Unlucky 13 (?)

I think I am getting sick. OJ is welcomed.

Today is Tuesday, December 13th. So here are lists of 13 things. Enjoy.

13 Things I love:

13. Puppies and kittens
12. The feeling of my hair after it is just cut.
11. New potatoes and cream gravy
10. Cold sheets
09. Hershey Kisses with almonds
08. Slightly frozen Dr. Pepper
07. Sleeping in as late as I want
06. Cold, snowy days when you don't have to go anywhere.
05. Homemade hotdogs (with chili)
04. Harry Potter (watching, reading, or listening to the books)
03. Thin, salty tortilla chips with cheese and salsa.
02. Starting new projects
01. Being barefoot

13 Things I really, really dislike:

13. Answering phones
12. Missing friends' birthdays
11. Making small talk
10. Being the center of attention
09. Always being interrupted (or not "heard")
08. Driving in places I am unfamiliar with.
07. People on bikes who want to be in the traffic like a car, but don't obey traffic rules.
06. Snakes
05. Too much noise (like sensory overload)
04. Doing laundry
03. Constantly teased
02. Clutter/dirty house
01. People backing out of commitments (without a valid reason)

13 Talents/Abilities I wish I possessed:

13. Speak several languages
12. Do math/understand numbers
11. Ability to act/do accents
10. Ability to dance/be graceful
09. Athletic talent
08. Decorate well
07. Ability to entertain people (be funny, witty, unique)
06. To speak well in public
05. Ability to give lots of $ to things I care about
04. Ability to design
03. Have pretty handwiting
02. Ability to Draw/Paint
01. Ability to sing

Shout out to Beck.

--------------Addition----------------------
I was told I had to write 13 things I was good at since I ended on a negative, so here they are:

13. Making lists
12. Instigating mischief
10. Teaching
11. Organizing things
10. Finding solutions to problems
09. Good at copying Jacob's Spanish book
08. Making Quilts (I'm improving at least)
07. Guessing at charades/catch phrase
06. Playing snood
05. Cooking green beans
04. Photoshop
03. Making Fried Pies
02. Answering Questions
01. Multi-tasking

Lucky 7's

1. Seven things to do before I die:

• Pay off my student loans. (It may take that long!)
• Get married then raise godly children
• Get to where I write again--be creative....
• Learn to swim.
• Travel overseas (specifically see Jerusalem)
• Get sinus surgery!!
• Finish strong the race marked out for me.

2. Seven things I cannot (or won't?) do:

• I can't/won't ever sing a solo.
• I can't dance either for that matter.
• I won't ever be good at sports.
• I can't be on the sidelines of the Christian life.
• I can't live without friends.
• I won't ever get tired of sweet tea or Dr. Pepper.
• I won't ever stick French fries in my mouth like tusks and act like a walrus.

3. Seven things that attract me to my husgand/wife (or significant other or best friend):

• Um....yeah.

4. Seven things I say most often:

• Baptist Student Center, this is Holly.
• You haven't hear....I posted it on my blog.
• Stop poking me! (or "stop it" in general)
• Jerk store called...
• Slow down big shooter
• We're in a fight.
• Get off my computer (or desk)!

5. Seven books (or series) I love:

• Trixie Belden books by Julie Campbell/ or her pseudonym Kathryn Kenny. Those were what started my love of reading.
• Christopher Pike books...yeah, back in the day I read these. I still love Remember Me because it inspired me to write my own book as a middle schooler.
• Harry Potter by JK Rowling--they are incredible and everyone should read them.
• Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss
• Personality Plus by Florence Littauer
• Mark of a Man by Elizabeth Elliott
• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

6. Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over again if I had the time):

• Signs
• The Village
• The Parent Trap (original version)
• Remember the Titans
• Hitch
• Elf
• Dirty Dancing

7. Seven people I want to join in, too:

• If you want to do this, please feel free, but I'm not going to list seven people.

How Fun!

Christoph sent me the coolest website! You can put in any word and it will turn it into a slogan. It's hi-lar-ious!

Here are some that I got by putting in people's names. I promise, I did not make these up!

"I wish I had a Lindsay Vassar."

"Danny Beck. We build smiles."

"Debby empowers you."

"The David Cottle way of life."

"I quit smoking with Rita Stevens."

"Alex (Arm.) takes good care of you."

"Mock strikes back."

"The Brittany effect."

"My Tygre, your tygre, Tygre for all!"

"Food or Jenny? I'll have Jenny."

"Kels rules."

"My Crumpy and me."

"You better get your Emily out!"

"With a name like Sarah, it has to be good."

"Brian Biggs is forever."

"Brandon Jones, whiter than the whitest!"

"The queen buys KLai."

"Josiah Max keeps on going, and going, and going..."

"BClifton--You see this name, you think dirty." (Sorry Brian, it was the first thing that came up.)

"Shane for your kids!"

"Baptist Student Union is rolling, the others are stoned."

"The American Way of Christoph." (ironic, huh?)

Okay, check it out and post your favorite results!

Birthday Thanks

Thanks to everyone for the calls, cards, gifts, emails, messages, flowers, food, and birthday songs and dances. It was a great "21st" birthday. ;)

I am very thankful for all my friends and family. You all bring joy to my life in so many unique ways. Thanks for making me feel so loved.

I could use the cash.....Any takers? Anyone, Anyone?

My blog is worth $9,597.18.
How much is your blog worth?

