Contributions

For those of you who have been wondering how you can make a contribution you can either a: make a check payable to Mitchell and I or b: for a tax deductible contribution you can make a check payable to Harvest Fellowship and leave the subject line blank. Either way you can mail the checks to 15323 Antler Creek SATX 78248.

Thanks to everyone who has been so willing to help Mitchell and I go be the hands and feet.

My Center

It is so crazy how fast time passes! Mitchell and I have been frantically working on moving out of our apartment and into storage. It doesn't seem like that big of a task until I realized that we not only had to pack for Uganda and put everything else in storage, we also needed clothes out for winter and for April when we get back, i.e. we have stuff everywhere!

Robin has been telling me very exciting things about the orphanage and the children there and my friend Whitney sewed me an awesome baby sling to carry the children around the compound in!

The prayers that we have been surrounded by have been absolutely wonderful. Any "logical" person would be slightly frightened or worried about leaving the comforts of home for three months to a place that they have never been, yet I sit on the title page of a new chapter in my life calmly. The placid feelings within me don't seem to match the tumultuous waves that one would think should accompany such an endeavor. Praise be to God who is my center, my shepherd, and my everything.

Please continue to pray that plans go smoothly, we already had to change our flights back home, and that God shows us what to do next.

Thanks for your prayers!

So many of you heard about the new strains on the trip. (If not read the previous post). Thank you to all the prayer warriors out there. God has already laid out the "new", more price efficient path (I say new because it is new to me... but He knew all along).

Praise God!

New Strains... Need your prayers

Last night I got an email from Robin, the woman who lives in Entebbe and just started the orphanage. It seems that the more affordable housing option that Mitchell and I were hoping for may not be available during the time that we are there. The prices that we would be paying for the new options are four times more per month. Needless to say this has me a little bit worried.

Pray that God eases my nerves. I know that this is His plan and that He will provide us with a path and a method to get down that path. Pray that somehow the guest house option (the more affordable option) becomes available. Pray that God reminds me of His always present provision in my life.

Thank you in advance for your prayers!

Really God... YOU want to use me

As I have been packing for Mitchell and my weekend trip to Dallas to talk to Cristo Viene's youth about our upcoming trip to Uganda and all of the need that is there I have been listening to the Mwangaza children's choir. Mwangaza is Swahili for "shining light" and that is what their voices are, pure and innocent light that holds the hope for the future of Uganda.

I started crying thinking, "Why do I get to go be your hands and feet God? Are you sure that I am the one that you want to use? I fail you all the time. There are others that are better suited for this." Yet from within me I hear that still small voice saying, "Don't you trust me Cassidy? I chose you to do this. I have a plan for you. I have known since before you were born that I would send you to my children across the world. I have been preparing you for this since you were born"

What a humbling experience to be chosen by God! He must love me so much. And you want to know a not so secret secret? He loves you too. He is especially fond of you. He has a plan for you that will knock you off your feet because of the magnanimity of what He wants to lay before you.

I will never be good enough to accomplish His will, yet when I live through Him, He will give me more than enough to share His love. And that is what we need, the pure undefiled love that comes directly from the Father.

Ants in my Pants

I am so wiggly. I can't stay still. I am always making lists of things we need, things we don't need, things we need to get, what we need to pack, all for Africa. I guess it is kind of a waste of time but, in a weird way I kind of feel helpless. I feel like I should already be there. I should be caring for the orphans, and walking down to the market to run errands.

I find myself already starting to dress the way I will need to while in Africa (long skirts and covered shoulders) and needless to say I am getting some funny looks when I go some where in a floor length tie die skirt with a pashmina wrapped around my shoulders, but I don't even care.

I need to get there! January 16th can't come soon enough.

Thank you for all the prayers from everyone. I used to think that I could separate myself from the past and from people in it but I have realized that everyone I come in contact with, even that guy at the gas station 2 years ago that asked if I was okay, has shaped me, changed me, and molded me.

Some changes to "me" were definitely good, others were good disguised as pain. It is so crazy what God does to make us the people that He can use to better the world. I hope that he uses Mitchell and I in awesome ways to help shape the future of Uganda.

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane Don't know when I'll be back again!

Mitchell and I have purchased our tickets for Uganda. We will be leaving January 16th and then leaving flying from DFW to Atlanta to Amsterdam to Entebbe. On April 16th we will leave Entebbe fly to Amsterdam then back to DFW. I am so excited.

This week we are starting to send out fundraising letters. Please pray that God uses our family and friends to get us where He wants us to go.

It is so strange because two years ago I would have never thought that my heart would be in Africa. I went to mission trips in Mexico and I speak Spanish I thought my heart would always feel connected there. But now I here of riots in Kampala and my heart aches, I hear of abandon children and I feel like I need to get there to take care of God's precious children. I believe that God is raising up a generation in Africa that will be able to lessen the heartache. He is raising up a generation of leaders who won't live on handouts and that will better themselves and their community. He is raising up people who will look past the pain of the past and hope in the future by setting up farms that can sustain thousands of people. He is raising a generation of believers that will help educate others on what it means to live a safe life in Christ.

