Barcelona vs. AC Milan
Posted by Orrin Woodward on March 13, 2013
Woodward Family @ Camp Nou
My son Jeremy loves soccer. No, on second thought, he is a soccer fanatic! 🙂 In fact, his passion for the players and the game has made me a fan from his sheer enthusiasm. Consequently, when the Woodward family was discussing potential vacation spots, Barcelona was always Jeremy’s request. His perseverance paid off and we planned a vacation to Barcelona to watch a live “football” game. Looking at the schedule, we realized the best game to watch would be Barcelona against AC Milan the week before our kids scheduled spring break. However, since our teenagers are all doing great in school, we talked with the school and were off to Europe.
Shortly after checking into our hotel, we were notified that the Barcelona team would be staying at the same hotel! Jeremy, with his jerseys in hand, parked himself in the lobby, along with his siblings and Laurie, for nearly eight hours to see the players up close. Thankfully, the team did enter the hotel and a couple of players signed Jeremy’s jersey. Proudly displaying his signatures, Jeremy stated that signing this jersey would certainly help the players on game-day. I wasn’t sure how he thought that, but didn’t say anything at the time.
Tuesday could not arrive fast enough as Jeremy was up, showered, and dressed by 7:30 am to get breakfast, hoping to see more players downstairs. (This soccer stuff is cutting into my vacation sleep! 🙂 ) When we left for the Camp Nou stadium, Jeremy, and the other kids, were on cloud 9. The mass of humanity and the intensity at the football game were beyond my wildest expectations. I have never seen so many fanatics (I say that with all respect) in one place at one time. The fans had songs, cheers, and taunts, that erupted intermittently during the game as if on queue, even though there was no monitor telling them when or what to cheer.
Barcelona vs AC Milan
Barcelona had lost to AC Milan several weeks back and needed to not only win, but win by at least two in order to advance. The pressure was on, but the best teams and best leaders always respond well to pressure. Barcelona did not disappoint. Within the first seven minutes Messi made a spectacular give and go pass and break to the net, sending a rocket through the outstretched arms of the goalie to score. The crowd (over 94,000 strong) exploded and the Woodward family vacation was shaping up nicely. Later, another goal from Messi and Barcelona never looked back, winning 4-0 before the rowdiest crowd at a sporting event ever.
Interestingly, Jordi Alba, one of the players that signed Jeremy’s jersey, scored a goal just as Jeremy had predicted. One of the Biblical principles taught to our kids over the years is that you reap what you sow in life. Jordi sowed an act of kindness when he signed Jeremy’s jersey and he reaped a reward the next day. (No one can guarantee the reap and reward process will occur so quickly, we hope, however, that you will sow acts of kindness anyway since it is the right thing to do. 🙂 ) At any rate, Jordi’s kind actions made a young man’s dream come true and for that I am thankful to our God above lining up all the pieces and to Jordi for sowing good seeds.
Well, enough writing for now, I have to get ready to go to the City Museum and see one of the best-kept ancient Roman cities unearthed under modern Barcelona. The LIFE Business is allowing so many people to chase and capture their dreams. I hope everyone is planting good seeds into others people’s lives on faith that over time people reap what they sow.
Sincerely,
Alves and Alba Celebrate Signing Jeremy’s Jersey 🙂
62 Responses to “Barcelona vs. AC Milan”
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Gail Johnson Bullard said
Orrin it sounds like an awesome time!! Gods word is always true that is one guarantee we can all beat on… (If I can use the word ‘beat’ and ‘God’ in the same sentence) Thanks for sharing and enjoy your family!
Beth said
AWESOME!!!thanks for sharing this, Orrin! I’m just finishing reading Chris’ book “A Month of Italy” and totally loving it–he writes soooo like he talks 😉 Now to hear about your family is just as incredible–way to go, Jeremy! that was soooo cool, and such a neat illustration for us all! gotta love it! God bless your family and keep you going and choosing life (and sowing seeds of kindness)…4 LIFE!!!
CJ Calvert said
Congrats to Jeremy for chasing his dream, and to you, Orrin, for creating a lifestyle for your family to believe they can have the dreams they desire! A great story of the “fun” F that the LIFE business so richly offers!
Theodore J Hewing, Jr said
Acts of kindness is always twofold because It’s a blessing to be a blessing. Good looking family Orrin! You guys enjoy each other on vacation & have a safe trip home. I see my family & me experiencing life that way. Thanks for the elephant food. Love, Ted
Rita Haas said
Thank you for sharing the Woodward Family Dreams!!
Elizabeth Sieracki said
Family time is so precious! We are so thankful to you and Laurie and your family for all the sacrificing throughout the years. You deserve this vacation and more. Thanks for sharing.
