It's been a long time!

It's been a long time!

Okay, okay, so I know I've not been the best blogger in the history of Blogging....but

I've promised myself and Pastor Tara/Mom, that I was going to get

better at this! So, I'm starting back slow!

By the way, I've got some awesome updates.....just got back from Chicago, and

have a whole new perspective on what God is doing in my life right now!

I'll blog about that soon....just wanted to get some things rolling again!

So, I thought I would put some recent pics of my family, we had a

hectic summer.....we've started school, piano, ballet.

We've lost some teeth, and we've grown so much closer together!

I'll be back soon, enjoy the pics!

Two By Two

Got this from Pastor Tara!!

1) Two names you go by
Christy, Mom

2) Two things you're wearing right now
Jersey shorts and a T Shirt

3) Two things you want in a relationship
Loyalty and Honesty

4 Two of your favorite things to do
Sing and Play with my kids

5 Two things you want very badly at the moment
More hours in the day....More Money!

6 Two pets you had or have now
Macey/black lab we had a few years back, and Precious/childhood cat

7) Two people who will fill this out first:
Don't know

8 Two things you did last night
Cooked Supper....Folded clothes

9) Two people that live in your house
Daniel, my husband, and our two kids

10) Two people you talked to last
My Husband, and about 300 patients on the phone!

11) Two things you're doing tomorrow
It's my off day, so....sleeping in, and Dr appt

12) Two longest car rides
Driving from Alabama to Chicago with the Sloan Family! And Driving from Alabama to Orlando when I was 16 to go to Disneyworld

12) Two of your favorite holidays
Thanksgiving and Christmas

13) Two favorite beverages:
Sweet Tea and "Virgin" Margaritas!

"Feel Like Pulling My Hair Out"

Ever have those days where you just feel like pulling your hair out?

Had one of those days today! Matter of fact....recently, everyday at work, has been one of

those days! I told Pastor Tara that I really feel like God is trying to teach me how to truly love people! I mean, I really thought that I was a loving person......

but lately, the love has been tested!

I work in a Surgeons office....matter of fact the largest General/Plastic Surgery Office around!

We have 9 surgeons, so of course they can't all be in clinic at the same time....they have to be performing surgery most of the week.....so each one takes a clinic day, to see patients with consultations, follow=ups, complications, etc.

Well Tuesdays are our busiest days....we have 3 surgeons in clinic at one time, these are our most popular surgeons.....one being a plastic surgeon and the other two are general surgeons....between them they see about 300 patients in one day!

I don't know how this is humanly possible for one person!! They need rest!!!

Anyway.....today....of all days....the computers shut down, so we had to hand write every form to sign in the patients.....we were short staffed, along with the phones going crazy!

So, I'm exhausted!!! I'm not complaining here.....just giving you a picture of what the office is like!

So, as I said earlier.....I really think that God is trying to show me something with this job.....there is one co-worker that just really gets under my skin....she is a "Sugar Slopper" as me and Pastor Tara like to call them......you know them.....the women who talk like "Hey Honey" "How are you today, Baby" or "Can you do this for me, Sugar" you know those people that "slop sugar" all over you, then the minute you turn your back, they have a knife ready to stab you!

Just plain out Fake people.....I'm tired of them.....I try my best to be the type of person that's "what you see is what you get", I try to be the same all the time.......I had one of the nurses compliment, me yesterday as I walked through the clinic after lunch....she said...."Are you happy all the time?" I said no.....She said, well why do you smile all the time...... and I thought....Thank God, I'm not letting my frustrations show!

We are truly ment to be a light....no matter where we are....so we can't let our frustrations dictate our circumstances!

So, back to the "Sugar Slopper".....I've dealt with this type of person before....so I've tried several different approaches....you can slop the sugar right back....but then you're being just as fake as they are.....you can just ignore the person.....but that's not being nice, or being a light......or you can just LOVE THE PERSON!!

So, this is my conclusion.....I'm going to love her......with a Christ like love! You know, maybe I'm meant to help her.....let her see how she needs Jesus!

I believe that's what we're all supposed to do!

So, pray for me, as I learn to Love others as Christ Loves!!

Blessings,

Christy

I've Been Tagged!

Well, I was tagged by Pastor Tara....thought this was really neat!!

Accent - Very Southern!
Booze of choice - Sweet Tea!

