..consider it great joy...

So, it's been a while. I look at this blog pretty often, and think about how much I need to update it, and just haven't. So much has been going on since I last updated. I am inching towards the end of Student teaching...for good! I cannot believe that it is finally here. I graduate in less than a month!!! Wow. December 18, 2009 I will graduate from College! Now, I will begin in January working on my Masters is special education, but that will still be a new chapter. THIS chapter is almost over. :) I am really excited about the things that God is doing in my life.

So...since September, I finished up my Kindergarten student teaching placement and moved on to 6th grade. Although I really miss my sweet babies in Kindergarten, I am love love loving 6th grade. Those kids are great!

My sweet kiddos at church sang "All in All" in church the other day, and they could not have done a more fantastic job! I was so proud of them and my heart was so happy.

October was full of trips to the Pumpkin Patch and of course, Halloween! I stayed at home and several of my sweet babies came and trick or treated. :)I was also presented with a wonderful opportunity to chaperone a youth retreat with one of my really good friend's church. Bryan called and asked if I would be interested...it took a lot of convincing, but now I am so so so glad that I agreed to go. We had a wonderful time!! The kids that traveled with us could not have been more well behaved and fun to be around! On top of that, I was able to lead a small group with a new friend, Trent. Our small group was amazing!! The group consisted of about 20 6th-8th graders. The theme for the weekend was "Do no harm, Do good, and Stay in Love with God". I think these kids ended up teaching me more than I taught them!!
To wrap this blog up....I'm going to leave you with something that I wouldn't normally post about...but...there is no hiding that I jumped on the Twilight craze wagon...I read the books two summers ago and was immediatley hooked. I am guilty of encouraging others to join in and those people are also hooked...so...yesterday, Jennifer and I were finally able to see the much awaited New Moon movie. Let me give it 3 thumbs up!! It was WONDERFUL. I felt like it fit the book very well (as well as any book gone movie situation can go). If you haven't caught the Twilight bug yet, let me please encourage you to read the books FIRST and then go and enjoy the movies. And for anyone who is curious...I am for sure Team Edward, but Movie Jacob was hard to compete with!! :) :)

So, the holiday season is here and I could not be more ecstatic. Thanksgiving/Christmas makes my heart SO beyond happy. I am the biggest Christmas freak that you will EVER meet. For Thanksgiving, we travel to South Carolina to visit my Mom's extended family and it is one of my most favorite times of the year!!


Up for the next post...
Pictures of decorating the nursery at church for Christmas!! :)

Much Love,
Miss Christy

When Sorrows like Sea Billows Role....It is Well with My Soul..

Sweet Alex Denton went to be with Jesus on September 11, 2009. Please continue to pray for his family as now they and all of us must try to find peace. Jesus has ended his sufferring and allowed him to make a huge impact on the world in his three years of life.

Finding peace in God's will,
Miss Christy

You can read Alex's story and leave messages for the family at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/denton

Shoals Woman Magazine story about Me....TimesDaily

Looking after children

• ENLARGE

Jim Hannon

Christy Mitchell, left, gives a kiss to 2-year-old Haleigh Hyde.

Story by Vicki Pounders

The first time Christy Mitchell baby-sat for Chloe and Kinley Wyatt, their mom knew she’d found a treasure.

“The first time Christy ever kept my girls, she asked me where the first-aid kit was kept,” said Keri Richardson Wyatt, whose twins turned 3 on July 31. “I was shocked because she was the first sitter ever to ask me that, but then I realized how important that is. She just thinks of everything when it comes to children.”

And the children love her.

“My girls adore ‘Miss Christy’ as they call her,” said Wyatt, who lives in Tuscumbia. “They love her to read to them. They get lots of extra attention when Miss Christy is around.”

Wyatt said Mitchell has all the qualities of a top-notch sitter.

“She genuinely loves children,” Wyatt said. “She also has a great balance of playing and having fun with them yet still disciplining them when they need it. They grew to love and respect her and also have a sense of security that comes with the boundaries she sets for them.”

Through the years, Mitchell has sat for countless families.

“I have been baby-sitting since I was 12,” the 22-year-old Muscle Shoals resident said. “I started out baby-sitting for Mom’s friends, and then I would walk around the neighborhood passing out baby-sitting fliers. I also gave people nights of free baby-sitting as gifts.”

