10 Things You Must Give Up In Order To Move Forward

One day while searching on Pinterest, I came across a pin that read "10 Things You Must Give Up In Order To Move Forward". 

I thought, hmm, how interesting and completely appropriate for this time in my life. {especially after just changing my blog name to "Moving Forward"}

So, I opened the pin and began reading.

The first thing you must give up in order to move forward was:

#1 - Letting the opinions of others control your life

Reading #1 was an eye opener for me. 

I have been letting my dad's opinions of what I should do with my life control what I was actually doing with my life.

And I put an end to that when I stood up to him.

It wasn't easy, tears were shed, but I know my father respects me for standing up for what I believe in.

He may be disappointed in my decision, but he's still my father and I love him with all my heart just as he loves me.

He wants what's best for my life and not have to want for anything and I get that. 

But, I have to do what makes me happy, not what is going to make the most money someday.

If you are reading this and realizing that you are letting the opinions of others control your life, remember...

It's not what others think, it's what you think about yourself that controls your life.

And, you have to do exactly what's best for you and your life, not what's best for everyone else.

#2 - The shame of past failures

This one kind of got to me, for one reason.

When I didn't get into pharmacy school this past fall, I felt like a screw up.

Mainly because I wanted to please my father and make him feel proud of me.

But now, I see it as a blessing.

If I would have gotten into pharmacy school, more than two things would have happened.

One, I would have became a pharmacist and hated my job.

Or two, I would have failed out with a huge student loan to pay off with no way of doing so.

God always has a bigger plan for us than we have for ourselves.

Sometimes, we gotta let go and leave things in His hands.

Trust in the Lord to do what is right with our lives, even though we have other plans in mind.

If you are reading this and feel like you are letting the shame of past failures hold you back, remember...

Your past does not equal your future.

And, all that matters is what you're doing right now.

#3 - Being indecisive about what you want

Once again, I'm going to relate this back to my issue about pharmacy school and teaching, because well, that's how this applies to me!

And after all, this blog is about my life. 

Anyways, I was being majorly indecisive about what I wanted to do with my life back in the summer while I was waiting for my admissions status.

I kept thinking to myself, do I really want to do this?

At the time, I did not know that I wanted to be a teacher.

I had thought about teaching when I was a freshman in college, but never actually pursued it.

I was always preached to about the security of having a professional job and the luxuries it brings along with it.

I thought that was the only way to go.

I saw the positive sides to being a professional, such as a pharmacist.

But during those 6 months of actually working in a pharmacy, I realized, I don't really love this job.

After working only 2 weeks as a PE teacher at the elementary school, I knew it was exactly where I was meant to be.

 I felt like I was doing something better with my life.

That I was actually helping these kids everyday.

The joy I got every time I saw these children was the biggest sign God could have ever given to me.

It took me 4 weeks after realizing teaching was my career choice to tell my father my decision.

I was still indecisive on the subject, weighing all the pros and cons to each career.

The pros to being a pharmacist:

The salary {obviously being paid double that of a teacher}

Job security

The cons to being a pharmacist:

Long 12 hour shifts multiple times a week

Very little vacation time

Not much time with my children {if I do have any}

The pros to being a teacher:

On the same time schedule as my children {if i do have any}

Being around children all day

Changing a child's life

Summers off {the biggest pro of all with Taylor playing professional baseball}

The cons of being a teacher:

The salary {half that of a pharmacist}

And me having to go back to school for the least 2 years

I decided after weighing the pros and cons of each, that if my only con of being a teacher was the salary, then the choice was easy.

I'm not going back to be a teacher for the pay.

I'm doing it because that's what I want to do with my life.

Decision made.

If you're reading this and realizing that you're being indecisive with what you want, remember...

You will never leave where you are until you decide where you would rather be.

And, make a decision to figure out what you want, and then pursue it passionately. 

#4 - Procrastinating on the goals that matter to you 

I have just begun a new job at the elementary school as the Operation UNITE Coordinator.

This job did require me to quit my PE job, but it allows me to have health insurance and $5,000 to go back to school with. 

Working as the Operation UNITE Coordinator, I am not tutoring 4th and 5th grade students in math and teaching a drug class to all 5th graders.

On top of all that, I also have to work with the academic team on quick recall and organize a UNITE club where I set up some of the older kids with mentoring the younger kids and bringing in many community service projects.

I miss seeing all my kids terribly in PE.

