Catching Our Stride

The Seinajoki Crocodiles won their third game in a row 42-14 vs. the Jaguars. The offense made big plays and grounded out some tough yards in the 2nd half to work the clock, wear down the Jaguars defense, and keep their high scoring offense off the field. Our defense played a stellar game and was very physical from the start. Both scores from the Jaguars came from big plays on long passes as we had put in a number of defensive adjustments this past week to counter their no huddle spread attack. Our team is really starting to come together and play with a lot of energy and passion. We are getting back into the mix for the playoffs, but we still have a long way to go before we can solidify our position as a post season contender. We will continue to take one game at a time and not fall into the trap of looking too far ahead. The team is confident and focused right now and I am proud of the effort they are giving. Our next opponent is the Helsinki Roosters next Saturday afternoon in Seinajoki. The Roosters are led by the premiere QB in our league. Robert Johnson was a standout player at Texas Tech University. Johnson has a great arm and very active feet. He is a dangerous QB to defend because he can beat you with both his arm and his running ability. We will enjoy this victory for the next 24 hours and then begin our work to prepare for the Roosters.

I didn't want to make this whole post about football, so I thought I would include some more pictures from our trip to Helsinki last week. The pictures here are of the Temppeliaukio Lutheran Church. This church is located near the city center in Helsinki. It was built in 1969 after the original plans to build the church in the 1930's were delayed due to World War II. This unique rock church is especially popular as a concert venue due to its magnificent acoustics. The interior was excavated and built into the surrounding rock. The church is canvassed with great natural light from the glazed dome. This is by far one of the most unique churches I have ever laid eyes on anywhere in Europe. I also included a few pictures of the Finnish sauna. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the sauna is an integral part of the Finnish culture. It is very therapeutic and a great stress reliever. The kids are enjoying the saunas too and even little Kaylin has the hang of it. She is usually the first one in and already sitting on her mat when the rest of the family enters the sauna.

Our sparkling apartment complex sauna

Is now our Wednesday night tradition

Cool water and hot rocks= lots of red faces and sweating

Glazed dome of the church

Layered rock forms the walls of the structure

Altar shot of the church

Sanctuary of the Lutheran Temppeliaukio Church

Lights out.