Back in the swing of things

Wow, it's been a while, huh? No, I did not slip into a turkey coma or anything, but thanks for the cards and letters.

I had a good time at home over the break. I split my time between watching football with my Dad and playing with the dog to sewing on a quilt at my mom's. It was a productive and fun break.

This weekend I am going to Lubbock to see Emily. I think Tygre is for sure going, and I hope a few others will go too. I'm excited to see Em and just go on a road trip! : )

My dad gave me my birthday present early. He gave me money to get an IPod. I am excited about it. I think I will use it for audiobooks and videos more than music, but it will be good to have since my car's radio/cd player still doesn't work.

I am off to work.....have a great day!

Bullet Point Thoughts

1. i'm going to make these lists when i have nothing too important to talk about.
2. debby comes back home today and i'm sooooo excited!
   
3. got some good learning time from jen last night, and josiah gave me some lovin, so my tanks are full!
   
4. today my friend dana is having her second child!
   
5. tomorrow is the first saturday in over a month i get to sleep in on as late as i want.
6. i may or may not shower on saturday.
   
7. i'm going to lock myself in my room and sew all day so i can quilt over thanksgiving.
8. i can't wait for tuesday night to go home for the week!
   
9. i have two pairs of "winter" shoes (i.e. not flip-flops) and 3 long-sleeved shirts.
   
10. i woke up at 5:45 this morning with allergies.
    
11. i'm going to lubbock for my birthday weekend. so if anyone wants to go, let me know.
12. i'm becoming cynical about alias and just don't care anymore. jennifer garner doesn't look too great pregnant.
    
13. today i was behind a car with the bumper sticker, "back off....i'm a postal worker" and i thought how funny it is that "going postal" is now a normal term.
14. matthew mcconaughry is people magazine's "2005 sexiest man alive." he's okay i guess.
    
15. i got my arm stuck in the couch the other night trying to find a missing remote. today my arm is bruised in the bend of my arm.
16. it's 9:30 and i have already copies over 200 pieces of paper, and the phone is riunging off the hook. wow, that $20,000+ degree is hard at work today.
    
17. harry potter.
18. gotta go back to work.
    

Random List

1. i'm trying this list thing. let's see how it goes.
2. i feel like i have no margin of time right now.
3. debby comes home this week!
4. i have a date with "Harry" this weekend.
5. josiah sat in my lap and ate his lunch yesterday. *sigh*
6. lubbock and tuscon have pieces of my heart, yet i have never been to either city.
7. i could eat asian food every day.
8. i spend way too much money in hobby lobby.
9. i am a workaholic.
10. i have always wanted to be a detective but couldn't handle the gross stuff.
11. my parents almost named me ashley.
12. i don't like turkey, even at thanksgiving.
13. i drink a dr. pepper every day (or at least try!)
14. my favorite salsa is tostitos restaurant style (medium heat).
15. i wrote a full book when i was in 8th grade (over 100 pages typed).

Symptoms of the BIRD FLU...

The Center for Disease Control has released a list of symptoms of bird flu. If you experience any of the following, please seek medical treatment immediately:

1. High fever
2. Congestion
3. Nausea
4. Fatigue
5. Aching in the joints
6. An irresistible urge to crap on someone's windshield.

(Sorry, I had to post it because it made me laugh when I got it! Have a great weekend, people!)

Isn't it the truth...

I'm so selfish. It makes me sick.

"Break Fast" anyone?

Ronnie has been talking about this a lot lately as he is covering Biblical family units. I totally agree with everything he says and have always argued with friends about dating non-Christians. But what if he/she is a Christian? This issue seems to get sticker when you start to talk about being "equally yoked" in the level of Christian maturity.

I think that coming from a training ministry such as the OU BSU, the standards of living and Christian service are higher than the typical church-goer. Ask anyone outside of the bubble how hard it is to find a church that teaches discipleship like we know it, or find a group of believers with a vision to intentionally reproduce. It is rare to say the least.

So, what does this look like--meeting and dating people outside of the typical OU BSU realm? Because someone has never been exposed to the ideas of discipleship I have, do I discount him? What expectations are realistic and what are legalistic? How much time do you put into finding out if he/she is on the same page?

No, there is no one in particular I am thinking of, so all of you calm down. :) It is just that as I get older I hear my married/dating friends talk about setting me up with this guy or that. Some lower the standards to "single and Christian" while others say "he's not good enough for you" to every guy around. How do you walk the line between these two extremes?

There is not alterial motive except to hear your thoughts. I don't really know what I think about it, just wanted some other's feedback.

Fit for the Chase

I go through these restless spells, and right now, I am in one.

I know I have this burning passion in me....and know what I want my life to count for and represent. Yet, here I am ready to give up, let sin reign, and just become part if the growing statistics of people who quit. Yet, I know that it is this very pressure God wants to use in my life to bring about godly character, so why do I resist it? Paul's words in Romans 7 probably describe this struggle in me better than anything.

"....The trouble is not with the law but with me, because I am sold into slavery, with sin as my master. I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate. I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong.....But I can't help myself......It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. Oh, what a miserable person I am!

Well, said, Paul. Well said. It get's discouraging see yourself continually mess up again and again. As the Caedmon's call lyrics go, I know the road is long from the ground to glory, but a [girl] can hope that she's getting some place!!! But you see, I'm running from the very clothes I'm wearing, and dressed like this I'm fit for the chase.

Insert pity party here, right? But let's turn the page. What else does Paul say?

