Well, I knew it was bound to happen eventually!  I was tagged!  So, now, I have to share 5 strange facts about me.  I'm gonna share these strange things, but remember, what happens in Xanga World, stays in Xanga World.

1.  I was supposed to have been born on Christmas (hence the name Holly) but was born at 12 NOON on New Years Day.

2.  I used to be a part of a steel drums troupe in 8th grade and we actually made a recording.  My picture is on the cover of the album.  (want my autograph??)

3.  I cannot use (or should I say refuse to use) public bathrooms.

4.  I do not like my food to touch each other on my plate.  (yes, just a touch of ocd)

5.  When I was in the 2nd grade, I embarrassed my sister (who was in the 4th grade at the time) by showing up to her classroom with my friend Kelly.  For some odd reason, I had a teacher who would allow us to roam the halls of the school. So Kelly and I decided to go to different classrooms to perform "gymnatics" and "charge" the teachers for our impromptu show.  We hoped that they would give us treats.  Kelly was a very good gymnast, I, on the other hand, was not.  But I showed off what I thought was most impressive: a half split (you know when you could only go down half way),  a fake cartwheel (put your hands on the ground and wildly kick your legs), a backwards roll and a "lazy man's" backbend (lay on the floor and raise up on legs and hands backwards).  We went to my sisters class and she was so embarrassed but the teacher gave us fancy pencils!  Needless to say, the Holly and Kelly show was shortlived.

So, now, I guess I have to tag someone. Well, if you are reading this xanga.....TAG!  YOU'RE IT!  It's your turn to share with us 5 strange facts about you!

Have a happy Hollydae!

What's Love Got To Do With It?

In light of some things that are happening here at the sfot, I felt inspired to take a look at 1 Corinthians 13 and to do some paraphrasing.  So, what you read below is the result of what the Lord placed on my heart and had inspired me to write.  We all need to be reminded from time to time what this ministry is all about, so I hope it encourages and challenges you as it has done for me. 

1 Corinthians 13

“The Right Now Today Version”

If I have credentials of a scholar with wisdom uncommon to the average man,

But not the love it takes to put it into action—

I’m nothing but a loud pompous wind.

If I have the ability to declare the Gospel with fervency and passion

And can eloquently express it to the President of the board

and

to the drunk on the street alike,

And I have a faith so strong that can cause even the foundations

Of the earth to tremble,

But I do not have love to fuel my efforts—

Then I am as good as a lifeless corpse.

If I offer what I have, and make public sacrifices that strip me bare,

Even to the point of death,

But I don’t have a bit of love in my heart

For the one I serve,

All of my giving is in vain.

No matter what I do, no matter what I know,

No matter what I say, no matter what I am,

If I do not have love—

What is the point?

For,

Love does not surrender, not even when it all seems unbearable.

Love does not lord itself over the weaknesses of others.

Love does not seek that which does not belong to him.

Love is not arrogant.

Love does not leave room for ego trips.

It does not throw a temper tantrum nor demands its own way.

It is not self absorbed.

It does not go off the deep end.

It does not play the scorekeeper for the sins of others.

It does not take pleasure in ones pain.

It searches for and embraces the truth.

It is strong enough to shoulder anything.

It depends fully on God.

It seeks out what is best.

It lets go of yesterday

And hopes for tomorrow.

Love will outlast all things! 

Passionate speech will not be needed someday,

The heavenly language of tongues will be quieted,

And what we know will be declared inadequate.

For if we think that we have all of the answers now,

There will be a day when our “knowledge” will be as a

Speck of dust

In light of the greater picture God wants us to see.

What we are and what we know are inadequate—

But God is more than adequate

And when He comes we will find adequacy restored.

When I was a child being nursed at my mother’s breast,

I did what children do.

My language and my attitude reflected my infancy.

But soon after, I grew up and out of these habits

And learned a better way of life.

Right now, our vision is muddy.

We squint as if trying to see through the thick fog

That lingers in the air.

But like a bad storm, this will surely pass,

For a day will come when God will lift the storm.

We will have better than 20/20 vision

Because God’s vision will be our vision.

We will see Him as He sees us

And we will know Him just as equally.

But at the end of the day, when all is said and done,

These virtues are the only things that matter:

Unwavering faith,

Solid hope,

And lavish love.

In everything that you do, choose love!

                     HND

Have a happy Hollydae!

Simple Revelation

Ok, I know it's been a long time, so let me first get all of the greetings and heartfelt wishes out first and foremost.  Merry belated Christmas and happy New Year!    I hope all of you are doing well.  I would like to also say thank you to those of you who kept me in prayer privately (you know who you are!).  I can't even begin to tell you how your prayers have been a source of encouragement during some tough personal times.

Alright, so, now let's move forward!

I just want to say that today, I am thankful for simple revelation.  What I mean by "simple" is revelation that happens through common everyday occurances; not by way of lightning or burning bushes.  (God knows that I could not handle that type of revelation anyway.  Had I seen a burning bush, going over to it would have probably been the last thing I would have done!)  Anyway,  I am thankful for the times when God chooses to use the "ordinary" to reveal His heart to us.

