WHAT A WEEKEND...

So...lets just say that God is soo good!! My weekend was filled with so many great things that just thinking about it makes me excited!! This weekend was Baylor's Homecoming and every year there are lots of activities going on...Pigskin, Bonfire, Parade, and the game. Along with the activities, so many alumni come back in to have reunions and boy did I have them...

Thursday afternoon I drove down to Waco and I met up with one of my dearest friends, Kaitlyn Amos. I had the privilege of discipling her throughout my senior year of college. We attended Pigskin that night with her family and roommates. (To those who don't know what Pigskin is..it's basically a mini-Broadway show that Greek organizations actually perform in the Spring..called "Sing" and the top 8 acts out of 20 will perform again during Homecoming). It's a really big deal and I was involved in as many performences as possible! Haha..I'm sure you can imagine... I'm not a singer or dancer, but being able to do all of that with some of your greatest friends is so much fun!! Anyways, Kaitlyn and I watched all the performances and then headed back to her place.*Kaitlyn and I at Pigskin

During the day on Friday, I had lunch with Kaitlyn before she left for her soccer game in Austin. Later on I would meet up with my old roommates! Chelsea, Amber, Garland and I all lived together our Senior year. (Chelsea, Amber and I lived together for 3 years and Garland and I lived together for 2 years but all four of us lived together for 1). Anyways, I met them at our favorite Italian restaurant called Baris. It's a little hole in the wall!

*Chelsea, Me, Garland, and Amber at Baris!

My heart was so refreshed with being able to spend time with them. It's not that often that just us 4 girls can sit around and catch up. After we ate dinner we headed over to the Bonfire on campus. It is another Baylor Tradition...As we walked around we saw so many people we knew and again it was so great to get to see them all!! Chelsea, Amber and Garland all headed to Pigskin that night and I stayed around talking to some Chi Omegas in the show. I love getting to just talk with girls who I spent time with during college. Friday night I stayed at Johanna's house, another girl who I discipled throughout college.

*Johanna and I at the bonfire!

Saturday morning was the Homecoming breakfast for Chi Omega. All of the current members and Alumni get to have some time together in the morning reminiscing on memories. I loved this!! A lot of my favorite people were all in the same room for the first time in a while. Some of those I saw included: Paige Baten-Locke and her daughter Katie-Leigh Baten (I met them in Zambia - picture below), Audra Peterson, Carly Christensen, Jerica Olson, Taylor Gift, Lauren Sherman, LM Hudson, my roommates of course, and many more...*Paige, Katie-Leigh, and I at the Chi Omega Breakfast Saturday Morning
(I met Paige and Katie-Leigh in Zambia this summer. We became so close throughout our time there.)

Once the breakfast was over, Chelsea, Amber and I headed over to the middle of campus to watch the parade. We had a good time sitting on the side of the road watching all the floats come by...
*Chels, Garland, Me and Amber at the parade!

Once the parade ended we grabbed one last meal together and then went our separate ways. On my way out of town I stopped by one of my favorite places...'Food for Thought' and said bye to Kaitlyn then off to Starbucks for a pick-me-up drink...just when I thought my weekend couldn't not have gotten better, the Lord blow me away at what would unfold...

*Kaitlyn and I at 'Food for Thought'

As I was waiting on my drink to be made in Starbucks I noticed an African American standing behind the counter and something inside of me told me to ask him where he was from. To make this long story short...this guy's name is Zaccheaus and he is from Lusaka, Zambia!!! I could not believe!! I got so excited that people started looking at me in Starbucks. I did not care...clearly...because I just met a ZAMBIAN!! I mean I thought I had to go to Zambia to hang out with Zambians but I guess you just have to go to your nearest Starbucks...haha..anyways, we sat for about 30 minutes before he invited me to come to his house and get 2 cd's that him and his group that he travels with made. I went over to the host family's house that he lives with and met another Zambian, named Alan. Their host Mom was there as well. Another fun aspect is that Nancy's daughter, Amanda, went to Camp LIFE!! Crazy of how small the world is!! So for the next hour and a half I hung out with them at their house. My heart was so happy to just spend time with those from the country I love!! I am hoping to see them again soon!! : )

*My two NEW Zambian friends in America!! (Alan, Me, and Zaccheaus)

So that was my crazy, busy, fun-filled weekend with so many great people!! Oh and I also went home to see my parents on Saturday. They are doing well! It was really great for me to see them too! Keep praying for my Dad to gain weight...he's down a few more pounds this week! :(

I am so thankful for everyone who I got to see and spend time with!! On another note, please be praying for me this week. I am working on about 4 - 5 projects at work and it's slightly overwhelming! Things are going great though...God is moving, Kids are being loved on, and souls are being saved!! Thanks again for all of your prayers! Love you all!

