Sarah Holman's Blog, page 71
April 23, 2016
Welcome to Kate's World
I had the privilege a few weeks ago to visit San Antonio. This city has been a favorite place of mine for years. Due to that fact and that I found out that there is an FBI building located there, I decided it would be home for Kate and her friends.
My mom graciously allowed me to turn our little vacation into a research trip, and it was so much fun. I was able to add some detail to the book I am currently writing and lots of fuel for future stories. We spent two days walking along the Riverwalk, soaking up the atmosphere and seeing where many of Kate's future jogging will take place. We ate at some awesome restaurants (for research, of course) and even visited the Museum of Art, which happens to be to be across from Kate's appartment building.
Looking toward the employee entrance.The highlight for me was visiting the FBI building. Although I didn't get to go inside, just getting to see where the FBI team will work was exciting!Kate's world is growing, expanding, and coming alive! I cannot wait for you to see what happens next in her life in the next book (I am looking toward a May release).
Have you visited San Antonio? Where do you think Kate should visit next?
April 21, 2016
Film Friday: Belle and the Beast
This movie was made by the same people who did Overcome and Island of Grace is a Christian retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The acting is good, though perhaps not the best. The story is well adapted including many realistic ups and downs. There is one kiss at the end, but is not overly romantic for the type of movie.
Pros: Great messages, great morals, and a wonderful take on the fairytaleCons: Sub-par acting at times, weak theme at moments.
The to-do List
How can it be April already? How can April almost be over? God has packed a lot into this year already, things that I never anticipated. Spending time with a dear friend, visiting San Antonio with my Mom, and life's little hiccups have put me behind. My to do list is long, but I am working through it. Today I have been busy writing blog posts:
Writing emails:
Working on some promotional stuff for my upcoming book:
But most of all, I am trying to keep my focus on one fact: sometimes God has a very different task lists in mind. I need to hold my plans loosely and never elevate my task list above what He has for me.
April 20, 2016
Adventure Between the Pages: Coffee Cake Days
Buy it Here
Age Appropriate For: All Ages
Best for Ages: 15-19
Description: Meg has finally graduated and has the time she’s dreamed of for months: time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and soak up His Word as she seeks what future plans He has for her.
She soon runs into a problem: her family. Unwanted interruptions and household duties tear her away from the time she longs to spend in the Bible. Journey with her as she strives to learn the balance of spending time in God’s Word and applying it to her daily life.
This is the best type of story: one that you can see yourself reflected in and which causes you to ask some hard but important questions. In the space of these few short pages, Tero pulled me into Meg’s world and made me feel what she felt.
Meg felt so real, and her struggles quickly draw you in. I found myself getting upset with her and then realizing that I am often guilty of the same mistakes that she is. It was one of those stories. The rest of her family, although we don’t spend much time with them, is still well written.
Many of the emotions and issues facing Meg are things I think a lot of home school graduates face who are staying home, to varying degrees. The story and the setting I think many will find easy to relate to.
I highly recommend this to teenagers in large families, home school grads living at home, and anyone who likes a good short story.
Was this helpful? Please vote it up on Amazon.
April 18, 2016
Why Skirts?
It was my third week at work and I could tell that she had something on her mind.“Do you always wear skirts?” She asked, sounding a bit hesitant.I smiled at her. Had she asked the question of someone before and received a lecture? She wasn’t going to get one here.“Yes, I do.” I said and sat down at my desk.“Do you mind if I ask why?” My co-worker asked again.“Not at all,” I responded as I started sorting through the mail. “My family chose to wear skirts and I, as an adult have chosen to continue. It is a reminder to me to glory in my femininity. God made men and women different, and that is not something to be upset about, but to be excited about.”
For all the stands I have taken in the political and theological arenas, the decisions I get the most flack for is my personal choice in how I dress. Why? Probably because we have all met that very legalistic family, who wears skirts, beats the Bible over the heads of others, and argues with everyone. Because I have chosen to wear skirts, some immediately put me in that category. Isn’t that being judgmental?