The hardest part is when tons of kids are coming up to you and asking, "Miss Masters, why did you quit us? We don't understand."

How do you tell a 6 year old that you had to take a different job because it's going to benefit you and help you get back on track with pursuing your dreams?

They are way too young to understand, but it breaks my heart every time another child comes up and asks.

Or when they come up to you and say, "Please come back to PE. We miss you."

 I know this new job is going to open up more doors for me and help me with my future.

I had to make the decision that was going to allow me to pursue my goal quicker.

I am starting back with college classes in the spring, along with doing this new job.

It's gonna be a pain in the rear taking online classes and working everyday, but I'm ready to get finished with my schooling to pursue my dream. 

No more procrastination for this girl.

If you are reading this and realizing that you have been procrastinating on the goals that matter to you, remember...

There are two primary choices in life: 

To accept conditions as the exist or accept the responsibility for changing them.

And, the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. 

The second best time is now.

#5 - Choosing to do nothing

When you choose to do nothing, you are only hurting yourself.

You may think that you are helping others, but it is only taking that much more away from you.

By not standing up to my dad when I was first contemplating the whole pharmacy thing, I wasted time.

I could have been back in school this semester, working towards my degree.

But now, I'm having to work and wait another semester before beginning back on path.

So instead of being able to finish by 2013, I will now finish around 2014 or possible 2015.

All because I chose to do nothing because I was afraid of hurting my father.

Well not anymore.

From now on, it is all about me.

All about MY career, MY life, and MY future.

If you are reading this and realizing that you are choosing to do nothing, remember...

You don't get to choose how you're going to die or when.

You can only decide how you are going to live right now.

And, everyday is a new chance to choose.

#6 - Your need to be right

   

With this one, I would say it more so has to apply to my relationship rather than my career.

Taylor and I don't really fight that often, but I would be lying if I said we always agree on everything.

We have our little tiffs, but I have found that I do not always need to be right. {even though, all of us women know that we know better than our men}

My mother always raised me to choose my battles.

And sometimes, you have to decide, is this really a battle I want to pursue.

Is this something that I cannot step down from and need to prove the other person wrong?

What do we really gain from being right all the time?

What is so great about putting someone else down for being wrong?

Why not be the bigger person and let someone else be right for a change.

Now when I write this, don't get me wrong.

Taylor does not always feel that he needs to be right.

Taylor is the type of guy that if he's wrong, he will admit it.

He's always been that way and this is something I have learned from him that has helped me become a better person.

If you are reading this and realizing that you are always feeling the need to be right, remember...

Aim for success, but never give up your right to be wrong.

Because when you do, you will also lose your ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.

#7 - Running from problems that should be fixed

On this one, I could apply it to many different aspects in my life.

For instance, my car, issues with my dad, or a problem in my relationship.

For this one, I think I'll use my relationship as an example.

One of the biggest issues in my relationship with Taylor was where we wanted to settle down since we are from two different states along with his career as a professional baseball player.

As you all know, Taylor is traveling all over the place 6-8 months a year.

With that type of job, it is hard to decide exactly where you would like to plant roots.

If you choose to plant your roots somewhere while in the minor league system, we felt it wasn't a wise decision.

For a couple of reasons:

He could be traded any day without notice.

He could be moved up or down any day without notice.

So the question was, Kentucky or Colorado?

Of course, my thoughts were leaning towards Kentucky. 

I want to be with my family.

And of course, his thoughts were Colorado, to be with his family also.

Who could blame us for wanting to be with our families?

 After much deliberation, we came to the conclusion that Colorado was going to be the first place to plant our roots. {after I finish with college, of course}

Now, I know what you're thinking... What about YOUR family?

Since I am having to go back to school, I am having to get college loans.

Taylor's parents house is almost paid off, and then his dad is moving to Arizona to retire.

The house will be left to Taylor and Tyler. {no more house payments}

No more house payments = teacher paychecks paying off student loans quicker.

Since I will have to summers off, approximately 3 months, I will be able to travel home to see my family.

Taylor doesn't have that luxury with his career.

During the off season is the only time for him to see his family.

In order to be far to both of us, we decided this would be the best decision to begin.

If you are reading this and realizing that you have been running from problems that need to be fixed, remember...

Stop running!

Face these issues, fix the problems, communicate, appreciate, forgive and LOVE the people in your life who deserve it! 

