knowing that God is always in control if you use His "tools" and wear His Armor everyday!!! (May 2008)

Ok..this entry is complete with all the times that God has showed Himself to me in the past. I wanted to share all of it with you....

Until Next Time,

~*Kelly*~

My Take On The Florida Cheerleader Beating...

Dear Diary,

Ok so I'm guessing that alot of you have heard or seen the recent news on the 6 girls who brutally attacked a 16 year old girl named Victoria Lindsay. I didn't know this happened until a friend had said something about it in her blog. I don't watch much TV so that is why I'm just venting on this now. I've viewed a few videos of some of the beating, the courtroom, ect. I have some points I would like to make...

*This is the worst and most brutal attack(from what I have seen) on anyone..specially between teen girls. Beating on her for 30 minutes...they could have killed her.

*This attack was uncalled for!! If these girls did not like what the victim had posted on her myspace/facebook accounts...then talk to her about it. They didn't need to beat her up..alot of teens think that bodily harm is the only way to get their point across to the victim.

*The 6 girls that were arrested for committing the crime were still laughing, joking , and asking police officers if they were going to be out in time for cheerleading practice the next day!!!!! Yeah...ok how DUMB can those girls be??? Don't they realize the seriousness of what they did???? They need to be a taught a lesson and trying them as adults is the only way to make it clear to these girls-the seriousness of their crime and to learn that their actions have consquences!! If I had a daughter that was one of the attackers-first off-I would not post bail for her-I would see to it that she be put in lock down, go to a real prison to spend a night or two there to learn if she didn't shape up-that is where she will spend time, sent to boot camp where she will learn respect for herself and others, and other consquences the court would add. Right now I only see a slap on the hand for what they did!!!

*Where are their parents??? I see these girls as the type that think I can do whatever I want and not get into trouble-I blame the parents because it's obvious to see they never disciplined them when they were kids, they were never taught right from wrong, and they believe anything their daughters tell them. What gets me about this case...is the parents of the attackers putting all the blame on the victim when she didn't do anything other then make a remark their daughters didn't like so to get back her they beat her up and then the parents defend their daugthers-DISGUSTING!!! Let's just say "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree"!!!!

*There have been incidents before with the same group of girls before from what I have heard. I'm betting a couple of them already have a criminal record. Anyway, they need to be tried as adults and they need to go to prison to serve time. I tell you this-criminals that are already in prison...don't like you for the crimes you did to get there. They will beat you up and even kill you. These girls would be crying and wishing to be back home with mommy and daddy because they would get a taste of their own medicine!!!!

*The attack was pre-meditated because they lured her back to the house, all the girls were there, and the two boys standing out front to be on the lookout. They intended to do her bodily harm and all for what? Some comment they didn't like?? Then to say they were going to post on youtube/myspace??? All I have to say is "dumb girls"...they should know better to know that the authorites would get this tape and now look what's happened???

This whole incident DISGUSTS ME!!! Ok enough said...I'm done venting!!!

Until Next Time,

~*Kelly*~

My Baptism...

Dear Diary,

So I accepted Christ back into my life again on February 2, 2008 and was baptised a week later on February 10, 2008. When I knew I was going to be baptised...I told alot of people so they can come to the service if they wanted to witness it because it was a very special time for me. The one person though that I feared telling was my mother. I was not sure what she would say because I was baptised as a baby in the methodist church, I was baptised into a cult(LA Church Of Christ), was baptised at my old church(but I really at that time didn't understand what a relationship with Christ was and never accepted him), and now being baptised at Knott Ave. I prayed on it and God told me when the right time was to tell her and it went better then I thought. So I was sooooooo happy to have my mom come and see my baptism.

On the day of my baptism....I was going to be baptised by Pastor Dan but due to a unforseen circumstance...that didn't happen. I really wanted Pastor Dan to baptise me because he knew more about me and he was the one who talked to me my very first time when I came to Knott Ave. He knew my fears and some about my past so it meant alot to me that he took the time to talk with me that day. So, I had to make a decision that morning to either wait to be baptised by Pastor Dan a week later or be baptised that morning by Pastor Mike Hammontre. I was trying to decide what to do but I knew that I didn't want to wait another week to be baptised. I said a little prayer and God really urged me to be baptised that morning because it was what He commands for us to do after accepting Him and that was the most important. So I took that step of faith and was baptised by Mike.

