The Little Things in Life

Sam has recently discovered his tongue. This is one of many times where his tongue is hanging out of his mouth!

Sam in one of his MANY outfits Aunt Lissa bought for him (he can finally wear them!)

Bundling Sam up to go to the park...he looks too cute!


He really liked his "eskimo" suit.

Sam will be running for office in the near future (notice the peace sign)

Can you say "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!"

Thanksgiving has now come and gone. The Hollier's had a most relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving. We got to see family but on a slower pace, stretched out over two weekends instead of one day. It seems these days we like to do things on a slower pace. It's funny how 7:30 used to be so early and now it's really sleeping in. I used to always love to run the roads and now I just like being at home. I hated cleaning house, now a clean house makes me feel refreshed and energized. We're starting to get in a regular routine of going to the park and running/walking. Life as we know it is good. It's funny how the little things in life make me so thankful. At the Hollier Thanksgiving there is a tradition of two things. 1. THE hayride. 2. THE bonfire. This was the first year I went on the hayride. We sang Christmas carols and I froze my bum off but it was great. I love my life. Right now, I'm listening to Jared play with Sam. He is such an amazing dad. I can't imagine my life getting any better. God is so good to bless us with so much. It just takes some perspective to look around and see all that is good. It doesn't have to be huge. Just the little things. I'm so thankful for the little things God has blessed me with. A relaxing, refreshing holiday. A beautiful healthy family. The list goes on and on and on. Even after Thanksgiving, remember to thank God for the gifts He gives us on a daily basis.

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

This morning in church, we looked at 1 Thess. 5:18, where Paul says, "Give thanks in al circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Here, basically, is the outline of my sermon:

Who?- "Brothers," or Christians. This message was for all believers, without exception.

What?- "Give thanks" I asked what everyone was thankful for, and got the usual and expected answers- family, job, home, Jesus, etc. Wrote them all down on a whiteboard I had up on the platform.

When/Where?- "In all circumstances" Here's where it starts getting tricky. When I asked what everyone was thankful for, nobody said sickness, bankruptcy, marital problems, rebellious kids, cancer, or poverty, and yet, God's command, through Paul, is to give thanks in all circumstances. Hmm...

Why?- "Because this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" In other words- "Because God says so." Our natural reaction in difficult times is to get angry, upset, disappointed, envious of other people's situations. These reactions are not of the spirit (See Galatians 5) We must choose to ignore our "natural reactions" and respond like God wants us to. We must choose to be thankful. Example: When the results come back, and the doctor says it's cancer- I know that God is my Father, and He's in control of all things, and for that I choose to be thankful. When the bills total more than I have in my bank account- God provides food for the birds and dresses the flowers of the field. I know He'll provide for me, and for that I choose to be thankful.

How?- By remembering that God works all things out for our good, and for His purposes (Romans 8:28). He is in control of all things, and I belong to Him. With His help, I can always find something to be thankful for, and I should, because it is His will for me to live a life of thanksgiving.

We are ridiculously blessed, and really should take time every day to thank God. Not just on a Thursday in November before we stuff our faces, but every single day. Be blessed and be a blessing this week.

-Jared

26 Days of Thanks

So I know I haven't blogged much about my thankfulness in a while, but it's been kinda busy around here. I have been updating on facebook very briefly each day. Today I'm thankful for the godly friends God has surrounded me with all my life. Being a pastor's wife isn't always easy, and sometimes it's hard to be able to be real and transparent with others, but God has blessed me with amazing friends who challenge and encourage me and let me just be ME! Sometimes, believe it or not, I don't always have the right heart or attitude (even at church). Insert gasp here. But I have friends who understand and encourage me to stop and breathe! I'm so thankful for them. Thank God today for the godly people He's surrounded you with.

~Elizabeth

Me and Sam had a good day. Played lots, laughed lots- he's a fine boy.

-Jared

Happy Fall Yall!

My friend Kim took these pictures the other day. These are just my favorites! Sam is getting so big so fast. I can't believe he's already 3 months old! What a little man he is indeed becoming. He already has me wrapped around his little finger.