#8 - Making excuses rather than decisions

On this one, I would like to talk about dieting and exercising.
I am always starting and quitting diets for a few reasons.
I don't see results quick enough.
I'm too tired from work that I don't feel like doing a workout.
Or my parents only have junk food in the house, so that's all I can eat.
These are all excuses.
When you really want something, the only thing that can stop you is yourself.
Especially in this situation.
Willpower.
That is what is needed to get the results that you want. 
My older brother has lost 90 pounds in almost 2 years, all while living at home.
He didn't make excuses.
He made the decision to take off the weight and that's what the did.
He is my inspiration.
Not that I'm fat or overweight, but to be healthy.
To get toned.
I am making the decision today and letting go of my excuses.

If you are reading this and realizing that you have been making excuses rather than decisions, remember...
Most long-term failures are the outcome of people who make excuses instead of decisions.


#9 - Overlooking the positive points in your life

I do believe that all baseball girlfriends/fiances/wives will be able to relate to me on this.
Or anybody in a long-term relationship, for that matter.
It's very easy to overlook all the positives going on in your life when there is one negative thing happening.
During the season, Taylor is gone all the time.
My parents do not let me travel with him or travel to see him.
During this past season, I traveled to one game, saw him pitched, and saw him for 15 minutes after the game.
That's it.
There were times when I would see all these other baseball girlfriends/fiances/wives travel to see their significant others multiple times throughout the months and it would make me jealous.
All I could think about is how unfair this all was.
But, I was overlooking the positives in my life.
How Taylor was being so supportive of our relationship everyday and trying his best to make me happy during this time apart.
How Taylor traveled on his off day for 3 1/2 hours to spend less than 24 hours with me.
How Taylor would send me little surprise gifts when times were getting tough to remind me how much he loved me.
I might not have been able to travel with my boyfriend or hardly see him during the season, but I know he was the most supportive boyfriend I could have ever asked for during this time apart.

If you are reading this and realizing that you have been overlooking the positive points in your life, remember...
What you see often depends entirely on what you're looking for.
And, you will have a hard time ever being happy if you aren't thankful for the good things in your life right now.


#10 - Not appreciating the present moment

Once again, I'm going to apply this to my relationship.
I find that this subject is perfect for #10.
The off season is the most precious time for all baseball girlfriends.
We actually get to be in a normal relationship for half of the year and it's awesome.
However, when you're from two different states, it's not as easy. {especially when they're so far apart}
With Taylor being from Colorado, he had to move back home during the off season.
He has to have a way of making money and he had a great job set up already back home.
So, after the season was over, Taylor came to Kentucky to visit me for 2 weeks.
Although I had to work during those 2 weeks, I was so great being able to come home to him everyday.
We could have spent those 2 weeks being depressed because we knew what was coming, {him have to move back home} but we didn't.
We enjoyed the heck out of those 14 days.
We didn't even acknowledge what was coming on day 14 until that day came.
We said our goodbyes and it was hard to let go of that hug, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Those 2 weeks would have been a whole different story if we hadn't appreciated the present moment.

 If you are reading this and realizing that you have not been appreciating the present moment, remember...
Too often we try to accomplish something big without realizing that the greatest part of life is made up of the little things.


I'm hoping this blog will help give you the perspective that you need to start bettering your life.
No one is near perfect, myself included, and I sometimes navigate into the wrong territory and forget one of these 10 things.
But, it helps going back and rereading these every once in a while to remind you how to get back on track.
Good luck on your journey's through life and remember how truly blessed each and everyone of you are.
Until next time...

Changes

It's been almost a month since my last post.

So much has happened that I'm not even sure I'll be able to cover it all.

Hmm, let's see where I left off last...

Ahh, yes.

It was back on the day my beetle bug stopped working on me.

Well, just to go ahead and skip to that part... It's dead once again.

And still sitting in the driveway.

And needs a new battery.

And probably will never get fixed until I do it myself {which means spending money I don't have}.

But let's try not to dwell on the negatives here...

I have now been working at my new job as a PE teacher for about five weeks.

I have loved every single second with those little kids.

I realized this is what I'm supposed to be doing as a career.

Not so much PE, but teaching in an elementary school.

So I stood up to my father and told him I didn't want to go to pharmacy school after all.

That didn't go too well...

It was just after working two weeks that I decided to tell my father.

I struggled terribly trying to figure out the best approach to telling him the news.