Chore I hate - Putting Laundry away
Dog or Cat - Don't have either right now, would love a dog some day, for the kids!
Essential electronics - Computer, mobile phone, and TiVo!
Favorite perfume(s)/cologne(s) - I like the Mary Kay line
Gold or Silver? - White gold or silver
Hometown - Talladega, Al
Insomnia? - Not really, I have this weird thing that I didn't know that I did, until the first few nights my husband and I were married....I scared him to death, when my whole body would jerk for no reason, as I'm falling asleep....matter of fact we talked about it today, I still do it most nights!
Job Title - Only at the present time....Medical Office/Administrative...Wife, Mother, sometimes feel like SuperWoman!

Kids? - 2 Joshua and Hannah!
Living Arrangement - Only at the moment....a very small 2 bedroom apt with my sweet kids, and my hubby!

Most admired trait - Loving Person
Overnight Hospital Stays - Several- 2 C-sections, along with some sicknesses here and there

Phobia - Driving around really high mountains....I don't like the edge!
Quote -“Never allow people, problems, or the pain of your past pause your present, punish your person, prison your potential, or paralyze your progress!” Stole this one from Pastor Tara! Love you!!
Religion - Christian
Siblings - Two brothers
Time I wake up - Around 5:15 a.m. during the week.....9:00a.m. on Saturdays!
Unusual talent/skill - Don't really have unusual talents!

Vegetable I refuse to eat - pretty much like them all....never tried brussel sprouts...don't think I would like them!
Worst habit - At times, I don't tend to really say how I feel i.e.....if someone hurts me....I tend to let it build until it becomes a mountain!
X-rays - Lots of those lately....mostly on my stomach and esophagus area!

Yummy foods I make - Any baked good....homemade potato soup, homemade biscuits......I hope everything that I make is yummy, I love to cook, and love it when others love it!!

Thanks Mom, for tagging me!! Love you!! Miss you so much!

"Dream Journal"

So, we're back from our little second honeymoon getaway....our "Dream" vacation I called it....because yes, this getaway was time spent with each other, relaxing, resting, and just plain being lazy! This was also a time for us to sit down on the front porch of this cabin, with no one, no house, nothing around to see but the beautiful view in the above picture, was the theatre right outside our front door!

We took some time to visit the town a little bit, we also visited a state park there, with this place called Anna Ruby Falls......Soooo Beautiful! (See the waterfall pic above!!)

So, it was a wonderful trip....I'm so glad that we took this time, it was very rewarding, I would suggest this to every couple to do, at least once a year!

We had an awesome time, and as you know, our goal was really to get refocused, refueled, revived, etc. We spent so much time on that front porch, talking, laughing, praying, and most importantly "Dreaming" together! As I said in my last post, I felt like the Holy Spirit was leading me to take one of my journals, and designate it a "Dream Journal" this is a journal to be used for our vision as husband and wife, as a family, for our children, for our Destiny!

I already had a few questions ready to throw back and forth to each other.....questions like......

*What's one thing that you enjoy doing, that brings you joy, that just really drives you?

*What do you feel are your gifts/talents?

There were more, but it seemed like one question led to another, which led to anwers like..."you know, I would really love to be able to......(fill in the blank)"or "It brings me joy, and contentment in my life when I....(fill in the blank)"..........So, this led to us filling up several pages with dreams that centered around the vision that really is the vision of the Lord for our lives......I truly believe that most people are waiting around for the Lord to speak to them in some Holy "fru fru" "Thus sayeth the Lord" sort of way..... "This is the plan for your life"......no, it's not some treasure, locked up in a box, that the Lord is playing scavenger hunt with you, for you to find it! All you've got to do is just sit down, take some time to dream......write the vision down, make it plain! So, I challenge everyone to start a "Dream Journal" with your family!

So, the focus was really on the future......and of course, it was the last morning we were there, that I truly had one of those awesome revelatory moments with the Lord.......I couldn't sleep past 5:00 for some reason......first of all, it was so quiet there, it was really almost hard to go to sleep in the first place! Anyway, I woke up before dawn......left Daniel sleeping, and went into the kitchen to make some coffee.......I thought I would get a jump start on packing things up, so that we could get an early start on the road.......But the Lord had other plans for me!! I just kept feeling His presence drawing me to the front porch.....so just as daylight hit, I took my Bible, our Dream Journal......wrapped myself up in a blanket and went out to sit in the rocking chair......just as I sat down, it began to pour rain.....it was a wonderful setting! So, I thought I would share my journal entry with you for this particular morning...........so, here goes...........

