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The Day in the Life of an FCA Camp Huddle Leader · 307 Faithful

• Devin Davis: Hey, hey everybody, welcome back to the 307 Faithful Podcast. This is Devin Davis. I'm the host of the podcast. We're a Fellowship of Christian Athletes podcast. thankful for everyone who's tuned in and listened and shared this podcast. We are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, and you can follow us on Instagram and also follow us on Facebook too. So we're Try to be available on about every social media that we can be. So this is the second episode in a row that I actually have a a guest who is here in studio or I guess in my office in my house is the studio. So yeah, we're really high tech around here. I was I was told that one of the changes I need to make to the podcast is better lighting. So I don't think my lamps out there are enough. So I might have to invest in some fancier equipment or something like that. But yeah we had I you know I took a break we interviewed Bo Sheets Coach Bo Sheets from Riverton High School. He'll be on again here shortly kind of preparing everybody for sports camp and I kind of wanted to keep that theme going. We had sports camp in Laramie now a little more than a week ago and and it was awesome. So I I decided to bring in a a fellow Fremont County resident. so today we have Brenna Metzler. And Brenna just graduated from Shoshone High School. And so we'd like to welcome her to the 307 Faithful podcast. But the first thing I just want them, I want you, Brenda, to tell our listeners about who you are and about your your family, your sports, and just anything that you think everybody'd like to learn about Brenda Metzler. So turn it over to you. Well, hello everybody. My name is Brennan. as Devin said, I just graduated from Shoshone. and I'm headed to Shadron State College in Shadron, Nebraska. I'm playing softball there for the Eagles. and I've played softball for since I was like eight, so long time for that sport. And then I also played volleyball and basketball, and then I did one year of track in high school. and yeah. Yeah. So how how did you I mean, headed to college, that's pretty awesome to be an Eagle. as we've talked about, I lived in Shadron for quite a while. So Shadron State has a a soft spot in my heart. But how in the world did you well, number one, how did you pick kind of softball as your to go to sport? I don't know, honestly. I my parents signed me up for baseball when I was like five and I just fell in love with it. I just love like the statistics and like the strategy behind the sport. 'cause it's a game of failure, honestly. you fail three out of ten times when you're batting and you're still considered one of the best is kind of crazy to me. And just like the family that I have through softball, all my teammates there, some of my b some of my best friends because of it, and so Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I mean you know, and that's I mean, everybody's going, wait a minute, she went to Shoshone. but but you kinda had to make some adjustments to play high school softball in Wyoming. So tell everybody about that because I know that's been kind of an adjustment even for you for a few years. Yeah. so I played on a club team in Riverton for the summer from the end of May to July. And for high school, when I got to high school, It was just sanctioned a few years prior for the state of Wyoming and there were only only the bigger schools had it. So I had to travel to Worland to play high school softball from beginning of March to the rest of school year. So that was a lot. and then this last year I was able to go to Lander. They just sanctioned it. So it was a little bit less of a trip, but not much. But and did you I mean, was that kind of one of your goals always to be able to play at the college level and did you how did you connect with with with colleges around and how did that happen with Shadron State? yeah, so I always wanted to play at the college level for softball and I started the recruitment process. I was reached out to a few, had a couple offers from Arizona and then a few other JUCOs in like Colorado. And I went and toured the places, talked to the coaches, and funny thing how I Came to Shadron. I was actually in Colorado for a softball camp. And I was at dinner and the waitress. She's what are you guys here for? I was like, a softball camp. She's I played college softball. And I was where at? And she said, Shadron. And I was wow, that's crazy. Cause I looked at there a little bit because I didn't think they had a softball program, because their education is really good. And so she was like, Yeah, I played there. You should look into it. And I was like, okay. So I reached out to the coach and then started talking to the From there, she invited me to the camp and yeah. Cool. Well, that's an awesome opportunity. I think you'll love it there. And I think if I'm not mistaken, just by talking to you, I your your position is catcher. Is that right? Yes. Is that what you've always played? yeah. Yes. For the most part, I started catching nine or ten. just put on the gear one day for a game and fell in love with it. And then my secondary is shortstop and outfield. Okay. So what do you like most about catcher? I I'm I'm a little bit I I love catching too. When I play at high school baseball, Legion baseball, I was a catcher, but tell me what you like about catching. that you get to see everything. Like you're the only one that sees the entire field at any given point and you're a part of every single play. like I call the pitches for my team and so like, this hitter, you throw this and where to go with the play and