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Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Faithful
I can hardly believe another year is upon us and it is 2011. A year already with so many promises and new adventures ahead. When I look back on 2010- the one word that keeps ringing in my head is Faithful. God you are, you have always been and will always be faithful. Looking back at how my life and my entire family's life has changed because of God's love and promises is exciting. I am not the same person as I was this time last year- thank God for that. The one thing that I am so excited about in the upcoming year is that God is working in so many ways in my life. It is so amazing, yet very humbling to see how He answers our prayers. Especially when we wholeheartedly pray for Him to use us. The question is are you ready to be used? I am so thankful God is changing my heart day by day.. I am hearing the Holy Spirit through loved ones, through scriptures, through books and in the stillness of my quiet time. Making God a priority has been life changing. My life changed dramatically this year when I made my time with him first and most important instead of when I had time for him (which was rarely). I have heard God and felt Him leading my life in ways I never dreamed. I am going to turn 30 this April. I am honestly looking forward to starting a new decade of life. I look back on my 20s and I know that God has a purpose and a plan for all things. But I certainly started this past decade off on the wrong foot. But there is a common theme in how I started both decades- desperate for Jesus and His love. I am just now on the completely opposite spectrum. Ten years ago I was the furthest away from God I have ever been and now I am the closest to Him I have ever been. What an amazing feeling. What an amazing example God is making of my life in that He can bring you out of the worst circumstances to use you and honor Him.
"I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God" Ephesians 4:1 - I want to live and breathe this. My chains are gone and I've been set free. Now Lord, as I start this new year, let me seek you first in all that I do. Let me forget about all the STUFF that doesn't matter. Lord, my life is filled with so much stuff that doesn't matter. We live in a consumer-driven society. I love things. I love buying things for myself and for ones I love. But Lord, let me give your love. It is free to those willing to accept. Lord, we all have a choice. I have a choice. I choose you! I've tried living a life for myself and you know the mess I made of it. Let me live a life completely for you- let me live so that others KNOW without a shadow of doubt that I love you and I am different- BECAUSE OF YOU!
All for you,
Holly
"I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God" Ephesians 4:1 - I want to live and breathe this. My chains are gone and I've been set free. Now Lord, as I start this new year, let me seek you first in all that I do. Let me forget about all the STUFF that doesn't matter. Lord, my life is filled with so much stuff that doesn't matter. We live in a consumer-driven society. I love things. I love buying things for myself and for ones I love. But Lord, let me give your love. It is free to those willing to accept. Lord, we all have a choice. I have a choice. I choose you! I've tried living a life for myself and you know the mess I made of it. Let me live a life completely for you- let me live so that others KNOW without a shadow of doubt that I love you and I am different- BECAUSE OF YOU!
All for you,
Holly
Friday, September 17, 2010
Spiritual Gifts
I think one of the most important things in being a follower of Jesus is finding your spiritual gift. God has given each one of us strengths, very unique qualities to our innermost being that makes us who we are. There are many great scriptures that tell how God calls us to use our gifts.
"God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him." 1 Peter 4:10-11
"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well" Romans 12:6
Find your gift and use it. God has given each of us gifts to build up the church. We all have different gifts. Our goal should be to serve others wholeheartedly with what God has given us.
Holly
"God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God's generosity can flow through you. Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him." 1 Peter 4:10-11
"God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well" Romans 12:6
Find your gift and use it. God has given each of us gifts to build up the church. We all have different gifts. Our goal should be to serve others wholeheartedly with what God has given us.
Holly
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I don't know where to start!
First I will apologize for not posting sooner. Really I've been putting it off because I have so much to say I don't know where to begin. I'll get the basics out of the way and then I'll get to the good part. Cory promoted to driver position two weeks ago. We are so proud of him. His 6 months of daily studying and sacrifices paid off when he scored the highest on the test out of over 50 guys. He is enjoying his new role and thankful for the opportunity. Emma started back to preschool last week. She is loving her 3 year old class, her new teachers and her new friends. She is talking non-stop these days, saying so many things that make us laugh. Most of all, her sweet and gentle spirit is what we love the most. She is so caring and it is amazing to watch her grow up. She is starting to ask so really important questions about Jesus and we are reading her children's bible and learning all about Noah, Jonah and Adam and Eve. It's wonderful to be able to have the chance to teach her about Jesus and his undying love for us. I'm still working at a pediatrician's office. I am only working 4 days a week now, which is nice. No weekends, no holidays. Good stuff.
