Monday, July 30, 2012

I Want To Be An Olympian!

If you don't have the Olympics on your brain... well, I just don't know what to say. I LOVE the Olympics and it's been one of my favorite things to watch since I was a little girl. Not because I've aspired to be a professional athlete, but because these men and women competing are THE BEST OF THE BEST. How cool is that?! This is their shot at breaking a world record, an Olympic record and holding a title that no one else in the world can hold for a 4 year period.. and possibly more. The concept at being the best excites me, amazes me and sometimes leaves me speechless.

You can only imagine how excited I was when Val was asked to be on the Russian Hockey Team for the 1998 Nagano and 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games. I'm telling you, I screamed louder and was more excited about it than he was! I felt like it was my shot at being there and his medals were my medals. Val won Silver in Japan and Bronze in U.S. (both of which I wore on the plane rides home because... 1.) I was SUPER beyond excited and proud to have in my possession a real Olympic medal. 2.) It was REALLY fun to have people think that I won the medal. 3.) Val wouldn't wear the medal because they weren't gold. Sigh... Always the competitor!  But we know that unless it's an actual race, coming in any other place other than 1st does NOT make you a "loser" despite my husband's competitive spirit. I think that being a participant is pretty awesome, regardless of the standings.

Here I am with Val and Maks (who was just 3 weeks old). Look closely for the bronze medal around Val's neck! 


We can't all be Olympians, but we can participate in the games of life. I watched our U.S. Women's Gymnastic team last night and was in awe of what they could do. And no, I didn't grow a sudden love for gymnastics because I was on show about it. I've always loved watching the sport and seeing their dedication, commitment, endurance, strength: both mentally and physically, and heart gives me chills. No, I can't walk and flip on a 4 inch beam or swing from 2 bars let alone kip up on one. But I can exhibit the same kind of dedication, endurance, strength and commitment in my life. Each one of us can be an Olympian in our own right. We can sacrifice and strengthen our resistant muscles to say "No" to junky foods and to get up and get out to work out every day.

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

Did you catch the interview with Gabby Douglas last night after she clinched her spot to compete in the All-Around Finals? They asked her how she mentally prepared and said she gives it to God and meditates on scripture!!!! This girl gave the glory to God boldly and I just about whooped and hollered on my couch! Gabby is a Christian and I was overjoyed at watching her share her testimony at her church days before London. Watch it here and be encouraged by this 15 year old! http://vimeo.com/45535275

So, how is your Olympic spirit doing? If you've got God on your side, you're in the games! Let's take a look at these athletes and learn from them that with perseverance, endurance and a willingness to learn and try new things, we can mold and shape our bodies into the one we would like to see it become.


In my Bure jersey, rooting on Team Russia in the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics with Maks. I painted his little hat and the t-shirt underneath is jacket with a Russian flag and numbers 20 and 10 (for Val and his brother Pavel). 

20 comments:

  1. Our whole house is cheering for Gabby! She is great. This scripture is written inside of my running shoes... :)

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  2. I was so proud of her for sharing her faith before the whole world! What a witness and role model for Christians everywhere! Go Gabby!!
    I'd like to find my inner olympian. I struggle with feeling not good enough in many areas of my life.

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  3. What a beautiful girl!!! Such an inspiration to everyone!!!

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  4. So, I completed my juice cleanse and lost another pound; which makes it 3 pounds. Not quite 5 like you had. I am back to eating and am glad cause I don't think I could have standed doing another day. Now, I will start doing a workout: Valerie Bertinelli Losing It. I have used her dvd in the past and it has been a while cause I can feel how out of shape I am from doing the dvd.

    Thanks about all for now. Keep up the good work Candance. :)

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    1. Also, like to thank you for sharing your photos.

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  5. i wanted to know if anyone could give me a list of healthy breakfast foods. im juicing veggies n fruits, but i still need to eat something. im tired of yogurt and oatmeal:(

    anonymous j

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    1. whole wheat no preservatives added toast with almond butter or peanut butter(only other ingredient is salt) with fruit. I also use Barbara's whole wheat cereal(only 1 ingredient!) with unsweetened almond or soy milk plus berries. I use a few other cereals but all have 5 or less ingredients with no preservatives and are high fiber.

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    2. thank u anna! will do

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    3. We do a lot of baked oatmeal with fruit toppings and egg white omelets

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  6. I didn't know that about Gabby...makes me love her even more and KUDOS to her for acknowledging her faith!

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  7. I Just Adore This Photo Of You 3!!!!!

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  8. We recorded the Women's gymnastics and watched it as a family this morning. My daughter (8 yrs old) has taken a liking to Gabby and been cheering her on since seeing her in the trials. We didn't know any of her background story at all. When Gabby made the comment about meditating on scripture and her Bible getting her through, my daughter was so excited! She said, "Mom, did you hear that!? She is a Christian and talked about her Bible!" Made me so very thankful to have my little girl's first role model be someone who shares our values.

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  9. I have been following Gabby on Twitter for several weeks now and have been telling others how encouraging it is to see a young person take a stand for the Lord. I did gymnastics for years as well as ballet and speed skating and I knew God gave me the ability to do so. I hope you can check out the 2 blog entries I posted on Friday and Saturday. It's a part of my testimony and the saving grace of our Lord during difficult times. I have a link to your blog on my blog--love following it because you are following in the steps of the Lord. Take care and God bless! (Jer. 29:11-13)

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    1. What's Gabby's twitter handle? I'd love to follow her too!

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  10. Thank you for sharing the link to that video! I was impressed with her performance last night at the Olympics, and this video proves that she's the real deal, not just someone paying lip service. She really does know God's Word! So awesome to discover another Christian Olympian. :-)

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  11. I couldn't agree with you more! I love the Olympics and always feel inspired to push myself and get more fit. So happy to hear Gabby's testimony as well; as a fellow Christian, it's wonderful to hear someone in the 'spotlight' give the credit to God! Candace, I'm also a big fan of yours and have been for years - but esp. now. Thanks for sharing your life with us, then and now. Be praying for you and your family.

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  12. I love The olympics as well and Gymnastics has always been my favorite. When she gave her interview last night I got the chills! This girl is a true follower of Christ and its just so amazing to see God working through her and she's such a light to shine for the whole world. My mom and I have been rooting for Gabby from the very beginning and I hope if its God's Will that she will bring home the gold. I also want to say Candance that you and Kirk are an inspriation to me. I'm also a Christian and I thank God that you and your brother are true followers of Christ and I hope that you all along with Gabby will win people to the Lord all around the world. God bless you, and your family. God is GOOD!:)

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  13. Was für eine tolle Zeit in London.

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  14. oh wow didn't know she was a Christian, that's awesome! great to see her being bold about her faith :) I've been watching the gymnastics the past few nights and have enjoyed watching the US team :)

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  15. I watched the Olympics the other night with my boys and they loved the gymnastics as much as I did as a kid and as I still do now! Great post Candace!

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