Malte is Mightier...

Good morning Minnesota.

Practice: the action or process of performing or doing something.

The Osnabrueck Tigers have been in action for just over a week and we are starting to look  like a highly conditioned and oiled team.  Yesterday was an eventful day with leaving for the practice facilities around 10:30, but no one got us so that turned into about 11:10.  (We still don't have our Tiger mobile)  We are surviving without our van; it's fun getting rides from different players and coaches all heading to one location for practice but I believe we have taken about 6 different routes.  I'm never going to learn Germany this way.

(Practice facility: inside gymnasium without hoops, meeting room/office, locker rooms)

(Practice field, this is real nice)

(Coaches warming up for Juniors practice: Can you hit the cross bar?)

(Juniors warming up for practice)

Yesterday was the nicest day yet, nearly hot, must have been mid-upper 70's and sunny.  The juniors focused mostly on special teams and I may be playing the wrong position.  I guess these guys think I can kick, so they are looking for a new QB and they are going to let me focus on my passion of kicking.  

After juniors practice yesterday, a handful of us went out to get a traditional turkish sandwich, Duener: spelled doner with the dots over the o, which is filled with either chicken or lamb and then veges in some form of bread.  Add some ranch and some hotsauce, it's pretty good. Then we got some gelato, the bubbly tastes like the greatest ice cream, bubble gum, might be my new favorite.

Then we had practice, offense is starting to roll and we added our screens and last part of our 5-step game.  Offense is in, now some refinement everyday will get us looking like the fiercest cats in all of Germany.

Last night I was introduced to KFC in Germany, the twister is still delicious but the surprise to me was the french fries.  Unless it's because I haven't been to KFC in a while, I didn't know they had fries.  Not too bad.  With some laughs in conversation there, we headed home except we didn't know where we were going.  But we made it after a few phone calls.

Today is a bit cloudy, couldn't tell you if it's supposed to rain or be windy and cool.  Time will tell.  But more Juniors practice this afternoon and Friday our camp starts.

Take care Minnesota.  

Joshua Aakre

Isaiah 6:8

I'm the farmer...

Past couple days have been filled with conversation with Mr and Mrs. Klietsch, Chris and myself.  Chris and I haven't gotten out and about too much so time has flow by either working on homework, cleaning the house and backyard, eating, or napping.  I could argue I have the life of a small infant.  Nope, it's the life of a professional football player with the addition of finishing off some of my studies.

(My Casa: has all the essentials for a college student (bed, desk, and a great view))

(Back yard)

(I'm in charge: don't worry mother these will be looking healthy in a couple weeks)

(We've got some cool stuff)

So Mrs. Klietsch has put me in charge of watering some of her plants.  We also put together the back patio, with the nice weather we've been having and I expect to continue, I'll be looking forward to taking my studies and time outside instead of my bedroom desk.  

One thing I've noticed is that there isn't any screens on any windows and we leave the doors wide open; NO MOSQUITOS.  At least not yet.  I do hope this lack of bug weather does continue.

Our van comes tomorrow, so we'll have our own wheels to be able to get around and no more relying on teammates or coaches for rides.  Here we come gym.

No practice today; yesterday we were stuck inside the gymnasium because soccer had the practice field last night.  We were able to put in another portion of our offense with some early board work and then we repped it on the gym floor afterwards.  I'll try to get some pictures up of our practice facility.  Tomorrow's goal is to have the entire offense in, and with this upcoming weekends training camp, we'll scrimmage a lower division team on sunday to see where we are at.  This will give us a good chance to look at our strengths and help correct our weaknesses.

Chris and I are still the only two imports, both on offense, but the coaches and Tigers are looking to add potentially two more on defense.  Marv, defensive coordinator, feels left out he doesn't get any to use on his side of the ball.

Love and Serve the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. 

Thor

It must be true.  Post practice yesterday, a couple teammates decided they were going to call me Thor from now on. 

Practice yesterday went well.  Slowly implementing the offense and early on, I feel we'll be competitive.  

Last night Mrs. Klietsch made a great Greek meal and this morning for a late brunch we had eggs and rolls.  Food is great which is nice because I like food.

(It's the view from my bedroom window; pretty nice)

Sunday has been filled with lounging, homework, mid-afternoon church service thanks to Substance Church and their taped online sermons, and later the plan is to head into Osnabrueck to explore some.

Trying to pick up on some German everyday, but it's a slow process.

Life is good. Alles Klar

Just a hop, skip and a jump across the big blue.

Good Morning World.

After thousands of miles, nearly 3 hours in delay, no phone for communication, and by the power of God I'm here.

The past two days have been quite eventful.  Thursday morning 6:45, we were supposed to be on our way to Philly.  Due to dense fog out flight out of Minneapolis was delayed nearly 1.5 hours, then again flying from Philly to New York, La Gaurdia, my flight was delayed because of fog and the previous back up.

Had no idea how Coach Bergstrom and I would connect at La Gaurdia because I left my phone at home, but a previous conversation in Philly with my mother and her concern let Coach Bergstrom know what was going on with my flights.

We met up and took a shuttle ride over to JFK, it's big.  Thankfully the AirBerlin staff knew what they were doing there because I hadn't checked in online yet, all I had was my passport and a receipt for being on the flight, and I believe the receipt had Joshua Davis on it.  It all worked out though because I'm now here.

Upon arrival we couldn't find one of Coach B's bags so we spent another couple hours in the Dusseldorf airport with legal stuff for that, hopefully his bag will be coming shortly.  With our arrival, Sebastian was there with a sign to pick us up, Big Time.

First German meal, it's about 8:00 local time, McDon's, the McGriddles taste just like the American stuff no worries.

Leaving the airport we all were packed in the Tiger mobile, if we had coach's third bag, we wouldn't have fit.

