My College Necessities

Being in college for almost two years now, I have complied a list of "must haves" for college students. (Females, that is). From beauty to brains, this is what I think every modern-day student should have! 

 

1. Dry Shampoo
     -This is something I swear by! There have been so many nights where I, as a student, have to make the executive decisions whether to shower or study (gross, right?). This stuff saves me in the mornings! All you do is spray it on your roots, and voila! It's almost like you actually took a shower. I like the Not Your Mother's brand   or the Suave brand  . Both are extremely affordable! 

 

2. An Agenda 
     -This I would say is my number 1 necessity. It's refreshing to know that I have all of my assignments and due dates marked in one thing. I carry it always, and it helps me organize to the best of my ability! You can find my adorable one from Lilly Pulitzer

 

3. Protein Bars 
     -This particular bar isn't exactly a protein one, but it is a breakfast bar! This is from Target and it's delicious! They are healthy snacks, perfect for on the go or before class.

 

4. A Devotional 
     -I have been loving these two! I usually do the Duck Commander Devotional  in the morning and the Lady in Waiting book at night. These allow me to have daily encouragement as well as reading my Bible. 

 

5. Page-Markers 
     -The page markers that I am currently loving are from Target a few months ago. They are so cute!! These come in handy when you need to mark an article for a paper, or a paragraph in your textbook that you need to know for your next exam. You can find them at your local office supplies store!

 

6. Gum
     -...is pretty self-explanatory! I am a gum-addict. I always keep some in my backpack, purse, dorm, car, and room at home. It's perfect for keeping yourself awake during the 8ams or freshening your breath after lunch. I love Stride! 

 

7. A Baseball Hat
     -Again, some people could argue that this is not a "necessary" thing to have, but it is very useful! Like number one, sometimes you just need a hat to hide the top of your hair. *Some professors will not allow you to wear a hat during class, but some do*. This is also great for the blocking the sun while walking to class! My hat was my dad's back in the 80's so I doubt you can find it anywhere. I recommend Southern Proper Frat Hats  or your favorite sports team!

 

8. A Quality Headband 
     -Everyone has bad hair days-especially while being a full time student! If you refer to number 1 and 7 up above, I mentioned the dilemma of not showering. I say "quality" because of how much you could potentially use it. I had a $2.00 one from the store that broke after five uses. I like mine that I picked up from Lululemon Athletica . It was a splurge, but it works very well for everyday use and at the gym!

 

9. Travel Size Body Spray/Perfume 
     -There were so many times during my first semester at college where this came in handy! For one, I am in school on the East coast, so from May-September, the weather can be warm. Some schools do not have air conditioning, so this was necessary to re-apply a few times to avoid the stink! This also is a good idea because of its tiny size, you can fit it in your backpack or purse! I am especially loving "It's My Party" from VS Pink  -I'm not 100% sure if this is still in the store, but I found it on Amazon and Ebay!

 

10. A Water Tumbler
     -I drink a TON of water! It's the best thing for you, and it's important to stay hydrated during the day. One of my classmates always mentions how many different glasses I have, and she is right! I keep one in my room, one in my kitchen, plus some for my dorm. It's also nice to have my own cup to save the environment and get some ice from the cafeteria! This one is from  Hobby Lobby in-store.  I also recommend Tervis drinkware

11. A Watch 
     -Some could argue that this isn't a "necessity", but "accessory". Yes, they are great accessories and are very useful too! In the age of cell phones, tablets, and laptops-many students don't have watches. I personally love wearing one because some of my professors do not allow cell-phone usage in the class. I once was yelled at for checking the time on my phone (true story!). I got mine on sale at Target.



  I hope that this list helped you in some way! I wish that I had known about some of these during high school, but it's a part of life to learn as you grow! Until next time...


In His, 
Cassie  


   

What We Don't Deserve

   I've been thinking a lot about what my next blog post was going to be about! A week of praying, listening, and trying my best to allow Christ into my life did not come easy. Since I am in the generation of finding inspirations in books and movies, I've heard a lot of quotes "to live by" and that "inspire life unlike no other". In 2012, Stephen Chbosky wrote a best-seller called "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". The book was a huge success, and later a movie followed with similar success. There was one quote from the book that seemed to just dominate the headlines. The quote was:

                                          "We accept the love we think we deserve"

   From the outside, this seems like a very inspiring quote. Many find deep meaning in it, despite it's simplicity. A lot of people that I knew really enjoyed this quote, because it went viral on almost all of my social media websites. When I first saw this quote, I was confused. I was unsure as to why people clung to it so much. After pondering it, and researching what different people thought it meant, I came to my own conclusion.

                                          "What about the love that we don't deserve?" 

