livin' for the weekend

It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon here in Jonesboro and I just thought I’d share about my weekend.  I had no initial plans for the weekend other than having band practice and it has been surprisingly great!  Yesterday I woke up and took it easy while enjoying a little Saturday Morning Kids programming provided by Hannah Montana and That’s So Raven.  I promise I am 26, not 11 but we only get channel 8 and as soon as I turned it on I remembered why I would watch these shows when I was younger.  They suck you IN! You start watching, knowing full well that you are a grown-up and this show is so ridiculous with it’s gross pranks and “in studio (fake)” audience, but somehow you find yourself unable to turn it off.  I think the producers of these shows and others like them have some sort of subliminal messaging that makes you addicted to “The Suite Life” the second you start watching.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I WILL NOT Be watching these shows anytime soon but I could not turn away once I started watching.  I was a little embarrassed about my TV choices so this is the first time I’ve mentioned it.  And since only about 3 people read my blog, I’m pretty sure I’m safe.  When “I returned to regularly scheduled programming” Pip and I went to Office Depot, Lunch, Hobby Lobby, and Wal-Mart.  Since we didn’t have any plans we just took our time and probably spent too much money on things we don’t need, but all-in-all, it was a nice little trip.  I came home, did a little clean up and headed to Jeremy and Kerrie’s.  We had a chili-dog supper and had band practice in a real garage!! I have always wanted to play in a garage!! It was so nice out there, and amazingly you could hear us inside the house! So, the citychurch band has a new spot and we will be meeting us there on Wednesday nights.  Today was citychurch and it was so good.  We had 5 first time visitors, I feel so dorky saying “first time visitors” but it’s true so I’m saying it!  It’s so exciting when people come and are a part of our little group!  I’m just hoping they’ll come back!  We talked about all the characteristics of Jesus in John 1:35-end. Want the highlights? OKAY!

Our Pastor Jeremy Sullivan taught today, not on the “Calling of the Disciples” like we’ve heard all of our lives, but instead pointed out How Jesus Relates to Me. Oh yeah, and we had a 12 point message, but it didn’t feel that way (secretly…thank goodness) So, 12 ways Jesus Relates to Me:

1.He comes as our sin remover

2.He comes after our hearts

3.He invites us to see

4.He invites us to be where He is

5.He comes as the Anointed One

6.He comes as the Only One who can change our identity

7.He calls us to follow Him

8.He has authority over us

9.He comes to fulfill the scriptures

10.He knows us inside and out

11.He stands between Heaven and Earth

12. Following Christ is not heroic.

Jeremy went into each one of these points and really pointed out some good things I have never thought about before. If you want to hear the whole message visit our website under media – sermons.  www.citychurchjonesboro.com

After church we ate at Shorty Smalls and enjoyed some lively conversation filled with talk of male cheerleading and ringtones. We missed those of you who were not with us.  Then took a little trip around Bed Bath and Beyond.  I found what I want for Christmas….a Sharper Image Shiatsu Massage Chair Thing (that’s the official name…well, kind of) it goes in a chair and it’s amazing, I was yelled at because I just wanted to sit in that chair for the remainder of the Bed Bath and Beyond experience but I’m glad I didn’t because Mollie found me a great thing.  It is a coffee thermos but it looks like a disposable coffee cup, I LOVE it!! I can’t wait to put coffee or hot chocolate in it tomorrow!!! I’ll let you know how it goes.  Then it was to my friend Sherry’s house for some hot tea and home for a 2-hour nap! I’m about to dive into a mid-level fiction book on the back porch with a hot drink, blanket and a puppy named Oliver.  I hope you enjoyed your weekend, thanks for tagging along for the ride about mine!

i'm falling for you

Fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year.  It’s so beautiful outside with the leaves changing colors and the weather is PERFECT.  Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be but this year it’s as if we’ve jumped from summer heat to winter! Are you kidding?? I’m thinking it’s going to be a long, cold winter.  I really love this time though.  Yesterday at citychurch we had a membership luncheon (which reminds me, Jeremy I have money for you for that).  After the lunch I was taking my friend Sherry home to her apartment and we started talking about Christmas.  Sherry is from China and was asking all kinds of questions about our holiday.  I told her everything from the tree to the lights on the house.  Somewhere in the middle of that conversation I got SO excited about Christmas!! I am about ready to get a tree! Last year I was so down during Christmas, I think life was just kind of rough this time last year and I was not at all ready to celebrate. But this year I feel like I’m in a time of harvest and I am ready to celebrate.  Plus this is Oliver’s first Christmas! Anyone know where I could get a puppy shirt that I could get “Oliver’s first Christmas” on it? I am just so excited to see what God has in store for this season, where we will get the chance to serve the people of Jonesboro and just how much fun we’ll be able to have!! 

