The final days...

WOW! I cannot even believe that I will be getting on a plane in just a few short days and moving to Zambia for 3 1/2 months. God has been so good in calming my heart and preparing me for what is to come. Thank you for praying for me as I embark on a new journey. Continue to be praying for every step to go smoothly from our travel, to opening the Tree of LIFE village, to sharing the gospel with those who have never heard.

Last weekend I drove down to Waco to spend time with some of my best friends...it is always so refreshing for my heart to be with them and I truly cherish our friendship as well as the time we get to spend together. All day Saturday I got to spend the day with one of my longest and dearest friends, Julie Anna Hammett (formerly Aboussie :) ). We ate lunch at Panera and then ventured over to the suspension bridge where we walked around by the river and just talked. We haven't been able to do that since before her wedding in January so it really was a blessing to get quality time with one of my best friends. Jules has been one to always listen, support, challenge, give advice, and simply knows where you are in life. She is a woman of encouragement and full of zeal. There is never a dull moment with her and we (as well as our families) have developed a deep bond between us that only gets stronger as the years go by. We have been friends for now 17 years!!!

After that, I headed over to Johanna's apartment to stay the night with her. I had the priviledge of discipling Johanna my Senior year (her sophomore year) of college. It was and is a friendship that I cherish and will always continue to have. She and I have a unique friendship and it's as if we are sisters. We have walked through many seasons of life together and I am so blessed to have her in my life. She as grown so much and I am amazed at her wisdom, courage, joy, and discernment. She is a little sister who always wants to be in "the know" about things. I can't believe she is about to graduate and begin a new chapter in her life. We woke up the next morning and went to church at Antioch, grabbed a quick lunch and said our goodbyes.

After church, I ran over to Common Grounds (a famous coffee stop in Waco) to see Kaitlyn. She is another girl I discipled my Senior year of college. She is a junior now, but I still feel like she is a freshman. We sat at Common Grounds and really got to hear how each other was doing. Kaitlyn has become a woman of depth and one who is so intentional. When we get time together there is no messing around, but only authenticity. We chatted for awhile and then I saw a few other friends as they were stopping in to get a caffeine fix for studying. I always love coming back through Waco because it not only brings back such great memories but it allows me to see so many people I cherish and love so much!

Spending time with those girls encouraged my heart so much! Knowing they are supporting me 100% and praying for me every step of the way is more than I could ask for. I love you each and I am so thankful for how God has blessed me through you! I can't wait to hear what God does in your life over the next few weeks and months!

Thanks again to all of you!! So many of y'all have played such a significant part in my life. I know that the days, weeks, and months ahead of me will be filled with challenges, joys, decisions, opportunities, trials, triumphants, prayers, and victories.

As you all know by now, I leave Sunday, May 3 at 5:30pm from DFW. I fly to London with a 12 hour lay over and then straight south to Lusaka, Zambia. I'll hopefully post one more time before I leave.

Let the adventure begin... :)

Love you all!

Joy

Hustle and Bustle

Well life has not slowed down a bit! I have only 9 days until I head off to Zambia for 3 1/2 months. That is just crazy!!! I have been trying to work diligently in getting things done at work, but also trying to spend time with friends. Which I did have some of my closest friends come in town last weekend. It was so great to see both Stephanie and Garrett (I hadn't seen them since their wedding the beginning of March) and get to have some great fellowship with two of my favorite people. They came in on Friday afternoon and they took me out for a late birthday dinner at Cozymels (it has become of my favorite places to eat as well as a tradition when we all get together). Saturday morning we cooked breakfast and just got to talk about what we were learning about the Lord. We then packed up and went out to the lake that is near my house. We played a little football and then got to just sit by ourselves with the Lord. (Much needed by all of us!) That night we went to church at The Village and then hit up Starbucks on the way home. It was a great end to the night to sit and talk to one of my best friends about how we are both doing in the season and transition that we are in. I guess it's always a good conversation when there are both tears and laughter!! ha. Sunday we headed over to the last Camp LIFE meeting in Dallas. It was so fun to be with so many people who are coming to Zambia this summer. You could definitely feel the excitement from everyone there!

That about does it for this week. Everything is in full speed ahead! My packing has begun and my last minute trips to stores are in progress. I am heading to Waco on Saturday to several of my best friends before I leave. It's very bitter sweet, but I am so ready to be back in Zambia.

