time spent well

i was in reno, nevada for 6 days with my volleyball team playing in the junior national volleyball championship. even though it seems extremely long. it actually went by very quickly. we were busy playing in our tournament. riding go carts. eating at different places. and enjoying each other's company. this was my last tournament with these girls and i didn't want to miss out on an opportunity.

*The view from my room*

*Post go-carting*

i was able to have some great conversations with my girls. i love how the Lord provides moments to sit down at the end of the day and talk about life. something about that brings joy to my heart. it truly was my favorite moment of the weekend. coaching kids in volleyball is one thing, but coaching kids in life is another thing. much greater responsibility. much sweeter time. and much more refining in both lives.

as the days came to a close i knew it would be another ending to a chapter in my life. such a learning season. my team finished 67th out of 128 teams so not too bad. even though we didn't finish where we wanted. there so much more we took away from it. at the end of it all, i walked away without a drop left to give. i hope my time was spent well investing into others. that is what i want to feel every time i'm finished with something. completely exhausted. without anything left to give.

*Final day of competition*

6 months. 10 tournaments. 50+ practices. new friendships that blessed me in every way...PRICELESS!

who knows what the next chapter of my life will hold...i am looking forward to whatever it may be...

Happy April!

The month of April is a busy one for me this year...went to New Orleans for a volleyball tournament (previous post), celebrated my 25th birthday (crazy!) on April 9, had another volleyball tournament in Dallas, and now I'm heading off this afternoon for Minnesota for yet another tournament! It's been packed, but have loved every second of what I get to do! I really don't understand why the Lord has allowed me to do what I am doing...I am humbled every day for the people I get to walk through life with...even if they are in high school! :) Both Bible Study on Tuesday nights and time spent with my volleyball kids all are moments I cherish!

A few pictures from the past 2 weeks...

A red velvet cake for my bday

Jordan and Madeline took me out to eat

at Cheesecake Factory for my birthday dinner!
Love these girls!

Of course you have to have a solo picture with your cake...

Madeline, Me, and Kailey

Saturday night (April 10) I had another birthday dinner, but this time with some of my family! We ate at this place called Fresos in Burleson!! I think it's climbing the charts on a being a favorite!

I brought home a few things from New Orleans for my nieces

(one of yet to be delievered to Raylee who lives in New Braunfels)

We finished 3rd at the Dallas Lonestar Qualifier!
Being silly! I love these girls!

new places

Traveling has become a new occurrence for me, especially with coaching volleyball. The first weekend of April, during Easter, I was in New Orleans with my team. I loved seeing new places and being with my kids; however, I missed being home with my family. It is one of my favorite times of the year to spend with the family in celebrating our risen Lord. We did have our own little Easter egg hunt with my kids in New Orleans. (Pictures posted below)

Laura (head coach) and I

Riding the trolley to the French Quarter

In the middle of Jackson Square in the French Quarter

Walking around..I loved the old buildings!

We had an early Easter egg hunt for the girls!

Probably one of my favorite things to watch! :)

Easter Egg Pic..post hunting

Another look at the buildings in the French Quarter

One of my favorite pictures...

part of the old buildings and

then the new modern buildings in the background

In fast forward

Again, it's been two weeks almost since my last post. I really can't believe how fast the days go by. Even though there is craziness in my life, I love every moment. Not one of them is a surprise from the Lord.

To catch you up on the past events:

March 5: I headed to Austin, Tx to watch my camper, Sally, play in the semi-finals at the 2A State Basketball tournament. I met up with 2 of my friends from Kanakuk, Tanya Beardsley and Bethann Boitmann. God graciously blessed my time down in Austin to visit and catch up on life! It refreshed me in so many ways to see them and Sally. I also made an extra stop on my way out of town to see one of my best friends, Sarah. Such a fun day!!

March 9: Started the Believing God Bible Study with 15 high schoolers! God has been so good in blessing our time together. We have met 2 times already and I am blown away at how God moves and enriches our fellowship! Each week as we move deeper into the study, pray that God would penetrate even more in every heart and draw us to a greater understanding of who God is!

March 12-17: I had a volleyball tournament down in Houston and then spent the beginning of this week in Colorado with part of the youth group from First Baptist Hurst. Some of my girls in my small group were on that trip and I was able to spend more time with them. We had a blast skiing in Winter Park and making fun memories! With going on trips like this, I believe God has called all of us to truly live life with others. To walk alongside one another, encouraging, sharpening, and pushing them closer to Jesus Christ.

**Unexpected turn of events: Saturday, March 13 my sweet Mom, Dad, and brother were riding horses on the ranch as usual. However, during a normal day, the horse my mom was riding was spooked and jolted quickly. Mom was thrown off, hitting the ground hard and landing on rocks. She landed on her RIGHT shoulder which we came to find out she had broken her humerus bone in multiple places. My Dad and brother rushed her to the hospital and she ended up having surgery the next day. The doctors had to put in 12 screws, a plate, and a bone graft. She is RIGHT handed so this will be a new adventure for her to begin learning to do things with her left hand as she is healing. She was released from the hospital Tuesday (March 16) and has been adjusting to the "new normal" with Dad trying to take care of her. Please be praying for the bone graft to take, quick healing, the next several months as she is recovering and in physical therapy. And also keep praying for Dad as well. Pray for him to continue to have strength and energy as he is enduring this with Mom.

I am heading home for the weekend to be with Mom and Dad! I'm praying that it will be refreshing for all of us!! We continue to look to the Lord and plead His blood. We are believing and trusting God's purposes are true and right. May He be glorified in all of this!!

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

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