Memories are a hopeful kind of sad

An old friend is getting married today. It very much makes me miss the innocence of my childhood and playing manhunt on Friday nights. Having two of the best hiding spots where no one ever found me. Sarah breaking her arm during one of said games. Blooper soccer in the backyard. "Jerrod passes to Bubba. Bubba passes back" = my brother using the garage as a replacement for his partner. Sitting around the table at dinner as a family and Bubba being the only one to out-eat my father. My dad puffing his stomach up after dinner so he looked like he was pregnant. My dad being alive and happy or at least so I thought. The simplicity of being a kid. The biggest fight between my twin and I being about him calling me "fat." As much as it hurt my feelings at the time, I'd much rather be arguing and name-calling about stupid stuff then the present reality.

I guess it's just sad, that for no other reason than the passing of time, friends can be separated and walk different paths. I would have loved to be witnessing our old family friend getting married today. I even dreamed about it last night. I think part of me just longs for the past and how easy everything seems in retrospect. I miss the genuineness of his family and the person my brother used to be when they were friends. When the worst thing about my brother was his retched-smelling feet and Bubba's mom making him wash his feet before going to bed because otherwise he'd stink up the sheets.

Even though I haven't seen or spoke to Bubba in years, I know the goodness in him has not changed. It's instilled in him through his parents and I see it in his siblings. I think of Bubba and I see the path my brother should have been on; the kind of friend he needs in his life now. Most of all it makes me hope that one day my brother will be in a healthy place where it will be his marriage I will get to celebrate.

We will be your hands; we will be your feet.

If you remember, about two months back I participated in the annual Go Cincinnati. Well, I finally took the time to check my church's website to see if they have posted a recap video from the day and indeed they have.

I also looked on youtube and found a few decent videos someone else had captured from the day. These two are from Go Grub, which is the celebration we had after our morning of service projects around the city.

Each year before we head out on our various service projects, we fill the auditorium with thousands of folks in white shirts and worship. This will give you just a glimpse of how large my church actually is.

So of course anywhere there is a dj, the stereotypical party songs are played and just about everyone danced. Upon first watching this one, I noticed myself in the background on the stairs to the gazebo. I'm not one to bust a move in public, so I'm shyly doing bits and pieces. Whomever filmed this actually zooms in on me and two of my friends towards the end, which was kinda weird since we're not part of the main event.

Here's another one just of people getting their groove on. haha.

facebook in real life.

This is just one of the many reasons why my church rocks.

strange perfection

So I was just e-mailing everyone I initially asked for prayers and donations for the New Orleans mission trip I'm going on, thanking them and giving them the blog to follow along with our journey.  I meant to send the e-mail to my friend's mom, Pam, but somehow sent it to another Pam that I don't even know.  Gmail does this weird thing where it saves addresses in my contacts that have come across my e-mail through forwarded messages, where there are probably tons of people I don't know.  So when I typed in "P" I guess I clicked the first Pam I saw and it wasn't the one I know. 

Anyways just thought it was crazy because she actually wrote back with encouraging words and not just her own words, but HIS words:

Cassie, I do not know u personally but I will be praying for your trip and that you will be fruitful....Always remember "the things impossible with men r possible with God, and u have not because you ask not................HE IS FAITHFUL................

 

In His love,

Pamela

I don't know....I just thought it was strange and perfect that this random person I happened to send my e-mail out to was a believer and didn't simply discard the e-mail, but took the time to respond and say a prayer for my trip.  Awesome.  Thank you, God.

And if you'd like to keep updated on the trip or happen to stumble upon this blog and are curious as to what it's even about, you can check out week one's updates here: http://www.crossroads.net/goneworleansblog/

Worship.

Last night the young adult community group, Crux, had a worship service reflecting over the last 10 weeks of Story Formed Life.  Below are some of the testaments regarding this amazing journey.

• I have learned the amazing value of friendship and community. Of course, every night I learned an amazing amount about God’s word and the story, but overall, the community – living God’s word through relationship has been the most exciting thing. So often I think I can do it on my own – or I think I WANT to do it on my own. I have used this as a defense – as an excuse to not get hurt. Jesus has brought me to a beautiful place of Christ-focused fellowship. Thanks, and praise God!
• My life is not my own. Community – our purpose in the body – is to enable one another, to lift each other up, to encourage and love so we can grow in the body. The Kingdom is here.
• My identity: beautiful, redeemed, obedient, pure, holy, royalty, princess, worthy, whole, strong, humble, gifted daughter of God
• I have never realized the grace that God has for me. The Fall really made me think of my mistakes and shortcomings, but God will forgive me no matter what because he loves me so much. He continually pursues me and stands by my side. I am nothing without him. Jesus is my Lord and Savior!! And I am so thankful and blessed for that.
• The SFL has given me a whole new look at the Bible from a way I’ve never been exposed to before. I feel like for the most part I’ve been on a journey on my own as few people around me know God. I’ve believed in God for a long time, but to learn this awesome truth that speaks to my heart and my inmost being is incredible. God created the earth and it was good! That is so hard for me to fathom sometimes, but I get glimpses of that goodness despite the fallen world we live in. And I get excited for the day creation will be as it was meant to be. I get excited that I am adopted into a new family and that God has given me unlimited access to new resources and grace. I want to keep my eyes fixed on that. Knowing I am not of this world and it’s ok to feel of out place because my home is NOT here!! It’s OK I don’t have the things everyone else does – my possessions are in heaven. And when I get discouraged about my lack of ability, I can smile. Because it is in my weakness God can shine through. And he can do GREAT works through me if I let him. I want to let him! :)