Holy Mess this hurt!

I'm sure this was unsanctioned!

Get out of the darkness!

My Big Sis and Me!

Somedays

Somedays I feel like I am just floating in space. No where that's really home, no where were I really belong, just here. That's today!

Hailey Bre-Anne

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=6X2D1H9D7H

That's the newest of the nieces. She's precious. If the link doesn't work...go to www.springhillmedicalcenter.com

online nursery, march 24 Hailey S.

Update on my family.

Thank you for all of your prayers for my family over the past few weeks. As most of you know we lost two of my daddy's brothers in a two week period. Uncle Zack passed away 2 weeks ago Sat of a long battle with cancer, and then Saturday my cousin Judy Carol found her father dead of a massive stroke. It's weird to think that my daddy was once one of 12 and that just 2 weeks ago there were 4 and now there's only 2. This is the 3rd brother to pass away since November. My mother has also been battling high blood pressure but it's now under control thanks to medication.

Please continue to remember my family in your prayers.

Update time!

So life is good. God has been reminding me lately just how blessed I really am. Over the past few weeks I have had some really neat moments with my friends from home, from here and from Judson and that's been exciting.

Family update - My uncle Zack passed away 2 weeks ago and this morning we got the call that my dad's other brother John C. passed away this morning of a stroke. It's sad to think that daddy once had 11 brothers and sisters and now only has one. I never imagined that my daddy would make it to the final two, but he's a tough old bird I guess. He has his good days and bad days. I've come to terms with the relationship that I've had with my daddy over the last few months of my life. I understand now that my daddy has always loved me, he just didn't know how to show it. I'm glad I've been able to get to that point before it's too late. It also has helped me change my view of seeing God as my Father. Complicated...but when is my life not??

My sister and brother have both added additions to their families and MANY pictures are coming soon!!

Georgia update - Things are good. I've started subbing which is neat. It's income and it has confirmed what I've always known about me...I'm good with kids but I'm not called to be a teacher. I would shoot myself. Geez! But I'm having fun and need the money so it's all good!

I'm moving at the beginning of May into a house with a friend named Aundrea. We are really excited. We've been picking out colors and patterns and looking at stuff. We are actually going to IKEA today which makes me happy!

Life is just good. God is blessing me so much here and the more that I realize what a journey this really is, the more I get excited about what all is in our future. I love the people that I work with and I can't believe that I get to be a part of this. It's just mind blowing.

Judson update - I was so glad that I went to hear MBS Mandy preach at Judson the other day. It was good to be around friends that I hadn't seen in a while and see friends that I might not see for some time since we all seem to be moving in our different directions.

I'm so freaking excited about JDAY! Wow...I'm so ready and need it so bad!

So that's the update! Peace out! Criddy!

Shout out time!

So I thought I would give this guy a plug. Jason Britt is one of our pastors here at Mill Creek. He handles all the admin stuff, office stuff and money stuff. He calls me hurricane because apparently he's never met a redneck girl who could beat him up. People almost think we hate each other, and we think we just might have been separated at birth, but he's a good guy! He keeps me thinking theologically and that's become extremely important to me. He's never afraid to ask the tough questions no matter whose around and dude will pray for you at the drop of a hat. So check out his blog. jbritt.blogspot.com

One more time

My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew Hunter welcomed Hailey Breanne Simms into the world this morning. She came in a 7lbs and 10 ounces and 19 inches long. I can't wait to see them both and hold them and kiss them and be there aunt!!! awwww! yay!

Words cannot express....

what I feel when I saw this baby for the first time. This is Lexi Marie Goodwin, my beautiful niece.

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=5O6R5O6O6F

If that link doesn't work and you have time go to...

www.springhillmedicalcenter.com

Online nursery

March 9th. Lexi G

Aunt Christy

I am an Aunt again today

Little Lexi made her debut this morning, coming in at 8lbs and 2 ounces and 21.5 inches long! I'll post pics as SOON as I get them. I am so excited!!!

