The Rev

So, my dad is awesome. Like, really awesome. I am so blessed to have such a constant and strong model of Christ’s love in my life. I’m a daddy’s girl for sure.

He has always been a pastor, as far back as I can remember. I’ve seen the very real ups and downs of ministry. I’ve watched people hurt my dad, I’ve listened to people complain about my dad, I’ve seen people use my dad, but more often than not, I’ve mostly just observed how people are loved by my dad.

While I’m a little biased, the Rev is really my favorite preacher and teacher. From day one I have learned so much from him.

At different times he has intentionally sat down with me and taught me really important things: like how much God wants to have relationship with me, how a man should treat me, that credit cards aren’t really magic cards, how to live on a budget, and things like that.

And as important as those big things are, there are some things the Rev has taught me that I’m not sure he consciously intended to; these are the things that I’ve watched him live out when no one is watching.

1.  Everyone needs prayer. There is no situation too awkward to ask someone if you can pray for them.

2. Tip well always. Christians should be a waiters favorite customers, not his stingiest.

3. You’re never too broke to follow God. Whether it means moving across the country, adopting, buying a homeless guy a hotel room for a few nights, or paying for someone’s coffee, if God is leading you to do it, then do it.

4. Life is too short to hold grudges, and forgiveness is easier in the end.

5. You should always be reading something.

6. Don’t change what you like or who you are just because everyone around you doesn’t share your interests. It’s okay to be a UGA fan in Washington, and it’s okay to be the only one standing up when everyone else seems to be sitting down.

7. Lose yourself. Rather you lose yourself in laughter, in worship, or in thought, it’s good to give up control.

8. Practice what you preach. And if you’re not good at practicing it, admit it when you’re preaching and then preach it to yourself.

9. Everyone has a story. Don’t think you know it, until they tell you.

10. When you’re wrong, admit it. As soon as possible.

Although being a pastor’s kid has it’s downfalls, like when your dad refers to Ashton “Krutcher” in a sermon, or when its raining on a Sunday morning and he makes a joke about riding his ark to church, and the unfortunate fact that at any given moment my life is fair game for a sermon illustration (and has been, too many times to count), I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Orphan Sunday T-Shirts

So I know you’ve all been anxiously waiting to hear how you can promote Orphan Sunday AND help bring an orphan into a forever family, so here’s how!

With the help of Big Red Fern Screen Printing (check them out, they’re awesome), we have designed these awesome shirts!!!

We will be selling them for $20 each to 1) promote Orphan Sunday and 2) to raise funds for our adoption (read more here).

And of course you can also get a tank!

If you would like to become an advocate for our adoption, you can sell these shirts in your area!

I’ve attempted to make the process as easy as possible! So email me at cassadylynn@hotmail.com if you would like to sell these, or if you want to personally order them go to https://lifepointecommunitychurch.cloverdonations.com/adoption-t-shirt/! Thanks so much ya’ll!!!! 🙂

Haiti Adoption Update

I am beyond excited to share that my family is now able to take the next step in our Haiti adoption process! We have been praying that it would be possible for us to complete our home study before Methus & I leave for college (otherwise we would have to find social workers in Georgia and Alabama to do separate home studies…not ideal!). So I am SUPER thankful that our prayers were answered and we will be able to keep moving forward!

Charis’s adoption was such a long process that I didn’t remember how difficult the whole process is (or maybe once she came home I forgot, because it was all so worth it). The sacrifices I made so that we could afford the adoption seem much smaller than they do now. But once I think about one (or two) kids in Haiti waiting to be in out family, I forget it all.

A couple of weeks ago I was having a really selfish moment. I was telling my mom about how I am tired of praying for God to provide for the adoption, for my school, for me to get a car, and the list really could go on and on. But basically I was tired of making sacrifices. I was tired of not getting the things that I wanted (I know, that sounds horrible, I can be really selfish). Growing up in the ministry, our family has never exactly had an excess of resources.

But in the midst of my selfishness and pride, I realized that God has always provided. I have never gone hungry, I have never lived on the streets, and they might have been hand-me-downs, but I have always been clothed.

