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Texas to Tuscany

How a small town girl packed up her life and embarked on a new journey in Europe

Halee Van Poppel is a well known talent in the south. She has made a name for herself as a successful figure in women’s volleyball and continues to do so overseas. During her junior year at Belmont, Halee played in all 31 matches, seeing action in 106 sets and earning 10 starts … Finished season nationally ranked 88th in total attacks, 128th in attacks per set and 142nd in total kills. After 4 seasons with Belmont University, Halee furthered her career at Dallas Baptist University where she was named, AVCA DII All- American Honorable Mention, All-conference Newcomer of the Year, and All- Conference First Team. Halee is now apart of the Roma7 Volleyball team in Rome, Italy.

Halee has experienced a lot in her career and can speak to challenges one might face in college sports, leaving home, and finding the love of the game again.

Halee now finds herself on the roads of Rome finding new purpose, faith, and identity in this season of life. Listen to this and more in the conversation linked below.

As a close friend, I am so proud of Halee’s accomplishments and all that she has done with her talent. She has been such a role model to me in my career and has greatly influenced the person I am today.

Watch part one of our conversation now.

 

 

 

 

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This Wasn’t in The Play Call

lauren walsh volleyball

This is an ironic blog. Who would have thought that the very thing I created for a school project would become the resource I needed for myself. Teaching, aiding, and walking with friends through life’s biggest obstacles. Being a word of encouragement to those struggling with the stage of life they may be in, rarely ever thinking that the challenges others face could happen to you, especially not tomorrow.

Ever felt invisible? That life was finally going your way? Oblivious to the reality that you would soon be entering a dark, beaten down, and distraught road. Well, that’s the Road I’m On at the moment. I don’t know why my direction has changed its course but I have to believe that the man with the compass is steering me towards a better destination.

I played my last volleyball game on 10/22/22. My brand promise to you was to always share with complete honesty and truth. And well, I feel robbed, broken, defeated, and a bit hopeless at the moment. I have a lot of questions for God. Like why I deserved this? Why me? Why now? What did I do wrong? What could He possibly be teaching me?

I don’t have these answers, and frankly I’m not sure I ever will. Just when I thought the pieces of my life that had been previously broken were finally being repaired, my life shatters. You hear of athletes exiting the world of sports after a long career, facing identity crises. I don’t even feel like I was given the respect of mourning the sport that was taken from me in a split second. The calendar did not run out for my final season, life came a took the days I had left without any explanation or preparation. Why does a God who loves his children let these things happen?

I want to ask Him myself. I wish there was a phone line to heaven where I could speak to the manager. Better yet, I wish I could send my Grammy to speak to the manager. Believe me, if you met my Grammy, you’d know she’d take care of this dilemma and have a word with the Man who let this happen to me. Grammy gets Nordstroms to refund her for the shoes she purchased in 1998, I’m sure she could get them to reverse this reality.

My volleyball career has been a story of trials, tribulations, and a lot of hard work. I was exactly 25 days away from finally hanging up my jersey with pride and 14 days away from celebrating all that I’d committed to and accomplished in my four years on Senior Night. To say the least, I am heartbroken. It just doesn’t seem fair. It’s hard to not think of all the things you dreamt for yourself and question why God wasn’t willing to allow you to play on your senior night, the game that has been highlighted in your calendar for years. Now my calendar will read the track of a yearlong road to recovery. Why couldn’t He just give me a few more weeks? I already miss the nerves I felt before stepping on the court and the antsy movement of my feet when the game is about to begin. I miss the feeling of my heart racing, the competitive drive, and the goofy mumbles at the net. I’d do anything to hear that over the mumbles of a diagnosis from the Doctor. I simply don’t understand why. Where did I go wrong? Did I really deserve this? Is this my fault?

People have told me that something good will come of this, He has a plan, and that everything is going to be alright. But I’d be lying if I told you I believed them. I don’t understand the plan. I don’t see the good that will come of this. And right now, nothing feels right. I don’t say this as a way to receive pity for my situation. I say this to admit that sometimes life just stinks. It’s not all rainbows and butterflies. You don’t see the real side of people behind the Instagram post, the selfies, the Tik-Tok dances, or the tweets. It’s ok to not have it all together sometimes, I promise you, it’s part of being human. And while I don’t have the answer to why bad things happen to good people, I hope to be a light to you in your hard place as we walk this road together towards a brighter day.

A few weeks ago, I shared a few things I learned in my 22 years of life. The first lesson being that in your hardest days, custom armor is being built for you. So that every challenge after will have no chance against your weaponry. And while I feel like I couldn’t be any tougher with the obstacles I’ve already climbed, I guess God thought I needed my armor upgraded. I know this Road I’m On will be tough, but I am certain that I will like my new added armor features of strength, perseverance, and courage that I am gaining in the process.

Join me in praying for a safe surgery and speedy recovery…Maybe even a miracle to play again.

Thank you!

