Blessed...

Best German Birthday Ever!!!

(Here's where the tiger mobile sleeps every night)

Last night we had some birthday festivities at our practice facility.  Just to have a fun time with the Tigers, we celebrated saturday night in the gym.

(DJ Chris getting the night's beats ready)

We did have a fun time, roughly a dozen ish Tigers made their faces known Saturday.  Little BBQ, tunes, football (who would have guessed) and conversation made the night a heck of a German Birthday.  Summed up by the classic Happy Birthday singing at midnight to kick off my 24th year.

(Outside eating: grill master Flo and Coach B in the foreground)

You know you're blessed when...

(Host family has special candles for the celebration)

(Host Mom makes you're favorite breakfast dish: company french toast)

"Plan your party..."  I got some recipes and Momma Klietsch sure did it well.  Tastes so good.

(You receive gifts after someone has only known you for not much longer than a month)

(You've got a teammate/roommate/new friend who'll pose with you)

(Mom and Dad)

You've got parents who from thousands of miles away, separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and 7 time zones can make you cry with a birthday card.  I've been blessed by these two and haven't been loved more by anyone, besides my heavenly Father.  

Thank you to all who have my birthday special.  

Joshua Aakre

Colossians 1:10-12

Peach Iced Tea

Saturday...

Boy it's finally gorgeous outside.  70 degrees reads the thermometer on the edge of the house.

(It's us: Chris, myself, Pappa Klietsch, and Momma Klietsch)

Like I said it's nice out.  First day we've all been able to enjoy the outdoors  on the back patio.  Cappuccino and peach tea for myself all with the infamous sour cream raisin bars that turned out really great.  The tastes of home.  

Past couple days have been good.  Was at the doctor on thursday and he said to take the weekend off but the ankle is sure feeling great.  Next week is going to be exciting with the conclusion of the week playing Hildeshime.  Here come the Tigers.  

We had pictures last night at practice, which means we got our jerseys.  Pretty great to be suited up in a Tiger's uni.

Tonight we are having a belated Chris and early my birthday party at the practice facility.  Tomorrow we'll just have some goodies at home and relax.  

Joshua Aakre

Hebrews 13:5

Only in Germany...

Couple days since the last post, but nothing too crazy we'll say has happened.

Monday and tuesday spent some time working out at the gym, practice monday night, icing the ankle, and doing homework have filled up most of the days.  I had a treatment on my ankle, basically an ankle massage, which felt really great and every day we're gaining back some mobility and can nearly walk without a limp.

Got up this morning and had a great skype session with some of the boys from the house.  I guess they do miss me a little.

With regards to school, roughly 3 weeks left and finals, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's coming.  So exciting...

So with that treatment on tuesday, I thought I was going to get Kenisiotaped on my leg afterwards like I did on saturday after the game.  So to prepare for it, I took a trimmers/shaver to my leg to clean up the wooly mammoth legs that I had going on.  But I didn't get taped so now I'm walking around Germany with one (left) shaven leg, although it does feel nice, only in Germany.

Only in Germany... Today we had sauerkraut with potatoes and ham for lunch.  Salty cabbage is what it tastes like, makes sense because that's what it's made of.  Will I eat it again?  Probably dabble with it here and there if it's offered but it wasn't a personal taste sensation for myself or Chris.

Momma Klietsch said we had to plan our own birthday party for this weekend. I never done that before.  the past 3 years I've been at school and hid my birthday from everyone so I didn't fall to teh spanking machine at spring ball practice, and before that mom took care of everything.  It's weird throwing/planning yourself your own party.  I can host stuff like no one's business but planning is jut different.

Life is good, God is good.

Only in Germany...
Joshua Aakre

Matthew 6:34

Self Inflicted Wounds...

Saturday April 21, Hamburg Germany

Hamburg Blue Devils vs. Osnabrueck Tigers

We left our stadium around 9:30 to make the trek up to Hamburg.  I initially found my seat next to Chris on our double decker coach bus, but soon after our departure, I found my common travel position (between the seats, on the floor with my pre-game nap).  After a couple stops, one bathroom trip to the woods, and roughly 4 hours, we found ourselves in the City of Hamburg.

(Picture of the Harbor in Hamburg, it's huge)

We arrived at the stadium a couple hours prior to the game.  The weather was a comfort mid 50's and without rain, but during our pre-game warmups it started to poor for nearly 20 ish minutes.  After getting dressed, our pregame warm-up, and equipment/personal check (they make sure you are who you are), we took the field infront of a crowd of 2500 fans.  

