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

Merry White Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. I have had a week long events of family Christmas parties beginning last Sunday. My Mom's side of the family all came down to the ranch for a feast of food and an annual hay ride. Monday night we had just my family (my siblings, nieces, and nephews) for dinner and exchange of gifts. Tuesday & Wednesday I ran around with my Mom to do last minute shopping. Thursday it began to SNOW!! There were periods of time that it was a white out. I couldn't believe it. It definitely makes the holiday complete! Thursday afternoon my parents (& brother) exchanged gifts between us and then headed to town for the Christmas Eve service at church. Afterwards we went over to JJ's house for dinner, made a fire, and got the kids settled down so Santa could come! 

Christmas Day was great! We had a wonderful morning opening gifts and being with the family. As the day went on we pulled out some old family Christmas videos of when I was little. We all laughed so much at each other whether it was the clothes we were wearing, things we said, or the thick texan accent we inherited. One thing we loved most about watching those videos is the heritage of faith that we have been blessed to grow up in. A few of my Grandparents died when I was young so I never really knew them; however, watching these videos has made me appreciate so many more things about my family. 

Pictures from Christmas...

The kids walking in and playing with their presents...

my family enjoying the morning 

and little Joshua digging in his stocking

My beautiful sister JJ

The morning the Lord blessed us with...a WHITE CHRISTMAS

The building of the snowman begins...

  

and it continues...

Here is the life size snowman..the kids were so excited! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas enjoying your family, but also celebrating the gift of Jesus Christ. He has come to give us life. He has come to redeem us. He has come to establish Himself in us for others. He has come to make much of Himself. I am overwhelmed with God's love for us and the greatest sacrifice anyone could ever do for another. Praying that you all are doing well and are filled with the hope that comes from Jesus Christ!

He's Home...

Last Thursday my Dad had to have a few more tests run before the Doctors would release him to eat. After a long couple of days waiting around for the "okay", he was given the "go ahead" Thursday evening to drink and eat. Now this was the first time he was able to drink anything (even water) or eat anything since Thanksgiving...so it was a long 8 days for him. Anyways, he was so happy and encouraged to get some positive news, but especially to actually be able to eat some food. The next day (Friday) he was released from the hospital!!! YAY...he was so overjoyed that he almost started crying when he came home. If you want to read more on the "homecoming" of Dad, check out His blog...www.teamjanszen.blogspot.com 

Dad's 1st drink of water/juice...we were so excited!! 

At my sister's house Friday night for Jesse's (my nephew) birthday! 

This was his first "at home" meal since being release from the hospital earlier that day

Thank you all for praying for him!! The Lord spoke to all of us in various ways in the last few days he was in the hospital..so thank you!! God is good and we praise Him for the sweet victory!!

Many Blessings!