Living the Life Separate and Apart

Im Home!

2011-08-16T09:50:00.000-05:00

Sorry it has taken me forever to let you know that I made it home safely....BUT I MADE IT HOME SAFELY! The past week has been pretty crazy and I have had a lot to do, therefore blogging got bumped off the list. My last week in Texas was nothing short of perfect. Fro my last week, I actually didn't stay in Houston....I spent my time in San Antonio! Beautiful place, by the way! I loved it! If you are following this blog, more than likely you know me pretty well, which means you know that I haven't been on a single date in over four years! This is something I actually take pride in! It has given me time to be praying that God prepare the man that he has set aside for me to marry. But we all know that there is a journey that we have to take to reach marriage. I have just been waiting on the Lord to send me the right one to take me on this journey...well, my friends, I believe I have found a good one:) He is from San Antonio, TX...hence my trip there last week! I was able to spend several days with him and his PRECIOUS family in that beautiful city! We visited Riverwalk, the Alamo, Fredricksburg, and many more places! Oh what a wonderful time it was! Tyler came back with me to Houston to help me pack my things up...and then he got to meet the most amazing people that have absolutely changed my life! We had a fun night with the kids, I am so thankful for all of the laughs that were shared last Wednesday night...it really helps me not to be so sad when I can remember all of the laughter shared!
We began bright and early last Thursday morning heading back towards Alabama. For those of you who don't know it is about a 12 hour drive back home, and I can' t imagine taking this drive with anyone else other than the one and only, Tyler Linscomb!...Let me tell you, he is hilarious to travel with...and a cheater in car games, as well! Anyways, we got home safely around 6PM Thursday night and enjoyed dinner with my sweet family.
On Friday, Tyler and I unpacked all of my stuff (and i have a lot of stuff!) Then I took him around Ohatchee to see a few places and meet a few of my closest friends. Then we had a big cookout at the house and Tyler was able to meet most of my extended family...of course when Tyler is here we always have to pull out the fiddle (he is amazing!). So we had a real fun time that night pretty much just soaking up all the time we have together since we live so far apart! Unfortunately, Tyler flew back home Saturday morning..I was VERY sad to see him go! So, our prayer is that God would guide us down the path he has chosen for both of us. It is very comforting to know that I am FINALLY dating someone who shares the same love for Christ as me!...its very refreshing!
Sorry, didn't mean to make this post all about my love life, but that is pretty much what my last week has consisted of! I am so glad to be back home and getting stuff ready for my SENIOR year! However, I am missing my kids like crazy! Thank you all for going on this journey with me, it has been so fun to share all of my amazing experiences with you!
Until next time,
Hollyann

My last Bible Study with some of my girls!

Calvin & Margie Rodgers..my AMAZING TX parents!

Fredricksburg with Tyler's family

Ladies and gentleman....meet Tyler Linscomb:)

Last week in Houston

2011-08-03T15:49:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more pictures from my last week here...also I am going to post a few videos from camp...be sure to scroll to the bottom and pause the music so you can hear!:)

Cars 2 Lunchbox for my gift!!!!

Water Party for my going away!


Rachel, Abby, and myself raided Walmart really late one night...and took some crazy pics!

Ok, here is a video of Cabins jack and Jill at PT with Bob (this is a camp tradition..) Pay close attention to the video at the end. What you will see is each of the boys proposing to the girls...and the girls answering with their number (roll call)...Me and the Jack counselor bring up the rear...listen to what he says!!

Camp Bandina 2011!

2011-08-03T15:14:00.000-05:00

I can't believe this summer has come to a close so quickly!!! It seems like just yesterday Ellen and I came blazing in to get ready for WCS graduation! We just returned home this past weekend from Camp Bandina in Bandera, TX. Oh my goodness, this week was absolutely AMAZING! Let it be said that on the way to Bandera, we blew two tires!!..I know you are wondering, 'what in the world is the deal with their tires?' Luckily, this was not tires on the bus, it was on our trailer....making it alot easier to change! What should have been our 4 1/2 hr. trip quickly became a NINE HOUR trip!!! But all matters is we got there safely!
I have attended this camp for the past three years...but this year most definitely tops them all! Our theme this year was Intentional Decisions. All week we were encouraged our kids to look at their lives and evaluate the decisions they make and how they affect their eternity. We shared so many laughs all week long! But most importantly we shared so many victories with 16 NEW BROTHERS and SISTERS IN CHRIST!! How awesome is that?!!!
We returned home Saturday afternoon...VERY EXHAUSTED! Sunday night after church we had a family night...this acted as my going away party!..It is still so crazy to me that this summer is almost over! What an amazing summer it has been! It has been pretty difficult coming to terms with the reality that this season of my life, with these amazing kids, is coming to a close. They have changed me in ways that I never thought possible. I will forever be grateful to Westbury Church of Christ for allowing me this opportunity to play such a big role in the lives of their teens. They have been so hospitable to me, and have met every need I have had! I am so thankful that God saw fit to place me here, and bless me with such amazing friendships.
Please continue to pray for me as I journey into my Senior year of college....my life is about to hit a big wave of changes all at the same time! I know there are many exciting things on my horizon!
"For i know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, Plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
I will leave you with several pictures from Camp and the past week. I will try and post some video footage I have from camp...just for a few laughs!
Love you all!
Hollyann

Cabin Clean Up!!

One of my most influential mentors...Bob Owens.

Cabin Jill....BEST CABIN EVER!!!

Some of my girls ready for my Girl's class.

Cabin Jill cheering on Cabin Jack in the football game!

Jack and Jill Family....BEST FAMILY EVER!!

Staff whooped Camper booty in volleyball!

This kid was ME for Hollywood night!! ...I was Taylor Swift!

Here Comes The Sun.....

