Wake-Up Call

-- My father was rushed into emergency this mornin, I had a wake-up call. You know we get so caught up in all the commercial things and what are we gunna get outta Christmas. Really? My wake-up call showed me that we need to be thankful for what we already have! God blessed us with a family that is beyond beautiful! On the way to the hospital all I kept sayin is I cant lose my father, I cant lose my father. After many hours in the hospital we were thankful to hear that he only has a viral infection in the chest area... I dont know how to explain it, but thank God that he did not have a heart attack or a stroke or anything more serious. Yes he may be in pain, but he is home! God is good.
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*It Is Well With My Soul*
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We get so caught up in the commercial things, but look at the word Christmas. Christ-Mas . We have forgotten all about the true meanin of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.
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Great Commandment- Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)

• 'You must love the Lord your God with all your hear, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Great Compassion- Matthew 25:44-45 (NLT)

• The they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?' And he will answer, 'I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

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-Us not helpin out the poor or helpin out someone who asks kindly and you are free, you are refusin to help the Lord our God.
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Great Commission- Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)

• Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the new commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jesus Christ came to the earth for us to know these things, to show these things and to do these things.

• You can pray
• You can give
• You can go

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I want to tell you one story.
-- Our Church's Children Ministry Leader went out just this past weekend to go get a nativity scene for the kids room, so that she could show them a model of Jesus Christ in a manger. She went all over the place and she decided well I'm gunna go to the Bay the Bay never lets me down. She went to the Christmas section she couldn't find one. So she went and found one of the ladies and asked her to you guys have a nativity scene? The lady looked at her and said what is that? Our Ministry Leader tried explainin it to her and she is like how do you spell that? ... She was goin to look it up in the computer.
-- You know there is one good example of how we are tryin to preach the word of God everywhere else except locally. This is what we were sent here to do. These people need to know who this wonderful creator is, the one who created their beautiful faces, the gorgeous flowers that bloom in the summer time, that created every single creature, the creator of the Universe! Someone along the way helped us. Now it's our turn to help someone else.
-- Have you realized that a Christmas gift can just be someone who gets saved by the Lord? Gifts mean nothin. Family means everythin! Wake-Up! It's our wake-up call. Just open those gorgeous eyes and see that you aren't in need for that new jacket, new pants, iPad, etc. some of those people don't have a shelter, clothing, shoes, food or even someone to love them. We can be that one.
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*To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world*
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Merry Christmas,
Cassandra Falun

New

Was at youth today and broke down and couldn't stop cryin my friend heard me out. She has gone through so much more than me her bro has been in jail her parents are drunks... she was so strong. She said to me, "You are strong, I know that you aren't lost you just think you are, you're makin yourself weak and that happy you is still inside you." This is my last year to tend youth and another youth member came up to me and told me, " You better be a leader next year! You're my favorite!"
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That smile that I put on my face that I feel like I just put on for show, its helped me realize that it's me not givin up. Even through the struggles I saw positives today and had people just come to me and say I just have a feeling to pray for you. Thanks for your prayers.
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With Love,
Cassandra Falun

Battlefield

~You have to go through the storm before you see the rainbow~

I love this quote because it’s so true, sometimes the storm is just harder than you think it will be.

See this is stuff that goes through my mind no matter what I say or my opinion on things is nobody tends to listen, so I never have talked to my parents ‘bout the majority of this.

It seems like a never endin battle. I don't know where to go anymore. I get told “Ask God! Ask God!” I ask questions, but I get sent back to square one every time I am even close to succeedin. I struggle a lot, I almost wish I could have found Jesus on my own and not grown up knowin him... because I question was it me that made a decision to be a Christian or is it just a habit because I am followin what I grew up knowin.

I have examined myself and realized I don't really act like a Christian I know its because I feel like I have just been followin someone else footsteps and not takin my own. So, I am tryin to figure my life out... the story goes on.

"I thought I would never question everything that I know, never thought I would have trouble findin my way back to you. Well I have searched and I have found that there is nowhere to run to, there is nothin to hold onto there is nothin I can do..." --Amanda Falk

I am in a never endin battle, but I am still here and still standin. I am tryin, just sometimes I don't know where to start. My life is a mess.

