Cassie 's PhuseBox http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee Cassie 's PhuseBox PhuseBox RSS Generator en emotions galore http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/27340 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/27340 Fri, 28 Jul 2006 11:18:22 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/27340 life is funny.  a year ago i would not have imagined what this past month would hold.  i have hit every emotion possible - that is for sure.  let's recap:



-moved home for 2 weeks before the wedding.  nervous, scared, annoyed, frustrated, excited, anxious...



-GOT MARRIED.  finally!  the wedding week was insane... but as i look back on it (and watch the video so that i can actually remember it all!) i realize that i would not change a single thing.  it was amazing!  i have never felt so loved and cared for!  my friends and family surrounded me with such an awesome support!  i was reminded daily how blessed i am and i was simply in awe. 



my daddy.





ALL of my BEST friends.







and my HUSBAND!...











THEN we spent an amazing week in Saint Maarten... which was more relaxing than i could ever imagine!  and much needed!





the day we got back from our honeymoon, reality was bittersweet.  but WATCH HOW GOD WORKED...



on sunday, we flew into atlanta, where we had a small layover until flying to chicago.  atl is insane, and darin and i have had experience with taking bumps here, so we volunteered for one, knowing we would be kindly taken care of for it!  and we were!  we spent the night in an amazing hotel in atl and each received $400 flight vouchers.  PLUS we got food vouchers.  now, we are newly married, and fairly poor.  so knowing that we can have a free flight soon AND not having to spend money on food for a few days really helped!  that's blessing #1.



So then... monday morning, while we were wasting time before our flight that evening, my parents called to let me know that my grandpa had passed away.  now, this has been a long time coming... but that does not make it any easier.  i couldn't stand not being there with my family, so we headed to the airport to figure something out...



i thought we might be able to get our flight to chicago switched to indy so we could be there that afternoon.  Delta (the best airline ever) was perfectly willing to do that.  BUT our luggage was already in chicago and they couldn't get it to us.  so she was going to fly us to chicago and THEN to indy... but we were flying into chicago midway and delta only flies chicago to indy from chicago o-hare airport.  (confusing, but stay with me!)



SO.  she decided to keep us on our regular flight and put us out of o-hare for FREE the next morning!  so we flew home, unpacked, repacked, and flew out the next morning. - BLESSING #2!



the problem came when we needed to get to the airport the next morning... everyone seemed to be out of town here that week... so darin called our pastor to see if he could help us problem solve.  after several calls and possible solutions that fell through, he finally just called back and said "ok, don't worry about it!  there will be a limo service outside of your apartment at 6:30am tomorrow morning to take you to the airport.  it's all taken care of - thanks for watching our house a few weeks ago!"  ABSOLUTELY FREE!  big blessing #3!



you might think i would stop there, but i won't!  see, i haven't worked for a month, and darin 3 weeks, so money is really getting tight at this point - and God was going to majorly take care of us!  our original plan was to fly to TN the weekend after we got back to pick up my car and all of our stuff from the wedding, then drive back to IL.  well, with being in IN for the funeral, this wouldn't work.  instead, we rode home with my parents after the funeral and drove back.  we got to cancel our flights, which saved lots of money - and we never had to pay for gas!  BLESSINGS 4,5, and beyond!



but in real life, the funeral was a really hard thing to handle.  i'm not sure that it has all even hit me yet, but that was a huge shift of emotion to go through.  the funeral and visitation was absolutely wonderful - so many friends and family came... and, once again, i was reminded of how much those people mean to me.  i will miss my papaw greatly - and i'll still cry everytime i think about it.  but i am so thankful for the support i have found.  God placed himself in the center when I lost all control.  I can't even describe how blessed i feel.  there's no other words.







]]> life is funny.  a year ago i would not have imagined what this past month would hold.  i have hit every emotion possible - that is for sure.  let's recap:



-moved home for 2 weeks before the wedding.  nervous, scared, annoyed, frustrated, excited, anxious...



-GOT MARRIED.  finally!  the wedding week was insane... but as i look back on it (and watch the video so that i can actually remember it all!) i realize that i would not change a single thing.  it was amazing!  i have never felt so loved and cared for!  my friends and family surrounded me with such an awesome support!  i was reminded daily how blessed i am and i was simply in awe. 



my daddy.





ALL of my BEST friends.







and my HUSBAND!...











THEN we spent an amazing week in Saint Maarten... which was more relaxing than i could ever imagine!  and much needed!





the day we got back from our honeymoon, reality was bittersweet.  but WATCH HOW GOD WORKED...



on sunday, we flew into atlanta, where we had a small layover until flying to chicago.  atl is insane, and darin and i have had experience with taking bumps here, so we volunteered for one, knowing we would be kindly taken care of for it!  and we were!  we spent the night in an amazing hotel in atl and each received $400 flight vouchers.  PLUS we got food vouchers.  now, we are newly married, and fairly poor.  so knowing that we can have a free flight soon AND not having to spend money on food for a few days really helped!  that's blessing #1.



So then... monday morning, while we were wasting time before our flight that evening, my parents called to let me know that my grandpa had passed away.  now, this has been a long time coming... but that does not make it any easier.  i couldn't stand not being there with my family, so we headed to the airport to figure something out...



i thought we might be able to get our flight to chicago switched to indy so we could be there that afternoon.  Delta (the best airline ever) was perfectly willing to do that.  BUT our luggage was already in chicago and they couldn't get it to us.  so she was going to fly us to chicago and THEN to indy... but we were flying into chicago midway and delta only flies chicago to indy from chicago o-hare airport.  (confusing, but stay with me!)



SO.  she decided to keep us on our regular flight and put us out of o-hare for FREE the next morning!  so we flew home, unpacked, repacked, and flew out the next morning. - BLESSING #2!



the problem came when we needed to get to the airport the next morning... everyone seemed to be out of town here that week... so darin called our pastor to see if he could help us problem solve.  after several calls and possible solutions that fell through, he finally just called back and said "ok, don't worry about it!  there will be a limo service outside of your apartment at 6:30am tomorrow morning to take you to the airport.  it's all taken care of - thanks for watching our house a few weeks ago!"  ABSOLUTELY FREE!  big blessing #3!



you might think i would stop there, but i won't!  see, i haven't worked for a month, and darin 3 weeks, so money is really getting tight at this point - and God was going to majorly take care of us!  our original plan was to fly to TN the weekend after we got back to pick up my car and all of our stuff from the wedding, then drive back to IL.  well, with being in IN for the funeral, this wouldn't work.  instead, we rode home with my parents after the funeral and drove back.  we got to cancel our flights, which saved lots of money - and we never had to pay for gas!  BLESSINGS 4,5, and beyond!



but in real life, the funeral was a really hard thing to handle.  i'm not sure that it has all even hit me yet, but that was a huge shift of emotion to go through.  the funeral and visitation was absolutely wonderful - so many friends and family came... and, once again, i was reminded of how much those people mean to me.  i will miss my papaw greatly - and i'll still cry everytime i think about it.  but i am so thankful for the support i have found.  God placed himself in the center when I lost all control.  I can't even describe how blessed i feel.  there's no other words.