He says, Holly, "...you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit....So, dear sister; you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God's very own children, adopted into his family--calling him 'Father, dear Father.' If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?"

Deeeeeep breath. Let's try this one more day.

Life Swap

Okay, I have a confession to make. I really like to watch ABC's reality show Wife Swap.

At times the show borders on Jerry Springer type of conflicts, but overall it is a good show. For those of you not familiar with the show, it takes two families and swaps wives for two weeks. They find the most extreme opposites to switch. The first week the wives have to do whatever the family/mom normally does. So she lives in the other's shoes for a week. Then she gets to change the rules and for one week the family goes by the new mom's rules.

Because they choose extremes, there is a lot of tears and conflict, but usually by the end of the show everyone has learned a little balance. It is such a unique glimpse into the choices of people. I am amazed at how some people live.

I think what it teaches most; however, is the need for balance or margin in our lives. Because these people are extreme one way or the other, they miss out on a lot of life. They stereotype themselves out of experiences.

For example one punk rock family get the mom of a baseball obsessed family. The baseball mom makes the little boy play a game of baseball, in which he hits a home run. Not only did he like it, he was able to make friends with the very kids he hated most. Likewise, the punk rock mom made the baseball loving boy take electric guitar lessons, and he really liked it as well.

The parents grow as well. Most come to some compromise of change. No-disciple parents start taking some steps to order and discipline. Over-structured parents give some freedom and loosen up. It's a great show at exposing human nature and stereotyping.

I think we ALL could use some balance in our lives. We all need to see life from another's perspective and find out what makes sense to them. When we do that, we tend to appreciate what we have more and gain priceless experiences at the same time.

Okay, I am off my soapbox. All you naysayers can mock me now.

I'm feeling Mischievous today....

I thought this was funny, yet sadly not too crazy of an idea considering the internet is now the newest source of temptation.

This weekend I went to Broken Arrow with my mom to see my brother and his family. My nephews are almost as tall as I am now. I got to watch them play flag football, eat my brothers smoked ribs, and watch OU win in double overtime. Church on Sunday was good too, and then I came home.

I'm going to try to get a scan of a school assignment my youngest nephew, Jon, did at school and post it. It was sooo funny. Jon's teacher loves him because he is so creative. He walks to the beat of his own drum that is for sure. My sister-in-law told us about a story Jon's teacher told her. One day as they were doing work, Jon begins to do sport commentary on the kid across from him.

(Picture him holding his pencil to his mouth like a microphone and whispering like a golf commentator.) "We’re here today to see if Kyle will indeed do his work. He looks as if he's going to write something......oh, no! He just marked on his paper by accident. Oh, the teacher is approaching will this make a difference... (Teacher talks to Kyle). Wow, that was a close one ladies and gentlemen....yet Kyle still refuses to do any work."

Well, this went on for a while. The teacher just cracks up at him and says she should pay them for the endless entertainment he provides her. He's turns 8 this week.

Well, I am off to do some work!

Sticks and stones

was just thinking about all the people who love to tease/scare/annoy/pester me mercilessly each day. I am told that it is a form a flattery, flirting, or a way to show love. Hmm, the jury is still out on that one.

I have always been one people like to tease. I think it is because of my reactions, which I have tried to modify to no avail. People also like to see me mess up--say something wrong, pronounce a word incorrectly, spelling errors, etc. But unlike most people who occasionally do those things and people laugh and forget about it, when I do it, it lives on FOR-EV-ER.

My dear friends, Dana, Natalie and Tami are probably better at this than anyone. For example, ONE TIME during college I ordered a "Chicker Finger" Basket. Yes, I said chicker instead of chicken. Ha, ha, ha...SOOOO funny. Well, this past weekend it was brought up again as we ate at KFC. It's been over 6 years!

These types of things, though, are what made friends, friends. Shared memories--knowing someone so well and loving them anyway. Dana, Natalie and Tami are the ones who know me better than anyone else in the world. Although there are othersclose to me, these three girls know me in a different way--just as Holly--a peer, a friend.

It's hard to pinpoint. I don't think I am a different person when they are around, but there are aspects of me that they see through different lenses. When they see me, they don't define me by a title (like discipler, BSU secretary, etc.). When they see me, they see ME, not just a sliver of me. I don't have to be guarded or watch what I say. I know I am accepted 100% as me--quirks and all. There is freedom in our friendship.

However, I already see this post coming back to haunt me. Next time "someone" lies across my desk with their head right by the phone, or makes gross noises with their arms on my desk, or crawls into the room to scare me, or makes fun of something I said incorrectly, I will be reminded of this post.

I will say this. It is okay to keep teasing me as long as it is not the only interaction we have. The reason Dana, Nat, and Tami can do it is because our friendship is build on MORE than that. I know that they do love me and value me as a person. It's not all about making me the subject of their jokes. Otherwise, jokes can turn into hurt feelings. So if you tease me, and I get hurt, most likely I don't know where I stand with you.

This is somewhat random, I know, but that is what came out today!

Little Green Go Cart

Most of you know about my whole car accident/trama. Well, I wanted to update you on it. On Thursday I got my car back! I paid $250 to them and got a "brand new" car in return. They did a great job--it looks new. Several people thought it was new. I am so thankful that I was able to get it fixed.

Here is the area that was hit but is now all fixed!


Here is the whole side of the car that was fixed--including a dent that had been there for years. One Christmas I hit a parked car that was parked next to my driveway. It didn't do anything to their car, but dented mine. Now that is gone too!!!

