Hidden Treasure

I know this is silly, but I was just going through pictures from Kenya last year. I feel like I've literally looked through those pictures a hundred times, but somehow I've always missed seeing a few. Finding these few pictures feels like finding hidden treasure!

Anna, Tim and I gazing upon Lake Nakuru on our Safari Day.

With the sweet children in the IDP camp.

Anna and I in the safari van before beginning our adventure.

crazy hair!

There are so many more great pictures from our trip last year, many are favorites, but these new ones just make me happy.

Looking back through all the pictures makes me incredibly excited for another chance to fall even more in love with Africa and even deeper in love with the Lord. I know this year will be extremely different, but I know the Lord will once again work in mighty ways.

Will you pray for me? Pray that I keep my focus on our specific mission of sharing the gospel and launching the Rift Vally Fellowship church plant. Pray against any expectations that creep into my mind based on my experience last year. The only expectation I want to have is that the Lord will do an incredible work in Kenya and in my heart while we're there. 

I love you all and I'm so thankful you're in my life.

love,

jules

Well, we leave for Kenya in less than a month. Can you believe it's already almost time? I guess the summer flew by without me knowing!

So what's the latest? I'm not really sure! I had to miss 3 consecutive team meetings this summer and have only seen the team, or most of them, once since May. Last Sunday we all met up to go to a Kenyan church here in the Dallas area called Upendo Baptist Church. Apparently Upendo hosts other churches in their building because more than half of our team ended up in a South Sudanese worship service instead of the Kenyan worship service.  I was among the group who was in the wrong place. haha. It didn't matter though, we were all excited to be there. It made me even more excited/ready to get to Africa!

South Sudanese Worship!

After we left the wrong service, we "snuck" in to the Kenyan service to try and catch the last few minutes. Well, as quietly as 15 people can sneek. We came in as they were about to pray for a few church members who would be traveling to Kenya soon. They obviously noticed us come in, so they asked us to share where we were from and why we were there. You have to remember, we're the only white folks in there, and a rather large group at that - very noticeable. We told them we would be traveling to Kenya to help plant a church in the Rift Valley, and that we were excited to share the gospel with the people of this area of Kenya.

After the service, the pastor invited us to chat with him for a few minutes and then we had chai, in typical Kenyan fashion, with the church members. I absolutely loved spending time around these people. They are all so very friendly and welcoming! I'm hoping to go back again soon, and possibly on a more regular basis. 

So there you have it, our first experience going to Kenyan Church!

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At the beginning of July I decided to partner with an organization called World Wear Project in hosting a clothing drive as a fundraiser. The plan was for me to gather clothing donations and WWP would pay per pound donated. Initially I was going to host a donation bin, but I couldn't ever find a location to place the bin, so I resorted to Plan B. I collect bags of donations for a few weeks and kept them in my living room until I could get the WWP truck to come and pick everything up. 

This is what your living room looks like when you have
a fantastic group of friends who donate so much!

It didn't hurt that a lot of friends were moving at the time :-)

It ended up taking over the living room...

Although it was a bit cluttered for a while, I was so thankful that everyone was willing to donate their unwanted items to help me raise a little money.

We ended up collecting a total of 1,127 pounds, which equaled $169.05! I was happy with the outcome. Every little bit counts!

Thanks to everyone who donated!

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One last thing - We now have a supply list of requested items from Isaac, the pastor we will be working with in Kenya. Would you please take a look at the spread sheet and see if there's anything you'd like to contribute?

If you'd like to donate any items please email me to arrange pick up/drop off/shipping items to me.

julie.a.cosby@gmail.com

Thank you so much for your support and prayers! 

I'm so blessed to have you in my life.

love,

jules

from my journal - 6/27/12

Today my heart is full - full of love, full of excitement and full of anticipation. The Kenya 1 team got back earlier this week and pictures and videos are being posted like crazy! Also, my friend Lindsey is currently in Kenya at Naomi's Village. Seeing pictures and reading posts makes me long to be there with the children. Sometimes I think my heart is so full with love for them that it might burst. Today is one of those days.