everything. Yeah. Catching's kinda like quarterback in football, right? Yeah, okay I mean I think that's that's kind of why I like it is I mean, you set up your your defenses because you know the hitters and you're calling the pitches and I mean you're involved in in every single yeah pitch, right? I I was probably not I was probably too hyperactive to play in the outfield, so I had to play catcher. No I mean, you're that's it's it's a blast. Yeah, because you're always in the game. it's definitely the position you sweat the most. yeah. We just talked about how hot it is and you've got state tournament coming up and it's gonna be warm in Gillette, so better stay hydrated. Yeah. So we know about your kind of sports background and tell me about your faith background, just kind of your experience knowing Jesus and growing in Jesus and just a background with that. yeah. So I grew up in the church. Both of my parents are strong in their faith. And I was saved when I was six. I remember I don't know, at school. We I went to a private school so we learned memory verses every week. And I'm not sure if it was the one I learned that week or but I do remember it was a big part. Like the first memory verse I learned was John 3 16. And it was kind of a big realization. Like 'cause when I think of the world, I think of eight billion people, and I don't matter in that eight billion people. but I remember being told I was like Jesus died for me. Like whether I was the only if I was the only one that needed saved, he would have still died for me. And I was like, whoa, like he loves me that much. and so that was like a big realization for me of how much God loved me and so I accepted him when I was six and then my faith really it truly became my own once I went to a public school because I wasn't surrounded by Christian friends all the time and so I couldn't rely on their faith or my friends or my family. so I really had to learn to stand up for what I believe in and my faith. once I went to a public school. And then do do throughout high school I honestly struggled with putting my identity in sports and how well I did in sports because sports was year round for me and nonstop. So I always was like, if I do good, I'm worth something. If I don't, I'm not worth much. so that was always hard for me, but then I realized that whether I do good in sports when I die, it doesn't actually matter. isn't it crazy how much? I mean, I think that's the hardest thing though with being a Christian athlete is we can we can say that. but actually doing it and believing it's kind of a hard thing really. Yeah. because for right now at the at le these this kind of stage in your life, that's a lot of I mean you you you named it up, volleyball, basketball, softball, even a little track. How do you how do you kind of distance yourself or separate yourself from being an athlete and being a Christian. I was like giving all the glory to God. Like he's the one that gave me the talent to be able to play in college for softball and just focusing on him throughout it all rather than how well I do in my sport. And I noticed like once I started doing that and putting my identity in Christ rather than my sport, I was playing a lot more free and honestly better than if I had all the pressure of performing on me. Yeah. That's I just think that's that is a hard thing. And and and now that you're gonna step up another another level, I think it I mean, obviously that gets to be a little bit harder at the college level because you're trying to earn your spot on the team and keep your spot, and so that becomes a little bit tougher. And I think have you found it difficult to be a Christian on a team where you know. I I think it's probably a little different at Shoshone or even in Riverton where, you know, s a lot of the the teammates now with I guess Lander and Warlin weren't Christian. Do you do you feel like you fit in? Or do you feel like people look at you a little bit differently? honestly like fifty fifty. Like there's some that like support me in my faith and they're like, yeah, 'cause I always pray before my games and I always write my My favorite Bible verse, First Corinthians ten thirty one. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I write that on my forearm just as a reminder, like throughout the game, that none of this is for my own glory. it that it's all for him because he gave me the talent and the opportunity to do this. So yeah, just focusing on him rather than the sport. and then there are always always some that think I'm crazy for doing that. but yeah. Yeah. And I think that's, you know, in in kind of in sports, we call that a focal point, is having something that you can look at every time during competition that draws you back to to the cross of Jesus Christ, right? Whether it's on on your shoe or on your mitt or on your arm or your eye black or whatever it is, always something that can remind you of why you are able. to compete like you do. So so Brenna was a involved in FCA all through high school at Shoshone? we started it my sophomore year. Okay. And so as I as I just kind of came on staff with FCA not not long ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Sh Shoshone High School and get to know Brenna and her sister and be involved with that. And I and and I brain that we continue to grow that more going forward. you won't be there, unfortunately. But so Brennan has been a really strong part of FCA and she really committed to it. So this year she was given the opportunity to be a huddle leader at at FCA sports camp in Laramie. Now one of the things I have you had you gone to sports camp previously for FCA? No, I've never been. This was my first year. That was your first year. Yeah. my gosh. Cambry went one time a couple years ago and that was it. Okay. So what in the world made you reach out to me and and share your interest to for the desire to be a a huddle leader? so Cambry, she was talking to some of her friends from Jackson. They're going for softball. they're all a very Christian based team, super good people. And they were all going and they were talking to Cambri and saying, you should come and Cambri was like, I wanna go and I was like, I wonder if I could be a huddle leader. 