Here we go.

August 25th..... 7:45 a.m..... is coming really really soon..... The day that my youngest will start Kindergarten. A day I always knew was coming and a day I am thankful to be blessed to witness. A day that is so exciting I can barely stand it and a day that is so heart wrenching I can barely stand it! SOOOO many emotions have been going through my mind, but mostly I am just so proud to be a momma of two beautiful, delightful, kind, smart, Jesus loving children. God has blessed me with 2 children, and has given me the responsibility to raise and nurture them into being valuable grownups and God fearing, God Loving, Jesus following individuals. 

My daughter... my little look a like. She is going into the 3rd grade this year. I am so excited about this year for her. She will be having a phenomenal teacher for her regular 3rd grade class, and a phenomenal teacher for her Thursday Pegasus Classes (Gifted and Talented). Her Pegasus teacher is actually a lady Clay had as a teacher back when he was in elementary school. We have hoped to have her in Anika's life since she started school, and maybe Ari will be lucky enough to be placed with her one day too! I think she will soar this year as usual. I think this will be such a good learning environment for Anika, and am so thankful she gets the opportunity to be in Pegasus. She loves to learn and loves school! She is such a beauty. She is gentle in nature and very full of emotion. She is tall and skinny, and my heart feels weary when I see her in a more fitted outfit.... the little girl is ever so slightly disappearing and a young lady is blossoming. She is the daughter I need. She makes me better. She makes me slightly nutty sometimes. She is intellectual, artsy, and she will go very very far in whatever she puts her mind to.

My son... my little love bug. He will be starting kindergarten this year. I am nervous and excited about it. I know I have taught him how to behave, his ABCs & 123s, he can read, he is sweet. He is a BOY and can be rambunctious. I know he is ready. He is ready to spread his little wings and fly without me constantly by his side. I am not sure that is a thing a momma is ever ready for, but I am excited for him to start gaining independence and making a difference in the world. He is a kind and loving little boy. He loves hugs and kisses. He loves for me to hold him... and you better believe that I hold him as much as possible. He stands up for what he believes in and he is HILARIOUS. You can do it baby boy... I know you are nervous about leaving me and being the tallest in class, but I know you will be just fine. Keep loving and learning about Jesus and you can reach any goal you put your mind to! I will always be in your corner cheering you on! 

This year I pray that you both have a happy, healthy, and educational school year. I pray that you will find a friend that can be your best school buddy. I pray that you laugh all day and have few tears. I hope that you succeed and I hope that you are challenged, because that is how you grow! I pray your teacher loves you and that you love your teacher. I pray that they take care of you just like you are their own. I pray that the school is a safe place and a great environment. I pray that you both let your lights shine to the world. That when people see you both they can see Jesus through you! I pray for God to protect and keep you safe. 

The next 11 days I will cherish... but I know you are both ready for the year to come. You make me proud. You fulfilled my life long dream of being a mom. I love you two more than you will ever know. The greatest gift I was ever given! I love you Anika and Ari... Go get 'em tigers! 

xoxoxo

-Mom

Hospital For The Broken

I was on the awesome world of pinterest the other day looking for some recipes for the coming week and happened upon that quote. I wanted to scream it from the roof tops. I mean this is so TRUE y'all.  Church is for BROKEN people... because guess what? We are all broken people. Not a single person besides the Savior himself is complete. We all sin. We all have areas we need to improve. We all have our down falls. We are all broken... because we are not perfect! 

More and more today you see people of Christ's church following after men.... whether it be daddy, momma, a person you look up to or whatever... MEN. The view has gotten tarnished because people chose sides, or don't dig in for themselves and figure it out and take others words, or won't talk it out, and I have come to conclusions that this is CRAZY talk.... we chose a man's side. We should all only be trying to get on Jesus' side! 

Some of the strongest preachers of the gospel were BROKEN people. The apostles Jesus chose were Tax collectors, compulsive behaviors, deniers of Christ, doubters...... They were men that sinned.... Yep, not a single perfect person in the bunch and they actually were WITH Jesus in his life on Earth. Jesus ate with the sinners and the scribes and Pharisees complained...  Today, people are being like the scribes and Pharisees. We need to be more like JESUS and eat with the sinners and spread the Gospel and be PEACE MAKERS. Check out Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18... While in the Word go ahead and read all of Ephesians 4.... Humble, Meek, Forbearing, patient, loving. I am for one very thankful that Jesus will eat with the sinners, because I would never have a chance to have a relationship with Jesus if it was only for the perfect.