7/28/07........Daniel and I are finishing our three day, second honeymoon, for our 10th wedding anniversary! It's been so refreshing, just to get away and do nothing! As I sit on the front porch of the mountain cabin.....listening to the rain fall, I look around and all I can see are these HUGE beautiful mountains, and I am reminded of just how BIG my God truly is! It's a little ironic that it's raining all around me.....because that's just what I've been needing, refreshing.....Showers of refreshing to fall on me.....to renew me, revive me, rekindle the passion and pursuit in me! This morning I awoke really early.....just couldn't sleep anymore, I felt the Holy Spirit had something to pour into me, I waited for a little bit of daylight, and that's when the rain began.......sitting here, I feel as though there are so many things I should say to the Lord......things like "Forgive me for not spending more time with you".....but every time I try to speak, it's as if He interupts me.....as if to say "I know your hear", there's really no need to speak......just listen.....I know that you are here to meet with me, so just sit back, be still, listen to the rain, listen to me........as I opened my Bible, I was drawn to a scripture....Isaiah 52:12, which says....."But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard".......so, I'm listening, and I'm watching this hummingbird fly up to the bird feeders on the porch.....it's so beautiful, awesome to watch, but I noticed that it's so small, so fast, so diligent, yet so fearful.....if I made the slightest sound, he would fly away, right back to the same spot on the tree close by. So, in this, I can hear the Lord speak to me, and show me that this is not how he wants us to be.....He does want us to be diligent, He does want us to go from glory to glory, and from strength to strenght.....but as He says in this scripture, "He will be our Rear Guard", He doesn't want us to take steps, and then, out of fear fly back to our comfort zones......He wants to have full confidence in Him, the He has it all under control.....He's the Rear Guard, He's there to cover the past, so that you can't see behind you, so that you can't see that place of complacency, of comfort, and just fly back to it, when fear arises.......So, as I finish my journal entry, the rain is slacking up, and now there is enormous mounds of fog rising up from the mountains, as though the Holy Spirit is covering me with His presence all around......Oh what peace!!

I hope this was encouraging to some one, I hope that you all begin your "Dream Journal"......let me know how you vision yours......until next time.....start Chasing some Dreams!!

Blessings,

Christy

She's Baaaack!

I'm Baaack!!!!

Well, I'm so sorry that I've been MIA for the last month! I did not realize how long it had been since my last post!! It's been a crazy summer!!

Anyway....Time to catch-up! I'm still on the search to find myself....I've come to the realization that God has not had me in my current location, situation, occupation, aggravation, aggitation, complication.....and any other "ation" out there for nothing!! He's had me on the search to find me!

The "Real" me, not someone or something that I thought in my head that I have to be! But the person He created me to be!

My Spiritual Mom....aka Pastor Tara Sloan.....she's over at Destiny Driven .... You should check her out......I don't know how to add her blog, so that you can go straight there.....I'm still learning, be patient with me!!! Anyway, my spiritual mom.....the most encouraging person on the face of the planet, has really been moving into a new realm and new level in her calling, and I'm so proud of her!! She recently said something to me about "Dreaming"......and it has stuck with me, I can't get away from it........God has been asking me......"Christy, what is your dream? What are the desires, the passion that you feel drive you to where you want to go in life? At first, I had to think about it.....and it was almost like He was saying....this is not a trick question.....there's no right or wrong answer......I placed those desires, that passion, that force that drives you.....I placed those things in your heart, so that they would be tools to fulfill your destiny!! So, now I realize, I can't be afraid to dream, I have to embrace it! Don't care what others think about your dreams, don't worry about failure.....because this is the tool that God has placed inside of you, for you to be able to grow in Him......His word says that without a vision my people parish.......a vision is a dream! So, keep pursuing the dream that God has placed inside you!

My husband and I celebrate our 10th Wedding Anniversary this Wednesday the 25th! We're taking a few days to get away in this cabin, in the North Georgia Mountains.....secluded from anyone, and anything.....distractions....there is no cable, so we might watch a few movies......but other than that......we're going to take this time to get totally refocused......I'm taking a journal, that I've set aside as our "Dream Journal".....and we are going to take some time to write out (together) our dream as a husband and wife, then when we get home, we're going to do this as a family......and from then on it's time to start "Chasing some Dreams"!!!