Loving Jesus,
Joy

How Beautiful is the Love of Christ...

Well this past weekend was so exciting for many reasons....

1. One of my best friends got engaged to a guy that is so wonderful! Garrett is like a brother to me and I couldn't be more happy for them! I was so thrilled that I got to be a part of their first of many celebrations! God is so good and has been the center of their relationship from the very beginning. I can't wait to see how God uses them to further His name!! Anyways, they will be getting married some time in the Spring and I am so honored to be a part of their Big Day!

* The Bride-to-be...future Mrs. Stephanie Peters!!

* All the girls at Steph's Engagement Party!

* My dear friends are getting married!

2. I have been working on the LIFEWAY KIDS. Basically I am reading through recommendations of children who have been through our Camp LIFE Program in the summer and who need to be taken our of their current living situation and put into one of 6 other homes we have in Lusaka. These homes each have 8-10 kids with some of our Zambian staff as house parents. Each child gets to attend school, have full meals, and be discipled daily. My sweet Emma is one example of many children who are given the chance to begin a new life! Anyways, I spoke with Holly on the phone, since she is in Zambia working on things, and she told me we have 10 openings for NEW Kids to come into the homes!! PRAISE THE LORD!! Ten more children will be rescued!! So...please be in prayer over the new kids. I am so thankful that the Lord provided spots because the stories of these kids are horrific and I cried over each one!

3. God has been faithful! He is providing what is needed for the moment. As I have sent out support letters He is gradually supplying my daily need. As of today, I have received 10% of the amount needed in monthly pledges and several one time gifts that are meeting my immediate needs. Thank you so much for all of you who have given! God is doing what He said He would do as being my Jehovah-Jireh -- "the Lord who provides". I am so humbled and honored to be where I am!! THANK YOU!

4. Learning the Love of Christ. (The meaning of my title of this post) God is definitely taking me on a journey with understanding more and more of who He is. I begin studying the Song of Solomon a couple weeks ago. I have studied it several times throughout college, but I decided to do it again. Mike Bickle is the one who teaches and breaks down every verse in order to understand the meaning, see the significance, apply yourself to it, and most importantly embrace the beauty and love that our Lord God, the bridegroom, has for us! I am only on Session #5 and I love it! I love how the Lord constantly pursues us with His word and moves our hearts to love Him more and more! God is taking me through a process that only He can lead me through and I couldn't be more excited about what is to come!

That's it for now! Hope you all are doing great!! Keep praying for my dad, he hasn't progressed that much. He really needs to gain weight and he doesn't really have a desire to eat. I don't mean to end on a negative note, but just thought you should know.

Thanks again for staying up-to-date on my life!!

Loving Jesus with all my heart,

Joy

The Days are flying by...

HEY!!! I can't believe that it's already been 2 weeks since my last update. I have been trying to make time to give you some good updates and NOW the time has come..haha..

Here's my Dad and I when I went home a few weeks back!
He's doing good, but just needs to put some pounds on!! :)

Okay so over the past couple of weeks I have finally adjusted my schedule and I'm finally on a good routine with work, hanging with friends, etc. One of those things has been going back to my high school (Keller) and watching Volleyball matches. I have loved it! It's hard to watch though and not want to jump on the court, but I had my time I guess.... plus, I am so out of shape anyways. Last Friday, Oct. 17, I went to a match and afterwards I was able to sit and talk with my Coaches about life. It was so great! I loved hearing how they were really doing and the ups and downs of the year. It really makes me want to coach!! :)

Another fun event that happened was the Kanakuk Reunion for Alumni the weekend of the Texas/OU game. Which by the way, those Texas Longhorns are looking good huh? :) #1...yay! Anyways, it is always refreshing to see kamp friends! This is a picture of some of the girls I got to hang out with. We went to lunch at McCalisters...Also, if you haven't been watching college football you are missing out!! If you didn't know already, I am a HUGE TEXAS FAN!! And if you get a chance to watch UT play, you need to! They always put on an exciting game!! I try to find a way to watch the games on the weekend!

Lastly, I wanted to show you where I live. This is my aunt and uncles house in Hurst, Texas. I have about a 20 minute commute to work. It's not bad if I can get on the road right before or after the traffic.

Isn't it cute?? :)

So that's it for now....I have multiple upcoming events here in the next few weeks that I will certainly give updates on!! I won't really have an open weekend until Thanksgiving though so that's a bummer but it's fun! I will take lots of pictures and try to be better about posting them.

Hope you have a great week!! By the way, some of the Family Legacy staff is over in Zambia right now and I am going to try to get them to send me a video of some kids to give you a fresh look at what's happening right now!

Be Blessed my friends!

Loving Jesus with all that I am,
Joy