Ah! It’s been so long since I was able to journal here! I have been wanting to but life has made a crazy turn on me here and I have been busy!!
First I must write about the BEAUTIFUL day we are having here in Michigan. I was able to sleep in and when I woke the sun was shining through the crack in my curtains. I told Hope ( my roommate) this is going to be a beautiful day. Then pinched her nose. She loves it when I do that. She sleeps on the bottom part of our white day bed.
I tell you what gives me the best feeling in the world. Is having my room somewhat organized and clean. Especially when I am going all the time I usually drop and run. Everything ending up in piles. Not a good feeling at all. Today I have time off… so I said no to other things (which I would have loved to do ) and stayed home to take some “Holly” time. I am the only one in the house! I rare thing. Anyway, I have taken the morning to spend cleaning out my closet of clothes and winter boots and shoes and now I have so much room in there!!! Goodbye winter clothes. You would be surprised at how much space winter stuff takes up. I opened my windows and let the springtime air in. At first it was cold, but as the morning wore into afternoon it is a wonderful temp of approximately – perfect. ( I don’t know what the degree is) Probably 72.
I feel I have accomplished so much and therefore worthy of writing about. I need to run to the goodwill with clothes I haven’t worn in…. at least 2 years or more. But at least they are in a bag! I got to thinking while cleaning. I want to plant Lavender right outside my bedroom window. I have a room facing the street and one window faces the side of the house, so I am at the corner, and it would be perfect to add it right there at the corner. I love my little room because it gets the sunshine. The reason I chose it. Even though it is smaller then the other option…. less sunlight. I think it would be positively lovely to have a lavender bed. Last year I tried growing it and lets just say my manicured thumb is far from green. They grew fast and died fast. Yeah….
(Break in here ran to the dollar store)
Ok, I am back. I had to run to the dollar store for some laundry soap now that my clothes AND sheets are in the washing machine washing and spinning away I feel much, much better! ah…. I also put the kettle on to brew some good ole southern style sweet tea.
So anyway back to what I was saying … I love the idea of lavender growing outside my window. I just think that would be the neatest thing. Then when the breeze blows you would have the lovely scent of lavender filling up your room. Right now I have lit one of my favorite summer scented candles, and I do have favorite summer and winter scents. I love “clean cotton” from Yankee. I have had that one almost every spring. I put it out and it just reminds me of clothing hanging out on the line. I remember when I was young, mom would hang clothes out on the line to dry. I would go up and smell them…. they would get stiff and attract huge beetle type bugs. And while we were playing, we loved playing outside we lived way out in the country in big farm houses. But while we playing outside if big storm clouds ever came up on the horizon we knew we better tell mom and start grabbing the laundry baskets to take the clothes in before a big rain. 
The good ole days…
Right now I am sitting out on our little porch. I love porches. I am typing in the shade now.. I was sitting in the sun and it started really heating up! Praise the Lord!!!
Have you ever thought that the best things in life come free? I sure did today. I am just having a WONDERFUL day today. I feel like my heart is bursting forth with thanksgiving to Jesus. I like to think it’s not just because the sun is shining in my part of the world but it might be! I was made for the Sun! I like to think of my relationship with Jesus that way as well.
Today as I was cleaning… .I was humming to myself some of my favorite songs. One of them was “Coat of many colors” reminds me of my Mother Love you mom!! Anyway, there is a part in the song that says “One is only poor only if he choose to be…” while she sings about growing up in the smoky mountains not having any clothes yet having a loving family…. that really hit me. So many times I want nicer things. I want to be able to go to school and not have loans to pay back for it. I want a reliable car. I want to be able to go on trips and not have to work part time after school full time….. I think of myself not as poor but maybe a little close to not having a whole lot of extra! Hahah….. as I thought about this today I was hit with the lesson… that the best things in life, they come free. I am only poor or ( in my case, don’t have extra) if I choose to not have extra. Clothes lines on summer days, the sound of the washing machine workin away, sweet tea, sittin in the front porch, taking a walk, listening to the birds, planting springtime flowers, walking in a wide open field, the wind in my curtains, the smell of grass being cut, the smile on my Nephew’s face, sunshine…. they all come free. I just get to enjoy them. Maybe I do shop at the dollar store, I actually really love the dollar store, you can find some cute clothes there… and live from paycheck to paycheck but I am only poor when I choose to be. And I say God has blessed me a whole lot.