I went away one weekend to my gf's place (one of my friends who just had a baby girl), well I consider her family; my second family. Her five year old boy (I have been there since he was born) ran into my arms and told me he loved me and that I was the best in the whole wide world. I just wanted to cry. I didn't though ‘cause I didn't want him to ask me what was wrong. I feel so invisible out here. I feel like my parents just had me as a child to be a slave... I don’t feel appreciated. I do something for them, they don’t say anythin except ask who did it then they go into the kitchen... oh Cassandra supper isn’t made! Well how many times do I pay for your suppers how many times have I made you supper how many times have I bought groceries, where is Brandon he can pull out a cook book. Plus I had to pay my school fees because my parents can’t afford everything. I never get recognized. Invisible. I rarely get told "I love you Cassandra for you!" or "Thank you! I appreciate that"... unless I tell them I love them. But I don’t wanna say it anymore. I am done. I have no money saved up... I help my rents out more than anything. My brother he has loads of money saved... who gets noticed? him. I am just used. That’s how I feel anyways.

My brother treats me like I am a piece of crap. He makes fun of my disability and won’t help me out unless my parents make him. The worst thing is, is that he imitates it. He thinks he can tell me what to do. He yells at me, says I am worthless makes me feel like I am the tiniest thing on the face of the planet earth! He blames me for getting epilepsy and blames me for things he did wrong. He is 18. You know how hard that is to hear that from an older siblin that you have looked up to since you were little? It is the hardest thing you could ever imagine. But, yet when that semi hit him and I realized I could have lost him that day... I realized how much I still loved and cared bout him.

You know my medical stuff it is sooo stressful!!! I am in and out of the hospital all of the time!! I am sick and tired of it! I will be for the rest of my life. I hate doctors, there might be somethin combined with my epilepsy that is why they can’t get rid of all the symptoms and I am the one takin all this crap. I have to prick my finger 4 times a day. I am the one who is depressed all the time. I am the one who has to try and keep my life together. I am the one. I am the one. I am the one! I am tired of my parents naggin voices oh this will help and all this stuff. I just wish they could walk a million miles in my shoes and take all the meds I have taken and see how hard it is... especially my Dad who hates doctors and has never seen a doctor/dentist/nothin since he left home.

School. I know this semester is easy for me because I only have 3 classes but it is still hard! I am always drug down. The guy that led me on and screwed me over in the long run still likes me but is datin chicks to try and make me jealous. Ya I like him but I am sorry he is a player, I am not gunna date a guy that is gunna waste my time. Sports season is the only thing I look forward to. All the sports I can play and the sports I love to watch on TV. But still I am soooo confused! My life is a puzzle and the pieces dont fit together. I cant be like Patrick on Sponge Bob Square Pants and glue em together. The lies, the back stabbin, etc. I know will never end... it will prepare me for the real world but I hit the real world at 14, its called reality. I get judged for who I am, I want them to walk in my shoes and they can see how strong I have been to get this far. I have no friends out here... no literally.

I feel so invisible. I always have to say somethin to be noticed. I never get asked to hang out, because I don't really have anyone. You know I tried to commit suicide when I was younger... and that I also slit my wrists?! I thought it would take everything away! It can’t. You know if I really wanted to be dead right now all I would have to do is refuse to take my medication for several days. It’s that easy. But, when you always take the easy route you miss the adventures of the hard route. I know that even though I am strugglin in my faith God has a purpose for me.

I want a different school I want a different place to live I want a different life! I look at everyone else and their lives are fine, their dreams are comin true, they have everythin I have ever wanted. I am stuck with everythin. I had to get the braces; I had to get the glasses/ now I have cateracs and need surgery; I had to get the epilepsy; I had to get the joys of no friends; I am not allowed to have a drivers (at the moment); I got physically/mentally/emotionally abused; etc... its me me and me again. I have come to the conclusion that my brother is perfect. He has nothin to worry about he can fly thru and go ahead with his future plans as for me... I can't go anywhere without a drivers and coverage on my medical supplies. Without a medical plan it costs around $1000/month. It blows my mind. I live with the pain everyday wonderin and thinkin am I gunna die today?!

