The Waiting Place

I remember my senior year in college and that dreaded question "So, what are you going to do with your life?" and here I am 4 years later being faced with that exact question, again. I have been blessed with an amazing opportunity this year. I have learned somethings about myself (even some not so good things) and I have been challenged in many ways. I also have to remember that this year isn't over yet and there is a task in front of me, but that question never seems to go away. So, my answer to that question this time around is this: "God knows what He has next and I am still waiting on Him to tell me exactly what that is" and until then, I am actively waiting, pursuing after Him and doing the things that I have been called to do for this season of my life. I press on knowing that His timing is best and I will have the answer when the time is right. "Andale!"

(Happy Birthday, MOM!!)


Isaiah 55

Missing Mexico

Just a little under 2 months until I get to go back and help at the Passion Conference and hopefully see the majority of my friends/mission family.

So, here are some things that I'm missing right now and can't wait for in October:

• My friends, my mission family, people at IME, my roomates, my church
• Vitamin T :) (tacos, tamales, tortillas, tortas, etc) and to be honest any REAL Mexican food for that matter
• using public transportation
• the climate (Mexico City weather is very temperate and not too hot).
• Mexican time (aka arriving late and it being acceptable)
• speaking in Spanish the majority of the time

Uruguay

SO much is going on inside my head and my heart.

Anyways, Uruguay was wonderful and cold. It has a much more European feel and bides are a common thing in the bathroom. I was blessed to be on a wonderful team which worked at a nursing home “attempting” to do construction and loving on the residents. They were so precious. It’s amazing what happens when you just invest a small amount of time with someone. We even had a party and danced. Ahh, to see a twinkle of happiness and hope in the eyes someone who typically feels other wise. We also had a lady nearly die on us to but after much prayer she came back around. We also passed out gospels of John and prayer walked. The strategy was called “GAP” and is very similar to what I helped do last summer in Mexico. 2of the most encouraging things for me were
Watching the Mks. What wonderful students who love Uruguay. It kind of made me miss my job (and I think I talked about Mexico way too much- what can I say, I’m still processing through things…) and
Working along side Uruguayos (not only were they working along side of us, they were still very much in recovery after a friend/family member unexpectedly went to be with the Lord). Having them work along side us really challenged be to ask the Lord to continue to burden my heart for Memphis. We, with all the church groups, held a coffee house. We had people from ALL walks of life. I gave a homeless guy my socks. They were bright pink and green. Too funny!!! 2 people accepted Christ!! Woo hoo!!! Go Jesus!!!

On a more personal note, I couldn’t understand much of anything. I had to ask 5 million questions just to figure out what flavor of ice cream I wanted to order. It was frustrating. I went from being in Guatemala having to help the majority of people out to almost feeling like I had gone back to my first months in Mexico. I think the Lord was just reminding me that I can do nothing on my own, that I am not to boast in anything except Him, and that the foolishness of God is wiser than any wisdom we think we have.

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

This is how we roll...

I have just recently gotten back from Guatemala. Man, how I have missed living in Latin America. It definitely has my heart and hopefully, Lord willing, I will be living there in the near future ;). I think one of the things I miss about living in Latin America is just the simplicity of life. You can get along with much less. One of my biggest fears has been that the USA culture of needing to have things would invade my life. I struggled with buying a car. The majority of my friends in Mexico don’t have cars and if they do, it’s one that is shared by all the adults in the household that drive…I didn’t want to loose this mindset. Now, at moments I can see materialism creeping in, so this trip was a good reminder that nothing I have is mine and that at any moment or time, if He calls me to give it up, I should willingly do so. It was also weird for me to not experience culture shock. Guatemala is very similar to Mexico in many ways, but it is also different. (And on an exciting note, I got to eat some REAL TACOS!!! Although, not quite as good as the ones I ate every week, but it made me super excited!). I am also reminded that God goes before us and He is there when we leave. At this point I’m not sure where I will end up living but I do know that Guatemala now holds a small piece of my heart. I want to be burdened for Memphis, just as I am for Latin America. “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14

It’s also neat to see how when God calls us to something and we walk in that, He will use it. This trip was the first time I had ever really translated for others (i.e. there weren’t really any other missionaries around to help me out). I know there were several occasions that God gave me words to say because I don’t really feel like I know that much Spanish. But, all that to say, had I not been faithful to live in Mexico and learn Spanish, I would not be living and working where I am today and would not have had the opportunity to go to Guatemala. I love how the Lord directs our steps!!!! I love that He is faithful, always!! To Him be glory, after all it’s His anyway. I’ll eventually put some pics up of Guatemala and life here in Memphis.