2011-07-21T14:24:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: this is gong to be a long post...so hang on!!
I can't believe it has already been a week since we summitted Mt. Shavano!Last week was such an incredible week for all of our kids. We started our two day travel on Friday, July 8th. We traveled all night, and stopped in Amarillo to swap drivers Saturday morning. As we were exiting New Mexico we blew a tire!! If you have kept up with this blog at all...you know that this seems to be a recurring theme with any trip we go on!...so we were stranded in a podunk town for about two hours!...We finally got the tire fixed and back on the road....until we needed to stop to get fuel...which presented another issue! Apparently when the tire blew, it blew the fuel line off as well!! So we were stranded once again in Pueblo, CO for another several hours!...BUT we did eventually make it to Twin Lakes, CO!! We spent Saturday afternoon getting our gear and packing our backpacks. When we woke up Sunday morning we had worship on the point overlooking Twin Lakes (AMAZING view!)..then we loaded up and headed off to our rappel site...bear in mind that rain/tstorms is in the forecast for everyday we are there! Rappel day went awesome! We did have a little bit of rain while we were all trying to get down the mountain...and I will be honest to tell you that I was a little uncertain of walking down the side of a cliff that is slippery from rain!!...But our kids did amazing! It was so precious to watch them encourage each other as they took that leap of faith right on over the edge of the cliff! We finished rappeling and got back to the barn to load up our gear and start our trek to low camp. We had to drive to the trail head of Shavano, so our low camp wasn't too far from the bus the first night. We finished up dinner and devo just in time for the storm of the century to blow in!! Oh my goodness..I was terrified! Of course, I'm sure the storm seemed magnified by the time the thunder vibrated off the surrounding mountains, but it was still very scary!
Monday morning we got up and packed all of our gear up to start the hike to high camp. This day is the day I always dread the most! For several reasons: 1. It is a hard hike, 2. You aren't acclimated yet, 3. It is a very physically strenuous day! Our kids stayed positive and did an excellent job on this hike! And just about the time we all started to get tired, and whiny...we stopped for what the guides called a 'quick break'....then as we got up to put our packs on, they announced bathroom areas and said the beloved.." WELCOME TO HIGH CAMP!!" We got set up and settled in to our new camp sites...this is where we stayed the remainder of the trip. We were awaken Tuesday morning to the glorious scent of pancakes and spam!! Oh my goodness, if you are like me, this sounds disgusting...but let me just tell you that is the best meal ever!! Then we were released for our solo time..this is a perfect 3 hours of alone time with you and the Lord...this alone time never ceases to be the most amazing time for our entire group! The Lord always shows his faithfulness in this time that we have..our devo on solo night was full of incredible stories, alot of laughter, and even tears. We spent the remainder of solo day playing mindless games and telling silly stories before we went to bed early anticipating the summit hike. We all went to bed with a knot in our stomachs...we knew if we woke up in the morning and it was raining that we wouldn't be able to summit...this would have been a very harsh reality to have to swallow after hiking so far. It was kind of funny, because I could hear the girls in the tent next to me chanting prayers to God, begging him to hold the rain!...and as always, he was so faithful! Not only did he hold the rain off, but he gave us the most beautiful day!! We got up at 2 am to start our summit hike. Thankfully, it wasn't too terribly cold and the wind was not howling bad at all! Our summit hike was absolutely amazing..we would stop periodically to look at the stars..and then to watch the sun rise...sheer beauty. Let me tell you, this was my fourth mountain to summit...but I have never felt more accomplished than to summit Mt. Shavano, 14,229 ft! One of the things that TEAM Ascend does that I LOVE...is they have each hiker find a rock along the way. This rock represents a sin, burden, problem, or whatever the student needs it to represent...and then when we reach summit, they have some time to pray over their rock and then toss it over the edge of the mountain, never to be seen again. So in our final devotional, they give everyone the opportunity to share what their rock represented. At the end of this night, there was not a dry eye in the room! I sat in my seat humbled to sit and listen to these students that I have come to love so much...get it. I listened as they finally started to grasp the concept of redemption and community. They were loving on each other as they struggled, they reassured each others insecurities. It was just beautiful to experience. I am so thankful that the Lord saw favor on me and allowed me to experience this with this group of students!
Sorry this was so long! I will leave you with some pictures!

solo time

here comes the sun!

my girls at summit

getting ready to hike off!

Summit of Mt. Shavano -14,229ft!

Rappel site!

Prayer Request...

2011-07-08T09:56:00.001-05:00

Well, the time has finally come for us to head off to Colorado and climb Mt. Shavano! We are loading the bus this afternoon, and we will drive all night to arrive in Twin Lakes, CO tomorrow late afternoon. I am asking for you to be in prayer during this week. I have several things on my heart that I am asking you to bathe in prayer!
1. Safe travel (it's a long drive!...also for no more blow outs!)
2. Weather ( as of right now, the forecast is showing storms pretty much everyday that we are on the mountain!
If it is raining on Wed., our summit day, then we will not be able to summit...and it is also very miserable to be cold AND wet! So please pray for good weather!)
3. Our hearts (We are taking 6 boys and 7 girls. I am asking you to be in prayer that God reveals himself to each of us in a way that we have never experienced before! It is my prayer for each of our hearts to be broken very early on this journey, so that he has plenty of time to show us his majesty!)

I am so excited about what is to come this week! I know that God is sovereign and he will bless our week, rain or not. I know that he has a purpose and plan for each of us going on this journey. Who knows, he may need us wet and cold to be able to break us down completely! I can't wait to see all that the Lord teaches us while we are on this mountain. We will start climbing Sunday, summit Wednesday, and come off the mountain on Thursday, so please keep us in your prayers as you go through your week!
Just a quick update on life here in Houston! I was given the privilege of going to OK for the weekend with Steve and his family! Oh how much fun it was! We visited the Oklahoma City Memorial (where Timothy Mcveigh bombed the federal building), a Cowboy Museum, I had PORK BBQ!! and homestyle fried food!! It was a great weekend full of lots of fun and laughter!
We came home Monday just in time to make it to Hermann Park for the fireworks with the Houston Symphony...A-MA-ZING! The rest of the week we have been training and stuff to get ready for trek, we cleaned out the bus and got it all clean....and I FINALLY got to have a girls night!!! The schedule this summer has been pretty crazy, so I haven't been able to have a night with just my girls because our schedules weren't working out! We had so much fun watching The Little Mermaid!! I love that these girls never get too old to watch Disney Classics!!
Anyways, I love you all and I thank you for your prayers! The next time you hear from me will be after I have summitted Mt. Shavano!!

Cowboy Museum Dressup!!


Jake and I ready to take pictures of the fireworks!

My girls at movie night!

It is HOT!

2011-06-28T20:48:00.000-05:00

Wow, what an incredible week this has been! Westbury just had their VBS this past Saturday. We all worked so hard, and it went so great! We all had so much fun with the kids!!
A couple of posts back, I asked you to pray for my Daddy's health. So here is a quick update on him! Last Friday he went in the hospital for a heart cath and everything went very well! The put in two stints for two blockages: one was 70% blocked and the other 75%. He is now at home and recovering very well! Thank you all for your prayers! I know he felt each and everyone of them! we serve a Faithful God that hears his childrens' prayers and gives us the desires of our hearts!
This week we have gone into full training mode for Trek! We leave in less than 2 weeks. This time next week we will be getting rest for summit the next morning! I am very excited about Trek this year! Thankfully I do not have as much anxiety as I did last year! So we are running/walking everyday in order to get our bodies in somewhat good shape to be able to beast up Mt Shavano (14,229ft)!!
This week has been a bit slower, we are all trying to take a BIG breather...because the month of July is going to be CRAZY!!! I am leaving Friday to go to Oklahoma with Steve and his family! I am super excited to finally meet my other meant-to-be- sister Kristin!:) I know this will be a fun and refreshing trip for all of us before this month takes hold of us!
Thank you all for your constant prayer and encouragement! I love hearing from you all! I will leave you with some pictures!

