Thursday, March 06, 2008

Our house...is a very very very fine house...

She's a keeper! Our new house is a fun little house. We are renting it from a friend of Brandon's parents. It has the smallest bathroom ever known to man, and a scary door that leads outside (no worries, we are getting that one taken care of). Lots of closets, 2 bedrooms (one with big windows), amazing hard woods with lots of character, a decent size kitchen and living room, a car port, huge front and side yard, a white porch perfect for a swing or rockers, green paint, a john deere colored mail box, and a huge laundry room (that I wish I could trade for a bigger bathroom). Come visit after May 3rd, which is only in 58 more days!





Picture Post! The Nova...it's his dad's!




Friday, February 29, 2008

Top 10 Reasons for Being an Episcopalian

10. NO snake handling
9. You can believe in dinosaurs
8. Male and female, God created them; male and female we ordain them.
7. You don't have to check your brain at the door.
6. Pew aerobics
5. Church year is color-coded.
4. Free wine with communion.
3. All of the pageantry, none of the guilt.
2. You don't have to know how to swim to get baptized.
1. No matter what you believe, there's bound to be at least

Jesus ask for your heart, not your mind. God takes all kinds and so do we.

Join us for worship in St.Mary's Chapel every Wednesday night @ 5:00
(The little grey buildings near "O" House)


This made me laugh at school last night!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

I have no cute title...

This will probably be a very random and boring post, but hey...at least it is something.

We are getting closer and closer to the wedding date. 71 days to be exact now. It seems like it's been forever since September, and yet the time has flown by too. We are getting excited about our showers and even more excited about moving into our rental house soon. Brandon will move in in April and I will join him after the wedding. It's a cute little green house with 2 bedrooms, a decent kitchen, pretty big living room and the SMALLEST bathroom ever known to man. I can't wait to get OUR stuff in there and start living with this man.

My job is going ok, the kids are really tough this semester. It's amazing how different their generation is from ours. It really blows my mind sometimes.

Grad school is going well and keeping me busier than I want to be. The class I am in right now is good, but really tough and has a lot of work due. But this too shall pass and soon it will be over with and the paycheck that comes with it will be nice.

Brandon starts a new job next week and he is really looking forward to it.

So...we begin the countdown. It's ten weeks till we get married and we both can't wait.

Hope all is well in your lives. Hope to see you all sooner than later.

Love, Christy

Friday, January 18, 2008

The little things...

So i've decided in my 27 years of wisdom that sometimes it's the tiny little things that make us feel better about ourselves.

For instance....today I waxed my own eyebrows. Yes really I did them myself, but i've gotten pretty good at being able to tell how much to put on the stick and when to pull it off.

But it was like I got a complete make over.

Sure my hair still looks as crappy and flat as it did this morning....and we know being from New Hope that flat is equal to a sin.

I'm still the same fat butt that I was this morning and probably a little bigger after the oatmeal creme pie I just ate.

I'm still the same sorry person I was this morning when I woke up after being mean this past week to Brandon or as he put it...in a pissy mood.

I'm still the same lazy butt who hasn't cleaned out her car in a week, hasn't done her alternative assignment in her class because we didn't go because it snowed, and who's house looks like the welfare department would come and take her kids if she had any.

Nope, I'm still all those things, but somehow waxing my eyebrows made me feel better, neater, nicer, thinner, more energetic, prettier and just all around better.

Maybe I'll go shave my legs, that might do wonders...

P.S. I hope that one day the large group of unfortunate pictures of myself is a wedding present!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Time flies by....

When you are having fun, and thank God even sometimes when you are not. We are down to 110 days to go and things are getting crazy. On our plate we have the task of finding somewhere to live, the new youth ministry that we just took over, my grad school classes, wedding stuff (which includes addressing invitations), another ministry that I am apart of, and Brandon trying to not quit his job that he hates before May 3rd. So getting through this semester live and still engaged will be a huge task, but I have a feeling we'll make it work.

Monday, December 24, 2007

10 Things that make me happy as of today...

1. I get married in 131 days. Almost 4 months from now!!!!
2. Chocolate Oranges...just whack and unwrap.
3. Being done with school till the 2nd of January. This semester needed to end for us and the students.
4. I finshed my first semester of grad school with 2 A's and one B. We all got a B in that class and all agree that the professor is a &^%$#@!.
5. 4 days until I get Mee Maw time and another fun ornament to add to my tree.
6. House hunting!!!
7. Knowing that in 131 days I get to live in that house with Brandon.
8. 2 days until I get to see my mother, Aunt Jettie and Uncle Harold. I miss these people A LOT!
9. Having a lot to do, but being ok with doing NONE of it! Who needs clean clothes to wear anyway.
10. Being a part of Brandon's family this Christmas!

Monday, November 19, 2007

It's coming together

The invitations are picked out and ready to be purchased...

The centerpiece stuff is now in my possession and was completley free...

I purchase my wedding dress tomorrow and take it home to New Hope with me this weekend...

It's becoming fun....

A few...ok 10... random comments

1. I hate to hear people and see people eating. I mean I really hate it. I hate to hear people that eat loud, and I especially hate to see people eating. I think it's disgusting. (I sound like Sara Beth now). My students think it's perfectly ok to sit in class and eat freaking Cheetos at 7 in the morning as loud as they can. It's so disgusting. YUCK!

2. I'm getting much better at writing papers than I use to, but I still don't have much motivation to just sit down and do it. But...I'm only 2 classes away from having my first semester complete and in the books.

3. I love the river. Brandon and I went to his grandparents' river house this weekend. It was so stinking peaceful and just relaxing. It was great to just open the windows and take a nap to the river running. I wish we could live there. We just might start going up there every weekend, it's that great.

4. I've not been in the Christmas spirit in a long time, but for some reason this year, I'm really excited about it. Christmas is just always so busy, and I'm always worn out from it, but this year, I'm really looking forward to it.

5. I love my students but I really think they are going to all end up homeless. Of course I'm wrong. They'll all drop out or barely graduate and go on to have some ridiculous job where they make millions from pimping some one's ride.

6. I actually have bought my mother something that she is going to like for her birthday. It's a thing that goes in her chair and has heat and a massage thingy. If she doesn't like it, at least I will when I go to her house.

7. The fall ends to soon.

8. I'm ready to be married and get this wedding stuff over. It's fun planning it all...but I'm ready to be married.

9. I think I've ran out of random comments to make.

10. Nope...I just remembered one. As much as I'm excited for Christmas, do we really have to play Christmas music continuously from now till Christmas. I don't really like stations that do that.

The end.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

This time of year....

I use to love this time of year. The color of the leaves. The smell in the air. Just the change of the hot, muggy weather. Till this year.....

I didn't really expect it to be like this. I thought the year anniversary would come, I would have a moment or two, and we would move beyond. I never knew that a month out from that date, I would have some of the worst moments I've had since my daddy passed away. People flock to walk through that moment with you when it happens, and then slowly, you're the one left with the moments that come out of no where. You are the one that is left with the pain, that only you can carry. You are the one that sees everyone around you moving on, but you can't, and you don't want to interupt their lives, because of yours.

Halloween night last year was the night my mom got the call that said they were taking him to the hospital from the nursing home. He had injested some stuff in his lungs, had pneumonia, and was losing blood somewhere. It never got better.

My mom sat by his side, and I joined her later, until November 24th, when he finally passed away.

I am forever marked by that moment. The sights, the smells, the sounds. I close my eyes to this day and hear him dying. I can walk into a hospitial and smell death. I can see the images that unfolded and play them out in my head over and over sometimes, just trying to find closure.

I walked out of the room when he died because I couldn't take it. I said I needed a shower, I really just couldn't do it. I went and took a shower, took my time getting ready to head back to the hospitial, hoping and praying that something would happen before I could get back. It did. And I've lived with that regret ever since. A nurse and my aunt had to help my mom through that moment because I was to coward to stay. Some say he waited on me to leave the room. Maybe. But nevertheless, it's something i've carried with me to this day.