I've noticed that my emotions towards Africa are kind of like riding waves. On days like today I find myself so excited that I can hardly stand it,  but I know in a few days or weeks I will find myself distracted, pushing my thought of Africa aside for seemingly more important things. But then, soon after that something will draw my attention back to Africa and I'll be on top of my "wave" again.

This is just a testament to how inconsistent emotions are. I am so thankful that my God is a God of consistency and steadfastness. When I waver He is steady, constantly drawing me to himself.

Lord, Help me to trust in your steadfast and consistent nature. Remind me that even though it may not be at the forefront of my mind, you are calling me to something in Africa. Reveal that calling.

love,
jules

River Trip Y'all!

That's right, just got back from another fantastic river trip! This trip was a bit different from my last River Trip - no camping and no rain, but a good time was had by all. Instead I rented a house for myself and 15 friends and I'll say, that's definitely the way to go!

After numerous lengthy emails on my end and no complaints on everyone else's (thanks for putting up with me, guys) the trip was planned. We got a solid group consisting of friends from my small group and the guys group we hang out with. Although I didn't think it would happen, we got all 16 spots filled at the last minute. Thanks for joining us Kristin, David & Sal!

Lauren, Rachel & Amanda took the day off and went down early on Friday. They braved the task of buying food for 15 people and did a fantastic job! The rest of us left on Friday after work.

First stop - Health Camp - Waco, Texas

I think God spoils us in Texas with all the beautiful sunsets.

Our goal was to get to Gruene in time to go dancing at the historic Gruene Hall. We got to Gruene a little after 11, decided to stop at a gas station to change and booked it to downtown Gruene. Just as we walk up the last song ends and they tell us they're closed. Failed attempt #1. 

We head out to our house to meet up with the girls. The house is fantastic! Couldn't have asked for a better place. We're greeted by a group of drunk guys who are part of a bachelor party taking place next door. The girls, in an attempt to be social, went out to the common area and we find them politely chatting with the bachelor party. They seemed grateful for the rescue. We hang out for a while, Sal and the guys serenade us with some Taylor Swift and then we head to bed. Except we can't sleep because of said drunk bachelor party and their rowdiness. There's a failed attempt to ask them to quiet down along with some crap-talk on their end, but we eventually fall asleep. 

Because I forgot to ask Eric to pick up some tortillas from a tortilla factory near his office, I volunteer to  get up early the next morning to make a grocery run. I actually wake up earlier than my alarm, so that gives me that much more time to sit on the porch reading and journaling. We had quite the view!

My bible reading plan had me in 1 Chronicles 29. My favorite section was 29:10-19 which is David prayer of praise and supplication. Such a great reminder that God is our source of wealth and strength. Even the offerings we give to Him come from God himself. David also reflects on God's examination of our hearts for uprightness and integrity. 

"keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of your people, and direct their hearts toward you." 29:18 - such a great prayer.

Probably my favorite part of the weekend.

Eric and I make a run to HEB to get tortillas for breakfast tacos. Once we get there, I realize we should have talked to the group about what we wanted to eat for dinner. We decide to make an executive decision and get chicken, brats & turkey burgers. It takes us forever at HEB. By the time we get back everyone is dressed and ready to float. All they're waiting on are the tortillas, which turn out to be moldy. ugh! Just my luck... We make do, load up and head to Rockin' R Tube Rentals. After waiting a while on the shuttle bus we're ready to float!

The Gang

After our afternoon of floating we head back to the house to shower and make dinner. We had decided we wanted to go to the Ice House on River Road on Saturday night for our second attempt for some dancing. It turned out there was an AC/DC cover band and cover was $12! We said "Heck No, we wanna two-step!" and left. Failed attempt #2.

We make our way into downtown Gruene in hopes of finding something. Gruene Hall had a concert that was $22 and one-in/one-out. We had heard there was a bar across the street, so we try that. It's a full bar that's incredibly narrow - probably not the best place for 15 people to be. Failed attempt # 3.

We end up at a place called Tavern in the Gruene. Walking in, I can tell we've hit the jackpot! 

It's a dive bar with a great atmosphere and a local country band, The Possum Posse. They have a great look and sound pretty good too. Some of us dance, some sit and chat and others play shuffle board. I wish we would have found this place right off the bat! Mary said someone commented on her instagram photo that this place looked like it should have been in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. I think that's a pretty fitting description. I loved it.