Teens at Discovery Green Park

I climbed a tree and got stuck!

VBS!

The best Bible Story crew EVER!

Spongebob!!

Praise You in This Storm

2011-06-18T18:56:00.000-05:00

The title of this blog was the theme for Model City Missions 2011 in Anniston, AL! What an amazing week this was! Our kids were able to serve God by serving the people in the Anniston community and those affected by the tornadoes in the Webster's Chapel community. I'm pretty sure we have more stories about the travel for this trip than for the entire week! We left last Sunday morning to make our journey to Bama. We were making such good timing until we rolled into Alabama and blew a tire! But as always, our God was so faithful to protect us! 1.Noone was hurt when the tire blew! 2. It blew right by a tire store! We were able to take the bus to this tire shop and take a supper break while they fixed the tire! Over the course of this amazing week our kids were able to work with younger children at a kid's camp, visit elderly people in a nursing home, participate in a prayer walk, and help with Tornado Relief in Webster's Chapel.
For the most part we helped two different families in Webster's Chapel. The first house we worked at was owned by an elderly couple. Both the man and woman were killed in the tornado. Their house was picked up off of the foundation and thrown across the street in the woods (we were only able to find half of the house). The children of this couple have been too traumatized with losing their parents that they have not been able to go back to clean up the site nor look for any salvageable valuables. So we did it for them. We found so many things such as shoes, old pictures, and homemade quilts!It made it so surreal to find so many things that I know would mean so much to me to maintain my parents' memory. The other family that we helped lost everything. We helped a lady named Paige. Her parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and brothers ALL lost everything they had in this storm! So we went and helped clear off the lot so they can start rebuilding her home here in the coming weeks. This site became a BIG blessing for our kids, because Paige actually stopped by to meet us! The teens were able to see her raw helplessness. It was a amazing to watch the teens surround Paige and love on her and pray over her. Once she left it was as if a whole new group of kids had shown up to help work. You could tell that by meeting Paige, it gave meaning and a purpose to what they were doing.
I have to tell you it was HOT this week! So it made any and everything we did that much harder to stay motivated when we were so exhausted by the heat! It was such a blessing to see God work in so many ways.
The time came for us to head back home yesterday. I will have you know that if we didn't get an hour down the road and blow yet ANOTHER tire..then I am not sitting here! Unfortunately this stop turned into about a 2 1/2 hr stop because we left so early that noone was open to help us! So after hitting every traffic jam for Alabama to Texas, we finally made it home at about 10:00 PM last night!
This week was full of worship, service, laughter and tears. But more importantly God was glorified by the selflessness of these kids! It was such an honor working alongside them! I will leave you with several pictures of the week! Love you all!

Memorial for the older couple that died.

Site where their home used to stand.

The boys moving this big ole log!

Prayer Walk

Cleaning up Paige's property.

Westbury crew at Oxford Lake.

Following His Directions....Getting Blessed!

2011-06-10T13:26:00.000-05:00

This week, the Lord has led me to Psalms 119..what a journey this scripture has taken me on! I'll leave you with the part that spoke to me the most...I encourage you to read the passage in its entirety. The passage considered to mark the very center of scripture holds some of the most encouraging lines!
"You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
   You're blessed when you follow his directions,
      doing your best to find him.
   That's right—you don't go off on your own;
      you walk straight along the road he set.
   You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
      now you expect us to live it.
   Oh, that my steps might be steady,
      keeping to the course you set;
   Then I'd never have any regrets
      in comparing my life with your counsel.
   I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
      I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
   I'm going to do what you tell me to do; " Psalms 119: 1-8

Now, here is a quick synopsis of my past two weeks in Houston! I have been to countless numbers of graduations and graduation parties!! Oh my goodness, I have no desire to attend another graduation ceremony until my own next spring! Speaking of my graduation...I took the PRAXIS this past week. (This test is a standardized test I have to take in order to be certified as a teacher)...I PASSED!!! I am so excited to have this past me!
I have enjoyed water balloon fights, slip-n-slides, movie nights, VBS workdays, SYS area wide,an Astros game, and some nice R&R by the pool! I have spent most of my time in the office with Steve working on stuff for Camp Bandina in July. I have also spent a good bit of time working on building a mural to advertise for our VBS.
This Sunday we are heading off to Alabama!!! That's right, I'm headed back home for Model City Missions 2011! I am so excited about this week! I know the Lord has a lot in store for all of those involved in this amazing week of service! It is so comforting to me to know that the Lord has ordained for every student that will come from all over to participate in this work camp to be changed. He knows everyone of them by name, and He has a purpose and a plan for everyone of them. I love that He saw favor on me to allow me to be apart of watching them fulfill His purpose in their own lives.
Please be in prayer for our safe travel! Pray that God rocks our world in Anniston, AL.
***Also, a quick prayer request! Most of you know the problems my Daddy has with his heart, well we have some more blockages...so he will be undergoing a Heart Cath on June 24th. Please pray for Dr. Salame and his team as they operate on him. It is difficult being so far away when this is going on, but I know the Lord has a purpose for everything!
I will leave you all with some pictures from the past two weeks!


Joshelyn's Graduation

Some of the teens at SYS area wide!

VBS Mural

VBS workday!

Slip-n Slide!

Water party!!

Love you all!

Jogging with the Lord...

2011-06-02T22:51:00.001-05:00

"I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
   my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
You make known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalms 16: 7-9

I have made it my goal to start jogging and getting back into shape while I am in Houston this summer! I have only been at this new task for all of three days, and I am already feeling Satan pulling at my edges! He is doing this through lack of motivation and planting excuses in my head!! My original plan was to get up every morning around 6:30 and go for a jog to start my day off....well for those of you that know me, you know this plan never came to fruition! I can't seem to force myself out of bed when I have another hour to sleep before I have to get up for work! So, I decided to compromise with myself... .around 7:30 PM the humidity isn't so bad, so it is bearable to get out and go running. The only con to this is sometimes my schedule does not place me at home around 7:30ish. Anyways, this time I have alone with the Lord has really proven to be a solid, peaceful time! As I was studying the other day before my jog, I came across Psalm 16 (the passage above). "With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken", my new motto. As most of you know, Holly is SEVERELY out of shape!! So there has come many times when I have been jogging that Satan starts feeding me these lies: "Oh you've run long enough", "It's starting to get dark", "Your heart is literally about to beat out of your chest, STOP!", or "uh..yea...you're legs are seriously about to splat into a puddle of jello!". I have found, however, reciting this scripture and demanding Satan leave this sacred time I have with the Lord has been truly reviving! I find myself talking to the Lord....OUTLOUD! I know these TX people are thinking, "Where do these crazy people come from?!" I caught myself the other day saying, "Lord...you see that STOP sign up there?..ok, I'm not stopping for a rest till WE get there....so you better be picking up your pace, because I'm slowing down!"...hahaha..don't you know how much the Lord is entertained by our stupid complaints!! He quickly reassured me,
"With me at your right hand, you will not be shaken!"