]]> HOLYMOLY http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/26442 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/26442 Thu, 06 Jul 2006 00:21:22 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/26442 that's just plain crazy.  but i am waaaay excited!  and after that, it's the beach!  i hear it calling to me... man, i love the beach!
i'm not really all about updating any more.  maybe it's because, for a little while there, my life was out of control craziness!  but things have slowed down... except for this whole wedding thing... and otherwise life is back to real.  i think i lost it for a little while there.  but i feel like i'm fully fuctioning once again - yay!
darin and i hosted our first official holiday together yesterday - we had a cookout for people helping with the wedding - and it was great!  then we headed up to nashville for the best fireworks in the world.  i love this place.
welp.  that's about all i've got right now.  i'm busy trying to think of fun adjectives to describe all of our attendents.... and the creative part of my brain is just absolutely fried.  if i have to make another decision i think i'll
]]> that's just plain crazy.  but i am waaaay excited!  and after that, it's the beach!  i hear it calling to me... man, i love the beach!
i'm not really all about updating any more.  maybe it's because, for a little while there, my life was out of control craziness!  but things have slowed down... except for this whole wedding thing... and otherwise life is back to real.  i think i lost it for a little while there.  but i feel like i'm fully fuctioning once again - yay!
darin and i hosted our first official holiday together yesterday - we had a cookout for people helping with the wedding - and it was great!  then we headed up to nashville for the best fireworks in the world.  i love this place.
welp.  that's about all i've got right now.  i'm busy trying to think of fun adjectives to describe all of our attendents.... and the creative part of my brain is just absolutely fried.  if i have to make another decision i think i'll
]]> my papaw http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/21937 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/21937 Sun, 09 Apr 2006 21:38:30 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/21937 my grandpa is pretty sick - lots of prayers would be great.



he went into the hospital on Friday - they found that he had what is called "esophageal varicose" which basically means that the veins in his esophagus are bleeding.  friday night they gave him lots of blood and performed some type of surgery but, how I undertand it, is that it basically cannot be fixed.  it can be treated, but it will just come back and continue.  my family is up there now and my dad said that he has gained more than 15 pounds of water weight this weekend - things do not look good.  yesterday they gave him about 6 months



it's hard because i know he's in tons of pain - he always has been.  if you know anything about my papaw, you know that he's had lots of health problems.  please pray that God will wrap his arms around my papaw... and my entire family during this really hard time.





grandma cooper, tiny baby justin, papaw, little matt, goofy me

]]> my grandpa is pretty sick - lots of prayers would be great.



he went into the hospital on Friday - they found that he had what is called "esophageal varicose" which basically means that the veins in his esophagus are bleeding.  friday night they gave him lots of blood and performed some type of surgery but, how I undertand it, is that it basically cannot be fixed.  it can be treated, but it will just come back and continue.  my family is up there now and my dad said that he has gained more than 15 pounds of water weight this weekend - things do not look good.  yesterday they gave him about 6 months



it's hard because i know he's in tons of pain - he always has been.  if you know anything about my papaw, you know that he's had lots of health problems.  please pray that God will wrap his arms around my papaw... and my entire family during this really hard time.





grandma cooper, tiny baby justin, papaw, little matt, goofy me

]]> Happy Happy Birthday!! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/20741 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/20741 Wed, 22 Mar 2006 07:19:16 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/20741

Happy Birthday to my original roommate... CARLA!  :)
yay!  and happy birthday to my new roommate - HEATHER!  and my PAPAW!!  woohoo for march 22!
]]>

Happy Birthday to my original roommate... CARLA!  :)
yay!  and happy birthday to my new roommate - HEATHER!  and my PAPAW!!  woohoo for march 22!
]]> taadaa http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/17084 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/17084 Mon, 30 Jan 2006 18:41:08 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/17084 so here's the thing.  this is our website.  it may not be completely finished, but - let's face it - between the two of us, it may never be!  so if you feel as though you need to see the final product, check it periodically.  :)  enjoy...


]]> so here's the thing.  this is our website.  it may not be completely finished, but - let's face it - between the two of us, it may never be!  so if you feel as though you need to see the final product, check it periodically.  :)  enjoy...


]]> wifi and foxes http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16483 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16483 Sat, 21 Jan 2006 11:37:50 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16483 you know what urks me?  i tried to get online when i first got here (at 8) and they have that t-mobile hotspot thing.  that stuff is EXPENSIVE.  then a couple hours later, as i was avoiding homework, i decided to search for other wireless networks.  there's like THREE free ones in this area.  why the heck charge me $10 when i can easily get it for free.  good thing i'm smarter than the average cassie.
last night it snowed - really big, wet snow.  i know y'all got out at home the other day for "snow" but really.  sometimes i just wish so badly that you could see this stuff.  it was amazing!
also - i ran into a fox in the quad on thursday.  they say there are actually 2.  a FOX.  no joke.  strange, huh?
so far i have all but 1 short paper finished for this week.  being this ahead of schedule is slightly scary.  i have plenty of time to finish that last paper right now, but i really feel like i just can't be that good.  it's an identity issue.
ok - maybe i'll try.

]]> you know what urks me?  i tried to get online when i first got here (at 8) and they have that t-mobile hotspot thing.  that stuff is EXPENSIVE.  then a couple hours later, as i was avoiding homework, i decided to search for other wireless networks.  there's like THREE free ones in this area.  why the heck charge me $10 when i can easily get it for free.  good thing i'm smarter than the average cassie.
last night it snowed - really big, wet snow.  i know y'all got out at home the other day for "snow" but really.  sometimes i just wish so badly that you could see this stuff.  it was amazing!
also - i ran into a fox in the quad on thursday.  they say there are actually 2.  a FOX.  no joke.  strange, huh?
so far i have all but 1 short paper finished for this week.  being this ahead of schedule is slightly scary.  i have plenty of time to finish that last paper right now, but i really feel like i just can't be that good.  it's an identity issue.
ok - maybe i'll try.

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16347 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16347 Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:07:17 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16347 so i was in the fitness center this morning and tv #3 caught my eye...





"A Houston pastor is putting a new spin on Apple Computer Inc.'s popular iPods, telling his Baptist congregation that the simple gadgets contain a religious lesson: Life can also be simple.


'The reason the outside of the iPod is so simple to use and so beautiful to look at is because of the way they designed the inside of the iPod,' Metropolitan Baptist Church Pastor Sal Sberna told his congregation Sunday during his second of four sermons on iPod Theology.


'All you do on the outside is push the little button, drive the wheel and pick what usefulness you want out of your iPod,' he said. 'And so when Jesus talks to us about simplification, it must start on the inside.'"



anyhow - fox did a big ole interview with him this morning.  very interesting.  i love a good analogy!  check out the  website!  you can download his sermons!

]]> so i was in the fitness center this morning and tv #3 caught my eye...





"A Houston pastor is putting a new spin on Apple Computer Inc.'s popular iPods, telling his Baptist congregation that the simple gadgets contain a religious lesson: Life can also be simple.


'The reason the outside of the iPod is so simple to use and so beautiful to look at is because of the way they designed the inside of the iPod,' Metropolitan Baptist Church Pastor Sal Sberna told his congregation Sunday during his second of four sermons on iPod Theology.


'All you do on the outside is push the little button, drive the wheel and pick what usefulness you want out of your iPod,' he said. 'And so when Jesus talks to us about simplification, it must start on the inside.'"



anyhow - fox did a big ole interview with him this morning.  very interesting.  i love a good analogy!  check out the  website!  you can download his sermons!

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16116 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16116 Sun, 15 Jan 2006 15:05:45 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/16116 well.  it's been a month.  i don't think i could begin to update.  how bout a top ten list...


TOP TEN HAPPENINGS SINCE DEC 16... (creative, i know)



10.  finals ended!  5 As, 2 Bs for the entire semester - pretty good for my second toughest semester ever! 



9.  spent 3 weeks in tennessee - the much-needed break i've been waiting for!  and much-needed warmth!



8.  got to see my incredible little brother and his gorgeous girl in their homecoming presentation and basketball games



7.  hung out with some of the many greats of my murfreesboro past... man, i miss y'all.  i love my old roommates more than i can describe.  i miss the days when i could just crawl on their bed and pour my heart out.  but it always amazes me how easily we slip back into comfortable conversations.  those are true friends.



6.  booked the best reception food EVER.  and had lots of fun with flowers, cakes, chairs, dresses, tuxes, chicken salad, music... :)



5.  spent Christmas with my mom's entire family - it's been a while!  and it was great to catch up



4.  extra time with darin and the family is always fun!  not to mention showing off the fiancee more than usual around town



3.  spent almost 20 hours with laura!  less than one day in the past 6 months is sad... but it was an incredible 20 hours!



