Hold the Rope

The Tigers are 2-1, with a convincing win over the Essen Cardinals and two other games that were true fights for 48 minutes. 


What does holding the rope mean? You are hanging from the edge of a cliff five hundred yards in the air. The only thing between you and falling to the ground is a piece of rope with the person of your choice on the other end.
Who do you know that you can trust enough? Who do you know who has enough guts to withstand rope burn, watch blood drip from his hands, and still not let go?
Look around and ask, ‘Who can I trust to hold the rope?’ Who will let his hands bleed for me? If you can look at every member of your team and say they will hold the rope, then your team will win!

In this poem, a depiction of trust and love can be seen.  These two attributes are what keeps the one hanging alive.  Trust, as defined by Merriam Webster, a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship.  This is the type of a relationship that is formed with Brothers, and I have been blessed to have a whole new set of Brothers on the Osnabrueck Tigers Football Team.

The other attribute described is love.  "Who will let his hands bleed for me?" This is nearly the greatest showcase of love; John 15:13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Nails didn't hold God to a cross.  Love did.  This is a love that Jesus demonstrated for the world, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God," and through his sacrifice, we have been given life. 

In a song by Matt Maher - Hold Us Together, his chorus reads, "Love will hold us together.  Make us a shelter to weather the storm.  And I'll be my brother's keeper, so the whole world will know that were not alone." 

Men,

When we step out on that field tomorrow, I want you to know this; I will bleed for you, I will fight for you, I believe in you that you are the greatest GFL 2 team in the division.  Let's go take that championship, starting today; through a trust developed with this Brotherhood and a love that is sacrificial where we'll bleed for each other.

We are not alone.
Joshua Aakre


What's been going on?
The past week has been another rainy week in Osnabrueck, glimpses of sun will show here and there but ultimately has led to a rainy week.  Chris man has been healing up from last games bangs and I have tried not to hurt myself any further.

Thank you for all your support and prayers; keep sending them to Germany.

Deuteronomy 20:1, "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you."
 

The Night Before...

 Boom... Here comes the Tigers!  It's our home opener and we're ready for the Jets.  The Troisdorf Jets don't know what is about to hit them.

The following is something that has been on my mind and that I shared with both the Senior and Youth teams today:

In the states, everyone knows the story of Old McDonald and his farm, but I don’t know if you have ever heard this version…

Old McDonald had a farm, E I E I O (I’ll stop with that now).

Now Old McDon had a classic farm with all sorts of different animals, but after his excursions to Africa, he decided to add a new animal to the farm. A Zebra; this is the Zebra’s story.

Now the Zebra being in a foreign environment, he had to explore his new home. In his exploration, he met many new animals and asked what their jobs were because he himself didn’t know his job on the farm.

“Hello Mr. Piggy, what’s your job?” Zebra said.
“My job is to grow fat and supply Mr. McDon with bacon,” Mr. Piggy replied.
“What’s my job?” Zebra asked.
He got no reply.

“Hello Mr. Sheepy Sheep, what’s your job?” Zebra said.
“My job is to grow hairy and supply Mr. McDon with wool,” Mr. Sheepy Sheep replied.
“What’s my job?” Zebra asked.
He got no reply.

“Hello Ms. Chicken, what’s your job?” Zebra said.
“My job is to lay eggs for Mr. McDon,” Ms. Chicken said.
“What’s my job?” Zebra asked.
He got no reply.

“Hello Ms. Moo Moo Cow, what’s your job?” Zebra said.
“My job is to produce milk for Mr. McDon,” Ms. Moo Moo Cow said.
“What’s my job?” Zebra asked.
He got no reply.

“Hello Mr. Bull, what’s your job?” Zebra said.
Mr. Bull turned towards Mr. Zebra and said, “Why don’t you take off those silly Pajamas and I’ll show you.”

What is your job? During college, the head coach shared this story every season. The message every time was “do your job!”