There were 4 other baptisms that same day and I was the last to get baptised. I remember stepping down into the baptismal and I was very nervous but happy on the inside. I remember repeating after Mike my pledge...I started to feel really emotional and even started tearing like I was getting ready to cry. I felt as though I was on the cross just as Christ was because I was thinking about my sinful life and if I hadn't accepted Him into my heart then I would truly be dead. Then Mike immersed me in the water and as I was being pushed down back first under the water...I really felt like and actually visualized in my mind being wrapped in a sheet laying in the tomb just as Christ did. Then when I came up out of the water...I felt resurrected just as Christ did. I kid you not....I don't know if any of you have ever experienced anything like that but I totally feel like Christ wanted me to know and see exactly what He went through. It was just so beautiful that I really understood the meaning of having a relationship with Christ and what baptism meant or like what it symbolised because I never really knew before. I have Pastor Dan Harper to thank for that....so Dan...THANK YOU!!!

~*Kelly*~

One Of My First Experiences With God...

Dear Diary,

So lately I have been having this problem at work with one of the managers and Friday was the worst of it. I'm a very sensative person and I cry when I'm stressed or just need to cry to let it all out. That's what happened on Friday after I left work. I came home and just cried to get it all out but through it all I kept beating myself up saying I am a bad employee, I can't do anything right, I hate myself, never should have been born,ect. It was through a message that I received from Tiffany Harper and the book I've been reading that was given to me by her husband, Dan...I realize that I am God's Creation and He loves me so much. But still the situation at work upsets me because I was asking God "why you are letting this happen if you love me so much? Why are you letting me hurt this way?" But God spoke to me tonight when I was doing one of the lessons in the book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren...I believe that God has given me an answer on why this situation happened...this is from part of a poem that is in the book by Russell Kelfer....

No, that trauma you faced was not easy,
And God wept that it hurt you so,
But it was allowed to shape your heart,
So that into His likeness you'd grow.

I leave you with this part of the poem to ponder....

~*Kelly*~

My Arms Ache...Let Me Tell You Why...

Dear Diary,

I just popped another 800 milligram motrin because my arms ache and hurt-even as I type this entry. I started training a week ago for the special olympics because I have mild very mild autism so I qualify for SO. I am training for swimming. It hurts when your out of shape and overweight some. I hope to compete in a couple months though and be able to win a medal at my first meet would be so cool! It was my third time tonight swimming and working with the coach. I see improvement everytime and enjoying it very much. It's just my arms ache and stuff. That will subside I think as I get stronger and more strength in the water. Anyway, I wanted to share this with you. Pray that God gives me strength and energy to get through practices and for once to be successful at a sport.

Thanks For Reading...

~*Kelly*~

My Very First Entry...

Dear Diary,

This is my very first entry! I'm excited about my new blog here!

Now that I have my new blog...let me tell you a little about myself. My name is Kelly and I'm 34 years old. I live in California and I like California but I would love to live in a place that is more tropical because I love the beach and swimming! Speaking of swimming...I am a athlete in swimming for the Special Olympics Of Long Beach. I do qualify as an athlete because I have very mild autism. Although alot of autism cases are severe...they say I'm on the higher end of the spectrum meaning that I have a very high intelligence level. Most people do not know that I have autism unless I tell them I do...that's how mild it is.

As for my family...I have my mom and my brother. My mom lives near me and my brother lives in northern California. My dad passed away in 2002 due to complications and cancer. Since my dad has passed...my mom, my brother, and myself try to plan a vacation every year. It's a chance for us to spend some time together as a family because we all get busy in everyday life.

My brother Jamie(as I call him) or Jim(as his friends call him) is older then me. He co-owns a shipping company with a friend of his..so my brother works long hours and even goes in on Sat. too when they are closed! I guess as co-owner...the work never stops! My mother is retired but she(and my dad) did own and operate a preschool/daycare center since I was 2 years old. I grew up in that place. I got to work with children and that gave me experience to be able to work with them in the future.

I have worked with all ages of kids for a number of years and not just at my parent's business but at other preschools/daycare programs as well. After that amount of time working with kids...I was getting "burned out" and in the summer of 1999...I quit the school I was working at. I took some time off and went on vacation. Then I got a job at Petco in Dec. '00 but didn't actually start the job until Jan. '01. I was trained as a cashier and I worked for Petco until the time my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I felt I couldn't work and try to deal with the medical issues my dad was having...so I quit Petco in Sept. '01. Then after a long break...I returned to Petco in May '02 and having been working for them ever since.

There is one other thing I haven't told you about myself....I love to scrapbook!!! It's my favorite hobby. Gives me a chance to relax and play with papers, stickers, stamps, ect. It's creative therapy for me. I feel like a child again in kindergarden...it's fun!!!

God Bless,

~*Kelly*~