My mother beat the bullet and told him a few days before I got to him that she thought I didn't really want to do the whole pharmacy thing.

After talking with my older brother, Jonathan, I found the courage to tell my father.

My brother told me he wanted me to be happy ultimately and that dad would understand.

Well, that wasn't really the case.

After telling my father, he proceeded to tell me how awful my life was going to be.

How I would end up living under a bridge one day.

How I would never be able to pay my bills.

How I would never be able to have children because I wouldn't be able to afford them.

How I would always have to want for everything.

And lastly how he's never been more disappointed in me in his entire life.

I am now the fuck up of the family and the prime example of what not to do.

Ever since my talk with my dad, I have felt...

Worthless

Depressed

Empty

Dispirited

Inadequate

Thank God Taylor came home to Belfry a week later.

With Taylor back, he brought life back into me.

I was happy again - content.

My other half was home.

I'm very thankful for the two weeks I got to spend with Taylor, although it was not near enough time together.

Taylor left this past Friday to go back home to Colorado.

He has a job there giving pitching lessons at a sports complex.

And all of his family is there.

It's really hard not to be selfish in times like these.

With everything going on between my family and me, I need my best friend.

But, he's 1400 miles away with his family.

I'm hoping we'll be able to see each other around New Years.

It's really the only time I have off from work to be able to travel.

So, another countdown begins...

99 days and counting.

Until next time...

Lovebug

About two months ago, my beetle bug decided to not start anymore.

My dad decided it was my battery and that it needed to be replaced.

However, my dad is notorious for not fixing things when they need to be fixed.

He puts things off until they HAVE to be fixed.

Well since I wasn't going anywhere this summer or needing my car, we didn't get the battery fixed.

And my new job working at the elementary school as the PE teacher didn't call for my car being fixed since my mother is the 5th grade math teacher there and I could just ride with her.

So needless to say, the battery never got fixed.

Approximately two weeks ago, there was a torrential downpour and the creek overflowed and flooded our yard.

My beetle bug was the only car that got caught in the mess, hence the battery not being fixed so it couldn't be started and moved to a different location. 

So my little lovebug got flooded and water got all inside the drivers side, but not the passenger side.

My two brothers tried their best to soak all the flood mud and water out of my beetle.

They did a great job, but the smell of flood water still overtook the poor beetle bug.

Today, I decided to charge the battery, drive the lovebug to the car wash, and shampoo the carpets in the hopes that it would help with the smell.

My older brother, Jonathan, helped hook up the beetle bug to my dad's car to let the battery charge.

We sat there for 30 minutes and the poor bug would not turn over and start.

We finally got the top down on the lovebug to let the smell vent out of the car, but still no start.

After 45 minutes of trying, we decided to call it quits.

My dad was not okay with this since the top was down and the only way of getting it back up was to start the car.

So my dad comes outside, hooks the beetle bug up to his car once again, and starts revving up his engine.

Within five minutes, the beetle bug starts.

I was so happy, I started jumping with joy! 

It's sad that little things like your car starting could make you so happy!

So, with my top down and my mother in the passenger seat, we headed to the car wash to wash the lovebug!

When we arrived at the car wash, we tried to put up the top so we could begin the washing.

BUT, the top would not go up! 

We were stuck with the top down.

We decided, why don't we just drive over into town and get a new battery put in.

My dad kept putting it off and putting it off, so we decided to take matters into our own hands.

We drove over to the shop, City Tire, and my mom walked in to ask if they could perform the task of changing the battery.

They said they could and the manager walked outside to take a look at the bug.

The minute he walked out, the man asks, "How's that boyfriend of yours doing?"

I was a little surprised for a couple of reasons...

1. Who are you, because I don't know you?

2. How do you know my boyfriend?

I responded with, "He's doing fine."

He then asked, "Did he end up getting drafted?"

And I think to myself... How do you know who my boyfriend is????

I said, "Yes, by the Twins."

He proceeded to ask where he was located, how he's liking it.

I answered all his questions, but was a little reserved by this man's knowledge and curiosity of my boyfriend.

I walked in the building with my mom as the man took my beetle around back.

I asked my mom who the man was and how he knew about Taylor.

She said, YOUR DAD!

My dad has obviously been chatting about Taylor to the working men of City Tire {his office is right across the road from them}

After sitting in the waiting area for approximately ten minutes, the manager walks out to tell us some interesting news...

"Your battery had a bolt loose, making it unable to start."

