Superwoman

SO, I have discovered that I, in fact, am not superwoman. Imagine my shock when I discovered this.

I can not save the world, my freinds, my family, anyone, not even myself. I do not have the answers to people's problems, I am not what they need. I can love them and listen to them all that I want, but they will never be truly filled until they seek Jesus. He is the only one that can make things better. Me carrying my burdens along with the burdens of others, it is not healthy and its a sin because I am not trusting God. I had to learn this the hard way.

Last week I was so stressed out that I caused myself to be physically ill-I think I even had the begining of a stomach ulcer. I paid for being overly stressed and independant. I won't do that I again. I am laying my burdens down at the cross, those that I am not meant to carry.

This morning I had the best quiet time I have had in months, I simply read the Word and journaled and then laid on the floor and rested (not slept) in the presence of God. It was amazing. And even now that I have 30 million things to do, I am still at peace because I am trusting God to help me and I am taking things one step at a time. (and prioritizing things helps too).

I hope all is well, remember that you do not save anyone, rather God does. People don't need you, they need Jesus. You are not, and will never be superwoman, so quit trying and

"be still and know that I am God"

~standing on His Promises~

CaseyMay

Please be praying

Please be praying that God would provide what I need for my HA tuition. Below is a copy of the letter I sent out yesterday. Thank you so much for praying with me and for me. I love you all so much!

Dear Friends and Family,

2009. I can’t believe that we have started another year already. Looking back on 2008, I can say that it was a really great year and thanks to all of your love and support, I have been able to embark on this wonderful, stretching and amazing journey that has placed me here at the Honor Academy, in Lindale, Texas. Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve given me.

I have successfully completed my first five months of this intense internship. It has been a great and trying experience, I have certainly learned a lot about myself and the depths of God. My core/roommates (pictured at left) have taught me so much about loving people and communication.. I really do love what I am doing here at the Honor Academy and I honestly couldn’t see myself anywhere else. The training I receive here in leadership coupled with the perfect environment to gain a strong foundation in the Lord, is the best available. I have eight months left in this year-long internship. I’d like to take a moment to share with you what God is going to be doing over the next few months.

This semester I am pushing myself even harder by taking all the classes available, Missions, World View, Character Development, Apologetics, New Testament Survey, (just to name a few). I am also diligently working to promote and recruit youth groups to attend our Atlanta Acquire the Fire April 17-18. This event is a difficult one, we have a lot of competition in the Atlanta area with other events that occur around ours and it is typically a small ever, (1,300). My goal is to see 2,000 people come to this event, my team and I (pictured a right) are being very faithful and standing on the promise of Ephesians 3:20, “By God’s power working through us He will do immeasurably more than we ever hoped or dreamed”. Please keep us in prayer!

On a very exciting note, I’d love to share with you that I have the opportunity to go to Zambia, Africa on a missions trip June 14-July10. It has been my dream for the past four years to go on a mission’s trip to Africa. As part of my internship, it is a requirement of my graduation to complete a Global Expeditions Missions Trip, this would meet that requirement. On this trip I will be leading a group of teen missionaries and be in the field helping in clinics dealing with orphans. As many of you know, I have such a desire to help these little ones without homes and in an AIDS effected environment. The total cost of the trip is $4,354. I must have half of these funds in by May 4th. I will be working hard on fundraising over the next few months. I would ask that you prayerfully consider supporting me in this adventure.

I need your help. I am currently behind in my tuition and need $685 before the beginning of February to stay at the Honor Academy. I know that money is tight, but I am asking you to please consider becoming a monthly sponsor or even a one-time donor. Your gift is not just going to me, but it is going to the thousands of youth that will attend Acquire the Fire and encounter God this year, to the thousands of teens Global Expeditions sends on missions around the world, and ultimately to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

All donations are tax deductible. To donate you can go to www.honoracademy.com/donate.php to donate online. Search by my information: Casey Sharp, phone number 208-816-1447, ID # 2508190. If you’d like to set up a monthly donation plan please contact Sharon Chupp at 903-324-7571 or Sharon.chupp@teenmania.com. If you’d like to mail in a check, please make it payable to Teen Mania’s Honor Academy and leave the memo blank. Please include a note with my information on it (see above).

Thank you so much for all the love and support you have given me over the years. I love you all so much. Please free to contact me with any questions at 208-816-1447, casey.sharp@teenmania.com or caseymay88@gmail.com. I pray that God blesses you this year as you continue to live His love and carry His light into the darkness.
~standing on His Promises~
CaseyMay

Harsh Reality

So, my friend Michael left the Honor Academy yesterday. He and I were best friends and, it took 3 times saying goodbye at the airport before we finally left. This was almost as hard as saying goodbye to my family in August.

I just realized, he's not coming back. And my heart is breaking into a million pieces all over again.There are so many reminders of him here. My desk, which I am currently sitting at, has memories and notes all over it from him.