Getting engaged has also brought out these emotions. Daddy would have LOVED Brandon. He would have wanted to talk to him for forever and would have asked him a million questions. He would have told him a million stories. He would have told him how him and Kay met, and how much he loved her. He would have loved to brag about Brandon to everyone and would have introduce him to everyone at the nursing home. Brandon would have been so good with him. He would have just sat and listened and met everyone and pretended to remember them the next time.

We'll light a candle at our wedding to mark his spot there at the altar with us, but nothing will erase the fact that he won't be there. Nothing will change the fact that i'll never be able to make up for lost time with him. Nothing will ever change the fact that I had finally began to love him for who he was and what he was never able to be to me growing up. And I was ok with that. He was my daddy...and that was all that mattered.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Things I'm excited about...

1. I'm going home for the first time since July this weekend.
2. My mom quilted me a quilt for my birthday and I get it this weekend.
3. I'm excited that Alabama actually has potential to beat Tenn this year. ROOOOOOOLLLLL TIDE ROLL!
4. I'm excited that my birthday week has been great! I even got a Winnie the Pooh cake!
5. I'm excited that I got my dress finally and it was cheaper than I thought.
6. I'm excited that I get married in almost less than 6 months....
7. Sara Beth is coming to see me next weekend and that makes me SUPER excited!


Something i'm nervous about....

Saturday the 27th I take a HUGE test that decides whether or not I start teaching in January and gets me into the teacher education program at Piedmont. I'm really nervous about it, mainly because it has math. I think I'll do ok on the reading and writing portions. I hope so at least. Say a prayer now if you get a chance and we'll see what happens!

Friday, October 05, 2007

I'm actually doing it...

Back in April I posted on here goals for this year...yeah it was April, but I've always been a day late and dollar short. So I remembered that I had posted that today, and thought I would revisit the list. Some, I have exceeded what I thought I could ever do...others have fallen by the way side, and a few new ones should probably be added.

1. Score a 55 on the MAT - I did!! Actually it was a 374 needed and I got a 378
2. Save enough money to buy a Laptop - did that too..it was used from a friend, but it works for me.
3. Lose 30 more LBS - still trying on this one, but the ring on the finger but that one into motion
4. Save up at least 500.00 for an "emergency" fund...Dave gives us poor people a break by saying we only have to have 500.00 - then a wedding happened.
5. Run a 10k....(until you read my blog, you'll never know that I'm signing up to do this...we'll see how often you actually check this thing friend)...(also note that I have till the end of the year to complete this...don't be signing us up for one next week!!) (and quit talking to God about crazy things you think I need to do...) - yeah so this is the one that could be revamped. The 10k went out the door, but I have been working out since, once again the ring, and I can actually see a physical difference. I'm even lifting weights.
6. Be accepted into Grad school (conditionally or unconditionally, I don't care..just get me in.) - did that....
7. Complete my first semester of grad school with a 4.0 - well on the way, with an A in my first two classes.
8. GET A FREAKING TATTOO...MY FRIENDS NEED TO GET ON THE BALL AND HELP ME WITH THIS ONE...HINT HINT...ROOMIE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER! - yeah right...yeah freaking right...KEITH
9. Keep a POSITIVE attitude that ALL of this is OBTAINABLE AND POSSIBLE. - I've had my moments, but for the most part my outlook these days has been positive.

New Ones!

10 - Learn to trust Brandon with all that I have!
11 - Get through the wedding enjoying it!


There are more (really) personal ones but I'll keep something to myself.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

I found my dress....

It's perfect. This whole crazy, stressful thing just got really exciting and really fun in a hurry! Yay!

Monday, October 01, 2007

Life can begin again...

Life can offically begin again...for a little while at least.

This week was rough, but i'm just glad it's over. 2 finals and a root canal later....I finally feel like life can begin again now that the stress is off my shoulder.

I'm doing some wedding planning this week...so hopefully that will be fun.

I finished up one class and hope to get the grade this week and I finish up the other one on Thursday. So glad those are almost over, but it's been a good first experience with graduate school.

Hope all is well in your lives!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Some pictures!




Yeah I said I was going to post....

But I've already written the story here... www.theknot.com/ourwedding/ChristyDavis&BrandonPeevy. So you can go there to read it, and see all the other fun stuff.

I now know that they mean when they say if you survive engagment and wedding planning, you can survive anything. I know way to many people and this is getting way to out of hand. UGH! I just want it to be pretty and people that I know and care about now to be there. Like right now. Like i've either kept up with you since moving on from Judson and or New Hope and would like for you to be apart of my day. Not..hey I met you one time, let me pay 30.00 a person for you to come to my wedding and eat. Not really all about that...not going to lie.

But it'll be fine. At least that's what Brandon keeps telling me. Let's hope for our sakes he's right!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

It's true...

I'm engaged to be Mrs. Brandon Peevy!! It happened last night and it was incredible. There's a lot of stuff to tell and pictures to show but I don't have time at here at school. I'm so excited!!

More to come later!!!

Friday, August 24, 2007

I just think they should all be beaten....

That was a comment heard at my table, last night during my reading methods class. She was referring to the students in the EBD class that she had observerd that week for our field experience assignment. EBD stands for Emotional/Behavior Disorder.

So I proceeded to PASSIONATLEY EDUCATE HER about EBD students. I explained to her that many of them do go home and are beaten...to bloody pulps, with bruises and scars for life. Or they go home to someone sexually abusing them, or they go home to the children's shelter where they've been since an early age, or they go home to foster parents who don't give a crap but only want the pay check that comes with them, or they go home to brothers and sisters who have to raise them, or they go home to girlfriends and babies. Did she stop to think that maybe their behavior is a result of a need in their life, and that for every outburst, there is a purpose behind it? Of course not...she just saw a kid that she thought needed to be beat.

Do most of our kids need discipline?? Of course they do! But learning how to discipline and coach them effectively is the key.

We believe as special educators that every kids deserves a chance, or 3 or 10! We believe that you fight for every kid and stand on their side. We believe that we can honestly make a difference in their lives and help mold them into people that will one day benefit society. WE BELIEVE IN THEM!! SHE DOESN'T!

She just made me ill and I needed to vent. Thanks!

Friday, August 17, 2007

What in the name of me is going on?

What in the world have I gotten myself into! I could be taking life so simple right now...but no! I need an education...I need a relationship with a boy...I need friends. I hope it's all worth it. Cause I'm tired. Really tired!

But life is good...and life at the beach in a few weeks will be even better.

By the way...the title of my blog is from the Jesus Videos. You should watch them...you'll laugh. If you don't...then you're probably the reason they created the videos to begin with. Just YOU TUBE them...

Thursday, August 16, 2007

It's about time...

So Mandy asked me to do this a while ago...so here it finally is.