I am so thankful to serve a faithful God, and God that takes time out of running this crazy world to go on a jog with me!....ah..I think I am in love:)

P.S. things are great here in Houston! I will try and update on what is going on here sometime next week...not much is happening right now while the kids are taking finals and finishing up school!
Love you all!

I'm HERE!!!!

2011-05-29T22:41:00.000-05:00

Well hello there from Houston, TX!!! That's right, I pulled in to Houston Friday night around 5:15!
My sweet friend Ellen took off work to help me drive the long drive! Thankfully, our trip was for the most part uneventful! The only glitch we had was my GPS dying!! But, thanks to my wonderful sense of direction (for those of you that actually KNOW me, you are rolling the floor laughing at this point!) we made it safely to Houston! We pulled in around 5:15, jogged in the house, quickly said hello to Margie, and got started unloading. I would like to say that we had the car unloaded within five minutes, and I was completely unpacked and settled in within 20 minutes!! Impressive right?! We quickly threw on a dress, and somewhat pulled ourselves together and headed out to Westbury Christian Schools graduation! Graduation started at 7:00, so we needed to be there by 6:30 and I live 20 minutes away from the church (I'll let you do the math!). This was a very fun night! I was able to surprise several of the kids that night!
Then on Saturday, Ellen and I spent the morning together. We ran to David's Bridal to try on some bridesmaids dresses, and then went and had lunch before I took her to the airport. I then attended on my students graduation parties! It was a crawfish broil! It was a very interesting experience!!
I am wrapping up my first Sunday here! I attended another graduation party tonight where we played water balloon volleyball! As you can tell, I have been very busy!! But I am loving every minute of it!!
Tomorrow we are all going to play paintball!! This should be another interesting experience!
Ok, sorry this was so long!! Just wanted to kind of update everyone on what I have been up to my first couple of days here!! I love you all and I will leave you with a few pictures!


Me and Ellen at WCS graduation


Cody teaching me how to eat crawfish!

Me and some of my girls after water balloon volleyball!

TWO Days!!!!

2011-05-25T09:01:00.000-05:00

Oh. My. Goodness. I only have two more days to wrap everything here in Alabama! Thankfully both of my professors are giving me my final a day early. I finished one last night, and I will complete my last final today! SO thankful for this!! I will now have Thursday to spend here at home tying up some loose ends!
On the agenda for tomorrow:

take my car to be rotated and balanced
get the oil changed
pack, then pack my car!
got to Jake's graduation
SLEEP

I have ALOT to do, but I am SUPER excited about making this journey!! It is confirmed that my sweet friend Ellen will be taking the trip with me! She was so generous to get off of work and get a plane ticket to find her way back to Alabama. I am so thankful for her!!
This will probably be my last post until I am IN HOUSTON!! So, for all of my Houston people, I'll SEE YOU SOON!
I love you all and thank you for all of your support for my journey!
Unitl next time,
Hollyann

The Countdown Begins!!

2011-05-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

We are officially one week and two days away from my departure!! I am so excited to get this summer jump started! I know the Lord has got some great plans for this summer! I am just ready started fulfilling those plans! Please be in prayer as I finish up this last week of school and get ready to head out on this incredible journey!

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth— he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33

Have a Blessed week!!

happy birthday.MOV

2011-05-04T22:58:00.000-05:00

April Update

2011-05-04T22:54:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness! This has been a CRAZY month! I thankfully finished up my Spring semester in school. So I have had two weeks off to enjoy my freedom before my May semester! I don't know how else to describe this past week other than utterly insane. The devastating tornadoes came right through my small home down, leaving nothing but debris and fallen trees. It has been absolutely breathtaking to see all of the damage this small town has undergone. Last Wednesday, April, 27th was the day it all hit!There were two bands of storms that came through. Wednesday morning at about 6:30 AM there was a tornado that came through Ohatchee. This storm hit my family. Thankfully we have minimal damage to the house. A tree fell on one of our cars, and a trailer that my dad owns. We also have about 40+ trees down, or i guess I should say, completely uprooted. So needless to say, we spent all day Wednesday trying to clean up our yard and clear our driveway so we could at least get in and out! All the while knowing there were MAJOR storms coming through that night. So without power AND water, we all settled in to our home safely and waited out the storm. Not knowing this storm would completely wipe out half of our town. All we could do is sit back and watch as the storm came through and then sit back and wait to hear about all of the damage. Alabama took a big hit; this storm claimed over 250 lives. Thursday we went out to some of the main sites that were hit to try and help those that we could. It was so overwhelming trying to help people salvage what was left of their already struggling lives! It was so powerful to hear some of the survival stories; and at the same time just as sobering to hear the horrific stories of those who had lost their lives. We have a lot of work ahead of us to clean up and pick up all of the pieces of our town! Please join me in my prayer for those who have lost so much.
Today I celebrated my 21st birthday! My family took me out to dinner last night to celebrate. It was a night full of fun and laughter. (which pretty much happens anytime you get my family together!) I came home from my night class and my sweet mother had fixed me my favorite homemade apple cobbler...yum!! Concluding this amazing day, my wonderful kids from TX made me a video for my birthday!! I will post it soon so you can see it!

Quick internship update: I finish my May classes May 26th, so I leave May 27th to head that way! As of this writing we are 22 days away!! I am so excited about seeing my family there and I know the Lord has so many wonderful plans in store for us!!

Until next time,
Hollyann

Summer 2011

2011-04-09T12:28:00.000-05:00

Wow...I can't believe we are already within two months of another awesome summer! It's about that time to get this thing back and running for SUMMER 2011!!! I can't even begin to express to any of you how excited I am about this upcoming summer! The Lord is already working in some pretty amazing ways, and I can't wait to see all that he has in store for us! I am super excited about taking this journey with you all again!!!
More to come soon, so stay posted!
Hollyann

Home....but heart broken...

