Haiti Day 4...I think

My prayer this morning was kinda of everywhere. We had a super late night last night as we waited for the away team to come back home. But I do remember this very vivid image. The verse I was praying through was Psalm 136:12 "With mighty hand and outstretched arm God's love endures FOREVER".

When I was praying through this verse I get a beautiful image of this large, powerful, yet gentle hand coming out of the monstrance just waiting for me to grab it and be pulled in and consumed by God's love. In the monstrance, that's where I'm safe. That's where WE are safe. That's where love is. That's where I should place my desires, and the treasures God has given be. Be not afraid of using the gifts God has given me.

Today I also found a joy in living simply, and the freedom I found in just simply being a missionary.

The freedom comes from finally going to confession. I struggle a lot with going to confession but PRAISE THE LORD we have a priest who is available. Father spoke a ton of truth into my heart. I don't have a lot of material things in my life. I have exactly what I need. I don't really have a plan about what's next, and my five year plan was thrown out the window when I became a missionary. God is now in charge. Most days I'm not scared. There are days where I sit and wonder when God will make my vocation clear, or give me a permanent place to live. Even with all those unknowns I have never been happier. I'mg gaining an eternal joy just by BEING alive. That may sound really weird but it's really hard to put my joy into words.

THIS brings me joy.

Don't drop the Fruit Tray

This is a recent blog posted on the Life Teen website! 

Picture this, you are at a family BBQ and your mom gives you a rather large fruit tray. It all looks so delicious and the last words you hear her yell are “Be careful! Don’t drop it!” The tray starts to get heavy but you perservere, you can see the table just outside, it is in sight.

Then WHAM-O you smash right into the sliding glass door. Pineapple juice is dripping down your leg and the dog is already eating the watermelon off the floor. You’ve suddenly lost all hope and ambitions to become an Olympic Fruit Tray Carrier, but more horribly your pride is sitting in the pineapple juice at your feet.

Suddenly your very dear aunt comes out of nowhere like an angel sent from God to help you wipe the watermelon juice off your toes, lets the dog outside and helps you clean up the honey dew that splattered on the window.

Often times in my prayer life I feel like I’ve just walked into a sliding glass door. I get into the chapel and I can see Jesus waiting for me on the altar to embrace him. Just as I get the courage WHAM-O I smack into this glass wall. For me that glass wall consists of pride, doubt, lack of self-worth, past sins and the struggle to believe I am God’s beloved.

Then I reflect on Psalm 118:10 “In the Lord’s name I crush them” and I just see God smashing that glass door of all the “stuff” that’s holding me back from HIM. When we have a desire in our heart to grow closer to the Lord, HE, will make that happen. Trust in the Lord, that He too will smash the glass doors in your life that are blocking you from feeling God’s warm embrace.

Haiti Day 3

During yesterday's holy hour I was praying about Mary. Our community is doing a concentration to Jesus through Mary and I've had quite a bit of a struggle with it. I'm not yet in a place that I want to concentrate myself to her (I'm not even really sure how to explain it) but I haven't given up all hope on my relationship with her. When I struggle with the role Mary plays in my life I flip to the first chapter of Luke. Her complete and total YES to what God asked her to do helps me to say focused on the mission that God has me on right now. I wrote at the top of my journal "Don't be afraid" Luke 1:30. God has called and I must answer YES even though I may not know what that looks like completely.

During our morning work projects we were told of an opportunity to speak with the girls in the community about their self worth, dignity, and beauty through the eyes of their heavenly father. I prayed about this as I continued to haul heavy buckets of cement and rocks.

I'd given the women's talk before at summer camp, but for some reason this terrified me. I carried bucket after bucket wrestling with God. No I didn't want to give that talk. Ok I will give it. No. Yes. No. Yes back and forth. I made him a deal. If nobody else volunteered when we gathered as a group then I would do it. DON'T MAKE DEALS WITH JESUS. He always wins!  Of course nobody else volunteered so I raised my hand and said I would. Just as the words left my mouth I wished I could suck them right back in. But I couldn't there they were, out there in the open. What had I just gotten myself into? I ran to my room to throw on a skirt,(because if we aren't doing work projects its more respectful to wear a skirt, although it's not my clothes of choice), grabbed my bible and headed to the chapel. As I was praying Jesus reminded me to breath, and not worry because he already had the words I just needed to be open to him using me as a vessel of his love. The time finally came for the girls to arrive. After we watched them dance for a bit it was my turn to bring them some Jesus. My message was simple "You are loved. You are worthy. You are beautiful." Their eyes were so empty. I didn't think they were getting it. I just kept repeating it, and trying to show them the love that the father had for them. We then handed each of the young girls a rosary and were able to pray a decade with them. As we joined our voices with theirs in broken creole versions of the "Hail Mary" and "Our Father" I saw in their eyes a new found hope. They were beginning to understand. Praise God!

