Monday, July 27, 2009
In God We Trust Videos
Here are two more videos that we made to introduce the sermons in my "In God We Trust" series. The two guys in them with me are our youth minister, Paul Smith and our music minister, Waylon Balusek. Enjoy!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Points of interest
I don't really have much time to blog before church so I thought I'd save time by updating what's going on in a list format. For all who know me at all, I am queen of lists. They are GREAT!
1. Our friends Leslie and Justin are married. We couldn't be happier. What a beautiful wedding and beautiful couple. Jared and I both agreed that we haven't been that genuinely giddy for a couple getting married in a long time.
2. Doctor's appt. this Tuesday. I'm praying Sam is getting "ready". I know I sure am. I really am starting to waddle and feel like a whale, even though nice people have told me otherwise.
3. Through Jared's sermons on trusting in God, plus the book we're going through in Sunday School (The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley) I'm starting to realize how much self examination is needed to get through this thing called life. Stop and Think is what comes to mind. I'm not usually a reader...I know I know, but I can't help it. Even for all you non reading folks the book is great. We are reading a chapter a week...even I can handle that. Anyway, God has been teaching me that it's important not to just drift through life. Before you know it, you could end up on a path that you will regret. Stop and think about your decisions before that happens so that you're not living with regret....that's a hard thing to do.
4. Half of my family is on vacation...without me. Boo. We will so be there next year, with Sam. Can't wait for that. Frio River 2010 here we come!
5. The power of prayer is AMAZING! There have been several people and situations that I have been praying for specifically that I have seen God answer. It has been so awesome to hear how God is healing, providing, encouraging, whatever...in their lives. God is truly doing a work at Peachtree Baptist Church.
6. The devil is real. Even though God is doing all this work in my life and in the lives of people at Peachtree, Satan is still trying to attack. I'm praying that he would not have a foothold in the lives of God's people.
7. I get my class list and schedule this week. I'm not looking forward to getting back into school mode so quickly. I have to b/c a sub will be starting off the school year instead of me. It will all work out though. I'm confident of that.
Hope that hit some key points that are going on in the lives of the Hollier's thus far. We will certainly update after the doctors appointment on Tuesday.
~Elizabeth
1. Our friends Leslie and Justin are married. We couldn't be happier. What a beautiful wedding and beautiful couple. Jared and I both agreed that we haven't been that genuinely giddy for a couple getting married in a long time.
2. Doctor's appt. this Tuesday. I'm praying Sam is getting "ready". I know I sure am. I really am starting to waddle and feel like a whale, even though nice people have told me otherwise.
3. Through Jared's sermons on trusting in God, plus the book we're going through in Sunday School (The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley) I'm starting to realize how much self examination is needed to get through this thing called life. Stop and Think is what comes to mind. I'm not usually a reader...I know I know, but I can't help it. Even for all you non reading folks the book is great. We are reading a chapter a week...even I can handle that. Anyway, God has been teaching me that it's important not to just drift through life. Before you know it, you could end up on a path that you will regret. Stop and think about your decisions before that happens so that you're not living with regret....that's a hard thing to do.
4. Half of my family is on vacation...without me. Boo. We will so be there next year, with Sam. Can't wait for that. Frio River 2010 here we come!
5. The power of prayer is AMAZING! There have been several people and situations that I have been praying for specifically that I have seen God answer. It has been so awesome to hear how God is healing, providing, encouraging, whatever...in their lives. God is truly doing a work at Peachtree Baptist Church.
6. The devil is real. Even though God is doing all this work in my life and in the lives of people at Peachtree, Satan is still trying to attack. I'm praying that he would not have a foothold in the lives of God's people.
7. I get my class list and schedule this week. I'm not looking forward to getting back into school mode so quickly. I have to b/c a sub will be starting off the school year instead of me. It will all work out though. I'm confident of that.
Hope that hit some key points that are going on in the lives of the Hollier's thus far. We will certainly update after the doctors appointment on Tuesday.
~Elizabeth
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Ultrasounds and Parenting Classes...what a week!