Now the good part. I can't even begin to tell you how God has changed us and how much our lives have changed. It all started a few months ago. Conversations. Sermons. Desires. Longings. Guilt. Love. Let me back things up over a year ago. God started his work in me over a year back. I have always loved the Lord. I was saved at a young age and grew up loving the Lord. I grew up in a home where my entire family went to church and loved the Lord. He was important to us all. My love for him was never in question. But things in my life deterred my relationship with him for a time. Again, never stopped loving or believing IN him. I just didn't believe what he was telling me. I didn't think what he was saying about his forgiveness, grace, and mercy was for "ME". I had done too much or not been "perfect enough" for him. No way would he forgive me or could I do things to further his kingdom. Then add my control issue on top of this, was a disastrous picture. God finally broke me down layer by layer over time and I realized that I was forgiven long ago and I could stop trying to make it up to him and move on to more important things. Like serving him and loving him. God placed very special people in my life to help me out along the way. To help me to begin to love myself like God loves me and to realize he has all along. Since then, my life has not been the same. I have finally learned after living for 29 years what having a true "relationship" with Christ feels like. He is more than I ever imagined. I have been very humbled throughout this experience. He is the only person in my life who will always be on my team, who will never hurt my feelings, who will always listen to me, who will never be too busy for me, who will never leave my side.
Three or four months ago I started reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Wow, that's about all I can say. This book is incredible. Quite hard to read in some places. But after reading this book, I live and worship in a whole new way. I finally know how it feels to be "in love" with God and not just to love him or what he stands for. I have a daily walk with him. After reading this, I read Radical by David Platt. Crazy love just got me warmed up, then reading Radical was unbelievable. Difficult to ready as well. It's very black and white. The bible is black and white. These books will confront you full force with how we are suppose to be living versus how we are truly living. We live in a society today where we all seek to have the American Dream lifestyle and not a life that God calls us to.
We are here on earth living by God's grace. Our sole purpose in life is to make his name famous and to further his kingdom. It is to live our lives so that others will see Jesus in us and through our actions. For the first time in my life, I have read my bible daily and am in awe of what is in there. God tells us that we will suffer, we will have difficulties here on earth. But despite these times, He is there and his promise to us is that one day, if we accept him and live according to how we are told in his word, we will join him one day. This is only our temporary home. Thank goodness for that. I long for the day where I will join loved ones and live a life of non-stop worship, a life with no pain, no sin, no rude people, no sorrows.
Our lives have changed forever and it's amazing seeing how God is working through not only me, but through Cory, through our brothers and sisters, our friends, and our church home (Allen Bible Church). Here's a great quote from Radical "The plan of Christ is not dependent on having the right programs or hiring the right professionals but on building and being the right people- a community of people- who realize that we are all enabled and equipped to carry out the purpose of God for our lives". Wow. Just what I needed to hear when reading this. I've spent too much of my life thinking I was not the right person to do certain things because I wasn't good enough or "perfect" for the job. But the key point is that God has already equipped me, so by believing in him and answer "yes" to his call and stepping out of faith. He fills in the gap. That way it is obvious who gets the glory for what I do. It's not me, it's him. Because apart from Him, I am nothing. We are nothing. We sin, we are selfish, we look out for ourselves and seek to be pleased from everything else but the one person who can endlessly fulfill us. I am excited about the future. God is preparing us for something. There are so many opportunities to serve him and make his name famous. I am just praying about what mine is. I can't wait. There's a great song out right now by a very special person to us. The timing of this song is incredible. God is good. I just wish I'd realized this sooner. I still get very emotional talking about all of this because I am so overwhelmed with joy. Not tears of sadness but tears of joy. I just wish everyone in the world could understand this joy. Life is so much better on this side. I am complete. I'm just in awe of God. Now I won't stop sharing until all have heard.
I'll post some new pictures soon. Off to get Emma from school.
"I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin
Loving Him more and more each day,
Holly
Now the good part. I can't even begin to tell you how God has changed us and how much our lives have changed. It all started a few months ago. Conversations. Sermons. Desires. Longings. Guilt. Love. Let me back things up over a year ago. God started his work in me over a year back. I have always loved the Lord. I was saved at a young age and grew up loving the Lord. I grew up in a home where my entire family went to church and loved the Lord. He was important to us all. My love for him was never in question. But things in my life deterred my relationship with him for a time. Again, never stopped loving or believing IN him. I just didn't believe what he was telling me. I didn't think what he was saying about his forgiveness, grace, and mercy was for "ME". I had done too much or not been "perfect enough" for him. No way would he forgive me or could I do things to further his kingdom. Then add my control issue on top of this, was a disastrous picture. God finally broke me down layer by layer over time and I realized that I was forgiven long ago and I could stop trying to make it up to him and move on to more important things. Like serving him and loving him. God placed very special people in my life to help me out along the way. To help me to begin to love myself like God loves me and to realize he has all along. Since then, my life has not been the same. I have finally learned after living for 29 years what having a true "relationship" with Christ feels like. He is more than I ever imagined. I have been very humbled throughout this experience. He is the only person in my life who will always be on my team, who will never hurt my feelings, who will always listen to me, who will never be too busy for me, who will never leave my side.