When baptized into the church of Jesus we are baptized into HIS church. He died that awful death so we sinners might have a hope for an everlasting life. I think our Earthly life would be spent better trying to get the broken into the church rather than kicking them out because they are not good enough. Jesus had to die because NONE of us are good enough WITHOUT him, but WITH him we can be amazing. We can be life changers, we can be spreaders of light. Through Christ and Christ alone we are saved. 

Daring it For Dee

As most of you know my Uncle Dee was killed in a roping accident when he was working cattle a little over a month ago. He was a man of great courage and love. I have been working on an idea to honor and commemorate him and want all of you to take part in it with us.

Like I said, Dee was courageous and always out for fun and adventure. Like his daughter DeLynn said. " Dad always told people if you aren't living on the edge then you are taking up space." So, with this in mind I came up with the idea of starting a "Daring It For Dee" movement. We will be daring people to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. Make a move to better your life or take a step and let God shine through whatever you want to do, but you haven't had the courage to just get up and try! "Daring It For Dee" could be facing your fear and going zip lining or white water rafting. Or it could be going on a mission trip or raising money to help children. You could make a lifestyle change and quit tobacco or lose weight. Run a 5k or a 1/2 marathon. Or maybe it is having the courage to talk to the people you come across about God. Spreading Jesus' love to whomever you can touch. Whatever it is BIG or SMALL do it in memory of this great man who wasn't scared of much. Who LOVED God and always put him first in his life. Who loved his family and friends. Who never met a stranger. Take the plunge and do that thing you have always wanted to do, because you know what... Dee would have wanted you to and if he was here today he would probably be there right beside you saying "come on you can do it.. don't be scared."

In the months before his accident he was doing just that... doing that thing he had always wanted to do. He was getting his pilots license. He was living out one of the dreams he had always had and he wasn't scared. He was enjoying life to it's fullest. Now, he would not want you to do anything to get yourself hurt or do something to break the law... so keep that in mind when you are thinking about what you want to do. He would however support you in your goals and dreams.

So, now its your turn to make a move and Dare it For Dee. I have had these shirts designed:

I love the way the shirts turned out and we will all be branded by Uncle Dee's "3 bar D" brand on the shoulder.

There is a "Daring It For Dee" Facebook page which you can find  here. We want everyone to take pictures while "Daring It For Dee" and upload it the Facebook page or e-mail it to me at sweetishgirl34@Juno.com and I will upload it for you. Wear your t-shirt, move out of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith. DO NOT forget to snap those pics while wearing your shirt so you can share how you "Dared It"! Let's make a movement and get to "Daring It For Dee"!!!

I will be taking orders from today, May 21st through June 9th. We can get all sizes including adult and youth. Shirts will cost $17.00 plus $2.00 per shirt shipping fee. If you are ordering multiple shirts we can talk about a reduced shipping charge.  My PawPaw Finch has graciously sponsored having the shirts designed and paid for shirts for the immediate family through his business Noble Machine Company Inc. ALL PROFIT made will be divided between:

Sharrock Cemetery where Uncle Dee was laid to rest. It is a beautiful country cemetery ran strictly off of volunteer work and they strive very hard to keep it a beautiful resting place. The community members who manage the cemetery were very gracious during this tragic time.

A not for profit charity ran by one of Uncle Dee's best friends. The charity is called Go Do Love . This is a great organization and these people are truly making a difference around the world. Here is the mission statement from the Go Do Love website. "Our mission is to love like Jesus. Go Do Love seeks to love our neighbor as ourselves by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to children, especially orphans, around the globe." 

And...

Aunt Mon. Her world has been turned upside down and she has shown such courage and dignity throughout the visitation, funeral, and the wedding of her daughter that happened only a few shorts weeks after Uncle Dee's death. Like Aunt Mon said, " I am Daring It For Dee" every day. Money raised will help her with the funeral and arrangement costs.

If you would like to order a shirt/shirts or make a donation to the "Daring It For Dee" movement please e-mail me at sweetishgirl34@Juno.com . Please include shipping address in your e-mail. Shirts will be made after final orders on June 9th and will take a couple weeks for production and shipping.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to e-mail me.

Now... let's do this!

"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" and remember the word's of Dee. " If you aren't living on the edge you are taking up space."

-Holly

Poop Hits the Fan

DISCLAIMER. This is nasty. =) 

Poop hit the fan... Actually it was more like poop hit the ceiling, walls, floors, and all body parts in it's crossfire. 