2.  PASSION.  different than any other thing like that i've been to, especially last year's.  i've never had an experience like this time before, but i sure needed it.  and it was also great to have kevin and emily drive down and join us! 



1.  found the PERFECT dress.  i mean PERFECT.  which is great because i have the PERFECT man.  i cannot wait for 173 days to pass!



there you have it!  and now it's back to real life... but this semester is going to rock.  i just know it...

]]> well.  it's been a month.  i don't think i could begin to update.  how bout a top ten list...


TOP TEN HAPPENINGS SINCE DEC 16... (creative, i know)



10.  finals ended!  5 As, 2 Bs for the entire semester - pretty good for my second toughest semester ever! 



9.  spent 3 weeks in tennessee - the much-needed break i've been waiting for!  and much-needed warmth!



8.  got to see my incredible little brother and his gorgeous girl in their homecoming presentation and basketball games



7.  hung out with some of the many greats of my murfreesboro past... man, i miss y'all.  i love my old roommates more than i can describe.  i miss the days when i could just crawl on their bed and pour my heart out.  but it always amazes me how easily we slip back into comfortable conversations.  those are true friends.



6.  booked the best reception food EVER.  and had lots of fun with flowers, cakes, chairs, dresses, tuxes, chicken salad, music... :)



5.  spent Christmas with my mom's entire family - it's been a while!  and it was great to catch up



4.  extra time with darin and the family is always fun!  not to mention showing off the fiancee more than usual around town



3.  spent almost 20 hours with laura!  less than one day in the past 6 months is sad... but it was an incredible 20 hours!



2.  PASSION.  different than any other thing like that i've been to, especially last year's.  i've never had an experience like this time before, but i sure needed it.  and it was also great to have kevin and emily drive down and join us! 



1.  found the PERFECT dress.  i mean PERFECT.  which is great because i have the PERFECT man.  i cannot wait for 173 days to pass!



there you have it!  and now it's back to real life... but this semester is going to rock.  i just know it...

]]> see ya brit lit http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14912 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14912 Fri, 16 Dec 2005 11:33:32 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14912 so i stayed up until 4 studying... then got up at 6:30 and did the same... pretty much solid until the final at 10:51... and i got a PERFECT SCORE!  pretty sure that is the most i have ever studied.  and i am proud.  :) 
2 more papers... and this semester is gone!  (like a soldier in the civil war... bangbang)

]]> so i stayed up until 4 studying... then got up at 6:30 and did the same... pretty much solid until the final at 10:51... and i got a PERFECT SCORE!  pretty sure that is the most i have ever studied.  and i am proud.  :) 
2 more papers... and this semester is gone!  (like a soldier in the civil war... bangbang)

]]> blingblingBLING http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14793 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14793 Thu, 15 Dec 2005 08:41:30 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14793

photo from bouclee
]]>

photo from bouclee
]]> let it snow! let it snow! let it snow! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14465 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14465 Sat, 10 Dec 2005 11:46:32 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/14465 so i s'pose it's about time to update.  hate to move those amazing pictures down, but i guess it has to happen sooner or later!


life is absolutely insane right now.  there's so much to do!  but this time next week i will be school-stress-free!!  and i am SO excited!


there is SNOW here.  lots of it.  on thursday it just started snowing like CRAZY!  it's great!  cold... but i love it!  yesterday, while doing my loads of homework... i sat on the third floor of the library - right by the window - trying to write my unit plan, but mostly watching everyone in the snow.  it's really something y'all miss out on at home.  i love tennessee, but that is its one fault.  it's SOO pretty!  i just kept thinking of God's awesome power - the Creator - who does these amazing things.  Little things.  I mean, who needs snow?  It's wet and cold and dangerous.  but GORGEOUS.  and to think that he is responsible for every tiny, sparkling flake.  thursday night, i just curled up on the couch with some of my mom's great hot chocolate and watched Serendipity with Darin (ain't he a great guy!)... with all the snow outside... it was just this amazingly perfect warm feeling of the holidays... i know it sounds silly, but i just can't help but compare it to God's warmth and love.  it's this completely safe, cared for feeling that i love.  God's embrace.  perfect.

]]> so i s'pose it's about time to update.  hate to move those amazing pictures down, but i guess it has to happen sooner or later!


life is absolutely insane right now.  there's so much to do!  but this time next week i will be school-stress-free!!  and i am SO excited!


there is SNOW here.  lots of it.  on thursday it just started snowing like CRAZY!  it's great!  cold... but i love it!  yesterday, while doing my loads of homework... i sat on the third floor of the library - right by the window - trying to write my unit plan, but mostly watching everyone in the snow.  it's really something y'all miss out on at home.  i love tennessee, but that is its one fault.  it's SOO pretty!  i just kept thinking of God's awesome power - the Creator - who does these amazing things.  Little things.  I mean, who needs snow?  It's wet and cold and dangerous.  but GORGEOUS.  and to think that he is responsible for every tiny, sparkling flake.  thursday night, i just curled up on the couch with some of my mom's great hot chocolate and watched Serendipity with Darin (ain't he a great guy!)... with all the snow outside... it was just this amazingly perfect warm feeling of the holidays... i know it sounds silly, but i just can't help but compare it to God's warmth and love.  it's this completely safe, cared for feeling that i love.  God's embrace.  perfect.

]]> a little story for you... http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/13404 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/13404 Sat, 26 Nov 2005 06:09:01 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/13404


He took me to this place where you eat dinner on the beach - like, a few feet from the water... i knew we were going out - we had set tonight aside as a "date night" - but i had no clue where we were going.  we had our little table and then two beach chairs set up in front of it... right along the water.  there were maybe 8 other couples out there too...



we sat in the beach chairs first - as the sun set :) 




while the other couples were coming in and sitting down, our waiters were preparing our table behind us.  ( i didn't even know!)  at the perfect moment, one waiter came to us and asked if we wanted him to take our picture.  he kept taking more pictures and it seemed kinda strange.  then 3 or 4 waiters came to us and told us we could be seated. 



on the table there were these cocktails for us to enjoy before the meal.  on my drink, my ring!!  when i looked over, darin was on his knee!!!  (i was absolutely freaking out.) 



 he asked me to marry him.  i said "of course i will marry you!"  everyone around us was watching and began congratulating us... some were crying and talking about how they "got chills".. it was funny.  anyhow... to top it off, later we DANCED!  (freak out!!)  on the beach!  it was amazing!!!  anyway... that's the basic story!



WE ARE ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]>


He took me to this place where you eat dinner on the beach - like, a few feet from the water... i knew we were going out - we had set tonight aside as a "date night" - but i had no clue where we were going.  we had our little table and then two beach chairs set up in front of it... right along the water.  there were maybe 8 other couples out there too...



we sat in the beach chairs first - as the sun set :) 




while the other couples were coming in and sitting down, our waiters were preparing our table behind us.  ( i didn't even know!)  at the perfect moment, one waiter came to us and asked if we wanted him to take our picture.  he kept taking more pictures and it seemed kinda strange.  then 3 or 4 waiters came to us and told us we could be seated. 



on the table there were these cocktails for us to enjoy before the meal.  on my drink, my ring!!  when i looked over, darin was on his knee!!!  (i was absolutely freaking out.) 



 he asked me to marry him.  i said "of course i will marry you!"  everyone around us was watching and began congratulating us... some were crying and talking about how they "got chills".. it was funny.  anyhow... to top it off, later we DANCED!  (freak out!!)  on the beach!  it was amazing!!!  anyway... that's the basic story!