Now is the time that this orphan continent needs your prayers and your help.

Uganda on the Horizon

As Mitchell and I prepare to go to Uganda we are getting very excited. We heard that Robin has purchased a compound where the orphanage will be housed. The compound has avocado trees, papaya trees, and banana trees! We have also seen pictures of the guest house that we will be renting while we are there and it looks very nice, much nicer than I was expecting.

I have to say my excitement is through the roof. Yesterday, Mitchell and I were playing Sorry and he asked what I was most excited about. As I started answering, I couldn't stop. The idea of getting to live in another country, the opportunity to minister to people that are truly in need, the chance to make a difference in a life that may not have had a chance for survival. My list is endless. I just start smiling every time I think about our trip.

I know it won't always be easy but, I know that God has prepared the way and that His paths are good and perfect!

Learning After Education

Now that I am finished with my degree I have found something peculiar and wonderful. I am falling in love with learning all over again! Since I have graduated I have learned a lot. I have learned how to quilt and opened an online boutique ( www.cassidycay.etsy.com ). I have read things, and not because they were assigned, I have read them because I wanted to and they were interesting to me. I am finally excited about doing in depth Bible studies again because it isn't just homework anymore. Current book of study, Acts. I am also studying Swahili and anxiously reading about Uganda and the culture of the people.

I am loving this time of learning. My passions that had been brutally stunted by the tedious frivolities of formal education are blooming and growing in my "new" life. Last night Mitchell and I even had an "intellectual" party. We watched Alfred Hitchcock's, "Rope" and then discussed the existence of a superior human. How fun!

Go, go, go. Go learn about the world, about what it has to offer, about God and his love for you, and about you! Search, explore, and find yourself in a light you may not have expected.

His Mercies Are New Every Morning

Yesterday a good friend of mine and her husband welcomed their first son into the world. (I was thinking the 11th so the 10th was a pretty close I guess, I also had the underdog vote since everyone was thinking about a week past her due date of the 8th) Thinking about the amazing miracle and gift that a baby brings really just opened my eyes and allowed me to see God's blessings in everything.

I love thinking about all of the beautiful memories that I have and all of the unforgettable moments in my life that are yet to come. On Sunday night I went to eat with some family friends and talked to their kids most of the dinner (3rd, 5th, 7th, and 12th grade). Watching their 5th grader made me think of all the fun times that I had with my little sister as we were growing up. I think of the wonderful summer days with just a trampoline and a water hose. I think about the entire upstairs of our house covered with Barbies and Barbie paraphernalia. I think a sister is one of the best gifts anyone could ever ask for.

Thinking about miracles, I also remember summer camps during high school and getting to see God move without the distraction of friends, family, and school. It was at one of these retreats that God really showed me that He has a specific plan for my life.

I also thought about my wonderful husband and how God put us together so young and made it so obvious that we were meant for each other. I think that the plans God has for Mitchell and I are probably very big and I think they probably are also a little scary and painful that is why God put us together young so that we can build that teamwork, connection, and intimacy to be able to face the most scary times together.

There also are numerous unforgettable moments that are yet to come, like having kids, our trip to Uganda, our 50th wedding anniversary, Caroline's family coming together, Davis's family coming together, grandchildren, hopefully getting one of my stories published (In no particular order of course).

Life is so rich and full of blessings I think I forget it occasionally and then I start to feel low. Please pray that God continues to show me the blessings in the small things like looking at a friends new baby pictures or if my potted plants ever bloom. His mercies are new every morning and I will be praying that God makes these abundantly obvious to you so that you can praise Him and glorify Him. If He does such amazing things for birds, and flowers, and trees how much more does He want to do for you, His beautiful creation that He gave life and intelligence and beauty to?

Misguided Ambition

Today I have been feeling super crafty, even though I should be feeling super "I-love-to-pack-up-the-entire-apartment-y". Because of this misguided ambition I have finally finished a project that I started a while back. A little bit ago I decided that I wanted all of my kids to have homemade stuffed animals but, I knew that by the time I had kids I would have no time to make amazing crafts so I started to make them now. I have a doll and a lion finished, the lion was just finished this week. The doll is called Luna she is made of two old pairs of pants and two t-shirts. The lion is called Kiki and he is made of two pairs of pants and two tanks. The hair/mane took a really long time and Mitchell even did a little bit of stitching on both of their hearts.

I have also been thinking a lot about what to take to Uganda (I know I don't leave until January but I do already have a packing list). I loved the baby dress that I found on www.etsy.com (another "evil" distraction from packing the apartment). I think it would be pretty easy to make and it is super cute. All I need is a cheap sewing machine or to borrow someone's machine.

We get the keys to our apartment on Friday so I need to get most of the packing done by then. Mitchell helped a lot this morning and did a couple of boxes. Yay for husbands!

