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to Living the Chronic Illness Life!

@officialcassiemnolin

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“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ You know those days. Those days when your judgement seems clouded and you’ve lost control. Those days when nothing goes right and you’re body fights you… and you don’t even know how to fight it or even start to beat it. Well today is one of those days. One of those days where you don’t know whether to scream, cry, or panic so you don’t do anything of those and just sit in silence. Today is one of those days⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ I know not all days will be like this one. I know that tomorrow is a new day, a new chance for growth, progress, patience, and well being. I know that how I am feeling will pass, and that tomorrow I will shake this off and get my butt in gear. Today is just not that day- and that is okay. If you are having one of those days- that’s okay⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ Chronic illnesses test us and those around us in many different ways, this is one of those ways. This is the reality of having a chronic illness. It’s not an everyday reality, it’s not the universal reality, but it is one of the many aspects of dealing with or loving someone with a chronic illness. Do I know for sure that tomorrow will be better- no, but I do know that tomorrow is a fresh start. I brand new opportunity to practice patience and to refrain from self pity and bickering with your loved one. This life is hard, but we have to use that spare spoon in our back pocket on days like today, that’s what it’s there for⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ What I have learned about days like today is that sometimes God is even more present than I could have imagined when I welcome Him into the brokenness. I used to feel like I needed to “leave Him out of these days” or that even if I invited Him in “He wouldn’t want to be apart of it.” Thank goodness that’s not true. He has always stepped into my hurt and gave me peace to stay still. If today isn’t your day that’s okay, fighting sometimes looks like being still, because we know that He is fighting for us. Take today for what it is, He won’t let it go to waste⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #dailydevotional #bestill #livingthechronicillnesslife⠀ ⠀ ⠀

“For I have given REST to the weary and JOY to the sorrowing.” Jeremiah‬ ‭31:25‬ ‭NLT‬‬⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ Today God gave me REST through the JOY of Foxy. She cuddled (with no force on my part at all) for 35 minutes... 35 MINUTES FRIENDS!!!! This is a huge achievement, and the greatest blessing. Even though the fact that she sleeps with her eyes open 60% of the time still freaks me out lol⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ These frequent full dislocations are killing me. But I am so grateful for all those who have been able to help me out while Jared is working. A special thank you to my mom who has spent the day with me and brought Foxy (and is still proving that even when I nap she will always be my “Instagram photographer.”) ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ Just because those with EDS have dislocations and subluxations all the time does NOT mean that we don’t need to rest and heal after each one (especially a full one) so if you are like me on the couch, allowing your body to heal, but sick of resting, try to hold onto the hope that His joy will shine through in our lives when look for the rays... and who knows it might come in dog cuddles 🐾☀️🌈⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #rest #heal #livingthechronicillnesslife

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ Every setback prepares you for your comeback, but man, it is hard to come-back again, and again, and again. We do not always get to decide when our success comes, and no matter how hard we try there will be setbacks⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ If I could talk to my younger self, after being setback, here is what I would say:⠀ .⠀ ⠀ 1. Allow yourself to be upset, you can not move on from something you have not processed⠀ .⠀ ⠀ 2. Take a small breath or break before jumping back up. This small breath can be as long as you need: a day, a week, a month- it does not matter! You define your break. What matters is that you are mentally ready to get back up⠀ .⠀ ⠀ 3. Plan. Make a plan before you jump up to put out fires or you will risk burning out. The best plans are SMART plans (if you don’t already use this planning strategy you should google it- it will change your life!)⠀ .⠀ ⠀ 4. Know that plans change and be open to that change⠀ .⠀ ⠀ 5. Keep on hustlin’ because you will find success even if you get to Plan Z and it does not turn out the way you planned- you will get there and start Plan AA. Trust me. If I can- you can⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #comeback #comebackqueen #livingthechronicillnesslife

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ So grateful to get away and spend some time with family this weekend 💛⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #familyinlove #secondchristmas #livingthechronicillnesslife Update: Cassie had a knee dislocation this mid-evening it has been reduced since getting home. Prayers would be appreciated

