So I’m writing a blog because Ms. Rebekah said it was time to update the world on my lifeJ  Well, I’m not sure the world needs to be updated…but at least the few of you that read this will know what’s going on in my big woods of Erin, Tennessee.

Lot’s of crazy things have been happening.  It’s hard to believe that I’ve been out of school and living in the “real world” for almost 2 years now.  I turned 23 yesterday…and as my kid’s say… “Pastor Christie, you’re so last century.” 

Here’s my Church Staff on Slime night!  Yes…they put up with me and all selflessly let green applesauce get poured on them for the sake of the kids!  This is our only staff picture….but it definitely describes us!!!

This one is so great to put up with my crazy mind!!! True Friends take cold Green Applesauce for you J

Our Children’s Team-  I think of Wacky Ideas- She makes them into Great Ideas- and He makes them real ideas that are possible.  We’re a scary bunch…just ask our kids!!!  Seriously, though…I couldn’t do any of what I do without these two.  They are amazing!  If you were to hear our typical conversation, you would think we’re brother and sister with as much as we argue!  I’m thankful they are in my life!!!

This is me and Kat on Easter.  Gotta love the red shorts under the dress.  It describes our real relationship…I hit my knee and she laughed J  Sound familiar Sandy!!!  I love her…we can fight like cats and dogs and get on each others nerves…but lately every night that I’ve been over there I have been tucking her in and we say prayers together…times I will always remember.

Here’s some of my kids This picture right here definitely describes the update to my life….this is the reason why I’m here.  There are days when things happen and I wonder what I’m doing and why in the world I’m doing this ministry thing...other stuff could be easier or less stressful…and then I see them…and I’m reminded of what God called me to…as they laugh…as the lighbulbs go off….and as they learn to worship the one who made them…I’m amazed and thankful that God has given me the privilege of working with them.

We took our 5^th and 6^th graders on a retreat.  These are 4 of my favorite girls in the world!  There crazy and can make me laugh hysterically, but beautiful from the inside out…. we are trying to be America’s Next Top Models!

This is my IO56 group.  We only have two more weeks with them and then they move up to the youth group.    Not sure I’m ready to say good-bye yet because we all know that I don’t like change.  But I’m excited about where God’s going to take these kids next.  I have been blessed to watch these kids grow this year in unbelievable ways.  I pray that they will keep there passion…because they will change the world in unbelievable ways!  This is one of the parts of children’s ministry that I’m going to have to get use to…I get to work with kids and I get to watch the lighbulbs go off as they discover their creator!  But then I have to pass them off…this is one of those things I’m always going to have a hard time with I think…I know they are God’s kids and it’s time for them to go…they need to go to the next level as a good friend has reminded me, but it’s hard to send them up.  Please pray for me and my team as we learn to pass kids up in the next two weeks.

and heres me and Dani getting excited about the summer!  I can't wait....I've started dreaming about beakers and olympic rings with crowns making footprints...so it should be an interesting summer

So there you go, there’s an update of the latest happenings in the life of Christie.  My life consists of running noses, hugs with slobber, Hannah Montana, stories about who likes who in the 4^th grade, lots of laughter, taking kids to the bathroom, running around in hula hoops and pretending to be an airplane, High School Musical, middle school drama, and the majority of people under the height of 5ft 1 inch (that’s for you dani) J  But I love it!!!  I’m turning 23 on Friday…hard to believe It seems like just yesterday that I was talking about turning 23 in a few years…and now it’s here.  This is going to make me sound really old, but I’ve had a hard time with this birthday coming...Maybe because there are things I wanted to happen by now…and I see pictures of it happening to friends all over.  I’ve accomplished some of the things I said I would by now…and some have taken a little bit of a different turn.  Sometimes I see whats going on with friends and people on-line...and I wish for some things and get restless...But I have learned so many incredible lessons!  This life is so much different than college.  I’m not working towards the next big milestone where I graduate or go to a different school or finish something.  This is Life!  But it my restlessness on days, I’m reminded of the God I serve…I’m reminded of the reason I’m here (I was born to worship)…and I’m reminded of the talk I had with Bethany Williams, my college suitemate a couple of years ago….we talked about how we were just ready to be in it..doing it…serving!  And then we talked about the next General Assembly that would happen and said we would both be pastors by then….Guess what??? General Assembly is happening next year and we’re both pastors Bethany. J  God is good and I am blessed and honored that he lets me work with his kids.