Have a great week and start getting excited, Christmas is just around the corner…well after we round the Halloween and Thanksgiving corners. 

Cassie

new blog

I have created a blog specifically for prayer requests, go check it out!

http://cassie-prayerchangesthings.blogspot.com

mama said there'd be days like this

I had my very first “mommy” moment yesterday.  Oliver, my sweet puppy, was very sick when I got home from citychurch. He had thrown up in his crate an unbelievable amount, it was really gross.  I thought it was just a one-time thing so I gave him a bath.  Then he began to throw up every 5 to 10 minutes.  Seriously, it was scary. I know he is a dog and I shouldn’t be like that but first, I’ve never had a dog and second, he’s my ollie-bear! So an hour into the whole ordeal and I called the vet.  He said to come in at 6 if he was still doing it. Well, he was so I took him in, they gave him a shot some meds and also found that he had an eye infection.  I was not so pleased with my whole experience there.  I am guessing the lady at the counter was pretty irritated about having to be there on a Sunday so she took it out on all of us…blah. Then Oliver threw up in the office and I had to clean it up, so gross.  THEN to top it all off it was $155!!! I really felt like saying, “are you kidding me?” but I didn’t.  So that was it, he’s been fine ever since, just super loving, which is fine by me! 

If you’re wondering how citychurch is going I’ll tell you: it’s AWESOME!!  We are meeting at the convo next week and I am so ready for that. It’s a smaller venue (about 200 seats) and I think it will be more “us”. I am also excited about getting to meet more peope. I can’t wait to see people come to know the Lord, I am so ready for that day. If you read this, please pray for our church, may God love the people of Jonesboro THROUGH us!

Question time. I need something to eat for lunch.  Tonight I bought some soup but that will get old really fast. I need something I can just bring and will be good. Got any ideas?  Please share!

Have a great day!

thinking about eyes and music

This morning I woke up to my left eye burning so badly when I tried to put in my contact. I thought I had something in there; I had to wash it out then put the contact back in. I never thought anything else about it.  Then this afternoon I was washing my hands and I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed how red my eye was but only in one spot. Since then, it’s only gotten worse.  I heard that if you have pink eye you’re not supposed to go to school…I don’t know if this is a “real” rule or not so I’m going in the morning. If it gets worse I’ll head to urgent care to check it out. Blah, pink eye…

I LOVE the internet! Just thought I’d throw that out there.  I absolutely LOVE how you can connect with things from all over the world! One of my favorite things is podcasts.  I listen to a few on a weekly/bi-monthly basis.  One is Elevation Church in North Carolina. www.elevationchurch.com God is doing absolutely AMAZING things though that church.  Their worship team is so on the ball, they post their songs and chord charts, etc.  So tonight I’ve been doing a little researching of new worship music.  I have a lot of ideas for the coming weeks. Oh, if you don’t know me, I am currently leading worship at citychurch.  I was really resistant at first but God is working through me and I am loving it.  It is not a permanent gig, but I love helping any way I can with citychurch.  I am seriously praying that no one will see me but will get to a place of abandonment worship, where there is no one but them and our God!

Here are a few possibilities for this week:

Cannon – Phil Wickham

Great is the Lord – Elevation Worship

Salvation is Here – Hillsong United

I’m so excited about this weekend. Wanna know the schedule? OK!

·      Tour of Classrooms with my teacher friends Debbie, Julie, and Hannah – amazing teachers and women of God.

·      Jibs Sullivan’s baby shower (his real name will be Jack – to the rest of the world)

·      ASU vs. TROY Tailgate and football game!!!

·      Band Practice and citychurch set up

·      CITYCHURCH Sunday morning

·      REST, REST, REST, REST!

I have been really convicted about being so busy with grad school on Sunday’s I’m going to work really hard tomorrow afternoon to get it all done so Sunday can truly be a day of worship and rest!

I know my blog is so random, if you read, thanks for following me. If you  know me you know that’s how I am too…I can never have just ONE story or thought going!  Have a lovely Thursday!  For Brookland Middle School it is “jeans and jerseys” Thursdays…I LOVE IT! 