1. I'm working on becoming a teacher...something I said I would never do.
2. I LOVE mushrooms!
3. I'm falling in love with a precious man...something else I thought I would never do.
4. I eat OKRA anyway you can cook it.
5. I have a pin and screw in my elbow.
6. I've gotten 3 speeding tickets.
7. I've gotten a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt and I didn't have a bra on.
8. I was raised an only child but have 7 biological siblings...that I know of.
9. I am my own aunt.
10. My tounge won't go out pass my lips.
11. I've had surgery 4 times.
12. My father was really my grandfather.
13. My mother and I have no blood relationship to each other.
14. My middle name is Leigh.
15. I once drove to Jackonsville Fl. from Marion Alabama with warrant out for my arrest.
16. I have a ring my daddy made for my grandmother.
17. I graduated college by one point in math.
18. I work pink shorts to my college's graduation practice just to piss off the dean.
19. I graduated from an all women's college.
20. I'm working on not being a Baptist anymore.
21. I graduated from a Baptist college.
22. I have colored my hair since high school and can't remember the last time it was all one natural color.
23. I was once in a wedding where none of the bridesmaids wore underwear.
24. I have 4 nephews, 2 nieces and a lot of cute kids I claim as nieces and nephews.
25. I'm half way through this list and wondering how i'll ever get to 50.
26. I'm afriad of dying even if I know where i'm going.
27. I'm sanctifed and set free by the blood of the Lam Jesus Christ. (some of you will say amen...some will say (well good), some will laugh your tails off!!)
28. I call my grandmother dead.
29. I have amazing friends from all the places in my life. (New Hope, Georgia and Judson!!)
30. I was once moved to the back of the room in my religion class for smelling too much like smoke.
31. I once climbed the dome at my college.
32. I use to smoke on the roof of my dorm every night. (sorry heather)
33. I once rode in the passenger seat of my car around campus, on the hockey field at my college.
34. When I was little I would lick rocks.
35. I HATE people eating!
36. I HATE people chewing gum!
37. I HATE FISH!!!
38. I HATE clowns.
39. I LOVE ALBAMA FOOTBALL!
40. I know more statistics than most boys about ALABAMA football!
41. I love JEEPS!
42. I Love our special ed kids at the high school I work at!
43. I love the game 2 truths and a lie.
44. I've been out of the country once and gone to 23 states.
45. I played trumpet in the band in high school and still have the t-shirts to prove it.
46. I LOVE GEORGE CLOONEY!
47. I USE to be in love with Vince Gill and would still love to meet him.
48. I'm OCD about my bathroom.
49. I hate PRO sports.
50. I've spent 10 minutes doing this!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

So this weekend was exhausting. Thursday night I got to bed around mid-night just to get up at 5:30 and go to work. I didn't make it in the bed before 2:30 on Friday or Saturday night, but it was all well worth it. I was a part of the BIGGEST wedding probably ever. There were 21 bridesmaids and 16 groomsmen. It was crazy but went well. Staci and Kevin are some of the most PHENOMENAL people you will ever meet and it was an honor to be able to stand on their behalf. Their wedding was more than a ceremony, it was a worship service and was so incredbily glorifying the Lord that they both love.

Brandon and I are still doing well. We have now been dating for a month. It's kinda been hard to believe that this has all come about, but I'm really just trying to enjoy it all and take in every minute.

My mom's brother passed away, leaving her with only one brother and 8 sisters. Now I know that might still seem like a lot, but considering there were 15 to start off with, it's kinda sad. I didn't make it home because of already having been there the week before and plans to go for a week at the end of July.

I leave on the 21st headed on a mission trip with some friends from another church to Philly!! It's going to take everything I have within me not to sing the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song as we pull in.

That's about it. The Lord is still continuing to show me what it means to trust. It's a hard lesson, but I'm sure glad he continues the process.
Here's just a few recent pictures.

The first is of Trae, April and I. We stood together in the wedding and were in charge of dancing fun at the reception.

Around the middle is a picture of Brandon and myself. He makes me pretty happy friends!

Then there's me and Courtney and finally the happy couple themselves Staci and Kevin. Their wedding was incredible and was everything they could have ever wanted.






Monday, July 02, 2007

Time flies....

I'm having a hard time believing that it's already July 2nd. That's crazy.

So as for updates...here they are.

1. I finally got an acceptance letter into Piedmont. I'm pretty excited about this and will start classes in the fall.

2. I'm dating someone. His name is Brandon and he's a pretty neat guy. I really like him a lot and just enjoy getting to spend time with him.

I went home this weekend to see my mom and it was an incredible visit. I didn't really have the chance to go see a lot of "friends" but it was ok, but I got the chance to spend a lot of time with family. My family is getting old, and it's pretty sad to think that soon there may not be that many of them around, so I'm just trying to spend a lot of time with them now while I can.

So that's about it. I work everyday this summer from 9:30-6:30 so it leaves little time for other things, but it's ok. It keeps me out of trouble I guess :)

Hope everyone is having a great summer.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Today

was by far one of the toughest if not the toughest day since daddy has been gone. But I'm so overwhelmed by God's goodness in my life. I'm sure there will be more days like this, but I'm so thankful that I serve an amazing, comforting, peace giving God.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

MAT Score

MAT score needed to get into Piedmont - 374

Christine Leigh Davis' score - 380

Weight off her shoulders - Pricess!

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Small Update

I still have no real grounds to do a huge update. There are still a few little things in the works, so we'll see where they all go.

I am back from camp though praise the Lord. It was a great time, probably one of the best ran camps I've ever been to, and the people that I got to be in contact with were amazing, but sleeping on my own mattress (yes you read mattress) feels good!

If any of you are on facebook you can look at my profile and see the group IMPACT 2007 and see some pictures of the week.

The theme this year was Identity in Christ. I had the task of being a team leader in Red 2 which is one of the middle school, schools. I can't imagine how much better off in life I would have been if someone would have taught me the stuff we were pouring into them this week about knowing who they are in Christ. It's my prayer that they walked away on Friday not just knowing that the Lord loves them, and chose them, and forgives them completely and isn't mad at them, but that they believe that as well.

So...It's back to work tomorrow at the day care and the next big event is Staci's wedding on 07-07-07. I'm one of 21 bridesmaids and 18 groomsmen. We've been planning our dance moves for the reception and I must say we should be selling tickets!!!

Until there's something to report...peace out!

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Really???

I'm sitting here at 3:46 (EST) acting like I don't have anywhere to go or be in 45 minutes and it takes 30 to get there, and I just got out of the shower. Yeah I'm a loser. My friends do say that I have my own time...Criddy Time that is. I'll get there when I get there.

If this week doesn't produce results or answers I might simply go and blow my self up, or at least pay Jack Bauer to do it for me.

Sunday I leave to go to camp in the middle of the mountains, away from e-mail, mail and phone service, so knowing something this week would be incredible.

Oh well...guess I'm suppose to be learning some kind of lesson. I hope I didn't forget and prayed for patience somewhere along the way.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

I'm still on a mission

To be Mrs.Taylor Hicks and Jordan was precious.

Monday, May 21, 2007

What's love got to do with it??

So for most of my 26 years I've been trying to wrap my mind around what the word LOVE means! I mean I attach it all the time to things that I really don't love. I love hot dogs?? Come on. I love Wal-Mart?? And I do..like me some wally-world. I love 4Him, Alabama football (though it is a passion)!! I could come up with a long list of things that I LOVE!

But what does it mean to LOVE...to love unconditionally. To love because it's what Jesus said I should do to my neighbor, and it's in return of what I've been shown by others.

So how do I love others? Well usually...I wear out my welcome at places because I'm needy, or I distance myself from friends that it's to hard to be friends with, or I completely turn my back on long standing, trusted friends...because something new and better has come along, or I never give back to a family that has so sacrifically loved on me since the day that they chose me, or I treat those I can in anger because I know that they will love me back, or....etc. etc. etc.

But this week I've learned a lesson that can only come through a child. I've been around these 1st and 2nd graders for just a week, and already they love me. Now I don't say that as a prideful statement and here's why...I say that because it's amazing to me that they don't know me, yet they love me. They don't know my faults, and even if they did, they're 1st graders...they wouldn't care. They just love me because I'm Miss Christy and that's what they want to do. I'm the one with the band-aid and the silly voice when they fall of the swing set. I'm the female that wraps my arms around them, when they live with grand ma or dad because mom is a dead beat...or worse case...dead. I'm just Miss Christy and that's all that they need...just someone to love and someone to love them back.

So how should I love? With unselfishness...not because I need to buy your friendship, but because I love you enough to do whatever I can to help you in your time of need. With reckless abandon because sometimes we just need someone to go over the top for us. With compasssion because sometimes we need someone to just be there and be a silent witness to what we are going through. With all that I have, no matter what you've done or what I've done, because God can still use all of us no matter what our backgrounds.

