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

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!

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).

playing outside with boo boo and bug...

Callie Bug (14 weeks)



My Boo Boo loves the water...

only 2 words needed....CHUNKY MONKEY

play day with my Boo Boo

I got a babysitter for Callie this past Friday. Coleman and I had a Mama and Son play day...it was so much fun! We went to Sesame Street Live with The Clowers and
played outside all day...
The first pictures were outside with Daddy and Callie...eating Cheez-It's!
The others were our Friday play day.

Boo Boo and Chunky Bug...

Big Boy is ready for church...

Playing outside...

9-week old bundle of joy...content as can be!

little chunky bug...

Callie had her 8-week appointment Friday.
She is GROWING! At 2 weeks old, she was in the 9th% for weight. Now, she is in the 87th%.
She weighs a whopping 11lbs, 10ounces. She was a premie!?!?!

2

I love this little boy. Hard to believe he is 2 years old today.
Praising the Lord for his life...what a JOY he is!
Colton and I are overwhelmed with joy that the Lord has loaned him to us....

big boy

my boo boo right after big boy school. (yes, that is Dora on the TV in the background) :)
hope y'all have a great rest of the week and weekend...

 

D-D-D-D-D-DORA...D-D-D-D-D DORA...the explorer

I am very thankful for DORA THE EXPLORER. Her voice used to get on my nerves something fierce...now, I have a new appreciation for her. She helps entertain my BOO BOO (Coleman) when we need some distraction and she (along with Colton) has taught Coleman how to count to ten in Spanish. He cannot count to ten in English, but Spanish is not a problem! :)
Coleman loves Dora. He likes to get up and dance during the intro song.
Some other things Coleman is enjoying these days: talking (a lot), bath time, playing with his new "Baby Seester", and playing outside any chance he can get.
He is attending a Mothers Day Out program at St. Johns which we and he BOTH love!
The staff is incredible. He is learning so much each week...new songs, how to share toys, how to sleep on a nap mat, numbers (english and spanish), the alphabet, etc...
Here are some pictures of our time outside on one of the 2 sunny/warm days we have had.
I can't believe this sweet boy is about to be 2 years old (on the 15th). He has stolen our hearts. He is in such a fun, happy stage of life right now and he brings immense joy to our home...

Here is our first family picture

Wagon time

Don't forget Baby Seester and the Cheez-It's for our walk...


This bug (that is my sisters nickname too) is 3 and 1/2 weeks old and God has graciously blessed us with her life...
it is crazy to think that she would still be in the womb at this point! So glad that is NOT the case...for a number of reasons! :)

Snow Day and Callie comes home...

Here is what is going on in the Cockum Home!
Coleman and Colton played in the snow while Callie and I were still in the Hospital.
Coleman loved playing in the snow (and eating it) :)


We were ready to take Callie home from the NICU.
We were so blessed by the nurses in the NICU at Methodist Germantown. Those ladies loved on us and Callie so much. We were overwhelmed by their love and care for our little family.


Coleman was happy to have Callie home. He did cry 2 times, which made me cry...
But, he seems to be adjusting well.





We are blessed by this little bundle of joy...even with a few hours of sleep at a time :)

more of callie...

Daddy on Diaper Duty...

Snoozing...

Daddy's little girl...

Snoozing...