Ways of the McKays: We are Undeserving

Well, the team is 0-2 on the road. I apologize for the link that didn't work in the previous blog post. After a quick search for other options, I was able to stream the sports channel online. KAZ Sports is fairly new. It was launched July 1st of this year, and plays a majority of sports in the country. I'm not sure if this channel will broadcast all of Kapshagay's games, but I will follow up with a link if it does for the next game-- which is October 22. And it's at home... good news for me!

I'm not a coach, obviously. And I don't know all the correct terms for basketball. I never will. However, I have to be honest and admit it was very difficult for me to watch the games online. It's not really because I wish I could be there in person, but it's hard for me to see Heath play for a team not on the "winning" side. I've been following Heath's basketball since his sophomore playing year in college, and his team was almost always expected to win. And quite frankly, they did... He played for a winning team. I just got used to that.

I'm not saying both he and Nate play for a "losing" team, but maybe it's an issue of pride I have for them as basketball players. I expect them to always play, and to always win. Because they're the best... they're my best. But I have to understand that a basketball team isn't made of only two individuals that I highly favor. I know we're all a little selfish, and I admit that I am in this situation because I think Heath and Nate both deserve to play on a winning team.

But then I remember, that as Christians, we are undeserving. Heath's dad, and my awesome father-in-law, was a guest speaker at Vimy Ridge Baptist Church last Sunday and spoke about Prayer and Discipline. (You can find the videos on their Facebook page.) There was something he said that I've been reminding myself since I heard it: "We are sinners. We are undeserving."

What makes me think that Heath and Nate deserve to play more or to win more?? Yes, they work hard. Yes, they practice discipline every day going to practice. Yes, they listen to all of coach's instructions. But at the end of the day as a Christian athlete, their prize surpasses the playtime on the court and the numbers on the scoreboard.

"All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." -1 Corinthians 9:25

I can only speak for Heath and I as a couple, but we are undeserving of this opportunity. We are undeserving to be here together. We are undeserving for Heath to play on an overseas basketball team. We are undeserving for me to take a break from working. This experience is more than just basketball for me, and I have to remind myself that when I get frustrated because I want both Heath and Nate to play all 40 minutes and win. We can only be thankful that they play on an overseas basketball team at all... not that they deserve to, but because God gave them that opportunity to play together again.

I know I'm a great friend and a great wife (I'm not taking any objections), but I also know that the "basketball" part of this experience is between Heath and Nate. I am more than thankful that they have each other on and off the court to feed off each other's support. Empathy is encouragement. Some practice and game days may be worse than others, but as someone who doesn't know the game, I can only sympathize.

I love Heath with all of my heart. I love him more than myself. Therefore, I've learned to love what he loves-- basketball. But it's not basketball that is going to determine our paths, and that's something we both have to remind ourselves. Basketball is minuscule compared to what God has in store for the rest of our lives together. God is forever, and we are forever under God. Whatever happens throughout the rest of our time here in Kazakhstan, I know that we are undeserving. My prayer for the both of us is that we never think we deserve anything.

Just some raw emotions tonight in this post. The team takes the train back to Almaty tonight, and are expected to arrive home by tomorrow evening. Safe travels, BK Kapshagay. Here are some "just for fun" pictures....

Thank you for following our journey.

This is Astana. Heath said it's cold and gloomy. It's usually cold here all year round. It's about 40 degrees there while it's only 70-75 degrees in Kapshagay.

The arena.

The court.

I had a sub sandwich here for lunch yesterday because Heath and Nate raved about them. I don't see the big deal! I couldn't finish it because there was too much sauce. It had ham, smoked sausage, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, pickles and a cream sauce.

Rotisserie chickens are pretty cheap here, so I decided to make homemade chicken broth with them since the grocery store doesn't have any. It turned out great!

I made a salad for dinner last night. I don't ever think the guys think salads are filling so I wanted to have my share of salads while they were gone. This was my version of fiesta chicken salad. I dressed it with homemade salsa.