Tuesday, April 2, 2013

RUF UPDATE

Dear Friends, It has been an incredible month with RUF! We have hired over 70 new RUF Interns who will be working all across the country. This was my first time to be involved with all of the interviewing process and really think it will help me know the Staff better before they even get to their campus in August. The staff of RUF are growing and learning so much about God’s Faithfulness as they meet with, teach the Bible to and walk through life with College Students on a daily basis. Thank you so much for supporting me as I support them! I wanted to give you my support update: I watched an amazing video about “Asking”. I must confess, I stink at “asking”. Not because of humility, but because of PRIDE! I want so badly to “appear to have everything under control.” God is teaching me about this more and more. With all that to say…I am asking! Thankfully, 1/3 of my support has been committed for the 2013 year via $1,000 per month in monthly donations. THANKS SO MUCH TO MY FAITHFUL MONTHLY SUPPORTERS…YOU WILL NEVER KNOW MY APPRECIATION! ALSO, THOSE OF YOU WHOM HAVE GIVEN ONE-TIME GIFTS, AGAIN YOU WILL NEVER KNOW MY APPRECIATION! I will need to raise $18,000 to overcome a small account deficit and finish the 2013 year (the next 9 months). Will you please consider joining me in this journey? DONTATIONS CAN BE MADE ONLINE: www.ruf.org/support Deeply Grateful, Casey

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

3

3 years ago, our Big Boy entered this world...one month early.
February 15, 2009 @ 1:08am
7lbs, 11oz
So thankful for Coleman Evans Cockrum!







Monday, January 9, 2012

Callie is ONE!!!

CUPCAKE ALL OVER MY FACE!

1 year check-up...loved the mirror. hated the shots



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

RUF Support Raising Letter

Below is my first RUF Support Letter...
Sorry I have not been blogging lately. There is plenty to talk about, but I just can't get motivated to put it all on paper (or the computer).

Déjà vu! Almost 8 years ago I sent my last Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) Newsletter and a lot has happened in those 8 years. God has given me an amazing husband, two kids, a Master’s in Counseling, a church ministry with 20’s and 30’s ministry, and now another chance to work with RUF.
The Lord used RUF to draw me to Himself through RUF by using Brian Habig to minister to me while at Mississippi State. Having another opportunity to work with RUF (after the door of my old job – working with young adults – was closed) is such a joy. To say I am elated about taking this job would be an understatement!
The job entails caring for the 15 Campus Staff (Female staff) who are located all across the country as well as work 10 hours per week at the University of Memphis. With the Campus Staff I will care for them via phone calls, e-mails, and visits. Because I served in the position they are currently in I feel as though I can relate to their struggles and Lord willing meet their needs. While working on campus at the University of Memphis I will do what I did before: teach Bible Studies and also do one-to-one meetings with the girls. Colton and I love the University of Memphis. He works there with the Honors Program and is also the on-campus advisor for RUF. We have formed great relationships with faculty and administrators at the school and believe that will further opportunity for ministry on campus.
I will have to raise my support (just as in the past) to be able to do this job. We are praying that the Lord will raise up $36,000 to cover all of the ministry needs: salary, travel expenses, one-to one meetings and training expenses. Will you please pray about coming alongside me in this venture?
Honestly, it is very scary to raise support. I never worried in the past but now it seems there is “more at stake” with a family. Colton and I both feel the pressure that comes with raising support as a wife and mama. What will people think? Will people think Colton cannot provide? Will people wonder why I am not a stay at home mama? I assure you, God has graciously confirmed this calling to both of us, just as He has my calling as a wife and mama. I have been blessed with a husband who has and does provide everything needed for his family. We have no doubt God has raised me up for this job and we pray that we will trust Him during this support raising process and always!
I would love to let you know more details about this ministry. Please call or e-mail anytime! (901-619-5536 or caseycockrum@gmail.com).
With love and excitement,
Casey

Monday, August 8, 2011

i am (i hope) learning to love...

Christians stink at grieving.

I have seen quite clearly over the past few years while watching friends (and even myself) grieve, that Christians' stink at grieving! We have witnessed the grieving of death of children, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, loss of jobs, etc.

For some reason, we like to quickly throw out Romans 8:28 as comfort (which it is), but never truly get down in the "nitty gritty of grief". We use platitudes as comfort, and miss out on incredible opportunities to truly "love people where they are" and not try to fix them with "perfect answers". Why do we not say "this really stinks and I love you"? why do we have to say "God is soveriegn"? As Christians, I beleive we do a disservice to our brothers and sisters in Christ by giving them platitudes. I want nothing more than to hear from my friends in times of grief that "They love me. This stinks. Praying for you. What can I DO for you?"
What does it look like to TRULY love someone in their grief? Is saying: "I am praying and Jesus Loves you" really enough? What if it cost us more to love one another? I think it should. I want to stop my lip service and LIVE OUT the Gospel by DOING LOVE...not just SAYING LOVE.

I have been so convicted of this lately...I want to truly love people as Jesus loved people. He did not only point them to truth, He also gave them water, food, etc. He met their felt needs. The times I have felt the most loved is when people met my felt needs. In those times of love...it always pointed me to the TRUE LOVE: Jesus!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

it's about time...

Sorry for being a blog-slacker. I completely forget to update this thing...
Here are some pictures of our sweet kiddos. It is truly a joy to be their Mama.
Colton and I are so blessed by these 2 little human beings. The pictures kind of speak for themselves.
Coleman is 2 years, 4 months and Callie will be 6 months on the 7th of July.
Coleman still loves his "seester". The Lord has been gracious to give us a laid back daughter (I could just eat up her chunky little cheeks) and sweet little boy (I pray it continues!!!) :)
Coleman likes playing the guitar ("bitar") and Callie likes smiling at Coleman (and pretty much anyone.)
We spend most early evenings in our front yard playing in the sprinkler and sitting in our chairs, talking to neighbors and friends.
Colton is busy with work, softball and promoting the clean-up of the Mississippi River.
I have just started playing tennis again...super fun for me!!!
Enjoy the pictures...sorry again for being such a slacker :)
(Yes, that is a scratched up nose on Coleman. He had a little tumble down the stairs).











Friday, April 15, 2011

playing outside with boo boo and bug...

Callie Bug (14 weeks)



My Boo Boo loves the water...