(Mr. Blue Devil; he must work out)

We haven't gotten our jersey's yet, so we are in the whites.

(Coin Flip: Myself, Dean, Jens, and Flo)

They won the opening flip, so we took the ball to start.  Our first drive stalled after a few plays and we had to punt.  After a couple plays, by the Blue Devils, they ended their drive with a 60 ish yard run.  They're up 7-0.  Next drive we moved the ball 70 yards which ended in a score.  7-6.  

(Right after we took the field)

After our first score, a complete confidence/peace came over our team knowing that we do belong on this field with this GFL 1 team.  We are the Tigers!  We are not to be messed with.  The score at half time ended up being 21-8 and the final was 28-8. 

(Deans: the meanest running back in all of Germany)

Although the score said we lost by 20 points, I do not believe it was a correct representation of how the game went.  First real game, always comes with some dumb penalties on both sides of the ball.  A few offensive penalties killed some drives, these are fixable now that we have actually played a game.  Defense built walls at times, but I feel they also have things they can easily correct.  

Two weeks before our division opener and we will be ready.  After the game, it's obvious we came out a little beat up.  A few normal joint tweeks, but also a couple broken fingers and one dislocated shoulder.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -  James 1:2-4

What do I think after one game of professional German football?  I love it.  Football is football where ever you play.  

Thanks to Silke, oldest host sister, I was able to make it to church this morning.  Small english service, 8 of us including the pastor.  They incorporated me into the service and let me read the first reading.  It was good stuff.  Thanks to my involvements with the Agapes, a youth Christian choir, and football at BU, I knew the songs we sang this morning.

Man at church: "You have a strong name... Who was the greatest Joshua?"

Prayer Requests:  Team health and injuries to be able to come back for our division opener in two weeks.  

Joshua Aakre

Joshua 1:9

This is not a perfect report on how our game went so check out:

gotigers.de

The Ferrari is mine.

Michael is back home! He actually came back a couple days ago, but I don't know if I've posted that he has officially returned yet.

School has consumed the past couple days so nothing too exciting has been going on, unless you consider papers, a test, and more papers exciting.

Story time:
For approximately 9 summers, I was the master of the lawn.  I couldn't begin to count how many times I mowed our yard out at the farm.  Ever since I lived with Grandpa and Grandma Hanson before beginning 4th Grade at Dawson-Boyd, I've been the one who got stuck with mowing.  It was no small feet, although we did have a great John Deere rider, it took at least 3 hours.  I don't know how I was still mowing when my younger brother was plenty old enough, I still was stuck with the job.

Looking back now though, I actually can say that was a great time.  I would often pretend I was farming on a much smaller scale of course, but early spring was planting season, then summers were either spraying or cultivating, and when fall mowing came that's when I had harvest.  Don't know how childish that sounds, but now I've just planted my first German field, figuratively of course.

Friendly game is only a couple days away and the coaches are getting nervous about me showing up looking like how I do.  It would be quite "interesting" to see how Hamburg would react as they see myself under a helmet playing football.  They would have to thing I've got a screw loose.  Fact is though, I've probably got a few screws loose.

Talked with the incredibles today: TJ, Kae, Joelle, and Liz.  TJ is doing well it seemed, her Grandmother passed away this past week and she spoke at her funeral for those who have been following.  Also, the admissions office is still there so obviously I wasn't that important that things were going to fall apart.  Welcome to the new students planning on coming in next year.

Life's good... Living a dream. What's yours?  Let's make it happen.

Joshua Aakre
Romans 8:28

I'm not a gambling man.... But.

Last night we were able to finally drive home the car.  Boy is it nice to say we have some freedom to go to and from when we want and not have to rely on the bus or other players to come pick us up.

We also broke the beast car in with a trip to KFC, first road trip, where Chris and I have been officially out with the car.  It'll be easier now to get to and from workouts and practice and anywhere else we please.  Time to explore Germany.

(Here's the car)

Don't worry, last night I only killed it twice.  Thanks to the farming background and the little times Vavs let me drive the Volvo, I do feel capable to drive the manual. 

Story time:

First time I ever drove a stick was in Alaska for my uncle Scott at the age of about 17.  Never drove a stick before but understood the concept.  Spent about 15 minutes trying to get the thing started, finally remembering I needed to engage the clutch first.  After getting to the garbage dump, I killed it 3 times while trying to back up.  Good thing he sent me to the one in the country versus town.

Conversation went: can you drive a stick?  sure! (not really knowing how to).  want to do a garbage run for me? yes sir.  And that's about it, sorry I lied Scott but Kai and I had an adventure.