2010-08-18T22:41:00.000-05:00

Well folks, this will be the last post...I have been home now for a little over a week. It is great to be home, and see my family and friends that I have missed....but Oh my heart won't let go of my kids back in Houston.
I got ALOT done my last week in TX! Steve and his family went to CO for vacation, so it was my personal goal to get as much as I could done, and surprise Steve when he got back! OH BOY was he surprised! I busted my tail! I completely cleaned off his desk, and straightened up his office. My next project was to hang the pictures with the Tshirts I decorated the youth room with. Last but not least, I painted the hallway leading into the youth room. WOW was this a BIG job! So big, I even pinched a nerve in my neck doing it! But it was cool being able to surprise Steve with all that got done!So my last Sunday in Houston, the kids threw me a going away party. Oh my, it was too sweet. Some of the girls put together an AMAZING scrapbook! This isn't any ordinary scrapbook...this thang is VERY well done. I know they had to have spent countless hours working on it! And they will never know how much it means to me! As a matter of fact, I look at it every night before I go to bed! BUT....that is NOT ALL! They wrote me a song!!!...and they sang it to me at the party. Oh thinking back to this night just brings tears to my eyes! Once all of the sad goodbyes were said, we took it outside to the courtyard for a fun-filled evening with WATER! So many memories were made in this night alone. Pulling out of the parking lot that night was probably one of the hardest things I have done in a long time!

pictures with t-shirts

hallway that i painted

the girls showing me the scrapbook

But every good thing must come to an end...so I am now back home. Everything that I do, I'm always thinking, ' I wander what they are doing right now' or, '__ would love this!'. I even caught myself talking to myself in my car! Each of the kids chose a song on my Ipod, and we listened to it anytime they were in my car. So of course, I listen to those songs ALL the time! But one particular night I was coming home from work just a singin' to the their songs, and then I started having conversations with them! Thankfully my cell phone rang, helping to realize how insane I had gone!
So, for the time being, my prayer is that the Lord will start to heal my heart. I need my joy restored! I am having such a hard time finding happiness in anything that I am doing. I start back to college next Thursday, so hopefully I will get busy, and it will help to get my mind on other things. In the meantime, please keep me in your prayers as I am still adjusting to my life back home. I am leaving you with some pictures of my last days in Texas.

the whole crew at the water party...

It has been a fun summer, and I have enjoyed taking this journey with each you! Love you all!

Bandina Marks The End :(

2010-08-01T15:56:00.000-05:00

So here we are. I have reached the end of what has been the best summer of my life! What has been the most life- changing experience. So please bear with me through this post, as I have become very emotional with the thought of leaving.On one hand, I am so excited to go home, and see all of the people that I love there, but my heart is here. With these people. I know the Lord has a greater plan, and he will hold my heart as I face this coming week and the unavoidable exit of Houston.
We returned yesterday afternoon from Camp Bandina! Oh what a week it was! I attended Bandina last year by myself, as sort of my interview for this internship. So this year, I saw the other side of the camp. Steve is one of the directors of the camp, so as his intern, I helped him do all the dirty work that allows the camp to run as smoothly as it does. This year the theme was Illuminate. We talked about John 9 and the story of the blind man all week. In our lives as Christians we stay so blinded to what is going on in and around us. So this week we forced the kids to blind themselves and use everything to see, except their eyesight. The week was amazing. We baptized 17 kids....yes you read that right...17 KIDS!!!!!! And as awesome as that was, my brother was one of them. Words cannot express the feelings I felt with him making such an important, mature decision. Unfortunately, because of certain circumstances, I was unable to actually witness his baptism, which saddened me greatly, but when I was able to embrace him and tell him how happy it made me to see him grow in this capacity, the Lord showed me why I wasn't with him. After they came up from the river, He and I were able to have a very intimate, private moment together. And oh how special it was! Heath, you will never know the since of pride, love, and honor I felt to call you my brother in that moment!
Our kids grew so much, and made so many commitments to the Lord. It was such an honor to be apart of their lives, and the decisions that they made. I can't express the emotions that flood through my mind, as I am writing this. I can not believe the Lord saw such favor on me, to place me here this summer. To put me under the guidance of such a Godly man, who has become my best friend! Honestly....that is what is killing me the most! I love these kids soooo much!, but I don't know how I am going to deal with my everyday stuff without Steve's positive reinforcement that he offers me everyday!
So as for, what is in store for me in my last week in Houston....I am taking Steve and his family to the airport tomorrow morning for their family vacation in Colorado, my summer mom Margie leaves Tuesday for a Mary Kay conference, My Sister arrives Friday to help me pack and drive back, and I also will retrieve Steve and the family from the airport. While everyone is gone.....I have a few last touches to leave here on Houston (a little more painting to do, hanging some pictures in the youth room), and then of course, I have to pack up!
Sunday, the church is throwing a going away party. We have water balloons, sponge balls, and a bunch more water stuff!! And then of course, Jenn and I will pull out bright and early Monday morning.
So, once again I ask that you keep me in your prayers as I face this last week. I need my heart prepared for the day I wave goodbye. Please pray for our safe travel back. I love you all and will see you people in Alabama in a week or so!
Enjoy some pics from Bandina!

My sweet Lehman Family

Be blessed!, me.

A peek into my heart :)

2010-07-13T18:08:00.000-05:00

Ok, so once again I am SOOOOO sorry that it has been a while since I have posted! We have officially hit that busy part of the summer where there are long hours all day, and every day! I am loving it, but is does cut back on the time that I have to blog. So, we haven't been on any long adventurous trip, but we have done alot of small things. So I decided to tell you a little bit about the things we have done, and then take the rest of the time to give you just a glimpse of what is going on inside this crazy heart of mine!

So since the last time I blogged my sweet family came for a visit! We had such a blast spending time together! They got to meet several of the families here and see the amazing people that I have been going on and on about!! Calvin (my summer dad) took us around in one of his tour buses and showed us a greater part of downtown Houston. Then we ended their stay with a fun night with some of the families for 4th of July. Following that we have enjoyed fun VBS workdays, a devo at Discovery Green park, a day in Galveston on the beach, broom ball, dressing up as cows for a free meal at Chikfila, working at the food bank, fun movie nights, many laughters, and alot of memories have been made!
So I have officially hit the part of the summer that leaves me with just under a month left in this amazing city.:(
Oh it breaks my heart when I think about leaving. These kids have absolutely stolen my heart. I definitely did not anticipate falling in love with this place so fast. So I am asking for your prayers. I need you to pray that the Lord continues to use me in the lives of these kids. That as we wrap up this amazing summer, the Lord show his sovereignty in each of our lives. Please pray that he starts to prepare my heart to leave, and in return, he prepares my heart to go back home.
Some of you have been asking me what all I have learned....The Lord is teaching me so much. And although I think it will take a few months for me to process it all, I will try and reveal a small piece of my heart to you. The Lord has given me so much more confidence in my ministry. I think so many times in our Christian walk, we start to doubt our ability, or our effectiveness. But being here, and being such a major part of these kids lives has helped me to see that I don't have to be anything special, or do anything incredible...I only have to be available and open to what ever the Lord wants me to do! I have formed so many deep and amazing relationships with these kids and they are beginning to feel more comfortable confiding in me and sharing their struggles with me. Through this, the Lord has taught me I don't have an answer to every problem; I am not going to be able to fix everything. Sometimes He just needs me to be there. Be still. Listen. How comforting it is to have God to be there and listen. What an example he sets for his children.
Isaiah 48:17
This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.
I love you all!

