Day 3: My first love

My First Love. I know this is not the kind of love you were expecting when you decided to take a peak at who my first love would be about. Even though this picture was taken most recently, my brother and my mother were my first loves. I loved my mom and my brother more than anything in the world. When I had night mares I'd crawl in bed with my brother and when he'd kick me out, I'd go to my mom's room. When someone said something about me at school, I'd tell my brother. Not that he ever did anything about it, but just telling him made me feel better. When something went wrong and I needed advice I went to my mother. If I needed someone beat up, I went to my brother. He never beat anyone up either, but like I said having a big brother can be very intimidating. My brother bought me my first Honda. What kind of brother buys their sister a car? Who helped my grandparents put me through college? My mother. God blessed me with an incredible brother and mother. I don't know how I could truly tell them how I felt about each of them. They both have taught me what sacrifice really is, right from wrong, the meaning of what true love is, what support from family means, and that no matter what my mother and my brother will be behind me no matter what situation I find myself in. Love You Jeremy and Momma!

Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name

These are my grandparents and this man is why my blog has the name it does. A Farmer's Granddaughter. I have always taken these two people for granted, especially when I was little. I remember if I ever got in trouble or if I ever needed something, I would think, well I'll just tell Mammaw and she will fix the problem. As I become older, she still fixed the problems, I could still count on her, but I try to return all those favors she did for me as a child. My brother was always my Pappaw's pet, Jeremy was the one who would always get to go on the road in Pappaw's feed truck on far away trips, but the times he spent with Pappaw and the moments I was able to spend with Mammaw, we will never forget.

 Just the other day we were all sitting around the table talking about our favorite memories of our grandparents. I remember Pappaw and I would always watch the 6 o'clock news, Dan Rather, Wheel of Fortune, and at 7:30 whatever else he could find, he wasn't a big Jeopardy fan. I remember the night that the big snow storm came, the cable was out for days, so I thought it was my job to entertain, so I did. At 6 o'clock, I gave Pappaw his news: I showed him the weather forecast, sports, and even the headline news. I was crazy back then! OK, maybe I still am, just a little. I also remember the many "tall tales" that Pappaw would sit in his recliner and tell. Somehow his stories always were about "Chicago, rabbits, and bears." To this day, he still tells those same stories and those stories have been retold by my 4 year old nephew, which makes it even more precious and even more funny. I also remember long before I would wake up on Saturday mornings to go to my basketball games or to watch "One Saturday Mornings" my Pappaw would already be up and off working on the farm either loading cows to take to the stock pin, mowing hay, or working in the tobacco patch all with the assistance of my brother of course.  

So THANK YOU Pappaw for teaching me the value of a dollar and that it is okay to tell "stupid" stories. :)

I was Mammaw's right hand girl. Where she was, I was and if I wasn't, I was crying so I could be. She spoiled me and still does to this day. Mammaw made the best pancakes, every now and then I still ask her to make me one or two. I remember coming home from college, waking up early just so she could fix me a pancake. She was always so supportive in everything I did, from sports, to following God's call on my life, to just about anything. Mammaw was my Girl Scout Leader, I was very blessed to have her as a leader because she taught me so much just in those few short years. 

As I get older I am beginning to see some of the things my grandmother does that I have picked up on thru the years. My Mammaw kept God close to her heart and would memorize scriptures, right before we would go to sleep at night, she would always tell me a story about her childhood followed by 2 or 3 bible verses that she would challenge me to memorize. It took me a week or two, but I can honestly say, if it was not for my Mammaw I would not have memorized Psalm 23. 

So THANK YOU Mammaw for helping me hide these words in my heart, so I can take the devil down whenever I feel discouraged. 

Day 1: Introduce, a recent picture of yourself, w/15 interesting facts

1. Kristy LeeAnn, born July 24, 1986 in the mountains of East Tennessee.

2. Named after Kristy McNichol, an actress in my mothers time and Lee after my great grandmother and Ann after my mother. That is why there is a capitol "A" in my middle name.