   Do we accept that? Think about that question for a few moments. Do we, as humans, actually accept the love that we don't deserve? Speaking for myself (as a Christian), I know that I don't deserve the love that Christ shows me. I know that I am 100% a sinner, and therefore not worthy of the grace and love that The Almighty gives to me.
 
                "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ  
                                                  died for us." Romans 5:8 NIV 

   "While we were still sinners..." This proves Christ's love for us within a half of a sentence. We were sinners, and we do not deserve anything. We don't deserve the glory, the hope, the grace, the mercy, or the love.

   "BUT God...."   Thank the Lord for the "buts"! We were sinners, we are sinners, and always will be-BUT the Lord loves us THAT much that he wanted to forgive us each day, and love us unconditionally. I am an emotional person, and that always gets the tears rolling. I AM A SINNER!!! I am such a sinner, and I am so ungodly. YET/BUT The Father still wants me. He wants a liar, gossiper, over-achiever, bragger, conceited, imperfect human being. That will forever blow my mind.

  So, what about the love that we don't deserve? We accept it. We accept it, only because of what Christ has done, and what he will do. We worship and glorify the Alpha and Omega for that unconditional, unending love that we don't deserve. We give him thanks and love him to the best of our human capability. Read over John 3:16 and personalize it. "For God so loved CASSANDRA that He sent His only begotten son, that if CASSANDRA believes in Him, CASSANDRA will not parish, but CASSANDRA will live eternal life." Reflect on that sacrificial love that we don't  or ever will deserve, but receive because of who Christ is.

In His forever & always,
Cassandra

 

                                          ^ image found at http://gabrielsreport.com/god-hates-the-sin-but-loves-the-sinner-is-this-in-the-bible/

The No-Mistake Zone

   In the summer of 2012, a church in Spain asked an elderly woman (who was a painter) to restore a one-of-a-kind 19th century painting done by Elias Garcia Martinez. The story went viral because of the end result. (Read the whole story here) Look for yourself:

                                     ^ http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/08/elderly-woman-ruins-19th-century-fresco-in-restoration-attempt/
 If you noticed, the painting was originally of Jesus Christ. I honestly couldn't help but laugh when I saw this "restoration". I'm not 100% sure if the 3 or 4 year olds I used to work with could have hacked this and "fixed" it for the church.
   A lot of famous painters and artists messed up. Some of them became so angry with themselves that they would throw out the pieces of artwork all together. I'm sure they had a lot of practice paintings and sketches before they would actually finalize their art. The point is that the top, world-renown artists would mess up before creating their masterpiece. It's just life! We make mistakes before we can perfect something, right?
   As I was reading through the Psalms (again) I was reading about how God knitted us together in the womb! He didn't mess us up. It wasn't like He did a practice sketch of us and threw us in our mother's womb and looked back and thought He could do better. He made us the exact way that He wanted to! How amazing is that? The God of this universe took time to put me (a sinful, selfish human being) just the way that He wanted me to be. Jeremiah 1:5 says:

    "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

   I could read this verse over and over again and never get tired of it. Look at what I put in bold. He formed me. He knew me. He set me apart. He appointed me. That blows my mind!! Not only did He do all of those things, He did it while I was a little blob in my mom's stomach. He loves me THAT much that He cares so intricately about me that He knitted me (Psalm 139:13) and formed me (Jeremiah 1:5). He wasn't the elderly woman who butchered the painting. He took His time and put me together piece by piece. He gave me my parent's blue eyes. He gave me my grandfather's one dimple. He gave me my mom's fingers. He gave me blonde hair that gets lighter in the summer. He gave me my dad's tan complexion. He made me the shortest child out of my family (5"7, that is). He gave me so much more than this. He wanted all of these to be specific to me and me alone. 

 God cares so much about His people that He took His time making a masterpiece of His own. He didn't mess us up, or practice before making the final art. He knew exactly how He wanted us to be. The Alpha and Omega took His precious time thinking about me-before I was born? My mind will never grasp that love. He did the same for you. Think of the qualities that are unique to you and think of all God has made you to be. He loves you more than you will ever know.

Remember that you are NOT a mistake; you are beautifully and wonderfully made. You are an amazing creation from the Lord.

In His forever & always,
Cassandra

Finding Your Shield on the Battlefield

A few weeks have past, and most of the excitement over the Grammy Awards have blown over. The first thing I should establish before writing this post is that I did not watch the Grammy's when it was on. I did, however, read many articles and watched some highlights and performances of the night-so I know the most of what happened. As I was watching some of these performances, and also reminiscing back to the Miley Cyrus explosion over the past year, I feel as if many Christians have lost hope. We feel as if this world is too secular for us, and the light of Jesus Christ is fading quickly. There are many moments where I have felt that-especially being enrolled in college. I don't want this post to be focused on what is wrong in this world, rather I want it to be of the hope and truth we have because of The Father. Psalm 3:2-6 says:

    

"Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." "Selah"  But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.  To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. "Selah"  I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.  I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side."