Some other nice features of the accident included two new tires and three new hubcaps (I hit a few curbs in my day and they were bent). I'm very thankful for all of this!!

Du Du Dudu....Du Du Dudu.....

I'm back from a long weekend. Friday at 7:30 am Dana and Natalie and their husbands (Mike and Justin) and I all piled into a car and drove 8 hours to Memphis for my other best friend, Tami's, wedding.

It was a fun trip there and good time with Natalie and Dana. As we pulled into Memphis, Justin turns around and tells us that he was surprised we'd actually done it--talked for 8 hours straight. (We were not surprised!) The trip back was just about as bad. We were a little more tired so a little less talking happened but a little more complaining!

The wedding was beautiful but weird at the same time. It was hard letting go of my friend to someone I'd just met. I have no doubt they are perfect for one another, it is just hard to not know him better. The HUGE part of her life is separate. I hope in the year to come to get to know him better. As they drove away I had to remind myself that I had not lost her forever!

Just as I had one wedding behind me, I find out my wonderful roomie, Brittany, got engaged! I knew it would happen, but was surprised at the timing. At least she was not expecting it! :) The ring is beautiful!

Well, I better go. I have a lot of work to do!

In an effort to praise Him

I love fall.

Something about the colors of the leaves on the trees strikes a nerve in my heart. I am overwhelmed with the beauty of the colors. Wow.

I was looking at some amazing photographs of fall leaves today, and I was struck at how loved I am by God.

God choose to make things beautiful. He created them for ME to enjoy. To show me how much He loves me. And even as I am overwhelmed at the beauty of His created things, I am gently reminded how much more beautiful I am to Him. It fills the heart to be so loved. It's overwhelming.

These pictures remind me of one of my most favorite songs, "Gloria" by Watermark. If you have never heard it, download it from ITunes. Here are the words....my prayer today:

I wish I could crash like the waves
Or turn like the autumn leaves
In effort to praise You

I wish I could smell like the forest
The fragrance lifting a mighty chorus
In effort to praise You
In effort to praise You

Chorus:
But I’m such a limited creature
And my word can only paint so many pictures
But somewhere I think I read that I am

Treasured over all creation
So I know that I must try

I wish I could roll like the thunder
To leave the earth below in wonder
In effort to praise You

I wish I could fall like the summer rain
And every drop would sing Your name
In effort to praise You
In effort to praise You

Repeat chorus

Gloria, glory in the highest
Forever I will hide myself in Thee (2x)

Every breath that I breathe
Every moment in my history

Is an effort to praise You
An effort to praise You

Glory in the highest
Forever I will hide myself in Thee

Oh, Gloria
Glory in excelsis deo

Gloria, gloria, gloria
Gloria, gloria, gloria

Just like your Father

Most of you know I was in a car accident on Friday as Amy and I went to lunch. I am still waiting to see if my car is totaled or not, but my guess is it very well could be.

It's been interesting. Although this whole thing has been NOT fun at all, it really was one of the most significant learning times I've had in a long, long time. Friday morning I was in a really good mood--looking forward to Elevate. Even as the wreck happened I was surprisingly calm (for me :) anyway), and the lady I was in the accident was super as was the police.

The "best" part, however, was a real picture of God's grace that my Dad showed me. I am a daddy's girl, I admit, but even then, I have an extraordinary father. He has always been my calm rock, steady, loyal, and sacrificial in his love for me.

On Friday we talked about the wreck again and the estimate to get it fixed was around $4300+. He bought me this car for a graduation gift, has paid for it (and the insurance) and is about $4500 from paying it off. If it is totaled, we MAY have enough to pay off the note of the useless car. Then not only would all that money he put in the car be useless, I would still need a car on top of that.

Was he angry? No. Did he call me stupid or irresponsible? No. Did he guilt me once for all of this? No. The last words he said was, "Baby, don't worry about it. Get a good nights' rest and I'll take care of it." Wow.

I got off the phone and just cried. I still tear up when I think of it. What a picture of Jesus. Just like Jesus, my dad took MY mistakes and paid the price for them. He took the load on himself and at his own personal cost and comfort to help me. His only concern was my safety. That night my dad was Jesus in the flesh to me. I can't say how that filtered everything I heard on Saturday.

I kept thinking about how my dad reacted and thought, how much MORE God must love us! How much GREATER was Christ's sacrifice for us! I am overwhelmed by grace. My earthly dad's grace, and my heavenly Father's grace. Undeserved merit. It is humbling to accept. Yet that is all I can do. Accept it, (cry), be thankful, and tell everyone I know about it.

God brought to mind a verse this weekend I'd memorized about 6 years ago. It is Matthew 7:11 " If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

If my dad, though he is a sinner, knows how to give good gifts to me, how much MORE will my heavenly father give good gifts to those who ask him! (God, this is me asking that you bless my father for his love and faithfulness to me by taking care of his needs as he takes care of mine. And I also pray that You will continue to show me and overwhelm me with how much you love me!)

This has always been one of my favorite MercyMe songs. My own dad make this song come even more alive to me this weekend.

