#ThailandTuesday: Remembering the Mission

Life is hectic.

There is a lot to do.

So far this year I decided to move to Thailand, have been raising support, moved twice and am about to move again, graduated from Baylor with my Masters in Social Work, and have continued to teach lessons and babysit for work.

I don't say all that to try and brag. There is just a lot to do.

In the midst of doing a lot, our focus can become too narrow. We start thinking our days are supposed to be filled with endless activity and to-do lists. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing necessarily wrong with the things we fill our days with. I don't know if it's just me but I can often forget why I am doing those things in the first place.

This past Sunday at church I was sent out and prayed over during our services.

Now, I'm gonna get real with you. This summer I haven't been so faithful about being in church every Sunday or spending set aside time with God every single day. And that's OK, I mean, I'm not trying to be legalistic by saying going to church every week is your indicator of how you are doing spiritually. But I've been busy. There is a lot to do. 

This past Sunday we also sang the Elevation Worship version of "Blessed Assurance." It has the same  text as the original hymn, but with an added bridge. 

"Oh what a Savior

Wonderful Jesus

Death could not hold You

You are victorious

Praise to the risen King"

It just repeats that over and over. Simple. Profound. Truth. 

What an amazing reminder. 

We talk about mission often; we have a job to do. But I think we sometimes forget that before we were given a mission, God had a mission. 

Jesus.

We have been rescued, redeemed, loved. And it came with a price. It has taken me years to even begin to scratch the surface of what that price meant. I think as I was growing up I heard that Jesus died for me so much that I almost felt like it was His duty to die for me. But as I've gotten older, I've realized how much I really don't deserve it- how much the world really doesn't deserve it. 

But scratching the surface on that reality is what begins to spark a fire in me about sharing that reality with others. It doesn't have to be our duty or to-do list. It can be our joy and delight. 

As I prepare to go, I want to keep this at the forefront of my mind. And it's something I hope you will remember as well. You don't have to go far away to understand this reality and share it with others. It can happen anytime, any place, and with anyone. 

Be encouraged today, friends. We have a Savior, Wonderful Jesus. Death could not hold Him and He is victorious. 

  

#ThailandTuesday: 40 Days

40.

The number of years the Israelites wandered in the desert.

The number of days Jesus fasted and prayed.

The number of days until I move to Thailand.

It's getting so close.

I have my passport, visa, and ticket.

I still need to pack and finish support raising.

In the midst of so many things, there is such a temptation to focus on all the things to do and completely forget the things God wants to do- right now. God isn't waiting for me to get to Thailand. He has something for me today. And you know way, He has something for you today too. I'm remembered of these Jon Foreman lyrics, "Why do I worry? Why do I freak out? God knows what I need, He knows what I need."

Thank You God that you meet us where we are everyday. Thank You for your provisions in our lives. Thank You for the sweetness of Your friendship today.

Take time today to pause and pay attention to who God is and what He is doing. He is more than we could ever ask or think and He is enough for us.

Important Update!!

Hey everyone!!

I have some important information regarding where I am in the process of going to Thailand.

1. I leave on August 10!

2. We are currently deciding on whether or not I can fully commit to 2 full years at this time. Why are we deciding this? Because so far I do not have the funds (one time gifts and monthly commitments) to stay for 2 years. My sending organization asks that all funds be either committed or in the account before I go. As it is right now I am getting close to having enough to go for one full year (78% of what I need). I am at about 40% for two full years. We are also looking into if there is a possibility for me to go for one year and continue to raise support during the first year for the second year. The deadline for making this decision is 3 weeks from today. 

Here is how you can pray/respond:

• pray that God's will would be done for how long I am supposed to stay in Thailand for this first time around (I might want to go longer... which is another process with my sending organization).
• Pray for full provision
• Pray about jumping in with the financial support team... even if you aren't in a place now but think you might want to in January or next summer, please communicate that with me.

Also... I am picking these up today to send out! If you don't think I have your address and you want one, please email me (klight@quikmail.org).

Love and blessings!!

#ThailandTuesday: Fun Video!!

Hey everyone!

I wanted to share a video with all of you that some of the folks in Thailand made for me. It gives you a glimpse of what the school feels like and what the students are like. I think it is so cool to hear where all of these students are from and what their families are doing... and I get an opportunity to teach here and I'm sure they will teach me a lot as well!

To be honest, I don't like asking for money. I feel like people must be tired of hearing about it. But this is the season I am in- a season of raising a support team. I believe in what God has called me to do and everyone is invited to invest in some way (prayer, encouragement, finances, etc). The question now is, would you seriously pray about investing financially? In order to fulfill a 2 year commitment, I still need about $23,000 (about $1,000/month). Here's the thing, every bit matters, even if it is $5 or $100 a month or a one time gift.

I'm leaving in 54 days. Will you respond to this invitation?

Even if you can't give now but think you might be able to in the next 2 years then please, let me know. I can count that in toward my total!

As always, thank you all for the love and support many of you have shown. If we haven't connected yet, I would love to! Feel free to email me.

Blessings,
Kassie

#ThailandTuesday: a season of faith and "see ya later"

At the end of May I went back to my home state of California to spend some time with friends and family before moving to Thailand.

It is a surreal thing, saying goodbye for an indefinite amount of time. "Bye gramma and grampa, hopefully see you in 2 years." I know the world is getting smaller and it's easier to travel, but there is something about saying goodbye and setting off on a new adventure into what seems like a great unknown.