Yesterday I was at Plato's Closet selling some of my old clothes and somehow the manager and I started talking about my trip to Africa and she gave me some really good suggestions on where to get things donated from. Pray that God continues to place people in my life to talk about Africa with. I think the best way to keep joy and passion for anything is to talk about.

Often times at summer camp, or anything else that Mitchell and I do with the youth group from church, the kids ask me "How do I keep my passion for God and this fire that I have?" I think the answer is pretty simple, often way to simple for us to understand, just share the love of God. Tell others about what Jesus has done for you and that is where passion comes from.

Stay passionate, bold, and ambitious!

A Real Page Turner

When you are young and in school teachers ask "What are you going to be when you grow up?" and you generally respond along these line "teacher", "doctor", "fire fighter", or "penguin trainer" (If you have my little sister's cunning cooky-ness). But really this question doesn't make much sense to me because every time that I have a plan, and man is it a good plan, God comes in and changes my plan to his even better plan. He takes my decent and makes it fabulous.

As a young child I wanted to be lots of things and to tell you the truth I am very few of those things. I wanted to be a model but, at all of 5'3 that isn't an option. I wanted to be a pediatrician but now the idea of an office job like that is kind of boring to me. I wanted to be an artist and yes I occasionally paint or craft but nothing with the beauty of a DaVinci, Monet, or even Picasso. But what I am now is amazing. I am actually letting God direct my plans and He has led me someplace super awesome. I am now a 20 year old college graduate, with a degree in mathematics none the less, thanks in large part to the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science. I have a wonderful husband (again thank you TAMS haha). I write quirky children's stories that I hope will eventually get a response (I don't worry though, because Dr. Seuss sent out around 100 queries before receiving a positive response and I only have sent 5). I always thought that God would use me somehow in the US and didn't see myself as a "world traveler" yet now God has given me a passion for the world and different languages and He is sending me to Uganda.

My advice to anyone who needs a little direction in life: tell God "I don't know what is coming next but I want you to pick". I no longer feel like the sole, clueless author of my life. I feel like a character in the story of the world and this story is a real page turner. I can hardly wait to see what will come next.

This Saturday, Mitchell and I are moving apartments. Pray that I focus and get everything packed (if you are bored this week come sit on my couch and tell me to pack things, I'll even make you some lunch). Also pray that there aren't any big problems with our new apartment like roaches or rats or holes in walls or creepy neighbors.

World Perspective

This year I have been focusing on changing my perspective from an "American" perspective to a "World" perspective. God doesn't just think about the US, He doesn't just bless the US, and He doesn't just hurt when He sees His people in the US hurt. I have been expanding my point of view and this has done several things for me.

I feel so blessed, not just because of all the amazing opportunities in my life but, for the simple things. I have air conditioning, access to a washer and dryer, if there was an emergency I would be able to get to a hospital. I am able to freely read my bible and freely worship my God, our Creator. As a woman, I am able to get an education, to own property, to get a job. If someone were to abuse me or hurt me justice would be found.

I also realize that God placed me into a life of blessedness for a reason. I am here now so that I can go and tell of God's love. God put a heart in my body that cannot help but share the love and compassion of God wherever I go. He put me here, in this blessed life, so that I would have access to the resources needed so that I can go, so that I can be His hands and feet.

I also, now that I have knowledge about how the rest of the world lives, cannot revert to a former, more ignorant self. As I walk around town and hear people complains that they only were able to get 5 shirts when they went shopping with their mom because "money was tight", I just want to shake them. "At least you have money, you have clothes". In the US we are among the richest in the world. That means even going to the worst parts of the US, much more than half of the world lives in worse conditions than that. Don't believe me? Wiki the Human Development Index which is a combination of life expectancy, literacy rates, and standards of living. The US is color coded deep green, the highest rating possible. Central and South America and Asian countries are light green to yellow, mid ratings. Then Africa is orange and deep red, the lowest possible ratings. Here people live on less than a dollar a day, die from easily preventable diseases. Here is a continent of orphans whose parents were just children themselves, stolen by HIV and war that they were forced into.

Now that I know I cannot ignore the rest of the world. In the same way that when I learned that God loved me so much that He sent His son, who died and then rose again to save me from a life a slavery to desires of a dying earth.

Today, and in your life, try shifting your focus from one of self pity because of our "bad economy" to one that feels blessed because we have an economy and a government that is at least existent. Shift your focus from what you don't have to what they don't have and how you can help. Shift your prayers from "God help me, God give me" to "God bless them, protect them, raise up harvesters to go and tell them that you love them". I am calling you to shift from comfortable ignorance to unsettling knowledge.

The Beginning

So I have caved to the allure of blogging. I named my blog The Fount of Blessings because my life is so blessed. God has gifted me with a wonderful husband, an amazing opportunity to go to Uganda in January for three months, and He has blessed me with knowledge and wisdom.

I want to share the joy of my life here as well as my many ponderings that I roll around in my all too cluttered head. I am always thinking and would like to share those thoughts with you.