It was a beautiful Thursday evening. I was carrying shopping bags in the house that were filled with dresses to try on for my cousin's wedding and gifts for my birthday girl. Ari and I were exhausted, but happy with all we had accomplished. Clay and I were still unloading all of our little treasures we had found earlier that day when I heard it.... an odd noise. That started slow...... I asked Clay what the world was making that noise and then it dawned on us. The noise was coming from our half bath.... that had NOTHING in it..... NOTHING to  be making noise anyway. We had the toilet and sink out because we had been remodeling it. We had just installed new floors in the bathroom and the adjoining office and Clay has just finished up my beautiful baseboards. So it was empty. There was nothing in the room that should be making any sort of sound. We rush and open the door and that's when our mouths dropped and our hands flew up to our noses. There was poo coming out of the hole in the wall.... and I do not mean coming out... I mean COMING OUT. Like a fireman's hose. You know the pressure coming out of the fireman's house when fighting a fire... that was the speed and pressure that the raw sewage was flying out of my wall. I have never been so shocked in my life. Oh, the panic. You never imagine that you will find POO coming out of a WALL in your HOUSE ever. Sure... a shower or over flowing loo, but honestly.... a WALL. So, we scream in under chaos and try to figure out what in the good green world we are supposed to do. We get a bucket, but by the time I get back the damage had been done and we are standing in our own.... poo. Nasty doesn't even begin to describe it. It had flowed out of the bathroom into our office... INCHES of it, but it had STOPPED coming out like a crazy train.... 

My outfit for the ordeal.... I couldn't handle the smell and didn't have a mask! 

My poor baseboards.

 So, still in under disbelief, we begin cleaning up. EVERY TOWEL IN THE WHOLE HOUSE is being used in the disastrous clean up. The mess is somewhat cleaned when Clay notices that there is still some. hmm... umm.. mess coming out of the sink hole. So, he begins to clean it out. WRONG move.... that started the entire "poop shooting out like a fireman's hose" episode again, except this time the pressure is even more extreme. Clay bends down and covers the end of the hole with his hands and puts all his body weight into it... and it is still coming out. He is a strong boy and there was no way he could keep it from coming out. So, I do what any good wife does... CALL HIS DAD and FREAK out and tell him that it is VERY important that he gets to my house ASAP, because our house is exploding poo. So, he says he coming and I reassure Clay that his dad is coming and most of the time he knows how to fix any house problem, but Clay is completely in the zone and not hearing a word I say. He has been holding the hole for about 10 minutes or so now. His hand is blue and he is shaking and in some other "zone" I have never seen him go before. All I can think of is that he would be amazing in one of those Survivor challenges where you have to outlast your opponents in some mind over matter competition. Anyway.... I can tell Clay is starting to give our and I have no idea how much longer he can keep the pressure on the hole. I get a big blanket and stand up behind him with that blanket shielding the door opening and the rest of the room. I am holding the blanket up as high as I can reach and stepping on the corners so my legs are kinda sprawled from one side of the room to the other. I knew if he let go the pressure would be so high that it would go EVERYWHERE. Clay is still holding it when his dad arrives and I can tell that Justin has an idea. He goes in our garage and rummages around for a tool. He is headed to the back yard where our septic tank is. He thinks if he can get the septic cap off it will relieve the pressure and start going outside instead of in the house. Good idea, right? WRONG when he gets the septic cap off it does cause a change in pressure, but from the COMMODE hole right behind me where I am all sprawled out protecting. The commode hole blew up like Ol' Faithful. I was standing basically over it, so that means that it basically blew my shorts off...... Talking about something sneaking up behind you. Fhewwwww..... When the pressure changed it was so strong that is started trying to suck Clay's hand inside the hole. Clay's dad said that when he finally got the septic cap off he was expecting a major explosion to come out of the hole outside.... and NOTHING happened. Then he heard screaming from inside the house and new something must have happened. He came running in the house and found us both completely covered in... yep.... anything and everything that had ever gone down the upstarts toilet. When Ol' Faithful occurred Clay was just speechless and had no idea what to do and he had a hurt shoulder and hand from holding the poop hole. I scream for him to go get the shop vac, because I am now in the floor protecting the carpet from getting wet. I have a blanket swoooshing the water away from the carpet. Clay runs to the garage and he and his dad grab the shop vac. Bring it inside and his dad plugs it in. We are ready to suck up the mess..... we turn it on and POOF soot goes EVERYWHERE. We had cleaned out the fire place with it. He thought to take off the filter, but apparently there was still some stuck in the main vent. So, now on top of inches of poop covering every inch of my office, laundry room, and bathroom we have nasty oily black soot... Yep, when we do things we don't just go half way. We have to really go for it full force. We begin the cleaning process again and this time it is already past midnight. We are out of towels so we use every roll of paper towels from my big SAMs Club purchase and suck the rest up in the shop vac. Once we clean up the mess we notice that every time we walk across the room, water would keep coming up out of the floors.... Our new floors. The water/poo mixture had made it's way down into the cracks and down under the flooring. So, around 1:00 a.m. we start ripping up our brand new flooring. We finished the job and then head over to the in-laws for showers and a few hours of sleep. 