Gentlemen… I’ve been extremely blessed and honored to be apart of this team. There is greatness in the Tigers that can’t be found in other places.

Pulling from the greatest book and world’s best-seller:
1 Corinthians 12:12-26, “12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free —and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Tomorrow is war, not decided on one play but after 48 minutes. Let us lay down all selfishness and be unified as the Tigers. “No greater love has a man than to lay down his life for a friend.”

It’s a fight… Let’s go!

Summing this up, basically we are all different.  We all have lived different lives, have different and unique abilities and all have been blessed with different gifts and talents.  But with all this differentness, we need to become one.  SYNERGY: was a word Coach Bergy used last night at our Friday practice and it describes perfectly who we need to become.  Alone we are weak, but together we are a force.

Isaiah 54:16b-17, "And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,”declares the Lord.

Thank you for all the prayers; I believe God's hand is on this team and victory will be claimed through His son Jesus Christ.   Boom... Here we go!

 

It's a family affair...

Updates:
Saturday - Technically, I graduated and walked at 3:00 p.m. local time or 8:00 a.m. minnesota time.  I finished my papers and my last final exam was on Friday.  It's incredible to think that for the past 4 years I've been at teh great BU and now it's over.  It's an incredible relief but at the same time now the unknown has hit.  What is next?

We also had a huge gathering at teh house for Eike and Daniela's recent 30th birthdays.  May have had 60+ people here at some point and the backyard was the ultimate BBQ with food, drinks, tables, candles, etc.  Just the best, because of my graduation I dubbed it my grad party and it was the best possible grad party I could have ever imagined in Germany.

The entire family got home, which is always great to see the entire family getting together and celebrating.  The Klietsch clan is up to 11 if Chris and I are included, which we do believe we've been adopted.

 (Family of future great slackliners)

 (Preparing for the Grand Canyon and going with style)

 (Momma's rose) 

(They are still alive)

Sunday - A complete relax day, did nothing but eat and sleep.  I'm so lazy....

Monday - It's already 75 degrees and sunny and it's just after lunch.  What a day!  The slack line has been pulled out and I can't say I've impressed anyone with my skills, but it is a great time.  Lounging outside and enjoying the sun, brings me back to the days on the docks of Belize with my Interim class last January.  

Life is good.

Practice later and the junior QB's and I are going to get together to do a mini QB camp.  Troisdorf Jets this coming weekend and it's our first home game of the season.  GO TIGERS!!!

Joshua Aakre

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:1, 31)

"I feel like a Monkey"

 With the end of last week, May week was finishing up.  Chris, Marv and I went for a stroll through town one night, I believe last Thursday, and Marv had an incredible comment.

"I feel like a monkey in the zoo," Marv said.

Chris and I both thought, how so, to our selves.  "Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey doesn't recognize anyone," continued Marv. 

Actually, Marv is right, he may be one of the most popular people in Osnabrueck.  At least, that has been my observation on multiple occasions.

This past week, it has been gorgeous out.  Ranging from mid 70's to mid 80's, and the sun has been shining.  Finally summer is coming and it will be summer next week because I have my final final today and graduate tomorrow.  It's been a crazy and wild ride the past 4 years, but thank you BU for your time.

Wednesday:
Chris and I decided to hit up the zoo, and like I previously stated with was a beautiful day in Germany.  The sun was shining and by early afternoon the animals started to move around a bit.

Highlights of the zoo would definitely include the lions, tigers, and bears... Oh my.  Except the tiger(s) was out of his cage for some reconstruction stuff, so the zoo was on lock down looking for him.  That was a bad joke. 

The giraffes, there may have been a half dozen of them with a lonely zebra, were the first main attraction and they looked good, next came more African animals with baboon's, monkeys, and hyenas.