WE ARE ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> So long windy (and stinkin cold) city.... http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12883 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12883 Sat, 19 Nov 2005 04:42:12 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12883

photo from bouclee
FINALLY leavin!  have a FANTASTIC thanksgiving!!!! 
see ya next sunday!  :)
]]>

photo from bouclee
FINALLY leavin!  have a FANTASTIC thanksgiving!!!! 
see ya next sunday!  :)
]]> the flakes are comin... http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12699 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12699 Wed, 16 Nov 2005 10:38:56 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12699                           it is SNOWING!!! 
and unbelievably cold... the wind is just so intense.  it literally hurts to walk outside.  saturday, at home, justin was wearing shorts and flipflops.  today - just 4 days and 500 miles later - snow.  good thing i remembered my winter clothes this time!


 from  sang in chapel today - good stuff!  there was a drama group too, pretty good, but they didn't let him sing much because of it - i'd like to hear more.  and you should check him out too


i have insane amounts of things to do before friday... grrrr.... back to reality.


3 DAYS til ARUBA!!!

]]>                           it is SNOWING!!! 
and unbelievably cold... the wind is just so intense.  it literally hurts to walk outside.  saturday, at home, justin was wearing shorts and flipflops.  today - just 4 days and 500 miles later - snow.  good thing i remembered my winter clothes this time!


 from  sang in chapel today - good stuff!  there was a drama group too, pretty good, but they didn't let him sing much because of it - i'd like to hear more.  and you should check him out too


i have insane amounts of things to do before friday... grrrr.... back to reality.


3 DAYS til ARUBA!!!

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12299 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12299 Fri, 11 Nov 2005 05:47:06 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12299  HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MATT BEARD!!


photo from Habas
]]>  HAPPY BIRTHDAY
MATT BEARD!!


photo from Habas
]]> i am nothing http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12056 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12056 Tue, 08 Nov 2005 08:32:51 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/12056 FYI - "the whitis" is the head of the english dept here at olivet.  i love her, but she is a very strong, powerful woman.  we all think she deserves a "the" for that.  kinda intimidating...
i am now officially done with my practicum!!  today i don't have class until 1230 - that is unbelievable!!  i didn't even set my alarm!  this is gonna be great...
fall weekend was amazing!  i am SO glad that i finally went!  i don't know why i ever feel llike i can't do things.  God is just really showing me that He can literally be my strength - in so many situations lately. 



Don't panic. I'm with you. 
There's no need to fear for I'm your God. 
I'll give you strength. I'll help you. 
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Isaiah 41:10



ps - i'm going home this weekend.  i can't believe i haven't been this semester!  it'll be a real quick trip... but i cannot wait!!!! 


11 DAYS TIL ARUBA!!!!

]]> FYI - "the whitis" is the head of the english dept here at olivet.  i love her, but she is a very strong, powerful woman.  we all think she deserves a "the" for that.  kinda intimidating...
i am now officially done with my practicum!!  today i don't have class until 1230 - that is unbelievable!!  i didn't even set my alarm!  this is gonna be great...
fall weekend was amazing!  i am SO glad that i finally went!  i don't know why i ever feel llike i can't do things.  God is just really showing me that He can literally be my strength - in so many situations lately. 



Don't panic. I'm with you. 
There's no need to fear for I'm your God. 
I'll give you strength. I'll help you. 
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Isaiah 41:10



ps - i'm going home this weekend.  i can't believe i haven't been this semester!  it'll be a real quick trip... but i cannot wait!!!! 


11 DAYS TIL ARUBA!!!!

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11778 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11778 Fri, 04 Nov 2005 14:24:17 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11778 first and foremost - i'm going to wisconsin in about 30 minutes for YoungLife fall weekend!!  this is a kinda big deal for me - and definitely big for all these kids!  so prayers would be AWESOME!


"the whitis" (you can imagine the emphasis) came and observed me teach at school today - nerve wracking!!  i think i'm just now calming down from it all - but overall it went pretty well - its a tough class, but they really got into my lesson which WAY excites me!  so what if they were a little rowdy?  at least they spoke!!


AND i just found out that kankakee is getting a walmart SUPERCENTER!!  woah!!  no more being a trader and going to k-mart for me!  party with aubree!  :)


so have a good weekend... i'll be back sunday afternoon... just in time to start another insane week!


(((it's gonna be cold in wisconsin... with all my winter clothes in tennessee...))) 

]]> first and foremost - i'm going to wisconsin in about 30 minutes for YoungLife fall weekend!!  this is a kinda big deal for me - and definitely big for all these kids!  so prayers would be AWESOME!


"the whitis" (you can imagine the emphasis) came and observed me teach at school today - nerve wracking!!  i think i'm just now calming down from it all - but overall it went pretty well - its a tough class, but they really got into my lesson which WAY excites me!  so what if they were a little rowdy?  at least they spoke!!


AND i just found out that kankakee is getting a walmart SUPERCENTER!!  woah!!  no more being a trader and going to k-mart for me!  party with aubree!  :)


so have a good weekend... i'll be back sunday afternoon... just in time to start another insane week!


(((it's gonna be cold in wisconsin... with all my winter clothes in tennessee...))) 

]]> new plan. http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11555 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11555 Wed, 02 Nov 2005 05:44:54 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11555


i need to go home

]]>


i need to go home

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11488 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11488 Tue, 01 Nov 2005 14:22:41 -0600 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11488 so... last friday, darin and i went to the
  WHITE SOX   
parade and rally downtown!  it was awesome!  don't get me wrong, i'm a  cubs fan.  i don't generally follow much baseball, especially the sox, but i did go to a game this summer and i did follow the series!  you gotta get excited when your city's team makes it big!  (and yes, i'm claiming chicago as mine)  and i figure, some day i'll be able to say "oh, i was at the celebration when the white sox won the 2005 world series!"  not a opportunity i wanted to miss!  it was crazy... but good times!
then we went to a graduate school fair at UIC... very interesting.  lots and lots of choices for darin... fun stuff.  the future is a scary thing to think about...
saturday i took tests all day - total poo.  that's all i wanna say about that...
sunday we took the cornerstone youth to laserquest!!  i haven't been since my own youth groupin days... i forgot how aggressive it can be!  the first round, our 10 high schoolers (and 4 of us "adults") played with like 50 little boys from some birthday party.  they were intense!  one kid just randomly kicked me!  what the heck?!  screaming "i hate you!  i hate you!" in my face (or as close as he could jump to my face anyway!)  anyhow... it really was fun...
this week is not quite as stressful as last... but it's still up there.  i'll hopefully be finishing my practicum my next tuesday!  my life will be SO much easier!  i cannot wait!
so... how was halloween??  we went and saw SAW 2 last night - great movie!  they're so disturbing and disgusting but yet intriguing to no end!  blows my mind.  seen it?  thoughts???
oh the life of a grad office worker.......

]]> so... last friday, darin and i went to the
  WHITE SOX   
parade and rally downtown!  it was awesome!  don't get me wrong, i'm a  cubs fan.  i don't generally follow much baseball, especially the sox, but i did go to a game this summer and i did follow the series!  you gotta get excited when your city's team makes it big!  (and yes, i'm claiming chicago as mine)  and i figure, some day i'll be able to say "oh, i was at the celebration when the white sox won the 2005 world series!"  not a opportunity i wanted to miss!  it was crazy... but good times!
then we went to a graduate school fair at UIC... very interesting.  lots and lots of choices for darin... fun stuff.  the future is a scary thing to think about...
saturday i took tests all day - total poo.  that's all i wanna say about that...
sunday we took the cornerstone youth to laserquest!!  i haven't been since my own youth groupin days... i forgot how aggressive it can be!  the first round, our 10 high schoolers (and 4 of us "adults") played with like 50 little boys from some birthday party.  they were intense!  one kid just randomly kicked me!  what the heck?!  screaming "i hate you!  i hate you!" in my face (or as close as he could jump to my face anyway!)  anyhow... it really was fun...
this week is not quite as stressful as last... but it's still up there.  i'll hopefully be finishing my practicum my next tuesday!  my life will be SO much easier!  i cannot wait!
so... how was halloween??  we went and saw SAW 2 last night - great movie!  they're so disturbing and disgusting but yet intriguing to no end!  blows my mind.  seen it?  thoughts???
oh the life of a grad office worker.......