'cause I'd heard about it from Tori last year. And so then I reached out to you and you're like, I don't know if there's any more spots left and I like, bummer, hopefully there are and then you had said, there's one for volleyball and I like, I mean, volleyball's not my top sport, but I'll do it Yeah. So yeah, and that and that's the I mean, so just kind of explaining to to folks, I kind of give you some numbers really quick. It was it was a mind-blowing camp, I think. and we'll talk about that. But sports camp in Laramie, athlete-wise starts on Wednesday and and goes Thursday, Friday, and we're done at noon on Saturday. And this year blew away all of our previous numbers and I think probably a a few less, but around six hundred and seventy-seven kids, give or take. and then on top of those, those are all camp campers, kids going into middle school, kids going into high school. we break it w they choose a sport and they we break those the that sport up into smaller groups, and each smaller group is called the huddle, and each huddle has a huddle leader, which we choose either high school or college athletes or going into college athletes and that's and that's Brina. And then you get to spend your time with your athletes, but also helping in your sports sessions. and and just kind of man, our Huddle leaders are geez, if we didn't have Huddle leaders, we wouldn't have FCA camp. You guys do all all the work pretty close and and really put in a lot of time. So that's what that's what we do. And that's why sh as as Brenda was saying, we have all sports. Hers would have been softball. Unfortunately, we were full. So just for the chance to go, I know jumped at that with with with volleyball. So now you get to camp and as a huddle leader, you go on Monday and Tuesday. Was that right? Yeah. How was your experience be because you have to kind of go through a lot of training. I mean there's some hard questions That are asked, how was Huddle Leader training that Monday and Tuesday? What what did you learn from that? What did you do? What can you share with us about that? it was really good. We went on Monday afternoon, we check in and we start training right away. and we just do it for Monday, the rest of Monday, all day Tuesday, and then the morning of Wednesday before the campers arrive. And it was a lot, a lot of information, a lot of discussion, but it was really good. we talked We practiced sharing the gospel with other huddle leaders and our testimony and just preparing ourselves for camp because there will be a lot of questions. and they said you will not have the answers to all the questions and that's okay. And so preparing us for that, and then we also talked about verses for certain type of athletes that will come, like the ones who are there because it's a Christian camp and then some that are there because it's a sports camp. And how to talk to them and how to share the gospel with them in a way that they might understand it and get it. so yeah. And then yeah you also I think did kind of some some fun things too. yeah. yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It wasn't all it wasn't all No, no, yeah. When we got there we did a competition. They broke us up into groups of about ten of us and we just played we did volleyball, frisbee, kickball and basketball. So that was fun to start the competition. Because it was very competitive since we're all athletes. So I know Tori Gale was from Riverton was a huddle leader as well, and you know Tori, and I think Jacob probably. did you know any other huddle leaders when you stepped into that room that you were able to yeah, so I knew Tori, Jacob, Parker also from Riverton, and then a couple from Jackson, Kate, and Trinity. Trinity, when you had reached out to me, I asked her if she was doing it. And she was doing basketball, her top sports of all softball as well. And she was like, Brennan, it's more about loving the Lord than knowing anything about your sport. So just do it with me. So well, that's and that's I mean, f for kind of the younger huddle leaders, generally obviously try to connect you with the the younger campers, right? And so whatever you know know about volleyball is probably more than your huddle members knew about volleyball. So you had that advantage and I I I mean if you had to s pick kind of one thing that that you remember or impacted you mo most from the Huddle Leader training, is there one you know, one thing that you it stuck in your mind or that you connected with better? I would say definitely the verses like that we talked about for different types of people because there are some that 'cause like we talked about like four main like athletes or people that were gonna probably be there at camp. the one who says, I'm too far gone to be saved, the one who believes to work their way to heaven. and then those who are a Christian and have grown up in the church, so they're good enough to get to heaven, with a B plus, you know. Yep. And then one more. Can't remember off the top of my head, but those were the three that stuck with me for the most. Did you did you so during your week with your h huddle with with your campers, did you w did that connect with you at all? Did during the week? Like did you look at your kids and go, yeah, they fit in that category? Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. I had some that had never honestly thought about Jesus or salvation or anything like that. And then some that had gone to church their whole life and were like pretty strong in their faith. So yeah, that was that's that's kind of cool to to look at that way. And and I mean they're it's pretty amazing. We at the end of camp, we get all of the camper evaluations and there's a lot of kids there that I I mean you say Christian camp, but there's a lot of kids there that really don't know much about Jesus or the gospel. there's also some that have a very like you like you mentioned, kind of mistaken view of what it means yeah to be saved. and that's one of the things I'm blessed is FCA does a really good job of clarifying what it really means to follow Jesus and how to know that you're saved. So so you connected with your your campers that that first when we got there and and they had to connect with their their their campers. How did you feel like Your your first feeling when you sat down and you looked at all the girls that were around you around you, did you like how how did you feel, I guess? I was really excited because they all talked together before we 'cause we do icebreakers to get them to know each other and they were already talking before we had started that and they hadn't met. I only had two girls that knew each other. so yeah, and they were already talking and nonstop. So it was good. Did and and throughout the week. Did you have any girls at all that maybe weren't followers of Jesus that that did believe or trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior? Did you Yeah, I did have one the first night when Josh asked people to stand up if they wanted to give their life to Christ or had that night through prayer. And I had one girl stand up then and then the last night when he had asked if you had wanted like to abide more in Christ and to spend more time with him and do better about growing their relationship with Jesus. Nine of my ten girls had stood up and so that was truly amazing for me to man, it's it's incre incredible, isn't it, to see how that impacted everybody. So we our our speaker during the week was Josh Longoria. and Josh had been on staff with fellowship of Christian athletes in Utah and he was in the process kind of cool story as he's going to be the new team chaplain for the University of Michigan Wolverine football team. So he was kind of transitioning. but I thought he was just connected so well with everyone. Mm-hmm. Did you like for sure, yeah. He had stopped by volleyball a couple of times and we like skirmished like him and the huddle leaders while the girls were doing sports. But he he yeah, he wasn't afraid to jump right in and do whatever and really cool story and that he did not come from a family that was raised Christian. He was a Marine and and then gave his life to to Christ in mid-1990s. But is there any I mean he did a he he he we you know he kind of got off path a little bit one night just because during camp there was an athlete a student from Laramie that had passed away had cancer and so it really affected, I think, a lot of the kids from Laramie, which there are a lot there, obviously. so we kinda he kinda went off into a little different message, I think, just to encourage everybody. But is there any part of like what he spoke about those four Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday? Anything that like stuck out to you and his messages or or kind of the theme that he that he gave that you you can say, Rah wow, that really resonated with me. The biggest thing I would say is if you have Jesus you have everything and if you miss Jesus you miss everything. And that was really like just like whoa. Like if you really don't have Jesus you have nothing. 'cause in John fifteen five, John fifteen was the passage that we were in for throughout camp and fifteen five it says, apart from me you can do nothing and that was truly just like a slap in the face, honestly, that We can't do anything without him. So yeah. It's it's continual. you know, and the theme, I I I mean, the big word always to me was abide. And and he mentioned that several times. We sang abide several times and man alive. I think a lot of times we don't really understand what abide means because it's not a word we use a whole lot in our vocabulary, but like you just said, staying connected. to Jesus and that he's the source of everything that that we are. So it's really, really humbling to think about that. And I I I would have to agree with you, you know, that abide and staying connected is is really a key a thing for our Christians. And I did you, you know, and then I know after our usually he did chapel, gave the the the night's message, and then you got to hang out with your with your huddle for a while afterwards. Did you did you have hard questions? Do you did you have any questions that you remember or you want to share any of those? I always wonder what goes on because I think that's some hardcore discussions, right? So how did you how did that all go down for you? honestly, I was a little nervous going into my first huddle because throughout huddle leader training they're like you'll have some hard questions and it'll be kind of chaotic at times and I was like, man, like I I don't know what to how to do this, right? 