Three or four months ago I started reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Wow, that's about all I can say. This book is incredible. Quite hard to read in some places. But after reading this book, I live and worship in a whole new way. I finally know how it feels to be "in love" with God and not just to love him or what he stands for. I have a daily walk with him. After reading this, I read Radical by David Platt. Crazy love just got me warmed up, then reading Radical was unbelievable. Difficult to ready as well. It's very black and white. The bible is black and white. These books will confront you full force with how we are suppose to be living versus how we are truly living. We live in a society today where we all seek to have the American Dream lifestyle and not a life that God calls us to.
We are here on earth living by God's grace. Our sole purpose in life is to make his name famous and to further his kingdom. It is to live our lives so that others will see Jesus in us and through our actions. For the first time in my life, I have read my bible daily and am in awe of what is in there. God tells us that we will suffer, we will have difficulties here on earth. But despite these times, He is there and his promise to us is that one day, if we accept him and live according to how we are told in his word, we will join him one day. This is only our temporary home. Thank goodness for that. I long for the day where I will join loved ones and live a life of non-stop worship, a life with no pain, no sin, no rude people, no sorrows.
Our lives have changed forever and it's amazing seeing how God is working through not only me, but through Cory, through our brothers and sisters, our friends, and our church home (Allen Bible Church). Here's a great quote from Radical "The plan of Christ is not dependent on having the right programs or hiring the right professionals but on building and being the right people- a community of people- who realize that we are all enabled and equipped to carry out the purpose of God for our lives". Wow. Just what I needed to hear when reading this. I've spent too much of my life thinking I was not the right person to do certain things because I wasn't good enough or "perfect" for the job. But the key point is that God has already equipped me, so by believing in him and answer "yes" to his call and stepping out of faith. He fills in the gap. That way it is obvious who gets the glory for what I do. It's not me, it's him. Because apart from Him, I am nothing. We are nothing. We sin, we are selfish, we look out for ourselves and seek to be pleased from everything else but the one person who can endlessly fulfill us. I am excited about the future. God is preparing us for something. There are so many opportunities to serve him and make his name famous. I am just praying about what mine is. I can't wait. There's a great song out right now by a very special person to us. The timing of this song is incredible. God is good. I just wish I'd realized this sooner. I still get very emotional talking about all of this because I am so overwhelmed with joy. Not tears of sadness but tears of joy. I just wish everyone in the world could understand this joy. Life is so much better on this side. I am complete. I'm just in awe of God. Now I won't stop sharing until all have heard.
I'll post some new pictures soon. Off to get Emma from school.
"I Will Follow" by Chris Tomlin
Loving Him more and more each day,
Holly
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Way Overdue- Probably a Record!
I promise I will post an update soon- Life is good- I am a different person, so much to share, so much joy in our lives. We are not the same- God is so good. We are enjoying living in his love and his grace.. day by day he never ceases to amaze us! Update soon :)
Sunday, January 17, 2010
A New Year
Wow, honestly I don't know where to start. I am getting farther and farther distance between my posts these days. I apologize! I will post some picture slide shows of the biggest events in the last few months to make it easier to view! Well November was an eventful month for the Tomlin family. Cory and I spent the first weekend in Atlanta. We went (by ourselves- Emma went to Dee Dee's- thank you Dee Dee)to stay with Chris for 4 days. It was a great getaway retreat. Cory and Chris played a few rounds of golf. I got to spend my time doing a little shopping, a lot of quiet time reading and lounging and then I got to spend the day with a good friend Janet. She took me through some really cool areas in Atlanta shopping and we ate lunch and just had a true girl's day. Was so refreshing. I miss her dearly! She's has truly been one of those friends that God placed in my life at a particular time for a reason...
Then we ended the weekend going to Chris' country club and seeing Pete Sampras and Todd Martin before they played in a tennis exhibit. Which was cool.