Just Like Your Father Lyrics

Believe me when I say
You look familiar in a certain way
Believe me when I say
I think I met you some other day
There's something about you that I can see
An it shines right through you an approaches me

Oh but now I know
Oh yes I know
You're just like your father
You got your daddy's ways
You walk so close to him picked up his traits
You're just like your father
Got your daddy's ways
You're just like the man I met when I was saved
You look like your father

You got your daddy's eyes
You got your daddy's hands
You got your daddy's smile
You got your daddy's plans
Before you speak, people know who you belong to
It's how much it shows
I can see the love of God from the start
First thing I noticed he's got your heart

You have got something, a satisfying peace
He dwells within you, so many long to see

Not in the Eye of the Beholder

I love make-over shows. I don't know why or how a new outfit, haircut, and some make-up tips can change people's lives so quickly, but it does. I got a haircut last night and love it (for once). We all go through times when a new outfit, our hair or something outward makes us feel good.

Many times, attractiveness is what the world uses to judge us worthy or not. I was thinking of Jesus and how He went against even that standard. In Isaiah 53:2 it says of the coming Jesus, "He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him."

Hmm. Isn't that interesting? NOTHING in his appearance would attract us or make it so we desire Him. I don't know about you, but that makes me a little uncomfortable. I always imagine Jesus as looking kind, gentle, handsome even. Yet, scripture teaches that there was nothing attractive about him at all.

I think it is easy for me to imagine the disciples following Jesus when I think of him as a handsome, commanding figure. But unattractive? Wow, God knows the hearts of men. He knew if Jesus looked like Brad Pitt, people would be attracted to Jesus looks not His true power.

In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

How many times do I do this to people? They are attractive, I assume they are a good person or worthy or talented, or whatever. Maybe they aren't a super-model or dress that great, but they are an amazing person of God. I need reminding of that.

(And this is a free tip for all you single people out there. Let your desire be that theperson you date/marry be that his/her character is greater than their looks. In other words, do people talk about your significant other's looks or what kind of woman/man they are? Okay, I am done nosing around!)

Disclaimer: This is not intended to say or imply that looking good, being well dressed and groomed, or attractive is evil, bad, or less holy. Simply what is your measuring stick with people--is it their appearance or their heart?

Oh, Oh living on a prayer....

Prayer is a funny thing. It is such a balance between us asking and God answering. Sometimes I wonder what things I have missed out on because I failed to pray.

That seems almost blasphemous to say that some things we do not have because we do not ask. It would be except He tells us so in James 4:2 ("You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.")

JT shares a story in his newsletter to his supporters about move-in day. He was getting discouraged because all the students he ran into were disinterested at best with the whole Christian thing. Kels encouraged him to pray for opportunities to meet key freshmen.

After he prayer for this, the very next student he approached had been praying to get involved with the BSU but had no idea how! Then just 30 minutes later he joins some of our upperclassmen who were helping move in a family.

The mom asked which organization they were with and they said the BSU. She was excited because she was involved at the BSU in Nebraska. One of our students quickly asked if she knew his mom, who was also in involved in the BSU in Nebraska. She screamed, "SHE WAS MY ROOMMATE IN COLLEGE!" and quickly hugged him.

This is a cool story no matter how you spin it, but it is a great example of how sometimes God only gives when we ask Him!

So I want to leave you with this. Pray something specific for yourself today. Ask God to encourage you through people--specific people--or in a specific area of your life--or through unusual or unique people you'd never expect and see how He answers.

I love this verse. Insert your name and see how this can encourage you....we have a great God!

Exodus 33:17 "And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name."

Holding on or letting go?

I was watching the news this morning, and, as expected, they were covering the Hurricane Relief Effort. One of the stories was about the steps rescuers had to take to forcibly remove people form their homes.

One of the stories showed a whole family leaving--all but one. The one older woman literally clung to her storm-and-flood ravaged house. The river of raw sewage, chemicals, dead bodies, etc flowed next to her feet. She was crying and screaming that she couldn't leave her home.

It stuck me how anyone would WANT to stay in that place. But as I thought about it, it stuck me that I have done the same thing. And people do this very same thing each day.

How many times does God come and try to rescue us from ourselves? He comes to offer living water and food that will never parish. Instead of thankfully accepting, we cling to what we consider life. We hold onto the comfortable or the only earthy things we have for fear that if we let go of these things we will have nothing.

How did that old woman know that the life she was leaving would be better than what she had? How would she know that from the death and destruction would be a new, clean home? What if, by taking that step, she wasn't better off?

I can see so many of our friends and family doing just that as we offer Christ to them. It is hard to let go of all you've ever known or had and step into a boat with a stranger. Yes, we can see from the outside the better life. We see the new, clean, safe environment that is on the other side. We don't understand why they cling to garbage--surrounded by dead--because they are afraid.

And we do it too. We cling to the familiar or the known things, and as God asks us to step out in faith, we hesitate. We hold on to what we know and look at the raw sewage and think---what if it's not better? I don't know if this new place, or job, or relationship will be better than what I have. We would rather hold on to some resemblance of "life" than take the BETTER life He is offering to us.

I was wrong to look at that woman and think she was crazy to stay. We all do it. We all--at some time or another--choose brokenness instead of newness. We all cling to old habits, old thoughts, old desires, and old relationships---even though we see it could eventually kill us. We all settle for crumbs instead of the feast. We do it because our faith is too small--too small to trust the unknown way.

"The Gate of the Year" by Minnie Haskins 1908

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

And he replied, 'Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!'

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention."

But now you live dispersed on ribbon roads...

Lately Kels has been talking a lot about “my life for yours.” But what does that mean? Do we really understand what this looks like?