I lost a bet on Saturday to Meta.  It's s o g double o d good, is not for Arby's but for KFC.  Should've known because I don't think Arby's even has a restaurant over here but he has spent sometime in South Carolina, living with a host family and going to school there.

(Me: the half bearded man)

So for the next 2 weeks I'm looking like 2 face from Batman.  Sorry Mom.  

Joshua Aakre

Junior Season Opener

Junior Game 1: Tigers vs. Birds of Prey

(Marv and Meta playing a little backgammon, pre-game strategy to fire up the minds)

Yesterday the Junior Tigers kicked off their season with the Bremen Birds of Prey.  After a crazy afternoon of football, the Tigers ran out of time against the Birds losing the opener 4-0.  The Birds of Prey scored early in the first and second quarters via two safeties resulting from the punter stepping out the back of the endzone and an early whistle by the refs on a quarterback drop back, respectively.

(Pre-game warmups)

The defense stood firm; building a wall on multiple occasions when the Birds were knocking on the door.  The offense were at moments looking like a well oiled machine but at other times struggled to keep the Birds out of the backfield causing chaos for our running and passing game.

(Cointoss)

 The hardest part for myself during this game was to watch the reffing.  I've been warned in the past by other players and coaches about it, but I was amazed on Sunday at the poorness of refs.
On our first safety, the head ref tossed the yellow flag as the punter stepped out of bounds and then proceeded to blow his whistle seconds later.
The Birds were in shotgun, and because of a low snap or by design (it was fourth down) the quarterback fell on the ball/took a knee (OUT OF SHOTGUN) and before the official our blitzing linebacker collapsed on the QB.  Personal foul.  ??????
On numerous occasions their right guard would bounce in his stance, no false start because an explanation by the sidelines official, acknowledged the man was bouncing, said he isn't causing the defense to jump.  Later the D-lineman jumped in anticipation of the snap, and the offensive lineman moved and it was encroachment.
Finally, near the end of the game, the Birds were punting to the Tigers and their was a flag for a false start, play continued, then another flag for illegal formation, play continued and the punt went through the back of the endzone for a touch back.  Final result was somehow both penalties were waved off and the Tigers got the ball on the 20.  ???????'s

(Just a little shout out to Kyle Boersma, I found your cousin.  #65 runs in the family. He's got nothing on you.)

I'm going to have to get ready for the upcoming season and prepare myself for the refs.  It's just a game, games are supposed to be fun.  

Coming off a Junior Championship last season and a disappointing season opener, I pray the men keeps their heads high and play the game  for a reason so much greater than a championship where men will say well, but for the Man upstairs who one day I pray will say, "Well done good and faithful servant."  That's my ultimate goal.  

There is a war raging in this world and everyday is a battle.  Football is a game of battles every down.  Even though this world is dark and ugly, the greatest thing to know about life is that we can already claim victory through J.C. He's already fought the war and because of His sacrifice we can claim our citizenship eternally with One so much greater than anything fathomable.

Michael may be coming home tomorrow, hopefully.  Grandma Hanson is alive and kicking.  TJ Jones' grandmother has gone on to dance with the King, so rejoice for her and her family but also pray for TJ as she speaks at the funeral on Tuesday.

Joshua Aakre

Proverbs 4:13-15

WE are the Tigers!

Tiger Family Day 2012

April 14

Yesterday was Family Day, which was filled with Tigers, Families, other Community members, food, and festivities.

(Chris sporting odis' head)

 The day started off around noon where many Tigers assembled at our practice facility to set up for the day.  Tables and benches, popcorn machine, grill, beverages, cake, a Tiger bounce house, and music were all apart of the set up.  Around 2 the party began; leading off with an introduction to the Tiger community thanks to Thomas, the President, and Coach Jovi, the cheerleaders got everything rolling with their live performance.

(here's our car! still didn't get to take it home)

Food and conversations consumed most of the afternoon and with a light rain pursuing, everything seemed to move indoors.  4 o'clock was approaching and everyone was still in dread because of the upcoming combination of practice in the rain.  But coming to many of the eventual smiles of the players, as we left the building for the field the rain ceased and the sun broke actually for a beautiful spring Saturday practice.  Hallelujah!

(Freddy, on the right, sporting some good tackling form)

Post practice was more of the same, eating for some hungry tigers, but the bounce house was filled with young kids and the gym was roaring with conversations.  Not going to lie, I couldn't understand a word because German is still a foreign language, but we are learning some.