Maybe this will only make sense to me...but at least it's out of my head for the night.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Random Thoughts on a Saturday morning...

So since I have no real update on life right now...I just thought I would post some random thoughts.

I get up so early during the week that it's hard for me to sleep in like I use to. I had to FORCE myself to sleep till 9:30 this morning. I use to be able to sleep till 11 or even noon with no problem.

So since I was up I decided to see what was on TV and good ol' USA was playing The Breakfast Club. Now there's nothing I love better than watching a good classic like Breafast Club, but it's even better on cable TV because you can hear the voice overs. Molly Ringwald is not a BRAT in the original...

Other than still being in waiting mode...life is good. I'm really just learning to take time and enjoy the amazing friendships around me. Trying to just have a great time every time we get together.

Hopefully by the end of next week I should have a BIGGER update. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Monday, May 07, 2007

I'm horrible...

at waiting!

* Waiting on MAT scores
* Waiting on acceptance to Piedmont
* Waiting on answers to tough questions that I don't want to be asking in the first place.
* Waiting on what I think the next step in life should be...

I've never been good at waiting, but looks like I have no other choice right now.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Out with the old....

In with a NEW CAR!! Well new to me. IT's a 2005 Honda Civic. He's so pretty. That's right it's a he. I've decided that since he's blue...this car will be a HE. His name is Vince and he's already promised to my friend Courtney's car...Yolanda the Honda.

I did tear up though when Old Red was driven away. I've had that car since 2000, the begining of my second semester at Judson. I've cried in that car, prayed in that car, laughed my butt off in that car...and well...some other things I can't put on here. But she's in a better place now.

The MAT went ok. There were a few that I knew right off the bat, a few that I made a pretty good educated guess on...and a whole bunch that I randomly guessed at.

So now we are just waiting to....

1. Find another job to help pay for Vince
2. Wait to hear from Piedmont. All the application stuff is sent in, so it's in their hands.
3. Wait to hear from the MAT


I've really, really slacked with the running and eating well. My good ol' accountability partner is not at fault either...he's yelled at me quite frequently. But I just lost the want to. Maybe Monday after the family reunion i'll get back on track. But until then...Aunt Jettie is cooking me breakfast tomorrow and the famliy reunion is Sunday. Wahoo!!

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Update and a thought...

So here's the update on my goals for this year...

1. I've registered for the MAT on May 1st at 4:30 p.m. I've been studying and i'm going to start taking practice test online this week.

2. All of my after school job opps have fallen through...so saving money is at the least of the priority list right now...but I'm searching for additional jobs now.

3. I've lost a few more pounds but JDAY weekend put me behind on that...still worth it though!

4. See #2 for answer to saving for an emergency fund!

5. I'm up to running my subdivison which is around a mile, and then I'm doing some at the park. Not going as great as I would like it too...but it's getting there slowly.

6. One of the conditions for grad school was that you have a 2.5 GPA from college. I had a 2.518! Once again I have gotten by with the skin of my teeth. All of my application process is done except reference letters being sent in and transcripts and then my score on the MAT. I'm nervous, but think I'll be ok.

7. Can't get a 4.0 without being accepted.

8. Still no TAT...come on friends!

9. Keeping a pretty positive attitude on all of it. It's all still very doable and I'm excited about being able to check off each thing on my list.

Other than that...I'm just waiting. I find myself in a place of expectancy and waiting as to what God has next for me. There are a few things in my life right now that I wish would just fall into place. A few pieces to the puzzle that I wish would start being put together. But I'm learning that my strength arises as I wait upon the Lord, and that His ways and thoughts are much higher than mine. I'm learning to expect and hope for great things, and not be shocked when they happen. To trust in a Good and Faithful Lord.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Judson or BUST

So I'm home right now, trying to motivate myself to go finish packing and finish getting ready. I'm excited about coming to Judson, just still as lazy as I ever was.

I found this article the other day though and thought I would share it. I love the part where he says that he can't worship a Jesus that he could beat up.

Anyway...I'm on the way soon. Can't wait to see you girls!??

Interview with Mark Driscoll:

-What trends in church and worship styles do you see? Are they positive or negative?

-Driscoll: "I'll be happy when we have more than just prom songs to Jesus sung by some effeminate guy on an acoustic guitar offered as mainstream worship music."

-What do you see as the greatest challenge for young Christians in the next 10 years?

-Driscoll: "There is a strong drift toward the hard theological left. Some emergent types want to recast Jesus as a limp-wrist hippie in a dress with a lot of product in His hair, who drank decaf and made pithy Zen statements about life while shopping for the perfect pair of shoes. In Revelation, Jesus is a pride fighter with a tattoo down His leg, a sword in His hand and the commitment to make someone bleed. That is a guy I can worship. I cannot worship the hippie, diaper, halo Christ because I cannot worship a guy I can beat up. I fear some are becoming more cultural than Christian, and without a big Jesus who has authority and hates sin as revealed in the Bible, we will have less and less Christians, and more and more confused, spiritually self-righteous blogger critics of Christianity."

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Monday, April 09, 2007

It's all a mistake...

I really think that Judson meant to be Eastern Orthodox instead of Baptist.
See if you can find the similarities....

I went to Pascha the other night, which is the Eastern Orthodox service that brings in Easter if you will.

* It started off at 11 p.m.
* It started off in a dark room
* We lit a candle and went outside
* The priest banged on the door of the church for us to be let in
* Lots of chanting

Ring any bells friends??

It was a great experience though I was totally lost for much of the service and the people in front of me were not helping me out by falling asleep. At 2 in the morning, I get really delirious and giggly.

4 more days friends, 4 more days!!

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Wow.....

http://www.brookhills.org/media/pages_videos/page_video_easter0702.htm

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Happy Birthday THUMBELINA

OR BETH!! Hope you have a great one!!

Monday, April 02, 2007

New Year's resolutions...

Ok..so it's April 2nd. But in a way, since the end of the last 21 days, I feel the need to make some new "goals" for my life. A check list if you will of things that I want to accomplish this year. Putting them out in the open, keeps me a little more accountable I guess.

1. Score a 55 on the MAT
2. Save enough money to buy a LAPtop
3. Lose 30 more LBS
4. Save up at least 500.00 for an "emergency" fund...Dave gives us poor people a break by saying we only have to have 500.00
5. Run a 10k....(until you read my blog, you'll never know that I'm signing up to do this...we'll see how often you actually check this thing friend)...(also note that I have till the end of the year to complete this...don't be signing us up for one next week!!) (and quit talking to God about crazy things you think I need to do...)
6. Be accepted into Grad school (conditionally or unconditionally, I don't care..just get me in.)
7. Complete my first semester of grad school with a 4.0
8. GET A FREAKING TATTOO...MY FRIENDS NEED TO GET ON THE BALL AND HELP ME WITH THIS ONE...HINT HINT...ROOMIE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER!
9. Keep a POSITIVE attitude that ALL of this is OBTAINABLE AND POSSIBLE.

So there it is...let the ride begin!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

It's been awesome...

That's the running joke around my life for the last 21 days. You see I signed up with a few of my friends to eat only vegtables and fruits and whole grains for 21 days. On days when the food was absolutely at it's worst, we tried to convince ourselves that it was awesome. You can only say that so many times and still not believe it. I lost 15 pounds though and gained some much needed wisdom and strength during this time. I've learned about myself, both good and bad. I've trusted people more than ever before...and if they're reading this they need to know how much of a compliment that is to them. I've also come away with more questions than answers...but that's my life it seems. I had never attempted anything like this...so today...on day 22....accomplishment is a great word. We never cheated, never intentionally anyway, and the accountability was in your face for 8 hours a day. (That's what happens when you work with the people).