Side note: This was the Facebook status of one of the missionaries who live in Haiti full time "The teens and pre-teen girls who hang out at our center have already started dressing more modestly since Amanda Cassarshared her witness and talked with them about their dignity and how they should be respected" 

Haiti Day 2

This morning we started with an incredible time of prayer. Father placed Jesus on the altar in the monstrance and I noticed something weird. The luna didn't fit the host. Instead the host was the size we receive at mass, but the luna was regular size. The simple JOY and BEAUTY I found in that was a reminder that it's the same Jesus. The Jesus I consume at mass, is the same Jesus we adore at Holy hour, is the same Jesus that changes lives, is the same Jesus that gives me strength to be on mission.


It was the first full day of work projects. We were running sand up from the beach to the kitchen to make a better working spice. But the cliff we climbed with each bucket was HUGE. It was really hard.

Then (praise the Lord) I go asked to go into town and I'm not really sure if I can describe the image I saw but I'll try. As we were driving we passed a small child (maybe 2 years old) dragging a water jug from the road up to her house. But the steps to her house looked just like the cliff we were climbing to bring up the sand. This baby was doing just what she needed to do to basically survive. It was those two seconds I saw that baby that changed my view on a lot of things. Jesus is asking me to, even if it's hard or scary to just 'suck it up and do it".

Just before dinner we got to swim a bit and witness a beautiful sunset.

Haiti Day 1

The hope is that I will write a bit about each of my 9 days in Haiti. That is the HOPE..will that happen...I'm not sure but I'm going to try very hard.

Maybe I should back up a few weeks. In formation we talk a lot about BOLD and specific prayers. I tried it, God is kicking my butt through it. Fast forward to the day before Haiti this is the prayer I write in my journal "That in Haiti you work miracles in my heart. That I am able to see the things you are doing so I can love fearlessly without boundaries".  Don't pray boldly unless you are ready to answer boldly.


We piled into the car on Sunday December 3rd (after a weekend long retreat with about 150 people) and drove 2ish hours to the Atlanta airport, where we check all of our 20 plus bags, and people to wait for our first plane to Miami. I think it was delayed a bit...I cant really remember. I just remember the pure excitement that was beginning to explode out of every fiber of my being because we were finally going to Haiti. We arrived in Miami pretty late and were brought to the University of Miami Catholic Center and shown some incredible hospitality. After filling our belly's with pasta (gluten free of course), and praying night prayer, we tried to catch some sleep on the tile floor before our 4 am wake up call. At 4:15am on the dot we rolled out and headed back to the airport to catch our next flight to Port au Prince. We were notified our flight would be about two hours delayed. It wasn't such a big deal, we just piled on the floor and tried to catch some sleep. Finally we boarded our plane and head out. After getting through security, and trying not to get scammed by men in red hats saying "Good service" we saw our fellow missionaries waiting for us outside of the airport gates. All of us, and our bags piled into the cantor and headed on our way to the base, about three hours away.

Some people tried to sleep on the bumpy ride and others had their first Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich.



This was also our very real view for a bit of our drive.

We arrived at the base and had to quickly unpack and get settled before the sun went down. Once the sun went down we weren't exactly sure what time the power would come back on. Which was sort of strange for the first night. We showered in almost darkness. Went to the bathroom in total darkness, and when we turned the light off to go to sleep it was incredibly dark. After settling our stuff in we went to mass, and ate some really good food. Every meal had some sort of rice, and sometimes we were blessed to have chicken. Eating in Haiti was a bit easier for me than I had expected. There wasn't a lot with flour that I couldn't eat and the dairy didn't really get in the way because they don't have refrigeration.

The eight female missionaries slept in one room together and we were lulled to sleep by the sound of the crashing waves.....followed by barking dogs, chickens and goats.

Back from Haiti..part 1

Thank you all so much for your prayers and financial support for this mission. I can not thank you enough for the sacrifice each of you have made for me to be able to go to Haiti for ten days. I know that God will bless you abundantly in all that you do. 

I'm not really sure about how to begin to describe the way God moved in my heart during my time in Haiti. One way is to defiantly check out all of the pictures on Facebook.

There are many glory stories, and ways God moved through the people of Haiti. One of my favorite moments was being in the back of the cantor (covered truck thing) and seeing a small girl drag a jug of water up these HUGE steps. She was no older than maybe 2, and the jug was about the size of one of the large containers of cooking oil you buy at the store. But in that moment when we quickly passed her I saw this moment of determination, and perseverance to get to the top of the hill to bring water to her family. From that little moment, I was given a renewal of my spirit to continue through the difficult moments in my spiritual life, as well as the physical demands often placed in my path. 