Ol' Faithful

Half of the nasty towels

The plumber comes the next day and does his plumbing thing and says he has us all fixed up. So, we move back in to the wreckage and begin to thoroughly bleach and bleach and disinfect  and air out the area. Walls, baseboards, floors, everything had to be disinfected.... I finally finish and go pick up my kiddos and come back home ready to crash. We have a peaceful nights sleep in our own beds. Our house in utter chaos, but at least it is disinfected and the plumbing works again. We get up the next morning and begin ripping up the remaining floors and cleaning up the rest of the mess. Anika goes to take a shower and I am cooking lunch when we hear it.... that horrid awful poop shooting out of the wall sound. It HAPPENED again. It wasn't near as bad, but again we had poo covering the floors and walls and apparently the problem was not solved. So, beyond frustrated we clean and clean and clean and disinfect again... it is a Saturday so we don't dare all the plumber, because if we have to pay weekend plumbing fee we will be bankrupt before we know it. So, we pack up again and spend the rest of the weekend with the in-laws. Monday morning the plumber is back at it. He says he thinks the plumber is fixed for good. We move back in and still now... 2 weeks later we are still gun shy. Every time the commode flushes or someone takes a shower we are scared to death we will have another explosion, but we have been good so far.

This is just the water from the second explosion.. imagine POOP everywhere there is water! 

This is our story about when "the poop hit the fan". I hope and pray we put that book back on the shelf and we never have to read it again. 

You may all go wash your hands now. =) 

-Holly 

The world keeps spinning. 

On April 12th... 13 days ago a man was killed. A man who was larger than life. A cowboy. Not one of those you see in rhinestones and long pointy toed boots, but a real cowboy. He worked cattle since he was a kid. He grabbed life by the horns and rode. He was brave and courageous. Tough as a boot. 

He was a husband who loved his wife. He treasured her. He was a daddy to three beautiful daughters. He adored them. He was a son. He honored and cherished his parents. He was a brother. He loved and protected his sisters. He was a friend. He always had their back. He was a Christian. He put God first and loved Jesus. He was an uncle. My uncle. That cool uncle. That uncle who made you laugh. That uncle who could get you in trouble and your mom wouldn't care. That uncle you looked up to. That uncle who your friend's thought was so cool, because he would lasso them. That uncle that you trusted with everything. That uncle... Uncle Dee. 

He was such a good man who never met a stranger. Anyone who ever meet Uncle Dee never forgot him. He was LOUD and his laugh was hilarious. He went for it. His life was cut short to us it seems, but to God it was just his time.

Last week as we gathered as a family to remember and mourn Uncle Dee it was such a sad time. It felt like any moment he was gonna bounce in through the door and we were all going to wake up from this nightmare.. but he didn't. The visitation was on Wednesday and the people... Oh the people that came to show love and honor his memory. People stood in line for over 2 hours to make it down to the family at the front of the room. It was amazing to see. You could tell by the amount of people that he was loved and that he had loved and shown kindness to many many people. 

On Thursday we had the funeral. Two of his best friends spoke at the funeral. You could see in their faces the sadness they felt, but you could tell they wanted to really show their love. It was the most beautiful and yet the saddest funeral I have ever been too. My aunt had written their love story and it was read at the funeral. It was a true fairytale. Forget Romeo and Juliet. This was a union blessed by God, because they put God first. Their love could teach us all something. Teach us how to love and how a relationship is not 50/50, but rather giving your whole self and whole life to making someone else's life better! They did that for each other. 