In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

How foolish am I to complain about my “struggles” when God has blessed me so much. My heart aches to think that I was selfish enough to think and say those things. There’s a song that I really love (granted it is really cheesy) called “This is the stuff”. There is a line in that song that hits me every time I hear it: “in the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed.” Every time I get caught up in my own selfishness and the messes I get myself into, I forget how much God has blessed me.

At the end of the day, I know that I am 100% committed to this adoption, whatever that means. Dave Ramsey once said that God wouldn’t call you to do something that you couldn’t pay for. God hasn’t called my family to live an extravagant life. He has called us to extend our family and to let another child (or two) come into our lives. I know that God is faithful to provide for every need along the way, and I am excited to be a part of that!

“Just be like Indiana Jones”

I love airports, mostly because I love people watching. But I also love the atmosphere of an airport. Everyone is on a journey. It might be a quick trip, a business trip, a long term trip, but the fact is that they are going somewhere.

Today, my airport experience is getting pretty sentimental. I just said goodbye to Texas, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and some of the greatest friends that I have ever been blessed with.

UMHB has been such a blessing these past two years. The people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve had have been more than life-changing. Even though I’m transferring, I know that God placed me there for a season so that he could grow me, stretch me, and prepare me for what lies ahead. While I don’t have everything totally figured out, I’m ready to step out and go on another crazy adventure.

I was talking with one of my professors yesterday before I left campus, and I was telling her about some of my goals and dreams for the next few years. But I had to add that I had no idea how I was going to get there yet. So naturally she told me to “just be like Indiana Jones.” She said that sometimes the only thing you can do is step out and have faith that the bridge is there.

So today, in the airport, I am taking my first step. And I’m praying that my foot will find the bridge.

God is faithful

Since I’ve been back from Uganda I’ve kinda missed blogging… so I’m going to continue  randomly posting on this blog to keep everyone updated on my journey.

And I figured there was no better time to share that my family has felt the call to begin our second adoption—from Haiti! 

Our application has been approved and now we are just waiting until we can take the next step! 

My prayer is that God will continue to provide and that we will be able to bring home another little Weldon! 🙂

One of my greatest passions, and hopefully something I can incorporate into my professional future, is financial assistance for people who have the desire to adopt, but lack the financial ability to do so.

I am so confident in God’s faithfulness to provide and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store! Please keep us in your prayers as we embark on this journey!

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness stretches to the skies.” Psalm 36:5

 

Sitting in the airport

Well today has arrived.

Needless to say I have been an emotional wreck all day.

Goodbyes are so hard. Especially when they involve 12 of the most precious children in the world.

There really is no way to describe how I am feeling right now. So instead of making a really bad attempt at that, I will tell you about my last day in Uganda.

It started like any other day, I woke up. Except I didn’t really sleep last night, so I woke up from a hour and a half nap.

I went downstairs and chilled with the kids before breakfast. Annet and Carol were sitting inside instead of playing so they started asking me about when I was leaving and such. Then I started crying. I think it scared them a little that I just randomly started crying, but I explained to them that I was just really sad that I had to leave Uganda.

Naturally they gave me some advice. Little 5 year old Annet in her sassiest voice said, “Well just stay!”

And right then I wanted to just say  okay and not go anywhere.

Later in the morning I read to the kids one last time and burned some CDs for my Ugandan friends.

Then I had my last Mama Monica prepared meal of posho, beans and cabbage for lunch. I don’t know if I’ve said this yet or not but Mama Monica is an awesome cook! There are only one or two things that I didn’t love eating the past 3 months.

Then during nap time I finished packing and got ready.

Once the kids woke up from nap time the real countdown was on. Only 2 hours before I had to leave. We had popcorn for snack and I taught Joel how to throw it up and catch it in his mouth (I’m sure the staff will thank me for that one). Then all the kids remembered that I had said I had sweets for them when I left so, every 5 minutes or so a different kids would ask me when they would get their sweets. Haha so cute!

Then I went upstairs, got my luggage, and brought it down to weigh it. Of course my big bag was 3 kg overweight, so then I had to move stuff around (which took way too much time and effort).