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ Some seasons are slow and sluggish where it feels like I’m never going to move past where I am and then there are others that are bold and bright and busy and they just fly by⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Having a full schedule made me feel so full and accomplished and successful but where do you go from there when you don’t have that busy full schedule anymore? Is life over? Do you not matter as much? Are you less than?⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ These are all questions I have asked myself over the past 10 years. What I have learned is that He designed a full life for all of us, even those of us with a broken body. It may not be “full” of even remotely the same things as before, but in that I realized that in this life and new season I have more time for Him and when He is the center my life is full⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ So no matter what season you are in (whether you chose it or not) I hope you make this a season of growth⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ ⠀ If you want to hear more about this head to the Chronically Cultivating Podcast Episode 3: you don’t need a full schedule to live a full life⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ ⠀ #growth #chronicallycultivating #livingthechronicillnesslife⠀

So I want to let you in on a little secret.... I didn’t have my #powersheets or January tending list ready on the 1st . . . I could have just given up and decided that because it wasn’t done on the first that I should just try again next year, but that would be so WASTEFUL! This year for the first time I truly came to understand the truth that Cultivate preaches which is that there is NOTHING magical about January 1st. It’s just the first day of the year, but what matters is how I spend the whole year collectively not just the first! . . . I want to give you an inside look at my powersheets, my word of the year, 2020 goals, and I even show you how I set up one of my action pages. So check it out! Link is in my bio under latest blog post!! . . . Don’t have you powersheets yet? Well use the code HAPPYNEWYEAR to get 15% off a set of your own 2020 powersheets- it’s not too late! But warned though, once they sell out of the 1 year powersheets they will not be restocked for the year . . . #2020goals #cultivatewhatmatters #livingthechronicillnesslife

|| I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people. Ephesians 1:18 || . . . For the first time in 13ish years, I got a new Bible. My former Bible has been cherished, but there are so many highlights and notes I can’t add anymore, that was when I knew it was time . . . For months I researched what Bible I wanted and fell in love with this NLT Journaling Bible. I am trying out using highlighters as a color coding system (but nothing crazy intense I am doing it in a very simple way- baby steps!) I asked my dad to dedicate my Bible to me, and after He, Jared, and my Mom all prayed over my Bible. More than that though they prayed that my heart and ears would be open to all He has to say to me, to teach me, and to grow me. It was easily one of the most sacred experiences I have ever had and I will always cherish it- I am so blessed to have them in my life and willing to pray over me and my transition into ministry . . . I have never read the Bible in a year in a canonical fashion (yes that’s a real word I only learned it recently and it means reading from front to back, not chronologically which is reading the Bible in historical order.) I am excited to listen to Him and take notes on everything (if you want to see my plan for the year you can find it in my story or the Bible Study highlight) . . . How can I pray for you in this new year? Please drop a comment below and if you want prayer over something you don’t want everyone to see feel free to DM me for it to be kept private . 🙏🏻 #newbible #bibleinayear #livingthechronicillnesslife . 💛 Also the Bible tabs are from @cultivatewhatmatters and they are BEAUTIFUL. you can find the link to their shop (with 25% off today) in my bio!

Happy New Year! 🎉 Today’s victory was standing (thanks to my lovely husband for supporting me) to get this photo/video 🎉 Let this be a year of growth and joy! 🎉 #2020 #happynewyear #livingthechronicillnesslife

2019 has held so much good while definitely challenging, God has proven to be so faithful. It was hard to pick out only 9 of my favorite memories so here they are in NO specific order. Please SWIPE right to see my little snippets from each memory ✨ . #thanks2019 #cheersto2020 #livingthechronicillnesslife . PS: saying today has not been a good day would be the biggest understatement ever. Because of this I ask for your prayers as we navigate some unexpected uncertainty and unforeseen pain in regards to my health. Thank you for respecting the privacy of myself and my family during this time.

|| Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful IN all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus . 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 || Recovery in any capacity is never easy and definitely is NOT all smiles, but having my brother here while Jared is at work for a couple days is such a blessing and a joy . Many Christians like to use 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to encourage others, normally with very good intentions, while unknowingly using it as a positivity prescription or a quick fix to our struggles. Sometimes even the best intentions can become invalidating. This verse used to confuse me and made wonder if even God was invalidating me. Friends thankfully that is not even close to the truth . He understands EVERYTHING. I have been reading through the New Testament, and am in awe of just how much He went through while He was on earth and all He understands . These verses speak to the balance of joy and pain. He doesn’t say we need to be joyful and steady in prayer FOR all circumstances but IN all circumstances. Whether we are in the highs or the lows of life we need to choose joy, pray just as hard in the good and bad, and be thankful IN the circumstances He has asked us to experience . We don’t know what the results will be from yesterday. I am scared but I also know that it’s out of my hands and into His, which is the best place for any uncertainty to be . And I am so grateful that while Jared is working Stephen is able to be here with me. Disney+ has served us well today and probably will tomorrow as well. Stephen even did my devotional time with me this morning when I couldn’t write #siblinggoals Recovery from the multiple dislocations that happened from the testing today will be rough but this new shoulder ice/compression brace is a godsend and I haven’t had any tv headaches today with my new #meetsun blue light blocking glasses . #recovery #brothersisterlove #livingthechronicillnesslife

The weapon may be formed, but it won't prosper When the darkness falls, it won't prevail 'Cause the God I serve knows only how to triumph My God will never fail Oh, my God will never fail I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord 🎶 There's power in the mighty name of Jesus Every war He wages He will win I'm not backing down from any giant 'Cause I know how this story ends Yes, I know how this story ends I'm gonna see a victory For the battle belongs to You, Lord 🎶 Gonna worship my way through this battle Gonna worship my way through, hey You take what the enemy meant for evil And You turn it for good 🎶 Last procedure until 2020. Results are in God’s hands now. Am not very with it so please direct calls and messages to my wonderful husband/care-partner and care-givers (major shout out to Stephen) if there is anything urgent. #Godisgoodallthetime #thebattleisalreadywon #livingthechronicillnesslife

As I think about advent and how God was working while we were waiting, I can’t help but think about how stressed out Mary and Joseph must have been. 🌟 Here they are preparing to have the Savior of the world born and they couldn’t find a place to stay. I would imagine they had quite a dialogue going with God and each other. He put the pieces together and gave them the instructions, but did He forget to find them a place to stay? I’m sure that was so frustrating. 🌟 Today I sit here frustrated. Another dislocation right before Christmas that has me on medications I don’t enjoy and makes me unable to truly be present. I thought this year was going to be different. I thought I would have my first Christmas in a couple years without extra pain management needed. I had people I needed to get back to and things I wanted to do but can’t without a clear head. Mostly I wanted a few days to forget about our reality right now that will be furthered determined after a procedure the day after Christmas. 🌟 I bet Mary wanted a hotel. I bet she wanted to have a smooth childbirth with the best care- considering she was carrying the Savior of the world. I think it’s safe to say this birth probably did not go as she pictured it. Yet God is faithful to His promises to us, even when things don’t look like what we imagined. 🌟 If your Christmas seems darker than you imagined I encourage you to rejoice in the hope that Jesus has come (I mean imagine the light from that star 😍) and try to enjoy this Christmas, even if it didn’t look like you were expecting. #advent #seasonofwaiting #livingthechronicillnesslife

These Ladies 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Let me tell you about my friends, they are the most life-giving, encouraging people on the planet and I was overjoyed to host our first ever Powersheets Prep Party! 🎉 Maura and I took what we learned from lettering this year to design this room- everything was lettered by us. We wanted to create a space where we could celebrate all that powersheets has done for all of us (shout out to Caitie, Sam, and Deb for this being your first full year set!!! *insert cowbells*) 🎉 We started planning this past spring and had the most amazing time! 🎉 If you want to see all the pictures and videos you can head to my “PSP Party” IG highlight! You can also click the link in my bio for a thorough blog post with detailed steps on how we did everything so you can host your own next year! 🎉 There aren’t enough words to express how amazing last night was so I will just end with the prayer we opened our night with last night: . . . Lord bless these pages and grow us ▫️Let every word we write, every thought we process, and every goal we uncover to honor You. ▫️ Grow something that is bigger than us and lasts longer than us.▫️ Grow us in new ways that challenge us to dig into Your word. ▫️ Grow our hearts to be full of desire to worship You. ▫️ Grow us into the person You have called us to be. ▫️Grow a life of intention and purpose.▫️ Bless 2020 Lord and all it will hold, the good and the bad, and give us Your overflowing, non-circumstantial joy! . . . PS- team cultivate if you ever need extra decorators for next year you know where to find us 😉 🎉 #powersheets #cultivatewhatmatters #powersheetsprepparty #livingthechronicillnesslife