 

(The giraffe's standing tall) 

 

(Chris man posing with the baboons in the background)

(The baby monkey was so cute)

After we got out of Africa, more creatures were lurking around the corner.  We felt awful for the Artic Fox who was well away from his home and looking like he was baking in the German sun.  Also, the penguins and sea lions looked to be enjoying a nice swim in the pool but also far from their home.

One of the oldest beasts of the zoo, was the big old tortoise.  I asked, "How did he get to be so big?"  Chris' reply, "All he does is eat and doesn't move."  "Fair enough," I said. 

 (The tortoise doing his thing)

We were soon joined by some local friends and then we got some ice cream around 12:30.  We went to see the penguins, buffalos, elephants (probably 6ish of them as well), rhinos (4 of them and they were BIG), and finished off with some northern North American animal, the Bear.)

 

(Chris man checking out the wolf in the bears cage)

The zoo was great and we probably could have spent an extra couple hours there checking out the animals, but I had to leave for some rehab and we had practice that night.  Needless to say after the day in the sun, rehab, and practice; I slept like a baby Wednesday night.

Heide Park: the Greatest Amusement park in all of Germany! (That's self dubbed)

We met at McDon's for breakfast around 9 ish and were on the road by 9:45.  After passing, what we thought to be a biker gang, we met up with another one miles down the autobon as we stopped for gas.  We were pushing empty and thank the Lord we didn't run out of gas, because that would have been a big damper in the day.

Heide Park from 12:15 to 5:00 was all fun and games.

  

(The gang at Heide Park: myself, Chris man, Oli and Bjorn)

We couldn't contain our inner child.  We had a legit reason to unleash our inner 12 year old.  We had a blast.

 

 (Map of Heide Park: big place to have fun)

We started out on the classic log ride and river rafting to get splashed a little and to remind ourselves that we are only as old as we think we are.  

With an array of rollercoasters and other rides, we had a long fun filled afternoon.

 

(The guys posing with Colossus in the background)

 (Chris man truly scared)

Let me tell you about Colossus, it holds the Guinness book of world records for the steepest wooden rollercoaster in the world.  Has an initial drop of 61 degrees and gets you going over 120 km/h, pretty narly I will say.  But Chris wasn't truly scared, Oli was and decided he wasn't going to join us.

 (Still a cheap college kid)

After looking through my pictures, this is the picture we should have bought from the park.  The choo choo train was actually really great and was one of the only pics where all 4 of us were in it.  Should've bought this one.

 (Oli in one of the spinning cars)

This picture might be out of order of how our day went, but let me inform you about how my body works.  I wake up in the morning and like to shower, after breakfast I'll normally brush my teeth and watch some ESPN: America.  Generally after meals, I like to rest and not over exert myself.  With that being said, we found lunch after Colossus because it was roughly 1:30 and we were hungry.  Surrounding the burger joint where we ate, were an array of short lined, spinning rides.  Legitimately we walked off of one and straight onto another.  I was feeling nauseous for the rest of the afternoon.

 (The Cracke: I think we fell straight down)

I think you call it the Cracken because after falling down you end up going through a giant octopus mouth.  This one was great and the second to last roller coaster we road.  We sat in the front row, and they hung you off the edge, before cruising on through the ride.  So great...

Next came the Big Loop, which will never be forgotten.  Nothing too crazy like the previous roller coasters or scream tower that we had been on.  Just like the name states, it has a big loop, actually 2 of them followed by a corkscrew.  Pretty fun, but since it was near the end of the day, we went back to back because no one was behind us.

Bad Idea!  After the first time, I was feeling okay.   But after round 2, remember how I felt nauseous, yeah... 

"Uh oh..." I said.  Bjorn replied, "You look pretty pale."  The ride ended, he left to the right, I went left, blew out that cheeseburger and fries, and then was laughed at by the workers because they knew the custodians would have to clean it up not them.  Needless to say, I finally felt better.

On the ride home, I slept as the other guys took more photos and videos of me passed out in the back seat.  Classic.

