Family Photo Op

Thank you to Jennifer Jones... Awesome friend and photographer! www.jenniferjonesphoto.com

XA Holiday Fun

--- XA Costume Party

A few snapshots from the annual XA Costume Party. A team of students did a great job planning and organizing the party. As always, the costumes were extremely creative and hilarious!

In case you are not sure what the costumes are in the top picture --- this is "Candi and Shawn" --- thus the pregnant tummy, bling necklace, flower in hair... and for "Shawn" - the facial hair, flip flops, ASU hat and a Bible!!! hahaha --- Great job Emily and Michelle! As they say... Imitation is the greatest form of flattery! :)

---XA Family Thanksgiving Dinner---

The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving... we celebrated --XA Style-- at our house. We ran into a great problem... we were expecting 25 to 30 students and ended up with more like 55!!!

Shawn did a fabulous job carving the turkey ... he definitely carved it to the bone!

Thankfully, God really does multiply food!

Students brought all sorts of delicious foods!

Our house was packed and extremely loud... but to look around and see so many students- eating, laughing, playing games...building new friendships... and sharing the love our Christ... Our hearts felt very thankful and blessed to see how God has blessed the ASU XA family!

--- XA Christmas Party ---

A Fabulous way to end our Fall 2010 semester... the XA Christmas Party! We were blessed to be able to (once again) use the Joneses' Home for our Christmas Party (Thanks!!). We had a great turn out of students.... ate yummy food, played games, had the "reveal" for our XA Secret Sister and just hung out... but the coolest time of the night... is when we all gathered together in the living room, to worship together and share testimonies. Various students stood up and testified to what the Lord has done in their lives this semester.... How encouraging to hear stories of changed lives..... We are always in awe of how God can build relationships in such a short amount of time... that some of these students we literally just met about 4 months ago and we now feel like we have known them for much longer... they are truly are part of our XA Family!!

We praise God for such a vibrant semester of ministry within ASU XA!

We are thankful to the many individuals and churches that have faithfully supported us in prayer and finances! We know that without this great team of people... we cannot do what we do!

So... with humbled hearts... we thank you for your investment into the XA Family and the Kingdom of God!

We know the best is yet to come! We look to 2011.. believing God for great and mighty things to take place at Arizona State and beyond!

Please Pray:

- For students as they are back at their homes--- especially for those that are experiencing a difficult transition and may not have spiritual support from their families.

-Increased laborers for ASU XA! We are in great need for full time, part time staff and volunteers! Spark your interest? Email us! asu_xa@hotmail.com :)

- Candi's pregnancy - Baby Due, April 3rd -- pregnancy has been going very well!

- Increased Financial Support

- Vision and Wisdom in planning for 2011

Family Fall Fun!

The kids had a blast at Desert Springs Church's Harvest Festival.

We enjoyed a day of fun at a Pumpkin Patch in Chino Valley, AZ -- Freeman Farm

We met some great friends of ours there and let the kids explore and enjoy the scenery.

Little tractors, Hayride, Train ride, Corn Maze, Face Painting, Carousel and Yummy Kettle Corn

Trenton and his buddy Zander on the hayride.

(note: spider on Trenton's cheek... of course this was in honor of spiderman!)

The trio explore the farm!! Averi, Zander and Trenton

We ended the day with a delish lunch at one of our favorite Prescott venues - Prescott Brewing Company and then a walk at the square.

Thankful for days to get away with our family and share life with friends!

XA Fall Retreat

AZ XA Students joined for our 2011 XA Fall Retreat in Prescott, AZ. We were extremely blessed to have missionaries Scott and Cristal Martin hang out with us for the weekend.... they both challenged our students in such a powerful way!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1

Students were asked ..."How much of you does God really have?"

A challenge to be 100 percent-ers

Students were encouraged/challenged by testimonies of others who have chosen to give 100% --- a challenge to take the focus off of self and onto the things that advance the kingdom of God.

ASU students left feeling more connected to one another and to the Lord.

Here are a couple testimonies of ASU students.

Before the XA Fall Retreat, I was excited about getting to know people better and nervous to help lead a breakout session. I went into the weekend with an expectant heart but I had no clue how big God’s plans were. For me, the theme of the retreat was complete submission: laying everything down at His feet. This challenge rocked me hard – even prayer and worship needs to be focused on Him rather than how it makes me feel. Throughout the weekend I also realized that God has so much for me, and all I need to do is accept it. Although I don’t quite understand everything He’s teaching me, I can surrender all control to Him so that He can use me in His perfect way. Coming out of Fall Retreat, I have a renewed excitement about my faith. God really moved everyone and it was amazing to see! - Sam, freshmen

Fall Retreat was a true retreat. I got the opportunity to step back and evaluate how much I was surrendering to God. And in that God showed me just how BIG He truly is - in His faithfulness, goodness, and wonders. The first night, Pastor Scott spoke about giving 100% and it hit home. I realized that I was only giving 50% and letting the other 50% be dictated by other outside factors. I needed to let my God be my God and have the first say. One of the areas that I had been struggling with was baptism of the Holy Spirit. It confused and frustrated me. During the morning devotional and the Saturday, I wrestled with God, flipping through the Bible for evidence. I told God, “If this is good, I want You to be clear and tell me “this is good’. I want there to be peace.” He told me “When have I not been faithful and good?” During Saturday afternoon when ASU Chi Alpha convened, we started discussing the baptism of the Holy Spirit and I felt a wave of excitement and peace. I knew there were “what if’s?” if I went through with it, but I knew this was the time. That afternoon, I prayed with conviction and I was baptized, praying in tongues. It’s crazy, miraculous, confusing, unbelievable. But it is good, because God is good. And I know that is just the beginning.