A famous quote

"I actually had silence last week, and it was good, until it became painful and this week I have avoided it at all cost."

Ok so it's not famous, and i'm quoting myself. It's a comment I made on a friend's blog. If there has ever been a true statement that I have made...this has been it!

I'm now considering Hebrews chapter 4!

A random post...

1. I'm breaking out the NO EASY SALVATION. I'm in a theological mood all of a sudden!

2. This month...well as long as it takes me...i'm going to work my way through Ephesians. Not sure why I chose this book, maybe it's because there's a bible study about it laying on my desk. so that seems like an easy choice for right now. I'll post my thoughts as I go through it. Anyone else care to join me???

3. To my friends -
Jennifer...can I come play?
Heather...if Jennifer says I can come to her house do you want to ride together...i need some mee-maw time.
Susan - I'm sad that Marie has to leave you. If I ever have any money or bravery to leave the country again...maybe i'll come see you too!!!
Marie - Hope your trip was good and hope you made it back safe.
Beth - Let's do a phone date...you just call me when you have time this week and i'll make time for you friend!!! i can't wait to catch up with you for real this time!
Sara Beth - I hope you are so the random "day" student that comes back to graduation and steals the awards away from those little 4.0 *******...you know what i mean???
Kellie - I'll call soon...kiss blakeney for me!
Ashley - I will come kick some little gnome A...just call me...
Mandy Mac - I LOVE MBS is coming...and it's going to be great!

Anyone else that lurks on my blog...i hope you are great!

Criddy

It's all in a name....

We are trying to name our children's ministry at THE CHURCH AT MILL CREEK...any ideas??

Jason Britt...if by some chance you read this...we ARE NOT NAMING THEM...MILL CREEK CRITTERS!! =)

I don't want it to be something like Kid's Place or Kid's Club or anything like that...something that identifies us and flows with our church...

WOuldn't mind to play off the creek theme...but Up the Creek doesn't seem to work either. Even though our worship ministers' last name is ORR and he thinks Up the Creek with an ORR would be a good idea!

I'm so lazy...

I really miss home, especially since it's been a month since I've been there and this will only be the second time since I've been moved that I've been home....but dang i'm lazy and just don't want to drive that long a drive!! (for those of you that think i just made a grammatical mistake...just keep thinking that!! ) Geez! It would be ok if it were interstate...but dang if I don't have to get off on the stop light capital of highways and freaking travel 431 almost the whole way home. I just wish I could click my heels like Dorothy and just be there!!!

I do need to go home, but I also have a lot to get done here. I'm going to have to bust my rear tomorrow to get A LOT done...maybe no bed time for Criddy. There's just a lot that we are changing this Sunday that HAS to be done by Sunday because I'm STUPID and already communicated to the parents that I will have these changes made. I don't know how I am ever going to be all that I have to do only be in the office once or twice a week! God please don't let me get burned out again. Please!! But the difference is that we have fun (most of the time), and I think we love and respect each other....sometimes it's hard when you are around guys all the time and all you ever are, is sarcastic all the time!

So anyway...i'm just griping because I'm tired. Really tired!

I am so excited that MY Big sister (she adopted me towards the end) will be the chapel speaker at an upcoming Judson Chapel. Mandy...do you want me to make a sign that says I LOVE MBS like the ones at Pageant and hold it up for you!!! (j/k)

I will be there with bells on and then will head BACK to JC in April for the much anticipated J-DAY! Mee-maws...we made the cover of the brochure...did anyone else see this??

So...IF I CALL YOU TONIGHT...ANSWER...CAUSE I WANT TO GRIPE! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!

LOVE, ME

Just so those of you who read my blog

know that my friends have the cutest kids in the world.
Lily, Blakeney and Hannah

If I only had a roof....

Sometimes life would be so much better if I only had my Judson friends and Jennifer's old room or the roof of Barron.

But since i don't...i'll have to settle to write this here.

So...I've talked to at least one mee-maw about this...but thought I would share it for all.

