Polishing the Pulpit

It has been a quite a while since my last blog. Lucas has commandeered the computer for his school work. He is almost done with his Bachelor's and I couldn't be more proud of him! I did want to get on here and tell everyone about Polishing the Pulpit.

Lucas and I had the great opportunity to attend Polishing the Pulpit last week. If you haven't been I would seriously suggest making the time to go. Their theme this year was Refresh, Renew, Recharge and they delivered that and much more!

Lucas and I have made the decision to homeschool.  Because of John's birthday we still have 2 years yet before we start. But I decided to go ahead and sit in on the homeschooling classes and was so encouraged with what I heard. We knew our reasons for homeschooling. We knew we wanted an educational environment where we could talk about God's Word and we knew that we didn't want our kids to get lost in the shuffle and their education be comprised because of that. But I was still concerned about will I be good enough and was just looking for support from people who are already in the thick of it. And boy did I find it! I met so many amazing people, who were incredibly supportive! I have been so uplifted by these lessons and the new friends I made, that I really feel like I am ready to take this task on.


Now you're probably asking if there were any other lessons........YES!!!! PTP has something for everyone. Preachers, elders, deacons, members, and kids. There are lessons about everything from marriage and parenting to technology and ministering to the Spanish speaking community. If you didn't get to go this year, please let me suggest that you buy a set of the CD's. Lucas and I were there and we still bought several of the CD's. The lessons by Dan Winkler about Loving God with all our Strength were amazing! Brad Harrub's lessons on Contraception and Keeping our kids from becoming Statistics were eye opening!

I could go on and on and on, but I will stop here. If I have done nothing else, I just hope that I have encouraged you to register for next year. You really will not regret it. And to all the new friends I made...Thank you! I have been so uplifted by you all and that means so much to me!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I am sitting here on the evening of Valentine's Day thinking about what this holiday means to me. To me it's not about the flowers, the chocolates, or the jewelry. I would honestly rather my husband surprise me with a bouquet of flowers randomly than get me some because a holiday says so. To me it's about spending time with the people in your life that you love. Whether it be your spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, or you children.

I think we first have to learn to love ourselves. When we can love ourselves we can then spread that love to others. As I get older I am learning that more and more. I also have a daughter that I have to be an example to. Tonight we were still recovering from the stomach flu so we ordered in and hung out with our kids. And that was wonderful to me. Yes, my husband and I will go out and have a lovely date on another occasion. But tonight we hung out with our kids.


So tonight love yourself and love the people around. And don't bash on the holiday' just look at it differently. Every holiday is commercialized and over marketed, it's just up to you to celebrate the way you see fit.

May God Bless you all!

Holly <3 <3 <3

Happy New Year!

 I'm sitting here while it is snowing madly outside. I love the snow. It is such a majestic sight to me. And as I am sitting watching it come down, I started reflecting and decided to blog.

So it's a brand new year and I am facing it with my head held high! I turn 30 this year and I have decided that it is my Towanda year. And for those who don't get that reference, please watch Fried Green Tomatoes. This is the year that I stop putting myself behind everyone else. I have finally figured out that if I take time out for myself  whether it be going to the gym or getting myself groomed (i.e. waxing, salon, maybe even spa ;)  ) I am a better person for my family. The saying of "If Mama ain't Happy ain't nobody Happy" really is true. We take care of so many people in our lives that if we aren't taking care of ourselves then those people suffer.

So this year I resolve to take care of me so that I can take care of others. I love being a homemaker and taking care of my husband and kids. But I also know that at the end of the day I feel drained. So I need to create a reserve for myself. And that will include working out 6 - 7 days a week. I know that sounds like a lot but even if I just do thirty minutes of walking around my neighborhood, I've done something. My weight has always been an issue for me and this year I resolve to make it a nonissue.

I will take care of myself fiscally. Lucas and I are working towards being debt-free in 2011. To be "in shape" fiscally means that there is less stress for Lucas and I and for the kids.

I will also take care of myself spiritually. Sometimes it's hard while you are wrangling children to really listen and focus on the lessons being given and really get to the place where you want to be during services. So i will make sure that I am taking the time to study on my own. And I will participate more. Idle hands are the devils playground so I will be busy. One of the greatest things about being a Christian is that Satan can try and tempt me, but I can say NO!

And last, but not least, I will take care of myself mentally and emotionally. How can I teach my kids to protect their emotional selves unless I show them. I have a tendency to let people tell me what to do and allow certain people to walk all over me. But no more! And I am not talking about getting in peoples faces with your head bobbing and weaving and finger waving. First and foremost, I am a Christian and that is how I will act. But I am talking about setting appropriate boundaries. I can say NO. It is okay for me to do that.

It is also okay for me to flourish on my own. I tend to step back for the sake of other people and this year I will step forward and put myself first. Like I said at the beginning, if I take proper care of myself  I can take care of the ones I love.

I have already started accomplishing this goals and will keep my eye on the prize all year through. Because these "resolutions" are not just for a couple of months and then I drop them like a bad habit. These are to permanently transform myself. These are things that I truly want to improve and that is what I will be working on.

BTW, I also resolve to blog more! LOL! Maybe if I can shove my husband off the computer I can actually get more blogs going. =D

Well, this has been a pretty heavy blog so I promise more light and airy ones in the future. I hope everyone is having a blessed New Year and are keeping up with their resolutions. May God Bless you all!

Until next time,
Holly