God Bless!!

*cb

i heart books

I am really excited about a few things in my life right now.  Specifically, two things. 

 First is a new Bible study called, "Can we Talk?" it is by Pricilla Shirer.  She is one of my new favorites and I am so glad she has this study out. It is a book that facilitates discussions with God. She is not telling me what to think and giving it all to me but she is posing a format for digging into the Bible.  I am beginning in the morning and am so looking forward to it.  

My second exciting thing is, my FAVORITE book of all time was 1/2 off at LifeWay this weekend!  It is called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I read it about 6 years ago and fell completely in love with MY love story.  It's a story of continued redemption by my Savior.  If you've never read it go get it, you won't regret it!

  

I would just like to share that I am so behind in my classroom it's not even funny! I wish I could somehow get a ton of sleep tonight and still get up super early and get everything done that needs to get done in the morning...oh well.  I am currently in grad school at ASU (Arkansas State University) and it's all online.  I thought that would be easier until I remembered how much of a procrastinator I am, so Sunday has no longer been a day of rest but it has really been a day of homework.  This week, I will be working hard to make Sunday a restful day void of any homework.  

During my Bible study in the morning, I would love to be praying for anything that needs prayer.  If you are needing someone to pray for you, I would love to help! Just leave a comment. 

Have a great Monday!

time to get serious

I'm back! It's been a LONG journey of computer issues and I am currently typing on my computer that I will have for the next 50 years. I love the MacBook Pro, but I could have purchased 3 Oliver's (my yorkie) for the price of this one laptop. I thought about going back and recapping my entire Summer but I just can't. I am not very good at remembering things and presenting them in the way that would capture other's attention and also, I am living in the now and want to share some things about now.

So, school is going on and I am loving it so much more now. I think it is becuase I am now teaching in the mornings. Before (the past 1 &1/2 years) I taught starting after lunch till the end of the day. One might think that is great but to be at school at 7:45 and not have your kids in your room until after lunch is torture. I actually feel like I get SO much done this year and I honestly just feel like a better teacher all around. I teach middle school (4-6 grade) music. To be honest, it's not my dream job. I never wanted to be a teacher but God led me here and I fell in love with Jr. High during my internship. Then I got this job 3 days before I graduated from college and I'm teaching "kids" now. At first I really didn't like it but this year I am really taking pride in my students and what they are learning. I somehow feel that God is really teaching through me. I am so thankful for my teacher friends, those who I actually teach "with" and those just in the teaching community. Two of my friends who teach in my hall are Carol and Marinda. Marinda is 10 years older than me and Carol is 20 years older than me but God has ordained our relationship! They are my mentors, my "gripe session listeners", and my encouragers. We meet in my classroom every morning at 7:30 to pray for the ladies on our hall and for anything and everything else in our lives. It has been so refreshing to begin the day physically with others in prayer. It's amazing how much I want to be at school in the mornings to pray with them, even when it's so hard to get out of bed. If you are a praying person, I encourage you to find someone else who prays and pray together. "Two are better than one", it's true!

I've not ever posted pictures on here, mainly bc my camera was stolen at school but I have taken a few of my precious pup, Oliver, with my computer. So, here he is!

This is one of his favorite spots, here he is all cuddled up.

And here's where he is REALLY sleeping, all sprawled out!

Isn't he precious? Seriously, I never believed that a person could really love a dog...and here I am, loving my little Ollie-bear! Oh, and by the way, I have now had my camera, my ipod, and my jump drive stolen from school. My ipod and jump drive stolen in the past 3 weeks by the cleaning crew. I had a TON of North Point and Elevation Church podcasts on there, I really hope they listen and my little ipod is used to bring the Gospel of Jesus into the lives of people.

Alright, one more thing. CITYCHURCH HAS LAUNCHED!!! I can't beleive we are actually going to be meeting again this Sunday! We have been praying for over a year about God starting a church through us for the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas and we really launched last week. I am so excited about the things the Lord is doing and is going to do through citychurch. If you want to check us out go to, www.citychurchjonesboro.com. More to come!

This picture is the front of our invite cards, Alicia and Pip got permission to write this on the steps of a local business. Wouldn't it be cool if God used these steps to speak to someone? I bed He did...that would be just like Him!

Have a FABULOUS friday!