'Cause I'd never been in a huddle, so I didn't know like how it all went actually. And like the first couple of nights they my huddle did not ask very many questions, but well like when I asked them questions they would answer and they'd have like good answers, but they wouldn't have much discussion or asking questions. And then the last Friday night When they were at their life in leadership class, I was preparing my huddle for that night, just like my plan. And I was like, I'm gonna share my testimony. And I was talking with Kate and I was like, How do you like go about like starting like your testimony? Like other than, I'm gonna share my testimony with you guys. 'Cause I like, that's kind of like awkward, just like out of the blue, you know. And she was like, Yeah, like I was just like, like talk about what a testimony is and everything. And I was like, okay, sounds good. I was still very nervous going into it. And after he Josh had after chapel, we were on our way to our huddle and one of the girls was like, Brennan, when are you gonna share your testimony with us? And I was like, my goodness, like, wow. Set you up, right? Yeah. I was like I was like, Okay, Lord, like you really just set it all up there for me. And so I shared my testimony with them and they like asked questions throughout it, just about everything. And they like that's when honestly everything clicked in their heads, I think. which was like truly amazing. Like the Lord definitely taught me, like, trust his timing that he has it all set up and our job's only to plant the seed and he'll g take care of the rest. And I was like like after the first couple of nights I was praying, I like, Lord, like I don't know if they're getting anything that I'm saying. Like, I think it's in one ear, out the other, but I trust you and you have a plan, I know, and when the timer's right you'll make it happen and it'll like It'll all click in their heads and it did Friday night. And so yeah. And then Yeah, it's it's amazing. I think there's all kinds of stories like that through the through the week. And I I was the chaplain for wrestling and one day at wrestling I I talked about, you know, after after a workout, you know, you you have a choice between a a glass of cold water and and an energy drink, right? you know, you have to make a choice. and You know, one might kinda help your thirst, but if you drink it all the time it's not gonna be good for you. Yeah. Where where you can drink the other one, that's true hydration, right? and then that night he talked about living water. Whoa. Yeah. And and I was I I told the wrestlers I didn't mean Josh didn't get together. I and the next day I'm like, I didn't plan that, but that's how God works. Yeah. I mean, time and time again, like you said, he he kinda sets you up and Then you just have to trust that he's gonna work inside of you. and I think the the theme I'm wearing wearing my my shirt, the the theme verse is John 15, 8, and and it talks about that we prove to be his disciples. and I was I was just wondering in your huddle, did you touch on that at all? Because that the last day is really the the the big day, right? Is like those kids, we are on a spiritual high. I mean, you know, on I mean the good and the bad are emotions. Emotions kind of let us down sometimes. So we can't really put our weight on emotions. But there are emotions that are going on for everybody who's involved. but he did a really good job of really setting the stage of what things are going to be like when you go home. and maybe you go home to a Christian family. Maybe nobody's a Christian in your family. and there there were a lot there's a lot of I think, you know, we heard testimonies the last day, a lot of y tough things going on with teenagers. and did you talk about like w what to you know, how to prepare going going out, what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus? yeah. So when we did our last huddle before chapel on Saturday morning, One of my girls had asked Brennan, what does it look like to abide when we get home? And I asked them, I was like, I want you guys individually to create an action plan of what you're gonna do to continue staying connected and abiding in Christ when you get home and how you're gonna share the gospel with your teammates, your friends, your family. And I had them all share. And then after that, they like discussed with each other really well about it all. And after they were like, like you didn't tell us what we need to do. And I was like, You guys answered it yourselves. Like you guys had your action plans are all really good and you guys if you do that, you're okay. That's right. And and you know, that's that's really the way it's it's funny, it's the gospel in that the gospel is simple and in and how you're saved. But we're not just called, I was just reading my study Bible. This we're it's it's a profession. but then it's also you still have to it it's obedience after that, right? and I think that's the the hardest part. A lot of people get to the profession and say, I'm good. Yeah. Right? but the ones who are genuinely truly saved their heart is changed and and the obedience comes comes out of that. So this is kind of an off the wall question. Doesn't have anything to do with camp. But what does obedience look like for you? I would say honestly just trusting the Lord in and where he has me and what he has me doing and like he has me where I'm at in my life for a purpose. no matter what's going on in my life. and just trusting in what he is doing in my life and just staying in his word and just taking every opportunity that I can to share the gospel, whether in sports and or just my daily life, and just being bold in my faith and when people ask, share the gospel with them and yeah. Yeah. And I mean do you have a way I mean do you have kind of a mindset or model of how how you do that in on on your softball team? Like, I mean, heading to Shattering