]]> i hate oil http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11059 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11059 Wed, 26 Oct 2005 10:57:21 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/11059 CrAzY life! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10733 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10733 Sat, 22 Oct 2005 08:24:07 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10733 So.  this is the new phusebox, huh?  i haven't really even had a chance ot check it out... very nice!
my life is absolutely insane right now.  but i love it!  awesome awesome things happening!  here's the rundown...



  • YoungLife is great this year - i am lovin it!  God has really given me a peace and stregth for it!  My talk this week went well - thanks for your prayers!  it keeps me really busy tho - i'm gonna try to keep going to campaigners on monday, then there's leader meetings on tuesdays, and club on wednesdays.  not to mention that the past few fridays have been spent up there as well (we do younglife 30 miles away)  it's a lot!  but it's gooood!

  • darin was hired at our church to run the sr high youth group!  so i am his sidekick!  i teach sunday school every week and help him out on sunday nights... it's a blast!  and a great opportunity!  it came out of nowhere but i absolutely love it!  they've never really had a youth group before, so we just made everything up!  it's crazy for me to think that we're doing all that as seniors in college!  definitely a God-thing!

  • i'm pretty far into my practicum at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School.  it was scary to actually teach the other day - i just can't believe that this class of juniors was completely in my hands!  and i'm teaching the sophomores on monday!  it's so fun!  my teacher is great - he has 2 reg eng classes but then he also has journalism, creative writing, and broadcasting!  so i'm learning a lot about putting together a newspaper and how they run their school tv program!  when on earth did i become this adult in the real world??

so that's my crazy life.  that takes up 5 nights a week for sure, sometimes more.  not to mention 18 hours of classes and 10 hours of regular work!  thursdays are reserved for planning the upcoming weekend at church - so that pretty much leaves saturdays!  IF nothing else has overflowed onto them!  the past couple saturdays i went to chicago with darin - my absolute favorite thing to do!  so there's still a little time for careless fun! 
all this to really say that i'm really sorry if i'm not keeping up with you!  i can't even keep up with my friends here on campus!  so don't be afraid to send me an email or call me yourself!  i miss you all!  and love you very much!  i'm coming home *i think* november 11, but it'll just be a short trip!  catch me then!



**4 weeks till ARUBA!!**

]]> So.  this is the new phusebox, huh?  i haven't really even had a chance ot check it out... very nice!
my life is absolutely insane right now.  but i love it!  awesome awesome things happening!  here's the rundown...



  • YoungLife is great this year - i am lovin it!  God has really given me a peace and stregth for it!  My talk this week went well - thanks for your prayers!  it keeps me really busy tho - i'm gonna try to keep going to campaigners on monday, then there's leader meetings on tuesdays, and club on wednesdays.  not to mention that the past few fridays have been spent up there as well (we do younglife 30 miles away)  it's a lot!  but it's gooood!

  • darin was hired at our church to run the sr high youth group!  so i am his sidekick!  i teach sunday school every week and help him out on sunday nights... it's a blast!  and a great opportunity!  it came out of nowhere but i absolutely love it!  they've never really had a youth group before, so we just made everything up!  it's crazy for me to think that we're doing all that as seniors in college!  definitely a God-thing!

  • i'm pretty far into my practicum at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School.  it was scary to actually teach the other day - i just can't believe that this class of juniors was completely in my hands!  and i'm teaching the sophomores on monday!  it's so fun!  my teacher is great - he has 2 reg eng classes but then he also has journalism, creative writing, and broadcasting!  so i'm learning a lot about putting together a newspaper and how they run their school tv program!  when on earth did i become this adult in the real world??

so that's my crazy life.  that takes up 5 nights a week for sure, sometimes more.  not to mention 18 hours of classes and 10 hours of regular work!  thursdays are reserved for planning the upcoming weekend at church - so that pretty much leaves saturdays!  IF nothing else has overflowed onto them!  the past couple saturdays i went to chicago with darin - my absolute favorite thing to do!  so there's still a little time for careless fun! 
all this to really say that i'm really sorry if i'm not keeping up with you!  i can't even keep up with my friends here on campus!  so don't be afraid to send me an email or call me yourself!  i miss you all!  and love you very much!  i'm coming home *i think* november 11, but it'll just be a short trip!  catch me then!



**4 weeks till ARUBA!!**

]]> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10493 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10493 Wed, 19 Oct 2005 15:19:02 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/10493 sooo... tonight... i'm giving "THE TALK" at YoungLife...


so if you see this before 8:15-ish - or i guess at any time - a prayer would be great!

]]> sooo... tonight... i'm giving "THE TALK" at YoungLife...


so if you see this before 8:15-ish - or i guess at any time - a prayer would be great!

]]> i love fall break :) http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9702 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9702 Sun, 09 Oct 2005 20:37:30 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9702 i have recently realized that i have become the biggest wuss of all time. (is that how you spell wuss???) my friends from high school would be so ashamed of me... i would never make it through nashville's haunted prison. how sad. darin, brady, kady, and i went to this haunted apple orchard thingy... and i back out. even cried. BUT, to my credit - i went through a corn maze! do you know what that means?? i am terrified of corn fields. in the light. much less the creppy dark. this was a big deal. so am i really a chicken? not totally. just partially. i'm like artificial chicken i guess.
see ya]]> i have recently realized that i have become the biggest wuss of all time. (is that how you spell wuss???) my friends from high school would be so ashamed of me... i would never make it through nashville's haunted prison. how sad. darin, brady, kady, and i went to this haunted apple orchard thingy... and i back out. even cried. BUT, to my credit - i went through a corn maze! do you know what that means?? i am terrified of corn fields. in the light. much less the creppy dark. this was a big deal. so am i really a chicken? not totally. just partially. i'm like artificial chicken i guess.
see ya]]> spontaneous prayer http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9404 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9404 Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:34:48 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9404 but anyway... that is not what i logged in to say...
tonight i cried. ok. i cry often right now for some reason, but it was a good cry. check this out:
i have been having the hardest time with these two projects for my visual literacy class. it really shouldn't be this difficult, but it's just been unbelievable.
enter - susan bailey.
now, susan and i rarely talk. we occasionally leave each other messages or quick updates on lives, but it's not an every day occurance - not even every week. she hasn't heard about my issues lately. but i had an away msg up about being frustrated with my stupid projects, and when i come home at midnight, this is what i found on my screen:
Dear Lord, please bless Cassie as she works on her projects and give her strength and peace as she finishes them. Thank you for Cassie and the joy she brings to all who know her :-) In Jesus' name, Amen.
that's it. that's all she wrote. and is that not incredible? susan is amazing. that's twice recently that someone has just instantly prayed for me like that and i cannot even explain how awesome that feels! it's a habit i definitely need to pick up.
just wanted to share :)]]> but anyway... that is not what i logged in to say...
tonight i cried. ok. i cry often right now for some reason, but it was a good cry. check this out:
i have been having the hardest time with these two projects for my visual literacy class. it really shouldn't be this difficult, but it's just been unbelievable.
enter - susan bailey.
now, susan and i rarely talk. we occasionally leave each other messages or quick updates on lives, but it's not an every day occurance - not even every week. she hasn't heard about my issues lately. but i had an away msg up about being frustrated with my stupid projects, and when i come home at midnight, this is what i found on my screen:
Dear Lord, please bless Cassie as she works on her projects and give her strength and peace as she finishes them. Thank you for Cassie and the joy she brings to all who know her :-) In Jesus' name, Amen.
that's it. that's all she wrote. and is that not incredible? susan is amazing. that's twice recently that someone has just instantly prayed for me like that and i cannot even explain how awesome that feels! it's a habit i definitely need to pick up.
just wanted to share :)]]> TOUCHDOOOOWN... TI-TANS!!!! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9124 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9124 Sun, 02 Oct 2005 10:55:48 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9124

photo from bouclee
the titans are on tv!!!!!! :) this rarely happens here... just on those lucky days when they play the colts!! i'm not extremely confident in their ability to beat peyton and his crew today (afterall, he's a tennessee original too), but i am still WAY excited about actually getting to watch the game! AND it's in nashville... ahhh... it's like i'm right at home! that just made my day