Alaysha said
Sounds like fun. So happy Jeremy got to meet them! Have an excellent vacation Woodwards!
Christie Simpkins said
Wonderful & inspiring! What a fabulous opportunity for your son & your family.
I love this article, I had my 11 year old read this to show her what hard work & perseverance can get you & the opportunities that can come your way when you are dedicated to your craft.
I teach children in an after school program, grades Kindergarten-5th. I plan on reading this article to my students as well. I’m sure this will inspire a few if not many 🙂
Thanks again!!
Kristine Militello said
I don’t know anything about soccer, but your enthusiasm shines through in this piece and makes me excited about soccer and Spain. Isn’t it amazing how “catchy” a dream is! 🙂
Marc Militello said
So glad the Woodward family is having a great time!! Congrats Jeremy on hitting your goal and seeing a vision for what is possible!
Rickey Alterman said
Reminds me of a stadium of fanatics I’ve been to a few time for the L.I.F.E of me can’t put my finger on where.
Turhan & Carol Berne said
Great story Orrin! Thanks for sharing that.
Tammy Darling said
LOVE IT!!! Thanks for sharing your family and their dreams with us & thsnks you for sowing kindness into my families live! We love y’all! The Darlings 🙂
chris volkmann said
Thanks have a great time. God bless.
kellisager said
Wow ! Great job Jeremy ! We know there was a goal attached to going on this trip . Just goes to show what goal setting can do to push you beyond your limits . Can’t wait to see more pictures of Spain !
Farrah Sargent said
Wow Orrin! What a great way to start my morning! I suppose it is a little bit ironic that that is how I feel about your blog…and c.d.’s…and books…and well you get the idea. I just want to thank you for being who you are, being the same person you try to encourage to emerge out of the rest of us and so graciously accepting us when we have a difficult time learning how to peel away those layers! Thank you!!!
Clint Fix said
Sounds like a fun vacation! I’ve never been to a “football” game, but hearing you and Chris talk about it made me decide to add it to my list of things to do!
Barbara Humphreys said
Thank-you for sharing this while on your holiday. I’m sure the rest of it will be just as fantastic; you are also reaping what you sow.
Maura Galliani said
I was never taught to dream and still struggle with it even now. But so much has changed for me in a positive way since I joined the Team LIFE community. I’m finally learning to dream, among other wonderful things. Thank you, Orrin, for this post — just another “seed” that will move me along on this journey of serving others while living intentially and yes, “dreaming.” Fired up!
Chad Waters said
Orrin,
You have many blessings, as any servant leader like yourself should have! Great story and family is so important!
Terry said
Sounds like an absolute blast, looking forward to doing similar things with the family.
T
Tony said
Orrin, I think it’s wonderful how LIFE is not about pursuing the finance “F” by tossing the other “F”s aside, but rather about getting control of the finance “F”, so the other “F”s can become congruent with our values. The values of the PCs are continually modeled through their actions by such things as creating the incentive trips (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAj92K_VMEA), which are providing a taste of what LIFE is like (and truly lived as modeled by the Woodward family) when one is able to not worry about the finance “F” and is able to enjoy the other “F”s!
Matt Mielke said
Thanks Orrin. What a great memory for your family and thanks for always stretching my dream center.
Chris Miller said
Thanks for the reminder to stay focused and discipline now and I will live my dreams in the future. Happy for you and your family.
Jeff Darling said
Thanks for sharing Orrin! What great memories for your family!!
Ken Hendon said
The dream building continues. Joy comes from the dream fulfillment of our families and our teams, not just from our own dreams.
We know that our realized dreams give Orrin and Lauri great joy. I believe the PC shares in all of this joy!
We leverage joy!
TJ said
Wow!! What a great story… Can’t wait to provide my family with memories like that. What an honor to give to your family in a way. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us to be better daily and reach for our best. 1 million here we come!!!
Dave Stadel said
The Life You’ve Always Wanted
Tony Peerbolt said
Orrin, Thanks for the story. I love how you tie lessons into every story and a story into every lesson. Spain is on our list of places to go as a family.
John Lewis said
Thanks for sharing! Having the freedom to travel with family on your own schedule is so inspiring to me!!
We appreciate your vision casting.
Tim Jarvinen said
Amazing how one mans (young man) dream can light everyone else on fire! Congrats to Jeremy!
Philip Brittain said
Orrin, you have taught your children well, just as you have taught the LIFE community well. We thank you for being the example first! This is such a simple but great representation showing the biblical principle of seed time and harvest. As you mentioned in your article, there is no garauntee regarding how fast one might see a harvest. The only garauntee is that a person WILL reap what they sow. Its always fun to see how God reveals himself even in seemingly small ways. Thanks for Sharing. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
J & P Harteis said
Loved the excitement, the dreams coming true for your amazing family, & your willingness to share with all of us while there! Creating memories is what it’s all about! Enjoy!