I'll catch you up to speed on how this trip goes! Pray that the Lord will meet us there, and speak to us like He never has before!

Blessings,

Christy

Happy Birthday Honey!

My Sweet Husband, Daniel's Birthday is tommorrow (June 25th).....I just wanted tohonor him in this blog! He's been working so hard! He's put in to get all the over time that he can on his job.....and boy has he gotten it......he hasn't been at home before 8:00 for the past month....the only off day he's had has been on Sundays and most of those have not been a full day off!

So, I'm very proud of him! He's an awesome husband, a wonderful father.....matter of fact my kids love him so much.....they made him these huge cards with their pictures on them, neat little stickers, and drawings.....of course they couldn't wait to give them to him, so they gave them to him yesterday when he got in from work.....and he cried! They helped me make him a

homemade red velvet cake....they thought that was just the biggest thing to do for their daddy!

Even though....all the trials we've been through...God has brought us closer together.....He's taught him how to be a strong man in the Lord!

He's just such a sweet man, he's got a good heart, he's very caring.....and I love him very much!! So, to all those looking for a good man out there......they do still exsist!!

Happy Birthday Honey!!

Oh, and that is my husband I'm kissing in the Santa Suit!!!

While You Worship

I've really been stuck on a certain song over the past few weeks......

"While You Worship" by Martha Munizzi! It has been my anthemn!! I thought I would put the words in this post, so that it will be a blessing to someone else!

"You can make it through the storm
You can make it through the rain
You can make it through the trials
You can make it through the pain
And though you may not understand
There's a purpose, there's a plan
So while you worship, He'll bring you through it all
The rain won't last forever, the sun will shine again
And you'll make it through, just knowing that He is your friend
The storm will make you stronger, it drives you to your knees
And only when we worship, can His glory be seen

And only in HIS presence, can the answer be seen

So, while you worship, He'll bring you through it all"

I geuss I've been in a bit of a dry season lately.... I've really never been at a place

in my life like I am right now. It's truly a "Cave" experience, so to speak!

I love to sing, God has placed that passion in my life to be used for His glory.....I started out on a worship team over 10 years ago, and for the past 3 years or so, I've been the Worship Leader at a church that we are a part of, a church plant that totally impacted my life! Our Spiritual Parents moved to Chicago, and I miss them so much, I miss the church so much.....see the Church plant merged with another local church when our spiritual parents (the founders/pastors of the church) moved to Chicago......our plans are to move there as well....but at the present time, we are in a time of strategic planning/saving/preparing for this move.

I've taught Praise & Worship sessions on "Praising your way through".... "Setting the Atmosphere, through Praise & Worship"...... and now I really believe that God is saying okay big girl..... let's see if you practice what you preach!!!

So, pray for me, as I truly Praise & Worship my way through!

So, back to my "anthemn"....I geuss you can see why this song is such a blessing to me right now! It's so true that while we may not understand everything...frankly...we really don't have to understand everything.....if we just keep our focus....our worship on Him...we can make it through the storm! Because "While we Worship" He'll bring us through it all!

Recent Pics of my Blessings!

Happy Father's Day!

Okay, so I missed Wordless Wednesday.....I'm catching on to this whole Blog experience!!

This is my Father's Day pic! My sweet hubby! He's a good Daddy!!

Your True Image

No.....this is not about Jessica Simpson.....she's just there as an example!

I work for a surgeon's office.....9 surgeons to be exact. We have 7 general surgeons, and 2 plastic surgeons. I'm faced every day with Life and Death.......In what way? You might ask? Here's how....Our general surgeons treat alot of patients faced with the news of breast cancer, our plastic surgeons give "New Life" (so to speak) to alot of breasts!

We are cramped in a small office, with very little area in one waiting room.....so, recently our plastic surgeons decided to renovate an old chart room (just off of the current waiting room) into the plastic surgery waiting "Suite"! This suite is "Sweet"......I loooove to decorate.....so this room is really something I would love to do in my Living room....it's got a flat screen tv, plush chairs......all the comforts of home!