A Mountain Top Experience

2010-06-29T00:03:00.000-05:00

So sorry it has been so long since I have posted!....Things have been pretty crazy!!!I basically haven't stopped since we arrived home from Model City Missions! So this will obviously be a long post, so fasten your seat belts and hold on tight!

This past week we drove to Twin Lakes, CO for Wilderness Trek through and an amazing ministry, Majestic Mountain Ministries (TEAM ASCEND). And of course, as every other trip I have taken with Westbury, you know that we would have to have van trouble before we get started! I think it is a curse of mine:)...We got all the way through Houston traffic, when the brakes started messing up!, so we had to turn around and get another bus!...I think the Lord knew our frustrations, because he stepped in and was glorified in everything else that occurred on this journey! I don't know anyway to describe the feelings I had toward the kids other than, OH WOW!...I have never seen a group of teenagers climb a mountain that is 14, 421 ft. high, trek to high camp for 12 hrs., be cold, thirsty, in pain, and NOT complain!!! They will never know how proud I am of them. They worked sooo hard, endured alot of obstacles, and they did it TOGETHER. It was such a beautiful picture of the Father walking this life journey with us. There were times on trek when you would get separated from the group, and you were all alone, just you and the mountains....but somehow you always had this underlying presence with you. And you knew without a doubt that the Lord was carrying you through.
Once we reached high camp, we were given the next day for a solo day or a day of Acclamation. Basically you are given 3 hours to take off, go anywhere in the mountains, and sit and have some serious quite time...just you and God....Oh be still my soul....This is my third time to do trek, but I have to say, the Lord got a hold of me this year! I went in to trek with this overbearing pride on my shoulder. I guess being "the intern" I felt I had to be the strong one, the one who didn't struggle, and was able to hauss up that mountain with no problems....WRONG! Most of you know the struggles I have with my knees. And most of the hike, my knees would force me to the back of the line, and far away from the group. Sometimes it would take me up to 30 minutes to catch up with them for a break! Oh this was so discouraging to me. I wanted to be right up in the middle of them, cheering them on, but at times I simply couldn't. I felt the Lord little by little tearing down my pride...and it hurt. ALOT. So when I reached my spot for my solo time, I just broke down, bear and vulnerable before the Lord. Oh he showed me so much. I was able to write each of my fellow hikers a letter of encouragement, to let them know how proud i was that they had made it so far. Once I left my solo place, I turned around, and was so comforted by the realization that Christ knew I would be on that mountain, in that particular spot, at that particular moment, and he was there waiting on me.

the view from my solo spot!

So the next day was Summit Day. The day that everybody dreads, yet looks forward too every year. You dread getting up at 1:00AM, and hiking in the cold, but you look forward to it, because yo uare able to reach your ultimate goal. This was a tough day for me. My legs were so soar from the high camp hike, so I was in a lot of pain hiking to summit! Long story short, lots of tears, and encouragement later, we reached summit with such a feeling of accomplishment...I got to the top and immediately went to call Mom, but didn't allow myself time to compose my feelings! I squalled the whole time I talked to her!...(I'm pretty sure she thought I didn't have good service:))

That basically sums up all the details about trek. I did want to take this time to brag a little on my boss, Steve. Oh my, what a man of God. And what a blessing it is to work alongside him this summer. I was so humbled to take this experience with him this past week. It is so special to me to look back at all the events it took to bring me here, in Houston, with these kids, on that particular mountain. Oh how my God's plans are so much greater than my own.

Anyways I am finishing up a fantastic weekend with my best fried Ellen, and my sister, Emily. They have been able to experience alot of the teens with me, and today we went to the Houston Galleria (5-story mall!). We have enjoyed many laughs, several chik fliks, and alot of memories! Mom, Dad, and Heath arrive Thursday, so hopefully next week I will be able to update on all of our adventures!
I love you all, and ask that you continually keep me in your prayers! Don't forget to leave comments, so I know who is following!
Peace and Blessings to you all!
Holly

Mt. Massive 14, 421 ft.

Model city Missions 20ten

2010-06-16T22:40:00.001-05:00

The only way I know to explain it is ….this past week was AWESOME! It was great to be able to come home and spend time with my family and friends in Anniston. So the week started off with many laughs....to start off the adventure, we stopped for a potty break in Orange, TX and as we were leaving our trailer holding our baggage, came off the hitch!!! What made it even more funny, is we didn't even know about it!, we got several miles down the road before the Austin group called to let us know that they nor the trailer were behind us!! To top everything off, the air went out on the bus!! ahh, it was miserable!

On to a better note, I was able to spend time with all of the teens, watching them shine Christ’s light in the city of Anniston and Oxford.Our teens, combined with the teens from Greenbrier, West Metro (GA), and Western Hills (TX), experienced the Lord in a way only few people get to experience him. The kids did Prayer walks throughout various neighborhoods around Anniston and Oxford, they painted a house, garage, and porch, and they cut almost 20 yards!! We conducted a day camp during the week that consisted of many kids from the community; they rebuilt a roof on a porch, and visited a nursing home each day. All I can say is…The Lord was glorified in a way this past week that is almost indescribable!!

On Thursday we hosted a big block party at Oxford Lake…WOW! There were so many people from the community that came because they heard about everything we were doing, or we knocked on their door, or they saw something different in what we were doing as they walked by….it was FABULOUS! I was really excited for the kids that we had a good showing, because they were able to see some immediate fruits of their labor. We finished the week off with a fun trip to raft the Ocoee River! Of course there were plenty people that were thrown out of their rafts…there was definitely many laughs, and many memories made! Because we left the next morning fairly early, many of the westbury girls just came and stayed at my house, so we had everyone in one location. We all needed showers REALLY bad because we smelled like River water, and of course....you know this would happen to us...but Ohatchee cut off the water!!! Oh my, we had 14 girls at the house needing showers, and we had NO WATER!!! Oh my....the stories we have come away with from this trip!
On the way home, the air went out again!! But we made it home safely! Since we have been back three of my girls have accepted the biggest marriage proposal they will ever have! They took on Christ in Baptism!! It has been awesome to be here and experience that moment with them!....
Getting ready for Trek now. We leave Friday afternoon, so there is alot to do to prepare for that! I am asking that you all pray for me! Pride is a big factor here. Being the intern I have this need to keep it all together, and be able to do everything with a smile on my face! BUT having done trek 2 times already, I know what all it demands physically. So, other that the fact that i am COMPLETELY out of shape, I do have issues with my knees. So please pray for me that I make it up that mountain, and also that I drop my pride and am able to surrender to my own weaknesses.
Sorry this post is so long..there was just alot to cover...I will leave you with a few pictures from the past week!
Oh and before I go, I have a friend that has a blog and i follow her pretty religiously:)...but she had a great idea, so Anna if you are reading this, yes I am stealing it from you!...But I do have alot of people telling me at random times that they are keeping up with me...but I would love to hear from all of you! I do miss yall alot!, so feel free to leave comments, that way I can know who all is keeping up with me!!
Love you all!

