BeachTime

It's summer time.  If there is one thing I know in life it's that, Angie Boline's heart yearns for summer like weather.  Warm weather changes me.  I come alive.  Maybe my favorite thing about it all is that I get to spend time in the summer in Michigan.  My great grandpa built a house on the lake up there in a Christian community made up of lots of Swedish people.  The Michigan house has become like my second home.  It's there that I find rest and relaxation.  I'm so grateful that God's given me a place in life where I can go and anchor my soul at being in awe of his beauty. 

Mackinac Island State Park

Another fun place to visit with my travel BFF, Marcy.....Mackinaw Island State Park and Petoskey State Park.  Marcy and I got to ride 8.5 miles all around the island and then partake in some fudge and ice cream eating!  After we went to Petoskey State Park where we went hunting for the Michigan State Petoskey stone.  After much looking we both were successful in finding one!  

USTA Judge of the Year

"The quality of your life will not be defined by momentary

 brilliance but rather persistent faithfulness."

For the past 12 years, I've been a Trampoline/Tumbling Judge.  I love judging because of the people and the ability to travel.  We are like a little family.  Judging is where I fit in and where so many of the greatest memories of my life are made.  So this year I judged the National Championships in Knoxville, TN.  But this year, I was nominated for judge of the year.  It's a big honor just to be nominated.  I really didn't think I'd win simply because other judges have done it longer and given more to the sport.  But needless to say....I won.  I am so grateful to the USTA and the people who area  apart of the organization.  They have given me so much joy in life.  I'm so honored by this award.  BUT as great as a plaque is.....this award serves a greater purpose in my life.  This is a tangable reminder to me of God's faithfulness in my life.  Yes, 12 years ago my life changed becuase of this sport.  And yes, there are many things that my accident "took" from me.  But God has continued over and over again to show himself to be a GOOD God and faithful through it all.  This award is a reminder to me, even 12 years later, that Gods not done.  He's still bringing good things to my life and showing his ever lasting love and faithfulness.  My local newspaper did a report on me.  He did a wonderful job....but the biggest message I want others to know from this award is that God's never done with you.  He can turn a trail into a triumph.  The recognition was wonderful.  But this last week God has been humbling me, Angie Boline, and reminding me of the quote you see above.  My life isn't going to be defined by brilliant acts or awards like this.  But rather by persistent faithfulness to God.  That's my real story in life.  My story isn't about a title or a plaque....it's about a girl who's desire is to be persistently faithful to her maker. 

Pantagraph News Article- Judge of the Year

Charleston, WV Article

 

Pigeon Forge w/my Judging Bestie

Sometimes after a long week of judging all you need is your judging bestie and a selfie stick.  The best is when you get to take selfies with King Kong, Dolly, and TSwift at a wax museum.  Follow that up by a selfie at the Chocolate Monkey and getting stuck in a mirror maze and you have yourself a great trip in Pigeon Forge, TN!

Proud Moment

I love owning a home.  I love having walls that are my blank canvas that I get to decorate and design however I want.  But sometimes, I hate living alone.  Tonight is one of those nights.  My roommate is gone and it's rare that I'm home alone.  I've realized that I often make myself busy at nights just to avoid being alone at home.  It's not the best, I know.  Tonight is one of those rare nights where I'm home alone.  I've been working on a project.  In fact, I've been working on a lot of projects lately.  I'm kind of a person who loves seeing things started and finished.  Projects give a sense of accomplishment to me.  Well I have this entertainment center that was given to me by a friend. It's a dark oak color and one that doesn't match my basement decor.  So I've been in the process of refinishing it.  I had to sand it all down, prime it, and put many coats of paint on it.  Tonight I finished it after two days of hard work.  It looks so good and now fits the decor of the basement.  The thing is...I'm so proud of the work I've done on this project and others....yet, it seems to not matter because I don't have someone who can be proud with me or for me.  I wish I had someone who could be proud with me.  Like someone who would give me a high five, fist pump, a hug, or a "great job Angie Boline" for doing a good job.  Now I realize that maybe this affirmation is more what little kids need, but truth is sometimes I need to know that others are proud of me too. I mean I'm a single 32 year old who is flipping furniture....that's cool right! ;)

Do For One What You Wish To Do For All

As a teacher, you have students who come into your life and change you.  This year, I've had a few.  As I look back at the year as whole I can say that it was beyond challenging with the behavior issues.  At times, even the principal didn't know what to do.  My patience was tested every single day.  If there was one thing I learned this year it's that persistent and patient love and care will win out.  For me this was shown true with a little boy named "C".  C was new to the school this year.  We knew nothing about his other than he had a track record and file that had red flags all over it.  Like all students I took the time to get to know him.  The more I got to know him the more I loved the kid.  He was hard...he didn't adjust well to consequences.  In fact, he struggled with most people in the school.  When I was gone once, he couldn't be contained and police were brought into the school and physically had to take him to their cop car to take him home.  It got bad.  But yet, for whatever reason, I still adored C.  And honestly, he respected me.  Why?  I'm not exactly sure, but I know it has something to do with investing my time to know him and love him.  To meet him where he was at.  I sat with him and talked with him.  I brought him to church.  Soon after that he asked for a Bible and everyday that was the book he took out to read in class.  As the year went on I saw God start to mold him.  There are some things that teachers can do, but a lot of things that only God can do.  I'm going to keep investing in C this summer.  He's come so far but needs me to still be his safe place.  For me, I can't wait to see C continue to grow, learn, and hopefully come to find God's love for him in ways he never thought possible or has never experienced.  God's kinda great like that....