3. I am a Youth Minister, I graduated in 2009 with a BS degree in Bible with a concentration in Youth Ministry.

4. I have dipped my toes in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

5. I secretly want to be a famous dancer and singer, but I have no talent in any area.

6. I have a dip in my hip from sterioid shots the doctor gave me for poison ivy when I was little.

7. You may think that I am an open book to anyone, but I only have a handful of friends that I actually trust.

8. When I was in Elementary School, I was in an Academic Pageant held in Nashville, TN.

9. To my knowledge, I was the first to graduate from a College in my family.

10. I tend to bottle up ALL my emotions and cry about it when I've had enough.

11. I am addicted to Carmex and Baby Lotion.

12. I eat popcorn and pickles when I watch movies usually.

13. I can eat Cool Whip straight from the bowl if you'd let me.

14. When I was little I used to eat butter from a spoon, by itself.

15. You may think I have it all together, but I really don't.

I know it said only 15, but here is a few more just for fun.

16. By the time I was 3, I had already wrecked 3 vehicles.

17. My heart breaks everytime I hear about a child living in a broken home or a bad environment.

18. I love being outside, especially at night, around a campfire, watching the stars.

19. I love going to concerts, except I am the one who just likes to sit and listen.

20. Amusement Parks are my favorite!

21. I am very protective over my family and friends.

22. The picture above is of me and Tyanna (my lil cousin) at the Rogersville 4th of July Celebration.

Well folks until tomorrow, enjoy! Comment back and tell me what you think!



30 Day Blogging Challenge

In order to help get me started on blogging daily, I though I would begin by doing a 30 Day Challenge. Here is a hint at what you'll be reading in the next month! (I'll do my best!)

Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself, 15 interesting facts
Day 2: Meaning behind your blog name
Day 3: Your first love
Day 4: Your parents
Day 5: A song to match your mood
Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 7: Favorite movies
Day 8: A place you've traveled to
Day 9: A favorite picture of your best friend
Day 10: Something you're afraid of
Day 11: Favorite tv shows
Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without
Day 13: Goals
Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?
Day 15: Bible verse
Day 16: Dream house
Day 17: Something you're looking forward to
Day 18: Favorite Place to Eat
Day 19: Something you miss
Day 20: Nicknames
Day 21: Favorite Picture of yourself ALL TIME Why?
Day 22: What's in your purse?
Day 23: Favorite Movie
Day 24: Something you've learned
Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle, first 10 songs
Day 26: Your Dream Wedding
Day 27: Original Photo of the city you live in
Day 28: Something that stresses you out
Day 29: 3 Wishes
Day 30: a picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge

Romans 15:4

Ever had just one of those weeks? Nothing that compares to Job, but it feels like it could have come close. Ever felt like the walls were just caving in or someone was constantly pouring water in your life where it has almost become unbearable to breathe? 

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:4

I have. And this week just happens to be "that week."  I am never one to complain about anything, but this week I have almost complained about everything.  I’ve complained about not sleeping, I’ve complained about my job, I’ve complained about my sun burn, and even about the weather. Complain, complain, and complain. Negative word after another, negative words was the only thing in my dictionary.

Someone once told me that God didn’t promise us things would be easy, but He did promise us that He will be there to help us through it.  As much as I thought that was or should be a verse in the Bible, I have yet to find it. It is not there. But the saying is true, things are not easy. That is when the verse began to appear in my head. Let’s read it again with a few emphases on words. “For EVERYTHING that was written in the PAST was written to teach us, so that through the ENDURANCE taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”

The things that we read in the Old and New Testament were testaments of faith. Not all of their stories had a fairy tale ending. Look at Job, Job had everything and then lost everything, he was completely wiped out. He had a family and a farm with many animals. Everything was gone and because of his faith he stayed true to God. Even when things got so bad, he still praised the Lord. Is that a fairy tale ending? Some may think so, because he still praised God, but who wants to be completely wiped out?

I look back on the week and everything that I have felt like has gone wrong. I learned that I need not to complain, but be blessed that I have something to sort of complain about. I have a home and a bed that I can go to and go to sleep earlier. I am blessed to have a job, when some people are without and are barely making it by. I should have wore sunscreen and I am amazed that I serve a God that can make seasons change into something suitable for everyone, who can also in a blink of a second turn the rain into snow, or place the sun behind a cloud for a little bit of shade.

