Go Ye Therefore Teaching All Nations

I found it necessary to share about two people I am honored to consider as friends. Carli and Brittany are flying over the ocean right now on their way to Kampala, Uganda. They both chose to follow God’s call and spend their summer with Sozo Children sharing their faith with the Ugandan children. How awesome is it they both answered the call with no hesitation, choosing God’s plan and purpose over their own.

For as long as I have known Brittany, there is no doubt her entire heart is dedicated to missions. Upon meeting her, you would learn her passion is in serving the Ugandan people. This will be Brittany’s second trip to Africa, and over the years she has prayed and trusted God’s call to allow her to serve there. This time Brittany will serve in Uganda for 10 weeks. Brittany open’s her heart to listen to people. Brittany’s heart overflows with encouragement and love. I am thankful to know that I have a friend who is willing to take her gifts and talents to other nations.

I am very grateful over the past two years to form a friendship with Carli. It has been so awesome to see her relationship with Christ grow. There is no doubt that one of Carl’s many gifts is encouragement. Her heart overflows for serving people. I previously had the privilege of being a Co D-now leader with Carli a few months ago. Then, I was able to see Carli’s passion even more. Carli truly has a gift to sharing her faith with others. I am so excited to know that she is taking using the gifts God has provided her and her education as a nursing student to other nations to further the kingdom of God over the next 5 weeks.

This is just a small amount of information about my two friends; there is so much more great things I could share about them. However, I am writing to ask you to pray along with me for their Journey.  They have asked us to pray for:

Travel safety to and from.

Wisdom

Discernment

Comfort away from home

Building Relationships with the Ugandan people

Decisions to be made

The Sozo Orphans

You can follow their journey’s at

Carli's blog

Brittany's blog

Roommates "goodbye" lunch

The two travelers

We have never hugged, but Kassidy
caught it on camera! 

Much to Catch Up On...

I’m not even sure where to start. Since I began this blog a few weeks ago small and major life milestones have taken place….

Big Accomplishment... 

About 7 weeks or so ago, my friends Lyndie, Julia, and I started training for a 5k. No expectation of actually competing in one, in the near future though. More purposely for fitting an exercise into our day and getting to hangout outside from our normal routines of classes, work, and the library.

My roommate Brittany convinced us to run in the Sozo Children Adventure Run. You know you’re about to be in a serious race when they give you a tracking device to tie to your shoelace. And by the looks of the people that were around me, the race was about to get real. The race started on a 100 yard straight up hill. After that you had to decide which path to compete in: the intense course or the easy course… I’ve always said, ‘go big or go home.’ We then completed a balance portion, running through 6 creeks, jumping over bales of hay, slip-n-slide, 3 mud pit crawls, climbed a mountain, jumped a fire pit, and swam across the lake before crossing the finish line under a hour!

I would like to mention, B-Len competed with no training! What a champ! 














The most important milestone to me….

If you know me, you know I can’t stand losing. I have quite the competitive personality. Which is not good when your new hobby is playing bingo. Yes, I might be considered a grandma, but it’s free hobby.  that made me sound more like a grandma.  So, this semester I became quite addictive to this game every Wednesday and Thursday night. My friends and I became a normal around Houndstooth. To the point, certain bouncers wouldn’t check our ID, just tell us to go in. Pathetic, I know. Every one of my friends that enjoyed the fun of bingo won, multiple times. I however, never won. Not once, never even came close. That’s probably why I returned each night, I just had to win. I had to find some type of skill to winning bingo. Here’s some advice from a consecutive attendee of bingo, there is NO talent necessary. I promised myself, that before I graduated on May 4^th, I would win bingo.

 

THE WINNING CARD

My final night as a college student at bingo, I 
finally won! The last round at 12:45am, I won black out. Now I’m running around with winner’s high. I can’t wait for everyone to return to T-town so we can start back.

A little blurry, but the gang after my big win

The day I never saw coming…

I have been enrolled in school for the past 17 years of my life. I have been working for those 17 years to earn a degree and start a career. Some how I never imagined, I would actually get to the end. I’ve always enjoyed school. Well, I didn’t enjoy school, but I loved the social aspects and avoiding the real world. You know, the 40 hours a week, 401k, insurance plan, bosses, etc. But the good time finally came to an end.