Over the days since my uncle's accident, one of the many things that have been going over and over in my mind is how blessed I am to be apart of this family. Through this horrible tragedy our family pulled together. Held each other up.. literally and emotionally. Everyone is heartbroken because we lost our amazing Dee, but all of us are also breaking because we can see the pain in each other's hearts. Watching my precious aunt in such pain and shock. Watching my cousins heart's break as they think back on their last conversations and the pain in knowing they will never get just one more hug from their dad. Holding my grandparents at the graveside as they lay their son to rest. Watching my mom crumble as 3 planes fly over 3 times in honor of her brother. 

In this life there are things that happen that we cannot understand. There are tragedies that occur that cannot be explained right now. This life is full of tears and hardships that come and knock us down leaving us breathless. Some we can prepare for and others come suddenly... instantly without warning.

When I first heard the news, I had no idea how we would make it through the visitation, funeral, and coming days. I was scared and anxious for my aunt, cousins, grandparents, and mom. I honestly didn't know how things would happen, but as things progressed the only way we made it through was by our faith in our Lord and savior. God was there. He was and is pulling us through. He is the one who is holding us up. Pulling us together. Jesus loves us. God loves us. Even though we do not understand the reasoning and may never know until Jesus comes again, I think we all have a peace in knowing that Uncle Dee's life on this Earth is over, but one day we have a hope that we will see him again. I am at peace knowing that my uncle loved God and is now resting and waiting for the rest of us to join him so we can walk through those pearly gates and inherit our forever home in Heaven.

My family has a long road ahead. Life will never be the same. There are tears, horrible days, and grief ahead. I am finding my hope in knowing that one day there will be a place where no tear will dim the eye. No more saddens. No more pain. A place where only happiness will surround us. I find peace in knowing that God is in control and knows what he is doing. All things with God will work together for the good. Even though I have no idea why this happened, there are things working together all in the hands of our Lord. 

Please pray for the ones close to Uncle Dee as they travel on without him here. As they go on day by day step by step figuring out how to live a life without him. Pray for peace and comfort for everyone! 

Uncle Dee would say get back up on the saddle and keep going. Cowboy Up. Love God. Keep going. 

I will miss you Uncle Dee and I hope I can make you proud! I hope I can have but just a bit of the courage you had and show love like you did! You will never be forgotten! 

-Holly

Well, where to begin. This is one of those blogs that I know what I want to talk about, but have no idea where to start. I guess you can say that this post is a self help Holly post. A post that I have been studying about and trying to overcome. It's about a little thing called Gluttony. I have always known the definition of the word in my head. The meaning and that the word was found in several places in the bible, but not until recently have I really ever just thought about it and how it related to me. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I am not a shop-o-holic, I don't want or need new things all the time... but guess what? I love food. I crave bad foods. I am an emotional eater... meaning I eat when I am happy, sad, tired, energetic, lonely, lovely... get it? I eat at every emotion. So, it recently dawned on me... what the world Holly, you are sinning on a daily basis.. You are a glutton. I eat waaay to much food. I think it's fine and great to enjoy food. I love to cook. I love to make things and prepare things for my family and friends. It's part of me.. and I think that is okay, but what is not okay is the amount and the cravings of the food. It has hit me like a bat upside the head. It is a SIN... just like stealing, murdering, living in an unbiblical relationship, and being a drunkard. Yikes... not good. I try and live right and know I fail miserably a lot, but I never even thought of it as an ungodly thing. I want to not eat as much to be thinner, healthier, wear smaller clothes sure, but I never thought about doing it to honor God.... and that should be the number one reason. My cravings and wants are food not pot, but to God I am not sure there is a difference.  Philippians 3:19 says, " Whose end is destructions, whose God is their belly, whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things." I never thought of it that way... that I am putting my wants and cravings before God. God has told me not to be a glutton, but I do it anyway... I think of the needs and wants of my belly first. In Proverbs 23:19-21 it talks about being wise and how we should not be among the drunkards and gluttons... The over eaters. The ones who crave and eat to much. I shouldn't be among them. It states is simple and doesn't cause the slightest bit of confusion. Proverbs 25:16 goes on to say that when you find something sweet.. you can taste it, have a small amount. Enjoy it, but DO not eat so much that is makes you sick. I think it is saying have self control. Things can be enjoyed from time to time in moderation, but when we lack self-control the cravings and wants over take us, and before we know it we have had 3 slices of cakes instead of having a small serving. So, this is an obstacle for me. This is something I have to overcome! Maybe you struggle with this.. or maybe your struggle is something else, but lets all try and look at ourselves and not overlook something that really may be a sin in disguise. Something you never even thought about before. This was the case for me and now I realize that shoot.. I need to be asking the All Mighty One for help, because it is a real struggle. Finally I want to leave you with some verses that I stumbled upon today during quiet time. The verses are from Galatians 5:16 (The Message) "My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God's spirit. Then you won't feed the compulsions of selfishness." Later on in the chapter is says that "It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time.... uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions."