This week has been quite a busy one...again. It started off with my doctor's appointment on Monday along with "lactation" class that night. My mom went to the doctor's with me. All is looking good. I hadn't gained a pound, which was good considering the last visit I had gained 6! That was more than I had gained during any other time, even when I was coming once a month. Going to a workshop where they pamper you and you eat out every meal of the day for a week is sure to put on some pounds I guess. Anyway, I go back to the doctor on the 27th for him to check me, then it's every week from there. I'm getting VERY excited about that. That night my mom and I went to the breastfeeding class. It was very informative. Sadly, they showed a video from 1982 that was way too much for me to see. I was glad Jared didn't go to that class. I was blushing and I'm a woman! Maybe I'm just modest...whatever. Afterwards I felt a lot better about being able to go back to work and transition into being a mom at the same time as being a teacher. I still have a lot of questions and concerns about the transition, but I know a lot of those will be answered once Sam gets here and we can actually bond with each other. I'm sooo ready for that. We have 4 weeks and 2 days until Sam's estimated arrival. I'm just ready for that little guy to be here. Monday was a long day by the time we got out of the doctor's office, ate supper, then got home from class.
Tuesday was going to be yet another busy day. My sister had come in to come to the ultrasounds with my mom and I on Tuesday. These were not official ultrasounds. My mom's secretary at work is going to LIT to learn how to be an ultrasound tech. She had asked if I would be interested in letting them practice doing ultrasounds on me as part of their grade a couple of months ago but this just worked out that we finally got to do it. Free ultrasounds? Hello!!! Of course I would do that. I love seeing Sam's pictures...we've had many photo ops already. We get there and I'm so excited b/c I haven't seen Sam since he's been this big. Apparently neither had the girls. None of them had ever done an ultrasound on a baby that far along. It was so cool. Because he was so big we had to look at him a section at a time. The girls would say, "Wow! He's really big!" or "You really are all baby. He's squished up in there!" When you're short, there's really not a whole lot of room where a baby can go. The whole screen was just one part of his body. We looked at his brain...which is looking good. They measured his head, which is really big and makes me really nervous. Then they looked at his tummy. We could see his bladder and his heart. I was so surprised at how clear everything was. Not only could you see his heart, but you could also see like the sections of it. All these little squiggly things moving around...(sorry to health professionals who know the official terms). He is still a boy, which is really good at this point in the game. Then we moved to his legs. They were all squished up into my ribs...which I already knew. They've been there for a long time! I was almost 35 weeks when I went and Sam was measuring 37 weeks at 5.2 lbs. They even "determined" my due date to be August 2, which is a long way off from August 21. We'll know more after I go to the doctor on the 27th. My biggest fear is that the doctor will say, "He's not going anywhere for a while."
Saturday, Jared and I went to childbirth class. I was really hesitant about the video during that class. We sat on the back row, of course, and thankfully the couples who sat on the front row had their heads strategically placed so we weren't too scarred. Now, I know some of you might be saying..."Elizabeth, that's the miracle of life! It's beautiful." I know about the miracle. I don't want to SEE the miracle, certainly not from someone I don't even know. Lucky for us we got to see it twice! Once with a lady who delivered naturally (no meds) and once with a lady who had an epidural first. Even with the video and the obnoxious couple sitting beside us who talked through the entire day it was very beneficial. We got a lot of practical questions answered and I think Jared and I both feel as prepared as we can be at this point.
I'm praying through the events that will transpire on the day Sam comes into this world. I know that things might not go according to my plan, and I need to be ready to handle that. Jared has been preaching a series this month called "In God We Trust". All month he's been challenging our faith. This morning he talked about faith and fear being polar opposites. Fear paralyzes and faith motivates. God is worthy of my trust so I am going to trust in Him that everything will work out according to His plan, His timing, and His leading. I prayed that this morning and I believe it. I'm so thankful that God is a God that we can trust. He loves us and has our best in mind. Sometimes we don't always see that. We don't always understand His ways or His plans, but the important part is just to trust. He is worthy of that. During my "nesting" phase, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about that. I've just got to learn to trust him with my family, my insecurities, my fears, everything. I'm so glad God speaks to me in a whisper, then gives me the time I need to process and digest it. He doesn't scream or demand me to change. He just corrects me in love then gently waits for me to see my situation through His eyes. How I so desire to have the heart of God as a mom, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, servant. Lord, teach me to be more like you.