We finished off our day at a Mexican restaurant in Osnabrueck, so Chris and I finally got our Mexican fix that we had been craving for so long.  It was soo good.  The Fajitas might have been the best I've ever had.

Californication

Hey!

I realize it's been over a week since my last post so there's some material to cover.

Today:  It's a gorgeous day out.  Forecast is to hit 70 ish and sunny.  At this point, the weather man hasn't been a paid liar today.  

 (Chris man enjoying the sun after a great lunch)

Yesterday:  After lunch yesterday, we went for groceries and got some new additions for our garden.  We've got a project to accomplish at some point, when Momma makes us, but the backyard has started to bloom and looks pretty good thanks to all that German rain. 

 (Here's what we got)

The common question I have received when being here for 8 ish weeks, boy how the time has passed, is: How do you like Germany?  Germany is great, the people are incredible, and the food is good.  Whether that being good food or attributed to Momma Klietsch's cooking, you can decide that.  The only thing I would change is the stinking weather, up until this point it has seemed to rain a good majority of the week and hasn't seemed to get much above 60 degrees, but that looks to change for the summer weather is coming.

 Ryan "Nails" Naylor and I had a conversation before our presentation on Monday, one of his questioned was would you have prepared differently?  Maybe change some of my wardrobe but that's about it.  Although coming over here happened so quickly, a calmness was over the whole situation. Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  

(The one nice byproduct from the German rain)

Other events that have been going on:

This past week has been May Week in town.  Big weekish long party, kind of looking like a fair or carnival back in the states or Riverfest, Dawson MN, on steroids.  Booths ranging from chocolate covered strawberries, to cotton candy (mom, I never got any), to caramel corn, to pizza, to chinese food, to of course beer.  I think we've counted nearly 5 or 6 different stages set up in town where music seems to be playing constantly.  It's great...  

Marv, Chris and I went last thursday night and cruised around checking out the sights.  Running into a few people we knew and heard some good stories.

Tuesday: Chris and I left for the night around 7 ish and found a couple Tiger's players, Marcel, Alex, and Witali, which was the kick off to a pretty fun May Week night.  Sat outside a cafe and bar for a couple hours through the rain and listened to some music.  Later, we decided to hit up the Moonfluge, probably spelled wrong, which was hopping with high school seniors who had just finished their finals for the semester.  As always it was a late night, I think we finally stepped back into our house around 5 a.m., but I will say McDon's BigMac does taste pretty good at 4:30 in the morning.

Sunday: Got to church and had a grand old time with the 7 other members of the congregation.  So blessed to have been set up with this church over here.  Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

What's left:

I'm almost a graduated college student.  I had a group presentation for international business last monday night, I finished the  last remaining paper for my Monday night P course on Thursday afternoon, and all that remains is a International Business final next Friday.  It's crazy to think 4 years ago, I stepped onto the campus of BU for nearly the first time and now I could basically count the times I'll ever be back.  Hopefully I'm wrong with that comment because I have applied for a traveling admissions rep for the school which would be a great opportunity once returning to the states.

Tonight we are going to have a BBQ and watch the Bayern Munchen (spelling again) vs. Chelsea play in the final tonight.  Should be a great time with some friends and food.

Tomorrow: the Osnabrueck Tigers head down the road to play the Essen Cardinals.  Weather looks to be great and great hope of a good game.

Updates:

Ankle is feeling pretty good, maybe 95% so I'm moving at least.  Team is slowing coming back together, a few players have recently been in the hospital but were at practice tonight.  Thank you to all who have kept us in your prayers for team health.  It's a long season yet. 

Prayer Requests:  Continued healing for the team, strength, wisdom and discernment to live as He had lived.

Love you all.

Joshua Aakre

Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Bella Vista

The greatest Italian spot in Osnabrueck.

Bella Vista is a little hole in the wall pizzeria, which serves the best Pizza and baked pasta, we have found.  