This one is my absolute favorite! Don't worry Mom, I'll bring you pics this weekend. :)

26 Days of Thanks...what day am I on????

While I keep losing track of what day I'm on...I am still thanking God for something everyday. Today I'm thankful that death is not the end but the beginning. A precious 92 year old lady that was a faithful member of our church passed away this week. Her visitation is tonight and the funeral will be tomorrow. As I drove to school thinking about her this morning, I rejoiced that she is worshipping Jesus forever now. Her sickly body is no more. She is able to do things she hasn't been able to do in so long. You know people always say, "She lived a full life." Well, she did, but the eternity that she will spend with God is way better than the "full life" that she lived here on earth. I'm so thankful that we don't just live and die...blah blah blah. It's more than that. We live. Our earthly bodies may die but we live on for eternity.

I know a lot of people read this blog. Friends, family, even coworkers of my parents! So I can't pass up the opportunity to ask you. If you were to die today, would you spend forever with God? The Bible says that we all have sinned and the punishment for sin is death, but God loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to take that punishment for us. By believing in Him we can have eternal life with God. One day, we're all going to die and we will stand before the Lord. Maybe He'll ask, "Why should I let you in?" What are you going to say??? Because I got baptized when I was a baby? Because I went to church every Sunday? Because my grandpa was a deacon? Because I'm a good person? None of those answers will get you in. Trusting in Jesus Christ as Your Saviour (He is the one who saved you from the punishment of death) and letting Him be Lord of your life (that means He gets control...not you!) That's the answer that will get you "in". I pray that you have a personal relationship with the Lord and that it's more than just getting to go to heaven when you die. God is worthy of so much more than that.

Day 9

Today I'm thankful that we have men and women who have fought so that we could have the freedoms that we do today. I almost teared up explaining this to my students. How I wish they understood how much we have to be thankful for. They don't even realize that life hasn't always been like this. There's so much that I haven't even experienced, but I am thankful that we have come so far, yet we still have so far to go. Thank someone who has or is serving your country today. And thank God that He has blessed us enough to live in a safe country.

Day 8

Today I'm thankful for my health. Most of the time, I just have seasonal allergies that annoy me...that's it. My biggest worry is that I will catch one of the many things that always seem to be going around when you are a teacher. I'm thankful that that's the only worry I have right now. Last night Jared was at the hospital until 1 am with a family whose loved one is preparing to be with the Lord. I also have friends who have the weight of the world on their shoulders because they're battling with cancer scares. When something like this happens it really puts things into perspective for me. I need to be thankful that I have another day to wake up and spend with my family, but also that the days spent with them are healthy and worry free. I'm praying for those I know who are worried b/c they have health problems right now. And I'm reminded that everyday is another day that I am here for the purpose of worship. How I want my life to be a life of purpose. Take today to count your blessings. If you were able to get up this morning, get yourself ready for work, and carry out your day without the worry of what life holds in the tomorrow, thank God for that right now.

I'm thankful that through pain people still have joy. And that is a testimony to me of the goodness of God. It reminds me of one of my favorite Natalie Grant songs, "Our hope endures"

Our hope endures, the worst of conditions.
It's more than our optimism.
Let the earth quake.
Our hope is unchanged.

Day 7

I'm so thankful for mornings like this morning. It was Monday, but I had gotten a lot done the night before. I knew that my lunch was made, clothes picked out, and bottles ready. Check, Check, and Check. Alarm clock goes off and I just wait. Sure enough like clock work Sam wakes up. 5:30 sharp. He's getting pretty predictable most days. I get up and feed him and boy is he awake! He normally falls back asleep and I finish getting ready but this morning I had to get Jared to finish feeding him so I could get ready. I'm finally ready with time to spare and Sam is still awake. He's just laughing and cooing. I didn't want to go to school today. I wanted to stay home with Sam and play. He's been trying to roll over and he's so alert and active all the time. But...I went to school. Just getting such a happy start to my morning was a blessing. At school we journaled about what we were thankful for. I shared what I had been doing these past 7 days with my kids and I shared about what I was thankful for this morning. I think it helped. They love hearing about Sam. One student said he was thankful that I came back to school to teach him. Thank you Lord for showing me that I am here for a reason! What a great start to the week. Look out world, here I come!!!

Give thanks always!

~Elizabeth

26 Days? Methinks not...

Liz is doing 26 days of thankfulness. That's a long time, so I'm gonna take her idea and condense it. Here, in no particular order, are 26 things I'm thankful for, in one day, in one post. Boom.

