Radio Report 2 from Cesana
Published by Andrew Edwards February 25th, 2006Radio Report 1 from Cesana
Published by Andrew Edwards February 25th, 2006Parting thoughts
Published by Heidi Miller February 24th, 2006 in Torino 2006Friday, February 24, 2006
| One thing I’m learning on this trip is the awesomeness of our great God. The things I’ve seen, the history I’ve had the chance to reflect on, and the beauty of this place overwhelmes me at various times during the day as I begin to grasp the magnitutde of who God is and how he has worked in people’s lives throughout the centuries. To think the same God who St. Peter died for is the same God who works in my life today, and the same God who created these mountain majesties with a sweep of his hand. It’s overwhelming at times. One of my favorite times are when we have early calls and we are in the bus, driving up the mountain. It’s so neat to look over the valleys and see the little lights in the villages below. It is usually just light enough to see the snowy mountains all around us, and it’s so peaceful (usually because everyone on the bus is sleeping). I put on my ipod and reflect on how awesome this experience has been, and how much God is working in my life. The other day, as we were going down the mountians, the sun was just beginning to set. It was very bright, with steep shadows in the valleys, and as I looked down, I could see clouds below us, hovering over the little houses down there, and glistening with the bright sunshine. It was more than breathtaking. It’s hard to take pictures here, because I just know they will never tell the story of what I am really experiencing, and how overwhelmingly beautiful these mountains are. We serve an amazing God. I cannot help but wonder how you can doubt his existence in moments like that one, where everything is just too perfect, too beautiful, to acclaim to anything other than a God who loves us so dearly.
On a different note, tomorrow is our last competition day! As the games are coming to a close, I find myself so excited to go home again, to see Daniel, and to just be in a familiar, comfortable place again. And yet, my heart is so sad. It is difficult to think of leaving these people who need the Lord so desperately. Some of the conversations and relationships I’ve formed in these 2 short weeks have astounded me. I want so badly for these people to experience life in a greater way…in God’s way. It will be hard to say goodbye. My prayer is that I would be able to stay in touch with some of them. I know seeds have definitely been planted in some of them and it’s such a blessing to have other Asburians around me who are also investing into the same people. Watching them progress, and ask questions, well, it’s an exciting thing. I know the Lord has started a work here in some of these people…and I just have to believe he will be faithful to bring that work to completion! It is sad to leave this mission field, but I know that the Lord knew from the beginning when I would return to Asbury, and that I will not be leaving his “mission field” for me by returning home. There are always people all around me who I can touch in His name…they just seem so much more abundant around these areas! Anyhow, that’s all I’ve got for now. Pray for the students who will still be here for another week or so. It is hard to be strong when everyone familiar leaves, and when you don’t have that support to run to anymore. The times we’ve had after work is over have been amazing. We stay up late sometimes, watch movies, talk about our days, and just have a really good time getting to know each other. The memories have been plentiful and I am so thankful for having had the chance to come to this Olympics. Can I challenge you all today, to pray for someone who desperately needs Him. And not just a “God, show your face to this person” but a real, heartfelt, passionate prayer for their hearts. May we not forget how much the Lord has done for us! |
At Ladies’ Giant Slalom
Published by Taylor Vinson February 24th, 2006 in Torino 20062.24.06
I am writing this in the middle of working the mixed zone here at the Ladies’ Giant Slalom today. I have really enjoyed working the mixed zone, and I hope that I will also be doing so tomorrow afternoon which will be during our final day of competition. Wednesday saw a few funny moments. For one, I was almost “that guy.”
Wednesday’s Ladies’ Slalom was our first competition here that had a medal ceremony immediately following. The mother of the bronze medalist came up to me and asked me if she could pass into the area where the athletes walk. She didn’t have any accreditation, which is a problem. I almost didn’t let her pass, but my superior motioned for me to let her and her husband through. I would have felt horrible if she hadn’t been able to go through.
Another funny moment was when we were following Anja Paerson, the gold medalist from Sweden, as she left the venue. They rushed her into a truck right outside our office here by the grandstand. A bunch of the Swedish team was outside the truck cheering her on, and then they saw that Anja’s truck was getting a police escort, and they all went crazy, shouting, “OH, POLICE ESCORT! POLICE ESCORT!”
