Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Psalm 148

My best friend sent this YouTube video via email yesterday and what a neat video! I just had to share with my blog readers!


Psalm 148 - 1: Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the Heavens, praise Him in the heights above. 2: Praise Him all His angels, praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. 3: Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars. 4: Praise Him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. 6: He set them in place for ever and ever; He gave a decree that will never pass away. 7: Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8: lighting and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding, 9: you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10: wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11: kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12: young men and maidens, old men and children. 13: Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 14: He has raised up His people a horn, the praise of all His saints, of Israel, the people close to His heart. Praise the Lord! 

Blessing and Love,
Hollie

Monday, January 30, 2012

Homemade Laundry Soap and Dryer Sheets

I'm a huge fan of doing things for a cheaper cost, since we are a family of six on one income. I have yet to try these recipes but I'm looking forward to trying it very soon! It's a little extra work but well worth it I'm sure!

I have two really good blogs that I check on almost daily, The Duggar blog and the New Old School blog! Love these blogs and many more!

Here are the recipes to make your own laundry soap; http://duggarsblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/duggar-recipe-liquid-laundry-soap.html and your own dryer sheets; http://www.mynewoldschool.com/2010/07/01/make-your-own-dryer-sheets/

When I make my own, I will make sure to take pictures, and post my thoughts. Can't wait!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Friday, January 27, 2012

Prayers for the Thompson Family


As listed below on my Prayer Warriors post about a friend named Vicki who has terminal cancer and only giving a month or so. She is not doing well at all and not sure how much more time she has. Hospice has been helping to keep her comfortable and her family has been doing such an amazing job taking great care of her. Just continue to lift Vicki, her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and the nurses with Hospice.

Vicki is a fighter for sure! She loves life, her family, her friends and her work so much. Her body is tired. May our Heavenly Father continue to give her peace, comfort and complete healing. May we understand God's great will for this and thank Him for restoration that has taken place within the last 6 months for this family. Lord, continue to wrap Your loving arms around this family. They are so very dear to our family! Amen

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Prayers Answered!

Update on my mother.

Her visit with the Specialist yesterday went very well. There was no need for surgery (praise God) and was able to set the bones in place and cast it. There was allot of bruising and soreness, as to be expected. Praising God for His continued protection, peace and healing on behalf of His daughter/my mother! She's doing well and expecting a full recovery in about 6 weeks.


Thank you all for your daily prayers, they were felt!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Our Family Name Meanings

I visited one of my favorite blogs yesterday and they posted their names and what they meant. I thought it was a neat idea, never really looked up the meaning of each of us before. Just went with our favorite name at the time.

Robert: Bright Fame Origin: English
Hollie: Bush with Red Berries Origin: English
Our 1st: Ones Fate Origin: French
Our 2nd: Who Is Like God Origin: American
Our 3rd: Daughter of the Ruler Origin: Irish
Our 4th: God Judges Origin: Hebrew

Blackwell: English: habitational name from any of various places, for example in Cumbria, Derbyshire, County Durham, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, named Blackwell, from Old English blæc ‘black’, ‘dark’ + wæll(a), well(a) ‘spring’, ‘stream’.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Continued Prayers

Please continue to pray for my mother. Early last week (Tuesday) she broke her ankle. She has an appointment with the Specialist tomorrow at 12:30ish. Praying it's not going to be anything major!

Lord, thank You for caring for her and giving her good doctors. You are always looking out for our best and we couldn't be more blessed!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Prayers.....

Please pray for my mother, today and the days to come. She broke her ankle on Tuesday morning and is awaiting a phone call from the Specialist. She's in allot of pain and hardly has anyone to help her at home. I leave 45 minutes to an hour away and so it's hard for me to be there to help.

Times like these I wished my extended family lived closer so I could help in any way! I will do my best to keep you updated. Thanks again for praying for her! God bless!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Monday, January 16, 2012

Our Family Tradition; Spring Break Camping

Our family LOVES camping during Spring Break and have for about 8 years! I just booked our 5 day get-away last week and I'm SO looking forward to it. This year we're going on a new adventure and a change of scenery by going to Meridian State Park in Meridian, Texas. It's loaded with history, hiking trails and an endangered bird called a Golden-cheeked warbler.