She said she also became the “on-call girl” for couples expecting babies.

“You know, the one where there are other kids, and so mom goes into labor in the middle of the night, so I come crash on their couch and keep the kids and make sure the morning routine can be conducted,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said it’s difficult to count the families she sits for now, because so many of them have become like family.

“A lot of the time, I call asking if I can pick up the kids for a while or spend some time with them,” Mitchell said.

Her love for children doesn’t stop with baby-sitting. She’s also children’s director and teacher at her church, and just began master’s degree-level classes in education.

“Baby-sitting is how it all started,” she said. “I have had a passion for being around children since I was one myself,” Mitchell said. “I have always known that I want to be a teacher, also. So, baby-sitting was the way I could spend time with the children. It has taught me so much. It is so much fun now to be in school and be able to watch the kids actually doing the things I learn about every day.”

Wyatt has no doubt that Mitchell will be an excellent , teacher.

“Christy will be a wonderful teacher,” said Wyatt, who also has a degree in elementary education. “She has all the god-given gifts of a teacher. She is extremely organized, patient with children and can communicate concepts to them on their level. The children in her classroom will grow not only academically, but she will also impact their character. Any child will be blessed to be in her classroom.”

This World Keeps Spinning Faster...

The last blog I was wondering how it was already August, and now, I'm wondering how September is already here! The world just keeps spinning faster and I'm not sure how to keep up with my crazy-beautiful life. I am truly truly blessed. I could not ask for more!

Currently, September and Brad are here staying with us. They will be here a total of two weeks. I love them being here and will be so sad to see them go. They are two of my favorite people in the entire world. Brad is the inspiration for everything I want to do in my life. He is the reason I want to be a Special Education Teacher.

On August the 29th, 2009 one of my best friends, Lindsey Howell, became Lindsey Hopkins. Seeing my closest friends get married is bittersweet. I am so happy for her, that she is so happy in love. Channing is a great guy and they are perfect together. But, I'm sad that it is time for us to all grow up. Lori will be getting married on October 10...oh my heart!




Student Teaching is amazing. I love love love it. I am teaching Kindergarten at Hatton Elementary. Those babies have stolen my heart and although the job is exhausting, it's a wonderful job. I can't believe that I am at this point in my life. Thank you, God.

Another exciting part of life..is the story that Vicki Pounders wrote about me for Shoals Woman magazine!! Check it out... http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090826/SW/908259986/1085
You have to scroll to the middle to see my story. :)

I challenge you to go read Hebrews 11 and 12 sometime in the near future. I want my life to portray those passages. That I lived my entire life BY FAITH. :)

Much Love,
Miss Christy

It's August?! When Did That Happen?!

I cannot believe that August is actually here. The summer has gone by so fast! Maybe because, in some ways, I feel like I have wished it away. First, I checked the mail every single day hoping for that letter telling me my student teaching placements, I wished away June while I was taking a class (until I ended up in the hospital), I wished away July for our recent family beach trip, and now I'm wondering where the whole summer went?? Insanity!

Let me back up, we had an amazing Mini-VBS. It was a blast and I actually think this was my favorite year, thus far. I love that we geared this year towards our small group of kids, and did everything we could. My favorite day was the "Worship Day". We did a mock Worship Service with the kids, complete with their own bulletins and everything. We talked about why we do each part of our worship service and practiced. :) It was SO much fun! Then we made Worship Bracelets. I wear mine often!! :) The whole of Mini-VBS was three days and we did Follow, Worship, Service. For more pictures, check out my facebook...but here's a glimpse.




Another thing going on in the life of Miss Christy, is that Shoals Woman Magazine will have a story about me in it at the end of the month. :) I am SO excited to read this! I haven't seen it, but can't wait. So...the guy came to do a "photo-shoot" now, he didn't take many, and didn't give us many options, BUT, it gave us all the opportunity to take our own. I cannot WAIT to get some of these printed and framed in the nursery at church. SO cute!! If you notice the top of my blog...the ones outside with me and all the kids are a couple from that day. :)

Next in line, MUCH needed family vacation!!! :) We had a WONDERFUL time in Navarre, FL. I wish we were still there. I love my family. God has blessed me far beyond what I deserve.