One thing that I have decided to do, with much counsel from my pastor, friends, and other people at my school, is to begin work on my master's degree in the fall at Piedmont College, in Special Education. Now, if you know me, you know what a horrible student I am, and what a horrible test taker I am. So to say that I am nervous about the whole admissions process, is a HUGE understatement. HUGE. Dr.H and Dr.Tew are both filling out my recommendations. I've asked the VP of a Baptist College and a Preacher to lie and say that I was a good student =). Dr.H's response was..."um hum...I can say a lot of nice things and not have to lie." What true Dr.H form huh?

So that's about it. I think i've experienced every emotion possible during the last 21 days. From major, major breakdown/meltdown/ moments, anger, frustration, peace, extreme sadness and grief, to joy...It's been awesome!!!

Friday, February 16, 2007

Highway 5...take me home...to the place...I belong

Through Alabama...to my mama...take me home...Highway 5.

I hope that as Jennifer and Susan read that today that they almost pee in their pants from recalling the ever famous late night info-mercial e-mail with great songs from our time at Judson. There are a LOT more where that came from!

BUT..instead of Highway 5...it's going to be interstate 20..followed by the most red lights you've ever seen in a row...followed by the longest stretch of highway 431 that you've ever seen...and then one turn past the big tree and the one stop light and i'll finally be back in New Hope for the first time since Christmas.

I will have to say though, that as this week and especially last night, as I was thinking about going home, it hit me that there a hard reality that awaits for me now every time I go home. It's like I've been able to hide from it almost here in Georgia. I mean sure, it's always there, some how just on the tip of my thoughts, but going home is a cold hard reminder of what's happened in my life the past few months and how that is never going to change. I know that there are people that have it so much worse that I do...I mean I look at my friend from college that is truly now an orphan. Sure she's an adult, but even adults need their parents still. It's more of knowing that what never really was, now has no potential to ever be...and even what little bit I had is gone. Some times the dull ache of just being a daughter without a dad hits me, and in weeks like this...where i'm homesick and emotional to begin with, it consumes me.

I grew up thinking that my mom never really liked my dad. I mean she might have loved him somehow, but never really liked him. They would fight, cuss, throw things, yell...but the day that we walked away for the last time from him, she wasn't leaving behind some man that she had exsisted with for the last 30 something years, she was leaving behind her valentine, her soul mate, her husband. She left behind the man that she met, because 30 something years ago she was stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire, and he stopped to fix it and asked what time supper was!!

So I'm going home, to whatever faces me...but to see my mom, see my friends, and just be home for a while!

Monday, February 12, 2007

So when are you going to get a real job and become a teacher...

That's what I've heard almost all of my life, and especially in the past few years of being in ministry. Well...it might be coming true...at least for a little while. Today I'm going to turn in my application at a few Private Christian Schools in the area. I don't want to go through the mess of having to become a "real" teacher, so I'm going to try and go this route for a little while. I'll still be the children's person for Mill Creek, I'll just be making a decent income while I'm at it. So if you read this, say a little prayer today.

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Things i'm thankful for...

No particular order...but Number 1...IS MY NUMBER 1.

1. THE PINK SHORTS HAVE BEEN FOUND. CALL OF THE SEARCH...AND THE MEMORIAL SERVICE PLANS...
2. That J-day is in approx 61 days and counting.
3. That my mother says that I am her Valentine.
4. That my hair is finally thinned out.
5. That I have thick hair to thin out.
6. That our church has a new place to meet and that starting tomorrow there's another chapter in the life of Mill Creek beginning.


There's more i'm sure..but i'm tired and ready to get this mud mask thing off my face and go to bed.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

In case you haven't heard...

For the Judson Girls...if you haven't heard my story of my run in at a local deli here in Georgia..you should...but you should hear it over the phone or better yet in person. It's way to good for a blog.

In other news, my mother says she's coming to Georgia for a visit. Honestly...this scares the living crap out of me. I mean it was one thing when she would come to Judson to visit...not that that ever happened between moving days, but somehow this is different. What if my life now doesn't meet her approval? What if in Kay Davis fashion she says something that totally comes off as offensive to someone? What..my mother...never! Still, I'm excited that she's coming. I really want her to be ok with me being here, and want her to love it as much as I do.

In much sadder news, I think I might have lost the original pink shorts. I'm sure they're just hidden under a bed somewhere or a drawer or something. Lord Baby Jesus..please send them back to me.

Someone needs to come see me soon. I miss you people like a fat kid misses cake.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

If these old walls...

I miss those old walls tonight so much. I want someone with me right now that knows exactly what i'm thinking, exactly what I'm needing, and what to do about it.

I miss running to Jennifer's room to all hang out around the "unsanctioned" children at play table and sitting in lawn chairs. I miss having someone around me that had nothing else to do either...or maybe we had lots we needed to do, but knew that college was about so much more than just an education. I miss the roof and all of the amazing conversations that it led to...no matter what your purpose of going out on the roof was. I miss pennies. I even miss studying around the round table in the lobby! I miss asking everyone and anyone if they had heard that Dave Thomas had died!

I just miss it!

Here's what I've learned since I haven't paid my cell phone bill...

1. You really can live without one. I mean, sure, it's harder for people to keep in touch with you, and to some point it's kind of become a way of life, but you really can survive without it. It's amazing that the huge thing that Zack Morris use to carry around has now become a necessity to life.

2. You won't believe how much rest I've gotten since I haven't had to worry about talking after my phone turns free at 9 p.m.... I needed that rest too since I've been sick as a dog this week. I mean really...how much snot can one person produce.

3. That even though this little vacation from technology has been nice, I'll pay my bill on Wednesday and you should all be able to call me if you chose so. But for now, if you need me, e-mail me and I'll send you my house number.

I'm sick and ready to be over it. There's really only so much Tylenol Sinus you can take before you go insane. Sleep never comes at night either. How come I can take naps and not cough at all, but lay down to go to sleep, and I almost kill myself trying to cough it all up? geez.

I've been praying through a lot of things lately concerning my future. Our church has been through quite a few changes the past few months, and it's really been a test to see who can survive the "church planting process." We were told a lot of what is happening would happen, maybe I was just to naive to believe it, or really didn't believe that I would even still be here at this point. But even with all that's happened, this is where I feel I'm suppose to be. SO...to continue to work at the church for free, I have to find other employment after this school year. I can't continue to work special ed and expect to be sane. It's not a job that you go to and leave. And that's the kind of job that I need. But I'm so grateful for being where I've been. Some of the most amazing relationships I have in Georgia have come from this experience.

God has been teaching me so much lately. I've always had a problem with letting guilt and shame get in my way. It's just always been a foothold that I've let Satan have in my life. But God has been teaching me that "I can approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace..." For so long I've asked others to do this for me, or I've sinned and thought at the end of the day..there's no way that I can talk to God today. But I have to remember that I'm a sinner, that's not really going to change. How often, and which sins I chose to run back to can change...but until I'm made perfect in Him, that's my reality. So I can spend weeks at a time, in shame and guilt, over the smallest or biggest things, OR I can chose to BOLDLY go to the throne and ask for the gifts that He has to give me. Not gifts that I deserve...but gifts that He CHOSE to lavish on me because He LOVED ME. Choosing to accept God's LOVE is probably my number one challenge in life. But I'm getting there...slowly but surely.

So that's the update. I've got a few more things I've learned but there's only so much sense you can make drugged up!!

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

YAY!


| View Show | Create Your Own

I'm glad we made a pact...

So here it is...the long awaited real post. A lot has happened since my last "real" post, but I'll let most of the pictures do the talking. It was good to have a break from school. Wish I was still on one in fact. The mee-maw Christmas this year was by far, hands down, number one voted, the best Christmas we have had together. After all, we made a pact to have great times every year didn't we? It was good to see everyone, admire the ornaments, lay in the hot tub (though we didn't really prepare well for that one) and eat more chicken than 7 girls should ever attempt to eat. We stayed up later than we've done in the past few mee-maw get togethers, but not so late that it was gross trying to get up and moving the next morning.