Los quiero mucho

Seasons come and Season go...

Since graduating college I have called many places “home”…Nashville, Memphis, Charleston, Tulsa, Mexico City. Every time I get used to my environment, for whatever reasons, it’s time to go again. My mom and step dad have redone the house. I don’t even have my own bed anymore. My dad lives in FL and moved there while I was in Mexico. Things aren’t what there were when I left. Of course, neither am I.

So, what is home? I know that the Word tells us that we believers are not citizens of this earth. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” Philippians 3:20. I am also reminded that Paul had no real earthly “home” nor did Jesus. I think that with longing to feel at home comes a longing to feel accepted, valued, etc.

In Mexico, at first I was very aware that I was different. Eventually, all of those things that I thought were so weird became normal. Then I came back to the states and the same thing happened. Now I find myself very comfortable with most aspects of USA life and yet not comfortable at all. I don’t feel as if anyone quite “gets” me. BUT regardless of how I feel or how emotional I am, or how many times I talk about Mexico, what really matters is being found at HOME in HIM. As I looked back on my journeys in this blog, I couldn’t help but notice an overriding them. He was there. He was the consistency in my life with yet another season had come and gone. He will continue to be there as I finish out this season and He will be there as the next one starts. I long to be “home”…

Livin la vida loca (but the good kind)....

Hey folks! Things here in Memphis are rolling. Summer is here. School is out (well, at least at the U of M, I still have a paper to finish writing). I love my job even though some days I have no idea what I'm doing. There's nothing more exciting then encouranging other to pursue after His heart for the nations! And speaking of the nations, can I say just how pupmed I am to have an opportunity to go to Guatemala and Uruguay this summer! Of course, part of my heart is very much still in Mexico. I miss it- the people, my friends, getting kisses, the traffic, the weather, my students, house church, teaching English classes, the other missionaries, the food, etc. I am praying about what to do come January. The Lord has given me some amazing opportunities but I don't want to settle. I want pursue after His best. They are all good...but what is best. I feel like I'm graduating again because this term is only for 1 year. This life the Lord gives us is fool of seasons different kinds. This season of my life is very much about waiting on Him and His timing. I think I get into that "instant gratification" mind set and I forget that waiting is good. In "Oh, the Places You'll Go", the waiting place is called useless but as children of God, active waiting is not useless, it has a purpose. It prepares us for what's next. God molds us and shapes us during that time.

Just a quick update because it's been a while!

Casey

It's been way too long...

So, I moved back to the states in December. It was much harder to leave Mexico than I could have ever expected. I had really made many great friends (and mission family too) and I miss them all like crazy. Transitioning back to the US is weird. I catch myself doing very Mexican things regularly. It's weird feeling like a strange in my homeland, but God is constantly reminding me that I'm still not home yet. (Philippians 3:20). I have yet to find any real Mexican food :( . One of my newest hobbies has become eating at Mexican restaurants (the food is OK but not the real deal) because I really enjoy the atmosphere and I can put my Spanish skills into use. I have been amazed at how much the employees at various restaurants have shared with me.

I was blessed to spend the Christmas season with all my Tennessee family. Good times! It was nice to be with them as well as having some time off!

In January, I began my new job...missions mobilizations. I get to basically encourage college students to pursue after His heart for the nations, in what ever form that might be!!! I went to training at ILC and then a few days later moved to Bartlett, TN (just outside of Memphis) to work with Faith Baptist Church and the University of Memphis BCM. It's an interesting job in that there is no real description, it's very learn as you go... I also live with a nice older couple and their grandson. I am so blessed that they would open their home to me for this year.

I just recently went to Cochran, Alberta, Canada to work a collegiate retreat. Good times. I also got to spend some time at the seminary there and am seriously considering going to school there. One of the greatest things was that the Boyters were there (minus their kiddos, though) as the missionaries in residence. It was so wonderful to see them again! I really had a blast.

After that, I went to "debriefing". It was a nice time to be with others who understand what this whole transition thing is about. It was a breath of fresh air. I am so thankful for this time of support and encouragement. It's nice to feel like you're not alone! (although, we're never alone because God is with us, it's nice to know other people who really can understand!)

Now, things are in full swing. I am excited about the beginnings of several new and exciting things...Bible studies, coffee chats with some great gals, quality conversations at Starbucks, etc. I can't wait to see how God calls out His servants this year!

As for the future, I have several ideas but nothing is for sure. It is definitely something that I am praying about.

Doy la golria a Dios!