(cheerleaders flying high)

After clean up and final conversations subsided, we were able to call it a day at the Army Base, where our practice complex is located, and a few of us headed over to Dean/Phil/Flo's place to embark in some Doener eating and at times competitive FIFA (except when I had the sticks).

(Mom: the greatest Tiger mother of all time)

Monika: she is the greatest Tiger I have met.  Updates, Michael is still in the hospital, but everything has checked out and he's in a good mood.  He'll either be home tomorrow or possibly spend some upcoming time in a rehab setting to gain some strength back, which is what the docs believed to be the problem.
Grandma Hanson, according to mom, is doing fine and nothing has been found on the tests on her.

So keep sending prayers to Germany for the Klietsch family and strength to return to Michael so we can get him home.  Send them to Madison for Grandma H, and also a special request for the Jones family of Bethel University, where the greatest boss (TJ) is preparing to let her grandmother go party with Jesus.  It's absolutely incredible to see TJ talk about her grandmother, not just because they are family but because they have become best friends over the past years.  Love you TJ.

Juniors game today.

We play at Hamburg in a week.

Coach Bilal's for a BBQ supper tonight.

The greatest fear: death.  Hahaha... It's been overcome by Christ and his victory over it 2000 ish years ago.  There is no fear in death.  So why fear.  Be strong and courageous, live a life centered on what you love and surrender everything else.  Love One and all fears will fade away.

Joshua Aakre
Colossians 3:17

Who's got questions?

Little Tiger

Hello world,

The days have been great since my last post.  Easter, arguably the best holiday, food, which often comes with holidays, getting some homework done and spending time with friends and family.

"Are you a hungry little tiger?" - Monika Klietsch.

Today's post is a tribute to Monika Klietsch.  Tied for the third best mother the Lord has blessed me with. Behind my mother Kitt (1), Grandma Hanson (2), Grandma Aakre (2), TJ Jones (2), and Lis VSP (3).
Mrs. Klietsch, Monika/Mom/German Mother, is an incredible woman.  Strong, intelligent, caring/loving are only a few of the adjectives used to describe her.  Chris and I are currently import kids 9 and 10.  She's been hosting Osnabrueck Tiger import football players since 2004.
Mother of 3 and grandmother of 2, she has a beautiful/loving and fun family. I witnessed this first hand over this past weekend when everyone at some point was home to visit over the holiday weekend.

I believe we live in an ugly and dark world, which we don't always "win."  But you'll never hear Monika complain about life.  In the late 90's, Michael, Mr. Klietsch/Dr./Papa/Dad, suffered from a brain bleed and now is paralyzed on his left side retiring him from his practice and to a wheel chair.  He's an incredible man and one posted at some point, I foresee, being attributed to him.  Mom has stuck with him since then and for many years before that as well.

She's incredible.  The world could use more Mrs. Klietschs.

Just a heads up to anyone interested... Michael has spent the last nights in the hospital.  Nothing has been found on CT Scans which is great news but the past couple days he hasn't been his strong self.  Reports from Monika is that all is well with Michael, he's cheery and talkative, but still the unknown and lack of communication with the Doctors to what is actually going on.

Grandma Hanson last week had a spell as well.  Thought of a minor heart attack was ruled out but what was is also still unknown to my knowledge.  So two prayer requests would be for Mr. Klietsch and my grandmother, Mary.

4 Weeks until our first division game.  It's go time...

Love to hear some questions.

Joshua Aakre


Winning

The sweet smells of home...

Hello everybody,

What's been going on the past couple days?  Would love to hear how your lives are....

Thursday:  Got up in the morning to get another workout at the gym.  There's a nice rowing machine that gives one heck of a workout.  After lunch, I must have been tired because I took a good 2+ hour nap.  Also, an attempt at mowing the yard was tried but to no avail.  The ferrari doesn't want to start; must've been a long winter for the mowing machine.

The Klietsch's had themselves a party so Chris and I decided to go out on town with some of the football guys.

(Arlando: appeasing to the eyes, but not the body as it was about 40 degrees last night)

(My man Chris with Dennis, Dennis is a boss and a beast of a QB)

(Flo is the second craziest German I know behind his brother, Danny)

Friday:  Was a short day; I woke up late because of the previous night's activities.  Got up and ate some breakfast food around 1:30 p.m.  After some reading, went for a run around the countryside.  I was met with the smells of the farm.  Pig crap and crops were a pleasant smell because of the memories they invoke.  Looks like I'll be doing more running than I had planned. Time was spent with my sister, Anke, and the family as she is home for Easter.  She works for the airport in Cologne. Supper last night with the family was great and then had a great skype session with some of my girlfriends from school and Owen.  

