Disciple Now 2010

Last weekend I had the privilege of being a leader at Disciple Now at First Baptist Hurst. I was placed with 25 seniors!! It was sooo much fun!! We all stayed at 1 house so it was a little crazy as you can imagine sleeping in just about every place. :) The weekend included: worship lead by the David Hassel Band, teaching by a guest speaker, a picture scavenger hunt (pictures below), bringing sack lunches and hot chocolate to the homeless in Ft Worth, dodgeball, broom ball on the ice rink, and a time of intimate worship in setting our hearts on the Lord. We had great small group (it was still large with 25 girls...haha) discussions regarding who we are in the Lord and finding our identity in Him. Our theme for D'NOW was Roots. I am so thankful for all the conversations I had with the girls. I love getting to know people, hear their story, and simply coming alongside them as we run after Jesus together. God moved in all of us this past weekend and my prayer is that He would continue to rend our hearts to Him!

Here are some pictures from D'NOW...all of these are a part of our scavenger hunt Friday night

Some of my girls "underwater"...

The group with our "feet off the ground"

My girls being "wall art"

We had to make a "human target"

During worship...

Karen, Judy, and I at broom ball... I think it's become one of my new favorites!!
Sunday morning...
25 Seniors...love them all!!

Today (Friday), I am heading down to San Antonio for a volleyball tournament!! I'm so excited!! First of all, I love road trips. Secondly, it's San Antonio. Thirdly, I'm hoping to get to see my sister and a few friends along the way!! Please keep my volleyball girls in your prayers. Pray that God would provide opportunities to share with them about who He is. I have already seen some ways He is doing just that! :)

Also, continue to pray for a place to live. The Lord has completed my time with Karen. Her son and his family will be moving in with her next month. I am needing to find a place to move quickly. I am not sure on where or with whom. I am beginning to feel a little anxious in seeking that out, but it becomes difficult when I am babysitting all day and then volleyball practice at night. I believe the Lord is preparing that place, but it hasn't been revealed to me yet. Pray that God would open the door and move quickly!!

Lastly, I feel like the Lord is leading me to start a bible study/small group with some of the girls in the youth group from church. I am so excited about this opportunity and the time I will get to spend with them. It brings such joy to my heart in being able to walk alongside these girls at their age and do life with them...to mentor, disciple, or just hang out...I am thankful for it all! God is moving mightly and my prayer is that He will use this to further His name! I have nothing to really offer them, but God does. I am humbled to be where I am and so excited to see what is to come!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

For the Glory of His Name,

Joy

Volleyball Team Trip

Here are some pictures from when my volleyball team went on our team bonding trip the first weekend of January!! We had a blast!!!

The Crew

Beginning our activities...

Working together...

Still going...

They did awesome on this one...a lot of eye hand coordination

Moving together, one step at a time...literally

Last few moments...

Post trip picture...we all made it back safe and sound!! 

Please be praying for Disciple Now at First Baptist Hurst!! It begins tonight and I am leading the Seniors this weekend. My hope is that God will come and move in the hearts of these girls!! I pray that God will use me as His vessel, to be His hands and feet to these girls!! 

For the Glory of His Name,

Joy

The New Year brings New Adventures

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have gotten distracted very easily over the past 10 days. Here's what has been going on the past week....

Jan 2-3 : Team Bonding Camping Trip (Pictures will be in next post)

Since the beginning of December I have been coaching a club volleyball team consisting of 12 freshman girls from a variety of schools. My head coach and I took them on an overnight team bonding trip. Throughout the entirety of our trip, we had the girls do various team building activities. From a volleyball trivia, to obstacle courses, to cooking together, to sitting by the fire, we managed to walk away with a greater understanding of each other. I loved it! It was so fun to watch people come together and find ways to overcome a difficult task. It made me more excited for this upcoming season in watching them grow not only as volleyball players, but as individuals.

Jan 4-8 : Babysitting, Volleyball Practice, Football Games

I started babysitting for this sweet Christian family in Fort Worth. The little girl I babysit is Cate. She is 8 1/2 months old and is cute as a button. I babysit her 4 days a week. Also, last week was our "official" week to begin volleyball practice in preparation for tournament play. We had our first tournament this past weekend. We ended up getting 9th place, which was pretty good for our first one. I love getting to coach and encourage these girls in a sport that I love! And as you all know there were many football games on during Bowl Week. Of course I watched the National Championship and was sad to see Texas loose.

This week : Game night with College roommates, Practice, Babysitting, Disciple Now

Last night (Sunday) I went to Dallas to get together with my college roommates and friends for a game night and a birthday party. It was so much fun to see them (plus their spouses and significant others)! I am looking forward to many more nights like it! I have practice on Monday and Thursday nights, babysitting Monday-Friday, and then a fun weekend of Disciple Now!! I get to hang out with the seniors this weekend. They are a great group of girls and I can't wait!

**One thing you all can be praying about is for the Lord to provide me with another living arrangement. I have been living with this sweet woman named Karen and God has provided for her in regards to her situation. An answer to prayer! Her son and his family will be moving in with her. What a blessing and provision from the Lord! I am beyond grateful for God's work and faithfulness of Him being Karen's constant provider and sustainer. Therefore, as Karen's son prepares to move in mid-February, I must prepare to move out. I am praying for guidance from the Lord and His timing in where I should move. I trust and believe the Lord will reveal and move before me in preparing the right place. (if anyone knows people or has suggestions, feel free to pass it along)

I hope all of you are off to a great new year!

Be Blessed today!

Bound in His love,
Joy

Happy New Year!

I can't believe we are already in year 2010. Seems like yesterday when we were entering into a new millennium and now another decade is behind us. Wow...how time flies! Last night as I was watching on tv the New Years Eve countdown in New York City, I began to think about not only what I did this year but also over the past 10 years! 

A few events came to mind..

- I was 14 years old when my sister got married 10 yrs ago

- I graduated high school ('03)

- I graduated from Baylor ('07)

- I went to 5 bowl games that Texas was playing in (bro was for UT)

- I went to the National Championship Game in 2005 that the Texas Longhorns won

- I went to Zambia, Africa 3 different times

- I worked at Kanakuk 5 summers 

- I lived in Arkansas

- I have battled with my family in fighting my Dad's Cancer (so far, we are winning by the grace of God)

- I had 2 nephews and 3 nieces born

- And I have met the most incredible friends that I cherish so much! 

These are just a few memories that stick out from the past decade. God has brought me so far and I am so grateful for all that He has done in my life over the past 10 years! I am excited and looking forward to this year and all that God will do! 

Blessing to you all as you begin this new year! 

~Joy~

**A few days ago some of my friends came over. We cooked dinner and had a game night! Love these girls!

Jen, Sara, Sarah, and Me

Trying to be funny...I'm not quite sure we all got the memo