1. Salvation
2. Liz
3. Sam
4. My family
5. My job
6. My Peachtree family
7. A good run
8. A good sandwich
9. Martin's every Wednesday with Waylon and Paul
10. Good music
11. ESPN and ESPN Radio
12. The internet
13. Humor/a good laugh
14. Encouraging words from close friends
15. Unexpected blessings
16. God's provision
17. Podcast sermons
18. Our house
19. DVR
20. Cell phones
21. Catalyst
22. A good night's sleep, or a good nap
23. The Bible
24. Free resources (lifechurch.tv, insidenorthpoint, Catalyst Space, etc.)
25. The people I work with
26. Physical health

Done.

Look Who's Moving on Up!

Sam has started trying to roll over! For right now, he can roll from his back to his side and back again. Tonight when we got home from church, I laid him on the middle of the blanket. He wanted to watch the Cowboys game so apparently he scooted all the way to the t.v. He got his leg kicking and scooted all the way around! Look out world, here he comes!

Daddy trying to get him to roll all the way over at the deer lease.

He was so close! He couldn't quite figure out what to do with his hand. Won't be long before he's rolling around like crazy!


I was never a pacifier baby...I was a blanket baby. Apparently that is a genetic trait that can be passed down! Sam doesn't like the pacifier but LOVES blankets, shirts, birp cloths...you name it. If it's cloth, it's in his mouth. So cute!

Our little man! Just hanging out...he actually fell asleep like a minute after this picture was taken.

Just thought I'd post some pics for the faithful bloggers who like the pics! He's a popular guy. This Friday (Friday the 13th...) he will be three months! Hard to believe that right? Next Monday we go to take pictures again. I'm so excited! We'll take 3 month pics and Christmas pics. I'll post the website once the pics are up like I did last time.

~Elizabeth

Day 5 & 6

I'm so thankful that the Lord gives rest for my soul. When things are so crazy and we're busy running the roads all weekend, God still gives rest within my soul. This morning, and just about every Sunday morning here lately, it seems that it's been really hectic to get out the door in time for Sunday School. I was praying this morning on my way to church (after Sam and I had both changed twice b/c he got spit up on both of us...which NEVER happens) that the Lord would calm my soul. I had gotten flustered b/c it seems like the only time Sam ever gets fussy is when I'm trying to get ready for church. My heart wasn't prepared for worship and it was just a crazy morning. I don't want Sunday mornings to be like that for my family. I want our time in the morning at home to be a preparation for meeting with the Lord in corporate worship. After praying through a lot of my frustrations, the Lord did calm my spirit. Thank you Lord for rest in my soul.

Then after church we all took AMAZING naps! The Hollier house was quiet and dark all afternoon. It was such a blessing. It was one of those naps when you slept so hard when you woke up you didn't even know where you were at first. I'm thankful for rest for our bodies, too. We had a great day at church, great lunch with friends, and a great nap. What a great day! I'm so thankful that God commands us to rest, b/c He knows that we need it. I forget that sometimes until my body stops functioning. I forgot to sign the ticket at lunch...that was one sign I knew I needed a nap.

Thank you Lord for rest for me. In more ways than one.

What are you thankful for? Remember to give thanks daily! Even the small stuff... every good gift comes from above!

~Elizabeth

Day 3 and Day 4

Day 3: I'm so thankful to have a healthy and happy baby boy. He is such a blessing to us. And I think he's already a blessing to be around. We've been praying that since he was still in my belly that he would be a joy to be around. Just yesterday I was wondering if he remembers me when I get home from school since it's been all day, but as soon as I got home I went straight to him and started talking to him and his face lit up everywhere. He couldn't keep his eyes off of me. That's makes me feel so good. That little man is quickly becoming a big boy all too fast. I can't believe it's been almost three months. What an amazing gift God has given to us. We certainly do not take it for granted. I know that everyday is a gift from Him. Thank you Lord for another day with my family.

Day 4: Date nights. Last night Memaw (Jared's mom) kept Sam overnight! Ah!!!! She normally keeps him on Fridays anyway, but last night we needed to run to Beaumont for some very important shopping (it ended up being JoAnn's, Babies R Us, and Academy) so we brought him to Vidor for his first overnighter without us. I handled it a lot better than I thought I would and Jared and I had such a good time just hanging out. We went to eat and played games we used to play at dinner when we were dating...the games shall remain a mystery....they're silly though. That was it...we just got to be silly college kids again. Not that I want to go back to that phase of my life again, it was just nice. We ended up getting home around 11 and crashed. No washing bottles! That felt nice. But then this morning I looked in Sam's room and there was no Sam. That made me sad. I hope he had fun with Memaw, but I certainly missed him. I'm so thankful for Jared's mom. She is always willing to do whatever for her kids. She is yet another example of a great mother that I have to look up to and strive to be like. Thank you Lord for date nights!