Then the goodbyes came. I wrote each kid a little note and gave them two sweets. I handed the first note to Brenda and immediately started crying… again! Which she thought it was hilarious that Auntie Cass was crying haha.

Then one by one I gave everyone my parting gift and then they all prayed for me.

After that, Mama Monica and Auntie Sara hugged me and told me goodbye. And then I had to get in the van and go.

It all happened so fast.

I still feel like this isn’t really happening. Like I’m just dreaming and I’m going to wake up or something.

But, I guess it is really happening because mothers with small children and people with disabilities can now board the plane.

Chao Uganda, it’s been real. You’ve changed my life.

So blessed!

I leave in 2 days! I really can’t believe it! I’m on an emotional roller-coaster right now!

Auntie Jo left on Thursday and Auntie Laura left yesterday, leaving me the last muzungu at Rafiki Africa Ministries. One of the staff members said that now the other two are gone they can eat me (Oh, African humor).

I’ve had some time to reflect on the past three months, and I am so very blessed to have been able to be here. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

I went to Watoto (our church) for the last time today and it was so bittersweet. At Watoto almost every Sunday the pastor asks people to join in groups of 3 and pray for one another. Today he asked us to just partner up with the person next to us and pray for each other. So Auntie Sara and I prayed together, and I cried the whole time! I really do feel like I have a little Ugandan family! Auntie Esther and Auntie Sara have become my “cousin sisters” and Mama Monica is like my Ugandan mommy! I am so blessed to have them as a part of my life.

I miss Jo and Laura! I am so glad that I met those girls and that we got to share this experience together. While I’m sure that we got on each other’s nerves at times, we never got into any real arguments or anything. And for such a random grouping of ages and personality types, I’d say that’s really awesome! They both made me realize a lot of things about myself and I am so grateful for their friendship.

I am so glad that I got to experience Uganda and see another part of the world. The differences and similarities between Uganda and the US have been very interesting to learn. I have become pretty comfortable living in Uganda, except for the mouse that lives up here with me (I discovered that he had been on the bed yesterday… not a fun realization). Although I wonder if I’m going to want to put on make up and do my hair when I come back, shocking I know.

I had to say goodbye to my favorite ministry that we work with on outreach days last Monday and that was hard. The street boys at A Perfect Injustice have captured my heart in so many ways. One in particular, Abbas, was especially difficult to say bye to. He was my little buddy!

My heart is breaking knowing that I’m leaving. My eyes have been opened to so many things since I’ve been here and my passion for adoption has only multiplied. I hope that the things I’ve learned here stick with me.

Please keep me in your prayers for my last few days here and for safe travels on my way home!

 

These are a few of my favorite things…

I can’t believe it! Only one week left here!

The past 3 months have been such a blessing! But more on that later 😉

I want to share with yall some of my favorite things about Uganda!

First and foremost, my favorite advertisement in Uganda.

All the ads from this meat company crack me up! This is my favorite though!

Secondly, my favorite Ugandan foods! Chapati and matoke! Chapati is like a thick tortilla kind of thing and matoke is steamed plantains. I learned to make Chapati and attempted to help make matoke… but it’s a good thing I wasn’t allowed to take-over that one. It’s difficult to make the traditional way!

Chapati

Matoke

My favorite place I’ve been in Uganda- Murchison Falls National Park. That’s where I had my safari and it was BEAUTIFUL! Between the Nile and the animals, it was absolutely breathtaking!

My favorite moment… thats a hard one to narrow down. But I’ll give you a few…

• A few days ago I had a horrible headache and little Esther gave me a kiss to help my head feel better, and then said, “Now I will pray for you.” She put her hand on my head and said the sweetest prayer I have ever heard come out of a 5 year old’s mouth. I almost cried!
• When the Uganda Cranes played Zambia on the Uganda independence day. Everyone in the house was glued to the game and it was so intense!
• Passion 2012 Kampala. It was incredible! I’m so glad that I got to be a part of it!

There are so many more but those are some highlights!

And of course I have 12 of my favorite little Ugandans! 🙂

 

The little things

I’m an emotional mess.

