David Van Wagenen

Good afternoon everyone. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and I hope everyone enjoyed the time off with their family and friends. It’s a perfect fall day outside, and I hope you’ve had a chance to enjoy it.

We do not have any big events coming up before the Christmas holidays, but I wanted to mention a few things. The Mercy Street staff will have a Christmas party hosted at the Hill residence. It will be a lot of fun, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone there. Also, the staff will be off for the holidays from December 19 through January 2. If there are any announcements that come up during the week or important news events to share, we will certainly do so. Have a wonderful day and don’t forget your jacket!

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-free-agents-111128/what-top-nba-free-agents-really-worth

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 "You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a rown that will last forever. I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air. I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others."

David Van Wagenen

Hello everyone. I hope everyone had a good weekend, even with the rainy weather. Thanksgiving is a few days away and time is running out to get your turkey!

I want to let everybody know that Mercy Street will be taking off tomorrow and through the remainder of the week and weekend for the Thanksgiving holidays. We will return a week from today, on November 28^th. I also want to thank everybody that was involved in the luncheon on Wednesday as well as the potluck on Saturday. You helped make both events great for the kids and parents. Everything went well and we are excited to make next year’s even better. Mercy Street wishes all of you a safe and fun Thanksgiving!

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/dallas/nba/story/_/id/7254456/dallas-mavericks-dirk-nowitzki-find-overseas-team-soon

Proverbs 25:27 “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor.” 

David Van Wagenen

Good afternoon everyone. We held our annual luncheon/fundraiser yesterday afternoon and the weather was perfect. We had our largest crowd to date and were really encouraged by all the people that came. I want to say thank you to Bubbas for catering the wonderful food and all the people that helped to make this event a great success.

The weekend is almost here, and we have a big event in just two days. Our annual potluck will be held outside at Mercy Street in the back by the basketball court. We will provide lots of food, but we also encourage people to bring food as well. We expect a big turnout and are excited about the event. The event will start at 10:00 A.M. and will end at 2:00 P.M. We will be grilling hot dogs, playing games and taking family portraits. We will also have a chili and pie contest as well as horseback rides and karaoke. We encourage everyone to come even if it is only for a short period of time, and invite anyone you think might be interested in attending.

Thanks again for everyone who helped make the fundraiser a success. These types of events are vital to Mercy Street and the goals we are trying to achieve. We are so grateful for the support from the community!

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/7227081/shaquille-oneal-holds-little-back-new-book

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

David Van Wagenen

Good afternoon. I hope everybody is doing well.

With soccer season over and the holidays around the corner, we will be transitioning to baseball in the near future. Remember the season starts towards the end of March and will be hosting tryouts and a draft a month or so before we officially begin.

We have a few events going on at Mercy Street this week. There will be a luncheon/fundraiser on Wednesday. Lunch will be provided. We will inform potential donors and members of the greater Dallas community about what Mercy Street is made of, and we will describe to them our goals that we seek to accomplish in West Dallas. It should be a fun and insightful event, and we encourage you, as representatives of the West Dallas community, to participate.

   

This Saturday will feature a community potluck where we will have food and games for the kids. There will also be an area for pictures and activities for adults as well. We had a great turnout last year and expect even more people this year. We will keep you updated and provide any additional information as it becomes available.

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7234180/nba-lockout-players-not-accept-deal-seek-decertify-billy-hunter-says

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

David Van Wagenen

Hey everyone. I hope we all had a good weekend and enjoyed the exciting soccer games that took place a few days ago. The fields were a little damp but that did not deter the kids from having a good time and trying their best. We grilled hot dogs and hamburgers for all the kids and parents and they seemed to really enjoy it. Surveys were also collected that had been passed out in previous practices and games and received important feedback. We will look at the results and improve as best we can.

Individual and team pictures were supposed to be given out last weekend but the photographer is behind schedule. We are currently coordinating with the Lakewest YMCA to see if we can have the parents pick the pictures up at the YMCA or have the parents come to Mercy Street at a certain time and day. We will keep you posted on the situation and hope to have a decision soon.

Baseball season is approaching and we still need coaches and umpires. If you know anyone that would be willing to help or would like to help yourself, please let us know. Tryouts will be held in February and the draft will follow in March. The season will officially start in late March or early April so get excited for a fun baseball season ahead.

Sports Article of The Day:

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/7204688/nba-players-union-consensus-unlikely-owners-offer-source-says

Philippians 3:12-14 
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

David Van Wagenen

Good afternoon everyone. I wanted to check in one last time before the big day tomorrow. We have some exciting match-ups that will be played and look forward to seeing the fields full of people. Make sure you get enough rest tonight so you can play to your full potential and bring a jacket or coat because the morning will be cold. Remember we will have food and drinks for sale, so bring some extra cash, and medals will be given out after the games are over.

I had the privilege to accompany Daniel and Lee to C.F. Carver Elementary today to hear Johnny Harris speak to the kids. He talked about his life as an NFL football player, describing ways he dealt with different situations leading up his career in professional football. He also talked about how everybody needs a backup plan, even professional athletes, and stressed how education can lead to different opportunities in life. I was really impressed with his message, and hope we can bring in other influential people to speak to the kids in the future.

Thanks to everyone who helps Mercy Street and the West Dallas community. Have a safe and wonderful weekend and we look forward to a fun-filled day tomorrow.

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/page/1stand10-11week9/biggest-nfl-games-week-9-john-clayton

Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

David Van Wagenen

Hey everyone. The weather has been changing and it is getting colder day by day. The forecast for this weekend will be in the mid 60’s so make sure you bring a coat of some sort. We don’t want any kids or parents feeling ill because of the current weather changes going on.

Congratulations to all the teams in the 4 and under division as their season finished last weekend. It was a joy to watch our youngest kids learn the game of soccer, and we are excited to see them back next year. The rest of the age divisions finish their season this upcoming weekend. The 6 and under division has 1 final game while the rest of the age groups will have their playoff games and a champion will be crowned from each age group. We will be grilling hot dogs and serving refreshments throughout the games, so bring cash if you want to eat or drink.

This soccer season has been a great success and we are so fortunate to have awesome kids and great parents helping make this possible!

Sports Article of the Day: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=111103/LesMiles

Mark 8:34-38 “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.’”

David Van Wagenen

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween night last night. The weather was perfect for trick-or-treating, and I hope you all were able to take your kids around the neighborhood to get some goodies!

We will focus on shooting today in practice, emphasizing shooting while running, as well as stopping the ball and then shooting. This is an area where the kids should focus their practice leading up to this weekend. We will be serving grilled hotdogs at the conclusion of the games this weekend, and we’ll hand out trophies and crown the champions. It will be a longer Saturday on the fields than normal, so please prepare accordingly. The weather might make Saturday morning a bit chilly, so please send a few extra layers with the kids so they are comfortable throughout the day.

We are excited to see everyone tonight and can’t wait for our last fun weekend of soccer!

Sports Article of the Day: http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/columnist/carlisle_jeff/id/7174635/mls-playoffs-five-thoughts-action-far-jeff-carlisle

2 Timothy 2:5 “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.”