The biggest event of the month was Emma's surgery. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed on Nov 19th. RIP Tonsils! She had so many strep infections this past year we got rid of those worthless pieces! She stayed overnight at Children's Medical Center in Plano- which was so nice!! Very pleasant experience. (as much as possible- but highly recommended if needed.) It was a long week and a half recovery- but she was such a trooper and so excited when she could go back to school and eat chicken nuggets and Cheetos! Ha! The little things in life!
December was a busy month as well. I spend the first weekend in New York City with three of my girlfriends. We had so much fun. It was my friends Callie and Jodie (who I started working with at Children's almost 7 years ago- and Cal moved to Sacramento this past summer) and then Jennifer (who has been a very dear friend of mine since high school- we cheered together at Whitehouse). We spent time shopping, eating, laughing, and a little crying. Another dear friend Delaney, who was suppose to be there with us- was having surgery to remove a possible cancerous cyst, all while she is 19 weeks pregnant with twin girls. The surgery was successful and it wasn't cancer but it did put her into labor. But I am happy to say she is still pregnant (27 weeks) and has been in the hospital since, but so happy the girls are still hanging in. A very long road thus far, and even longer ahead but with many prayers they are doing great. Back to New York-- we spent a whole day shopping in SoHo which was AWESOME. Got so many cute things... ate at some great places.. it even snowed the last day we were there! It was all decorated with Christmas .. which made it so much more surreal! I love New York City and would go all the time if I could afford it! =)
We had a great Christmas- actually a White Christmas. Cory worked Christmas day, thankfully he was able to go into work later so we opened gifts with Emma from us and Santa on Christmas morning. She LOVED it. Was so much fun doing this with her! We got to spend time with both our families as well before and after!
2009 was an amazing year for us- but a tough one as well. Personally it was a year of personal gain- professionally, spiritually and emotionally. It was a year of truly deepening my relationship with Christ and trying to really forgive and forget and move past events in my life, so I can truly have a relationship with Christ with no walls up. The best thing of all is that Jesus is so full of grace and love- he never had a second thought.. just took me a while to realize that. He loves us unconditionally and never ceases. I am thankful for friends and family who love me and support me unconditionally as well. The highlight of this year was finishing my Master's Degree and starting to work as a nurse practitioner. I love my job and the people I work with and for. It really is a great situation for me and my family.
We have a great year to look forward to.. already planning our summer vacation to Florida and for a family trip to Atlanta for Camp Tomlin (round 2). I am going to Chicago in April for a work conference and my s-i-law is going with me for company.
Emma is turning 3 in March... she keeps walking around carrying her baby saying "i love my baby sister"... is that suppose to be a hint? Well sorry to disappoint but not sibling just yet. We are enjoying life with normalcy right now for the first time since we've been married, we're not in school and not having any major life events.
We are also loving being members at Allen Bible Church. We got to move into our new church home- a permanent building. We are super excited and had our first meeting there last week. We are part of a very exciting time in the church and love our friends there. It is an amazing group of people.. again- a God thing!
We love you and thank you for loving us. We are truly thankful for our friends and family who support us, pray for us and love us. Happy 2010! I will try to be better about posting updates.
Tomlins
Then we ended the weekend going to Chris' country club and seeing Pete Sampras and Todd Martin before they played in a tennis exhibit. Which was cool.
The biggest event of the month was Emma's surgery. She had her tonsils and adenoids removed on Nov 19th. RIP Tonsils! She had so many strep infections this past year we got rid of those worthless pieces! She stayed overnight at Children's Medical Center in Plano- which was so nice!! Very pleasant experience. (as much as possible- but highly recommended if needed.) It was a long week and a half recovery- but she was such a trooper and so excited when she could go back to school and eat chicken nuggets and Cheetos! Ha! The little things in life!
December was a busy month as well. I spend the first weekend in New York City with three of my girlfriends. We had so much fun. It was my friends Callie and Jodie (who I started working with at Children's almost 7 years ago- and Cal moved to Sacramento this past summer) and then Jennifer (who has been a very dear friend of mine since high school- we cheered together at Whitehouse). We spent time shopping, eating, laughing, and a little crying. Another dear friend Delaney, who was suppose to be there with us- was having surgery to remove a possible cancerous cyst, all while she is 19 weeks pregnant with twin girls. The surgery was successful and it wasn't cancer but it did put her into labor. But I am happy to say she is still pregnant (27 weeks) and has been in the hospital since, but so happy the girls are still hanging in. A very long road thus far, and even longer ahead but with many prayers they are doing great. Back to New York-- we spent a whole day shopping in SoHo which was AWESOME. Got so many cute things... ate at some great places.. it even snowed the last day we were there! It was all decorated with Christmas .. which made it so much more surreal! I love New York City and would go all the time if I could afford it! =)
We had a great Christmas- actually a White Christmas. Cory worked Christmas day, thankfully he was able to go into work later so we opened gifts with Emma from us and Santa on Christmas morning. She LOVED it. Was so much fun doing this with her! We got to spend time with both our families as well before and after!