I can literally hear the hope in David's voice when he is writing this Psalm. What an overwhelming feeling of love! During this time in our society where people may try to bring you down, and the media will tell you that acting in a secular way is the best way-not only should you cling to this verse, but you should CLING to our God! 

                                       "...but you are a shield around me, O LORD...."

God will protect and deliver you from the impurities of this world, if you choose to value Him over everything. He will show you forgiveness and love if you love him to the best of your human ability. 

                     "...I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side..."

If we choose to cling to The Almighty and we choose to grow in Him spiritually, we should not fear the earthly tragedies that are going on. We don't have to be afraid, because Christ is with us! (Romans 8:31). We could literally have thousands of people trying to tear us down and discourage us (like David), but the power of God is greater than anything trouble we have. He will love you and sustain you. 

Like I mentioned earlier in the post, I find myself giving up on hope sometimes. I feel defeated, knocked-down, and exhausted. It is tiring seeing scandal after scandal in the media that is focused on such ungodly and secular things. However, it is not all entirely like that! There are many people that I have found in the "spotlight" that bring the love of Christ with them. 

Natalie Grant  (who was nominated for 2 Grammy awards this year!) is a Christian artist that is currently touring the country singing about the love of God. Though she is considered a musical artist in the "Christian Industry", she has a big following of unbelievers. She also attended the Grammy's, which you can read about her experience here. 

The Cast of "Duck Dynasty" also known as the Robertson clan, have had a major impact in our society since the show started a few years ago. If you are a caveman, and live under a rock-the show follows the Louisiana rednecks in their duck call making business. The Robertson's are also devout Christians, and choose to pray at the end each episode. For this being "reality television", it is very reassuring that the stars are a positive, uplifting, and Christ-centered family. 

Justen Harden is the Josh Turner of the 90's kids. He has a remarkable deep voice, which brings a unique and refreshing sound to country music. He is a star of "Vine", a year-old app that allows people to make videos in 6 seconds or less. Justen is not one of the typical guys on the app that choose to make secular or suggestive videos, but instead he chooses to sing covers of modern and classic country songs, and also regularly sings worship songs. Justen currently has almost 300,000 followers on the app, which clearly reaches followers as well as non-followers of Christ. Justen, only being about 19 or 20 years old (like me!) has accomplished more for the kingdom of God than most people can say about themselves...and he has years to come. 

**

I pray that you, like myself, am encouraged this week in the Word and from other believers of the Alpha and Omega. We are in fact the body of Christ-so naturally bonding with our spiritual brothers and sisters is always an encouraging thing. Please pray for those I mentioned earlier ^. I know how difficult it is to be a Christian in a college class of 15, so I can only imagine how difficult it can be for those who have the world eying their every move. Until next time...

In His forever,

Cassandra 

                                            ^ image found at www.landisvalleyfellowship.org

                                          

 

A Sister to Love...

     If you're like me and the majority of the country, you have most likely seen Disney's newest inspiring and oh-so loveable animated movie "Frozen". I am in the top majority that has seen this particular movie multiple times in the theater. I quickly fell in love with the characters, setting, plot, and it's uniqueness to Disney's typical "Princess" movie. If you haven't seen this movie, the sister-act duo of Elsa and Anna bond in a way they haven't been able to do in a long time due to Elsa's "dangerous" ice and snow flinging from her fingertips. What I love about this movie, is that it is not based off a romantic, love relationship between a princess and a prince, or an eligible bachelor-in fact it is focused on the love between two sisters that had disconnected. It's focus is the unbreakable bond and love between sisters, and the sacrifices and hardships you are willing to cross for your sister. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend doing so!
    I was blessed by 3 sisters of my own! (And a brother, but he isn't the focus of this post, but will have one soon enough!) I am the youngest of all of them, and with the hardships of being the last child to do anything, my reward was seeing them make mistakes and learning how to grow up. All of my sisters are significantly older than me; the closest one being 10 years older. You could say I just didn't have one mother growing up-I had "four". My sisters were the ones to yell at me when I dressed inappropriately, they were the ones to lick their fingers to wipe something off of my face, they were the ones to drive me to softball practices, and they were the ones that did my hair and makeup for special events. I know that many people are not lucky enough to have a sister, but I was overly lucky to get three of them! I don't want you to get it entirely wrong-there is drama- a lot of it. Sometimes I wonder why we fight or disagree with one another, but then I figure it is because we are all so close. Like Elsa and Anna in the film, they were disconnected. Elsa's parents made her hide away because her powers struck Anna's hair when she was young. Because of this separation, they didn't grow and become close with one another.
    This was a very sad part of the movie. Anna's famous song "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" was a multi-scene serenade to her sister, practically begging her to go outside and play with her. Because of Elsa's power and fear or destruction, she avoids her sister at all cost. I could not imagine this happening to me! I hear stories about sisters who haven't talked to each other for 20+ years and I think it is extremely sad. I may get frustrated and annoyed with my sisters, but I could not imagine ostracizing myself from them for so long. All children's movies aside, the bond between sisters is a very strong one, and one that should not be broken. My sisters may never know the impact they all have had on my life; both emotionally and spiritually. Each individual sister has passed down qualities of themselves that have beneficially poured into my life. The relationship between sisters or siblings, is not only beneficial for your everyday human life, but for your spiritual one as well. The sibling love is a specific call from Christ, as we are called and commanded to "...Love one another." In the book of Genesis it mentions:
   
"Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be  
                                               spared  for your sake.” 
                                                   Genesis 12:13 

This specific verse is specific to "Frozen" **SPOILER ALERT!** because this is literally what Anna does for her beloved sister. She risks her life to save her sister. What a special bond and act of love that takes. (Sound familiar???) Another verse that I like comes from Titus, and it's a part of a verse that I think represents the impact on a healthy, Biblical sister relationship: 

                 "And so train the young women to love their husbands and children..."
                                                          Titus 2:4  

If anything, one of the most beneficial things about having a sister is being able to observe their lives and their decisions. This verse from Titus is something that is dear to my heart, because it is something that my sisters have instilled in me! It has been such a crazy, (sometimes) overwhelming, loving journey to see my sisters transform from girlfriend to fiance to wife to mother. From 2012 to now, I have been blessed with three adorable nephews and a beautiful niece. I have seen all of my sisters rise to the occasion and fulfill the full-time duty of a Godly mother. They have taught me, just as Titus says, to love my future husband and my future children, simply by their acts and lives.
     They say that observation is the best form of learning....but lucky for me, I was able to learn 3x and for many years to come......

In His forever & always,
Cassandra 

                                     ^ image found from: http://www.superbwallpapers.com/cartoons/elsa-and-anna-frozen-25421/
 

I'M BACK!! And CRAZIER than ever!

I honestly miss writing this for fun, and can't believe how long it's been since I have last been on here! My "Pinterest" page has a lot of "pins" on it. All though most of it has to do with weddings, fashion, and Christmas-I do have a good chunk of "Christian Pins"-it's honestly a cool feature, where once in a blue moon, I see a post that someone has posted about a specific verse that they love to read. I saw someone's pin about the book of 2 Corinthians....so tonight, around 11:00pm I read though it...3 times. It was THAT good that I read though its words again and again. There were so many passages that I can't even begin to love on and rave about...but I figure I would do one passage per blog post. The first one that I want to talk about is in the 5th chapter.

                                "If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again."

2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (NIV) 

For some reason, this passage just seems to reach right out of my Bible and grab my face...just sink this in for a minute. I italicized the parts that I seemed to grasp and bolded the entire thing because, well, it's awesome. I still can't believe this and I've read it more times than ever tonight. Now, I am in no means a Bible scholar, or philosopher, but I am a human, I am a young woman, and this is what this passage means to me:

• We should be CRAZY for God! We should live a crazy, out-of-our-mind life. My pastor had mentioned 2 weeks ago in his sermon that our relationship with God should be "...lively and in color" --> What the heck does that mean? Living in color with God means that we live risky lives..our relationship should be alive, and real. Living a life in black and white is not any fun..but when you have COLOR in your life-it describes something, and it brings it to life. Our relationship with The Father should come to life, and inspire everyone and anyone who you come in contact with. 
• If we are normal-we are doing something wrong! Being a lukewarm Christian (inspired by Francis Chan's " Crazy Love") we are lacking something important in our lives-the sense of being excited and alive for Christ. "....if we are in our right mind, it is for you..." "For you.." represents all the public who do not believe in the Heavenly Father or believe in the cross.
• Because Jesus died for us, we should live our life for Him. Being crazy...being nuts is a full-time job that God wants us to do. I don't mean literally being insane, but being crazy for God is just about the best thing you can do. People notice when you're not an average person. They notice when you are different then the rest of society. And I promise, they will notice when you are downright crazy for God. 

How can we be crazy for God? What does it look like? Does it mean that we go around neighborhoods with our shirts off shouting things at people? Probably not. Being crazy for God means that you're confident in His timing, His teaching, and His love. It means that we are excited for what God is doing in your life and in others. It means that we "color outside the lines" sometimes, and do rash and questionable things for His glory. It means that non-believers will question and notice that you are not 'normal'. Are you ready for that?

Personally, I think it sounds like the best ride you can take in your life. I'm ready to be crazy.

                   
(^ above picture from http://mindpetals.com/dont-be-scared-to-draw-outside-the-lines-no-boundaries/)

*Find Francis Chan's book here.