.....sorry for the delay....

Sorry for the absence... I know its been a while.

So life updates. 

I've been on three trips since January (one in January and two in February).  One of the trips was an exploratory trip to Honduras.  It was incredible.  I've never seen such poverty before.  One of the orphanages we went to, Nueva Esperanza, had about 90 children, boys and girls.   When we first walked in, we had children run to us from the door.  I immediately asked, "where are your shoes" and the little boy told me, "we don't have any." Not a single one of them had a pair of shoes.  But it only began with shoes.  They had so many needs that's its indescribable in words.

Umm.... I've been asked seriously now more than really ever before if I'm getting engaged.  And the answer is no.  Not yet anyway.  But Jason does usually get an elbow into his side everytime it happens and he's there. :) 

I'm proud of J though.  He recently just got back from playing with Ashlee Simpson for like 2 weeks and he did a great job!  I'll admit! I'm excited for him-- whether or not she's my favorite. You can check them out here!  So that's the news with him.  We're doing great.  I love him. 

Hmm what else... I just realized that I haven't posted since I last moved.  I'm living in Richardson, in an awesome 3 bdrm house with two great girls-- Nathalie (who I went to Baylor with) and Julia (who I work with).  We've had a lot of fun together!  I love the house and the girls and the location!  We haven't quite thrown a house party yet but maybe the summer will bring one. 

I LOVE my small group.  I always have.  But I'm at the point where I'm seeing the girls more regularly in my life-- and really seeing the fruits of walking in life together and learning from them.  Shout out to Brian and Andi :)  (my leaders).  So my next challenge in the group is to get to know the guys... really I don't really know much more than their names.  Sad to say.  Not because I don't want to... just because before the group got smaller we split up girls and guys and so now that we're combined... I already know the girls and so its easier to talk to them vs the guys.  I'm gonna work on it though.  I don't want them to think I don't like them.

So I'll work on updating better.  Surely I'll  be good at it for a while and then head into hibernation again.  So enjoy it while it lasts.

PS: Every time I attempted to upload a picture it would spin at me for forever and not let me do it.  So I apologize for the non-photos. They always make it more interesting and fun and make me appear more lively at least.  I'll try again next time.

PEACE!

Merry Christmas!

This speaks for itself....

Merry Chrismas, from the Castillo Family!

Enjoy :)

it's christmas time in the city....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!! well except for yesterday afternoon-- it became summer again-- but today it was cold again... what a teaser huh!?! I realized that I've lived every winter in Houston, where there is no winter, and so my collection of sweaters and winter clothes is very limited for my first winter not in texas... we'll see what happens, I don't know if my usual layering tactic will cut it.

On other updates, Jason wrote me a song. My first. I cried and I LOVE it. (www.myspace.com/jasonandrewdering) It's called Everything. Check it out!!! I love it, I love him, it makes me smile every time I hear it! Really I know you're jealous, cause he's amazing.

Speaking of things I love, this past weekend I got to see all of my girlfriends for the first HTC wedding! My best friends from Baylor, 7 girls who know me better than almost anyone, and bring me SO much joy! We started Hot Tub Club and would hot tub every Thursday for about 2 years... we've got story after story to keep you dying laughing from all of our road trips, crazy adventures, and late nights! I love them so so much! Last weekend Katie got married! The first, we called it though... it was absolutely beautiful-- a sweet Christmas themed wedding with lit trees, holly, cider, and fun holiday songs. I am so happy for her! It was really great being able to celebrate her! Next is Newie in January. Today I realized that almost all of my roomates I've ever had are married-- Julie got married in June (sophomore year roomate), Amy is getting married in May (sophomore/junior year roomie), Newitt gets married in January (senior year roomie), Christine is engaged and getting married next summer (senior year roomie), and Katie just got married, my roomate from this past year-- I really don't know what is happening... so really if you want to get engaged, apparently you should live with me soon.... crazy crazy crazy!

So December is always full of fun-- i'm currently trying to figure out christmas gifts and get the holiday activities figured out! already my month is filling with festivities... PLUS i'm moving! So sometime in between shopping i'll be packing and moving into a house in Richardson with 2 amazing girls! I'm really looking forward to it.

make sure you get your fill of peppermint mochas and caramel cider while you can! i sure am!

Turkey Time, Beach Time!!!

So lots has happened in the past couple weeks! I blame my beginners MIA to Vera, my Guatemala friend that has become my temporary roomate! I love it! It's been two weeks and we've got one left-- we've been fairly secretive about her being here, since she doesn't work for Buckner Guatemala anymore and it's a sensitive subject but it's been good times... watching you tube videos, concerts, game nights, shopping like the stores are gonna close next week, road trips, and galavanting fun!!!

We both went to Houston for Thanksgiving... Vera got the best glimpse of the crazy fam that I think any one of my friends has gotten... that's big-- mom danced on the table at one point... my non-english speaking grandpa attempted to play english taboo... the sassafrass sister... and thanksgiving dessert baking 101, it really was fun! My mom loves going to Galveston for Thanksgiving, ask me why she thought it was a good idea to cram 10 people into a 2 bedroom condo. Somehow though, it worked, and there weren't people in my face at all times! Surprising I know. We had a beach model shoot day, vera, julissa and I did... more photos soon to come... and then ran around on the beach with the dog. Thanksgiving day we went around the table and said what we were each thankful for-- and by the end all the girls were crying-- I think my mom passed on the cry at any and every sensitive moment to my sisters and I, cause they just pour out and you can't do anything about it; mom's though, you could put a timer on those things and probably get it right at the start, it's pretty bad. Then we played Spanglish taboo and finally finished the night off with salsa/merengue dance party.

Really, I love my family. As crazy and insane as they are, they're amazing.

in the beginning....

Hi! So I'm officially digital.
I guess this is for friends and family and for me to just unload really... but for all, here's my intro... I'm Jouleen, currently 23 and living in Dallas-- i like it most of the time. I've been blessed with great community here, that I am continually encouraged and challenged by. My family is incredible, crazy and insane, but incredible. I have two beautiful sisters, Jennifer (19) and Julissa (14), that I laugh more with than with most people. I have a boyfriend of almost 3 years-- Jason, who knows me all too well and loves me anyway.
I work for a non-profit organization called Buckner International (www.buckner.org) and I plan mission trips internationally. The work I do is for our kids, all orphans; the strongest men and women I have ever met. And most days I love it, and when I don't, I think of them and can't help but feel blessed because how I am able to serve these children. They are true treasures if I've ever seen any, even the bratty ones. :)
That's all for now. Thanks for reading.
Loove.