Please be praying for my health to stay up, for wisdom and discernment in making decisions, for the Lord to really use the gifts and passions in me to love on HIS kids, and for the Lord to reveal HIMSELF in new ways! It is a big summer ahead and I need all the prayers I can get.

Hope you all are doing well.

Serving HIM,
Joy

Pictures from the weekend

The cake that my sister made for my birthday!

My cute nephew and nieces...

Sweet Anna

Watching the kids hunt for Easter Eggs

  

The Fam!

Grandparents and Grandkids

 

The whole Crew

SISTERS!

The beautiful sunset...

Getting Closer

So this week has gone by quick...I have had days that have been great and then days that have been harder. I got to spend a few hours at Panera Bread which was so refreshing for me. The Lord spoke to me in many ways through HIS word...

"In YOUR unfailing LOVE,

 YOU will lead the

people you have redeemed. 

In YOUR strength 

you will guide them to

YOUR HOLY dwelling."

Exodus 15:13

The Lord says, "You will not have to fight this battle.

Take up your positions; stand firm

and see the deliverance the Lord

will give you..."

have FAITH in the Lord your God

and you will be upheld...

sing to the Lord and praise HIM

for the splendor of HIS holiness..."

2 Chron. 20:17, 20, 21

Reading through the 2 Chronicles verse was so encouraging for me because it is when God is speaking to Jehoshaphat and tested him in trusting the Lord to bring him through the battle he was up against. It brought Jehoshaphat to a much closer dependency and relationship with the Lord. And as he bowed down in reverence and waited upon the Lord, God was already in the midst of defeating the army ahead of Jehoshaphat. 

As I read this it became clear of where I am right now...not sure what is to come, but knowing that God ultimately knows and will lead the way. All I have to do is stand next to HIM and trust that HE will lead me in victory. He is the only one who can conquer all things and He is the only one who deserves the praise and honor! He wants me to trust Him enough and what I must do is stand and face it. And once I boldly do that...then with our very eyes we will see the goodness and faithfulness of God persevere with HIS deliverance. I hope you can take time to read these verses and let the Lord speak to you through them. 

I hope you all are doing well. My days are getting shorted until I leave...I'm now at 25 days! yikes! It is definitely hard to get everything done, see everyone I want to, and get prepared for this summer! As of the rest of this week...I'm spending my birthday (tomorrow - thursday) and Easter at home this weekend with my family. I am really looking forward to getting time with them! Have a great weekend!

Loving Jesus,

Joy

some thoughts...

You have been CALLED.

called to live for a specific purpose.

to live for something and someone much greater

than we can even imagine.

for we are now living for the one who first lived for us.

we have been called to live according to HIS purpose.

to be conformed to the likeness of Christ.

he has set us apart. he has justified us.

he has glofied himself in us.

the choice is now ours.

will we, in turn, live for HIM?

will we die to ourselves and choose christ?

he chose us without hesitation and loved us without reservation.

nothing held him back and nothing ever will.

Without Reservation:

wholeheartedly. unreservedly. without qualifications

fully. completely. totally. entirely. wholly. unconditional.

Jesus IS enough for you.

he satisfies your desires.

he provides for your daily needs.

he exceeds expectations.

HE alone is God.

there is no one like him. and there will never be anyone like him.

he chose us before creation. to live for him and

bear his name with boldness.

he has given us the tools to live in righteousness.

he has plans for us. plans of using us to glorify him.

he doesn't need us.

but we need HIM.

he is might to save.

he is the one who gives and takes away.

he is the one i follow close behind even if it gets hard.

for he warns us that the road will be difficult.

but isn't HE worth it?

he has to be worth it. no matter the cost.

for he is the one who gave up his life

so that we could live.

so no matter what may come.

we must say...

blessed be YOUR name O Lord, blessed be YOUR name.

what a God we serve who exemplifies loving without reservation.

may our life be lived in this same way...

loving the Lord with all that you are. holding nothing back.

just a few pictures

Here are a few pictures from when I got to hang with with a few 

of my favorite campers from Kanakuk last week....

Sally Higgins and Lucy Ryan

*Sally brought 17 boxes full of donations 

for our kids in Zambia!! yay!! Thanks Sally :)

(ps-notice the big posters we have of Zambian children...

we have those all over my office...

I mean how can you not love them??)

*Lucy met up with Sally and I for dinner at Chilis. I don't think 

I've laughed that hard in a long time..What a fun night it was!! 

*I love these girls! We met in 2007 and 

our friendship is one that I truly cherish!

*By the way...I have 32 days until I leave for Zambia, Africa!!