Christmas in New Hope was a bag full of emotions. That's expected though, and I'm just glad we got through it and on to a New Year. Mom (Kay) is doing well, and making it through better than we could have ever hoped for or imagined considering all that's she's been through. Way to go Kay!

New Year's was a heck load of fun. I spent it in Georgia with the friends here. Longhorn's, Sparklers, Sparkling drinks (just sparkling though), fun hats, IPOD mishaps, and RainX made for a fun night. We even took pictures with Dick on the big screen TV at Kevin's house.

And then life got back to normal. I've spent some time thinking over the past few days about the blessings in my life. I have so much to be so thankful for. I couldn't begin to imagine life without all the friends and family that I have that surround me and support me. I'm thankful for a home town that's so small that you truly have amazing relationships with a lot of people. No matter how far you may go from it, it's always home and always there. I'm thankful for a college that gave me a great education, but more importanly gave me a group of girls that will go with me, where ever, no matter what. We may not talk every day, every week, or even more than a few times a year...but when something happens...good or bad, we know in our hearts the love that we share for each other will always be there. There are ties that bind us together in all that we do. I'm thankful for pacts and hats and people that strive to keep them. I'm thankful for a place that God has led me to, that teaches me to grow everyday. A place where unconditional love is shown, and no matter how hard you may try, they never grow past loving you. A place where I've been poured into and taught how to pour into others. A place where I've been given freedom and permission to be who I am, while encouragment to be more than I've ever dared to dream of being.

I'm blessed!

Friday, January 05, 2007

No it's not a real post

But this is a great new things i've found...

www.43things.com

GREAT

Monday, December 18, 2006

3 More days to go...AND

BETH FINALLY POSTED! YAY!!!

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Friday, December 15, 2006

Sunday, December 10, 2006

FEDEX

Says my ornament should be here on the 12th. I can't wait to see the person open it up! MEE-MAWS get ready for Christmas 06!!!

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Out of Control

That's exactly what my life feels like right now. I never knew all of the emotions that I could feel at once...but here's just a few.

Frustrated - At myself for the mess I've made lately with relationships and my life.

Thankful - When I stop to think of all the amazing people who love me in spite of myself. I started just running down a list the other day of friends that would do anything for me and care about me...and the list was overwhelming...i'm blessed.

Envious - Of those at my age that seem to have it all together.

Regret - Of the past that can not change.

Sorrow - It feels weird to be a daughter without a dad.

Tormented - By the images, sounds and smell of death.

Hope - That someday, if I'm blessed with a husband and children, that I'll have the chance to correct some wrongs and be all that my children may need from a mom and be a wife that is my husbands strongest supporter.

Determination - To never allow myself to be like "her" in any way.

Anger - At what I've let others do to me in my past, anger at what they've stolen from me (more than possessions) and anger that I continue to let them steal and rob me of joy and sound mind.

Blessed - To be around such Godly, wonderful, patient, incredible, people who would walk through hell with me.

Overwhelmed - At the Sovereignty of God. It's overwhelming to think on the fact that My God is a God that never changes, and that remains faithful. It's taken me falling on my face the past few days and weeks to come to the understanding that I am nothing without him and that apart from Him I CAN DO NOTHING. It is He that gives me my next breath, and it is only by his amazing power, strength and grace that I can stand.

I truly stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner...but how marvelous, how wonderful is His glory. Lord work in our lives in such an astounding way that only YOU can be given the credit for what incredible things happen.

I'm in process right now of trying to regain perspective on life, ministry and relationships. I'll let you know if I get any!!!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Hurt

You know how sometimes it takes you a few times of hearing a song before you catch on to what it's saying. This one if fairly new and by Christina Aguilera, but I really "heard" it for the first time today and I have to say that it hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought I knew what grieving looked like, I mean I've been through it before, but I guess each process is different.


Seems like it was yesterday when I saw your face.
You told me how proud you were but I walked away.
If I only I knew what I know today, ohhhh.

I would hold you in my arms.
I would take the pain away.
Thank you for all you've done.
Forgive all your mistakes.
There's nothing I wouldn't do.
To hear your voice again.
Sometimes I wanna call you but I know you won't be there.

Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you.
For everything I just couldn't do.
And I've hurt myself by hurting you.

Some days I feel broke inside, but I won't admit.
Sometimes I just wanna hide cuz it's you I miss.
You know it's so hard to say good-bye when it comes to this, ohhhh yeah.

Would you tell me I was wrong?
Would you help me understand?
Are you looking down upon me?
Are you proud of who I am?
There's nothing I wouldn't do.
To have just one more chance.
To look into your eyes and see you looking back.

Oh, I'm sorry for blaming you.
For everything I just couldn't do.
And I've hurt myself, oh...

If I had just one more day.
I would tell you how much that I've missed you since you've been away.
Oh, It's dangerous.
It's so out of line to try and turn back time.

I'm sorry for blaming you.
For everything I just couldn't do.
And I've hurt myself....
by hurting you.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

I'm back!

I'm back in Georgia. Not much up for posting right now. Maybe in the days to come. But just wanted to thank you all for your prayers and support. They transitioned into God's grace and strength for my family. We're ok. Not great, not bad...but ok.

Love you all!
Christy

Monday, November 20, 2006

Today is worse

He's losing blood but we don't know that source. Fever has been steady at 104 and not breaking. I'm headed home tonight probably...maybe tomorrow after school, but I doubt that I can make it that much longer without being there.

I'll try and post in the next few days and will call someone that can pass along the news to most of you readers if something happens.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Not an update I wanted to give...

But I figured since this was an easy way to reach most of my friends....here goes.

As of this morning, they have him resting very comfortably (thanks to morphine) and have his vitals under control. He does have double pneumonia (never really got over it) and now has developed a staff infection in his blood stream. The doctors want to get him as situated as they can before they release him back to the nursing home, where Hospice will take over care. We have chose to place a feeding tube into him, but will not be taking any measures to place him on the ventilator. This was not an easy decision for my mother and myself, and we have wrestled with whether it's the right one, but for now it's the decision we have arrived at.

So there you go...One hour at a time, one day a time. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for your prayers! Love you all!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Will I ever get it all figured out!!

What I want to do with my life. I mean I know I'm called where I am...but do I want to get a Master's to start teaching so that I can make more money and live a little more comfortable? Do I go get a Master of Divinity...and have you seen the requirements from anywhere besides Liberty?? Geez...Am I really cut out to do that again? I barely did it the first time. Would I have time being a children's minister, para-pro and a student again? I just have the restlessness in me right now, a discomfort for where I'm headed and I don't really know what to do. Part of me wants to sit back and let God work and do His thing, and know that He will show me what to do....but part of me just wants to fix everything myself, figure something out and go for it.

I have no clue...and even though I don't have to make these decisions tomorrow...I still would love to know what I'm suppose to do. Anybody else have a clue for me?

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

ROLL TIDE!




JUST GEARING UP FOR SATURDAY!! ROLL TIDE!!

Monday, November 13, 2006

Wow

There's a businessman
There's a widowed wife
A smIling face with a shattered life
A teenage girl with a choice to make
It's crowded here in church today

And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes
Bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Oh Jesus wants to meet you here

'Cuz we all fall short and we all have sinned
But where you left, God's grace begins

It's beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Well, he'd never been to church before
but he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
and he was suffocating in his sin

but tears rolled down as hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hand
Worshipping the God who can bring him back to life again and

It's beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

'Cuz there's nothing more beautiful than God
and when his sons and daughters come broken

Hallelujah Hallelujah
come as you are
Hallelujah Hallelujah
Come as you are

Broken and beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Come as you are
Broken and beautiful (Hallelujah)
Beautiful (Hallelujah)
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful
Broken and beautiful
Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Beautiful

I needed some encouragment today....

After going through some old e-mails the other day...I ran across this one and just had to have a good laugh and cry. It did serve to remind me that I really can do things when I set my mind to them.