I think we will pick and choose who we will exchange our life for. This person is worthy and this one is not. More so, it seems like this culture (or generation) is content to live dispersed—on their own. The whole idea of not needing a team or a family seems to go against the very grain of “my life for yours.”

Am I really living my life for yours? Or are we going to be little islands unto ourselves never caring about those outside ourselves? TS Elliot puts it much better….

The Question of the Stranger

Of all that was done in the past,
you eat the fruit either rotten or ripe.
And the Church must be forever building,
and always decaying and always being restored.
For where there is no Temple there shall be no homes,
though you have shelters and institutions.

What life have you if you have not life together?
There is no life that is not in community.
And no community not lived in praise of God.

But now you live dispersed on ribbon roads,
And no one knows or cares who is his neighbor
Unless his neighbor makes too much disturbance,
But dash to and fro in motor cars,
Familiar with the roads and settled nowhere.

And the wind shall say, "Here were decent godless people;
Their only monument the asphalt road
And a thousand lost golf balls."

When the Stranger says,
What is the meaning of this city?
Do you huddle together because you love each other?
What will you answer? --

'We all dwell together to make money from each other'?

or 'This is a community'?

And the stranger will depart and return to the desert.

O My soul, be prepared for the coming of the Stranger,
Be prepared for him who knows how to ask questions.

from The Rock by T.S. Eliot

This poem hits the heart of this idea of community. Why do we huddle together? Do we care who our neighbor is only when they make a disturbance? Will our monument on this earth be asphalt roads a lost golf balls or will we have life together and let our community be in prasie to God.

What is the meaning of this city (neighborhood, MT, BSU)? Do you huddle together because you love each other? What will you answer......

The song in my heart today.....

I know posting song lyrics are not the most entertaining things for you all to read. However, this blog is much like a journal as it can be considering everyone can read it. SO this is me--what is happening to me today. This is my heart. C.S. Lewis once wrote, "Whenever you are fed up with life, start writing: ink is the great cure for all human ills..." So here is goes.....

My life the last six months has been lean to say the least. This whole Christian thing is hard and at times I have been tempted to walk away. But isn't it wonderful how God can use everything, especially disappointment and hurt, to soften our hearts toward HIm? He has opened the floodgates the last couple of days and I am learning so much I can hardly keep up.

One tool He has used is music. Yesterday's song and this one I have played over and over and over. These lyrics are from Waterdeep's Everyone's Beautiful album. But today this is my song. I feel like I am the girl thay are writing about....

"He Will Come"

Soon it will be hammered into what she calls her silly head---that she really isn't silly, but she's beautiful instead. But every time she gets a hold of something pretty-----it slips away. So she keeps hoping that someday soon.......

He will come! He will come! He will comfort all that's hardened---change the deserts into gardens. And we all will see His face. He will come! He will come! He will soften all the starkness; break the chambers of our darkness, and we'll all be overwhelmed.

She spilled her coffee in her Chevy on the way to work at 8:05. She always thought that she was clumsy, and she hated it., and wonders why--she can handle any tragedy that happens, but not little things like this. So she keeps hoping that someday soon--

He will come! He will come! He will comfort all that's hardened---change the deserts into gardens. And we all will see His face. He will come! He will come! He will soften all the starkness; break the chambers of our darkness, and we'll all be overwhelmed.

Within the world of a girl, the words she hears, they mean an awful lot . And the music in her mind when she gets older has the lyrics she was taught. And when she gets to heaven all the right things will be said. And He will look on her with favor......

He will come! He will come! He will comfort all that's hardened---make the deserts into gardens. And we all will see His face. He will come! He will come! He will soften all the starkness; break the chambers of our darkness. We'll all be overwhelmed.

All my scars will turn to fountains......All my valleys into mountains.......And we all will see His face.

He will come! He will come! He will comfort all that's hardened---change the deserts into gardens, and we all will see His face. He will come! He will come! He will soften all the starkness; break the chambers of our darkness, and we'll all be overwhelmed.

All you watchmen lift your voices. Then every boy and girl rejoices---When we'll all be overwhelmed.

Again

"If you want to know real joy in life, then be willing to let pain tutor your soul. The real prizes are never cheap." --Paula Rinehart

"Hush" by Waterdeep

When you feel like the days just drone on and on and on....and you feel like the nights are quickly gone. And on the inside your heart is gaping wide....and on the inside you feel like no one's on your side...well, I Am........I Am.......I Am......I Am

When you thought you could rest, but you found out you were wrong. And there's another need---another battle-----another one more thing that comes along. And on the inside you hear the fall but you hate the falling sound. And on the inside you can't pick another broken piece up off the ground---Well I know......

Hush little baby don't say a word. Daddy's gone and bought you a great big heaven to rest in. He's bought it with blood and put the seal in your heart. It'll give you the hope you need to get up and start .....again.

When all the things you thought you left behind are still hanging on, and everything you try to do right ends up all wrong. And on the inside everyone else seems basically fine, but on the inside even they won't let go of the dead and cling to what's alive....Well I know.....

Hush little baby don't say a word. Daddy's gone and bought you a great big heaven to rest in. He's bought it with blood and put the seal in your heart. It'll give you the hope you need to get up and start .....again. Again. Again. Again.

New meaning to the phrase "two-faced"

Well, we had a typical Oklahoma weekend. We watched about four hours of weather, as severe thunderstorms and tornadic weather swept through the state--including my hometown of Marlow! Norman got rain and some wicked lightning, but no tornados.