State, right? You're gonna have some new teammates and everybody's trying to figure out everything. Do you do what's what's Brina's way of showing people that she follows Jesus Christ? I would say just competing for him. And in it personally, that means for me, like being the kindest on the court, whether I'm not the best or anything like that, just being the one that when they look at them they're like, like why like she just played the worst game of her life. Why is like she's still happy and still like joyful and so because my joy comes from him and not my sports performance. Yeah. And that I again I think that's hard because I mean all all you know, all over Paul talks about Pleasing God, not man. And I mean, so that's where we kind of get the audience of one, right? It's like like you're you're out there performing as if if Jesus was the only one watching you. but that's that you know, you still want to win. Yeah, for sure. Yeah, like it doesn't take away your competitive spirit. I would say I'm definitely very competitive. And that doesn't go away once, like if you're competing for Christ, but It just gives you peace knowing that if I don't perform well or if we don't win, I'm still loved and cared for. 'Cause that and that and you're I mean, you're only gonna be involved in athletics, you know, for your first twenty five years of your life, maybe, you know, and yeah, and there's a lot of life left after that. So, I that's why I like your your your verse, first Corinthians ten thirty one. 'cause it applies To everything. and and so I love that. If if there was there it looking back at camp again, is there any time you really felt challenged at all through through that whole week or was there an experience where you kinda had to dig deep? it doesn't sound like it, but was there anything? honestly, probably exhaustion. 'Cause you're huddle leaders definitely get really tired by the end of it. yeah, so just still they said before the campers got there, they told us false motivation is better than no motivation. So just being excited about everything, beginning to end was probably the hardest part. Because one of the things that I think a lot of people don't know, that are involved with camp is that after the campers go to bed, then you guys get together as huddle leaders, right? What what goes on in kind of that closing huddle leader meeting at night time? yeah, we just do a debrief. So you say we talk about a good thing and a bad thing, like your high and your low of the day. And we split up into three groups for the girls for that and then so it doesn't take as long. And so then we share a high and a low for the day, and then we get prayer partners and just pray for each other for their huddle and for them. them and for the week and yeah. So by the time that's over, what time is lights out for for the huddle leaders? I think it probably I think we're probably done around midnight each night. So And too late. Well midnight and then up the next morning, what what ti what what's the day start off like for a huddle eater? so we had a lift that we could go do if we had to do a lift for sports. And then I think that was six. Yeah, those at six each morning. And then you wake up your campers whenever they want to get up and then breakfast is at seven. Okay. So you get like five hours of sleep? Yeah. I mean, no. You're young. Yeah. Yeah. Well, at least the nice thing is we were blessed and able to stay in the n new dorms at the University of Wyoming. So that was pretty nice. and I I think the biggest thing and the guys any of the guys listening don't like this part about it is the guys had to stay in the old dorms. Yeah. Yeah. And the biggest, the biggest downfall in that is no air conditioning. Those those rooms get hot. New dorms had air conditioning. So that was kind of a blessing, really. So but if there I I think if there was if we were gonna have kind of like one big takeaway. from the week. is is there a one kind of overarching thing that you thought of or that happened throughout the week that you were just amazed at how God worked? I'd say the biggest thing for me and my experience in camp was trusting in what the Lord is doing. Even then we even when we can't see it, he's still working and he's still doing things that we don't notice yet, but eventually we will. And whether it is during camp or later after camp, that like the campers finally like it all like clicks in their brain, of the gospel, but we're just planting that seed. And I truly just learned that I'm not a big part of like when people come to salvation. Like I had no part in that. It's all the Lord. we're just planting the seed and just to like keep their minds like, Like w that camp, like the gospel, and then eventually like the Lord makes the plant grow. Yeah. Yeah. Amen. To that, right? It's and and Paul says that, you know, it's not Paul, it's not Apollos, you know, I mean it's it's nobody. It's we plant the seed and like you said, God makes it grow. And so I think that's we want to see it, but I think you know, most of the time we really probably aren't. You got to see you were blessed to see. several of your girls either give their life to Christ or rededicate. But I think a lot of times we don't see that fruit until years later. And so that was a that was a blessing. and I would would you are you planning on going back? for anybody who's listening, would you recommend it? what kind of what what grade do you give being a huddle leader. Absolutely. I loved it so much. I definitely want to go back. and I just loved every second of it that I got to be there. and yeah, definitely recommend it. Whether you're a Camber or a huddle leader, definitely go. Definitely look