I hope that you have a great day today enjoying the sunshine… or wherever you are. I know I am. I think I here my tea kettle singing…. time to fix the sweet tea then head off to work.
I have the privilege of knowing a dear sweet family that lives here in Hinsdale, Illinois. I met them about a year ago. When I worked in the nail salon in Hinsdale. I believe that God brought this family along just when I needed them.
Today after I went to the morning church service I took a flight out of Detroit to Chicago. I was picked up in a limo. Very much treated like a queen Munched on mints and water in the backseat while I talked to the driver and I love asking them what famous people they have driven around. He told me he drove Clint Eastwood and Opra Winfrey to name a couple.
He dropped me off at the curb of the beautiful home I get to stay in. I have a beautiful loft type room on the third floor. There is rounded area on the top part of the house to the right… that’s where I stay. Pretty nice. Tonight we went to La Grange for some authentic Mexican. Maybe I will take Shiloh, AKA “Shi”, the family golden retriever on a walk to Starbucks (that’s about two blocks from here)…tomorrow.
That’s what’s up with me tonight! It’s good to visit Hinsdale again. I have missed it. Such a beautiful town… maybe I will stop in Shine Nail Spa again too.
I enjoyed hearing from everyone about my latest note on my becoming a Flight Attendant! Thank you for caring enough to ask and be interested. So, I thought I would let you all know what is up. Well, God has different plans, but I LOVE His plans. I heard from Delta that they won’t be hiring for at least another year. I realized that now would be a good time to do what I have wanted to do for 6 years now! I will be going to school to become a Cosmetologist. I am really looking forward to it and happy that God has opened the doors for me…. so far!
I have plans to use this in many different ways to be a witness and missionary wherever I can be. I believe that beauty is something that God Himself created and it is a good thing.
Who knows! Maybe next year the Flight Attendant opportunity will open and I will jump on that plane! You never know! Blessings my Friends.
I usually don’t watch football. Not this girl’s thing…I will say watching a game live is pretty cool. But last night as I was passing through the living room the Florida game was goin on. They were talking about this Tim Tebow guy. They were talking about his “Christain faith” and his belief in God. I stopped and listened. They talked about his character and they talked about the missions trips he has taken and the leper colonies he has lived in. I was drawn to listen and then to watch him play. After the game I watched him give a speech and then the most beautiful words “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. It almost brought tears to my eyes. I was so happy to see a young guy give his heart and life to Jesus Christ in this way. To give glory to Him and to praise Jesus openly. Wow! That’s what should make our heart beat faster 
Girls, this is what we are looking for ( I can talk like this because he is about 4 years younger than myself! …. yeah. ) I hope that as a young woman you are committed, sold out, DEvoted to waiting for a man (not specifically Tim Tebow, there is only one Tim Tebow…) who is on fire! Sold out! Living for Jesus Christ. Not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask God to guard you from anything else.
Here is a video I found I thought I would share. Pretty interesting. Check it out.
Awesome or what! …He likes country music too. Not the most important thing but… shows he has good taste. I think he might be my favorite for reasons that should be obvious.
I am reading one of the neatest books I have ever read right now. It is simply the real life of Johnny Cash written in his own words. The simple writing and story line throughout keep me turning the pages.My Dad found it at a used Christian bookstore for a whole 2.50, I know! Two dollars and fifty cents. I great, inspiring story for such a little amount of money.
I can remember seeing Johnny and June live in concert. We were at the fair. I fair in Ohio that we loved. I remember June most of all. She had red shoes and she would flick them across the stage. .. crazy girl.
I am so glad I picked up this book and began to read it. As I have watched the movie about him I was kind of disappointed. The movie seemed depressing and sad as was his life without Jesus.
One thing that really speaks loud and clear is that this man really did know and love God. He strayed far from Him but God was faithful enough to “never give up on me”, Johnny Cash said. One night as we was coming down from being high on drugs, and the evil presences, that would torment him left. He said he felt a warm presence near him and still small voice breath from inside his being “I am your God. I am still here. I am still waiting. I still love you.” And he would fall asleep.
God had His hand on this man’s life and it makes me realize I can never give up on someone coming to know Jesus. No matter what they are into, no matter how far “gone” I think they might be. God is still God. Johnny Cash said that the Carter’s were an inspiration to him they prayed for him and they loved him. He said he was thankful they never gave up on him.