The most eventful part of the weekend was playing with this face converter page that Amy found. We played for hours!!! There is a link on her blog to it too, but here is is again if you want it. Click HERE to morph.

You can insert a picture and see what they would look like as another race, gender or artistic rendering. It was so funny doing some pictures. Like, David Cottle as a girl looked a lot like Lauren! And Jenny Van Dyck as a boy looked like her brother Matt. It was strange seeing Chauncey and Robert Hwang as white boys!

For best results, you need a picture where the people are facing straight ahead. Some pictures worked better than others, but it was fun. Here is an example of myself. If you have requests of people you'd like to see and don't have a picture, let me a comment and I will try to upload them soon.

Here is my orginal picture.

Here is African-American Holly.




Here is East-Asia Holly.




Here is (India) Indian Holly.



Here is MALE Holly...
Very disturbing !!!

Have fun with this....I have everyone's prayer guide pictures, so I will be busy! :)

You can go with this, or you can go with that.....

It is Friday and a long weekend.....makes me want to dance like Christopher Walken.

So many times we want to change other people....which we can't do. Yet we are unwilling to change ourselves, which we can do.

"It is easier to put on slippers than to carpet the whole world."

Top 10 Reasons I Love my Job

10. Variety--each day is different.
09. Answering the phones--never know who or what you'll get!
08. Free food--thanks C-Young, Chris, Robert, Tony, K-Lai, Rita, Debby, Britt, Crumpy, Tygre, Jenny, and everyone else I forgot to list.
07. Co-workers--they are pretty cool! But you've got to watch that Chris Goree! : )
06. Random occurances--like today watching Stine try to blow up a balloon an nearly pass out.
05. It keeps me young....I think.
04. Casual dress. Trust me, once you get a "real" job, you'll know why this is such a perk.
03. Getting paid to go on Spring Break.
02. Getting paid to hang out with college students.
01. Hearing, "Holly, I have a question...." a million times a day, and knowing the answer.

Ten Years Later

This post is going to date me. Ten years ago today I was a senior in high school. I didn't have class until second hour, which started around 9:30 or so, if I remember correctly. Back then my dad and I would share the car, so he would come home each morning from work to take me to school.

On April 19, 1995 he came in earlier than normal, so I was still getting ready for school. He turned on the TV and watched as I gathered my stuff. I remember walking into the living room and seeing what was on TV and trying to reconcile in my mind what it meant and what was going on. The bombing had just happened and news crews were just getting on the scene.

We watched until I had to go to school. I remember being captivated by the events and it seemed like time stood still that day. I was the first one at my school that knew what had happened. I went to the office and told them, and the news quickly spread throughout my little school.

My first class was a history class where I was a TA (teacher’s aid). We turned on the TV and watched. The rest of the day we sat in class and watched.

We had some band members in OKC that day--in the Myriad. They heard and felt the blast, but everyone was okay. No one I knew personally was killed on that day, but I remember thinking I was witnessing history. I can’t believe it has been ten years.

In a Pickle

I get on theses "kicks" where I want the same thing all the time. My mom is this way, as is one of my brothers. I guess it is genetic or something. Anyway, my latest kick is dill pickles--especially hamburger style dill pickles (and they MUST also be COLD!). Yummy! My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

I like to salt them too. I know, I know, I always salt everything. But on the dill pickle slices it is a perfect mix. For all you naysayers out there, you should try it before counting it off as weird.

Other so-called "odd" things I salt include apples, oranges, watermelon to name a few. Brian Cllifton, remember at the MT retreat a couple of years ago where I got you to salt your apple? He was one naysayer that was proved wrong.

Thinking about it, I have a lot of "weird" food combinations. For example, I like mayo on my chili-cheese dog. I dip pizza in ranch (not as odd anymore). As a kid, one of my favorite lunches was cold, iceberg luttuce with cream of chicken soup. I haven't made that in years, but it still sounds good. For breakfast, we used to have white rice with butter and sugar on it. I'm sure there are more, but that is all I can think of this morning as examples.

This blog entry may not save the world, but I hope it gives hope to others who have quirky tastes and food combinations.

Quotable Moments

"It's a bad day to be a duck!" --Susanne Scott referring to the ducks on the frozen pond at Glorieta

"Get off the bed! Get off the bed! I need to do something." --Crumpy (I have NO idea what he was talking about!)

"I'm going to steal one of these." --Rita, holding a WWJD bracelet in the Lifeway Bookstore. (That is what I heard, she says she didn't say that!) :)

"I don't have many twenty-dollars." --Debby Adams, referring to the cost of her parking ticket. (See her blog for details.)

"You lost it when I met you." --Tim to me, referring to my personal space.

My Mentor, My Mirror

I love Jen Kelsey. There are people in your life that suck life out of you, and then there are people who breathe life back into you. Jen is one of those life-giving people. She encourages me so much I can get up and try again no matter how many times I fall on my face.

She lets me cry and talk and be honest. She asks me questions, lets me think, pushes me gently in new directions, corrects me, and loves me regardless of what I "do" or "don't do." She will listen; she will offer advice; she makes time for me. I love her, and she has my heart so I will follow her no matter how hard the road is that she asks me to walk down. When she rebukes me, I listen and cry and try again.

Each time I am around her, I am humbled by her love for me. I want to love like that. She has more health problems than anyone else I know, and yet you would never know that talking to her. I want to be selfless like that. Jen is selfless, optimistic, fun, wise, and more like Jesus each day.

