A Desire to be known as More than an Athlete

The electrifying defensive back Charles Woodson, has made his mark on the football field... but this former Heisman Trophy recipient wants be recognized as more than a football player, Woodson is on a mission to leave his mark as a symbol of hope to help others. At church this morning, the Pastor was discussing the importance of giving and prayer. He made a statement that your money is partially tied to your heart, and what you give displays where your heart is. Woodson took it upon himself to sow into pediatric research, which shows that his heart lies within well-being of children. This article shares the hopes of attracting the world's best researchers who want to help children with cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders and autism. That statement immediately jumped out at me because my younger sister and brother-in-law are both autistic. It really shows the magnitude of the matter, and I pray that Woodson's profitable donation is put to great use.

Holland Hoops

Here is a glimpse of game against ZZ Leiden a couple weeks ago (Nov. 14th). Leiden is a very hostile, intense, but fun atmosphere to play in. It is more of our opponents highlights although we were victorious on that night.

Thanksgiving Overseas

Thanksgiving overseas is definitely different. Mainly because there is not a Thanksgiving holiday! But contrary to popular belief, a little google research shows that the USA is not the only country that celebrates our beloved Turkey day. Unfortunately, the Netherlands did not make the cut. It goes so far, that we can't find a turkey out here... not even a turkey sandwich! So we tried to go for the next best thing, a ham, but to no avail. Our plans are to roast a chicken instead... Since we can't have our turkey, we'll just sit back and watch you guys struggle with yours! Enjoy the video and have a blessed Thanksgiving Day! Always remember that we have a lot to be thankful for!

Note of Knowledge

Hard as things seem today, they will be better in the next day IF you choose to serve the Lord THIS DAY with your whole heart. Your circumstances may not be improved in all the ways which you desire. But you will have been given new strength to carry your burdens and new confidence that when your burdens become too heavy, the Lord, whom you have served, will carry what you cannot. He knows how. He prepared long ago. He suffered your infirmities and your sorrows when He was in the flesh so that He would know how to sustain you.

Apartment Life in Holland - Video

Here is a video of our apartment here in Leeuwarden. It may be small but its filled with lots of love! Its our humble abode, for which we are very thankful. Enjoy the video... leave a comment and tell us what you think! Also tell us what you want to see for future videos and pictures! :)

Cherish What We Hold

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed.

Veterans Day

This Veteran's day I sit back and remember the only Veteran I have ever really known.

As a youth my father often wasn't around due to his job. He would often go out to sea for months on in, and when he was home he would commute hours to and from work. I would be getting ready for bed, and he would just be getting home. I would wake up early for school, and he had just walked out the door. We hardly got the opportunity to develop that strong bond between a father and his only son.

Every time he would return home from a long cruise, my mother and I would go to the docks. It seemed like a game, who would spot him first? I'm not sure who won that game, but I do know that as soon as I spotted him amongst the crowd of soldiers my eyes would well up with tears, I couldn't form sentences, nor look him in the eye. I just wanted to feel his presence and hold him as long as I could.

After 20 years in the Navy Ira Keith Spencer Sr. retired. I felt joy for his accomplishment and was so incredibly proud. It was at his retirement speech in 1999 when I first started to realize how important the military is to him. As I got older I realized how selfish I used to be. I never took the time to think why. I never took the time to put myself in his shoes. I never took the time to think that my father was out there risking his life not only for his country but for his family. I see that now.

A husband/father is called by God to be the protector and provider of the family, and he was merely following the path that God had paved for him. I thank him for his sacrifices, and love him dearly for being the best father anyone could ask for.

Now when I go home and I see his shadow box of medals and accomplishments I think of what an amazing man my father is. I look up to him and the struggles of my youth are merely in the past. I have a strong, loyal, determined, and respectable father in front of me now. Happy Veteran's Day Pop.

Flavor of Love

We just wanted to inform everyone that we ran into a major celebrity. He's been seen on MTV, VH1, and started it all off in the music industry. Wow! The things that you'll see in Holland!

We're pleased to announce.... FLAVOR FLAAAAAV! Yea boi!

HAHAH!

In all reality, this is our all-star point guard Tristan Blackwood dressed up for Halloween. Shout out to T-Black. Much love!

The Bigger Picture

NBA superstar, Allen Iverson, has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from the the Memphis Grizzlies after Thursday's (Nov 5th) "L". We are all familiar with the dominating ability in which A.I. has been blessed. The recipient of various accolades such as Rookie of the year, MVP, and numerous All-Star appearances, but he has yet to achieve the ultimate goal, an NBA championship. With all that being said, it is safe to say that Allen Iverson is a well renowned and blessed player.

Ok, I completely understand how he is feeling. I have been a part of a losing franchise as well, and believe me, it is not fun. You work so hard, approach every moment with a positive attitude, and expect rewards to come from that... just to fall short and forced to endure disappointment.