The picture attached is from the orphanage we got to visit on one of our last days in Haiti. The beautiful way this orphanage works is that they never let kids be adopted from there. They take them in, make it their home and raise them to be solid Catholics. The little girl in the picture was scared of white people when we got there. Some of the missionaries told me she went to another room and wouldn't come out. But by the end of the day she was playing with me and even sat in my lap and we sang a song in creyole over and over again.

There will be many more glory stories that I will share, but I wanted to just give you a quick update on the way God is moving. I'm still processing, and praying through most of the experiences I was able to be a part of, so I beg for your patience while God molds my heart.

At Covecrest we are going to have about 25 families with us beginning today (Friday-Sunday) on a family mission weekend. We will be serving the surrounding area and bringing a bit of Christmas joy to them. Please keep us in your prayers this weekend. 

Our Lady of Perpetual Help...PRAY FOR US

Praying for you,

Amanda 

Our God is Faithful...Part 1

After two years of praying, asking, and waiting I leave for Haiti with 19 other missionaries in about 3 hours.

I'm so excited!

We travel first to Miami tonight, then on to Haiti the next morning. We should arrive in Haiti on Monday morning.

I beg for your prayers for us. You can pray for us with the intersession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help who is the Patron Saint of Haiti!

Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, grant that I may ever invoke your powerful name, the protection of the living and the salvation of the dying. Purest Mary, let your name henceforth be ever on my lips. Delay not, Blessed Lady, to rescue me whenever I call on you. In my temptations, in my needs, I will never cease to call on you, ever repeating your sacred name, Mary, Mary. What a consolation, what sweetness, what confidence fills my soul when I utter your sacred name or even only think of you! I thank the Lord for having given you so sweet, so powerful, so lovely a name. But I will not be content with merely uttering your name. Let my love for you prompt me ever to hail you Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for me and grant me the favor I confidently ask of you. That the Life Teen Missionaries may be able to to LOVE and SERVE in the way's that the Lord is calling us.
(Then say three Hail Marys).


Join us in praying the Hail Mary in Creyole! 

Mari se pou kontan. Ou menm ki plen fave, Granmet la avek ou. Li beni ou pase tout fiy, E li beni Jezi, piti ou fe a. Mari, ou sen, Ou se Manman Bondye, nou se peche. Lapriye pou nou jodiya Ak le nou pret pou nou mouri. Amen

I'm a Wimp

Check out my most recent blog on life teen.com! 


This year during the first few weeks I was a missionary, I begged the Lord to give me a spirit of courage. Well when you ask for something the Lord will deliver, even in ways that you never thought imaginable.
Throughout most of college I wouldn’t call myself a wimp. I was the person people called when there was a spider crawling within 100 feet of their body. I’m the person who would walk through the dark of the night to find a lost friend even if that meant almost getting eaten by a deer. (That’s a story for another time.) But my roommates would refer to me as “the brave one” or would often call me “fearless”. I think it’s possible to be fearless but not courageous. That idea of being fearless but not courageous was brought to the light when I began this mission year.
On our Sabbath this past week I wasn’t sure what I was going to do but one of my sisters had this incredible idea to go hike at Tallulah Gorge. Normally I wouldn’t choose to go on a hike, especially on a day of rest. But, it was a beautiful day and I wasn’t sure when I would have this opportunity again so I took it.
The hike started out great, we literally walked down 500 steps. Then the scary part came. We had to cross over these HUGE boulders with water below us. Now the water wasn’t moving any faster than say the way water would come out of a garden hose but for some reason I became completely paralyzed and my hands and legs were shaking. I wouldn’t take that first step of faith even though my sisters were lovingly encouraging me along. Eventually, after a lot of convincing, I took the first step. After that first step I wasn’t afraid!
This is the same thing with my faith life. If I just take that one leap of faith, then I know the Lord will swoop in and take away all my fear. I have been lacking courage in my prayer life, in my desire to be vulnerable in community, and most opportunities the Lord is calling me to grow in. As I continue to pray through John 14:27 which says, “Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful”, I beg for you to pray for me as I continue to wrestle with this verse in my prayer.
My prayer is to be more courageous in each area that the Lord is calling me to dive deeper into. Where is God calling you to be courageous?

Year of Faith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQLs7QMXbcg&feature=player_embedded

Check this out.

Be inspired.

BE FEARLESS!

Was Jesus Gluten Free?

My first blog post from lifeteen.com!