]]>

photo from bouclee
the titans are on tv!!!!!! :) this rarely happens here... just on those lucky days when they play the colts!! i'm not extremely confident in their ability to beat peyton and his crew today (afterall, he's a tennessee original too), but i am still WAY excited about actually getting to watch the game! AND it's in nashville... ahhh... it's like i'm right at home! that just made my day

]]> it's a birthday! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9050 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9050 Sat, 01 Oct 2005 08:22:22 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/9050 so allison is teaching me to list good things in the morning... when we walk to our terrible 7:40 class together, we try and list the good things about the day... so let's see... it's saturday! that's good enough as it is! i'm going to wear my new jeans that i found last night (in a surprisingly short amount of time)... i already ran today... it's gorgeous outside... my favorite little brother and favorite little brother's girlfriend (and family) are in chicago!... only 6 more days until fall break!... its free weekends!... (?)
ok, i'm not real creative right now. not bad, tho... alright. back to trying to get ahold of my dad!]]> so allison is teaching me to list good things in the morning... when we walk to our terrible 7:40 class together, we try and list the good things about the day... so let's see... it's saturday! that's good enough as it is! i'm going to wear my new jeans that i found last night (in a surprisingly short amount of time)... i already ran today... it's gorgeous outside... my favorite little brother and favorite little brother's girlfriend (and family) are in chicago!... only 6 more days until fall break!... its free weekends!... (?)
ok, i'm not real creative right now. not bad, tho... alright. back to trying to get ahold of my dad!]]> yay for being able to login again!! http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8815 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8815 Wed, 28 Sep 2005 10:55:24 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8815 the parents were here this weekend - it was nice! we went to the museum of science and industry - very cool! my favorite chicago museum so far! and we ate at the FlatTop Grill - which is always fun!
AND! justin and jami are coming tonight!!!! i miss them SO much! i cannot wait!
AND i'm going to see "The Merchant of Venice" at the Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier tonight! i LOVE Olivet's fieldtrips!
Okay... tons to do! to be continued.......]]> the parents were here this weekend - it was nice! we went to the museum of science and industry - very cool! my favorite chicago museum so far! and we ate at the FlatTop Grill - which is always fun!
AND! justin and jami are coming tonight!!!! i miss them SO much! i cannot wait!
AND i'm going to see "The Merchant of Venice" at the Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier tonight! i LOVE Olivet's fieldtrips!
Okay... tons to do! to be continued.......]]> BE FRI http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8177 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8177 Mon, 19 Sep 2005 11:35:47 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8177

photo from bouclee
this is my best friend. and this is why.
she is amazing. seriously. you all should get one.

]]>

photo from bouclee
this is my best friend. and this is why.
she is amazing. seriously. you all should get one.

]]> Lord I want to YEARN http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8013 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8013 Sat, 17 Sep 2005 11:00:44 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/8013 this place in time
that I might seek and find my God
my God

Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord I want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am I fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why I sing

Lord I want to yearn]]> this place in time
that I might seek and find my God
my God

Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord I want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am I fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why I sing

Lord I want to yearn]]> things are getting brighter http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/7235 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/7235 Wed, 07 Sep 2005 10:30:21 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/7235 my roommates gave me flowers! and a sweet card!


photo from bouclee

today in chapel we sang how great is our God... love that song. and then they added the love of God. wow. it hit me, as i was singing how measureless and strong just how strong His love is. that there's nothing i can do - no attitude i have or emotions i feel - that can extinguish that love. nothing. this morning i asked God to meet me today - and He did. darin had sent me these great verses about crying out to God - so i did. i wrote down everything i had been feeling and what i so desperately wanted God to do and He answered through this song. i had this thought - of God's love being like a firm grip on my life - something that i cannot shake. it is powerful, secure, unyielding, intense, fervent. i usually see His love as such a gentle, caring thing. and while it is that, today i realized that it's so much more. that He has a hold of me within that love and that He is not letting me go anywhere. i still feel sort of melancholy. but it sure feels good to be aware of His presence.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song
]]> my roommates gave me flowers! and a sweet card!


photo from bouclee

today in chapel we sang how great is our God... love that song. and then they added the love of God. wow. it hit me, as i was singing how measureless and strong just how strong His love is. that there's nothing i can do - no attitude i have or emotions i feel - that can extinguish that love. nothing. this morning i asked God to meet me today - and He did. darin had sent me these great verses about crying out to God - so i did. i wrote down everything i had been feeling and what i so desperately wanted God to do and He answered through this song. i had this thought - of God's love being like a firm grip on my life - something that i cannot shake. it is powerful, secure, unyielding, intense, fervent. i usually see His love as such a gentle, caring thing. and while it is that, today i realized that it's so much more. that He has a hold of me within that love and that He is not letting me go anywhere. i still feel sort of melancholy. but it sure feels good to be aware of His presence.

Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song
]]> selfishness is the worst http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6888 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6888 Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:27:22 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6888 and as far as prayers go you can add me to that list as well. i don't know what the deal is but i am having the hardest time lately. it is so frustrating. i know that the devil knows my weakest points - and, gosh darnit, if he hasn't hit me the hardest in those areas right now... it's awful. i don't usually ask for encouragement, but if you've got something right now i'd be okay with that. i feel so lost, lonely, unwanted... and i know it's satan. i know it is. i keep getting ahold of that for a little bit, but then i just lose it again. i need to conquer it. but i'm not there yet. it's a completely selfish thing. i know that. and i hate it. but i can't get on top of it.
life is not all bad, though. don't get my wrong. some really awesome things are happening - as always. that just seems to lurk in the back of my mind... and perhaps over my heart... and comes out frequently. for now i have laundry to do. and homework. and i'd like to get my room put together. and it's free weekends, maybe i need to make a few phone calls home... and to OKC of course. and florida. why are my friends so far away??]]> and as far as prayers go you can add me to that list as well. i don't know what the deal is but i am having the hardest time lately. it is so frustrating. i know that the devil knows my weakest points - and, gosh darnit, if he hasn't hit me the hardest in those areas right now... it's awful. i don't usually ask for encouragement, but if you've got something right now i'd be okay with that. i feel so lost, lonely, unwanted... and i know it's satan. i know it is. i keep getting ahold of that for a little bit, but then i just lose it again. i need to conquer it. but i'm not there yet. it's a completely selfish thing. i know that. and i hate it. but i can't get on top of it.
life is not all bad, though. don't get my wrong. some really awesome things are happening - as always. that just seems to lurk in the back of my mind... and perhaps over my heart... and comes out frequently. for now i have laundry to do. and homework. and i'd like to get my room put together. and it's free weekends, maybe i need to make a few phone calls home... and to OKC of course. and florida. why are my friends so far away??]]> home sweet home. http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6190 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6190 Wed, 24 Aug 2005 17:09:02 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/6190 however... if you could pray for my family, that would be great... my great-grandmother (mom's side) is dying - we got the call sunday. she's in her 90's... been very sick for as long as i can remember... so it's really a relief, just a lot of things to take care of and such. my grandma takes care of my grandpa full time so it's hard for her to leave him and take care of her dying mother... especially without feeling bad. soooo... ANYHOW! prayers would be great, thanks!
more on this trip to come.....]]> however... if you could pray for my family, that would be great... my great-grandmother (mom's side) is dying - we got the call sunday. she's in her 90's... been very sick for as long as i can remember... so it's really a relief, just a lot of things to take care of and such. my grandma takes care of my grandpa full time so it's hard for her to leave him and take care of her dying mother... especially without feeling bad. soooo... ANYHOW! prayers would be great, thanks!
more on this trip to come.....]]> the best on the <i>PLANET.</i> http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5562 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5562 Mon, 15 Aug 2005 14:20:52 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5562

photo from bouclee
so. ever since junior year of high school, when i heard about this magical place that was just out of my reach... and then the seniors went there... i've had this dream of the day when my life would be completed, and i would get to go to cedar point. heck yeah i went to "the best theme park on the planet"!! :) and it was awesome. lemme tell you about it...
first of all, it was a gorgeous day. i only got slightly toasted, which is a pretty big feat for me. darin and i went to sandusky with his mom, kady, and brady... and it was a blast! we started with Millenium Force...