>===== Original Message From JUDITH ROBERTS =====
Dr. Potts has given permission for each of you to march in graduation at the
end of the line. However, your names will not be printed in the program and
you will not receive a diploma cover. The policy of the college is to only
print and call names of those who have completed all requirements.

Once you complete all your graduation requirements you may choose to walk
again next year and have your name in the program and receive your diploma, or
we can mail you your diploma whenever all requirements are met.

Judith L. Roberts, Ph.D.
Vice President and Dean of Faculty
Judson College
Marion, Alabama 36756
334-683-5106

I had to put this one up to...you'd be laughing that hard if you had a ball of flames coming at your head!



My friends are great!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Redeem My Time

I was told Sunday to redeem my time today on my wonderful day off, after an eventful and tiring weekend...I think getting up at 1:45p.m. would be considered as redeeming and wasting...but I've loved every minute of it.

I'm in a great debate with myself over whether or not I should trade Little Red in. She's been a great car these 6 years that we've been together, but bless her heart, her time is coming close. My transmission slipped the other day though, and there are a few little things that are starting to go bad. I really don't WANT a car payment, but I don't WANT to be on the side of the road stuck either. My horoscope into Woman's World said to plan and not act (not that I really listen to those things!!). So I think I might take that advice for another week and at least not make a decision until I go home for Thanksgiving.

I do know this...that I will cry like a baby when I trade her in. I got her in January of my freshman year at Judson. That's been almost 6 years ago. Think of all that we've been through in those 6 years.

Anyway...can't think of that now. I have to think of how i'm going to redeem the next few hours and actually go find a way to make this day somewhat productive. If I even just get all of my laundry caught up it would be a good day.

The End

Monday, October 30, 2006

I had poppy seed dressing today...

and it was actually really good, compared to that crap Marie like at Golden Club Banquet the year she was in a trance from returning from Africa.

Other than that...I have a long thought out post that's coming soon, but I think i'll save it for closer to the weekend...when I GET TO SEE MY FRIENDS!! WAHOO!!!!

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The Church At Mill Creek

1. We Value God.
We Will Glorify God and enjoy Him through
lifestyles of personal worship

2. We value People.
We value people as GodÂ’s creation.

3. We value relationships.
We value the deepening of intimacy and
trust by developing authentic relationships
with one another in community.

4. We Value the family.
The family is GodÂ’s first institution and one
of His choice tools to make disciples in this
world. We will therefore, seek to equip
families to make disciples at home.

5. We value ChristÂ’s mission in this world.
We will focus the mission of Church at Mill
Creek around ChristÂ’s personal mission,
“to seek and to save that which is lost,” and
his personal ministry methodology of
multiplying His influence in this world through
Disciple-making.

6. We value time.
Time is a gift from God. We will be good
stewards of the time He has given us to help
people come into and enjoy a relationship with
Him!
7. We value integrity.
We value both individual and ministry
integrity. We will encourage people to pursue
God personally, to care for their family, and
use their ministry gifts in the balanced lifestyle
called for in the Scriptures.

8. We value simplicity.
The uniqueness of The Church at Mill Creek is
found in our intentional effort to accomplish
more, by doing less. This focus on simplicity will
empower us to do the few things we do with
excellence, and empower individuals and
families to pursue individual ministries.



These are the core values of The Church At Mill Creek, the church plant that I work at as a children's minister. It's a model of ministry that is unique, yet becoming a lot more common in "church world" today. The thought behind it is that when you strip away the excessive ministry that we sometime think is important, you are free to get back to the basics of Christianity.

1. To pursue God on a personal level. As a church we have done a HUGE injustice to believers by allowing them to believe that coming to church is what "feeds" them their relationship with Christ. Instead we believe that it's the believers responsibility to pursue God. We want to empower you in your walk and on your journey.

2. To build your family. We've also done an injustice to families by saying, bring your kids to our children's ministry, and allow us to be the spiritual leader in your child's life. Instead...we want to empower you to build your family the way that scripture instructs parents to do. We want to be reinforcing what you are teaching at home. I realize that not every child that walks through the doors of our children's ministry will have a family that does this...I wouldn't have, and that's where it is the church's responsibilty to pour into the next generation and build them up.

If you are single, the actions and wise decisions that make now, will help in building your family.

3. To experience life in a small group of believers. We want ministry to be on a personal level. So we encourage community to happen within a group of believers that have things in common. It's encouragment, accountability and just the presence of other believers in your life.

4. To influence those in your natural life path. You have more influence over those that you meet at the mailbox, in your favorite restuarant, or at work than you do showing up to some random persons house on Thursday night for visitation. We want to strip you have having to be a part of endless programs that drag people down, and free you up to do ministry in your own natural path.

It's been a roller coaster ride trying to adopt to this model of ministry, but nowI'vet i've embraced it, it's been an amazing to see the way that God has worked through me.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Since it's 8:45 p.m. Alabama time....

I feel safe to say that my phone might not ring again tonight, which means that some friends (mee-maws) forgot something today.

ok...so sara beth called as i typed this. she's safe from elimination.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Sorry Matt

It's just easier to do the list again...

Reasons I'm a happier person

*I got to see my mother. You know when you see someone and you just sigh that huge sigh...like your home and your safe and nothing else in the world matters at that moment...because you are with them. I love my mother.
*I got to spend a weekend at home...with things paid for. I love it when I go home and eat out 10 times and family pays for it all. Not that I am spoiled at all.
*I got to see almost everyone that I really cared anything about seeing...and even a few good that I didn't expect at Homecoming Friday night.
*I got to see Anna go through her Senior Homecoming. She has more inner and outer beauty than she will ever realize. She makes me proud to know her. I love you ANNER!
*I got PAID! Oh what a huge blessing to the bank account because I was about to go sell myself in downtown ATL. I hear the going rate on Jimmy Carter is more than the public school system.

Reasons I'm NOT so happy
*New Hope lost Friday night. A few really bad mistakes and some HORRIBLE calling. To the zebras...you deserved everything you got Friday night.
*Alabama lost...but at least it wasn't a blow out like expected.

Quote from the weekend.....
Heard from the stands of the New Hope High School Football game...directed at the sorry refs.

"Get out of here you jackass..."
"That's not a jackass...that's a zebra!"

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Ready, Set...Go

Here's the rundown....

* It's 8:34 (Eastern Time) and I'm fighting to stay awake till 9.
* Working at the High School is going good...
* Kids today are NOT the same as when WE were teenagers....
* Two out of the three statements above make me sound like my mother.
* The Church at Mill Creek's future is amazing, exciting, and scary all at the same time.
* Getting paid once a month from the school board system STINKS...and therefore you cannot reach me on my cell phone until the end of this week. In fact...just plan to probably not reach me on the last week of the month for a while.
* Continuing that thought...don't expect me to eat out, pay bills or drive anywhere other than my house and work on that last week either.
* I miss my mother. Bad. Really bad.
* I'll confess that I resent my dad because he's the reason my mother will never come see me here in Georgia.
* On second thought...maybe it's because she won't drive outside of New Hope.
* I miss my friends.
* I kinda miss my life pre - 5:30 A.M. Wake up calls
* Darlene starts Chemo Thursday
* I get to see Darlene and the rest that is New Hope on Thursday
* It's the begining of fall time in NEW HOPE!! (They might even make it to the playoffs this year!)
* Alabama's kicker sucks
* I'm coming up with stuff to make my list seem longer and my life less boring.
* The mee-maw babies are CUTE!!! Recent picture on their blogs (see right) prove that.
* I want to believe what I know to be true about God. Try to figure that out.
* When you see a therapist and he has to diagram your life on his note pad...signs are...YOU'RE CRAZY!!
* God is faithful and good and at the end of the day...that's all that is important.

* The end!

Friday, September 15, 2006

I'm bout to lose my Jesus card...

real quickly if these strange calls from a 229 area code don't quit. I get them, like clock work at 2 a.m. every morning. It's really about to tick me off. Sorry...had to vent.