Praying for you 

Just four days before I began my mission year, I found out that I had a gluten and dairy intolerance. I knew the world wasn’t going to end: a lot of people have this and it is very manageable, but I still became extremely anxious. I was worried that I wouldn’t know what types of food I could eat, or that I wouldn’t even have food to eat. Gluten-free things are very expensive and receiving a stipend that is just enough doesn’t really lend room for a lot of expensive items. I tried to offer my worries and anxieties to the Lord, but as the leave date for the start of the mission year got closer, I continued to be anxious.

As soon as I arrived at Covecrest, I knew that I would be taken care of. One of the moms in our community was on a gluten-free diet, and another was on a dairy-free diet. Throughout these past few weeks, different members of my community have made sure that I was taken care of during meal time. There is even gluten-free bread on fasting days and gluten-free brownies on feast days.

Now you must be asking yourself, what does any of this have to do with being a missionary?

This past weekend, while a retreat was visiting from just outside of Atlanta, I met a great woman who has been gluten-free for the past four years. She also has a few different health issues and had such a positive outlook on the entire situation. After having a quick conversation, sharing recipes, brands, and things to look out, for she gave me a bag of ginger snap cookies. I saw her the next morning at breakfast and she gave me a quick hug goodbye and told me she was leaving gluten free food in the pantry for me to use this week. PRAISE THE LORD! I knew at that moment that this was all going to be taken care of and I didn’t have to worry anymore.

A few days later in morning prayer, two beautiful things happened. Chris, our mission director, handed me a grocery bag and said “It’s from Michelle.” After holy hour was over, I looked in the bag and there was gluten free cereal and gluten free chocolate chip cookie mix. This may sound like a minor thing, but I was filled with complete JOY. Michelle had thought of me, and I would be able to finally eat chocolate chip cookies! By the time I finished shuffling through the bag, we began morning prayer. We began to read our “Rule of Life,” and here’s what it said:

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.” – Matthew 6:25

My heart was filled with peace.

In these few simple glory moments, I have been reminded of God’s love for me through the actions of others in my community, and also simply through this line in the Gospel of Matthew. How is God showing you His love today?

3 Weeks later!

It's been three weeks since I began my life as a Full Time Life Teen Missionary. God is doing amazing and beautiful things.

Here are just a few highlights:

I found out I have a Gluten and Dairy intolerance...check out my blog on lifeteen.com  to see how God is working on my heart through that!

This is the Joy House! I live here with nine other women, and my roommate is from Germany!

Here are some teens doing a low ropes element while at Covecrest on retreat.

This is Saint Stephen's chapel where we begin every morning in prayer.

Right in our backyard!

Here are all the first year missionaries, and our leadership team.

PRAY FOR US!

How Did This Happen?

The simple answer to that question is God.

But that wouldn't make for a very interesting blog post.

I guess the really answer to that goes a little bit like this....

I decided to go to Saint Leo University for a few reasons. It was Catholic, had more months of warm weather than cold weather, and it felt like home the moment I stepped on campus. After months of denying that I wanted to rush, I finally signed up and did it. That week of Spring recruitment was incredible. I learned a lot about myself and I learned a lot about Alpha Sigma Tau, the organization I later was asked to be a part of. I had the blessing of getting a big in February, who had been an advocate of me joining the sorority in the first place. Our friendship and sisterhood continued to grow and she encouraged me to dive deeper in my faith. She kept talking about Life Teen and this summer camp. I thought she was crazy, and didn't understand why she kept talking about this place. Then I was blessed to go to Camp Covecrest for an overnight retreat and experience a bit about this beautiful place. As I continued to pray God asked me to apply for Summer Staff in 2010. So I applied, and hoped for the best.

While I was on Summer Staff in 2010 at Covecrest, God literally took my crusty heart, and smashed it around and made it nice. I like to refer to it as my "playdough" heart. God was now molding and sculpting this heart to be what he wanted it to be. Prior to that summer, I was just making plans and not consulting with him first. I felt a call that summer to be a Life Teen Missionary. But it wasn't God's timing, it was just what I had wanted. My junior year was full of unexpected adventures. I was the Student Government Union President, held positions in my sorority, and my great grandmother passed away. But God was still pulling at my heart and I kept answering.

I served on Service Crew at Covecrest in 2011 and it was made pretty clear at that point that the Lord was calling me deeper into his plan, and deeper into his heart. I continued to pray and discern what that meant, and I applied to be a Life Teen Missionary in January. From that day forward God continued to mold my heart. Through the months of discernment after the application was placed in the mail, God continued to reveal himself. I continued to be the SGU President, held a huge position in my sorority, was a first year RA, and faced my own trials and tribulations throughout the year. But during this time God held me tight, and comforted me. Each time I spoke to one of the Missionaries my heart became content knowing that this is what God had in store for me.

