BOUNCING BACK WITH A WIN

I come sharing out redemption. On yesterday we redeemed ourselves by winning our game. It was a battle at first and I must tip my hat off to the Bulgarian team. Not only did they drive for THIRTY SIX hours, but they played like they had only flown for 2! The ladies gave us everything that they had and I have a great respect for that.

I have to let you know though that although we won the game, we did not play as well as we are capable. I am not taking anything away from the other team at all. But merely stating that we (Dynamo Kursk) better get it together very soon. It will take a total team effort for us to get anything accomplished this year and we need to start now. We thought that the Vologda game was like a wake up call for us, but our defensive approach to last's nights game was not very good either.

There is some positiveness in this though. We are still racking in W's so there is not much complaint, but I love getting better in the process and that's what this is all about.

Ok until next time.
Meek

SHOCK REUNION

I come to you today to share our first loss. We played Vologda, one of the Russia teams, and as many times as I have talked to you all in the past few season about this team we have been the ones to come out on top. Well, this team that Vologda has this year is definitely different. They are very young, talented, and energetic. Their two Americans (Jasmine Thomas -- WNBA Washington Mystics) and (Glory Johnson -- WNBA Tulsa Shock) and also my teammate played very well tonight. Despite our outcome I was really proud of them and how well they played. The day before our game, Glory and I was joking around with our families about who was really going to win the game, and of course Glory was talking a lot of smack saying that they were. I just laughed and said "ok." I didn't think that they would win of course, and I don't think Glory really thought they would either; she was just saying things to get me mad. Well it didn't work then, but it did when it actually happened LOL. We were undefeated up until this point, but hey, what can you say. Both Johnson's played well tonight, and although my team didn't win, I am still proud if my teammates and back to work we go.

Meek

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Everyone!

I hope that you all are enjoying some great cooking and lots of fun and laughter with family and friends. As for me I am over in Russia, where Thanksgiving isnt celebrated but with the Americans that are on the team we will make the best of it. We are planning to get together tonight and have a minor thanksgiving meal which is better than nothing at all.

This may not be the Thanksgiving that I had in mind, but I am so blessed and thankful to be where I am at this point in my life, I look at it as God ordain purpose for me to be here. I will enjoy it to the fullest with my American Buddies Epiphany Prince and Michelle Snow.

Please have a great day everyone.

Meek 

MEEK'S MUSIC: IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL

Know that in the Midst of it all God is right there with you.

A TIME FOR CONCERN AND PRAYERS

I come to you all saddened with a heavy heart. This situation that is now occurring over in Israel truly makes me pray a lot harder. For those of you that read the bible I know that it says that these times will come as well as happen. There will be rumors of wars; but even in knowing that, it is still difficult to see, watch, and hear about it. I hope and pray that my fellow colleagues that are over there are safe and that they can stay out of harms way. I pray and ask God for everyone's protection over and although the outcome may not be great for all parties I'm still praying that prayer.

The next thing is the situation with Chamique Holdsclaw and Jennifer Lacy -- Two women of which I have had the opportunity to play on the same team with. When I look at this situation it truly hurts my heart. These are two individuals that are in a need for comfort, support, love, help.  I was really shocked by this story and I will continue to pray for the both of them.

Although we won our game against Botas, this really life threatening happenings are sticking out for me a lot more. I will say that I am proud of my teammates as we all played very well. Everyone contributed and did what we needed to do as a unit. Courtney Paris tried to out her team on her back as she finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds, but it was enough for her group. I was definitely happy to see her though as well as Quianna Chaney (Lady Tiger alum), and Christi Thomas.

Temeka

ONE NATION

I would like to first start off by saying that I am very happy and excited for OUR President and his entire family as well as his team. Many people were worried about if the first time was just a mere accident, but America has spoken. I am so proud of everyone that has gotten out and voted. There are so many things that can be said, from the history and many before that fought for his right, to the importance of why which party is better; but I won't go into that I will keep this very positive and say that no matter what Party won in the end whoever ends up in that chair is the President of he United States Of America. That person will be the President for the entire country and WE as a whole has to Respect that.  It's so difficult being in a leadership position, everyone has an opinion on how things should be ran but not all truly want to accept or embrace all h responsibilities that comes along with it.  As I sit here in the Moscow airport smiling because I am truly happy, I also reflected back to the last election and how important it was for history to be made. It was great, and history has been made again, but its no more saying that it was because of history so to say. It is now because the better man has done what he needed to do to win the hearts of all fellow Americans that he will lead.

Again I am happy for OUR president and I pray that all goes well with and for him; remember everyone he is fighting for US as a whole. America if we can come together on one accord, OUR strength as a whole will not even be able to be measured on a scale. WE are a very strong country but WE sometimes let other things get in he way of the bigger picture. ONE NATION!!!!!!!!

That's what we are suppose to be and that's what we should be!!!!!!

Meek

MEEK LEADS TEAM TO VICTORY OVER RIVAL ORENBURG

Guess what everyone? I am happy to share with you that we (Dynamo Kursk) accomplished a major task last night. We competed against Orenburg. And if many of you can recall, they have been our Achilles heel since I have been playing in Russia. Well on last night we were able to come away with a hard fought victory.

