Leaving a Legacy

Children.
Today at work I noticed something (surprising since I've been up since 4:30am) children model what they see from the people the look up too (mom,dad, siblings etc). I know some of you are saying, "Casey, you didn't notice this before??" And yes I have noticed it (I've been working with kids for 6 years). But it really struck me this morning. One five year old girl was walking around all in a huff talking under her breath complaining about the situation, almost to the point of disrespect. I thought to myself, "Where did she learn that?"..."Her mom, more than likely".

We as people have the power to influence in HUGE ways, especially as parents (not speaking from experience).I began to think of the ways I have impacted those around me.

I am leaving this small little river town in 2 months. How will people remember me? What impact will I have on their lives? Will they say I helped or hurt? Encouraged or discouraged? Loved or hated? Shown them Jesus or shown them hypocrisy?

I know I have made an impact though.
"[Casey] This is my lovely babe. She is my core group leader. She helps me through everything. She got me to love myself like I should :) If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be going to youth group, she makes it awesome, I can tell her anything and she will listen and give me advice. She helps me through anything I am struggling with. I love her with all my heart, and I always will, even if she does get into college in Minnesota T_T. I love you. "---Hannah--hero sect of myspace

The way my preschoolers on Sunday smile and hug me and tell their parents how much they love me, some even pray for me every night!


The way the kids/teens at work talk to me about their lives and seek advice and now want to impact others in the community

The way my core group has grown into young women and how they can now
comfort each other and me.

The way my best friend prayer mightily and speaks the truth in love.

My sisters, growing up and growing in their love for Jesus and learning to trust Him

My upcoming mission trip.

But I take no credit, for it is all God's doing. Him working through me, I am nothing made into something only for His glory...and it has been so awesome. So I can look back and be ok with moving on. There is still time for more impact before I go and thats exciting. And there's time for you too :)

I am leaving behind a legacy. And I wouldn't have it any other way. This is my comfort and my strength for saying goodbye.

~standing on His Promise~
CaseyMay

*thank you for the encouragement on my last post, I took it to heart and it was a lovely reminder of God's promise to reward obedience and that I will suffer as He did for His Glory*

The Minority

I feel like I am in the minority here. Why is it that I am not invited/included in things just because I love Jesus. And why on earth am I labeled "religious"!!! I HATE that word, it instantly puts up a wall between me and others. No invites, no personal relationships, no good friendships, all because I am in LOVE with Jesus??? What the crap?!

Why is right wrong and wrong right? Why is true love traded in for attention? Why is this place so screwed up? Why can't they see what we see?

Why can I not tell them or show them who Jesus is? Why don't they ask more questions? What are they afraid of?

This suffering is small, so small. But I'm starting to feel it, the rejection, alienation, despair, urgency, and burdened heart.

Lord Jesus,

Bridge this gap with Your grace. Fill me to the point of overflowing

Use me Jesus to reach this messed up world

Give me the strength to be in not of the world

Shine brightly through me Jesus

so that there is no doubt that I am Yours and that I am set apart for You

Be my strength Jesus

Continue to guide me in Your footsteps

and forgive them for they know not what they do Jesus.

My God, rise up a generation on fire for You

that they may have the cries of Your heart.

My heart screams for Your people

it cries out in pain Jesus for those lost

for the hurting, dying, lost people

MY GOD BE THEIR REFUGE

BE THEIR STRENGTH

BE THEIR SAVIOR

RESCUE THEM JESUS

SAVE THEM FROM THE ENEMY GOD

RISE UP YOUR ARMY LORD

SEND US INTO BATTLE TO FIGHT

FOR THE LOST SOULS OF THIS WORLD

JESUS SHINE SO BRIGHTLY THROUGH US

THAT THE DARKNESS WOULD FLEE

AND ALL WOULD KNOW YOU

My soul is crying out to you tonight, it mourns for Your people.

Its in Your power Jesus that I pray these things.

amen

~standing on His Promise~

CaseyMay

Its Happening Much To My Surprise

Ok its not official until next week and I'm missing the details but I can say with confidence that I am going to the Honor Academy Minnesota in August, and it is for sure that I'm going to Mexico in less than 2 months for a mission trip. I know these things are happening

yet they feel so unreal

I can't even imagine these experiences yet I will be a part of them in just a matter of months! I am so out of my element mentally, I have no clue what to expect, no idea as to how to handle things, I am completely in the dark.