~Elizabeth
Tuesday was going to be yet another busy day. My sister had come in to come to the ultrasounds with my mom and I on Tuesday. These were not official ultrasounds. My mom's secretary at work is going to LIT to learn how to be an ultrasound tech. She had asked if I would be interested in letting them practice doing ultrasounds on me as part of their grade a couple of months ago but this just worked out that we finally got to do it. Free ultrasounds? Hello!!! Of course I would do that. I love seeing Sam's pictures...we've had many photo ops already. We get there and I'm so excited b/c I haven't seen Sam since he's been this big. Apparently neither had the girls. None of them had ever done an ultrasound on a baby that far along. It was so cool. Because he was so big we had to look at him a section at a time. The girls would say, "Wow! He's really big!" or "You really are all baby. He's squished up in there!" When you're short, there's really not a whole lot of room where a baby can go. The whole screen was just one part of his body. We looked at his brain...which is looking good. They measured his head, which is really big and makes me really nervous. Then they looked at his tummy. We could see his bladder and his heart. I was so surprised at how clear everything was. Not only could you see his heart, but you could also see like the sections of it. All these little squiggly things moving around...(sorry to health professionals who know the official terms). He is still a boy, which is really good at this point in the game. Then we moved to his legs. They were all squished up into my ribs...which I already knew. They've been there for a long time! I was almost 35 weeks when I went and Sam was measuring 37 weeks at 5.2 lbs. They even "determined" my due date to be August 2, which is a long way off from August 21. We'll know more after I go to the doctor on the 27th. My biggest fear is that the doctor will say, "He's not going anywhere for a while."
Saturday, Jared and I went to childbirth class. I was really hesitant about the video during that class. We sat on the back row, of course, and thankfully the couples who sat on the front row had their heads strategically placed so we weren't too scarred. Now, I know some of you might be saying..."Elizabeth, that's the miracle of life! It's beautiful." I know about the miracle. I don't want to SEE the miracle, certainly not from someone I don't even know. Lucky for us we got to see it twice! Once with a lady who delivered naturally (no meds) and once with a lady who had an epidural first. Even with the video and the obnoxious couple sitting beside us who talked through the entire day it was very beneficial. We got a lot of practical questions answered and I think Jared and I both feel as prepared as we can be at this point.
I'm praying through the events that will transpire on the day Sam comes into this world. I know that things might not go according to my plan, and I need to be ready to handle that. Jared has been preaching a series this month called "In God We Trust". All month he's been challenging our faith. This morning he talked about faith and fear being polar opposites. Fear paralyzes and faith motivates. God is worthy of my trust so I am going to trust in Him that everything will work out according to His plan, His timing, and His leading. I prayed that this morning and I believe it. I'm so thankful that God is a God that we can trust. He loves us and has our best in mind. Sometimes we don't always see that. We don't always understand His ways or His plans, but the important part is just to trust. He is worthy of that. During my "nesting" phase, the Lord has been teaching me a lot about that. I've just got to learn to trust him with my family, my insecurities, my fears, everything. I'm so glad God speaks to me in a whisper, then gives me the time I need to process and digest it. He doesn't scream or demand me to change. He just corrects me in love then gently waits for me to see my situation through His eyes. How I so desire to have the heart of God as a mom, wife, sister, daughter, teacher, servant. Lord, teach me to be more like you.
~Elizabeth
Sunday, July 12, 2009
"In God We Trust" Video
I'm preaching a sermon series this month titled "In God We Trust." I showed this video this morning to kick things off (you may want to stop the music at the bottom before watching):
Updated pics from the summer!
Fun at the lake. Don't worry I didn't ride...this time. It's just fun to cool off for a little while. Jared had a blast taking the kids for rides on the jetski.
The awesome cake Aunt Pam made. Not only was it cute, but it tasted DELICIOUS!
Gran and Austin (my nephew). I think he had a good time playing with all the other kids....there's a lot in the family these days.
Our way cute door knocker to bring to the hospital. Thanks Gran!
As promised, the preggo
picture. On camara I look A LOT bigger than I think...5 more weeks to go! I do have to say thanks to Jared's cousin for making me feel better. She said I was just all belly...I definately feel like there's all belly there!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
6 weeks to go!!!!