I am now a cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama department of Education with a degree in Exercise Physiology and a minor in Health Promotion.  I know a certain number of you have been waiting for me to give a roll tide since I’ve moved to Tuscaloosa. So I guess now that I am a graduate, I can give a ‘RTR’ under those circumstances. 

What's next...

I am continuing to work in Tuscaloosa, at Trinity Physical Therapy as their full time patient care coordinator. I am very fortunate to have this job and the opportunity to work with such an awesome staff.

Even though I had many uncertainties of the future and I am certain I will again. God remained faithful to his promise.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

I apologize for the lengthy posting.

Not Ready to Listen

Brittany and I have lived together for almost two years now.  We have a great friendship and happen to be very honest with each other.  (example- ‘Carmen, your cooking wasn’t that good tonight.’ 'Brittany, that outfit doesn't match') Not sure how either of us are going to survive when I move out in less than a month. Over these two years we often share our devotionals with each other. You would think it would be to lift each other up, which in a weird way it is. When we share a devotion with each other, it’s more of a ‘kick you when you’re down moment.’  More times than none, it is things we know, just not ready to hear at the time because we are too busy figuring it ourselves. We both want to follow God’s will for our lives, but often find it hard to discern what that is. I hate to admit, but sometimes I know what the truth is, but not ready to hear or admit it. I know in order to find truth, we must turn to scripture.

Today, Brittany comes to me, throws her devotion book at me. and says with a smirk, “read today, it was written for you.” I looked at her and replied, “I don’t want to… right now.” She continued laughing and insisted that I read it.  I admit it was exactly what I NEEDED to hear. I thought I should share it:

HEAVING CALLING –HEARING YOUR FATHER’S VOICE EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

MY PATH FOR YOU-APRIL 14

Dear one, if you walk with me every day, you’ll have wisdom for your journey. And if you’ll remember to come to me before making decisions, you will avoid some hazards along the way. This was a lesson that Solomon’s brother did not learn, and his scheme to be king let to his death.

So often my children make their own plans apart from me. They run on ahead without consulting me first, and before they know it, they’ve lost their way My desire is to show you the fulfilling path I have marked out for you; then you won’t waste time racing down other trails that end in frustration.

When you draw near to me, my Word, and the wise counsel of Christian friends, I will set you on the path I prepared for you all along. I would much rather help you avoid disaster than pick up the pieces afterward. I have far better plans for you.

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 1:28-53

KICK ME IN THE FACE. This is exactly what God wanted me to hear. Lately, I complain about what I am going to do next with my life. Not certain what to do or where to go. Truth is, worrying is a sin. Planning ahead is a sin. I should be crying out to God trusting in His plan that he prepared for me.  Shame on me. I have a God that has plan and purpose for me. He wants to raise me up, if I will just call on Him and trust in His ultimate timing.

Thank you Brittany for sharing this with me. Even though you knew I didn’t want to be reminded of this you made sure I listened. 

Check Brittany’s journey to Africa this summer! ( www.brittanylenning.blogspot.com)

3 years late

I finally broke down and decided to become a blogger. Yes, I realize that I am about three years late on the trend. But if we all remember, I was late to Myspace, Facebook, and Twitter. All my friends had to set up my accounts for me. Therefore, my friend/roommate Carli is a new blogger (check her out  carlipatrick.blogspot.com) and encouraged me to do the same since I am entering a new stage in my life.  

New stage? Didn't I just move to Tuscaloosa to finish college? It is true... the older you get, the faster time goes. Come May 4, I will be walking across the stage at Coleman Coliseum to receive my diploma. As the months have turned to just a few short weeks, I am asking what's next? My repetitive prayer is for God to open only the doors I need to take and SLAM doors I need to flee from. Please join me in this prayer. We all know that I like choosing the easiest way. I keep finding myself trusting in

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. -Ephesians 3:20

So join me on this new journey discovering where God takes me next. A few things I ask for you to pray along with me is: patience, perseverance, discernment and trust. 

A few things to know for my few followers:

• Expect grammatical errors (Unless Kassidy has time to proof) - I always said I wouldn't blog, just because I didn't want to be judged for all my errors. 
• Know that I ramble - I can carry on about anything from one subject to the next without taking a breath. 
• My humor isn't that funny - Sometimes I think I crack a good one liner, that no one else finds funny. 

Hope you all have a blessed week and thank you for being interested in my new journey!