My mom said, "Are you kidding me? That's it! I'm going to kill John."

The manager then said jokingly, "I'll just bill John for this inconvenience for you both."

As we stood up to walk out, the manager asked me when the ceremony was.

I was confused by his question, I had to ask what he was talking about.

He said, "The ceremony. When are you getting married to Taylor?"

I replied, "You gotta have the ring first. Still waiting on that!"

Now that the lovebug's battery was fixed, my mom and I decided to go back to the car wash and try it once again.

We pulled into the car wash and tried once again to put the top up...

IT DIDN'T GO UP!

I was so frustrated!

So we began driving back home.

I decided to try the top one more time before driving all the way back home.

I pulled off into the bank parking lot and tried the top one more time.

IT WENT UP!

And back to the car wash we went!

We started rinsing off the car, and the water pressure stops.

REALLY?

Mom decides to start the foam brush because she wanted to get her moneys worth since there was still $4 left.

We switch over to the next car wash, only to find that the water isn't working in that one either.

So now we are stuck, with pink soap suds all over the lovebug. 

There is only one other car wash in the area, down in West End.

So we drive down the road, pink soap suds and all.

We get the bug all rinsed off and as clean as possible and head back home.

After a long day of running all over the place, the bug was finally cleaned and my battery was fixed! 

Patience is a hard thing to learn.

And that is definitely what I learned first hand today.

Patience.

Until next time...

 

New Job

Today I had to run over to Pikeville to finalize my substitute teaching papers.

I'm pretty sure I filled out at least 15 different forms in which almost all asked the same questions.

Date of Birth:

Full Name:

Social Security Number:

Address:

Gender:

Signature:

 After all the forms were completed, the lady asked for my drivers license, social security card, and a voided check.

Of course, I only had one of the following - my drivers license.

I have never carried my social security card, nor had any idea where it was.

And checks - who carries checks these days?

I can't even tell you the first time I wrote a check, if ever!

I told the lady helping me that I didn't have the social security card or a check.

She was furious and kept watching the clock since it was almost her lunch time. 

She said I could just bring those back later, but that I could not get paid until doing so.

From there, we began the finger printing process.

The lady seriously gave me a 10 minute overview on how to make the perfect fingerprint.

Then she followed by making me practice multiple times.

 

Start on the side of your finger.

Now tuck in all other fingers not being used.

Don't put too much pressure or the print will be smudged.

Don't put too little pressure or the print will not come out correctly.

Now roll the finger all the way to the other side.

Do not lift the finger or the print will be ruined and the sheet will be void.

 Now you try, starting with your right thumb.

I slowly tapped my thumb on the ink pad.

The lady screams, "ROLL YOUR THUMB! START FROM ONE SIDE AND ROLL TO THE OTHER!"

So I roll my thumb as she so carefully explained on the ink pad.

I transfer my thumb from the ink pad to the paper.

"TUCK IN YOUR OTHER FINGERS! YOU'RE NOT DOING IT RIGHT."

My hands start shaking, but I get the thumb print down.

"GUESS THAT WILL HAVE TO DO. ONTO THE NEXT ONE. RIGHT INDEX."

The yelling at me continued through all 10 fingers.

After the prints were complete, the lady said she was dissatisfied.

"I KNOW YOU WILL HAVE TO COME BACK AND REDO THESE, BUT I'LL SEND THEM OFF ANYWAYS."

I wanted to tell this woman off. 

If she didn't yell at me the entire time while I was trying to make the prints, maybe I wouldn't have been so shaky.

But I resisted and thanked her for her help and left the building. 

I called my mother after leaving to ask if she knew where my social security card was at.

She gave me directions to call my father, because he was home for lunch and could lay it out for me.

So I called and explained the situation.

My father searched and searched, but couldn't locate the card.

We decided the solution would be to just reapply for a new card.

The downfall, I can work, but I cannot get paid.

And my new job begins on Monday, August 13th.

My new job is a full time substitute for P.E. with elementary kids, grades K-5.

I will be working Monday-Thursday from 8-4 playing games with little kids.

I get to wear workout clothes and hair in a ponytail and get paid.

What more could I ask for?

My father isn't very happy about the new job.

Mainly because I didn't get into pharmacy school this year.

And he's afraid I'm going to enjoy being a teacher way too much.

He should be afraid though.

I wanted to be a teacher when I first began college and he told me I wouldn't be able to support myself with that career choice.