When Lizzie called me in late April to extend an invitation to be a full time missionary my heart exploded with joy. After I hung up with her I literally leapt for joy. I skipped all around the office, and hugged people I didn't even know (sorry kid who always does his homework at the table in the SAB). It was an outward sign of this inward feeling I was containing for months, even years.

This past summer I served at Camp Tepeyac as the camp photographer and through that God continued to stretch and mold my heart. I was asked to love in ways that were difficult and serve in ways that challenged me. I was asked to perform tasks that were new, exciting and different. I was blessed with the privilege to lead a Women's session, and live in a small community. I learned a lot about myself, and the joys and trials of true discernment.

Each of these major events were stepping stones on the journey of discernment. There were also a lot of little events that led me closer to finding out what God was calling me to do. A conversation with a teen while taking pictures at the Art Barn. The simple joy I got out of throwing Kitchen Crew leftovers at squealing teenage girls. The change of heart I saw in my Executive Board as I was able to share with them what God was doing with me. The way my sorority sisters embraced my constant need to pray about things. The openness to this missionary lifestyle my family has, and the generosity of my mission partners.

I could go on and on about the glory stories that God performed in my heart and the hearts of each of the people I have come in contact. Don't even get me started on the amount of faithful witnesses I've been blessed to meet.

A beautiful thing happens when you open your heart to the Lord. Sometimes its scary, nerve racking, frustrating, difficult. But at all times its blessed.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me,and I'm so blessed that this happened.


"She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs at the days to come" Proverbs 31:25

Mission Partners

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the Mission! 

We have begun the process of online donations. Here is the link for that as well as a short music video that I made to get you excited about the mission! 

http://donate.lifeteen.com/fundraise?fcid=206764

I ask you to continue to pray about the ways you can join in this mission. When we are stretched beyond our own comforts that is when God steps in and does beautiful things. I ask you to give until it hurts and then give some more. If it's really hard for you  to get up and go to morning mass, offer it up for the Life Teen Missionaries. You will notice quickly the ways God works in your life. If you are praying about a financial donation, give more than you think you can. God will bless you abundantly. 

I leave in just under a months time. I ask for your prayers as God continues to mold my heart in preparation for this mission. I ask you to pray for the other Life Teen first year missionaries who have said YES. Narquita, Nina, Margaretha, Emily, Jen, Kiera, Nate, Woody, Chris. Please also pray for the men of God that are still discerning the call that God has placed in their hearts.  

I will be praying for you! 

Wrap Up

Woa! These past five weeks have certainly flown by. Sorry I haven't been able to post about the daily happening at Life Teen Camp Tepeyac.

If you want to see what actually happens at summer camp check this out: http://lifeteen.com/media/video/camp-tepeyac-2012-week-10-edge/

I took all the photos and video and put it all together.


What has God done in my heart over the past five weeks? 

That's a loaded question. He hasn't stopped asking me to dive deeper into his love. God is moving mountains in my heart. He's asking me to do big and wonderful things to follow him.

I had the opportunity to come before the Lord every morning and often multiple times a day to praise and adore him. During that time I was praying about two verses in particular. The first from Mark chapter 8 verses 34 and 35. " Whoever wished to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it" There were many things I was denying myself of this summer by coming to camp. Air conditioner, cable TV, fast internet service, my own bed..just to name a few material things. But God kept placing this verse on my heart when I began to prepare my heart for the mission he has me on next year. I know that next year is going to be challenging but I don't know exactly how. Other missionaries tell me it's a year of denying my own wants for the betterment of the community. Keeping this verse in mind, God is beginning to prepare my heart for that.

This also became a part of my prayer when God placed Haiti on my heart. Life Teen Missions is opening a base in Haiti. Anyone that knows me knows how deep my desire to go to Haiti is. It started back when the Earthquake hit, and I was trying every possible way to get to Haiti. Multiple things weren't working out and I wasn't able to go each time a trip was going. But God still had this desire on my heart. When I found out about Life Teen opening a base I thought maybe, just maybe I could serve there. I must go through a year of formation first and then continue to pray if that is where God is calling me in the future. Denying that desire of my heart or rather, putting it on hold and trusting the Lord has been a huge part of my prayer.

The other verse that I continued to pray through this summer was Proverbs 31:25. "She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs at the days to come". Being honest I'm nervous about next year. There is a lot of unknown things that are about to happen. A lot of questions yet to be answered. Like, how am I supposed to raise $5500? Or, can I really share a room with another person? And, will I really be able to be silent for eight entire days? Oh and, what happens next year? But this verse began to calm my heart when it got crazy. I don't need to answer those questions because God already has the answers..DUH. But I also used this verse in the Women's Session that I was blessed to lead. That experience was so beautiful!