This morning, I experienced a "simple revelation" of sorts.  I was walking from my quarters to the SFOT administration building, not a far walk, since I live on campus.  But it is far enough for my mind to wander.  So, there I was, walking down the road that leads to the administration building, just minding my business and hoping for a good day.  I just happened to notice that a fence was being erected around the campus playground that sits right next door to my quarters.  I began to privately wonder why they would place such a hideous looking contraption around the playground.  It certainly does not add to the playfulness, the beauty, nor the inviting atmosphere of the playground.  Once I allowed these so called private thoughts to come to mind, God broke in with a lesson concerning His provision of protection.  As soon as I realized my thoughts, He immediately told me that having a fence around the playground was necessary for the safety of the children.  You see, the playground is close to the road and people on  and off campus drive through everyday. Children need to be protected from wandering away from the playground and going onto the road and getting hit by a speeding car.  So, this "hideous contraption" will serve as a hedge of protection.  Then, he really got personal and begin to reveal to me that I am like one of those children.  I need a hedge of protection to surround me from dangerous traffic.  I, like those children playing on the playground, can be quick to respond to the traffic by running out into the middle of it and getting hit.  Now, obviously, I learned the safety rules for crossing the street at an early age: stop, look, and listen.  But, I have not quite grasped how to keep from getting hit and injured by the traffic that enters my life everyday.  At that point, I was challenged to understand what traffic comes through my heart and my mind.  Everyday, I am faced with the traffic of past hurts and disappointments.  The traffic of doubt moves through my head and travels to my heart and overwhelms me.  The traffic of others unfounded and unneeded criticisms ties up my spirit.  The traffic of shame and guilt, uncertainty and challenge all threaten to run me over.  But, God has placed a hedge of protection around me!  I identify this "hedge" as the truth of His Word.  Nothing can overthrow doubt like truth!  I also see his "hedge of protection"  that He has provided me in His spiritual angels (He has given His angels charge over me) and in "earthly flesh" angels.  That is why I am thankful for the surroundings of the Shari's and the Debbies and the Cindys and the Cathys and the Heathers and the list goes on and on.  (please don't feel that because I have not mentioned you by name that I am not thankful for you.  the list would go on waayyyyyyyy too long!  You know who you are!  And besides, this isn't Romper Room.)  I am thankful that they are people who are a physical hedge around me in protecting me when they pray on my behalf.  I am also thankful for the hedge of protection that God provides through the presence and wisdom of His Holy Spirit.  Well, all this to say that I praise God for the wonderful ways in which He protects me from the "traffic" of life.  Not that it is avoided, but, it does not have the power to "run me down".  After all, Paul said that we may be hard pressed on everyside, but not crushed; perplexed by not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed! (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)  Can I get an amen?!

So, I leave you with this thought and challenge:  what daily traffic comes your way?  who is a part of your "hedge of protection?"

Thanks for stopping by! 

Have a happy Holly-dae!

Holly-daes Are Here Again!

Hello, Xanga World!  I'm back!  I've missed you!  Did you miss me?  After a great deal of prodding and "threats" (just kidding) from friends, I have decided to return.  You know, I find it hard to post when I am not inspired to do so, but, I will try.

We have alot of catching up to do, so, where do I even begin?  Hmmmmm.....It was January 1, 1971 when a short little lady went into labor in the  middle of a cold wintry day......Ok, I won't start that far back.  I guess I will just pick up where I left off back in May.

Hmm, I think I will catch you up in the form of a song.  But you will have to sing it for yourself, since I am not able to be there to sing it for you.  (Trust me, you should be glad!)

Tune:  O Boundless Salvation   (yep, and just as long!)

Verse One:  Commissioning's come, and commissioning has gone.  Farewells did come out and the list was oh so long.  Half of the S-F-O-T staff had to move.  But I would still remain!  But I would still remain!  But I would still remain, for yet another year.

Verse Two:   The summer was here, and this summer was hot.  Some think we don't work and some think that we should stop.  But my days were filled with visiting cadets.  While they were on the field!  While they were on the field!  While they were on the field for summer assignment.

Verse Three: My bags were all packed, I was hitting the road.  Pennsylvania was long and the drive grew quickly old.  I simply got tired and then became so bored.  Of seeing lots of cows.  Of seeing lots of cows.  Of seeing lots of cows--they grazed from field to field.

Verse Four:  My visits went well, the Cadets were very busy.  They spoke about their summer, talked untill my head grew dizzy.  'Twas good to see them, but I could harldly wait.  To get back home to Suffern.  To get back home to Suffern.   To get back home to Suffern, and sleep in my own bed. 

Verse Five:  This summer I was,  a bridesmaid in a wedding.  The dress was very nice, but the shoes were worth forgetting.  We had lots of fun as we ate and then we danced.  And when the party ended!  And when the party ended! And when the party ended, we went to my house for more.

Verse Six:  Family came over from the Jersey Shore.   Nieces and nephews, who could have asked for more?  My mother, and sister, and brother-in-law too.  Set off on a vacation.  Set off on a vacation.  Set off on a vacation to spend some time with me!

Verse Seven:  From visiting and working, my days were very packed.  Tranquility and rest were the only things I lacked.  The summer now is gone, I'm counting down the days.  'Till summer comes again.  'Till summer comes again.  'Till summer comes again and thrills my heart once more.

Ok.....I know...too much time on my hands. Blame it on the ones pushing me to post.  Well, I caught you up on my little world and it was much easier (and interesting) than telling you every little detail about my summer.  I promise, next time, I will post something of substantial value to you.  In the meantime, how have you been?  I have missed you and I can't wait to hear from you!

Until next time, have a HAPPY HOLLY-DAE!

Blessings! 

Just Checking In!

Just took a break from working on the program for tomorrow's chapel. I will be sharing a devotional tomorrow in chapel, so, I solicit your prayers.  We had General Tillsley with us this past week, and he spoke powerfully!  The funny thing is that he spoke on the exact topic that I had been assigned (same Scripture and everything.).  He really spoke the truth!  Anyway, I changed my theme to a different one, so, I hope everything goes well.

 I know it has been some time since I last posted. I promise that later on this week, I will give you an update on things many things! 

Happy Holly-dae!