They royal family of Spain is here this morning to cheer on a few of their skiers. I don’t think we’ll have to deal with them in the mixed zone since the Spanish skiers aren’t doing so well as of now. We’ll see about the second run. I have gotten to exchange a few words here and there with skiers, including Hermann Maier (spelling?) and the Swedish skier that was with Anja on the medals stand the other night (I don’t remember her name, but she’s supposed to be one of the best lady skiers of all time).
This may be my last post from Italy, but when I return I plan to put up a link to some pictures that I’ll throw online, and I’ll probably post at least one more time for some summary comments.
Last days in Italy
Published by Josh Taber February 24th, 2006 in Torino 2006Hello to all from the Alps,
My time here in Sauze d’Oulx, Italy has come to an end. Â The trip has gone by so fast, but it has been a great experience. Â I’ve learned so much about life in Europe. Â This past week was probably one of the best I had here in Italy. Â Crew call has been 3pm or later everyday, which left the mornings free to do as we wished. Â I usually used this free time either sleep in or take a trip to Torino. Â Wednesday I spend my morning and early afternoon skiing for the first time. Â I was able to slowly make it down the mountain twice as countless numbers of advanced skiers flew past. Â It was quite challenging to say the least, but the view was well worth it.
Yesterday was the last day of medals competitions here at the freestyle venue. Â We didn’t have to be at the venue till 3:45pm, so I got up around 7am and took the train into Torino. Â My first objective for the morning was to take the elevator ride up through the Museum of Cinema to the lookout deck at it’s peak. Â (This building has served as the city’s icon throughout the games.) Â Unfortunatly the view wasn’t too great due to the haze but it was still worth it. Â I then walked several blocks to the Piazza San Carlo where NBC’s Today show set is located. Â I ended up waiting around for an hour until the show went live at 1pm. Â I stood in the front row and was able to get on TV for my family to watch back home. Â At 1:20pm I had to make my way back to the Porta Nova train station to catch a train back to Sauze d’Oulx.
The Men’s Aerials competition last night was electrifying. Â The majority of the athletes were landing their jumps which made the competition even harder. Â Up were I was standing, under the kickers, the coaches were hanging on to every jump. Â It was great to be that close to the action. Â Interestingly enough China’s coach made a comment before the start of the finals that he was just glad that they had made it to the finals, and weren’t going to be worried about getting a medal. Â And what do you know they take home the gold. Â The fireworks display after the flowers ceremony was a great close to the end of a fun day.
After the event was over, those of us on the TOBO crew spent several hours breaking all the cameras down and hauling the equipment back the the trucks at the compound. Â We were able to get so much done last night that we were told we didn’t have to come in to work today. Â It was kind of hard to leave the venue which I had been coming to for the last 19 days, yet at the same time I’m ready to get out of here. Â This morning I slept in till 11am and then began packing all the free memorabilia I’ve picked up over the last few weeks to bring home. Â Tomorrow I will begin my long journey back to little ole Wilmore, Kentucky. Â My internet cafe time is about to expire so with that I must say.. farewell from Italy!
Ciao,
Josh Taber
The black diamond of death
Published by Jeremy White February 24th, 2006 in Torino 2006So the other day, I was given the day off. I decided to go ski with Mike who also had the day off. We went to Claviere which is on the border of France and Italy. I have only skied one other time in all my life and that was four years ago. I am a rookie. I’m not a pro, triple A or even single A. I am t-ball.
My plan was to ski a few green runs and then maybe a blue run or two. There were no green runs, but I was doing ok on the blue course. So we head up even higher. Now I am on a red course. There is only one problem. I can only go straight down. I can’t really go from side to side. I flew down that course like a bullet. Had I hit a tree I would have gone right through it.
Mike told me I would probably be dead by the end of the day if I kept skiing like the maniac I was. So he brought me on as his padwon and trained me in the ways of the ski force. I was getting better. My Jedi Master taught me well.
Unfortunately, my Jedi Master Mike turned out to be evil. We found a place where I would ski a red and he would ski a black diamond. But Jedi Mike used his powers and somehow t-ball Jeremy ended up skiing down the black diamond of death. I have never seen a steeper hill in all my life. I crashed about every 10 feet. My body still aches 2 days later.
Mike later claimed I took a wrong turn, but I know the truth. Oh yeah, I still kept on skiing. But then the fog rolled in and I couldn’t see more than 30 feet ahead of me. I will never ski again… maybe.
 Anakin White
news story #2 on 2/24
Published by Jeremy White February 24th, 2006 in Torino 2006Search
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This month, 29 Asbury College students, three alumni and one faculty member will participate in broadcasting the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. Check out their experiences below...