Get Ready...Get Set....GO!!!!

2010-06-05T18:13:00.000-05:00

So, as of tomorrow at 5:30 AM our summer is in FULL swing!!And what better way to kick off the summer, than a trip back home to Alabama!!! I am so excited to spend the week with the teens serving the Lord in Anniston! And what better people to do it with, than my own family!
Well. this week I have been finishing several projects, getting ready for the summer to begin. For the majority of the week I spent my time in the youth room finishing up the painting! I am so excited about how well it turned out....honestly, I didn't know how well it would turn out..but I am SOOO PROUD! Several of the kids came up during the week to help me, which was awesome because I was able to get to know some of them better, and start forming relationships with them! Here are a few pics of how the walls I painted turned out!

Last night the whole church took a trip to the Minute Maid field, to watch the Astros play! This was oh so fun! We all enjoyed many laughs together, I got to know some more of the parents. And then we all watched the Friday night fireworks!...AMAZING!

Today I slept in, I have been trying to rest all I can because I know once tomorrow comes, rest is going to be out the window! but then I got up and got SO MUCH done! Margie and Calvin were out for the day, which means I could clean without getting in trouble! I washed all my laundry, and my sheets, cleaned my bathroom, my bedroom and the upstairs living room...Mom you would have been proud of how fast I got it all done! I was in a rush so I wouldn't get busted:)....Now that I feel better about having a clean living space, on to the packing. Can I just say how weird it feels to pack for going home. As of this writing, I am done with everything, and I am now relaxing, watching Hallmark movies, and settling in for the afternoon! So excited about this coming week. I can't wait to see what the Lord reveals to all of us!..My family has 7 girls staying in our home...how fun is that going to be?!..you might want to start praying for Daddy now:)
This week in my quiet time, the Lord led me to this scripture, and I thought I would share it with you all.I was studying in Mark 5. I have read the story of this woman all of my life, but for some reason today this story just played a whole new role in my life. So close your eyes and imagine this with me:
There is a HUGE crowd gathering....obviously to see the "Messiah". So many people crowding around, pushing through to get the best view. There is a woman, she has been plagued with bleeding for 12 years!. she has visited so many physicians, who have taken her for all she is worth. But here it is, her moment. She thinks.." Oh if i could just get close enough...close enough to touch just the hem of his garment, I know i will be healed." people all around her pushing her away, when she slips up on him and grabs his cloak. Jesus stopped!.."who touched my garment?"...the disciples were in disbelief..."Jesus, how do ask who touched your garments....do you see this crowd...anyone could have touched you"...oh no, Jesus knew. Full of fear and anxiety...she falls at his feet..."Lord it was me...I knew if I could just touch the hem, I would be healed."....
In just one moment, in just one single touch, undeserving grace and healing mercy, were hers. What a beautiful example of our sovereign Lord. I think of times that I let fear hold me back....but if i could just have the faith..to just get close enough to touch the hem of his garment......
I love you all and will hopefully see some of you tomorrow!

Can you say....BLONDE!

2010-05-31T12:35:00.001-05:00

I'm guessing I don't even need to elaborate on the title of this post....most of you know me well enough to know that I have enough blonde moments to cover an army of blondes!:)....I feel like since I have been here, my sense of "blondeness" has been heightened! I know Steve must think every time we are working..."what have we done hiring her?"! Even I sit back and say to myself, "What was i thinking?"! Stupid things such as, not opening the doors the right way, and thinking I am stuck...or just asking the dumbest questions!
Now onto my past week living here!One of the girls here, and myself, started painting some of the walls in the youth room. And yes, I did do I fine job!...I know some of you just said to yourself..."uh oh...what were they thinking!"

For the most part this week, Steve and I finished completing the summer calendar.Like I anticipated, I didn't get to do much with the kids until this weekend. Saturday, I went hiking with some of the girls that are going on trek (we did this break in our boots)..and yes, I do have a blister already! After that I went back to the home of some of the kids here. Enjoyed spending time with this family, and getting know them a little more. They are alot like my family!, three girls, and a lot more active in their home!.. It helps me to feel a little more at home in the loudness of their home:) Sunday night, I hosted a movie night with some of the girls here. We had a blast just having some girl time...I really enjoyed that time with them! We watched the movie Up...if you haven't seen it...it is too precious!
Well, Model City Missions kicks off this Sunday, which means, as of this post I am 6 days from getting to go back home for a few days!
Oh, before I go, I forgot to tell you all how proud I am of my sweet brother Heath! He made an A on all of his semester exams! Yay Heath!!!
love you all, and hope to see you in my short visit next week!
here are a few pictures from this week!

The Life in a BIG city!

2010-05-25T15:34:00.001-05:00

Well, I have been here for almost a week! I am starting to get a hang of all of the busy roads....well I say I have, I did just get lost....so thankful for my good ole friend Steve!....So I know many of you are wondering what all I have been doing...so here goes my long spill!:
After a long day in the office Friday, one of the girls here and myself attended the Westbury Christian School graduation. I was able to see one of the girls that lived in our home for Model City Missions graduate!...then went over to Steve's house for a movie night with some of the kids. This was actually my first night to have some one-on- one time with them. And boy was it a late night!...oh but we had lots of fun. Saturday morning rolled around and Margie (my summer mom) and I went to the church to help some women decorate for a special banquet. The banquet was basically a benefit dinner for a sweet woman here named Desiree. Oh is she precious! She coached here at WCS for years, and then all of a sudden a disease took over her body. It is a very long name, and I am not even going to try and spell it but it is along the lines of muscular dystrophy. So obviously she cant work anymore. So the church did this banquet for her to raise some support money for her until she is able to get full disability.
I had my first experience at church Sunday! Love this place, the people are so friendly and caring. I attended a graduation party of one of the girls here, and was able to spend some more one-on- one time with some more of the kids. So all in all my first week has be AMAZING....most of the kids are still in school, so I am still not able to do much with them during the week, so I am soo ready for school to finish, so I can start having some real fun with them!
While I have been here haivng all of my fun.....it seems like anything that could gor wrong back home....has definitely gone wrong. Oh my...my heart is so heavy for everyone back in Alabama. It all started wtih my Aunt Dwaynes brother-in-law dying of a massive heart attack...then Debra Whitaker's (a lady in our small group) aunt died. This is a woman that has been in a coma for a while and our small group has been praying so fervently for her. Then Sunday I got a phonecall from a friend back in Ohatchee...a friend of mine from High School was killed in a car wreck early Sunday morning. On Monday I am talking to mom, and she tells me that Rob Travis is in poor condition. Rob is a resident at Rainbow Omega (an assisted living for adults with special needs). He is also the son of sweet Dottie Travis. dottie is the most Godly woman I know, period. Her love for the Lord is indescribable. And it is so evident throughout Rob's sickness. She has asked for us to pray that the Lord's will be done in this whole situation. She knows that her husband is waiting on Rob in Heaven, if that is the Lord's will....such strength. And it makes the situation so much worse when I am so far away, and not able to be with the people I love.
I am so thankful that I serve such a Soveriegn Lord. A God that can take my weaknesses and create something so magnificent out of it! A God that can take a really bad situation and use it for his glory! Oh I am so humbled by his unconditional love!
Oh don't want to forge this!...my younger sister Emily graduates from the 6th grade tonight...If you are there be sure to give her an extra hug for me!..Emily I love you and I am SO proud of you for making it all the way through Elementary School!!!
I love you all!