Clearly a lot has happened in the past five weeks, and I can't wait to see what God continues to do with me. I know that he knows the depths of my heart, and that each of those desires will be answered when he sees fit. But for now I will continue to live out the life he is calling me to.

Praying for you.
<3 Amanda

Tepeyac Week 1

Week one of the mission is already over and God is moving mountains in my heart as well as in the hearts of the other Summer Missionaries. We have finished different work projects in preparation for the campers to come. We worked on the water slide, an Art Barn, preparing the Paintball field, low ropes course and cleaning cabins. It has been a physically intensive week, but all of our work has begun and ended in prayer. Each morning we gather in front of the blessed sacrament and beg the Lord to fill us, and give us what we need to get through the day. We also begin the day and end the day doing the Liturgy of the Hours together as a community. Even though our days begin early, and end late God is filling our hearts to the brim and letting HIS love flow through us. 

I ask you to continue to pray for all things summer camp. For the priests, hosts, musicians, Youth Ministers, Core Members, Teens and especially the Summer Missionaries as we get ready for the official start of summer camp.

Thank you for your YES!

Thankful.

Last Sunday I posted Adam Bitter's song "Overwhelm Me".  (See June 10th post if you haven't yet)
This weekend I was completely overwhelmed in the best way possible.

I was given the opportunity to speak at all the masses at my parish to invite parishioners on mission with me. The generosity of the men and women of the parish was amazing. Not only did they donate money to the mission, they have committed to praying for the Life Teen Missionaries for the next year. The prayer is really what is going to get us through the next year ahead of us.

This morning I was stopped on my way to mass by a woman who has been praying for me while on God's mission since 2010 when I was first called to be a Summer Missionary. She has known my family since we first came to the parish and is a faith filled woman of God. She handed me an envelope, gave me a hug and said "GO, do God's work". I chose my seat at mass and began to simply thank God for her yes.

As the countdown to summer camp dwindles down to single digit numbers, and I begin to pack my bags I'm reminded of how sometimes its hard to say yes. Yes Lord, I'll leave my family for a month. Yes Lord, I'll go across the country where I don't know anyone. Yes Lord, I know this is going to be hard but your plan is always better than mine. Yes Lord, I will follow you.

I continue to pray for your YES in whatever God is calling you to do. I know it can be scary but God has a plan, and it's OK to be scared. I promise you he will hold you close whenever you are scared. There hasn't been a single thing that God has placed in my path that I have regretted. Joy comes from the Lord. Ask HIM for that joy and you will not be disappointed.

Thank you so much to all of Life Teen's Missions partners. Your YES is appreciated.

Summer Camp Countdown: 6 days

Overwhelm Me

Adam Bitter is an awesome worship leader from Incarnate Word parish in Missouri. I was able to experience a week of summer camp with him last year at Covecrest and the spirit was so alive. I remember walking out of the Lodge and hearing the Men's session going on in the Art Barn and that place was ROCKING! 

As I begin to get closer to the start of summer camp (14 days) and the start of the mission year I am flooded with so many emotions. The words in the this song speak to my heart. I just wanted to share this with you on this day The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 

 http://www.adambitter.com/chord-charts-lyrics/overwhelm-me/overwhelm-me/

Ready...Set..GO

I'm defiantly a do-er. 


I feel the need to be doing multiple things at the same time. Like right now, I'm writing this blog, answering a text message and listening to music. If I'm watching TV, I'm also on the computer. It's the horrible cycle of doing too many things at one time and not really giving my full attention to one specific thing. I'm working on it. I'm trying to be more intentional with my time. When I have a conversation with one person I try to focus on them, and not answer the three emails that just buzzed in on my phone, and the "urgent" text message I received.


Keeping all these things in mind let me set the scene for you. I spent the weekend in Boston with a few of my sorority sisters "doing" a lot of stuff. We went to mass at this beautiful church. This Sunday was the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity and boy do I love the Trinity. It's just really cool and I spent a lot of time this past semester learning about the growth of theological ideas throughout the history of Christianity. I was listening to the readings hoping and praying for a word or a line to strike a cord in my heart. First Reading..nothing. Responsorial Psalm..nothing. Second Reading..nothing. Gospel...BOOM "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations". There it was. A two letter word that I had been waiting for all of mass "GO". I can do something with that word. It's not just an idea or concept that I learned about in class. But the Word of God is telling me. You. US! To GO and make disciples of all nations. He even tells us how "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you".  

Like I said earlier "I'm a do-er" but I also like instructions sometimes. God is calling each of us to GO and spread the word of God. It's simple. Treat others as you want to be treated. Love, whole hearted each and every person you meet. But most importantly let all your actions be centered around Christ. Allow him to fill you, each and every day, each and every second. Great and amazing miracles will come from that. 