Not only did we win, but we got Michelle Snow back and she had her returning debut against them. We look so good out there. Our team as I have mentions has gotten so much stronger and better across the board, and we played like we really wanted this game.

Now don't get me wrong  -- Orenburg was not going out without a fight. At the end of the 3rd quarter we were both tied at 49. Now this fourth quarter was the determining factor in who wanted it more.
Orenburg has Dewanna Bonner, I was so happy to see DB, and they also have Rene Montgomery. The two of these ladies practically tried to put Orenburg on their backs and carry them to victory. Rene finished the game with 23 points and 3 assist, and DeWanna finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. She was clearly a match up problem for us because of her athletic ability and her ability to stretch the floor. She was hitting from long range which was making our big players have to come out, as well as drive directly to the goal. It definitely took a group effort to try and contain her.

But with that being said, we had a group effort on our end offensively as well. I was and still am extremely proud of Ekaterina Lisina for how well she has been playing and how much she has worked on her game in the off season, and I was extremely happy for the production that Shay Murphy came in and gave us. Again it was a total team effort and I couldn't be any happier.

Our next game up will be against Bulgaria, this is in the Euro-cup game. We will be traveling to them this week. I am looking forward to this. I do not know much about this team yet but I will very soon. I know that our coaches are watching film and will definitely have us prepared for it.  So until then I hope everyone have a great week and check out Eurobasket.com if you want to follow myself and so many others throughout Europe. 

MEEK'S DEVOTIONAL: DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me. I know that your heart’s desire is to be aware of My Presence continually. This is a lofty goal; you aim towards it but never fully achieve it in this life. Don’t let feelings of failure weigh you down. Instead, try to see yourself as I see you. First of all, I am delighted by your deep desire to walk closely with Me through your life. I am pleased each time you initiate communication with Me. In addition, I notice the progress you have made since you first resolved to live in My Presence.

When you realize that your mind has wandered away from Me, don’t be alarmed or surprised. You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you. Each time you plow your way through the massive distractions to communicate with Me, you achieve a victory. Rejoice in these tiny triumphs, and they will increasingly light up your days.

  

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died- more than that who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.- Romans 8:33-34

 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son Of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrew 4:14-16

FINDING LOVE AND COURAGE IN A RUSSIAN FOSTER HOME

Hello all! I am so excited to bring you this news. Two days ago a few of my teammates as well as myself went to visit a foster home home here in Russia.  I was not sure what I was getting myself into other than going visit some kids that were in need, and needed to at least smile.  To my surprise this place was really nice and well equipped.

The manager of the facility was super nice, and her husband was a true Kursk Basketball fan. She shared with us how much she had to listen to him after our games until around 1 o'clock in the morning, and while sharing how excited her husband was he then called LOL. He wanted to make sure that we had made it. Then after hanging up with him she began to inform us about how things work around there. The phone rings again, it was her husband -- LOL, wanting to wish us a good luck. It was so funny and cute.

Anyways this is what is learned about the facility, (keep in mind I was getting everything translated and was trying to keep up) but I know I enjoyed every minute of what I saw and learned while we were there.

Here is a little information that I was about to gather while touring:
The facility houses 149 kids. It has 300 workers, and a psychologist that the kids can speak with when needed.

Of the 100 kids at least 80 find homes which I think is amazing; some are only here temperaily if their home is unstable and once it gets back right then the kids are able to return back to their homes.
They use to allow Americans  to adopt but their was an accident that occurred after one of the adoptions with the family and that kind of slowed that process down to almost not even really occuring anymore.

Most of the handicap kids  are adopted by foreigners mainly for medical purposes but I think that it is amazing to try and get the kids the medical attention that they truly need.

In this facility they also do something that I think is really helpful;they mix the normal kids as well as handicap kids together so they can learn from each other and not feel any different than anyone else around them.

The babies that we saw that were 0-6 months and are usually the ones that are given up for adoption but they were placed in such cute little beds amongst one another.
Something else that they do in the home is try to make it very family oriented. They help the kids to know and understand what having a mother, grandmother, or sister is like. So the younger workers that work there are called their sisters, the middle age workers are the mothers, and the older workers are called the grandmothers. 

Most of the workers that were there were not real professionals but they were women that were truly great with kids. I will be returning there to see them all again as well as bring some of my children books to them, they were very excited about that. It was a great experience for me and I am so happy that we went.

Here is a video news report:


You can also see more pics on my Facebook page: http://goo.gl/qujYK

MEEK'S DEVOTIONAL: RELAX

Linger In My Presence A While. Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day's activities. Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for Success. A great athlete takes time to prepare himself mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle. Similarly, your time of being still in My presence equips you for the day ahead of you.  Only I know what will happen to you this day. I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way. If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart. Relax with Me while I ready you for Action.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.- Ephesians 2:10

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.- Hebrews 12:3

From"Jesus Calling"

Enjoying Peace in His Presence

By Sarah Young