Other than that....I think we need to make some plans for HOCKEY DAY girls. I always say that I'm coming...and then punk out! Well...not this year. I need some babies, some mee-maws, some Hockey, a little J & R's and a LOT of Pennies in my life SOON!

Who's in?

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I asked for a word.....

" I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here is my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepard. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. When God, who is the best shepard of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for - God has has it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ--eternal and glorious they are! --will have you put together and on your feet for good. He get's the last word; yes, he does!"

1 Peter 5: 1-11 (The Message)

Now I know this is Peter writing to exiles scattered "to the four winds", but these words...especially in bold...give me comfort right now.

What does wholeness look like to you?

Thursday, September 07, 2006

It's a Full Moon

So I never really believed the connection between the full moon and weird behavior until I started working around teenagers. But this week, I've seen it in the kids and maybe even a little in myself.

So I'm finally updating, I know I'm a sorry person. There's just so much in my heart and head right now that I really don't know where to begin or even if I should.

Darlene's surgery went great, and she is doing so well. I'm so excited for her that she made it through as wonderful as she did. She will start Chemo in a few weeks. Just keep her in your prayers through this time.

I now officially work for the Gwinnett County School System as a Para-Pro at Mill Creek High School (which is actually the high school our church plant meets at). I work in the Special Ed Department there. It all started after I subbed there for three weeks in the Severe Autistic class. I'm not actually in that class anymore (which makes me sad) but I'm still near it and in the area with the same people. It's been neat meeting new people and having a whole new group of friends.

Otherwise I'm just in a really weird place right now. I feel myself checking out of some things. It's amazing how caught up you get in the work that God wants to do and begins to do, and when the process gets painful and the change starts happening, you quickly revert back to your old self and take yourself out of the process. I'm not all the way out yet, but if I don't get coaxed back in soon, I may miss this chance.

I'll write more when I get all my thoughts together. There just not there now.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Tomorrow

My dear friend Darlene has her surgery tomorrow. If you think about it, please say a prayer for her. It's a scary thing, especially as a women, to have both of your breast removed.

Thanks!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Saturday, August 19, 2006

The Dash

www.thedashmovie.com

I found out last weekend that my dear friend Darlene has breast cancer. Then I found out that she was having both breast removed, now we know that she needs chemotherapy.

I've done ok with all of this till today, when I saw this movie.

Just please pray. I don't have the promise that she'll be healed here on earth, but I do have the promise that she will be healed.

I'm not angry...i'm just angry

So we've been moving right along in this book that we are doing in our small group. We are starting to get into the "diseases" of the heart that he refers to. He list them as Guilt, Anger, Jealousy and Envy.

Buddy, when we got to the Anger part, I didn't realize just how much of an angry person I really am. I mean, not all the time, but when certain names from the past come up (birth mother) or just certain past situations, I can get fired up.

But he also says in the book, "When are you going to quit letting people who are not in your life, or maybe even dead, have control over your life." And that's true. There are so many good moments stolen from me, because I still hold on to some of these anger issues.

So...i'm going to put on my big girl pants, and deal with them once and for all. I"m going to get them into the light, so that they don't breed in the darkness!

I don't want to be an angry elf for the rest of my life!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Process

So I had this whole great idea for a post, but i'm too tired to write it all down, or do that much thinking, so i'll just update for the moment.

I'm back to subbing. Why you might ask? Because we are still all bi-vocational and that's the wonderful load I get to carry along with, secretary, nursery, preschool and Children's MINISTER!

But I'm really loving the class that I am in right now. I'm there for four weeks while the other para-pro is on medical leave. It's a class with 5 severe autistic kids. I say kids, but they range from 14-19, so they are actually pretty big.

Dante, Jacki, Mikey, Stanley and Chardane have my heart. I've actually not met Chardane yet, but it's coming soon. But Dante, Jacki, Mikey and Stanley are the best. They'll never be able to say anything to me verbally, but they speak volumes into my life.

I'll post pictures soon. I love every part of it, except getting up at 5:45 AM every morning. Yeah...that sucks bad!

Life is good though, and God is faithful. He's calling me into deep water with him right now, and I know I won't sink, but the call to swim comes with a great price. One that I'm not sure I am willing to embrace right now.

Wholeness...Oh Lord, why now? And what's the cost going to be...I'm sure the end is worth it, but I just need that push into the water. And a life-jacket wouldn't hurt!!!

Saturday, August 12, 2006

I'm with Ashley

Sometimes a song just puts it so much better than you can. Rest...doesn't necessarily mean that I need to slow down, but more of an attitude that I need to embrace.

Taste the presence of God in this place
And know that He is here
Taste the presence of God in this place
And know that it is real

Hold His hand, let His warmth
Drown out this world so cold
Hear His voice whispering
Never let it grow old

Rest in His arms, feel the breeze
Flowing gently through our hair
See his smile, know He's pleased
When our praises feel the air
Oh my Lord
Oh my God

Taste the presence of God in this place
Taste the presence of God in this place
Taste the presence of God, the presence of God

Thursday, August 03, 2006

My 100th post



I wanted it to be special..and it is...this is my friend Karla's new little baby! He was having a good dream. I love Philip Andrew Dickey!
And my brother. See the family line?? I kinda can...maybe it will be different when we meet each other!

You're coming on this journey with me...

Why? Cause I have nothing better to post about, and sometimes I just like to post...so buckle up...it might get a little bumpy the next few weeks!

We started the book tonight. Jason talked about how many times we check our behavior instead of our hearts...and that's so true. Someone will ask me...how are you doing...well I quit smoking, quit drinking, haven't said to many bad words this week, have killed anyone...I must be doing pretty well. When the truth is, I have bigger walls up around my heart than the great wall of China, and I'm slow to want those to go down. I like my walls, they protect me. Instead I should be looking to God to protect my heart.

He also talked about how experiences from the past are the ones that put up those walls...big and small...good and bad...and that's the layers that we have to allow God to peel back. They didn't get there overnight and they're probably not going to go away that quickly either.

So it was a pretty good start. A few of the others mentioned that they are a little scared of this process as well, so I feel a little more comforted by the whole thing. Maybe this can be my counseling and i'll save a few hundred bucks that I don't have anyway!!

I'm just thankful that the Lord is so faithful in my life. Faithful to bring things to the surface that I need to walk through, faithful to have brought me friends that no matter where we go or what we do...we love each other unconditionally, faithful to bring friends in my life for such a time as this...friends who "get me" at that moment, faithful to see me though the changes of life and what they may hold. He's faithful and good.

Going to see Talladega nights tomorrow...wahoo...don't usually get excited about movies, but i'm dang excited about this one.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

So i'm not a wife or mother

But does it just seem sometimes like you do the same thing day after day. Everyday there seems to be clothes that need washing, a house that needs to be clean, if I want to eat something other than McDonalds or something nasty like that, then I have to cook, which means I have to clean.

I have a great job, amazing friends, but sometimes I just start the day thinking...am I really going to do anything different today than yesterday.

We are starting a new book in our small group...excuse me...life group this week. It's called "It came from within", by Andy Stanley.

Here's what the back of it says...

"You can't run from what lurks within! More frightening than Frankenstein. More destrcutive than alien invaders. They will numb your soul, steal your life, and threathen your most treasured relationships. Who are these creatures? Where do they come from? At the fall of mankind they were unleased on the world, wreaking havoc and sending thousands fleeing from their homes. And their lair is found in the last place anyone wants to look - the mysterious depths of their own hearts! But be encouraged, these monsters have a weakness. They can be defeated. You can escape their clutches and be free of their influence. Learn the truth - before it's too late."

Sounds fun huh? Not really. I mean i'm excited we are doing it, and excited that our life group is so amazing here, but really ... Do I want to discuss matters of the heart, especially my heart, with a group of people. Um...no.

But, can't exactly not do it either.