Well, now that you are all bored because this was really long (you only get one from me every once in a whileJ )….I hope everybody is doing great!  I love you all that are far and near and are thankful you are in my life.  I pray for you often and love hearing about all that God’s doing…Have a Great Week! 

Merry Christmas Everybody!  So I had great plans to write one of those nice Christmas letters that tells you everything that has happened with me this year, send you a few pictures, and actually put it in the mail for Christmas.  But it's December 19th and none of that has happened yet...so I figured the next best thing was Myspace and Xanga...we all love to procrasinate this way anyways

Life is good here in the "big woods of Erin, Tennessee."  This past year has been crazy, exciting, scarry, and one huge lesson, but God is so good.  He's taught me so much, and I will forever stand amazed at how he works.  Just a few highlights from the year...

My sister got married!  It's hard to believe!  My first wedding was of Mr. and Mrs. Perdue.  She was a beautiful bride and I'm excited for the two of them...God's got great plans....For those of you who are wondering...yes, there were some happy tears shed

It's been a year full of adventures with these two!  Girls nights, An entire season of Gilmore girls, road trips, long days at the office, running from the "meanager," loosing fingerprints, dreaming of western stuff...the list could go on and on....to see the three of us out and about you would think we were odd.  a 22,15,and 8 year old shouldn't have as much fun together as we do...I love them both more than words can describe and am thankful that God has give me "sisters" here in the big woods.

Our kingdom kid's team has expanded, and they are troopers to put up with the crazy things that I get them to do.  I have been so blessed to have Dani and Daniel working on my team.  The call of God is so evident in each of their lives!  My kids love and always talk about "Pastor Dani" and "Pastor Daniel" As I watch them both, I get excited thinking about how God is going to use them.  I can't wait to hear about the many places they will go...I'm just so blessed to have them in my lives and on my team right now.

This girl is an amazing team member, an amazing "sister," and an amazing friend!  God never leaves you alone when he takes you someplace new, and he answered my prayer for a friend in her. 

This year I've watched kid's go to a whole new level in worship, and I'm excited about watching them go deeper...their favorite song says...the art of loosing myself and bringing you praise...from the inside out...i'm amazed at what God can do.

Well, I've looked everywhere for a picture of Me, Pastor Ernie, and Ms. Rebekah, and can't find one...but they have been such a blessing to me.  They are wonderful mentors, parents away from home, and friends.  They put up with my crazy questions, eat my awful attempts at cooking, and always let me vent and process with them.  They are amazing!

And Last, but not least...there are my kids..

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this is who they'd like to make you think they are, but...

this is really them!  They are incredible kids and watching them grow this year has been such an experience.  We moved out to the gym and have more room to run (and more room for me to make messes).  We started an after school program for 5th and 6th graders that has been a blast and a growing experience.  We just got done leading a Christmas worship experience for the church, and the kids hard work and prayers was evident.  I could go on and on talking about them...sure they're loud, they argue, and sometimes they drive me crazy, but listening to them sing the words to "From the Inside Out" with their eyes closed and hands raised to Jesus constantly reminds me of what God has called me too!   It seems like just yesterday that Bethany and I were walking the track at Trevecca and talking about how far off ministry seemed....and it hit me the other day...this is now...i'm getting to live in my calling...who knows for how long it will be with these kids, but right now it's my now!  And I am blessed and humbled that God would let me work with these kids....

So, I still can't dance, Robert, but I've tried.  I spend too many nights procrasinating Angela, and it's lonely without you, I really need a burrito Kristy...this town doesn't even have McDonald's cheeseburgers, and for everybody's information....i don't fall asleep in church, but I am blessed to be where God wants me to be right now and excited to watch him work!  I miss you guys so much, but your pictures are all over my house and office, and I pray for you often!  It's exciting to hear about how God's working everywhere!  For those of you nearby, I love you and am thankful you are in my life!  I hope everybody has a blessed Christmas and a Great 2008!

Love,

Christie

So, it's been awhile since I've posted one of these blogs...Life's been busy and I don't see signs of thinging slowing down until after the holidays...

We had a kid's krusade here at the church last weekend.  For two days we dressed up as superhero'es and learned what it means to make Jesus the superhero of our life!  It was amazing to watch the kid's excitement and to see how God works even when I think the situation is hopeless sometimes.  For awhile, nobody in the church understood what we were doing, and whether I admited it or not...I got really discouraged.  But God reminded me through his kids once again, that no matter what people say and no matter what people think....He's working...and it was exciting to watch him work among the kids.  Here's some pictures from the event

My 5th and 6th graders were my leaders for the weekend, and I was so proud of the.  They did a great job sharing God's love with the younger kids.