As I have been reading through the New Testament and also digging into this advent season, I am in awe of how the whole world was waiting for Jesus. I wonder if maybe people thought He would never come, yet God was working even though very few people could see it . 🎄 . This advent God has been showing me that He is still working while I’m waiting even when I can’t see it. It makes me want to slow down. The prophesy of the birth of Jesus was clear yet so many missed it. Imagine how much I miss because I don’t slow down, study His word, and watch faithfully for His promises to be fulfilled? . 🎄 . This year Jared and I are trying to prioritize what we do this season to not only take care of my body but to just slow down and savor the season . 🎄 . The holiday season can be very stressful, and stress uses up spoons like crazy. I swear it’s not just the most wonderful but the most intense time of the year . 🎄 . During the holidays, I tend to overextend myself because I want to ignore my illness but sadly that’s not the way EDS or any chronic illness works. This time around I am going to try to take in this season without overextending myself. I encourage you to take on this challenge to savor alongside me. Imagine how much we will see God doing in the big and the small as we slow down and wait faithfully to see what He is doing while we are waiting . 🎄 . What are you going to try to savor this season? 🎄 #savortheseason #advent #livingthechronicillnesslife

Thanksgiving is a tricky day for most people. Some feel pressure to “one-up” our family members when we talk about what we are thankful for. Some are missing those who aren’t around to celebrate. Some don’t feel like they have anything to be thankful for. No matter where you fall, give yourself permission to celebrate joyfully and honor your suffering today- you can do both (if you read the book “Choose Joy” this is the premise of @kaywarren75 book.) learning to live despite the pain life brings has been modeled by my grandfather for years even before I became symptomatic . 🍁 . The fact that my four grandparents are still here and involved in my life is not lost on me. I am so blessed. Now Pa and I are very similar... especially when it comes to the medical side of our lives. He is the definition of a chronic overcomer . 🍁 . Enjoy your family and live presently. As I learn to number my days (head to @laracasey podcast to learn more about how to intentionally number your days) I want to cherish this time because tomorrow is never guaranteed for anyone . 🍁 . Friends, Happy thanksgiving from my family to yours . 💛 . #thanksgiving #grateful #livingthechronicillnesslife

Last night was amazing. Thank you @nickjonas @kevinjonas @joejonas for the most amazing night of our lives- and thank you for making our experience in handicap accessible seats a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating . 🎉 . I screamed too loud, cried too hard, waved my arms too much, and loved all of it. Am I paying for these choice today.... and for the next few days... Absolutely... but was it worth it? HELL YEAH. Sometimes we need to live, even when we know there will be consequences, and yesterday I lived. . 🎉 . We may have waited a decade for this, but it was so so so so worth it, and being on the AMAs was a fun surprise! Maura thank you for doing life by my side, crying with me, laughing with me, screaming with me, and joyfully being my best friend. It was an HONOR to cry with you and sway along when they played our song. 🎉 . Do you ever push your body for special events? How do you like to recover? My favorite way is to be upside with fluids running under a heated blanket and in my favorite neck brace sleeping. . 🎉 . #recovery #noregrets #livingthechronicillnesslife

The @jonasbrothers will NEVER let us down... well except that one time #2013neverforget . ⭐️ . Cried too much, screamed too much, danced too much, and pushed my body too much but it was SO worth it! Thank you @joejonas @kevinjonas @nickjonas for an AMAZING concert. ⭐️ . Shoutout to Joanne for this WONDERFUL custom mask and headband. 😘 . More pictures and videos to come tomorrow. This was worth waiting a decade for. Now imma rest. ⭐️ #happinessbeginstour #waitedadecade #livingthechronicillnesslife

6⭐️D⭐️A⭐️Y⭐️S . . It has not hit me yet that after waiting a literal decade to see one of their tours together we are going to in less than a week . . @jonasbrothers we are coming for you, a decade later than planned, but we can’t WAIT for you to bring it in Boston ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ . #jonasbrothers #decade #livingthechronicillnesslife

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