I leave in 12 days. Time has flown by. The days pass very slowly here, but the weeks seems to pass so quickly. I’m sure that makes no sense.

A dear friend of mine asked me what is my favorite thing that I have done here.

I really couldn’t respond. I have no idea!

But it made me think of when people you love die, move away or just aren’t apart of your life anymore, you miss the little moments. You miss having coffee together, laughing together, and inside jokes.

So I would say the little things have been my favorite things.

I will miss the 12 little sweethearts that I love so much.

I will miss walking in the door and having 12 kids shout “welcome back Auntie!”

I will miss Esther’s sweet smile and voice as she tells me how she dreamed about angels and heaven.

I will miss pretending to kung-fu fight with Joshua.

I will miss Don talking to me in Luganda like I know what he is saying.

I will miss cuddling with Emma, my sweet sugar muffin.

I will miss how Oscar talks like an American.

I will miss having to tell Joel 5 times to give me a real hug before he puts both arms around me.

I will miss how Brenda seems to lose teeth like they are going out of style.

I will miss all of the random things that Carol says. She makes me laugh every day.

I will miss Cocus’ hugs, he always wants to be hugged.

I will miss Jerom’s dance moves.

I will miss how Fauziya laughs at everything, rather it is funny or not.

I will miss the way that Annet takes care of everything and loves to play mommy, just like I did when I was her age.

 

These kids have been such a blessing to me. They are not perfect, they all have their moments, but they are all so precious.

I know I’m leaving so soon—and I am excited to be back home—but it still hasn’t hit me that I am actually leaving. Even as I write this it just doesn’t feel real.

They all have a special place in my heart and I am so in love with each one of them.

Thankfulness

I was on facebook the other day, trying to catch up with friends and family, and I saw so many posts about thankfulness. Which reminded me, Thanksgiving is so close! I am going to miss being around family for Thanksgiving, but I am excited to share it with my Ugandan family!

Since it is quickly approaching us, I decided to make a list of some things that being in Uganda has made me more thankful for.

-Jesus. I am so very thankful for the grace of Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation. I am so extremely undeserving of his mercy and love.

-My Family. I have been blessed to have such a supportive, loving, and Christ-centered family. My parents have always been there for me no matter what, and I know that regardless of the circumstances they will forever have my back. My brothers, as crazy as they might be, are seriously the best and I miss them more than they know. And Charis, my little China-girl, is the most precious sister I could ever ask for. My mom sent me videos of her pretending to talk to me on the phone in Uganda and I have watched them over and over again. We’ve had our ups and downs in life, but they are definitely my favorite people to be with. God has blessed me far more than I could ever ask for.

-My Friends. Being in Uganda has had an interesting way of showing me how incredible my friends are. Rather they are in Washington, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, or even Washington DC, they have sent me messages of encouragement and support throughout my time here. I am so so thankful for them all and miss them so much!

-My Home. Rather I am in Washington or Texas, I am thankful that I have always had a roof over my head and food on the table (even when its just ramen noodles). I am thankful for running water that doesn’t turn off. I am thankful for electricity that doesn’t go out every other day. I am thankful that there is hot water at any moment of the day. I am thankful for my bed.

-Skype. Seriously one of the best inventions ever! I have been able to see and talk to my family and friends while I’ve been in Uganda and it has been the biggest blessing.

-Steak and Bacon. I have discovered that I am a total carnivore. I have never wished for meat so much in my life. There is definitely a reason that my high school vegetarian phase lasted a week. I can’t wait to get home and have both of them!

-Smooth roads. The pot holes, humps, crevasses and cows that are all over the streets of Uganda make for a bumpy ride.

-PB&J sandwiches. Wait, what did I just say? Yes you read that right. Cassady Weldon is thankful for PB&Js. I can count the number of PB&Js I’ve eaten pre-Uganda on one hand. Until 2 months ago I could not stand them. But, God has allowed my taste buds to enjoy PB&Js. While this will probably never be one of my favorite things to eat, I am thankful that I even have the opportunity to eat them. The greater majority of Uganda lives on less than one dollar per day. If I am fortunate enough to have a PB&J in front of me instead of more posho, I am super thankful.