-Emily, sophmore

Check out this VIDEO for more testimonies about Fall Retreat!!

Spiderman, Batman and Ironman

Celebrated Super Hero Style for Trenton's 4th birthday party!! Trenton was very excited to be dressed up as Spiderman and Averi was Super Woman... his friends all came in various costumes for the celebration!

A highlight of the party was when Batman came and visited!!! Most of the kids were super excited to see him... with exception of a few (namely Averi!)

They also really enjoyed the Batman pinata... even though the pinata was larger than most of the kids and it seemed to be indestructible!!

Favorites of our Four Year Old:

- Preschool and Teacher Ms Lyndi (picture above)- Trenton attends on M, W & F and looks forward to those days! He is currently working on identifying letters and learning to write his name.

-His best friend Logan - he has informed us that they are "bad guys" - they enjoy chasing and roar-ing at the girls ( O the fun the begins!)

-Ironman, Batman, Spiderman

-LOVES anything from Toy Story - he is already quoting movie lines -- "It's Mister Evil Dr. Pork Chop to You!"

-Nana & Papa and Grandma & Grandpa -- we are super blessed to have both sets of grandparents nearby!

-The Chi Alpha kids - Trenton makes sure to pray for the Chi Alpha kids on a regular basis!

-Daddy - he has definitely always been a daddy's boy.. he loves spending time with Shawn and working with his "tools" in the garage.

We thank the Lord for this wonderful little boy... He is full of life and energy... keeps us on our toes...and constantly makes us laugh. We are continually amazed at his sharp memory and try to keep in mind that he is listening and watching everything we say and do!

We pray that with God's help... we will be good examples to him and be able to model God's heart to him.

We are extremely grateful to all of our friends and family that have invested in Trenton's life... your prayers, presence and example mean the world!!

Thank You!

ASU XA:: One Family :: - Vicky

"Ever since the beginning of the year, I was told that Chi Alpha was a big family, but I didn't understand that completely until the Salome Creek Canyon hike. The trip was on my birthday and I had never been hiking before, but I wanted to spend time with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, so I took the challenge. The hike was difficult and I grew tired quickly, but I was so excited to see what was around each corner that I kept pushing myself.

Unfortunately, because of some unplanned occurrences, a small group of us had to swim back to the trail in the dark. The water was cold and our bodies were tired, but the seven of us helped each other swim to dry land. Once we were out of the water, we realized it was too dark to see the trail, so Shawn quickly came to a decision. We were going to climb the mountainside. Though I was scared, I threw any negativity out of my head. I knew God was with us and He would get us back home safely.

The climb was rough... and I have countless scars and bruises to prove it! But with the help of God and my dear Chi Alpha family I was able to push through the physical exhaustion and pain. "Have hope," everyone kept saying, "the trail is around here somewhere!" Thankfully, God heard our prayers, for a few feet up we noticed some people walking with a light. We called out to them and I heard a familiar voice, rescue had come at last! A sweet man named Brian who had been camping out with his girlfriend heard we needed help and hiked down the trail to look for us. Thanks to him we were able to find the trail and walked back to the truck where we met the others and hugged each other in relief. All in all, the trip was a great experience! I enjoyed the time I spent with everyone, but I am definitely glad to be back on solid ground.

As for Chi Alpha, it really is like a family to me. My brothers and sisters in Christ have taken me in and showed me how to love God more deeply than I did before. I'm a new believer, I was save just over a year ago... my passion and love for Christ is ever growing. My family back at home is not Christian and seemed to be strongly against my newfound faith. That being said, home life was slightly difficult for me this past year. Before Chi Alpha, I would only be able to spend a few hours on a Sunday morning with God, but I knew it wasn't enough... I soon realized I needed more. Thanks to Chi Alpha, I can now spend as much time as I want with God. I pray on my way to class, I worship Him in the middle of my dorm room and I course, I sit in the prayer house into wee hours of the morning when I should really be sleeping...

Regrettably, my family at home has concerns that I'm not making the right decisions, but I know that this is what God wants me to do. God loves me and wants me to be here with these wonderful people. Chi Alpha is my Christian home away from home, and for that I praise God."

~ Vicky, freshman at Arizona State

Princess Averi

"Downscaled" this year for Averi's party... we had 20 kids and 28 adults... hahah!

The party was wonderful... to be surrounded by such great friends, family, kiddos running all over the place, girls dressed as beautiful princesses and lots and lots of Pink... Awesome! :)

Shawn said, "I am little concerned that Averi did not seem to mind having all the attention focused on her." hahah!

She did love it... she sat very comfortably in her pink "throne" and held her princess wand for quite some time!

Hard to believe our beautiful princess is already two years old! Averi is full of life and energy and continues to love "all things girl" but she can also play in the dirt!

She has quite the personality and you can see the leader and fashionista developing within her!

Her favorite gift was her new pink retro kitchen and the pots, pans, food and other accessories that went with it! She has been baking up a storm ever since! :)

For all of you who joined us in this celebration... Thank You!

We are blessed!