When I was very young, my mom and dad were disturbed by the way society was trying to blend guys and girls. Even in the Christian community there was a huge push to have girls do the same things as the boys. So, my mom and dad decided to do something about it. My mom switched to wearing all skirts as a daily reminder that God created her to fulfill a unique place that only women should fill. She also started dressing her daughters in skirts.
Growing up, this didn’t hinder me at all. I climbed threes, rode bikes, and worked hard on our five acers of land, all in a skirt. Sometimes I would put leggings on underneath and a modesty precaution, but when you grow up wearing skirts you learn that it doesn’t keep you from doing much. I always liked the full ones and despised the straight ones. With a full skirt I have just about as much ability as I do in pants.
When I turned sixteen, my parents took me out to a very nice lunch and helped me to understand that I was becoming an adult and as such, I would need to start making my own decisions. One of the ones specifically that we talked about was my choice in clothing. While I was still expected to abide by some modesty standards while I was in their house, I was given the choice to wear pants if I wanted. My parents even said they would buy them for me.
If you know me in person, you can tell that hasn’t changed. Why? Because I saw the value in what my parents had done. Yes, if I felt called into nursing, cleaning up after disasters, or some other job that required pants, I wouldn’t feel wrong in wearing them. However, by the time I was sixteen I had discovered some very important things that caused me to choose to wear skirts:
~ I needed the reminder that skirts bring. I am a do-it-myself I-can-do-what-they-do type person. While I can still do most things in a skirt, it is a reminder to me of my femininity and the God given role I have been placed in.
~ I have found it is a powerful witness that I take my faith seriously. While I have been mistaken for being judgmental, most people know that I take my faith seriously.~ It is hard to forget to act like a lady in a skirt.
I do not think it is a sin, or even a bad thing to wear pants. God calls different people to different things. The real question is, what has God called you too? When was the last time you thought of your wardrobe in light of God’s glory?
My challenge to you today is to pull out your Bible and dig into what you think God might be calling you to do. I also challenge you for a week to dress in a girly manner. That might mean putting flowers in your hair, wearing a skirt, wearing those pants with the flower design, or that shirt with the ruffles. What will God teach you through these? There is only one way to find out.
April 16, 2016
April 12, 2016
I am Right, You Are Wrong
The title is harsh. Some of you probably winced when reading it. Some of you probably thought about not reading this post, but you knew me. You knew that I wouldn’t be nearly as harsh as this post title made it sound.
Over the last two years, I have seen a lot of harsh posts attacking some of the principles and ideas I was raised on. One lady argued with me that modesty wasn’t a biblical concept and that any attempt to tell people otherwise was legalistic and any modesty standards were judgmental. I have had countless articles and conversation with people that told me that my preferred choice for finding a mate (courtship) was flawed to the point of being stupid. I have been told that my personal standards on movies are harsh, legalistic, and cause me to not understand the world around me.
If you will notice on this blog, I haven’t said much about these topics. First off, I didn’t want this blog to become a place for arguments or sensationalized posts. Secondly, I and my family have always been of the opinion that avoiding giving offence when possible is the best route. I might not be able to prevent offence when people see me in person, but I didn’t need to stir up things on the blog.I have been thinking and praying about it and I felt strongly that it was time for me to speak. It was time for me to talk about some of the choices I have made and why. However, before I delve into them I wanted to make some things very clear:
~ Most of the things that I will be talking about I think have biblical basis, but I also think the outworking of it can look different. I choose to wear skirts, but I do not see pants as a sinful thing. I have chosen courtship for myself, but that isn’t for everyone.
~ Honest questions will be welcome. If you want to know more, please ask. I am not afraid of tough questions or reexamining what I believe.
~ Unlike the title, the next few Tuesdays are not an examination of where I think most people get it wrong, but simply to help you understand the choices that I have made and why. Hopefully they will help you to understand me and others that have made those choices better.
If you could ask me my stance on anything, what would you like to know?
April 11, 2016
Restart
Well, the last couple of months have not go anything like what I had planned. I have a mountain of work which I was already supposed to have scaled and it looks very daunting right now. However, I keep reminding myself that God's ways are not my ways and His plans are not my plans. While I am very behind in what I hope to accomplish, I know I have been busy with the work God has set before me.