into it. Yeah. I was I was gonna kind of keep tie back into that because I'm sure you had a chance to talk to your sister, Cambries experience. She loved it so much. Yeah. Good. Jen, she'd gone before, I know, but so She kind of had experienced it, but that that's awesome. is there other than lack of sleep, I guess you you you mentioned that. it in anything that you didn't this is the harder question, right? Anything you weren't prepared for or you know, maybe you would do different or in anything from that perspective at all? not necessarily, not really, that I Like whether with the camp eat more before camp and yeah, maybe yeah. But it actually wasn't that big of a deal. We yeah. Yeah, we just kept going. Yeah. That's it's funny because after a while when you're tired, you just function. Yeah. You know. It honestly doesn't phase us come Friday. Like we aren't we aren't that exhausted, you know. What did you think? That brings me a point. Did you you participated in gut check? Yeah, I loved it. I yeah, yeah. My girls did not, but I thought it was fun. I enjoyed it. For for everybody, a gut check is Saturday morning. We do that at seven o'clock. And it's kind of cool having it in the stadium. So all the campers, all the huddle leaders gather at War Memorial Stadium and they set up 20 stations or something like that. Yeah, I think we had 21 and then we went through it almost twice. Yeah. And you spin with your huddle. each each one has some type of physical activity like jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers, sit-ups, push-ups, one station for prayer and worship. That's everybody's favorite. because you get to take a breather, water too. so and they just do that. We do that for a full minute, and then just go right on to the next station. And everybody is just encouraging each other. and we have music. Blair in in there. so did you f were you did you find out you were in good shape or was that easy for you? Or definitely like wasn't easy, but like I was in like good shape. So yeah. Yeah. Like it will it won't be easy if you're working hard. I I just like the fact that there's so many people encouraging you. and a really cool example of like Going through hard things, but keeping your mind focused on on Christ, which is how we should compete all the time. So I I and I I will I c completed gut checks. So that was I have to jump in with a with the wrestlers and have to prove to them that even though I'm sixty, I can still so it's a it's a blast. I might have been sore for a couple of days afterwards, but it was it was still really, really good. So That that's awesome. I I'm so happy that you were able to do that and look forward already to to next year. So I you know, as we kinda end our conversation this morning, I and we've talked a lot about faith and and the gospel and camp, but what do you like to do for fun? I I I always like to just kind of we we've talked about some serious things. There are things that like you like to do when you're not playing softball or or not going to church or whatever? yeah, that's definitely a hard question because my life is full of sports. and but I don't know, honestly. I love just being outside and being with like my family and I love board games. Board games and card games are lots of fun and spending time with family and friends. yeah. I I can see. I can guess it Messler family has had some pretty intense board game nights. absolutely. Yeah. Who's the most competitive in your family? me or my mom, I would say. Yeah. Yeah. My dad, he's not too competitive in Cambri. Cambri's like in the middle between me and my dad. So how about like fr friend wise? Not not even necessarily from a game night perspective, but just friends. Do you Who would you say, do you have any friends that are more competitive than you are? I don't think so. I have a couple that are close. yeah, but not not some that are like, everything's a competition. But anything going into to college, I mean, that's gonna be a big step for you. And you know, you it's man, after the fourth of July, that goes by fast. So you're gonna have to report here probably pretty soon. Do you remember what day? moving is the twentieth. okay. Of August. So is there anything that you're doing now to prepare yourself athletically for to be able to play college softball? yeah, we do have a waste program that we started this summer, like that we started the end of May, throughout the summer that they've sent us. So yeah, so that's been good. Really enjoying that. Have you connected with any of your future teammates at all? yeah, I've taught I've talked to a few of them and then I've connected with my roommate. She's playing basketball there. She's from Colorado and she's also a Christian, so that's exciting. awesome. Awesome. That'll be a a lot of fun. Anything you're kind of nervous about? honestly being on my own. yeah, I'm definitely a Velcro child and I love being with my family all the time. so that'll be hard, like being away from them and being on my own. so that'll be that'll be definitely challenging. I think that'd probably be ten times harder for your mom. yeah, definitely. Canbury maybe not, because she'll probably enjoy having everything to her for herself. Yeah, honestly, probably not though. She's really, really nervous that I'm leaving. Yeah, she's yeah, she's definitely definitely is gonna be sad. It has to be yeah. It has to be kind of one of those things that you're like, Man, I can't believe I'm going to college. Yeah, for sure, yeah. Yeah. Do you have anything planned like what you would like to study? elementary education is what I'm gonna study. So would you like to to teach a certain age or grade? kindergarten. I've always