From the things that I have learned thus far, I feel comfortable saying that I believe Allen Iverson is not making the right choice. It is easy to become selfish and at times we may feel things are not going to our plans. But what we fail to realize is that its never about our plans, but about God's plans. Allen isn't looking at the fact that he is impacting the people around him. He has younger players on his team and guys that look up to him as a standard for the sport. Sometimes you have to look outside of the box and see what your purpose is. What is Allen Iverson's purpose? I dont know, only God knows. But what I can tell you is that he needs to be out there, lead by example, play his best regardless of the outcome, be a support to his fellow teammates, and those that are watching him. Especially the children who look up to A.I.

So the bottom line here is that, no matter what our struggles may be, we must look at the bigger picture. Why am I here? Who am I here for? What can I do to make it better?

Reading the latest news on Allen Iverson, really made me look at my own bigger picture. It just gives me further understanding that it's not about me, but about the impact that I may have for those whose eyes are on me. So through all the losses, the struggles, the physical and mental pain, I will always keep me head up and trust in God.

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." - Job 13:15

Not your lil Susie Homemaker

So at an attempt at Homemaking skills I decided to roast pumpkin seeds! We carved pumpkins the other day and I painstakingly separated the seeds from all of the pumpkin gook. I then followed this recipe online because it had some of the best reviews.

It all went downhill from there.

So they were roasting in the oven and started smelling pretty good... I took a peek but of course, they're not as "brown" and "roasted" looking as they are in the picture on the website. I have a tendency to be quite the perfectionist so I decided they must stay in the oven longer.

I suddenly thought about my mother-in-law. I had not spoken to her in a little while and decided to call her right then and there. It all would have went perfectly well had I not forgotten about the seeds! ARGH! Needless to say they came out might "brown" and mighty "roasted," tasting more like wood chips than pumpkin seeds. Keith is eating them... he says they're not that bad... but he just loves me. I'm going to try it again next year! (I don't think I'll be buying anymore pumpkins anytime soon, so next year it is) and I know without a shadow of a doubt they will be the best pumpkin seeds ever. Until then.. we're gnawing on wood chips.

Note of Knowledge

My flesh and my heart, faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.

PSALM 73: 26-28

Breathe...

Being diagnosed with exercise induced asthma at the age of 10 was heart wrenching. At the time I felt that it would have a dramatic affect and hinder me from playing high level sports. Now, 14 years later, it is a condition that I often forget I have. Taking my daily medication has become a constant routine in my daily tasks. In the Dutch League, the inhaler that I have been using for years is on the illegal doping list. Thus meaning I would test positive for an "illegal" substance. Last season I reported my condition to the Doping Authorities prior to the season which provided me protection. This season the rules have tightened up a bit. So I had to prove to the Authorities that I really need the medication by abstaining from the use of my inhaler and taking a series of provocation tests. This was a very painful experience last week, but with the grace of God I pushed through it. Today, the Doc expressed that he had enough information to prove my case, and that we should be getting a response within a few weeks. Lets just pray that I don't get randomly selected for a drug test until then.

Dutch Lessons...

Looks like I'm back in school again. I've been taking Dutch lessons since arriving here in Holland about 2 months ago. It was definitely exciting to be able to learn a new language, and the sweetest woman has volunteered her time to teach me. I went into lessons a little nervous... excited... maybe even a little unsure. Then I told myself "How bad could it be? A couple of weeks, maybe a month. I'll get to know a few words, 'Hello', 'Thank you', 'I only speak English', and maybe even a few phrases I could use at the store."

Well, here I am, 2 months later, still in Dutch lessons, and the attached picture is my new book report. Yes, thats right, book report! My teacher is diving in the deep while the whole time I thought I was just going to get my feet wet! I've been blind-sided by a sweet woman in her 50's. Who would have known?

After the lesson was over, I showed Keith my new project, and in typical Ira Spencer fashion he burst out laughing. Thats okay though, we'll see who gets the last laugh. Keith begins his Dutch lessons this Wednesday..... :)

Overall, I am grateful for the time our teacher has taken out of her day to try and teach me a foreign language. Her patience is appreciated and I know she will be blessed, because she's been a blessing to me. So I may gripe a little bit, maybe even complain a little more than I should... but in typical Natasha fashion, I plan on acing my report.

Note of Knowledge

As you overcome adversity in your life, you will become stronger. Then you will be better able to help others — those who are working, in their turn, to find a safe harbor from the storms that rage about them.

HOLLAween in HOLLAnd

Out here in the Netherlands, they don't celebrate many of the same holidays we have in America. For example, Halloween, is not something that is widely publicized out here. Luckily, we got hold of a couple of pumpkins and decided to carve those bad boys up! Our creations are titled.. "The Blumpkin" Its a triple B hit! Blog, Basketball and Blessed. The other is the Boricua Pumpkin. It is Natasha's grandmother's and Aunt's Birthday in Puerto Rico on October 31. So the pumpkin is dedicated to them, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be a man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jeremiah 17:5