So, you've got the picture.....you come in, and myself along with about 5 other employees who work up front are faced with the issue of placing you in the general/ordinary/old waiting room.....or if you're here to have a make-over you get to wait in the plush/cool/"new life" waiting area..........here's my issue.........Now I'll be the first to say that as soon as I can save up the money (after loosing some weight!!) I would have a little nip/tuck here and there, I don't think anything is wrong with it.......so, I'm not being judgemental.....let's get that issue out of the way!! My issue is that this whole situation is just a little bit backwards......these breast cancer patients should have just as much "Special" treatment as the plastic surgery patients, if not more! It's so sad to me that this is what our world has come to......it's all about "The Image".....but How WONDERFUL it is to know that our Heavenly Father looks at the inside, not the outside! His word says that man sees only the outside, but the Father looks at the heart! I truly believe that my current job and location is only a training tool to the ministry that God has for my life......I strive to take every chance I can, to learn from this experience, so that it can be used to help others! My prayer is that.....as women we realize that Beauty is more than what's on the outside......it's truly what's in your heart that matters! I believe that when you get your heart right.....then and only then can the outside be Beautiful! So, to all the Breast Cancer Conquerers out there (you're not just a survivor, you are a conquerer!)......know that God sees you as a Beautiful Star! Be Blessed!

Christy

"Vent Session"

I'd Rather Have A Root Canal......

this will not be an "expression" that I will ever use again in my lifetime! I have had the most stressful 2 weeks!

Our baby girl (she's 6yrs old!) had this tooth trauma, that began 2wks ago today. She began to have pain in her back tooth, and something just told me that this could be an abcess. Well because of insurance/job changes within the past 2yrs, it's been a while since they've been to their regular dentist for cleanings. So, I had to call around and get her into the first dentist that would see her.

This Dentist's ad in the phone book stated that he has a family practice....so I thought it would be fine......SOOOO the opposite! Well, it was an abcess, a pretty bad one, at that! He immediately did a baby root canal......so, long story short we went back today to have the permanent filling put in.....oh, it was so stressful! You would think that I was having the root canal done! I was so nervous for her.....she's such a strong person......she's been through so much! The tooth got taken care of, but there was still some infection, so they put her on very strong antibiotics.

The biggest part of the stress for me was dealing with this new dentist in town....who has the (quote) "God Complex". He truly had no bedside manner, treated my little one like we were trailer trash! Pretty much said (in not so many words) that I'm an unfit mother. I just don't get some people sometimes! I am a God-fearing, very loving person .....I'm a person who tries my best to avoid conflict in my life.......therefore, guess what test I keep having to take over and over "FACING CONFLICT" .....I have a past that lies with allowing people to walk all over me, and never stand up for myself......but, "But God" has taught me, to become a strong women in Him! I'm just ready for this chapter, this area in my life, to be fully conquered......I want to be able to face any GIANT, any "Goliath", the same way David did......I know that no one ever said that this walk with God would be the easiest way to go, but sometimes I wonder how people who don't know HIM ever make it through life! So, this was my vent session for today, I have some things that the Lord is sturring in me, as I have a chance I'll post them.....I just really needed to vent....Check back in later....and remember.....God will never put more on you than you can handle, He has made us More Than Conquerers through Him......so, never use the expression "I'd rather have a root canal, than do that"!!!

Dixie Chick/City Slicker (All About Me)

So, I'm new to the whole Blog experience! I've not done a whole lot of writing in the past, but I figure this will give me the experience I need to write songs, books, sermons, etc.
So, here we go.......you may notice (just through some of the words that I use) that I'm very much a Southern Belle.....I Love the South, but I'm at a crossroads in my life.....It's time for a change, not only geographically....but spiritually, physically, just a BIG Change!! I'm sick and tired of life as usual, I NEED a change!
That's why I love the expression...."You've Gotta Have Roots and Wings"....you only have but a single lifetime to experience everything this world has to offer, so why wait...seize the day!!
I'm an almost 30yr old wife, and mother of 2 beautiful children, I love my life, but I know that God has so much more in the works for me and my family!
We now live in Oxford, Alabama; we're making plans to move to Chicago! BIG CHANGE...and I can't wait! For a "Dixie Chick" like me, it's a major change! My parents have done an awesome job of raising me..."giving me Roots"; I am so thankful for My Spiritual Parents who have given us "Wings"! So, now it's time to soar!
I know I'm rambling! I'll get better at this!
I just wanted to have a chance to let you know a little bit about me.....check back in on me from time to time, I will add more posts as I can!