Johnny Cash is the first to admit he was far from God and messed up his life. He said he messed up his marriage and it was a grief to him. I am so thankful that I was able to read this book and get a clear picture of the real redeeming work in someone’s heart and life. It’s all about Jesus. He is the one that will change someones heart and life. He did that with Johnny Cash. And I am sure we will hear Johnny’s voice in heaven. Boy am I glad to know that! I look forward to singing with him and worshiping Jesus together.
Read the book! “Man In Black” by Johnny Cash
I was reading today’s broadcast from Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Demoss. I would strongly recommend subscribing to that feed and reading it everyday, girls!! It is so sound and true. And to tell you the truth there are few things out there today that are really going to encourage you and be good for you. I find that when I go there and read her broadcast it is exactly what I needed to hear.
I have resloutions! And “there ain’t nothing that can’t be done by me and God” or just God, through me. I was thinking today about my # 1 priority. My walk with Jesus. These were the thoughts that ran through my mind. “But it’s so hard! Sometimes it just takes so much work it seems to keep my relationship with the Lord hot, vital, going, alive!” You know what I mean? Sometimes it just seems easier to simply…. be lazy. Slack off… not read the Word and dig hard for His truths. Seek him out. Trust Him wholly. Sometimes it just seems easier to complain. To rely on my strength. Seems… but that’s not right or true.
I thought about what people who are married always say, “It takes work!” “You have to work on your relationship” That is true in this as well! We have to work on our relationship with our Lord. We have to put time and effort into the ones that we love and care for. If we care about our relationship with the Lord we must take the time to work on it. We must be diligent to pray and seek His face. It says that if we seek Him we will find Him!
I have a few resolutions:
1. Work on my Ultimate Relationship – make it number one!
2. Read more Missionary biographies. Less of other non-important things.
3. Visit the widows/ shut in’s in our church with the sisters.
4. Get involved in the crises pregnancy center at my church. (Excited about this.)
5. Read Johnny Cash’s biography. (Starting this today) Love that guy.
6. Update my blog post’s daily! (BIG HUGE CHALLENGE FOR ME!)
More I am sure, just can’t think of ones right now or not willing to share here
God has been good to me this year. I thank Him for leading me and guiding me and telling me to trust Him, over and over and over again! I am excited about this New Year because I know who holds my future! It’s me and God. “He’s my Saviour, He’s my Friend … .” Whatever it is, it will be good.
WELCOME 2009
I just ordered my first hoody from abort73.com I am excited about wearing it and getting the word out. Got this hoody with this logo;
Abort73 Graphics / Abort73 Shirts
And I want this one;
Abort73 Graphics / Abort73 Shirts
Soon, I will have it! I hope that you will consider what YOU can do! You can wear a shirt. If you have a website you can go the the website and put a banner on your website to direct others there. You can give a money gift. You can hand out a pen. You can carry tote. Most of all tell others about this website and make it known! We can’t just stand by, as Christian people and let little lives be taken, without a fight. Visit this site! Order a shirt. Most of all we want to build relationships with people that we can tell about Jesus and then they will see the Light and know how wrong it is.
I like to think I can be the voice of a little ones who voice can’t be heard that has not fully developed yet, before they are taken home to heaven. I hope to be able to meet them in heaven and say I spoke for you! I loved you! Even when others didn’t.
In the words of Jesus “Let the children come to me”
Abort73 Graphics / Abort73 Shirts
Growing up I remember visiting a man in the hospital that I hardly knew. He always scared me a little. He looked sad, angry and very lost. He hardly ever said a word. He would stare at the TV in the hospital room or just stare away from us. Above his bed were pictures of him as a young man in his uniform, serving his country. From the pictures he still had his whole life in front of him to live. We would visit him for a little while and then we would need to leave. I remember as we would walk to the elevator Dad would always give us the talk of how important it was to stay away from alcohol. The effects it had on this man’s life was so obvious. He would warn us sternly that if that was the road we chose that would be where it led. I remember we would quietly listen and the trip home was always a little quiet as we thought over what we had seen and heard…..
At a young age he was offered just a drink. Not really a big deal at the time. It was a big deal. It would change his life forever.
I can remember some of my Mother’s stories. Growin up she learned some things the hard way by watching her Dad. She told me that when she went through hard times as a girl she would tell herself she would never live this way and she made a deal with herself she would have changes. She said she made a promise to herself that she would never marry a man who drank. She married a Pastor, my dad. She would lay in her bed at night and listen to a preacher talk about Jesus. She made it to church… sometimes by herself. She made a deal, she would never let her kids see from her, what she lived with.
