Here is an update for the first week of 2011....
The GEF Dinner with the 2011 Gym Dogs was held on Tuesday, January 4th for about 150 donors of the GEF at the new lobby area of Stegman Coliseum. My good friend and VERY loyal gymnastics fan, Brian Bruce, invited me as his guest. Before dinner, the mighty Gym Dogs gave us a sneak peak at some of their floor routines and vaults. I've been attending practice several days out of the week over the past few months and it was great to see the girls in their Georgia gear last night, looking "meet-ready" and ready to go. The team leaves for Denver on Friday for their first tournament/meet. Pray for this team because they're battling injuries, which is making it a challenge to get some consistent line-ups. I attended the surgery of freshman & Chicago-native, Kaylan Earls Tuesday morning. Kaylan had surgery to correct a ruptured achilles, a season-ending injury. This girl really has a fantastic floor routine, so if you're a Gym Dogs fan, look for some great things from Kaylan in the next 3-4 years. I got the chance to spend time with Kaylan's mom, aunt and cousin while at St. Mary's. They are sweet people. The hospital ministry we have is one of my favorite parts of what I get to do on campus! Praise God for the relationships we have with the sports medicine professionals at UGA! In the picture: L-R: Dianne Gay (one of ladies who participates in Women's Nights & a loyal Gym Dog fan); freshman from Tampa, FL, Cat Hires; me; freshman from Kennesaw, GA, Laura Moffatt; sopho from Allen, TX, Christa Tanella; & "my practice buddy" & friend, Brian Bruce. In addition to praying for Kaylan & the coaching staff, please remember Laura & Christa as well. Laura is recovering from a recent concussion & Christa is going to be joining our leadership team this semester, so we're very excited about having her get more involved!

"Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves had been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7