photo from bouclee

and i would have to agree. fast, smooth, thrilling... definitely a good one! the newest addition to the largest amusement ride park in the world is maXair...


photo from bouclee

kind of an interesting way to turn your stomach in knots... swingin from a gigantic pendulum while rotating counter-clockwise. 70mph. 140ft. definitely unique. but not quite as unique as the WickedTwister...


photo from bouclee

i dunno if the picture does it justice, but this thing was pretty crazy. also 70mph. with 360 degree vertical twists on each end. you go forwards and backwards... 3 times! the idea is that you get this visual of the sky/ground twisting. it works. very cool. even cooler though???... the DRAGSTER...


photo from bouclee

this thing was nuts. meant to simulate actual drag racing... this thing shot you at 120mph 420ft into the air. if you're lucky enough... your car gets all the way over the top. if not, you fly back down and get catapulted once again. i dunno.. maybe one failed attempt would be lucky. we weren't gonna wait another hour and a half to try again tho! still. a very sweet ride! however! my all-time favorite moment of the day came at a price...


photo from bouclee

the RIPCORD. no, that's not me. i paid for the ride, you think i'd also pay for pictures? but.. yeah! darin, brady and i FLEW! i have always wanted to do one of these! and it was incredibly awesome seriously. made my day. my year. possibly my life ;) no really - it was scary as everything and at one... maybe two points i thought we were gonna die. BUT, we didn't! and i would definitely recommend it. as well as cedar point on the whole. get there. it's awesome.
]]>

photo from bouclee
so. ever since junior year of high school, when i heard about this magical place that was just out of my reach... and then the seniors went there... i've had this dream of the day when my life would be completed, and i would get to go to cedar point. heck yeah i went to "the best theme park on the planet"!! :) and it was awesome. lemme tell you about it...
first of all, it was a gorgeous day. i only got slightly toasted, which is a pretty big feat for me. darin and i went to sandusky with his mom, kady, and brady... and it was a blast! we started with Millenium Force...


photo from bouclee

and i would have to agree. fast, smooth, thrilling... definitely a good one! the newest addition to the largest amusement ride park in the world is maXair...


photo from bouclee

kind of an interesting way to turn your stomach in knots... swingin from a gigantic pendulum while rotating counter-clockwise. 70mph. 140ft. definitely unique. but not quite as unique as the WickedTwister...


photo from bouclee

i dunno if the picture does it justice, but this thing was pretty crazy. also 70mph. with 360 degree vertical twists on each end. you go forwards and backwards... 3 times! the idea is that you get this visual of the sky/ground twisting. it works. very cool. even cooler though???... the DRAGSTER...


photo from bouclee

this thing was nuts. meant to simulate actual drag racing... this thing shot you at 120mph 420ft into the air. if you're lucky enough... your car gets all the way over the top. if not, you fly back down and get catapulted once again. i dunno.. maybe one failed attempt would be lucky. we weren't gonna wait another hour and a half to try again tho! still. a very sweet ride! however! my all-time favorite moment of the day came at a price...


photo from bouclee

the RIPCORD. no, that's not me. i paid for the ride, you think i'd also pay for pictures? but.. yeah! darin, brady and i FLEW! i have always wanted to do one of these! and it was incredibly awesome seriously. made my day. my year. possibly my life ;) no really - it was scary as everything and at one... maybe two points i thought we were gonna die. BUT, we didn't! and i would definitely recommend it. as well as cedar point on the whole. get there. it's awesome.
]]> the incredible shrinking room http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5089 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5089 Tue, 09 Aug 2005 21:16:50 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/5089 CEDAR POINT!!! (waaaay excited. i've been waiting my whole life for this)... coming home late thursday... working friday... then picking up the yl girls to stay with me friday night! so yes, the unpacking must be done now. this place is creepy. no one else lives out here - i am not a fan. twice now i have heard loud thuds/crashes... but there's NO ONE ELSE HERE!!! what the heck.
so yeah. the next few days are exciting! saturday i'm sure i'll have lots of catching up with life to do. and sunday carla and lashlee are coming!!!!!!!!! they stay till thursday when darin and i travel back with them to tennessee! :) where we will stay until we leave the next saturday to pick up his sister, kady, in michigan before heading back to school!.......
follow that? holycow. life is insane. great! but insane!
back to hanging clothes and stuffing corners. this room is tiny....]]> CEDAR POINT!!! (waaaay excited. i've been waiting my whole life for this)... coming home late thursday... working friday... then picking up the yl girls to stay with me friday night! so yes, the unpacking must be done now. this place is creepy. no one else lives out here - i am not a fan. twice now i have heard loud thuds/crashes... but there's NO ONE ELSE HERE!!! what the heck.
so yeah. the next few days are exciting! saturday i'm sure i'll have lots of catching up with life to do. and sunday carla and lashlee are coming!!!!!!!!! they stay till thursday when darin and i travel back with them to tennessee! :) where we will stay until we leave the next saturday to pick up his sister, kady, in michigan before heading back to school!.......
follow that? holycow. life is insane. great! but insane!
back to hanging clothes and stuffing corners. this room is tiny....]]> never a good image. http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4916 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4916 Mon, 08 Aug 2005 10:35:24 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4916

photo from bouclee

ohmygosh. mom. i gotta go. [click]
excuse me, miss, do you know how fast you were going?
[shaking ridiculously] no, sir, i have no idea
well, i clocked you going over 20 over
um. okay. [still shaking, and in disbelief]
are you okay? can you take a deep breath for me? i need you to calm down
no, i'm okay. i really had no idea i was going that fast. are you sure?
yes. i see you have tennessee plates. what brings you here?
oh. i go to olivet.
oh. you like it?
yes sir.
i also saw you were talking on your cell phone. it's a new law that under 18 can't do that. but i guess olivet makes you older than that. so i just wanted to check. be careful on those things though
yes sir.
well, miss, i'm going to need to see your license and insurance card. have you had any written warnings or tickets recently?
oh yes. [shaking so badly i can't even get my insurance card out of my wallet.]
i figured as much. okay. here, let me help you with that. it'll be okay. let me just go back here and check on a few things.
HOURS LATER, now in tears...
well, what brought you to onu, cassie?
um. i wanted to go to a christian school. my parents and brother went here.
what's your major?
english education.
high school, huh? interested in youth ministry?
yes sir. i even took a couple classes. just for the knowledge.
you like christian music?
yes sir. expecially worship.
did you go to shinefest?
no sir. i was actually out of town.
oh. well, you should have gone. i took my wife and son and it was great. if i told you that i wouldn't give you a ticket would you promise to go next year?
what? really?
no, just kidding. but you really should go.
okay.
do you think you deserve a ticket today, cassie?
of course. i really didn't think i was going that fast, but i was still breaking the law either way. i deserve one. i just REALLY don't want one.
well, i really don't want to give you one. i see the shape you're in and feel kinda bad for you. but listen, see that subdivision over there? that's where i live. so my wife and son could pull out of there at any time. will you slow down for their sake?
oh yes sir. i'm so sorry.
good. it's okay. and i'm gonna let you go today. you can start breathing now. it was good to meet you. good luck with teaching high school. and keep God first.