My older Brother Kyle, they say, looks like Grandpa. (The picture here is my brother Kyle taking little Kyle on a walk) Kyle said that he and his wife made a vow to God that they would never take a sip of alcohol. Kyle is a youth pastor. He warns young people against alcohol often. He has a little boy, Little Kyle, he wants to be like Big Kyle.
Grandpa is gone now. We still visit his grave site on a hill just outside of the small town in Kentucky that he grew up in. Mom will put flowers on his grave and we will enjoy the peaceful setting. We will be quiet and think about him. Grandpa may never have known us and won’t ever know the influence he had on us but he had a powerful influence on his kids and now his grandchildren and great grandchildren. We often wish that he would have been open to Jesus. But God used his heart though it wasn’t open to Him. Sometimes the example we look at doesn’t always have to be good one… and for that we thank him and we love him.
Mom, I love you. Thank you for warning us against alcohol and telling us the truth. Thank you for making the decision as a young girl that you would have a different life no matter what. Thank you for looking to your perfect heavenly Father and letting Him lead you. Thank you for never allowing us to experience the hard things you went through because you knew Jesus was the answer. Thank you for being determined not to marry a man who drinks. Thanks for encouraging us to make vows against taking “just one drink”. I will encourage my kids to do the same.
Here is a sweet song that I love. Listen to it and if you can look it up on youtube and watch the original one. It won’t let me post it here. I almost made my mom cry when I sent it to her and she doesn’t cry.
(Please turn off the music at the bottom left side of this page)
Yesterday, I taught Sunday School. I teach two groups. First the older ones – 3 and 4’s. Then I teach the 2 year olds. They are SO small. Sometimes I wonder how much they really take in. But they are so sweet. I love them so much. As they entered the classroom I greeted them like I always do. You have to be very energetic from the very moment they enter to the moment that they leave to keep their attention. Sometimes they will all run up to me and give me hugs. I love it when they do that. So cute. Some Sunday’s I am flooded with so many hugs from them all at one time they they almost push me backward!!!
Yesterday I was teaching about the good news that there would be a baby born to Mary. Mary running to tell Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s baby jumping for joy in her womb. I gathered all the kids together at the end of the lesson and asked them what the real meaning of Christmas was. I asked them if it was about Santa and reindeer? Some said yes some screamed “Jesus”! I gathered them around the nativity scene we have posted on the wall in the classroom. I pointed to the different things on the wall and asked them “Who is this?… and who is this?” They usually always say “Jesus!!” no matter what I ask! I point to a sheep it’s Jesus! I love them. I pointed to Mary and asked “Who is this?” One little guy named Thomas yelled out “Mama!!
I am amazed and taught every Sunday by their small, yet profound, faith in God. They believe and they have faith. I wish my faith was so simple and so complete. No questions asked. Just Faith. Just trust.
The evening service we had a beautiful drama unfold before us. Beautiful. As I watched the Wise Men come and Mary and Joseph adore Baby Jesus.. my heart was so full of love for that Child… who became a Man… who changed the entire course of history.
As I think about Him I want my life to be wrapped up in loving, serving and knowing Him. As I reflect on the things He has done for me I in turn want to lift up my hands to Him and say take me I am fully and completely yours! I hope that as we reflect on His birth as we think about His coming to earth…. we think about what He wanted when He came. He came for us so that He could bring us Life. What an awesome, loving, self-sacrificing Man?
Whatever we do today and during the last few days until Christmas I hope that we will understand the real meaning of Christmas. I hope that we will understand He came because He wanted a relationship with us. He bridged the huge gap… because He loved us so much! I hope that we will build, build, build a strong living beating relationship with our Father. That’s what He wants most from you.
How do we DO this? I believe that we look into the stable… we look at the Baby. Gather around the Baby. Just look at His Life. In Sunday school we gathered around the Baby. In church and in the Christmas play we gathered around the Baby. Have you? I believe that when we look at Him our lives, our faces will reflect His beauty and glory and Life and we can’t help but be changed.
“In His Name all oppression shall cease”
Target, one of my favorites. Yesterday, I was in there (today as well but you know..) and found some “Target Red” Lipstick by Loreal! Cute stuff. It has the target logo on the tube. Cute. I got it. I am wearing it now. I usually hate red lipstick on me… but this is kinda nice! Maybe just because I know they made it to match Target’s logo.