 (Chris man: enjoying some of Germany's finest)

Story time about Chris...  Hope he don't mind.  So when it comes to food, he is a very well rounded guy who will try and eat about anything.  Is not picky what so ever, which is really nice when it comes to eating because nothing is off limits.  But, when it comes to Bella Vista, he won't venture past the Pizza Hawaii.  I guess when you've found the best dish, why dabble around.  We've been there roughly 6 times and every time, without a doubt it's the pizza hawaii.  He did say next time he was going to get the Calzone, that was 3 times ago, and nope he sure hasn't.

This was the first spot Marv took us; it's become a weekly tradition. 

 

(It's all about the pasta)

I'm all about the baked pasta, comes out boiling and it is so good.  I guess Chris could argue that all I've gotten is the pasta and not the pizza, but I've gotten different pastas.  They are soo good.

Last week we met a photographer on a tour of Europe who was from Atlanta.

Still have rehab for the ankle, today a offensive lineman came in from Serbia and will be living at the practice facility, and each day graduation is itching closer.

Thank you for all the prayers.

Joshua Aakre
Micah 6:8

TGBTG

"To God Be the Glory"

I guess it's appropriate to start off back a few days, last Tuesday was a gorgeous day in Germany.  Chris and I took a little tour of Osnabrueck with all it's sights given by one of our cheerleaders, she loves the arts and is very knowledgeable about the cities history.

 (Us standing in St. Peter's Cathedral)

Traveling around the city you start to notice many common features.  One of the symbols that has great significance to Osnabrueck is the wagon wheel, although I have no idea what it's for; it was seen all over. 

 (Chris man and the wheel)

Osnabrueck suffered heavy damage during WWII and only some of the old architecture still remains, while there is a lot of modern ideas seen in the newer buildings.  

Osnabrueck Tigers vs. Hildeshime Invaders 

Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 It was a glorious Saturday on the battlefield of Hildeshime.  We were met with 55 degrees and on and off showers, which made for rather difficult offensive game for both teams.  The first half ended 6-0 in favor of the Invaders as they scored during the mid first quarter on a short field after a slick ball escaped our punter.

The second quarter was uneventful on the score board as both teams registered goose eggs for the quarter.  At half time, we came together as an offense and as a team to "regroup" for the second half and discuss what we were looking to accomplish.

The third quarter started off with a bang after Chris nearly housed a punt, "I decided to fall over," he later said, "just so you could score."  He's so kind.  We did score on the next play and with a successful PAT took the lead 7-6. 

Don't really remember how the next scores fell but we were leading in the fourth quarter 17-12 when Chris got loose on a route and scored, on what would have been a 70ish yard TD, but a penalty on our sideline for an infraction costs us that big play, I guess it's a penalty that costs a down as well as 15 yards?  Better check the rule book.  "Welcome to Germany!" yelled one of the chattiest defensive backs I've ever heard.

Later that quarter the invaders scored on a long deep bomb that would put them up 18-17, and after a few ball exchanges we had the ball with roughly 2 mins left and on our own 30 ish yard line.  We drove the field, scored on about a 10 yard slant-out and Chris man caught a curl for the 2 point conversion.  Putting the Tigers up 25-18 with only 30ish secs left. 

The Invaders were unsuccessful in their attempts to drive and score before the clock ran out.

(Postgame photo: we look good!)

We start the season off 1-0 in GFL 2 play. Alles klar.

Nothing too serious in the report of injuries after the game but I'll ask for continual prayers for healing with roughly 11 guys still on the IR.  

Church this morning was great, the 9 of us had a blast, and coming home to pancakes was a delightful treat.  Momma Klietsch sure knows how to feed two football players.

School is down to 3 weeks, only a paper, project and a test still eludes my graduation.  It's getting close.

Joshua Aakre

Osnabrueck Tigers QB

Psalms 100