Also, as I have posted many times, I'm not a fan of growing up. But everybody seems to continue to be doing so. :) LinZ will be getting married THIS month!! We had her Bridal Shower, and this upcoming weekend will be the rest of her festivities before the wedding. Then, in October, it is Lori's turn!! :) This is from LinZ's shower.


And now, I post something that makes me smile. This is NOT my best performance, but at the beginning of the summer I vowed that I would learn the Hoedown Throwdown, and I did!! This was done on the beach, with no music, and a sister who kept forgetting the next part...but NONETHELESS...I love it. :)

Announcement!!
Movie Night - Pajama Party at Cornerstone Church

Friday, August 7th, 7:00-9:30pm.

Wear your pj's and come watch a movie with us at the church! We will have popcorn and play a game or two! :) Have one last blast before school starts back!

Grandaddy...Shoals Woman..Vacation Bible School...Church Vision Team...Student Teaching Placements :)

I figured it may be time for an update on life. It's been a little while since I just talked, and so I think that I will.

Grandaddy: He has been in and out of the hospital again. Currently, he is at home. It makes me sad and life has been hard. I've seen him grow as a man, and I've seen him more emotional than I ever have in my life. I am concerned about him at all times. But no matter what, I can't do anything but be thankful for the opportunities that God has been giving me to grow closer to him. I have seen him more in these past few months than I ever have. And that, is my fault. I love seeing him. I love being with him. I just want him to be okay.

Shoals Woman Magazine: I am SO excited about this! Vicki Pounders, with the Times Daily, is writing story on me about my involvement with children. This story will be in Shoals Woman Magazine, which should come out late August. I am really excited. This week, the kids are meeting me at the church for the 'photoshoot'. What an amazing opportunity!!!

VBS: Sort of. We decided to go small this year. We did not purchase the 'curriculum', so I am working with Jennifer to write most of it. We did purchase the music that Lifeway has, but are creating our own stuff. I am really excited about it. I want to do something for our kids. They deserve only the best. I love them so much. I am currently spending many hours working on this, since we start Monday. :) (Today is Saturday).

Church Vision Team: I am so excited about the upcoming months at Cornerstone Church. We are in the process of creating a Vision Team (if we could just get everyone on board). I am really really excited about what God can do here. I truly believe that He has big plans for us. It's kind of like the part in the move "Facing the Giants", where the guy is telling the coach, that we must prepare the fields, having the faith that God is going to make it rain. I've been at this church for almost 5 years, and I have seen God work. So many people just don't get it. But, I know that God has me there for a reason. I have been blessed with this church so many times, in ways that nobody else could see. I would not be the person I am today, if it wasn't for the things that God has brought us through. It's been hard, and it's been fun. I love working for my savior. :)

Student Teaching Placements: So, the letter I have been waiting on all summer, came in the mail yesterday. I have mixed feelings. My placements are Kindergarten at Hatton Elementary School and 6th Grade at Hibbett Middle School. Beyond any thought I have about them, I have been praying that God would put me exactly where He wanted, and that he would make this semester what He wants it to be. So, I am sure that He has done that. I have the faith that I am where He wants me. I'm excited about student teaching in general. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 5 years old. I get to do it with church, but this is time for the "Big Girl World". After this, I have my degree. :) I am excited that this means no more class, and doing EXACTLY what I have worked all these years to be able to do. It is so exciting and scary all at the same time. I'm really excited about the people that are at my schools with me and what the semester will bring. I feel like I've wasted most of the summer waiting on this letter, and now I'm couting down the days til it's time to begin. (Now, that's a first!) I'm excited about what God has in store for the rest of the year!!!

Much Love,
Miss Christy

An old post...but a good one...

So, I recently remembered my old LiveJournal account. I've been going back and reading some of the old entries and I found one that made me smile. So, I'm going to repost it:

February 28, 2006

Hearing about new relationships with God absolutely makes me go CRAZY! Good Crazy...I just bubble over with all the things I want to say...the things I want to share...that I am SOO learning so much...but in actuality...you cannot put the amazingness of God into words...there are no words...and that blows my socks off!