-Lauren

 

 

 

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Feelin’ Twenty-Two

I’m Feelin’ Twenty-Two

Well, you heard it here first, I am a whole year older. 22 feels a lot different than 21. 21 was exciting because it meant so long kids table at family dinners, so long life without happy hours, and so long to… well ya know, that thing that used to get you into bars. It seems like every year after 21, society chases you with questions like, “what do you want to do after college?” “Do you have a job lined up,” or “are you seeing anyone?” and “are they the one?” If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t have those answers lined up. And hey, that’s okay sister!

This blog is for people like me and you, if you can relate even in the slightest to not having it all figured out. Sometimes we need people in our lives who have walked the road we’re on before us, to lend a flashlight to what seems like a dark and undiscovered path. My hope is to bring you these people to help you keep walking. Whether you’re 22 or 72, we all can use a friend to walk with us through life with a Christian perspective.

Here’s what I can offer you today, the things I have learned in my 22 years. First, your hardest days will supply you with armor for the best days. What do I mean?  Well, have you ever known what it feels like at your lowest? Schools not going well. Your boyfriend dumps you, you lose a friend, tough practice, injured, and the list goes on. Well, in these moments you’re gaining custom armor. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”- James 1:2-4. The key part of this verse is this, “let perseverance finish its work.” That’s the tough part. In your lowest moment, darkest hour, and worst day God is working. Trust in this truth and let Him finish the work. Don’t give up on yourself, your job, your life, school, sports, that relationships, or your faith. I promise you; a brighter day is coming. It may not come as soon as you’d like but it will. You have to believe it and work to find the light at the end of the tunnel. You are gaining your armor. The next obstacle that comes your way will have no chance against you, take it from me.

Second, invest in friendships. Losing a friend stinks and having that large group of semi-close friends won’t fulfill our human desire for connection. “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”- Proverbs 18:24. Find your people and invest in those relationships. Loads of people will come and go in our lives. Don’t let those that mean the most to you slip away simply because you forget to text or call. Send that birthday message, book that flight, wish a happy anniversary, and congratulate that person on their big accomplishment. These small actions will go a long way. When life gets tough, you’ll need those friends. When life is so good, you’ll wish you had them by your side to share the moment.

Third, be kind. Yeah, I know, your mom has been telling you this since birth. But really, be kind to people. You don’t want to look back on your time here and think, ‘man I could have been a lot nicer to Susie, and Charlotte, and maybe Nicole.’ You don’t get those moments back with the people you cross paths with in life. So even if it means taking the high road, just be nice my friend. You’ll be happy with the person in the mirror when our time on earth runs out. And if it’s not too late, say you’re sorry. I know for some that is a big pill to swallow but soon it will feel like taking Advil for a massive headache, the pain of pride will go away. “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High”- Luke 6:35.

Lastly, time goes by fast, so don’t waste it. Let the petty stuff go and enjoy this beautiful life God has given you. I am not perfect and many days I find myself selfishly ignoring all that He has blessed me with. So much that I do not deserve, so much I could never have obtained on my own, and so much good that often goes unseen to the naked eye. We don’t get a second chance on this earth, so as I like to say, “full send.” Buy those concert tickets you’ve been saving for. Dance in the rain on a Saturday night with your bestie. Go on the date you’ve been putting off. Laugh at your own jokes, cry with a friend, and don’t forget to call mom. Wherever life takes you, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”- Joshua 1:9. We’ve got the best compass on our side, start the adventure!

I may not be the smartest tool in the shed but I hope these few things that I have learned during the roads I’ve been on will help you in your path. Here’s to feelin’ twenty-two!

#keepwalking

Love

-Lauren

 

 

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Welcome to the Blog

Hey Friends! Welcome to my blog.

Road I’m On– Walking through life with a Christian perspective.

Your destination for a friendly lifestyle blog with the values of Christianity at the core of discussions. The blog will consist of guest appearances from individuals in all phases of life such as: dating, motherhood, career, college, etc. These discussions will be relatable, vulnerable, humorous and helpful to readers who may be experiencing these same life milestones. Our intention is not to put a scripture band-aid on a battle wound. Rather, it is an invitation for a virtual friendship as we experience the ups and downs of life together while holding tight to faith.

Behind The Creation

As a young Christian trying to figure out the world around me, I find myself at times lacking mentorship when life throws me a curve ball. Society tends to separate religion from lifestyle, but I believe faith should be at the core of all that we tackle. The inspiration of this blog is to welcome a wide variety of readers at any stage of life to listen, learn, laugh, and grow together.

Branding Significance

I am in my early twenties and have already experienced so much in my life. I’ve faced loss, battled mental health, tough breakups and much more. I have questions about the future of politics, career, finances, relationships, and much more. I have struggled with my faith during tough stages in my life, when it seems almost impossible to understand what God is doing. A pastor once said, “a life without faith, is no life at all.” I strongly believe that each road we are on will fulfill a purpose. This platform will allow me to bring in individuals who have traveled on these bumpy roads, to humbly discuss the best ways to conquer the road you’re on with a Christian view.

Leave you with this 🙂

The trials we face shape who we become, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4).

Keep walking my friend 🙂

 

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