two days in a row after over a month of no posts...

Taken from Oswald Chambers "My Utmost for His Highest" daily devotional:

"When once you are rooted in Reality, nothing can shake you. If your faith is in experiences, anything that happens is likely to upset that faith; but nothing can ever upset God or the almighty Reality of Redemption; base your faith on that, and you are as eternally secure as God.  When once you get into personal contact with Jesus Christ, you will never be moved again."

Your hands that shape the world are holding me...

I heard this song awhile ago and I love it.  It talks of the faithfulness of God amidst the unsteady happenings in life.  I know that I haven't blogged in a long time and a lot has happened so I guess it's about time.  As of a couple months ago my world was a little shaky in the sense that I had no idea what was about to unfold, but I knew something was about to happen.  I like to call it Holy anticipation because instead of feeling anxious there always seems to be a sense of excitement for what God has in store for me. Things seem to have fallen into place and I'm pretty much amazed everyday I  wake up and realize my life is not a dream.  

Fade to two months ago:  applying for jobs daily, hearing nothing back, feeling rejected and unsure about the prospects, getting anxious and restless, missing friends and desiring fellowship of some sort, trying to live out Psalm 31:14,15 daily:

"But I am trusting you, Oh Lord, saying 'You are my God!' My future is in Your hands."

It's easy to look back and say "God was faithful", but it is much more difficult to see that in the process.  Even though I'm constantly looking back and seeing how I truly never leave His hands I still seem to find myself caught in a state of frustration as I wait for God's plan to unfold.  Instead I need to begin to see that the plan does not just happen in the culmination, but rather the plan is unfolding all along...the plan is the process not just the end result.  

Currently I have a wonderful boyfriend and that alone is a prime example of God's perfect timing.  I have TWO jobs and I have a car.  My life does not feel shaky or unsteady, but it's not because of what I have, but who I trust.  If you took away my family, my boyfriend, my jobs and my car I would hope that I could still say that my life was not unsteady because I know who is holding me.  There is a peaceful, easy feeling that I have, but not because of my current circumstances...God has been teaching me through various adventures in my life that He truly does have the whole world in His hands and that includes me.  What is there to worry about when worrying doesn't get me any closer to the answers I want?  Instead Psalm 31:14,15 shall be my daily commitment... after all, my future is in His hands and who better to hold it than the One who shaped the wonderful world we live in.

living vicariously through Clare

Oh, High School Spirit Day!!!  Even though we've moved Clare's school colors are the same as my old school colors so this morning brought back some great memories.  I helped her make shirts last night and we bought tons of ribbon and some sparkly fake eye-lashes.  I loved Spirit Day when I was in high school! I remember that we all used to get together and decorate shirts and shorts together and then get to school early to do each other's hair and makeup.  All the halls were decorated by the different classes and it was just an awesome day to be in school.  When else do you get to dress like a complete idiot on purpose?  And then of course the pep rally which means that instead of going to class you got to participate in games that made you look even more stupid!

I obviously don't really want to go back to high school, but I think that we should have more days like that in general.  I don't know...maybe a Family Spirit Day and each family dresses up in awkward outfits with colors that describe who they are and then all the families compete in stupid games together?  That would probably be kind of hard to organize and I'm not sure how many families would want to participate, but I think it would be fun! For the record, I think our family colors would be green and gold! 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JACK AND JENNY!

A year ago today Jack and Jenny were married and it was a beautiful day!  I can't believe it's been a year and I know this is just the beginning of many anniversary's! I'm so happy to be able to call Jenny my sister...they are so good for each other! In honor of them...here are some pictures from the wonderful day they became husband and wife!

HOLAHAN HALF BIRTHDAYS

the woman making the cake looked at me really funny when I said "Happy Half Birthday Clare"

I bought her some shirts that she wanted (and that I will likely borrow)

and my parents bought her UGGs

When Clare was 4 she asked us how people have surprise Birthday parties if you know when your Birthday is and we decided to surprise her to show her how it's done! So, on October 11, 1998 Clare woke up to balloons and signs wishing her a Happy Half Birthday! She was very surprised to say the least and that was the beginning of us celebrating Half Birthdays.  Every year since then we acknowledge Half Birthdays in some way.  Yesterday was Clare's Half Birthday and when she came home she was greeted with a cookie cake and some presents.  This is the first year since she was 4 1/2 that we actually celebrated on her real Half Birthday--usually we do it in the days before or after in order to catch her off guard.  

My Half Birthday is in March, but I wasn't home to celebrate so I was surprised last night as well!  I thought I was in on the surprise, but I got a pair of UGGs too!  I've never really wanted a pair, but I love the ones I have now!  SURPRISE!!  

Half Birthdays may sound a little weird and may make us look spoiled, but we never really expect more than a card and a cake...which is why everything is such a surprise!  Our parents recorded a Half Birthday musical card that said "one birthday or two what we're trying to say is, 'WE LOVE YOU!'"  I think that summarizes Holahan Half Birthdays... 

soup for three

So, like I've said before, I have been experimenting with recipes during this time of unemployment.  Someone told me I'm learning to be a wife...I'm not so sure that was the motive, but I'll take the practice I guess.  Anyway, I've made a big pot of soup every week since it's been cold out and I have really enjoyed trying different things.  Minestrone is my favorite to make especially being a vegetarian because pretty much all it is is vegetables and beans.  

Yesterday Tricia, Meag and I had a date to make soup together and it was so much fun.  Tricia even made the table look beautiful.  We each brought different things and combined them to make soup.  It was delicious and we are that much closer to being the perfect future wives of whoever we marry. We thought maybe we could open a restaurant and make soup.  Since Tricia's table only fits three people we'd have to take reservations, but the possibilities are endless.  I love soup.  I love friends.  I love life.

coffee on the interstate

I saw this coffee truck on the road and it made me want to pull up next to the truck, stick out my coffee cup and have coffee drip out.  I've never seen a truck like this before, but I think they're on to something.  We all know about drive-through's, but what if they started a drive by coffee business and all you had to do was drive by this truck and coffee would dispense?  Sure there are some kinks that need to be worked out of that brilliant idea, but I think it could be something wonderful.   Keep your eyes open for this truck...if you like coffee as much as I do just the thought of the possibilities of what this truck could be will be sure to make your day!  

ps. don't worry, I was not driving and taking pictures at the same time...I was with my mom and she was driving so my hands were free to take a picture without causing any dangerous situations.