Love,

Cassandra Falun

Complications

--I am very sorry that I have not written in a very long time. I have been struggling a lot in my own life with my health and even with my faith. I don't think it is right of me to write something on my blog when there are times I doubt it at the moment. I still call myself a Christian, just have a big struggle. I am still having troubles with my family, I feel like I am slipping away from them. There are many things that are just not in the right place, but life isn't supposed to be easy. I know God has a plan for me it is just hard for me to see I guess. I am just going into grade 12 and I am really hoping that none of this will get in way of my school work and keep my head in the game. Prayers would be greatly appreciated.
--As for all of you I am hoping all is going well. This long weekend is nice to just get away from everything. Wishing you all the best and remember you guys are all beautiful inside and out!!

----Love Always and Forever----
-------Cassandra Falun <3-------

The Lake!!!

I get it all from my father what else can I say?! I ain't weird... I am just not normal haha
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Here are some tubing pictures! The best part... but you definitely feel the pain the next day :D but still... don't regret one moment!
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My friends and brother on the tube! My brother such a show of... and right after that he falls off lol too funny but a blast.
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My friends mom and I on the tube ya!!!
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We had went to the lake with some friends that came to visit us for the weekend so we had a blast all weekend do all different things and we only went to the lake for the day. - -
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I also have been going through some more medical things have had more seizures and have been working a lot and actually taking my first!!!! holiday this week... like actually this is my first holiday of the whole summer officially. So I am super excited to go to the lake for 5 days to get away and hopefully just clear my mind. Hoping and wishing you guys all the best in your guys summer, really have been hopin its been great because you guys deserve the best! God created you and no matter the circumstances you're in he loves you and you are beautiful!
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----Cassandra Falun
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I Wonder

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Do people take the time to see

Who I really wanna be

Or are they too busy looking on e-bay

They never listen to what I say

Looking for something new

Until they see me sitting at a pew

As I was praying I began to cry

The funny part is they proceeded to walk by

As I continued to pray

I wondered and I wondered what to say

Or how much to pay

To see if God would be my hero some day.

*

Do everything for the better of the world.

Make a difference in your life and in others.

If it is to be,

It is up to you and me.

Are you the difference?

*

- - Cassandra Falun

** Written in January of 2010

She Was Precious, She Was A Gem

*

There once was a little girl

So cute with her lovely blonde curls

She loved to laugh and play

People just didn’t know what to say

She was precious, she was a gem

But she just couldn’t please them

She felt useless

People were so clueless

This little girl has been hurting deep inside.

*

School came along

She dreamed for friends, but she knew she didn’t belong

A girl so precious was bugged and teased

There she sat very unpleased

She was bullied and abused

And soon developed a very short fuse

As she wished time would go by

Or even wished she could fly

She was hurting deep inside.

*

That hurt deep inside

She bottled it up and attached it to her side

As she grew

The more she knew

She was all alone

In fact this young woman had no one to phone

She remembered when she was seven

But here she stands in grade eleven

She had her morals and knew where she stood

She always wondered if she would

Or even could

Remember who she really was.

*

- - Cassandra Falun

** Written in January of 2010

Persistence

• When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the swame message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their kind and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together.” I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, their hands will get too weak for the work and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. ~ Nehemiah 6:1-16

**When the going gets tough, what motivates you to keep going? Although vicious enemies continually interrupted Nehemiah and the people of Israel, they persevered and completed the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem in just 52 days. (Crazy construction schedule) What obstacles are you facing these days? An enemy who’s trying to discourage you? A task that seems impossibly big? Don’t let the size of the task daunt you. If youre a believer, you’ve got a built-in Perseverance Coach, the Holy Spirit, who helps you to keep moving on. Keep it up!

Bits and Pieces

Some people think Christianity is just a straight-laced, guilt-trip religion. False! Knowing Jesus brings joy and strength to each day. Do you celebrate your faith or always keep a poker face?

• Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, “This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law. Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our LORD. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is our strength.” The Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve.” Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them. ~Nehemiah 8:9-12

Love Always and Forever,

Cassandra Falun

Genuine- Speech

• Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all people. ~ 1 Chronicles 16:23-24

They say that we as people use thousands of words every day. Wow! Now, let’s say you could calculate how you spent those. How many words a day do you think would relate to clothes, fashion, friends or sports? Or the latest on your favorite TV show or that new Blockbuster movie? Or that scoop on who-did-what-with-who last weekend? How would words relating to God and what He’s done in your life stack up in your tally? Do you regularly “proclaim his salvation” and “declare his glory”? As you go through your day chatting away, what part does God play in your conversation?