It sounds so easy, " Live freely, animated and motivated by God's spirit." I am going to try and know that I will stumble and fall repeatedly... but let us all try and live freely,  animated, and motivated and let's fill our lives up with God's lovely spirit.

Love you all have a blessed day!

-Holly

2013 was not the best... a year full of emotional days and lessons learned. Through all the hardships and trials I can see I leave 2013 a better person. A year that will leave it's mark on my heart forever, but a year that is gone and in the past now. I am a changed person this first day of 2014. I am a more spiritual person. A more understanding person. A less dramatic person. I am also less tolerant of unnecessary negative actions and personalities. I have learned that it is okay to distance yourself from things and people that make life unhappy and negative. You can't fix people... only love them. I have learned that also.. my job as a mother and a wife is to always make sure my family is happy, healthy, and God centered FIRST before anything else! 

This year I am not making resolutions... I feel like everyday we should be striving to better ourselves. To try and help make a better me this year I am trying to simplify. I am going to try and quit making life more difficult and try to just live life to the best of my ability not worrying. I am going to try and let God's spirit lead me and my family instead of trying to direct the scenes myself. I need to get out of the way and let the true leader light my path! 

2013 has had some very sparkly moments. My love and care for my husband has never been greater. We have grown closer this year and made it through a year that would break most apart.  My family is caring and extraordinary, even though I wish Nashville was closer so I could see them all more often! My best friend has been there with me through all the crazies. She has listened to my cries, whines, and disappointments. She has given great advice and told terrible jokes to keep me laughing. More than anything she is a trustworthy God centered friend that makes my life better! I also reconnected with several wonderful people during this past year... one in particular really helped me to turn my life around and help me see the happy again. Our talks were brief, but the words were lasting. The care and prayers are more appreciated than you know. A person who would never put themselves up on a pedestal, but someone who leveled with me and doesn't sugar coat. KW you really made a difference. 

One of the things that really helps me stay positive and helps me keep my mind on Jesus is the music I listen to. Lyrics that speak to my soul. This past year music has been a safe and comforting place. There have been many songs that have really helped me. Really spoke to me. Given me hope. Given me inspiration. I know the few people who read this are busy.... but if you have a moment click on the links below to some of the songs that have really helped me to find my center! 

Hillsong United has a song called Oceans. I often have tears in my eyes after hearing this song even though I have listened to it hundreds of times. Oceans is how I want to lead my 2014. The song says that Spirit lead me where my faith is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters. Where ever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet would ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. 

Hillsong United: Oceans

My best friend shared this next song with me on a day that I really needed to hear it. Gungor reminds us that God makes beautiful things.... beautiful things even out of dust. This song is a beautiful reminder that no matter what has happened with Jesus as our savior we can all be made new. 

Gungor: Beautiful Things

God has a plan and can turn these ashes into something beautiful.

The Afters: Broken Hallelujah

Mandisa made me dance this year.... her Overcomer anthem is a great song for all girls to sing at the top of their longs. Whatever it is that you might be going through, I know your not gonna let it get the best of you... You might be down for a moment feeling like it's hopeless, that's when he reminds you that YOU are an OVERCOMER! 

Mandisa: Overcomer

Plumb's song Need You Now is one of those lyrics that feels like it came straight from my heart. I need you.. God I need you now.

Plumb: Need You Now

The last song is about as corny as it comes... but I guarantee you will be shaking by the time you are done. I LOVE this song. 

I just can't believe

Where my life was at

All that I know is that my heart was broken

And I don't ever wanna go back

Ain't no explanation

How I saw the light

He found me and set me free

And it brought me back to life

Blame it on the transformation

Changed down to the core

His love is real

And I can't sit still

Cuz my name's not shamed no more

Mercy Me: Shake

So, 2013 is in the past. It's over and done. The memories will live on with us, but today is a new day. We were blessed with another sunrise. Let's live it better than yesterday. Better than last year. Make it count. Learn something new. Help someone that is struggling. Make a bucket list and actual mark off some of the things you have always wanted to try! We have a blank slate in front of us. Next year on this date in 2015 when reflecting back what do you want to see? Make it happen.... I will be striving along right there with you. 

May you have a bright and shining new year. Much love to you all! Let's rock 2014!!! 

-Holly