So let us read the scripture as we learn about their past, so that through endurance and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

My God Moment

I have seen God in the midst of all that has been going on here in Greene County lately and I would like to share. Although I do not have pictures of everytime I seen Him, which I do see Him alot, don't get me wrong, but the ones I am talking about, I will try to describe the moment.
Picture it: Sunday, April 24 - Easter Sunday...I have never been a sunrise service kinda of girl, however about a year ago, Amanda Mc invited me to have our own sunrise service up on top of Viking Mountain, it was quite an experience. There was just something overwhelming that came upon me as the sun was rising over the mountain, it was something that I have never experienced before. As soon as I could feel the rays of sunshine on my face, I began to weep. The Savior had risen, He Lives! I thought about Mary and John and how they had lost their son and brother, but knew something better was to come. In just three days, Jesus had risen He had taken our sins, our shame, so that we could live again with Him. The following year, I wanted to share my experience with my closest friends: Erin Waddell, Jessie Neas, and Hannah Wilds. I was super excited that they wanted to share in this experience with me. The thought of waking up at 6 in the morning, just to see the sunrise was not appealing to any one of us and when our alarms went off at 5:50am, it still wasn't. However at 6:45am, as God promised, something marvelous happened on top of that mountain as it does every morning, the Sun had risen. The looks on each of their faces was remarkable, I was so blessed by their reactions. We read scripture and as the sun was rising we listened to this song by Sarah Reeves:

 

Here are some pictures that Hannah took during the sunrise service.

Another moment: As I was sitting at the house, I thought I had seen something walking across the front of the yard, I didn't think anything of it because I had been up since 5:50am, then Jess says, "Kristy, there are deer walking across your front yard." I said, "No Way!" Sure enough two dear were walking in our yard then strutted their stuff across the field. It was a beautiful site from God.

This week our county was hit with tornadoes. I spend the night with my Uncle Randy, Aunt Ree, Cyerra and Tyanna. I will never think twice about Tornado Warning and going to a basement. Althought the house we were in was untouched, the houses down the road were not so lucky as well as the communities of Camp Creek and some areas in Washington County. Wednesday night the tornado went through, Thursday morning neighbors and family members were out helping the community. The only thing that was touched on our farm was an old barn, the tornado took half of the barn down and left the field laying with tin and wood. We were fortunate nothing else happened to the land. My Aunt who works for an insurance agency arrived at work before 7am, but at 11am she sent us a text saying that they already had 2000 claims laying before them to go through and work out. We understood that she needed to go to work and I know all those that had been affected appreciate her dedication to her work. Before my grandfather arrived at the farm the rest of us decided we were going to help the neighbors. As we were pulling trees and branches out of their yard, I went over to another neighbors house and started doing the same thing, I asked them one simple question, "Where do you want me to put your pile of trees (thinking they would want it seperated incase they were to cut it into wood)" The man smiled and said,"There are no property lines." My heart sank, I was so touched by that simple phrase. "No property lines." I felt like that was something Jesus has been saying to us for years and I hate that it took a tragedy such as this for me to realize that. Jesus teaches us that we should help our brother and sisters out in Christ in whatever needs to be done. As he told me that, I just smiled and said, "you are most definately right!" Boy was I ever humbled. The Camp Creek area is still in need of lots of help and lots of prayers, the community has been such a blessing to those people in need. I feel so blessed to be a part of Greeneville and Greene County. When the going gets tough, we get tougher! 

If you read this and would like to help out this community, contact our American Red Cross here in Greeneville, Tennessee and I am sure they will lead you in the right direction. There are many organizations that are helping with the clean up efforts, but the American Red Cross seems to be the easiest that I can think of.  

Blogs and Blessings

Apparently making a blog is "cool" these days, I guess it keeps everyone posted on your life and how things are going. However, I live in a small town, so regardless what I put on here (usually a day late) you have already heard about it. So here goes, again, making a blog.

As I sit and reflect on the past few months, I can't help but think of the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. I have posted the video below, I hope that you are able to see it.

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

I remember thinking at the end of 2010 how much I was so thankful that the year was over and that I could start over fresh, a new year was born. God had other plans, not only for me, but for my entire family. Throughout the many tears we cried, the sleepless nights we are still experiencing, and the trials that we have faced and are continuing to face, we have learned that nothing will ever seperate the love we have for each other. I hope that through this hard experience that my family is facing, it is teaching other families that no matter what storms of this life they may go through that family is thicker than blood and through it all God has been and will be continue to be there for us. I appreciate everyone who has prayed for our family, your prayers and supporting us through all of this is truely a blessing. I know that in the end, whatever happens, I hope that I am able to see that this incident will be a blessing in disguise.


Dear God, I thank you for the many blessings that I have received. I am so undeserving of each of them. As Easter approaches, let me remember the great sacrifice that You gave and the blessing I received because of what You did. Amen.