I'm Here!!!!

2010-05-21T14:26:00.001-05:00

Just a quick post to let you all know that Jennifer and I pulled into Houston around 4:30 yesterday afternoon....and then we cam to a dead stop. HELLO Houston traffic!!!!!! an hour later we arrived at my home for the summer!!
Oh my has the Lord been so faithful in placing me in such a precious home. Calvin & Margie Rodgers have to be two of the sweetest people I have ever known. They are spoiling me already and I haven't even been here for 24 hours! After I arrived and got settled in I sat on my bed to take a breather, and Mr. Calvin came in to check on me, obviously I had dozed off for a few minutes, because he awoke me to tuck me in , by pulling back my sheets, turning on the lamp, and closing my curtains....how sweet is that?....I told him, "Ya'll can' t spoil me like this!"...he said, " tsk, tsk, tsk, this is my house, and I will spoil whomever I please!"...too precious.
Today was my first day in the office! I met Steve at Westbury Church this morning to discuss the schedule for the summer. I had my first experience with Promise Land chocolate milk (yum!) and Shipley's Donuts (yum yum!). This afternoon I am going to hang out with one of the girls here. Catch up with her, and start forming relationships!

love you all!

Is it time yet?!!!

2010-05-19T00:13:00.000-05:00

Oh wow, I can't believe that it is finally here!!!
I have been busy this past weekend spending time with all of my friends before I leave!
I am including some pictures of the past week, and also me and my sweet friend Ellen loading up my car....only a few more things to load tomorrow, before we head out bright and early Thursday morning.
I was able to talk with my house parents Calvin & Margie today!!....Oh, they are so precious!!!!... I can't wait to spend the summer with them! They even referred to me as their "summer daughter"!!...how sweet is that?!

Ok...so I guess the next time I post will be after I am in Texas....oh, be still my spirit!

Counting down the days!!!

2010-05-14T23:44:00.000-05:00

Oh wow!...As of this posting I am 5 days away from leaving for Texas. It is so weird, knowing how long we have been working towards this week, and all the anticipation that has occured....it is finally here!
I took my car yesterday to get my tires rotated/balanced and aligned, and Daddy is going to change my oil sometime this week. So here is the plan for the week.

Saturday: Heath has his first Jamboree game at Ohatchee, so we will all be there supporting him. Then we are going to have our last family get together with us all there together (this includes Jenn and Ryan and the girls:))

Sunday: My sweet church family is having a potluck to send me off. I am so blessed to be apart of such an amazing church with some AWESOME things happening! and then....my BEST FRIENDS that have all moved off to college are all home, and we are having a big fun night at my house before everyone heads off to the respective mission trips, music camps, etc. I am so excited to be able to spend some much need time with them!

Monday: this is my big Walmart day....I wish you guys could see my lists (that is plural) I have made of things that need to get done...other than finalizing student loans, paying car payment, and taking car of finalizing things here at home...there is still so much i still have to get before I can leave!...so I am taking this day to go to Wally world and getting all of my last minute things.

Tuesday: this is my last night to work at Ron's. I am so blessed to work for such a Godly man. Ron has been so supportive of my going to Texas. And for those of you wondering, yes I will be back at Ron's when I return. Ron has been so gracious to allow me to go and have this opportunity, while still leaving my job available to me.

Wednesday: The BIG PACKING DAY!....I will load up my car, and get everything all ready to head out. I have to be ready to leave, by the time we leave for church Wed. night.

For those of you that don't already know Jennifer Wright's (our youth ministers wife), mother lives in Houston. So Jennifer has been gracious enough to make this drive with me. So she is going to stay with me Wed. night, and we will leave bright and early in the morning Thursday.
And as great and organized as all my plans sound, I know the Lord will work his masterwork within it all. It amazes me to look back and see how faithful he has been throughout this whole process. I thought my nerves would be getting the best of me, but my sovereign Lord has put within me such a peace that I haven't dealt with nerves at all!
I just finished my second time reading The Shack. I read this book sometimes when I need a little reinforcement for the might handy work of my God. This book always succeeds in putting my back into the relationship that I need with my Savior. How often, I feel as more a nuisance than a joy. I am so thankful that he delights in calling me his daughter.
"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me." Psalm 40:17

3 weeks to go!

2010-04-30T09:02:00.000-05:00

Well, I am FINALLY finished with school for the semester!!!
Which means...it is time to start getting ready for the most amazing summer!!
This post is going to be a bit shorter than normal, because I don't have any exciting stories yet to share with you...but many of you have asked many questions about the church I am going to, wondering what I am going to be doing, etc.
I have been hired as a youth ministry intern. I will be working with the jr. and sr. high students. I will have the honor to walk along side them as they grow in their walks with their Lord.
I have included a link to Westbury's website if you would like to check out information about the church.
http://www.westburycoc.com
Love you all and look forward to taking this journey with you!
Be blessed,
Hollyann

Well Here We Are!!!

2010-04-18T18:45:00.000-05:00

Ok guys, many of you have asked for it so...HERE IT IS!!!
This blog exists, so you all can keep up with me while I am in TX doing my internship!
I hope to keep this updated as i prepare to go to Texas, and while i am there at Westbury. I hope you all find it entertaining, and informative. If you are reading this, it probably means that you are a family member, or very close friends, just keeping up with me while I am away. I hope you are able to enjoy with me some of my experiences, rejoice with me in some of my victories, and pray with me in this walk! I love you all, and look forward to having more to post!
Be blessed,
Hollyann