I feel like an empty shell, like I am just going through the motions of life. I feel so alone. I know that God will take care of him, but I miss him so much. He left a hole in my life. A big hole. One that I know only time and God can fill.

I am trying to fundraise for my Honor Academy tuition. Currently I need $685 by the end of this month in order to stay at the Honor Academy. I know that God is faithful and that I also have to do my part in this. I need God's strength because right now I don't have the energy to do anything at all.

I am sorry for this depressing post. I just needed to get some things off my chest. I hope you are all doing well. I think of you often.

~standing on His promises~
CaseyMay

Today

Today...

Just breathe.


It will be ok.


Let the circumstances fade away
As you sink into your Daddy's arms
Wrapped in His love

As you lay there

BREATHE.

Cry if you need to.

You don't have to be strong for anyone
not even for yourself.

Cry.

So many thoughts....

So many thoughts....in my head. I am supposed to be writing a blog that will go up on our website for the Atlanta ATF, this is my chance to speak to the people that look at our site, and for once in my life, I am at a loss for words!

*sigh*

In other news, I am back in Texas at the Honor Academy. I am glad to be back, though I know this next season in my life will be tough and challenging and stretching, if I remember correctly that's why I came here ;)

I'm in a weird mood. Probably because I need to go have ny quiet time, but even more than that, I am just realizing how so many little conflicts or disagreements get turned into big deals, when really all you need to do is die to yourself--> myself included. I am so done arguing over things that don't matter! It's so much easier to serve another person than be selfish (easier in the long run, not in the moment).

God has been showing me a lot lately about my future at the HA. I will plan on staying another year as both a Core Advisor and the Director of the Atlanta ATF (this is all in plan, nothing is for sure or confirmed). This in and of itself will be challenging but I know that I can do so much more than I am currently doing. So because of that I will also be taking all classes offered (8 hours or so) and also working (31 hours) and doing the IET (Intensive Elective Training) program. I hope that this will prepare me for the next season of my life, in removing the limits I place on myself and teaching me how to not stress out over things I cannot control.

Hope you all are doing well!

~standing on His promises~
CaseyMay

Not about me

The last four months, while attending the Honor Academy, have taught me a lot about how the world works. The truth is, life, believe it or not, is not about me.

The homeless man on the street, my family, my friends, the girl working the corner, the waitress, the CEO, the unreached people, the high schooler, the world...they don't need me. I am not going to meet their need. They need love. That is something that only God truly can give. My love, (or version of it) will not save or protect people. God's love, perfect and true, is what they need. I can be a vessel for God's love, but to do that I must be emptied of myself. I must die to myself, and live for God, loving Him and loving others.

I have learned so much these last four months, and I will learn so much more in the coming eight months or so.

I spoke to my old youth pastor and he pointed something out about me that had changed. He told me that when he sees me, he can tell my spirit is so free. And I thought about it, and he is right. Before I left for the Honor Academy, I was so weighed down by lies and by the limitations I had set on myself. However, now I am free, I love to love, and I am who God created me to be.

I wish I could tell you all of the lessons I have learned, but that would be a book, not a blog. ;)

Remember that only God is the one who can define you. I would encourage you to read the book "Special" by Max Lucado (I believe that's the correct title). Find out who God says you are, stick to it, and don't believe the lies any longer. Be set free. And above all else stand on His promises, He never breaks them.

~standing on His Promises~
CaseyMay

Home? Lewiston or Garden Valley? Homeless??

Home. I think that's where I am...I am in my old place of residence, with my family. Back in the same small river town, with people that love me so very much. But this doesn't feel like home anymore. The people do, I think that's the only reason I come back.

The Honor Academy. Home? Temporarily. Again, its the people that keep me there. My family core, my good friends, my team. That's why it's home.

But niether of these "homes" are really mine. My home is somewhere, I'm not sure where though.

Over the past four months I have learned so much. I am a changed woman, and yes I am a woman now, no longer a girl, but a woman. I am striving to be a Godly woman, a woman of honor and love.

Being back home in the valley, has shown me a lot and it's with a heavy heart that I have come to realize that I will not be moving back here after the Honor Academy. My heart is heavy because the people I love and have lived life with are here. There was a point in life when I said I would never leave, and shortly after I said that I left. And now I am not coming back, to live.

God's plans for me are bigger than this valley, He has called me elsewhere. I am praying for the right time to tell my parents, it probably won't be until the spring or summer when it's closer to graduation.

8 months. That's all I have left. But those 8 months are going to grow me so much. Mountian Climbing, Unreached People Group, Celebreations, Atlanta ATF, Missions Trip, and so much more.

I am changed. And the voice of the Shepherd leads me, to no other voice will I run.

~standing on His Promise~
Casey May