She makes me think of 1 John 4:10 which says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

Jen loved me before I loved her. She wanted me in her life before I wanted her. She loved first, and because of that love, I have grown to love her and "follow" her example. It is because Jen loves me regardless of my behavior that gives me freedom to fail and be forgiven and to keep following and trusting her. What a great living example she is of 1 John 4:10.

Is it just me, or is it hard for anyone else to accept (in your head and heart) that God is the same way (but to perfection)? I know Jen is not perfect and I am not in any way "worshipping" her. But she mirrors this biblical truth so clearly, it helps me believe (in action of heart) 1 John 4:10 better. I see a human with weaknesses loving like that, I think, of course GOD can do that! He does everything perfect!

She is the mirror that reflects 1 John 4:10 to me. I know it is Christ in Jen that I see. It is not Jen in herself who can do that, it is Christ living in her that loves, that is sacrificial, that is forgiving. I look at my life and think, "What am I mirroring? What truth(s) do I display in lifestyle?" I need far more of Jesus and a whole lot less of me.

My challenge to you is tell people in your life what they are mirroring for you. What verse do you see them living out? What biblical truth do they help you believe and act on better? Let's all be life-givers.

"Are you my Husband? Are you my husband" (Girls, you will get this title)

Sometimes I feel like Toula from My Big Fat Greek Wedding. You know the opening scene when her father says in his thick, Greek accent, "You look so old! You need to get married!" Yeah, that scene is a chapter out of my life. I have bets with my dad each holiday which of my family members will ask me the dreaded question first. "So, are you dating anyone?"

In college it was kind of cute. Now, it is an annoying reminder that people just don't get me. It is like I am choosing to be "weird" and not marry out of spite or something. Like my dating life is in my control! (I guess if I was "in the world" it might very well be.)

This past week at Glorieta we had an amazing woman named Melody come speak to the girls. She was hi-larous and very much the kind of woman I want to be someday. She too was "single" and has to desire to be married. (By the way, she also said to be truly "single," you need to be at least 25. Check!)

She said something that was somewhat discouraging for us singletons who want to be married, but very true. She said in former years a speaker would probably say to a group like us, "You know MOST of you will be married someday" or "Marriage is what God has in store for MOST of you." Now, however, she doesn't think that is true. Instead, she amended the statement to something like, "MANY of you will be married, and MANY of you will not."

Ouch. It is probably 100% true, and the truth hurts. She also spoke of contentment....and that many times we try to kill any desire to marry so we can say we are "content." Instead of KILLING hope or the desire to be married, she said we have to learn to grieve it. Grieve the loss if getting married by x age, or grieve the loss of having kids, or grieve the loss whatever it is.

Americans say "I do" more than any other industrialized democracy with 9 new marriages for every 1,000 people. Idaho, where 60% of people over 15 are hitched, has the largest percentage of married couples (not moving there). New York, has the fewest marriages, with 50% of the population still single (hmmm).

Luckily, it is normal to marry a bit later in life. Today, the average bride is 25.1 years old with their groom averaging 26.8. At the age of 102, Minnie Monroe became the oldest bride when she married to Dudley Reid, 82. Hope still is alive.

My Tanks are: FULL

I'm tired this morning, but it is a good tired. Yesterday was a good and encouraging day thanks to my many friends.

I had the great HONOR of going out with some of my favorite people in the world. Crumpy, Beck, and Tim (all looking strikingly handsome I might add) picked Allison, Kate and I up for dinner in OKC. We got poems, flowers, and for mucho romantical points, the car seats and floors were covered with rose-pedals! Nice details boys! We went to eat at Zio's and walked around Bricktown afterwards taking pictures and laughing A LOT. It was a wonderful night!

I would give you some of the quotes from the night that we collected for my quote book, but looking at them this morning I decided not to. I think it would give the wrong impression of our night. Ask me about them and I will give you some--all out of context of course. Guys, we felt VERY honored and appreciated, so thank you so much!

I also got the greatest gift from Debby Jean Adams. She made a "Boyfriend in a Box" for me. The boyfriend was Jesus! It came complete with a "profile" of my man, wallet-sized photos, post-it messages that He's left me, five love letters, and a framed picture of me and Jesus. (Yes, there is an actual picture of me with "Jesus." It is stinkin' awesome) It made my day when I opened it. Not only was it super fun it was pure, Biblical encouragement!

I want to share some of my favorite parts: These are from Jesus' profile sheet: "Interests: The souls of men, Holly Kimbrough, teaching, praying, the world. Hobbies: Fishing for men, hangin' with the disciples, healing, walking on water, miracles, raising the dead."

I also received five love letters. As I read them this morning, I was reminded of how new and fresh the Bible is each time I look at it. Each letter contained verses, but as they were written to me, they truly seemed like love letters. How cool it is for me to hear these word in that context. I talked a lot the last couple of blogs about men and women and such. One of the letters I read summed up what I was saying. Jesus truly is the greatest lover and supporter. Here is one of the "love letters" I received:

My dear love, Holly, I will not in any way fail you nor give up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake not let you down or relax My hold on you! Assuredly not! So take comfort and be encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm. I will not fear or dread or be terrified. What can man do to me? Love, The Lover of Your Soul (Hebrews 13:5-6)

That is the perfect love letter. My tanks are full. Thanks Debby, Kevi, Tim, and Beck.