Love Always and Forever,

Cassandra Falun

Bits and Pieces

• He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:29-31

Need an energy boost? When you’re feeling worn out and beaten down, come

to me. I will refresh you so that you can walk, run, even soar with renewed strength!

--Your Hope and Strength, Your LORD God Almighty

Love

• Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth for his love, it would be utterly scorned. ~Song of Songs 8:6-7

We tend to throw the word “love” around a lot. I love chocolate. I love your new jeans. I’d love to hang out. We use it so often we tend to forget what it really means. Solomon says that real love is so strong it can’t be killed. It’s like a fire that can’t be quenched. And it can’t be bought, for it is priceless. Have you ever wondered if you were “in love” with a guy? Because true love lasts forever, it will stand the test of time. Don’t confuse love with something else.

Love Always and Forever, Cassandra Falun

Bits and Pieces

God is a workman. Shakespeare was a workman. I am a workman and hopefully you are too. There is nothing better than being a workman. Following in God’s steps is the only way you can achieve life.

Wake Up

You know when you have that feeling like you are all alone?
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You know when you have that feeling your life is pointless?
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You know when you have that feeling like no one cares?
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You know when you have that feeling like no one can save you?
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You know when you have that feeling like no one loves you?
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I feel all those things and I try to make myself busy... then I started realizing I am just trying to bury and forget all that is happening when I need to get a hold of myself and say that everything is ok because my heavenly Father can save me. He died for me. Just with the reality that I hit at an early age I just feel so young to be going through all of this.
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Had another seizure today. My parents found me on my back and I was so thankful that I had a orthodontist appointment this morning otherwise my parents wouldn't have been home. God has a purpose and I know he is just trying to wake me up and tell me to listen.
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Thanks for all your positive comments and prayers. Love you all.

Luv Always and Forever,
Cassandra Falun <3 -xo-

Sorry

I haven't written in a real long time. I have had more medical stuff go on... Uncle died... more than enough on my plate. I have a little to share because I did go to YC (Youth Conference) in Edmonton. Some people have come to me to share what I think of their situations, the encouragement I give them and they are surprised of what I say. YC had a lot of impact on me. I have noticed the one line that I loved came to me for a very good reason. "God is the only supplier of peace!" I have had three people come to me and share their stories and they wanted my advice and that is what I said. "God is the only supplier of peace!" You have to believe in yourself and you will see and realize that God has been there all the time. There is no other way, God is the way.
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--I will try and write more often now that I have a hold of my life :D. Remember that you are God's creation and you are all beautiful!
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Love Always and Forever,
Cassandra Falun

"We Will Cut Off Your Feet" (Jesus Freaks)

Milon G.

Bangladesh

1996

• The angry crowd yelled after the lone bicyclist, “If we see you again, we will cut off your feet. Then see if you can ride your bike!”
• This was not the first time Milon G. had been threatened by angry crowds of Muslims. But such threats have not quenched his zeal to take the truth of God’s Word to his countrymen.
• “I ride to the villages on my bicycle and carry Christian literature. In the rains, I hold an umbrella in on hand and steer with the other. I often fall down and get muddy and scratched. At night, I hold a flashlight. I sing from the Psalms when I ride. The Christians I meet do not have an extra blanket for me, so I try to make it back home to sleep.”
• Milon was a teenager when a friend gave him some gospel booklets. “I hid them in a steel trunk in my bedroom. At night I would get my key, open the trunk, and read with a kerosene lamp. Having studied in a Muslim fundamental school for twelve years, I had known about Jesus as mentioned in the Koran, but I didn’t know Him as Saviour. I accepted Jesus in 1992 and was baptized secretly 400 kilometres from my home.”
• Ever since then, Milon has been persecuted Muslims. “I sold clothing in the local market and began placing some Christian books in my shop for other Christians. When Muslim men learned of this, they walk into my shop and just take shirts, pants, and socks from the shelf without paying for them. If I asked for money they threatened to beat me. Anytime someone is interested in the booklets, I give them one.”
• Milon says, “We are going through many problems, but still we have Jesus Christ. We have peace through Him, and we have the hope that when we die we will go to heaven.”

Bits and Pieces

We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Out only power and success come from God. He is the one who has enables us to represent his new covenant.

• Paul the Apostle
• Martyred in Rome, 65 AD
• (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NLT)

Love Always and Forever,

Cassandra Falun