Well, just like what Jared said...things have been busy for us. Thankfully, they are slowing down this month. We have 6 weeks left and two showers to go!!!! Is that crazy or what?! Sam is moving ALL THE TIME and gets the hiccups a lot. It really has been a great pregnancy except for this heat! We've been trying to stay cool at the lake which has really helped my tan. Maybe all our hospital pics we'll both have awesome tans! Sam's room is coming along nicely..although we still have the flower fan up...we're working on it. I get more and more excited each day. I'm ready to meet our little Sam and see what he's going to be like, what he'll look like and just get to spend time with him. I know Jared's looking forward to the same things. Anxiety is starting to fade into just sheer excitement. I keep praying for a healthy delivery and pregnancy, but I find myself praying more for Sam spiritually. I pray that he would love and serve the Lord and that he would not be tempted and drawn in by the desires of this world. The more I watch the news the more crazy our world seems to be getting.
In other news, things have been quite "unusual". The Lord is really showing me how real spiritual warfare is. We're right smack in the middle of it too. If we're not careful, Satan can creap in and destroy our lives if we let him. Jared and I have been praying so much for our church and all the families in it. We're praying that the Lord would work in their lives, ours too, and that Satan would have no part in any aspect of the ministries that the Lord is allowing us to take part in. I've never realized how much warfare goes on until this last couple of weeks. I know the Lord is preparing us and our church for great and mighty things and that Satan is having a field day trying to get us off our game. It's been crazy, but good to have this realization. God has been teaching me so much this summer. I've truly enjoyed my time off of school to be able to spend time with the Lord, relax, and listen to what He has to say to me. God is really good.
We had Katelyn and Seth for a couple of days this summer. We took them to the blueberry farm, made homemade cobbler, swam at the lake, roasted weenies and smores on the beach, and were supposed to go to the water park, but got rained out. After all that I was exhausted! It was fun hanging out with them. They are way fun, and say the funniest things. For example: Seth asked me if the dr. was smart enough to be able to tell if Sam was a boy or not. He kept saying, "But what if he was wrong? What if its not a boy?". He also informed Jared that when I was a baby, Sam was already in my tummy and that when I stopped growing Sam started to grow. Jared didn't have the heart to explain the "birds and bees" to him.
Our computer is still messed up but I'll try and post some pictures from the shower, our days at the lake, and Sam's almost finished nursery. At this moment, Jared, Paul, Waylon, Jessica, and Aaron are filming a video for this month's sermon series. It's really hard for me to stay focused right now. I'll try and update more whenever our computer gets fixed. Maybe I might even post a preggo picture. Probably not though. I've moved away from feeling cute and pregnant to feeling like a beached whale in the heat of the summer.
~Elizabeth
In other news, things have been quite "unusual". The Lord is really showing me how real spiritual warfare is. We're right smack in the middle of it too. If we're not careful, Satan can creap in and destroy our lives if we let him. Jared and I have been praying so much for our church and all the families in it. We're praying that the Lord would work in their lives, ours too, and that Satan would have no part in any aspect of the ministries that the Lord is allowing us to take part in. I've never realized how much warfare goes on until this last couple of weeks. I know the Lord is preparing us and our church for great and mighty things and that Satan is having a field day trying to get us off our game. It's been crazy, but good to have this realization. God has been teaching me so much this summer. I've truly enjoyed my time off of school to be able to spend time with the Lord, relax, and listen to what He has to say to me. God is really good.
We had Katelyn and Seth for a couple of days this summer. We took them to the blueberry farm, made homemade cobbler, swam at the lake, roasted weenies and smores on the beach, and were supposed to go to the water park, but got rained out. After all that I was exhausted! It was fun hanging out with them. They are way fun, and say the funniest things. For example: Seth asked me if the dr. was smart enough to be able to tell if Sam was a boy or not. He kept saying, "But what if he was wrong? What if its not a boy?". He also informed Jared that when I was a baby, Sam was already in my tummy and that when I stopped growing Sam started to grow. Jared didn't have the heart to explain the "birds and bees" to him.
Our computer is still messed up but I'll try and post some pictures from the shower, our days at the lake, and Sam's almost finished nursery. At this moment, Jared, Paul, Waylon, Jessica, and Aaron are filming a video for this month's sermon series. It's really hard for me to stay focused right now. I'll try and update more whenever our computer gets fixed. Maybe I might even post a preggo picture. Probably not though. I've moved away from feeling cute and pregnant to feeling like a beached whale in the heat of the summer.
~Elizabeth
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