YL Leader Retreat

Every year we get to go to some type of leader retreat with YL. Sometimes it is with tons of areas, sometimes a few, but this year we just went with Grapevine Colleyville. It was such a treat! We got to spend the weekend together laughing, praying, dreaming and resting for the upcoming semester. We were definitely spoiled rotten. Thankful for these friends, for GCYL and for another semester.

Thankful for GCYL, 

MJ

GCYL SKI

To kick of Christmas break we got to load some busses with our favorite high school friends and GCYL to head to the mountains. We stayed at Crooked Creek Ranch and took busses in every day to ski at Winter Park. It was my second year to take girls and it was a BLAST. Being in the snow sure did kick off the Christmas season in such a special way! 

Thankful for GCYL, the snow and weeks of adventure,

MJ

It's the MOST Wonderful time of the Year

Christmas fun is in full swing around here! We are having a blast celebrating with all of our friends and looking forward to family celebrations as well. We are taking time to remember what this season is really about, the advent study I am doing has been such a sweet reminder of Jesus's birth, but also a reminder that he is coming back again. He is the only one who can truly provide us with hope and peace. I pray that this season I grow closer to him and that all that I do reflects my relationship with him. I pray that this Christmas season we find true Joy in Jesus & him alone! 

I mean I couldn't not share :) 

This is not really Christmas related, but I had to document our first trip to Magnolia and our last home game this season! SIC EM BEARS! 

We celebrated with our community group with tacky sweaters and white elephant! 

Our town is known as the Christmas Capitol of Texas & we kicked off the season with a Parade of Lights (or people) down main street 

We had our 2nd annual GCYL Mr. Christmas Tree 

We celebrated with our favorite Juniors with hot chocolate and smores 

My sweet friend Bethany hosted our first annual ornament exchange for some of my favorite girls! Seriously thankful for each and everyone of these girls and their friendship

We went on our 5th annual best friend Christmas date with the Jeffrey's.. when we got married we decided it would be more fun to go do something instead of get gifts and it has stuck and it is one of my favorite traditions

Then we got to celebrate with our GCYL family! This Christmas party is always such a sweet time.  I look forward to it every year! 

Wow! What an incredible first half of DECEMBER! It sounds a bit exhausting, but I honestly wouldn't trade a moment we've gotten to have this month. I am super thankful for this life God has given us! Looking forward to a more low key week before we head off to Winter Park for GCYL ski trip and then back home to celebrate Christmas with our families! 

Thankful for Christmas fun, 

MJ