One Week Until I Get To Be A Dad, and Christmas with College Students

Mauricio rarely smiles in pictures but he's a joyous guy, and this last weekend was his birthday. A collection of people from FOCUS and our church got together to celebrate him and play soccer, his favorite game, at River Legacy Park. It was a perfect day, and I was so thankful Mauricio got to experience a community of people who love him like Jesus loves him.

Isaac and Jacob up front are brothers and Isaac (who is holding Jacob) had just won a full scholarship to winter retreat because he had memorized scripture verses all throughout the semester and successfully recited them to me before every TNF. Every verse memorized was an entry into a raffle. I'm glad he won, because I know that God will use winter retreat to continue to help form him spiritually and become a better friend to others as he and interacts and learns and worships together with 400 + college students from all across the metroplex.

From left to right: Austen, Luke, Blaine, Carson, Alan, and Garrett at our recent FOCUS Christmas party. Getting to know Austen more this semester has been a treat. (Who would've thought we would have so much in common?) Austen loves disc golf and this year he has been wanting to learn so much about Jesus. He's one of our most consistent guys to core and TNF and he is now studying the bible one on one with one of our core leaders and is coming with great questions!

From left to right: Chris, Manny, Kamal, Jay, Jared, Alphonse, Vincent, and Hart. A few weeks ago Chris and Manny said that this year in FOCUS has been the best year of their lives. When I asked them why, they said that they're learning about God and making such good friends. I'm thankful that you provide a place for them to come and experience that!

Vincent, Josh, and Hart are three of our student leaders this year! They all ask heartfelt and insightful questions whenever I get together with them, whether it's how to love God with not just your head, but also your heart, or how our identity is not rooted in our appearance but in God's love for us, or how to date in a way that results in healthy, God honoring relationships, these men are growing into mature disciples of Jesus who are rooted in His purposes for their lives. I can't thank you enough for your investment in them.

Hayli is 39 weeks pregnant! We are one week away from meeting our first daughter, Lucy. I know she will be beautiful and loved by many, but most of all by Hayli, myself, and her father in heaven.

Thank you for helping us to have a home where we can raise her to know the Lord and to resemble him to others, and please pray for us as we move into this new chapter of our lives. Pictures coming soon, I'm sure! Don't forget to check out the student testimony below.

In Christ,

Austin

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More Winter Retreat and Lucy Update!

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