Life's good.  Alles Klar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he32vwlKQPY

Joshua Aakre

Cheese....

Hello again Minnesota,

I apologize for the slowness and non-daily updates of my blog, but now I have more to write about.

Monday:  I was cultured on cheese.  We had the day off from practice because camp had gone on all weekend so I took the morning to go workout, met Marv for lunch at Belle Vista, the pasta there is incredible, and then returned for an afternoon at home with the family just hanging out.  For supper, we had cheese.  New cheese, old cheese, cheese that smelled, cheese that was good, cheese that didn't sit well with my taste buds, but now I have sampled some "real" cheese and not the fake processed stuff I am accustomed to.

Tuesday: Again no practice, but just chilled in the morning and didn't take the bus into town.  Met Marv again with Chris for a late lunch at Mc Doener where again I had a delicious duener.  Those things are so good.  We later shots some hoops and watched the scrimmage from sunday with Coach Bergy.  Tuesday went by pretty quick but nothing too crazy had occurred.

Wednesday: Took the bus into town in the morning to get a workout in, returned around noonish for lunch and went with Monika into town to the supermarket to pick up some groceries and food for the rest of the week.  Picked up some ingredients for a killer trail mix and some other snacks.  The rest of the afternoon was working on some homework and stuff before we left to go to the juniors practice.  It was cold and with only 1 ball the juniors weren't able to do much at practice.
Our practice afterwards went well, we now have our wrist bands so hello no huddle offense.  It's going to be exciting.  The team picked up on it pretty well.
After practice, our host parents were out so before heading home we stopped at KFC to get some dinner because Chris and I are incapable of cooking ourselves supper I guess.  haha... So we had the house to ourselves last night and we watched some ESPN America, hung out and then called it a night.

Thursday:  Just got back from another morning at the gym.  We are banned from the downstairs later tonight because the Klietsch's are having themselves a party.  My middle sister comes home at some point today to stay for Easter.  At some point this afternoon, we are supposed to mow the back yard.

Observations: No shingles, just tiles for the roofs.  I guess speaking a little german means being able to say hello, goodbye and thank you.  I'm slowly picking up on some words but by no means could I hold a conversation or even say a legit sentence yet.

This weekend is Easter, the fulfillment of the greatest gift ever given to mankind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIIAf2lS_Us

Miss you all, love you all, smile because He has claimed victory and one day we'll get to party with the King.

Joshua Aakre

The Day After

Good morning readers,

Today is a day of relaxation, catch up and clean up.

Let's back track and pick up where I last left off.

Thursday...  A day filled with homework, juniors practice, and an evening out on the town.  Let's change that evening into a night on the town.  The Germans do know how to go until the wee hours of the morning; I was not prepared for the night that had become.

Friday... Last day with the juniors camp, so a finalization of the offense and defense that finished with some scrimmaging.  They are coming along great and look to perform in their first game coming up in about 3 weeks.  After their practice, we had our beginning of spring camp.  Weather has turned from a beautiful sunny 70 ish degrees, to a cloudy, drizzly 50's.  We put in our special teams, so for the offensive line and myself that meant repping running plays in the gym.  This is good because I wasn't outside freezing my Minnesota cahoona's.

Saturday... Long filled day with camp.  Started at 9 a.m. and didn't get out of there until 8:30 p.m.  A combined total of 6 hours of practice, 2 warm up sessions, 2 bowls of soup and 2 pork chops consumed all were followed by a collapse into my bed that evening.  After the first real day of camp, I would compliment everyone's enthusiasm and quickness to pick up on their roles.

Sunday... Another 2.5 hours of practice yesterday morning, followed by another delicious bowl of soup, a nap, another warm up session and a scrimmage against a GFL 4 team.  It was interesting to put together our team, we have a few missing links in our offensive line.  We implemented 2 defensive lineman to finish off the O-line so we could scrimmage.  They all did wonderful. It's a start and an overall sense of looking to continue to improve.  3 weeks until our scrimmage of the GFL 1 team and 5 weeks until our first divisional game.

(Picture from our scrimmage)

Today will be a day of cleaning, rest and relaxation, and prepare for the week.  School work is coming along well, we still don't have our van so looking to test the bus to get to our fitness center.  Post-scrimmage workout will be light but a little hot tub and sauna will feel good.  Meet up with some friends for lunch and be back tonight to finish laundry, cleaning the upstairs and bathroom, and hanging out with my German family tonight.

Take care MN,

Joshua Aakre