whew. God takes care of me. and sometimes in ridiculous ways. wow. :)]]>

photo from bouclee

ohmygosh. mom. i gotta go. [click]
excuse me, miss, do you know how fast you were going?
[shaking ridiculously] no, sir, i have no idea
well, i clocked you going over 20 over
um. okay. [still shaking, and in disbelief]
are you okay? can you take a deep breath for me? i need you to calm down
no, i'm okay. i really had no idea i was going that fast. are you sure?
yes. i see you have tennessee plates. what brings you here?
oh. i go to olivet.
oh. you like it?
yes sir.
i also saw you were talking on your cell phone. it's a new law that under 18 can't do that. but i guess olivet makes you older than that. so i just wanted to check. be careful on those things though
yes sir.
well, miss, i'm going to need to see your license and insurance card. have you had any written warnings or tickets recently?
oh yes. [shaking so badly i can't even get my insurance card out of my wallet.]
i figured as much. okay. here, let me help you with that. it'll be okay. let me just go back here and check on a few things.
HOURS LATER, now in tears...
well, what brought you to onu, cassie?
um. i wanted to go to a christian school. my parents and brother went here.
what's your major?
english education.
high school, huh? interested in youth ministry?
yes sir. i even took a couple classes. just for the knowledge.
you like christian music?
yes sir. expecially worship.
did you go to shinefest?
no sir. i was actually out of town.
oh. well, you should have gone. i took my wife and son and it was great. if i told you that i wouldn't give you a ticket would you promise to go next year?
what? really?
no, just kidding. but you really should go.
okay.
do you think you deserve a ticket today, cassie?
of course. i really didn't think i was going that fast, but i was still breaking the law either way. i deserve one. i just REALLY don't want one.
well, i really don't want to give you one. i see the shape you're in and feel kinda bad for you. but listen, see that subdivision over there? that's where i live. so my wife and son could pull out of there at any time. will you slow down for their sake?
oh yes sir. i'm so sorry.
good. it's okay. and i'm gonna let you go today. you can start breathing now. it was good to meet you. good luck with teaching high school. and keep God first.

whew. God takes care of me. and sometimes in ridiculous ways. wow. :)]]> calm yourself. http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4802 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4802 Sat, 06 Aug 2005 23:58:59 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4802
for now, here is a picture for your enjoyment. or maybe just mine. introducing...

*AUBREE*



photo from bouclee

(giant beans, right??)

]]>
for now, here is a picture for your enjoyment. or maybe just mine. introducing...

*AUBREE*



photo from bouclee

(giant beans, right??)

]]> aubree the poetic genius http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4012 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4012 Thu, 28 Jul 2005 15:49:33 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/4012 heather and i are driving to tennessee tonight and i am EXCITED! (though quite disappointed that aubree is refusing to come)...
my shoulders are peeling in a really strange way. i'd like to take a picture, but nothing around me has that ability, so just imagine.. i dunno... a very freckle-ly child (say, me when i was younger).. except all those freckles are white. ok, this is a bad visual. it's weird, that's all i'm saying.
my summer friend, aubree, writes these amazing poems that generally describe our time at work. you should check them out here
they'll make your day. leave her a comment. tell her to switch to phusebox. make poetic requests. whatever. just read it and laugh. and have a fantastic friday!! :)
oh! AND! pray that i don't get a speeding ticket tonight... dad sent me a warning... looks like tennessee troopers are crackin down. and i thought it was bad before...!]]> heather and i are driving to tennessee tonight and i am EXCITED! (though quite disappointed that aubree is refusing to come)...
my shoulders are peeling in a really strange way. i'd like to take a picture, but nothing around me has that ability, so just imagine.. i dunno... a very freckle-ly child (say, me when i was younger).. except all those freckles are white. ok, this is a bad visual. it's weird, that's all i'm saying.
my summer friend, aubree, writes these amazing poems that generally describe our time at work. you should check them out here
they'll make your day. leave her a comment. tell her to switch to phusebox. make poetic requests. whatever. just read it and laugh. and have a fantastic friday!! :)
oh! AND! pray that i don't get a speeding ticket tonight... dad sent me a warning... looks like tennessee troopers are crackin down. and i thought it was bad before...!]]> working girls http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3865 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3865 Tue, 26 Jul 2005 13:55:16 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3865 besides. i LOVE the girls here. so it's worth it. tell you what - God knows exactly what you need and when you need it. this summer has been amazing. and after this spring, it was so desperately needed. yet i did nothing to deserve it. this is the "Father" image of God for me. ultimate provider. i don't necessarily need these girls to survive... but what an amazingly gracious gift! kelly informed us today that this may be her last day. i'm not real thrilled. but she gets to leave and do super fun things, so i'm happy for her. :) it's a good feeling to be disappointed that someone's not going to be around. well, kinda. you know what i mean]]> besides. i LOVE the girls here. so it's worth it. tell you what - God knows exactly what you need and when you need it. this summer has been amazing. and after this spring, it was so desperately needed. yet i did nothing to deserve it. this is the "Father" image of God for me. ultimate provider. i don't necessarily need these girls to survive... but what an amazingly gracious gift! kelly informed us today that this may be her last day. i'm not real thrilled. but she gets to leave and do super fun things, so i'm happy for her. :) it's a good feeling to be disappointed that someone's not going to be around. well, kinda. you know what i mean]]> "Lance" does not = Armstrong! (cuz he's a bad man.) http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3818 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3818 Mon, 25 Jul 2005 20:55:29 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3818 tall, handsome, former college basketball player, harvard grad, missionary, and single at 31 --- lance archibald. and his friends (aka -"Team DateLance") are out to "save" him... check this out:
www.datelance.com
they've even purchased billboards. i've got a boyfriend, so i'm gonna have to pass. but i thought i'd get this out there for any of you who are looking to join leah and heather soon. (cough::carla::)
tonight was more fun with aubree and heather... up in orland... i stepped out on a limb and bought some interesting new shoes which will debut at sarah's wedding this weekend. and we ate chipotle! mmm...
speaking of sarah's wedding - i'll be home this weekend!! :) can't wait for country music, sweet tea, and hills. not to mention family and long lost friends! ahhh... i love it!
it's a hundred degrees here. seriously - this weekend it broke 100... i can't imagine what it feels like at home! last night the toothpaste was just melting off the windows...
]]> tall, handsome, former college basketball player, harvard grad, missionary, and single at 31 --- lance archibald. and his friends (aka -"Team DateLance") are out to "save" him... check this out:
www.datelance.com
they've even purchased billboards. i've got a boyfriend, so i'm gonna have to pass. but i thought i'd get this out there for any of you who are looking to join leah and heather soon. (cough::carla::)
tonight was more fun with aubree and heather... up in orland... i stepped out on a limb and bought some interesting new shoes which will debut at sarah's wedding this weekend. and we ate chipotle! mmm...
speaking of sarah's wedding - i'll be home this weekend!! :) can't wait for country music, sweet tea, and hills. not to mention family and long lost friends! ahhh... i love it!
it's a hundred degrees here. seriously - this weekend it broke 100... i can't imagine what it feels like at home! last night the toothpaste was just melting off the windows...
]]> shout it from the rooftop... http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3752 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3752 Sun, 24 Jul 2005 21:22:01 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3752
HEATHER'S ENGAGED!!!!!

]]>
HEATHER'S ENGAGED!!!!!

]]> watch out for the overwhelming positivity. http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3694 http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3694 Sat, 23 Jul 2005 20:42:35 -0500 Cassie http://phusebox.net/user/bouclee/thoughts/view/3694 anyhow - my #1 on my top ten was this: "LEAH'S ENGAGED!!!!" so i wanted to still get that out there. exciting!!! now you'll have to beg for the rest.
a few things bothering me tonite:
#1 - i suddenly rece