2009 was an amazing year for us- but a tough one as well. Personally it was a year of personal gain- professionally, spiritually and emotionally. It was a year of truly deepening my relationship with Christ and trying to really forgive and forget and move past events in my life, so I can truly have a relationship with Christ with no walls up. The best thing of all is that Jesus is so full of grace and love- he never had a second thought.. just took me a while to realize that. He loves us unconditionally and never ceases. I am thankful for friends and family who love me and support me unconditionally as well. The highlight of this year was finishing my Master's Degree and starting to work as a nurse practitioner. I love my job and the people I work with and for. It really is a great situation for me and my family.
We have a great year to look forward to.. already planning our summer vacation to Florida and for a family trip to Atlanta for Camp Tomlin (round 2). I am going to Chicago in April for a work conference and my s-i-law is going with me for company.
Emma is turning 3 in March... she keeps walking around carrying her baby saying "i love my baby sister"... is that suppose to be a hint? Well sorry to disappoint but not sibling just yet. We are enjoying life with normalcy right now for the first time since we've been married, we're not in school and not having any major life events.
We are also loving being members at Allen Bible Church. We got to move into our new church home- a permanent building. We are super excited and had our first meeting there last week. We are part of a very exciting time in the church and love our friends there. It is an amazing group of people.. again- a God thing!
We love you and thank you for loving us. We are truly thankful for our friends and family who support us, pray for us and love us. Happy 2010! I will try to be better about posting updates.
Tomlins
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Long Overdue!
I apologize for the very long overdue update.. Life has gotten away from us. November is here and the last few months have flown by. Let's start with Emma.. she's doing so good! She started GEM Express, a preschool, 2 days a week and loves it.. she is learning so much and loves going. She has met many new friends and loves her new teacher, Mrs. Phillips. She asks every night if she gets to go to school tomorrow. She also loves going to play with Mrs. Miranda, Chloe and Mr. Doug too a couple times a week.
Cory is doing well, just working, playing the role of Mr. Mom and squeezing in the occassional golf game. I am doing really well too, work has been busy, better lately. The month of September was out of control with the whole swine flu situation. I got the flu, then got severe bronchitis and am now finally well.. antibiotics, steroids and a few inhalers later. I am going to be sick all winter long probably with the new job and all new bug exposures.. Luckily, Emma is staying pretty well. Other than the usual strep throat infections. She is scheduled to have her tonsils out November 19th. We are ready to get it over with. Mommy is very nervous but she will be in good hands. We are going to be at Children's Legacy campus in Plano and she will spend the night to observe her and we'll go home the next day. It will be a rough week or two afterwards, but hopefully the strep infections will stop.
Cory and I are taking a getaway trip to Atlanta this week to see his brother Chris. It is a much needed getaway for both of us. Sweet Emma is staying with the grandmas.. she will be spoiled endlessly so she won't even miss us I am sure.
God is great, He is blessing our lives in ways we could have never imagined... He continues to love us despite all our many downfalls... and for that we are so grateful and will continue to give all the thanks to Him.
Thank you for continuing to check on us.. for loving us! God bless you all.
Tomlins
Cory is doing well, just working, playing the role of Mr. Mom and squeezing in the occassional golf game. I am doing really well too, work has been busy, better lately. The month of September was out of control with the whole swine flu situation. I got the flu, then got severe bronchitis and am now finally well.. antibiotics, steroids and a few inhalers later. I am going to be sick all winter long probably with the new job and all new bug exposures.. Luckily, Emma is staying pretty well. Other than the usual strep throat infections. She is scheduled to have her tonsils out November 19th. We are ready to get it over with. Mommy is very nervous but she will be in good hands. We are going to be at Children's Legacy campus in Plano and she will spend the night to observe her and we'll go home the next day. It will be a rough week or two afterwards, but hopefully the strep infections will stop.
Cory and I are taking a getaway trip to Atlanta this week to see his brother Chris. It is a much needed getaway for both of us. Sweet Emma is staying with the grandmas.. she will be spoiled endlessly so she won't even miss us I am sure.
God is great, He is blessing our lives in ways we could have never imagined... He continues to love us despite all our many downfalls... and for that we are so grateful and will continue to give all the thanks to Him.
Thank you for continuing to check on us.. for loving us! God bless you all.
Tomlins
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