wanted to be it started preschool and then I was able to do student aid and help in the kindergarten classrooms at Shoshone and I just loved it. Like I fell in love with that age and yeah. You gotta have a lot of energy for that. So That'd be great. Any desire at all to like con continue athletically maybe in the coaching realm? I know that's a long ways down the road, but is that something you're interested in? Yeah, I've always wanted I I always said I wanna teach and be a coach. So yeah, because I've loved like I've been blessed with good coaches with the softball program and I just wanna be a good role model for my athletes on my team and just show them that yeah. Yeah. That's I mean, I I I really like it's great. It's awesome to hear how coaches the the impact they have on on their athletes and Christian coaches and and being able to show that there's a bigger picture than just your record or how successful you are. So I I think I think you'd be a great coach. So that that would be awesome. That'll be fun to to watch. So well, I think that's it. Did you probably not? Did you have a job this summer? I did a little bit of umping for the Riverton Rex Softball League. And so that was really fun. I really enjoyed that. because all the girls kind of gave me a reminder of like why like there's so many like people watching me when I play and so many like little eyes that look up to us. as older athletes and just watching them like learn to like fall in love with the game and just learning about it all and everything because they'd ask questions middle of the game and then I'd have the opportunity like to explain to them and just help them out. So yeah. Cool. I umpired for years. and I loved it just still be is staying involved with the game. You know, like you said, it's it's a blast. I my my skin's not thick enough. I took it personally when when I had everybody this you'll laugh at this, Brenn is the everybody had asked me, you know, have I had my eyes checked recently? Like, you know, hey gla hey, hey blue, you need to wear glasses. And I just like, if they only knew what my occupation was as an optometrist, I yeah, I think I can see okay, right? Yeah. At least you hope. Yeah. Well, that's awesome. Well, as this has been great. I just wanted to get your perspective and just about camp and your experience and already promoting it. I don't know how you can get much better than this year. I think especially as the day went by, that last Friday and Saturday were pretty impactful. so I I loved it. so awesome. I'd like to I was try end our conversation by praying. So we'll go ahead and pray for Brennan and you guys can join me too. So Father, thank you for this interview today. Thank you for Brennan's heart, Brennan's life. Thank you that she put time in, volunteered time out of her busy summer to go serve you at FCA camp. I just thank you for her eternal impact and the influence that she had on her on her huddle, on her sport. just that they could see her love for you, Father. So thank you for that. Thank you for sports camp and I know that a lot of people have been praying for those kids who put you number one in their lives that are following you, trusting in you, made you their Lord and Savior, because there's an enemy out in the world and that enemy wants to destroy their joy, Father, and will do anything to take that away. So I just pray for all of those kids that you would cover them with your protection, your love, fill them with your spirit. and and and just draw them close to you. we know it is in your time and we know it is in your plan. And we trust in that you're a good God. you love us as as Brennan said, if we were the only one in the whole world, Father, that that love is incredible. And and you it says over and over that you would do anything to find that lost person, that lost soul. So thank Thank you for how you worked at FCA camp. Thank you for all the coaches that were there, all the HUDL leaders, and just the influence that you had. Now I just pray that you will prepare Brenda for college. I just pray for her family as she departs. And I just pray that you would bless her in the time that she spends at Chadron State, in the softball program, in her education, the impact she has on her team. And on the campus. Father, we love you. We thank you for your son Jesus. and it's in your gracious and holy name we pray. Father, amen. Amen. So awesome. Thank you so much for joining us today. And believe it or not, she's headed to softball practice. So yeah. One week is of softball left. So thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule and We'll keep watching at Chatteren State. So awesome. Yeah. Thank you for having me. It's really fun. And I enjoyed it. Awesome. Well, thanks for listening to 307 Faithful Podcast. just want to remind everybody that we have an FCA wrestling camp coming up in Lander on August 7th and August eighth. you can go to the FCA Wyoming website to register for that. We have three incredible Iowa Hawkeye wrestlers, Alex Marinelli, Caleb Young, Gabe Arnold that will be there. It's a two-day camp. and our focus is on obviously high high intensity wrestling from a spiritual standpoint. So, kind of like we talked about how you can do your sport in a in a manner that glorifies God. So that's what we have coming up. So sign up soon, and we hope to see a lot of you there. If you know anybody that would like to sponsor this podcast, I'm I'm advertising for that. would like to bring some more options to our podcast. But if you'd like to do that or know anybody, you're sure welcome to contact me. So for Brenda Metzler and Devin Davis, thanks for listening to this episode of the 307 Faithful Podcast. Have a great day.