It's the greatest feeling in the world

Those of you who have been getting to know me, know that I am a control freak (not as bad, but still a type A personality) I am the one that wants to know everything before hand and be prepared for everything. I want to know who, what, when, where, why and how all before it even happens.

Yet I have found JOY in the unknown, in God's mysteriousness in the unknown promises, in His surprises. I know where God is asking me to go, yet I am still so amazed and so joyfully clueless, and I am so glad that He is in control. I am so excited to see whats going to happen. Two-three months can go by so fast and yet so slow, but its ok. I'm on His schedule not mine and thats my favorite place to be.

~standing on His Promise~

CaseyMay

Faith Is Hope In The Things Unseen

I have faith in things I can not see, I have faith in the Promises of God that have yet to come to fruition. I am about to embark on an amazing journey, one that is going to change my life forever. I have faith that I am going to the Honor Academy and that I will experience God in ways I can not fathom.

The paradox of time is ever present.

The days can't come fast enough and the months are flying by.

I am where God wants me, totally clueless, dependent on Him and His strength.

I honestly, never thought this day would come, that God would rock my face off. I was so afraid of this very thing, the thing that has brought me so much JOY.

There will be days when I will feel

alone.

"Never will I leave you nor forsake you"

There will be times when I want to

give up

"I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me"

There will be times when I will be filled with

JOY

"The Joy of the Lord is your strength"

I will hold tight to hand of God.

Where He leads I will follow.

He is the shepherd

I am a sheep.

BAAAAAAAAAAAA

Here we go.

~standing on His Promise~

CaseyMay

Blessed

Today, I feel extremely blessed. Why?? Because I got to GIVE! I got to give my talents, time and treasures to my best friend and her family. I got her a plaque (clear crystal) that has a poem about best friends on it, her love language is gifts so I knew it would mean a lot to her (mine is words of affirmation so it worked for me too). I got the chance to just be with her sitting/laying/walking, just being. No words necessary, we knew what each other needed and embraced the opportunities to laugh at ourselves. Like the idea of cutting ourselves in half so each of us could have part of the other to take with us.

What blessed me the most though, was being able to pray over her and anoint her. I felt the spirit of God in the room. I loved giving her up to God.

~standing on His Promise~

Casey

Carry Me Away

It's been a day of good things but filled with an emotional rollercoaster, why, I'm not sure, maybe it has to do with hormones, but somehow I think its a little bigger than that. Tonight I feel so heavy with emotion. I am torn, having to balance how I spend my time, which is running out. How do you equally divide your time between the people you truly love and care about? I feel like I end up hurting someone, whether thats true or not, I don't know. Is this anyones fault? No, no its not, its just the way it has to be, its growing up, its reality.

Now I have to face the harsh reality that this time its not them leaving me, but that I am leaving them. I am the one abandoning them, leaving them to pick up the pieces, answer the hard questions and go it alone.

I'm so tired and I know that right now all I can do is be carried by my Father because I am not strong enough to do this. I'm not strong enought to say goodbye. I'm not strong enough to walk away. I'm just not strong enough...

thankfully I don't have to be.

"And even though I'm walking through the valley of the shadow, I will hold tight to the hand of Him whose love will comfort me and when all hope is gone and I've been wounded in the battle. He is all the strength that I will ever need. He will carry me."

Carry me away Lord Jesus,

Be my strength

Be my guide

Be my Savior

Be You

~standing on His Promise~

CaseyMay

Thoughts After Resting In The Arms Of Jesus

Ok, I apologize for the abruptness of my last post. I was emotionally overloaded after making a graduation card for Samantha, it was just so real, you know? Like this is the end and I was filled with so many different emotions but the one that weighed heaviest on my heart was deep sorrow and it hurt guys. But thank God that Jesus's lap is always avalaible for me to climb up into his arms and let all my emotions out and that His comfort is greater than any medicine.

It's all going to be ok. God has great plans for both of us, and this is not the end but the beginning and we are family, sisters. We are wrapped in Jesus' arms and they will never let us go. We both have phones and we both have God who is always listening.

~standing on His Promise~
CaseyMay