Day 2 of Thankfulness

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband. He is a wonderful provider for not just Sam and I but for so many others. He is always willing to help anyone in anyway. I look up to him in so many ways b/c he isn't afraid to share God's Good News. It doesn't matter who it is, he is always willing to help. He doesn't get wrapped up in gender role stereotypes. He's okay with cooking or cleaning or taking care of Sam....even sometimes doing all of those things at the same time! God certainly knew what I needed in a soul mate when He put us together. Even though we are in a new phase of our life together I'm still so thankful to spend it with him. Sometimes it seems as if we've been together forever. Other times, it just flies by. One thing is for sure, I'm looking forward to the rest of my life with him by my side.

Lord, thank you for such a wonderful man. Thank you that he loves you and serves you and will be such a great example for Sam to look up to. Help me to never take him for granted. Everyday is a gift and every life is a gift from You. You are the giver of all good things. Thank you Lord!

What are you thankful for???

~Elizabeth

Hollier Happenings

Sam trying out his Bumbo chair. He liked it alright. He wasn't really sure what to do but just hang out.

Watching ESPN with Daddy. He really likes Mike and Mike in the Morning...can't you tell?

Working the Bumbo again...

Sam is trying his hardest to roll over, but it's just not happening yet. That doesn't stop him from trying though. He wiggles and kicks all the time!

He got pretty tuckered out at the trunk or treat in Vidor. Sam got loved on by soooo many people! They all said he looked just like his daddy did when he was a baby.

Priceless

Family picture at the Trunk or Treat. Sam is a baby giraffe in case you're wondering....not a calf.

Say cheese!

26 Days of Thankfulness

One of the ladies I admire most started the 26 Days of Thankfulness on her blog. I decided to do the same to remind myself to look around for all the blessings God has given me. It's easy to get so discouraged in the everyday issues. To me, they seem big...but as my husband is teaching me to say, "It's no big deal". So...

Day 1. I'm thankful for my relationship with the Lord. God has been so good to me. He has never left my side. And when I take control of my life and things fall apart and I come crying to Him, He never punishes me, disciplines me, or yells at me. He just forgives. He has blessed me with amazing blessings. He has great plans for me that I couldn't even work out even if I tried.

I challenge you to find a reason to be thankful everyday. Even if it's just "the small stuff".

~Elizabeth

Life is CRAZY now!!!

I haven't posted in FOREVER! Things are still in the adjustment period since I started back to work. I'll be honest...it's the worst. I know that I'm supposed to be here, I know I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing, but sometimes (well most of the time) I'm absolutely exhausted. Last week I had a complete meltdown. I mean total meltdown. What was worse is that it was at school. My prideful nature only likes to have these sort of things done at home, but I had just had enough. Nothing was getting done at school b/c I was rushing home to see Sam. Nothing was getting done at home, b/c I was spending time with Sam. I was away from him all day. I didn't want to come home and do chores. And then, when he was finally asleep, I was exhausted too! So for about two weeks my life was just chaotic. Everything just kinda barely got done. When I finally had my meltdown I just told my friends (who I totally lost it in front of) that I couldn't handle it. It was too much. My life just felt out of control.

Out of control.

Hmmm...it wasn't until days later that the Lord really spoke to me about this. When I got freaked out about my life being out of control that must have meant that I had been in control for a long time, and am now struggling b/c I don't have it anymore. Then the Lord whispered this into my ear, "I thought I was supposed to be in control." Ouch. It's a catch 22 when the Lord speaks to me so clearly like that. On the one hand, it hurt. I want to be in control. I am a planner, organizer, extraordinaire. I think that my way, though not always perfect, is a good way. On the other hand, I love to feel the presence of the Lord, even if that means that I am disciplined. The Lord disciplines those He loves, right? So, that's where I am right now. I'm struggling to juggle this whole teacher/mommy/wife/ministry/fill in the blank here. I'm praying that life will eventually get into a routine and I will hopefully get some energy. Sam is doing great adjusting. I think he is getting a little bit of a cold, or just allergies like his mommy. Poor thing for the last couple of days has just been pitiful and fussy. We felt so bad for him, but today he's feeling better, eating better, and napping better too. Praise the Lord.

Life is crazy now! But I still wouldn't trade it for the world. I'll try and post some pics from Halloween. We got some really cute ones!

For now,
~Elizabeth