On Faith:
At the Well the other night..Ed Newton preached on Peter for a moment...and although it was only a statement he made...it has stuck with me...and I have gone on to teaching it in my children's church class.

* We learn about faith...and as my children in children's church can tell you..._{Faith is believing in what we cannot see}....they can say that backwords and forwards but it has been such a blessing to watch them really begin to comprehend the concept of faith. Even the 3 year old can tell me that faith is believing even though we can't see it. The Bible story we based our faith lessons on was the one about Jesus walking on the water...now...if you are familiar with the story...we always focus on how Peter was being allowed to walk on the water as long as his eyes were on the Lord...but as soon as he got scared because of the ^{wind and rain} around him...he lost sight of God and started sinking into the water... but what we so often forget and overlook...is that there were other men in that boat...and Peter was the only one that had the faith to get out of the boat...but he knew that it was better to be walking on that water with Jesus...than to be in the "safe" boat with the men...and as scary as it was...he got out...he took the first step of faith yeah he got a little scared...but Jesus was there...and pulled him back...and and he was further and closer go God in the end...than his fellow believers that had stayed "in" and stayed safe from the storm.*

So don't lose faith....always remember God is actually longing for a relationship with us...he has the ultimate love...we search for someone that cares for us...that loves us in the human form...and it is great when we have it...but God..the actual definition of REAL LOVE...is LONGING for US!

WoW...

^{_{God is good.}}

"I need you Jesus, to come to my rescue, where else can I go? There's no other name by which I am saved....I need you Jesus."
"All I need is you, Lord, is you...all I need is you!"

I would like to introduce to you...

Mr. Asher Blake Hyde. :)

I began keeping Anna Katherine when she was about a year and a half old. I met her and her mom through a guy I was dating. (He's gone now...they stuck around hehehe I definiatley got the better end of the deal.) Anyway, I fell in love with Anna Katherine, who is now 6 years old! She is growing up so fast! We have had many many spend the night parties and road trips together.

Almost 2 years ago, Haleigh Grace was born. She will turn 2 in July. Yet again, it was love at first sight. With Haleigh, I had the proud pleasure of being able to be the first to take Anna Katherine to meet her sister. That week, Anna Katherine pretty much lived with me. :) The mother of these amazing girls has become one of my BEST friends. She is amazing in every way and always supports me. I love love love being a part of their family. I loved being a part of her wedding and love every part of this family.

Now, the point of this blog. In April, Asher Blake joined the little family. I absolutely adore him. Every little bit. He is perfect. :) I'll share some pics...

AK at her Kindergarten graduation this year..

Asher :)

Asher :)

The night I met Asher. :)

First time I got to hold Asher (I was out of town when he was born.)

At Haleigh's first birthday party

One of my all time favorite pictures of Haleigh and Me

When me and AK first met Haleigh

Me and Haleigh at the Wedding

Me and My Girls at Ana Megan's wedding

Haleigh Grace is now a big sister!

Anna Katherine's 6th Birthday at my house

Halloween at my house

Haleigh LOVES to play in our back yard. That's my mom in the background.

Haleigh kissing her baby brother..

Much Love,
Miss Christy

It's the climb... (day 60)

So, it has been a while since I have posted. Life has been a whirlwind. I don't even remember the last time I posted. I know that at the time, I only thought that God was bringing me through a huge storm. He quickly decided that He needed to bring me to a point, where I had no where else to turn.

Let me give you a little background, I still have all four of my grandparents on this earth with me, and I am very close to them. Grandaddy Ray is my Mom's dad. From the time I was born through the first few years of my life, he and my grandmother took care of me while my parents worked and went to school. From the beginning he has called me Scooby Doo. Throughout the years, we have gotten close. We definitley share a unique bond and I adore him. He is one of the most stubborn, but supportive men I have ever met. He is a retired preacher and air force man. He has seen more in his life, than I could ever imagine.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2009, around 10:00pm, Grandaddy was brought to the hospital by his neighbor complaining of chest pains. My mom called me Thursday morning to inform me of what was going on. They were pretty sure it was a heart attack, but at that point he was doing fine so they weren't very concerned. That Thursday was going to be a particularly tough day for me at school, as I had to be a witness for a "cheating trial" that had happened in one of my classes. God was pulling me from every direction. On my way to school, I stopped by the hospital and saw Grandaddy. He was being very silly and was absolutely feeling himself. I headed to school, much against my will, and prepared for my day. That afternoon, I left one of the most difficult things I had ever been through, and headed to (unknown to me) the scariest moments of my life.