17 Days till Tepeyac

Seeking the Lord with your WHOLE Heart

During the summer I usually want to just sleep in as late  as possible. Most of May I took advantage of that. The house was quiet, the weather was dark and gloomy and I was tired. Early this week the weather began getting nicer, forcing us to open our windows, and the sun was blaring through my window. By 7 am my room looked like Vegas all lite up and glowing. Plus with the windows open you hear the birds, garbage trucks, school buses, planes and trains beginning their day nice and early. All of this ruckus began to wake me up earlier than I planned. Tuesday I decided I was going to go to morning mass. Why not? I was up anyway.

See God is a funny man. There was a reason I was awake that early, and there was a reason I was supposed to be at mass. As the gospel was being read, and Father Anthony was preaching his homily I was pretty sure I was the only person in the room. It was as if God was sitting right next to me and having an intimate conversation with my heart. Father Anthony was such a vessel that day. A lot of what his homily talked about was this idea of serving others, and giving of our selves even when we are scared, worried, or anxious about what the ways God is going to move next in our heart.


Often times my own fear and self doubt limits me from fully giving my heart, actions, and decisions to the Lord. I will give him small sections of my life, and then hold on tightly to the other parts. But at mass, that morning the message was just the opposite. Give God my WHOLE heart. 


Wednesday I woke up early again and went back to mass. The Gospel was very similar and the homily was just as great. Again, God was using Father Anthony to really speak into the depths of my heart. 


Every morning I wake up with a simple prayer, "Today I give you my yes". As I go throughout the day I try to live out that yes. It is not the easiest task to accomplish, and I would say most days I can't successfully cross that off my to do list. As I grow as a woman and as a missionary I become more confident in God's plan for my life. Because each morning I say "yes" my plan goes right out the window with those loud birds, and fast trains. 




23 Days till Tepeyac

Radical Joy....in the simple things.

Today I found simple joy in this little gem. 


I am not promoting nor endorsing giving your child this crazy juice, or making them do pageants. But this is hilarious!


Enjoy! 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9nbhzKaqvA


30 Days till Tepeyac

All day, everyday

I've been trying to reflect on that each day as I wake up and do morning prayer. I received an email from the mission director urging us to give the first fruits of our labor to the Lord. So I downloaded the Breviary app on my iPhone and begin my morning in prayer. Before I check any text messages, twitter updates, or Facebook posts I pray. Most times I don't even get out of bed before I do this. When I get to the gospel for the day I try and find joy in the word and focus on one aspect of the reading and live it out throughout the day. We began doing that last year as a Service Crew and it helped me remain focused on the mission, and in a prayerful state to serve others. 


As I continue to get ready to start the Mission year I have tried to incorporate the theme of Radiant Joy into my prayer as well. Each day I try and find joy in the simple tasks that I'm doing or in the fun family activities we have during the week. Photography is a passion of mine and it brings me a lot of joy. These past two weekends I have given me the opportunity to find joy through that little lens. I've been able to take pictures of a Roller Derby, Horse races, my sisters Junior Prom, and my cousins soccer game. Being able to capture those tiny moments of joy are so powerful. 


Somedays it's really easy to find joy. Like when your little cousins boots the soccer ball across the field, or your sister and her best friend are making jokes in the back seat. Other day's are really hard. But the joy is there. We just have to ask God to open our hearts, and eyes to the joy that he is reveling to us. 


I pray that you can find glimpses of God's joy and love in the everyday. 




Only 33 more days till I leave for Tepeyac! 

A whole lot of LOVE

This past Sunday I went into mass a bit tired, and not overly excited to be there. Which I'd say isn't to normal. I usually get excited to go to mass. But there have been a few things that have been weighing heavy on my heart and I knew that by going to mass God was going to reveal what I needed to do to remove those things. I honestly just wasn't ready. Clearly that didn't matter because when God is going to move he's going to do it on his time, and how he wants it to be done. 

As the first reading is being read I keep hearing this underlying theme of love, then in the psalm, then the second reading followed by the big bang in the Gospel."As the Father loves me, so I also love you." It makes sense. When people ask my why I want to give the Lord the next two years of my life and love other people it's because of this line. The Lord has shown me so much love and it is now my time to show that love to others.

One of the opportunities we had as Summer Missionaries to show God's love was through "Walmart Ministry". Basically we would go into the local Walmart with the intention of not buying much, but loving strong. I've taken what I've learn and applied that to every store I go to. Simply asking a cashier how they are doing and really standing there and listening matters. Or helping someone who can't find the spice they are looking for, or picking up something the stock clerk dropped matters. It's simple to show the love that the Father has for us, we just have to try. You don't need some sort of superpowers to love! 