Rob Robson said
Wow, that sounds so fun! So excited to take my kids to Europe on a PC excursion!
Jonathan Brandenberger said
I think its awesome to meet famous people because famous people are hyped’ and seem very different and out of reach.(know what im trying to say) meeting them can be inspiring and really lift someones hope because after a minute you being to realize that they are average people that worked unaverage to achieve unaverage. All encouragment to Jeremy. Thanks Orrin. Have fun!
Heidi said
Orrin – You helped build the dream in our family…. Our son is a fanatic for baseball and his eyes lit up when I told him about your article and what is possible when a family chases its dreams together.
Bryan Vashus said
Attending a World Cup is on my dream list. Thanks for this simple way to dream build.
Katrina S. said
Great article about the things one can do with time and money! Congrats, Jeremy on having a dream big enough to include your family. Isn’t there one person missing? Would love to see that picture also. Thanks for getting my elephant charging!
Orrin Woodward said
Katrina, Jordan is up in Michigan working at the LIFE offices so he cannot make all our trips anymore. However, he is doing great and loving LIFE. thanks, Orrin
Robert Daley said
Thanky you Orrin for the lesson of reaping what you sow. I love the stories that you share that enhance the competitive spirit in myself and the community ……..
God bless
Roosevelt Jean-Francois said
It’s just fun to share greatness with family. Enjoy.Live the dream.
Robby Palmer said
The life business is helping us chase our dreams too. Thanks for sharing yours Orrin.
Jenny Salter said
Thanks for sharing a bit of your vacation with us Orrin! You & Laurie serve the Team so much, it’s nice to see you guys on a vacation enjoying yourselves with your kids!!! And a special thanks to Jordan and the rest of the LIFE staff for all they do for us LIFERS!!!!!!!
Randy Robson said
Sounds fun!
Bob said
That is Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Ellen Robson said
Running for more goals! Thanks for all you do! Very inspiring… Jim & Mary Robson and fam
MARIO VEGA said
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR DREAM WITH US JEREMY. GOD IS SO GOOD. THANKS ORRIN. LIBERATORS.
Denny Suggitt said
Thanks for the awesome update ! It’s great to see that Jordi took the time to make Jeremy’s dream come true ! Enjoy the rest of your vacation and creating other great memories !
Omar chetta said
Thanx for sharing Orrin ! Watching the Classico is in my dream list. Go Real Madrid LOL
Jammie Fisher said
That is awesome. I cannot wait to see the dreams arrive and be realized as our children grow. I love the picture and caption at the end of your post-laughed out loud!
Thanks and enjoy.
Jammie
Alison Ruhlman said
Thanks for sharing a little piece of your trip with us! And for the business that can get us all of our dreams to become a realty for our family one day as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
george guzzardo said
Thanks for the awesome dream building and inspiration!
Rin Crichlow said
I have always been a strong believer in what you sow you shall reap. Thanks for the post.
Michael Hartmann said
Thanks for sharing the incredible visualization of yet another dream destination waiting for our arrival!
AR said
WELL … I WOULD LIKE JUST TO SAY THAT MESSI IS ORIGINALLY FROM ANCONA, ITALY … AND THAT AC MILAN AT ONE POINT WAS THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD UNDER COACH “ARRIGO SACCHI” AND COACH “FABIO CAPELLO” … THE DECLINE OF AC MILAN STARTED WHEN PRESIDENT BERLUSCONI CHANGED HIS BEHAVIORS … BUT THAT IS A VERY LONG STORY … 🙂 … THANK YOU FOR SHARING … TY
Juleen Ray said
How fun! Thanks for sharing.
Dean Strube said
Livin the dream, can’t wait to tap into some of that. thanks for sharing
Kim Decker said
Thanks for sharing and glad Jeremy got to see first hand a dream come true…Thanks for my chance in LIFE!
Tina Abernathy said
Thanks for sharing Orrin. Congrats Jeremy!!
Douglas Zwolski said
Thanks for sharing Orrin! I love Jeremy’s thinking! I was serving me sons school during the parents club spaghetti dinner fund raiser tonight and was blessed five times over in rewards! Just my mental decision and the action of humble service opened up God’s generosity. Being more open to seeing the rewards and being thankful for them is where we miss it sometimes. Never be “to busy” not to be thankful for what we are given daily! Always “stop to smell the roses”.
Eric Schilling said
Sounds like it put the superbowl to shame!
Bill Eder said
Great story Orrin : A dream is a wishyour heart makes. Jeremy must have been very greatful and his excitement transfers to us through your sharing a bit of your vacation. Thank you and yours.