I arrived at the hospital around 5:30...and at 6:30 Grandaddy had heart attack number 2. This was only the beginning. I'm going to post the "journal" I tried to keep during the days at the hospital. I didn't do very well keeping up with it, but after that I will try to fill in some gaps.

As I am re-reading that journal, I am thinking about all of the blanks that should be filled in. The Monday before the big surgery, he had heart attack number 3.

The "big surgery" happened on Tuesday Morning. We arrived very very very early so we could tell him we loved him before he was taken back. That was one of the longest days of my life. About an hour after they completed the surgery, he crashed, so they had to take him back in again. They decided to leave his chest open. (Very scary). Later that night, around 1:30am, Mom and I were sleeping in the waiting room, and Jonathan (one of Grandaddy's amazing nurses) came and woke us up. I'm pretty sure I will never forget that. I don't remember him actually waking us up, I just remember opening my eyes, seeing him standing there, telling me they were taking him to surgery, and waking Mom up. So, we called my uncle and Dad, and they came back to the hospital. This was very very very scary. We didn't know what was going to happen. Later in the 'morning' they finished the surgery, but needed to keep his chest open.

Rather than filling you in medically, I want to talk about the journey this has been. I have never in my life been through something like this. There were days and days that we didn't think he would make it. Today, Grandaddy is still in rehab. We were in the hospital for 40+ days, and now, we are hoping to go home tomorrow. It is ONLY by God's grace that my Grandaddy is still living. Our family has drawn closer to each other through these times. It has been the hardest adventure of my life, thus far. There were many moments that I spent standing by my Grandaddy's bed, holding his hand, talking to him, while I didn't even know if he would ever wake up. One day, I just stood and begged him to make it through this. I told him how much I needed him to wake up. No one will ever be able to tell me that patients cannot hear you when you talk to them while they are "asleep". I 100% know my Grandaddy heard me talking to him. There were many nights, one in particular, that I was on my knees at my bed, begging God to wake him up and fix this. There were days that he would crash, and the fear would grip my heart, and all you can do is pray. As Grandaddy woke up, he had some insanley crazy moments. Now, we can look back and smile, but it was so incredibly scary for me. My Grandaddy would wake up and think we were in Alaska. He avidly believed he was in his Air Force days. There were days we were in an airplane, days we were trying to escape from the black market. We literally traveled the world. I am SO SO SO thankful that my Grandaddy knows he is home now. He's not confused anymore, and that in itself is a miracle. The amazing nursing staff in CTRU allowed us to hang paper Purple Martins above his bed, so that it looked like his favorite birds, and then one day he thought they were attacking him. It has been a whirlwind!

When we forget to continually seek God, He will remind us that He IS God, and we do need Him. I am thankful for the journey my savior has brought me through, and I know He is not done yet. He is not done with me.

I am eternally grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers. Our family has been so blessed to be surrounded with so many wonderful people. Our church families and friends combined have been our rocks. If I had ever questioned that friends were blessings from God, I will never again. God always knew when to send that perfect person on their way. I cannot say thank you enough. the nursing staff has been amazing. I am so thankful to have some amazing friends and we have met some AMAZING people. Thank you Melanie, Jonathan, Bryan, Shelly, Jason, Vicki, Matt, Haley, Michael, Jaime....I almost hate to say any names because I will forget people, we would have never made it without such amazing nurses!! Ya'll were truly truly amazing. Thank you to my friends for being there. Thank you to my teachers for helping me to navigate through school alongside this. Thank you, you know who you are, for standing by us. For every message, every wall post, every phone call, every text, every hug...you are truly the best. God has blessed us.

Our God is an amazing God. Even through the trials, I praise Him. Let me challenge you to find Him even in the rough stuff. He is there. I promise. Seek Him, and you will find Him.

Day 60
Much Love,
Christy

Grandaddy got a pass to go home last week, for 4 hours...

Can you guess who brought him the blanket? :) He actually gave that to me for my birthday several years ago.