Just wondering if there is anyone else out there who says "see you later" more than "goodbye." I say "see you later" to almost complete strangers or people that I might not ever see again. I don't know if it is me trying to be hopeful or just avoiding the finality of an ending.

Anyway, it is just an interesting season of saying "see you later to so many friends and family.

It is also such a season of faith. I don't think I imagined the process going quite like this. For one, I imagined the support raising process to go a lot faster than it has. I had hoped to be almost done by now. But here I am, 4 months in and 2 months away from leaving and I am at 25% of my monthly support. That has been a place for me to really rely on God. It's almost like I had this idea of, "ok God, I got this..l here is my plan and here is how it will go and I trust You and everything but I'm putting my hope in this plan that I have in mind. " And then when my plans don't work I jump to thinking that I need to work harder or repent for something I must be doing wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for everyone who has given so far, but there is still a ways to go.

This past weekend I was watching veggie tales and the story of George Mueller came on. It was so simple- a man called by God to look after England's orphans who just daily trusted God to meet every need, not just for himself but for all of those he cared for. We are called to be diligent and work hard, but we are kidding ourselves if we think that that alone will sustain us. God is our provider. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. I was convicted and I repent of anytime I tried to depend on my own understanding through this process.

I am called to simply trust and obey (for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey).

Blessings to you all, and as always, feel free to contact me at any time!

#ThailandTuesday: Meaning in the Mundane

I would guess that most people want their lives to be meaningful and that people define meaning in many different ways. Meaning could imply success, money, career, making a difference, relationships, etc. From a young age I was driven to have my life matter for something. I wanted to go on big adventures and change the world and I believe I have already several of those opportunities.

Here is what I have learned, though:
If we can't learn to be content in the present adventure of life, then we will never be fully satisfied by the anticipation of the next big adventure.

It is the concept of practicing presence. I have struggled with this my whole life. I want to live for the idea of the next big adventure and often end up missing the adventure that I am currently in.

"Oh how I want to be in some far off place doing something exciting and changing the world... I want to see people rescued from human trafficking or adopted into families or come to know Jesus..."

But today I am just running errands, having lunch with a friend, working, and watching TV with my family. That doesn't feel like changing the world.

I have this theory that when we get to heaven, God is going to show us all the small ways our lives mattered when we didn't even know it. I think about it like the butterfly effect. Who knows when a moment can change eternity?

Practicing presence is practicing trust. It is trusting that God is ever present in my day to day life- even in the mundane. He is not just present at the revival or when we are praying or sharing the gospel or at church. He is working and moving in ways we cannot even begin to understand in this life.

It can be a struggle to find meaning in day to day activities like going to the grocery store or changing diapers or working a job that is not your dream job. But I want to challenge us to continue to press in to those moments and trust that God is in them, somewhere. We have to become aware to do this. We have to take moments to pause and breathe and stop thinking about the next big adventure or what we wish could be.

As I prepare to go to Thailand, I am reminded of this. Am I excited about what I will be doing? Of course I am. But, I don't want to miss what is happening today and that is tempting. But I know that if I don't learn how to be present now, then I won't be able to be present in Thailand either. I will keep thinking about what is next. For me, it often takes a lot of discipline to be present. Maybe for you, it is easy. Maybe for you, it is hard to dream and think about the future. But either way, our lives can be meaningful right now.

Pause.

Breathe.

Selah.

#ThailandTuesday: Life Update

Hey everyone!

I thought I'd take some time just to update everyone on what I'm doing right now with this process.

Many of you know that for the past two years I have been working on my masters in social work. Last week I completed my last big assignment (a colloquium presentation!) and I will be walking the stage this Saturday at 9:30 am! You are welcome to attend graduation if you are in Waco (at the Ferrell Center) or watch it online. 

It is a strange thing to close this chapter at Baylor after 9 years living in Waco. I would have never guessed that this would have been my path when I started my freshman year in 2006 but it has been the best journey. Baylor will always be so dear to my heart and the things I've learned and people I've met will always be a part of me. 

In the midst of finishing my MSW, I have also been working hard to prepare for Thailand. What does it look like to prepare to move to a different country? It looks like finding a place to live (which I have), going through the Visa process, deciding what to pack, getting an international driver's license, beginning to get ideas for the classes I might be teaching, and... team building, aka- support raising.

Over the last several months I have been raising support to move to Thailand. What does that mean? That means that I have to raise all the money I am going to need for everything over the next two years. Sound overwhelming? It can be. Then I take a step back and remember that God whispers the word, "Trust." It is not the easiest thing in the world to go ask people for money, and yet, money is needed (I'm not half way there yet but we still have plenty of time- God's got it!)

I will say that the biggest joy of this support raising process is connecting with friends and making new ones. Every time I talk to people about raising support I emphasize the concept of "team." Everybody is in. My victories are your victories. My stories are your stories. Everybody has something to offer. I look at my team already and go, whoah, there are my encouragers, there are my prayer warriors, there are networkers, there are my counselors, and there are my friends. I am seriously blown away and blessed.

I don't want to make this post about giving money. But I do want to ask, have you prayed about joining the team in some way? Do you believe in this mission and vision and want to jump in with me and what God is doing?

Maybe you say, I want to pray every day or once a week. Great! I really need that. Get on the prayer team.

Maybe you say, I am a good encourager. Awesome! Please send me encouragement!

Maybe you say, I have financial resources. Hallelujah! Please give.

And please let me know how I can be praying for you as well!


Be blessed, friends.