Made it to my host families place close to 11, this means I've had maybe 4 hours of sleep in the past 24, that's actually not that bad, but dropped my stuff off quickly and met up with Chris Langstaff, the summer roommate.

We ran into town to get a sense of Osnabrueck, toured our practice facilities, had broccoli and schnitzel and then I was able to take about a 4 hour nap back at "home," the Klietsch residence and my home for the summer.

That night we had practice, which went surprisingly well, the guys have been at work and we've got some athletes.  With a post party birthday celebration and finally leaving the buildings around 23:15, I was finally able to shower and get back into my bed and call it a night after a quick skype date with my parents.

What an adventure.  Countless miles/kilometers, 36 hours without going to bed and only taking a few hours in naps, and too many introductions where I don't remember names; we are here!

Thank you for the prayers.  Jesus is the Man with a plan.

Isaiah 6:8,
Joshua Aakre

Anxiety!?!

March 21, night before the flight.


Me and the parents are in the Radisson hotel near the Mall of America.  Over the past few days, I have prepared for the upcoming adventure.  Meals with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson, golf with the unbeatable Grandpa Hanson, and reassessing the bags and switching items to get under the 50lb weight limit.  


The excitement is building and the questions keep on rolling.  What are you going to miss?  What are you nervous about?  


I'm going to miss the people, school building and what nots not so much, but the people who have spoken life into my life over the past 22, nearly 23, years of my life are who are going to be missed.  


Now my mother is critiquing my grammar. Sorry my parents and I*


A peacefulness is still within, Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!"  
This is the bible verse that has been revealed to me a couple times in the past few months.  In prayer about life, I've always asked to the Lord for wisdom and discernment and guidance in the future.  I truly believe he will open and close doors and I feel this is a door, to continue playing a game I love and being paid, He has opened.  


My man Lenny in Belize first shared this with me on the beach of Ak'bol, and later a fellow classmate shared this verse in our monday night Freedom and Censorship of Expression course.  


How will I sleep tonight? No idea, but with everyday tomorrow holds great unknowns.  I'm so excited to see how and where the Lord will take me on this new 6 month adventure in Germany.  Honestly feel like a kid on the night before Christmas waiting for Santa, or like I did about 3 months ago on the night before Christmas waiting for Santa, I haven't grown up yet.


Love you Bethel, love you MN, love you Pascal, love you Mom and Dad, love you Aakre clan, love you Hanson tribe, 


Love you Lord!


Next time will be from Germany.


Take care, God bless, Smile, and always look up.
Joshua Aakre

Bitter Sweet

Past couple days have been bitter sweet.  Last day of sitting in a classroom was last Friday.  Since then it's been "Love you, see you later/september."

Didn't realize how hard it would be to leave Bethel on Friday.  Over the course of a few days at the end of last week, I had to say goodbye to many people who would be dearly missed.

Visiting an array of high school friends, to cousins, to the most memorable and long over-due time was spent with Grandma Aakre.  At 92, she's alive and kicking and we had a blast.  Taking the time to have a nice tour of the assisted living in Hawley, MN, she bragged and bragged about her family and myself to her roommates in the home.

Other exciting times were spent with Brent, Leah, Adam, Shawna, Jessica and Kendra Aakre in Fargo on Saturday night.  The Enns' were full of questions and excitement when we were together on Saturday.

Home finally and will take off Wed. March 21 for Germany.

Tonight two foreign exchange students in the Lac Qui Parle School system came out to the farm to share their homeland experiences and had many words of encouragement.

The times are getting exciting!

Osnabrueck, here we come.

Here's who we are...

Osnabruck Tigers

The story of how it all came to be...


Back track to last fall, playing football and focusing on school.  A coach from a German (american football) team contacted me via facebook saying this is who we are and wondering if you (me) would be interested in playing QB for them in the spring.  Me in my focus didn't act on it in a timely fashion so I'll say I closed that door of an opportunity.


Sunday, March 5th.
Hey Joshua,

We wiuld need a QB,ASAP. Maybe you are interested?

Jovi


That was the first message I received via facebook again from the Osnabruck Tigers.  This time I responded and sunday/monday messaged back and forth with Jovi.  Tuesday night, praying about life and what nots, literally was filled with shots of adrenaline wondering if this was the Lord opening a door I had previously closed.


I called home that night to get the parents opinion and talking with the pops, he was all for it if we could square away academics because graduation was priority number 1.  Further confirmation came from my roommates when they said that their weddings were only a celebration but I would still be around to support them in their marriages down the road.  Missing 4 roommates getting married won't be easy.


Wednesday, March 8th
Talked with my professors about the possibly of still finishing my courses by arrangement and they immediately said it wouldn't be a problem to make something work.  Unbelievable how the Lord opens a door.


Friday, March 10th
Basically had everything finalized with academics, just waiting back to hear from academic affairs which would come in tuesday/wednesday of next week, and I got my contract.  I'm a professional football player!  Thank the Lord.


Basically in a week, I went from talking about owning a ranch in Colorado in Monday morning lab with Rachel Geng and Kari Kjergaard to playing football with ze Germans.


Fly out tentatively next week, March 21st and our first game is April 21st against a League I team.


Here's some information on our team's history.
The Osnabrueck TIGERS startet the first Season in 2000. We have a winning Tradition, 11 winning seasons W90 L38 T2, 5 DivisonChampionships, 2 perfect Seasons, 4 times runner-up!
Year by year we have stepped up to the next level, since 2003 we played D3. This year we are D3 north Champions and advanced a D2 (GFL2) spot for the 2012 Season.

Questions are welcomed which would help me blog about what you want to here.  Take care Minnesota, hit me up if you ever come to Germany.  I've got a place for you to stay.