I know that some of you make think may not think of me in this way....or may even say that I am being a hypocrite because of the lifestyle that you once knew of me...and that's fine...i've learn that can't please everybody. But, what I am about to share is very personal and very real to me right now, and I can only pray that it will help someone else.

First let me say that God knew what He was doing when he moved me here (and yes there have been times when I didn't think He did!!!). But God has been working on me so much since I have been here. For instance...He is teaching me about trust. Trusting myself, Trusting others (never been good at that one) and most of all, Trusting Him. If there is one thing that I have never been good at it's been letting go of the control that I have on my life. I know that I suck it up, really bad at times, so why I choose to hold on to so many things, amazes me. But God has really been teaching me that it's time to let go. It's time to turn it over to Him and to trust no matter what. He is teaching me that I have to be broken in order to move on. For so long I've only had myself to fall back on in my life, and so I've placed myself ahead of Him too many times.

To be honest, I'm tired. I'm tired of having empty conversations with friends about the life that I want...instead of the life that I am pursuing. I'm tired of running to others to fix my problems and pray for me...when the ONLY one that can fix them is begging me to come to Him. I'm tired of playing the game in front of this crowd and then acting a totally different way in front of another crowd because I am scared that they will think that i've gone nuts or not accept me. I'm tired of being afraid and living in the past. I'm tired of caring what people think and just living the way that I know that I should.

And so I am learning to let go, to trust Him and to do whatever it takes, no matter what the cost. I am ready to experience a new level in my walk with Christ no matter what others may think or say. I'm ready to trust the people that God has surrounded me with. To LEAN on them and to LEARN from them, but to not burden them or seek attention just because I am needy.

I can't even begin to tell you the level of respect that I have for the pastors and friends that God has blessed me with here, and I can't tell you how thankful I am for the amazing support system that He has blessed me with in my Judson friends and the few friends from home that continue to pray for me, and communicate with me and love me, even though they are disappointed that I am gone.

Don't let me become the person that some of you once knew. If you see me falling into those traps, no matter where you may be personally, slap me out of it. Push me and pray for me.

Even though I have no clue who all may read this...I do know that some of my very best friends will...and to you...and you know who you are...THANK YOU. Thank you for being my friend and for making me a better person. Thank you for loving me just the way I am. Thank you for accepting me, faults and all but pushing me to be all that I can.

Love, Criddy!

1 is the loneliest number

This week I am making a major accomplishment in my life by staying by myself for a WHOLE WEEK!! It's going to be crazy. The family that I live with right now is gone on a business trip/family visit...so it's just me, myself and I. Of course I have every light on in the house at ALL TIMES, but so far i'm making it. I'm more scared of me than I am of a total stranger breaking in the house. I'm scared of being alone with myself. I would rather occupy my time with friends and conversation than have time alone to think. Thinking gets me in trouble sometimes.

We've been at a church planting conference today and we'll head back there tomorrow. Sometimes I forget that this really is a church plant with a long way to go...other times the reality hits me upside the head....HARD! But the good thing is...I still love my job, I still love the kids, I still love and respect the people I work with and under...and that's all that I could have ever asked for.

I'm learning a lot about myself over here! I'm learning that I have a long way to go as a person...as a Christian...as a leader, but I'm also learning that if I'll work on trusting people a little bit more...the end result may just be something that I'm proud of.

I'm also CONTEMPLATING going to seminary for my master's. It's not official, i've just been looking. I'm thinking of starting off small...just a class here and there and seeing where I go from there. We'll see...there's a lot of praying that has to go into that one. One thought of math or spanish makes me want to say...HEEEEEEEECK NO!!!

Well that's about it. No cute kid to post about...nothing really exciting...but it's what you get for now!!!

Ok.Ok.Ok.

I've made it where anyone can comment! I didn't realize I had it the way I did.

AND...I didn't write that last post for my health...well I did kinda...but I wrote it so that people would answer it. Yay for sara-beth and even the body condom comment...

i can't believe I just wrote that in my blog....

Question:

Do you think that I am transparent?