Hannah, Dani, and Rebekah- 3 of my favorite people ever!

This is Breanna and Andy + Batman- Two kid's to pray for, but two kids that God is working with in amazing ways!

Every kid made their own superhero cape for Jesus- to remind them that Jesus is their superhero!  These two are amazing!

We're the powerpuff girls, and we know that we're dorks!

Hi! We're superheros and we'll be the ones working with your children

I couldn't ask for a better friend!

This is my core children's team minus Ms. Rebekah...These two are studying to be pastors and all I can say is watch out world when they hit the church....things we'll never be the same! I can't wait!

We always have to take a sister picture....

And a stupid one!  I love these two!

The krusade was an adventure- Being scarred out of our minds by Daniel Hawks, becoming superheros and realizing we could move anything down the steps, blowing up balloons, sucking helium and talking like chipmunks, cutting out duck feet, pretending we knew how to die shirts, turning our hands black, 3 words- service starts now....and ultimately watchin God work...it was an awesome weekend!  Thanks for praying!

Dani...you're amazing...you stick with me during all my hair brain schemes...even when it requires you flying around the room with a popcorn bowl on your head and baking cookies at 3 in the morning!  I luv ya and appreciate you more than you know!

These are pictures from our bowling trip!  Hawks and Lawton decided to be cool on the playground together!

We were running from lava and couldn't step off the playground!

Here's Dani and I with some of our chillins 

Lot's coming up this week.  We have a funeral at the church, IO56, and a lock-in...should be a busy week!  Lot's is going through my head right now.  I know that God is trying to teach me some lessons, and I don't think I'm being a very good student...I'm being restless instead.  My heart is longing to just sit and worship freely with adults...just like I get to with my kids.  Parsonage family, I really miss our Sunday night worship times in the living room together   More than you know!  We are starting a Beth More Bible Study and I'm really excited about that!  Ms. Rebekah seems to know what I need exactly when I need it  Anyways, please just pray for me to be able to rest in God's contentment! I want to be at peace, yet I also don't want to settle.  There is a tug of war going on in my heart right now!

I hope you all are doing great!  I miss those of you far away, but I pray for you often!  I always smile when I start my services on Sunday morning, because it's cool to think that it many parts of the country...cities, and other little towns like mine, you guys are startinyour services, too.  Hope everybody has a great week!

We're on the Trail!

Well, 1 night of VBS is over.  Thank you so much to everybody who prayed...God was good.  Things ran relitively smoothly, we all had fun, and most importantly...I think everybody got to understand more about how we serve a real God.  Wahoo!  I'm tired this morning, but also excited and ready to jump into day 2.  I had trouble turning my mind of last night because I continually kept thinking about things and was very keyed up!  I absolutely love watching alot of kids shout, scream, worship, and get excited about God together!!!  Here's just a few pictures from day one...more tomorrow....

Yes, this is me dancing...and no I still have no rhythm!!!

Saddle Up Your Horses!

Saddle Up Your Horses...VBS starts tonight!  It has been a crazy week painting sets building fences on the wall...hanging up black tarps...cutting out crafts...and all the other crazy things that have filled my time this week.  We built a covered wagon...probably my favorite decorations.  Dani can commit a crime and not get caught because she no longer has finger prints after all the painting she did on foam.  Our Bible Buddies are 8 feet tall and staring at me in the sanctuary right now.  I walked in this morning and some of our decorations definitly decided they liked the floor better than the wall...so I'm motivating myself to go work on them.  The church does look good, though.  I think it creates a nice ranch experience.  You can't see the floor of my office (So Philip, I apologize for ever making fun of yours )  And tonight it all gets started...I went to sleep last night with visions of Bible Buddies dancing in my head!  I got woken up by an unexpected phone call from the Dominican Republic...and was so excited to finally talk to my buddy!  Yea God!  He always knows what you need   I tried to sleep late this morning...I really did, but was wide awake way to early.  Lots of last minute things to be done today...signs, nametags, etc (I'm motivating myself to get up and do them)...and then tonight the ranch kicks off.  Pray for us...I'm excited to see what God does.  I am going to make a complete fool of myself in cowboy clothes while acting like a wannabe sherriff...I'm Walker Christie Ranger!  Well, this was a just a quick update, because i'm procrasinating getting work done   I hope you all are doing great!!!  Have a wonderful and blessed week!