Ironically the theme for Life Teen this  year is Radiant Joy. While I've been praying about these things that are weighing heavy on my heart I'm trying to find joy in the situation. As Father Chris continued to read I was hit with this verse. ""I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete". His joy is already in me, and in the situations. I have to lean on Christ more to find HIS joy. I need to stop looking for that joy in the wrong places. 

After I left mass I knew what I had to do to take the weight off my heart. I needed to find that joy. We were blessed to have beautiful weather and a day at the races that afternoon to celebrate Mother's Day. The joy that was surrounding me was so easy to find in my cousins face when we played catch. Or in my mom's face when my sister and I  sang her a silly rap. Especially in my dad's face when he hit big on a horse bet. Since that day I've found joy in the simplicity of life and it's beautiful. 

I pray that you find joy in the boring day in and day out tasks that you have to do. 

Being in the Right Place at God's Time

I've been home for a little over a week with not very much to do. So I jump at any opportunity to leave the house even if it's to run to the post office, or to pick up my sister from school. My mom has been working her butt off as a teacher and needed me to help her out. The Confirmation Mass was being held at or church on Wednesday and she said she would be the Eucharistic Minister unfortunately she had to tutor. So I willingly said I'd cover for her. 


I'm pretty sure God had this plan in his pocket the whole time. I've had a lot of time to pray about the up coming mission year, and the opportunity I've been given to go to Arizona as well. When Dan began reading the first reading my mouth almost hit the floor. It was Isaiah 61. I've heard this reading over and over again during the past two summers at Covecrest. This chapter is named Exaltation of the Afflicted. It is beautiful and if you have time I suggest reading the entire chapter. The first two verses are amazing and hit my heart in such a way that it is almost hard to describe. 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;

² To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn Isaiah 61 1-2

As Dan was reading this verse I could do nothing but smile. Just when I thought I didn't have a purpose, and just when I was doubting what Christ was doing in my life he placed this right in front of me. This describes so perfectly how I feel about the mission program. I'm incredibly excited to start the formation year, but nervous as well. I'm not sure what God is going to do in my life and that is a little scary. But he has a plan. I wasn't supposed to be at that mass, my mom was. But I'm so glad that God placed me there.  

You never know how God is going to work until you are open to his plan. When you are open, you begin to realize how he is working in your life and it is a beautiful thing. 

I'm praying for you. 

Holy Cow Batman

I'm a Life Teen Missionary!


I've graduated from college and have spent the last week catching up on sleep, unpacking my room and getting ready to embark on the next journey.

I leave for Arizona on June 24th to be the camp photographer at Life Teen Tepeyac. I'm beyond excited, a little nervous and a little scared. Photography is a gift God has given me that I don't use often and it makes me a bit nervous.

I've been gathering information to send out to mission partners which has proved to be a HUGE blessing. If you are interested in receiving information about the Mission program just send me an email at acassar316@gmail.com


Praying for your YES

A Life Teen Missionary!

God has called and I have said YES! 

I will be entering the Life Teen Mission program this September as a full time Missionary! Praise the Lord. I will be serving the local community, living with other missionaries and spreading the word of God in my daily life. I ask you to consider joining me on this mission in the form of prayers and monetary donations. The next few months are packed leading up to the official start of the mission year. 

June 24-August 6th I will be at Camp Tepeyac in Prescott AZ being the camp photographer.

September 2012-September 2014 I will be saying YES to God daily on the journey he has me on.


I will have more information on mission partners in a few weeks. But I ask you to begin praying now about your commitment to this journey. Maybe you will be able to say a Rosary once a week, or sending a monetary donation to fund domestic/international Mission trips. Maybe you could offer a daily mass for the Missionaries, or pray for the teens, Youth Ministers and Core Members that will be attending Life Teen Summer Camps this year. Or for the Missionaries that God is calling, and asking for their YES.

If you are interested in recieving updates about the mission, want to be a mission partner, or are just interested in what we do send me your email address, so we can keep in contact.


I will be praying for you!


All prayer requests are asked to be sent to amanda.cassar@email.saintleo.edu


This is a preview of what the next two years have in store for me!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIFVNBF76iE&context=C4e8dffdADvjVQa1PpcFNHpe-I7PhwZ5OeUfC6E2sSzU_QimOZHvM%3D

It's been....

It's been funny really.

There's no other way to describe what God is doing in my life. One day I think I've got it all figured out and then BOOM out of left field he comes with something rather crazy.

Things I'm praying through right now:
Life Teen Mission Program
Life Teen Camp Photographer at Tepeyac
The way God is revealing himself in the past two incidents I've been involved in.

About 34 days left till I graduate...BRING IT ON