Celebrating!!

I love celebrating life with my friends! Every end of a season is just as sweet as the beginning of a new one. Early Friday morning I drove down to Austin, Tx to be with one of my best friends, Sarah Escamilla as she closed out her time at Texas. Her and I met 3 years ago in Zambia. God knitted our friendship together and has continued to bless it over the years! She is truly an "iron" in my life. She has consistently encouraged me, sharpened me, and walked beside me through it all!

Sarah loves her water fountains!

Friday night after the celebratory dinner with her sweet family, we parted ways and I headed down to New Braunfels to stay with my sister Jamie. And as an additional surprise, my other sister, JJ and her whole family were staying the night as well. It is the unplanned visits that are actually the best! All of us stayed up till the wee hours of the night talking. It was so great! I am so blessed with this family! Saturday we spent the morning talking over coffee and then eventually headed northbound on 35 back home.

Sunday was another day to honor those ending a chapter in their life. My senior girls in my small group were honored during church. Most of them only have one more week of their high school career. It's crazy to think that was me 7 years ago. Crazy how time flies! I am so incredibly proud of these girls and all they have done to get to this point. The next four years are even better! Congratulations girls!

Miss Jordan Garner is headed off to Oklahoma Baptist.

Miss Madeline French is headed to my Alma Mater...

BAYLOR!!

Miss Sarah and Amanda Barnard (my cousins' cousins)

are both going to Aggie land...A&M

Bible Study Girls..well some of us!

a gift

(well...it's official I'm awful at posting. especially when the last blog anticipated another post soon after...sorry for those who read this regularly)

there is just one story to be shared that depicts a beautiful illustration of grace. it happened last saturday night when i attended a launching party for a new christian company (another blog to explain "Halle Joy"). anyways, we were learning more about our role, responsibilities, and the logistics of it all. somewhat overwhelming, but altogether exciting. many emotions were felt that evening that in the end i began to cry. expressing this emotion rarely comes when in public, but at times it's good to cry. being completely real even though many people are wondering why someone is so upset about an exciting event. :)

that night i had to make a commitment and either be in or out. i was going back and forth weighing out the pros and cons. i knew this opportunity would only come once, but wasn't certain on how i could pull it off and make it work when i don't have a clue how to do it. however, through the tear filled eyes i knew i needed to take the step. doing this would take courage, boldness, faith, trust, dependability, and obedience. i was on the fence between comfortable and uncomfortable. the problem with that is...the fence. trying to be on both sides. not fully on one or the other. i had to make a choice.

and in faith i stepped. believing some how, some way my Lord would provide. i was believing that He would equip me for this. i didn't have the attributes, character qualities, or giftings as others did thus i was feeling even more inadequate. i didn't know how i would pull this off or how to even begin. and in that moment i felt the Lord say.."you don't know how to do this, but I do. Don't you trust me? Don't you believe that I will make a way for you? All you have to do is believe me!" I had to trust Him more then my feelings. more then what i could see with my eyes. I had to believe. I had to obey. I had to step outside my comfort zone. depending on Him wholeheartedly with every breath. the story of Abraham came to mind when the Lord asked him to go to this land that I will show you, even though you don't know where to go (Heb. 11:8). I'm sure Abraham felt similar emotions, but then again He obeyed and went.

as the night came to an end, God came through for me. He came through in ways that I can't quite describe on a blog. he provided a way for all of this to be possible. he took care of the finances that i was so worried about. he gave me a gift (paid in full...debt free). that i did not deserve. it was by His grace alone that i am where i am today. He is paving the path. this new opportunity has been given FROM Him and it is truly FOR Him. i firmly believe that God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called.

just as the brandon heath song says.."Don't get comfortable. I am going to move this mountain and then I am going to move you through." that is just what the Lord did that night.


as i experienced this act of grace from a family friend...it hit me even heavier because i was reminded of the gift of grace through the cross of Jesus Christ. we don't deserve to be saved, but God so desired us to be. He gave His only son for us. as a gift. to atone for our sins. our life is paid in full. debt free. what a mighty God we have who watches over all of us. who takes care of our every need. and who loves us unconditionally. HE IS JEHOVAH-JIREH!

a little behind

i'm behind and i have no excuse. i am not quite sure how the day goes by so quickly and nothing on my "to-do" list gets crossed off. a little frustrating but there's always hope for tomorrow right? :)

A few fun events...May 1 was prom for my bible study girls so I got go see them at the church all dolled up. It was so fun! Quite eventful because of the limo not showing up, but it just adds to the memories when they look back. I went up to the church to see the girls all dressed up...

Acting out...I'm believing God.

Us

May has been filled with Volleyball as well. Its still full throttle with practices; which is so fun but my kids continue to prove that I am out of shape. Ha. I went home for Mother's Day and spent the whole weekend hanging out with mom. Last year I was in Zambia so I was making up for that by having an extended time at home. It was great to relax and be home!

This past Saturday was a day that God blew me away with His faithfulness, His provision, and His grace! I will explain more in the next post...

For the Glory of His Name,

Joy

remembering

my heart has been wrestling a lot with what to share. too many things that it has been difficult to place words down to even describe. i have been overwhelmed with God's goodness. past. present. and what is to come. when you recognize the very touch of God's hand. the guidance of His mighty staff. and the call of His voice. you then can say yes. YES! i am following the One who has gone before me. he has cut covenant with me. he has set before me the path to take. for he prepared this way for me to take long ago. it may look different to those around me. but this is the way i must go. i have to fulfill the assignment. the task given unto me.

i have been challenged lately to look back on my life. to find the stones of remembrance. to be reminded of my faithful God. whom i follow and serve. even to think upon significant moments of my life brings tears to my eyes. God has been so good. more than i deserve. His word is filled with promises. not just to be read and known. but to be proclaimed by His children. he has set us apart to be used by Him to further His kingdom.

one of my stones of remembrance is having the honor to visit the orphans and vulnerable children of Zambia, Africa. my time spent there is forever etched in my memory. i was not prepared for the impact it would have upon my life. God knew though. :) a little bit of life changing to say the least.

recalling the stories. the children. the people. the transformation. all of it stirs up such emotion in me. emotion that is full of joy from the Lord. just recently i have had 2 different family members (my 11 yr niece & cousin) interview me about my time in africa. they both are doing a project for school. i was honored to tell them stories once again. every story told. described. i relived. it felt as though i was just there yesterday. as i remembered. my heart got tender. tender because i saw the graciousness of God. His kindness. His love. His mercy. His redeeming power. i got to witness with my very own eyes. lives being radically transformed. what a privilege. All Glory is His!

i can see their faces now. full of love. full of joy. full of life. thank you Jesus for watching over them. thank you for making beauty out of the ashes.

to my zambian family...i will always carry you close to my heart. i am so thankful and grateful unto our God for allowing me to serve with you. thinking about you brings a smile to my face. love in my heart. and joy to my soul. you all have changed my life. thank you for letting God use you to make a difference in me. i praise the Lord for you all. i am humbled to tell the stories on this side of the world. may our living God be praised!