The Possum Posse.
The Greatest band in the World. Possibly, Ever.

The plan was to go dancing and then go back to the house and make smores with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. You know, for my Life List. Well, by the time we got back we were too tired to attempt the task of making another fire (after being semi-unsuccessful at dinner). Instead we let Sal serenade us again as we all sit in lounge chairs down by the river. It's so relaxing he puts all of us to sleep. We decide to turn in for the night and at the EXACT moment I get into bed the drunk bachelor party cranks up the radio. They're playing Tootsee Roll. Awful. I finally fall asleep, ears plugged.

I spent Sunday morning down by the river reading and journaling with Jen. We clean up and pack up and make our way back to Dallas. We stop in Round Rock at Rudy's BBQ for some lunch and arrive home around 5pm. Just enough time to go our separate ways, unpack and make our way back to church. 

The weekend was a complete success. I'd say it's one for the books. And you know what, I'd even volunteer to plan it again next year!

My prayer for this trip was that we would grow in community and I feel like that prayer was answered. I know a few of the girls and I got in some good "heart-share" time and I had some good conversations with some of the guys too. As for the drunk bachelor party, I decided we'd just chalk that one up to a community growth/sanctifying experience. 

New friends and new memories made.

love,

jules

You may or may not know, but I'm officially going back to Kenya in September! The trip this year will be a bit different from last year's trip. Although we will still be staying at Naomi's Village, this year we will be going to support the ministry of Issac and Esther Karanja and the Rift Valley Fellowship church plant. The focus of our trip is to share the gospel with the people of the surrounding area. We will be visiting with people in the IDP camp and in Maai Maihu, a nearby town. We are also hoping to help launch the church plant while we're there.

About 6 weeks ago my team and I met to prepare and send out our support letters.

Here's a few detail shots of my letter design.

As you can tell, I sent out a TON of letters. I can't remember the exact number, but I think it was somewhere around 80 letters.

I guess it's been about 5 or 6 weeks since I sent my letters, and the Lord has already been so faithful to provide funds for my trip. As of Thursday, I had raised $1,750, which is over half of my trip expense! Can you believe how quickly He is answering prayers?! He is SO good!

On Wednesday a few of us went to the Rangers game. Although the Rangers lost BIG TIME, we still had a great time getting to know each other. I'm looking forward to spending more time with everyone! 

Left to right - Hayley, Jake, James, Heather, Julie, Jessica

Don't be fooled, this isn't everyone. There will be a total of 16 members on our team. I hope this is the first of many team hang-out sessions!

Sunday, June 3 is our next meeting. There's not a whole lot going on right now because we're still a few months out, but will you still continue to pray for us? 

Pray for unity for our team.

Pray against attack from the enemy.

Pray for the people in Kenya that will engage.

Just pray.

He is faithful!

Love, Jules

Hope is Rising Up

Video by Zackary McDowell.

Love these sweet children. 

Can't wait to see them again in September!

Naomi's Village

Laura's Wedding Collateral

I know I mentioned my most recent wedding collateral job in my last post, but everything turned out so fantastic I wanted to feature them. 

Laura is a coworker of mine and was introduced to me because she needed help with her wedding invitations. After emailing with her a bit I found out she had a vision of really great, creative and hand-made invitations. I loved the feel she as going with for her wedding. She told me she would be having lots of lace and burlap and would be using vintage hankies to make a garland that would be hung along the aisle. We discussed two very different directions for her invitations. One would go with the hankie garland route, but the other one would be more about the lace. This is what she decided on – a 3 piece set of invitation, rsvp postcard, and a map/directions card. We loved the look of white ink on craft paper, so I decided I would have two different rubber stamps made, one for the white ink and another for the pink. It was a lot of work, but I loved every minute of it. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome!

When it came time to talk about her programs I found out Laura an equally exciting vision. We decided on a 5" x 5" booklet with 3 pages. Luckily Laura had a ton of left over hankies from her garland project and I was able to use those as the covers. We wanted to pull in the burlap, so I cut a scalloped edge about 2 inches wide. I decided to sew all the pieces together as the binding. Each program is unique because of the fabulous vintage hankies. Our goal with this project was to create something the wedding guests would hold on to instead of littering them around the ceremony site. From what Laura said, our goal was accomplished and the guests absolutely loved the programs. 

