Heather Holleman's Blog, page 211

Rise. Cry. Hope.

Early this morning, I read the words of the priest in Psalm 119:147:

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.

As you know, I love concise writing; in fact, this week, I’m teaching my students the art of the “micro-message.” It’s a way of condensing writing down. It’s a technique to make writing memorable, repeatable, and teachable to others. Think of the smallest kind of writing like the hashtag or the tweet. That’s a micro-message.

I think of the micro-messages I carry in my heart from scripture–even down to the verbs I love like Seated, Guarded, Included, and now Chosen– and this little verse summarizes my life lately.

I rise. I cry out. I hope. More specifically, I put my hope in scripture. I believe scripture.

I believe that what God promises in the Bible, He will fulfill in our lives.

I love the simplicity of Psalm 119:147.

Marveling Over Growing Things: The Avocado

 

The Search for Signs of Spring

It’s beginning! Despite the snow still covering the ground, I see signs of spring: the Northern Cardinals have returned to the Winterberry Bush, so I know they’ll build their nest there once again this year; the daffodils and crocuses have both sent shoots up; and the trees will soon bud.

Soon, I’ll begin my favorite activity of finding the nests and beautiful eggs of sparrows, robins, cardinals, mourning doves, and any new kind of bird. Maybe this year, I’ll find the Northern Flicker nest. Maybe I’ll find the Acadian Flycatcher, the Eastern Phoebe, or the Blue-headed Vireo. I’ll also look for the Tufted Titmouse, the Golden Crowned Kinglet, or the Wood Thrush. Of course, I’ll seek the Yellow Warbler.

I’ve recently connected with new friends who love birding in Centre County, and all of the above birds represent confirmed species that nest right here in my town.

I love learning new things as I search for more nests and eggs.

Playlist

I’m on my regular neighborhood walk, but this time, I made my perfect playlist before I embark on the journey. I grew tired of putting all my songs on “shuffle” only to pass by all the musicals, the VeggieTales, or anything else we happened to have in our family music collection.

You can stop skipping songs. You can choose the ones you want in your head.

I choose my perfect songs that include great walking beats. My full-disclosure walking playlist includes Imagine Dragons, Kelly Clarkson, Sam Hunt, Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Gin Blossoms, George Strait, Bruce Springsteen, The Cure, OMD, and even some DJ Khaled. I have 80’s songs from Go West, Deniece Williams, and Starship. Yes, I even walk to Eric Carmen and Michael Jackson.

Several miles in, it’s all Shakira, Ariana Grande, and Katharine McPhee. Now, it’s Spin Doctors, Coldplay, and Marc Cohn.

I realize we choose what we love to put in our heads. I think of my playlist of scripture, of noticing beautiful things that correspond with the seasons, and of making meaning out of any hard things. You choose. And then you dance as you walk.

Making Life Here Less Appealing

I read something so refreshing in a book I’ve found, Keep a Quiet Heart–the collection of entries by missionary Elisabeth Elliot. She wonders why God doesn’t always spare us from hardship here on earth as she examines how Paul’s ship runs aground on an island even while an angel stands beside him to guard him in Acts 27.

She writes, “Heaven is not here. It’s there. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for.”

I love how she reflects upon a situation that makes the world “a little less appealing” and invites us to think about another destination, not this one.

And one day soon, there, we will find what we’ve been longing for. I think about some difficult thing–whatever it may be today–and I consider how I’ll say, “Well, that just made life here a little less appealing!” I’ll interpret that thing as a luring of God, a loving wooing away from here and towards Him.

Spring Cleaning

During our Snow Day, we decide to attempt some much needed Spring Cleaning. The girls’ bedrooms feel light and airy with so much taken out to donate or throw away. Clothes now too small, projects not important enough to save, and supplies scattered now rest elsewhere.

We make room for fresh creativity. We create space for new clothing, new art projects, and even new design features. I love Spring Cleaning because of what it ushers in.

Even though snow falls outside, I think of planting indoor seeds next month and how I’ll fling wide the doors to let in the fresh air. As we haul out the bags of old clothes and projects, I think of what’s coming next now that we’ve made room in our spaces and in our minds.

If It’s Snow We’re Having

I put the vegetable dip in the Christmas bowl. I light all the candles. I turn up the heat. I even play a Christmas song. If it’s snow we’re having, let’s just embrace it. Let’s go all the way into watching holiday movies, sipping hot chocolate, and finding our warmest winter pajamas.

On this first day of spring that serves up snow and a darker, colder day, I decide to take it all in.

 

A Single Ant Who Comes to Visit Me

Every time I sit down to write at my computer, a tiny ant arrives to visit me. I’ve noticed this for a week now. I don’t eat up here, so there’s no food for this ant. And it’s never more than just this one ant.

It’s so strange. It’s whimsical.

I sit down to finish a project with my husband. We’re at the computer, and I say, “Just wait, my ant will come visit me–the single ant.” Sure enough, the ant arrives. I have a witness.

Sometimes I wonder about the natural, created world and the intelligence of insects that we simply cannot fathom.

All the Jamaican Spices

My daughter brought me two items I wanted from the market in Jamaica: coffee and spices for cooking. She purchased spices for Jerk Chicken, Jamaican Pumpkin Soup (a recipe involving chicken feet–I’ll use chicken breasts), and Rice and Peas. I’m excited to try new recipes with new flavors and report back to you. I’m thrilled that many of the Jamaican recipes I’m exploring involve coconut milk.

If you look at websites with recipes for Jamaican dishes, you can explore along with me.

Of all the meals I’ve cooked in the last 18 years, I’m excited to try this new adventure in Jamaican cooking.

Another Great Question to Ask Your Children

I have a friend who reminds me so much of my sixteen year old daughter. I decide to ask this wonderful friend what helped her connect so well with her mother–especially since the two have such a great relationship now in adulthood.

She tells me to ask my daughter to “tell me a story” about her day. It’s such a simple question: “Do you have a story about your day?” She loved it when her mom would ask her this question.

Something about inviting children of any age to tell you a story of something that happened to them makes them feel less stressed out, less interrogated, and less closed off. It’s a non-judgmental question, too. And I’m learning that everyone likes to tell a good story.

I plop down on her bed while she’s getting ready for work, and I ask, “Do you have a good story about your day so far?”

My friend also reminds me to let my daughter share as many details as she wants because, to her, they matter to the story. I’m normally telling my teen to “get to the point” or “bottom-line it” but that just shuts her down and harms our connection.

So I ask for the story.

And then, I hear all the great stories. 

She feels loved, and I feel connected.