In the years passed we've enjoyed Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, Texas and Whitney State Park in Whitney, Texas. We have always had other families join us in the past years but this year we've decided to go on our own. With this being Destanie's last Spring Break with us before college, we wanted this be a new adventure and experience for our family. After all; going camping is to make great family traditions and memories to remember for generations ahead! I pray that in the years ahead, my children will want to join Rob and I in our yearly camping trips with their families. What a blessing that would be!!!

Here are some pictures I'd like to share from our past camping trips. It truly amazes me how much my babies have grown over the years!

Enchanted Rock 2004; with our old church group Burleson Church of Christ. It was just the three girls because our son was too little.






No Camping in 2005; saved up every penny for our new home.



Whitney State Park 2006; with the Wurzbach's.





 Whitney State Park 2007; with the Wurzbach's.




Whitney State Park 2008; with the Lancaster's and the Thompson's.






No Camping in 2009; Rob injured his back.

Whitney State Park 2010; with the Lancaster's.









No Camping in 2011; saving money for a summer Vacation in Padre Island with Rob's parent's.

Meridian State Park 2012; Memories to be made.

I had lots of pictures with the families that joined us over the years but I tried my best not to post them because I respect their privacy rights. With this being my family blog I decided not to post those.

I look forward to making new memories with our yearly camping trip with the kids, our family and friends! Lord willing, we will be able to continue this family tradition for many more years to come!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Friday, January 13, 2012

Words that Most are Afraid to Share or Say...

I found this on YouTube last night and felt lead to share!



This is one of the main reasons why my family has a difficult time finding a "church" family. WE ARE THE CHURCH! We've been to MANY and only one fit our family. "Christ Journey", was our forever family church body but it crumbled like so many others. It was the church that you read about in the Bible. We feel like we don't fit in because we try to live like the Word says and not like the world. Praying this blesses you just as much as it did me!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Prayer Update

I listed a young couple Michael and Megan on my prayer list yesterday. Michael is an employee where Rob works. Rob read my post yesterday and gave me an update.

It is with a heavy heart that I share of their loss. Michael and Megan lost all three babies during the Winter break while Rob was home on vacation. Since then, Megan has left Michael, blaming him for the loss. Please pray for peace, comfort and understanding. Pray that they can get past this huge loss and move on "together". It's always hard to try and see how God can make good out of something like this, but when your in His word it's all through the Bible, even today in our daily lives!

Also, Michael has been suffering with gallbladder problems. Praying the doctors can figure out what's going on and resolve the issue.

I couldn't even imagine the loss that they feel. I pray I never, NEVER have to experience the lose of a child! So PLEASE lift this young couple up in your prayers today and the days ahead. They have a long road of recovery....how heart breaking!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Prayer Warriors: Daniel 9:17



There's always a deep need for prayer; lots of it! Always so much going on in this world around us. Bad health, disease, sickness, death, pain, addictions, and sin but don't forget the praises too.
 

I look forward to my daily morning talks with the Lord. I hunger and thirst for His word. I pray like He's right beside me. I praise His Almighty name from the tips of my toes and the last breathe from my lungs as I sing and rejoice of His power over my life and others.

My prayers are heard. I know this, because He tells me they are in His word! Mark 11:24; Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I have a list that I've been praying over and adding to for some time now and know that you too will be blessed by praying for them as well.

Vicki: Battling with Cancer; was giving a few weeks to a month, is now in Hospice care in the comfort of her home. Pray for peace and comfort for her and her family.

My Mother: Was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

My Cousin: Depressions.


My Sister: Giving praise! She's been in rehab for 7 months now out of 12 months. She's on the road to recovery!


My Mother-In-Law; Ginna: Having numerous test to see why she can't taste or smell. Pray for the pain from her arthritis to subside.

Melissa's Mother and Father: Battling with Cancer: Mother found out last April she had brain cancer then exactly a month later in May found out the Father had cancer as well. Please feel free to add these to your daily prayer list! If you'd like for me to add you to the list, I will. It can be private if you feel more comfortable doing that as well. We all need to be prayed for!