I am extremely happy with the outcome of this project. I am so thankful for the opportunity to create something so crafty and hand-made. I am looking forward to my next few projects which will allow me to continue working with Laura on her sister's wedding shower invitations AND will give me the opportunity to work with Laura's sister, Julia on her wedding collateral. 

I am also grateful to Laura's wedding photographer, Alyse French, for taking such great photos of these invitations. Visit her website and check out her blog to see the other incredible details from Laura's wedding. 

love,

jules

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT 2011 ALYSE FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHY

why, hello there!

Well, it's been approximately forever since I've posted anything. As you may or may not know I've been back from Kenya for about 6 weeks. Things over the past 5 or 6 months have been crazy busy!

From July to September I was busy getting ready for Kenya. I also decided it would be a good idea to take on a super fun, super crafty wedding invitation job 3 weeks before we left while also planning 2 fundraisers for Kenya. I got the invitations finished in 2 weeks, leaving 1 week to pack before my trip. Needless to say I was stressed. During this time I was also in charge of updating our team blog - Jambo Kenya! If you haven't had a chance to read about our trip feel free to visit the team blog to get a recap of everything we did in Kenya. There is also a link in the sidebar for our photo album. You should check them out - the kids are so cute and we went on a safari!

Since being back from the trip, I've been to Lubbock once and plan on going again this coming weekend. My Red Raiders haven't been playing so well over the past few weeks, but I still love them and support them 100%.  A few friends are coming with me this time - ROADTRIP!! I also worked on the wedding programs that go with the invitations I finished before the trip.

Being back from Kenya has been hard. I fell in love with those kids while I was there and everything in me wants to be back there with them watching them grow up. I keep up with the daily happenings of Naomi's Village through facebook. I don't think there's one day I go without looking at pictures or watching videos of the children. I can't wait to go back and visit. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later.

About a week and a half ago I started researching possible serving opportunities here in Dallas. I knew I wanted to serve African refugees, so I googled it. I found a link for a local church's African fellowship service and ESL program. This last thursday I visited the ESL class and helped Burmese people with their english. We helped prepare them for the job interview process. I realized how big of a disconnect these people live with on a daily basis.

I also signed up to take a training at Free City International. Free City is an organization that my church, The Village, partners with. I am most interested in the mentorship program. I want to serve African refugees by helping them understand this crazy American culture we live in, helping them with english and by basically just living life with them.

I'm not sure which organization I'll choose to serve with on a regular basis, but I'm very excited about these opportunities. Please pray that the Lord will guide me in this decision.

love,
jules

Just checking in

I know it's been forever since I've posted, but I've been super busy preparing for my Kenya trip! I've actually been doing a lot of designing for 2 fundraisers we have tomorrow. One is at Yogurtland. If you live in Dallas be sure to come eat some fro yo in honor (and to support) of the Kenya 2 team! The second fundraiser is a party/house show.

We'll be selling sweets there and I've decided to try and make these

Perfect Lemon Bars

Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

There's a good possibility these will also be available.

Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting

mmm Don't they all look amazing?!

I'll try to post pictures of everything after the fact, but until then you can drool over the recipes.

Oh, and don't forget to check out what I've been posting on Jambo Kenya!

love,

jules

Break the Heat!

As everyone knows, it's Hotter than Hades here in Texas this summer. Every time I walk outside I feel like I'm walking straight into an oven. My main remedy is to simply stay inside as much as possible. And, of course, drink ice cold diet coke! Even my pool is to hot to swim in. It feels more like a bath tub than a swimming pool.

I came across an article via A Cup of Jo this morning listing 10 Amazing Public Pools. As I browse the photos I'm instantly in another place. One where it's not one hundred and fifty million degrees outside.

Wouldn't it be lovely to spend your summer frequenting one of these gorgeous pools?! My only chance at this dream is taking a drive down to Austin to play at Barton Springs, a 1,000 ft. long, natural spring fed pool where water temperatures rise from 68 to 78 degrees in the summer. 

Now, I'd say THAT'S a way to break the heat! Last-minute road-trip anyone?

love,
jules