My entire family consists of teachers.

My mother is a 5th grade math teacher.

My aunt is a guidance counselor of an elementary school.

My other aunt is a high school biology teacher.

My grandmother was a high school english teacher.

And my other aunt was a college english professor.

So, I come from a long line of teachers!

In a way, I agree with my father.

I know that living off a teacher's salary alone would not be sufficient to live my life.

There would be a constant worry with money.

Being a pharmacist would make life a little easier, money wise.

And I would always have a job.

That job security is a major factor.

And I like the job of being a pharmacist.

I worked in a pharmacy for the past 6 months as a pharmacy technician and loved my job.

It was something that kept my interest all throughout the day.

And something that I want to learn more about.

I know my father is disappointed in me for not getting accepted this year.

I've heard all the put downs from him.

But I've learned to let it go in one ear and out the other.

I'm working on improving my PCAT score.

I've been studying now for a week and plan on retaking the exam in late September.

I know it's gonna take hard work and that's what I will do.

I will put in the hard work and reapply and see what this next year holds.

Until then, I'm gonna enjoy my job working with the kids for the next year.

I know the good Lord will lead me down the correct path.

Whether it's pharmacy school or becoming a teacher.

In the end, everything will work itself out.

I have faith.

Until next time...

"The meek shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the LORD that seek him; your heart shall live forever." -Psalm 22:26

 

Support System

Taylor pitched his third game with the Beloit Snappers tonight and put up his first W!

They are the Low A minor league affiliate to the Minnesota Twins located in Beloit, Wisconsin.

Taylor was called up on July 23rd and flew out July 24th from Elizabethton, TN {the rookie affiliate}

 It all happened so fast.

I was on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC with my family and Taylor had an off day coming up on the 25th.

We had made plans for him to come down and spend a day on the beach and see the family.

And of course, he gets called up and it ruined our plans of seeing each other.

I was disappointed but so happy for him at the same time. {more happiness than disappointment}

I knew deep down, I wouldn't be seeing him again until the off season. 

But I kept my emotions together and stayed positive because this promotion was vital in Taylor's career. 

As soon as Taylor arrived in Beloit, the team set him up in the team hotel for one night.

They were beginning a 6 day road trip the following day, so there was no sense in arranging housing just yet.

Taylor met no one on his new team until the next morning when loading the bus.

The pitching coach informed Taylor that he would be starting that Friday, July 27th.

I found it crazy how they just threw him in with no practice with this team or anything.

But to Taylor it was just another ballgame, another day living his dream.

I couldn't have gotten through the stress and anxiety without my family and baseball girlfriends/wives.

My parents haven't always been the most supportive group with Taylor's career choice.

Don't get me wrong when I say this.

They love Taylor.

They think he's a wonderful guy and perfect for their little girl.

They're afraid of how unstable professional baseball is.

They're afraid of the distance and their little girl being alone a lot of the time.

And they're afraid of me being too far away from them when I take Taylor's last name.

BUT, I have seen a change in them ever since Taylor began his professional career.

Taylor's first game with the Elizabethton Twins, my family sat with me in the living room listening to the game on the radio.

My parents drove me out to Elizabethton, TN to see Taylor and watch him pitch one of his games.

Every game, whether my parents listen or not, they always ask how he performed.

They want him to succeed.

Onto the baseball girlfriends and wives.

99% of these women, I have never met. 

However, they have become more of a friend to me than any of my actual friends.

A girlfriend of one of the UK alumni pitchers added me to a group on facebook called the MiLB Wives and Girlfriends group.

It's a private group that you have to be invited to in order to join.

On this page were over 1000 women who are supporting their men through their baseball careers.

Women who were going through the same problems and troubles that I was only beginning to encounter.

Women with wisdom on the subject of baseball and the minor league ways.

From there, I was added to the Twitter group for the MiLB Wives and Girlfriends.

I went through the entire list and followed each and every one of the girls I could.

I have never felt more welcome from a group of girls in my life.

I was a bit shocked by how nice and warm all the girls were to me.

They didn't know me.

They had no reason to be nice to me.

But I decided to open up and give these girls a chance since they were for me.

The support and friendships I have developed with these women is something I will always be thankful for.

These women are true followers of God and help others everyday of their lives.

Women who I truly look up to and hope to be as successful as one day.

I'm so happy to have found these women and be able to call them my friends.

Until next time...