Michael & Megan: Megan is on bed rest due to complications with pregnancy of triplets.

Heather's Mother and Sister: Our Father knows what they need.

Candice's Dad: Had open heart surgery on 12/19/11; praying for complete healing.

Laura's Best Friend's Dad: Our Father knows what he needs.  

Hattie's Brother and Sister-In-Law: Had a sweet baby boy on 12/20/11. The baby had heart complications and needed open heart surgery. Praying for healing, peace, comfort and strength!

Camellia's friend Belinda: Battling with Colon Cancer

Jenny: Court date today; praying the Judge pours favor over her and allows her to continue in rehab instead of 7 years in prison.

Those who have lost loved ones recently: Praying for peace and comfort from your loss. Remember those precious memories and that one day will be with them again!

Those who battle with some kind of addiction: May our Almighty God break those chains and set you free from the grips of satan! Satan is a liar, a thief and will always fill your head with untrue things! You are a child of God! Stand up and claim that for yourself.....Jesus did for you on the cross!

For our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on: Lord, pour your hedge of protection over them daily. Guide us in showing them the way to You. Help us to remember that we should look through their eyes to see You! I know most times it's them teaching me, more than I'm teaching them! Precious gifts from above!

Broken Relationships: Lord, mend them into what You created them to be. Allow healing to take place, allow the past to be in the past and to look at the good in today and what Your joy and peace will bring tomorrow!



Thank you all for joining me in prayer. There is power in prayer and numbers! May God continue to bless you and yours!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie
"A Humble servant of Jesus Christ"

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Routine and a Birthday Shout Out....

What can I say, I love routine! I truly have enjoyed the two weeks the kids had off for Winter Break and the last week Rob had off with us! But now that they've all gone back to work and school, I can go back to my job as well.

As a full time homemaker, it can be hard to get my chores and duties done with everyone home. I'm not complaining by any means....I love and treasure my family dearly. However, it's just easier to get housework done when it's just me at home. I stay more focused and I'm not having to work around Rob and the kids. Honestly, I think they're all glad the break is over to! Well, except for having to get up by 5am-5:45am Monday - Friday! But hey, we do enjoy our Saturday and Sunday mornings sleeping in!

It's difficult to believe that today is the last day of the first week of January! It's also my little brother (who's not so little anymore) 28th birthday today! Happy birthday, Bro! We love you! Oh how time does fly by us so fast!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy 2012!

We rang in the New Year last night with our neighbors of 6 years. We love and enjoy this much older and wiser couple! They bring wisdom, life, example and love in our lives. Our children love them and think of them as their third set of grandparents!

There are several things that I'm looking forward to in 2012 and then there are things that I'm not so much. First and foremost is, what God has in store for me, Rob, and each one of my children.

May this year be, one that I place God first at all times. May this year be, one that I constantly go to Him for answers and wisdom instead of looking to this world for them. May I please Him in everything I do and say. May I love those who are hard to love. May others love me when I'm difficult to love. May I have a forgiving, unconditional, patient, loving, non-judgmental, unselfish, eager heart to serve spirit! May I grow even more in Christ's image!

There are a few things that will be difficult this year for me. But I'm prayerfully looking for God to lead me in the spirit not the flesh. Destanie graduating high school in May, moving with grandparents in the summer, going off to college in the fall and only having 3 of my 4 children at home full time. May I cherish EVERY second I have with our 1st! I know she'll only be about 20 minutes from us but this is my first baby! This is when faith in God, how you raised them, and hope that they will make it out in the real world comes into play. She has grown into an amazing young lady and I couldn't be a prouder momma!

We have a turkey in the deep fryer, will be headed to Rob's parents very soon, and will enjoy family on the first day of 2012! Fun, games, food, and family....God is oh so good!

I'm very excited about 2012! It has huge promise and we will get to watch the fruit from our tree blossom! I pray that you have a blessed 2012 as well!

Blessings and Love,
Hollie