Heather Holleman's Blog, page 228

Your Pumpkin Update

With the hot, sunny days and crisp, cool nights, these pumpkins thrive. We’ve cut back the big leaves to give the pumpkins full access to the sunshine. And the results:

Turndown Service for Your Family

Lately, I’ve been joking that, since my daughters no longer want to be “tucked in” because they’re staying up late with homework, I might provide a “Turndown Service” like at an exclusive resort. No one ever turns down the Turndown Service! Just like the Warm Welcome after school (candles lit, fun music, a snack, and beverage), the Turndown Service contains certain activities actually taught in the hotel management field of study.

It goes like this:

The Turndown Service includes a quick tidy of the bedroom, helping to reset it for the next day. It involves, most essentially, that you turn down the sheets and comforter and plump the pillows to invite sleep; you spray lavender on the pillows; you provide a cool drink of water; perhaps you play soft music, set a fan on, or open the window for the evening breeze. And, just like at a hotel, you can announce breakfast possibilities. I’ve also learned that part of exceptional Turndown Service includes arranging slippers and providing a “turndown gift” of some kind of treat. While I don’t provide chocolates, mints, or any kind of toiletries or towels folded into exotic birds, I do love the idea of leaving a little love note on the pillow.

I would have been a great hotel manager! I love the Turndown Service.

What began as something silly to treat family members like royalty in a resort (and to spend some time with my daughters before I went to bed) now has become a lovely evening ritual. And it feels like another way to live with flair.

Teaching What You’ve Learned

This morning, I read research about how the brain learns best. I’m always looking for new ways to engage students! I learn the importance of teaching as a way of learning. When you ask a student to teach another student (or the whole class) a concept, it reinforces so powerfully what the student attempts to learn.

Writing down what you’ve learned each day in a format (blog, social media post, email) designed to teach others solidifies knowledge in your brain. It’s so good for you! It helps build new neural pathways and strengthens existing ones. If you want to grow your brain, go teach others what you’re learning. On my class syllabus, I quote Parker Palmer: “We teach what we most need to learn.”

Strong Connection

As I marvel over my pumpkins in the pumpkin patch, I take a moment to observe each pumpkin’s strong connection to the vine.

No wonder. They grow so large because of this stem. I think of vital connection to God that determines the size, speed, and beauty of growth. I see the sturdy stem that supports the weight of such huge pumpkins. I realize how much we need that stem to carry whatever God grows in our lives.

Pumpkin Photo Update!

Blogging from Thousands of Miles Up

Do you remember when I blogged from atop a double-decker bus going to NYC for my friend’s book launch and signing? The new experience delighted me! And I loved taking you with me on the journey. I feel that way now, seven years later, writing on an airplane. Only this time, I’m returning from my own event where I signed books and spoke for women on all the best verbs in scripture (seated, included, guarded) and gave an ending talk on Luke 5 and what it means to leave everything to follow Jesus because He is that great. 

I remember at my friend’s party in New York how nervous I was to pitch a novel idea to an agent. I remember thinking how I’d always be an outsider in the whole world of publishing. I told this agent about my novel—her name was Kate and she was fancy and professional and kind— and I even sent her a copy of it which she rejected immediately.

Then I found another agent for that novel who, now, all these years later, and under the direction of another agent in that same agency, will try to sell the book again this very week! I love the timing of it. I love thinking about life and growth and flight patterns. Sometimes, you change course a bit. There’s turbulence. There’s stalling on runways and all kinds of uncomfortable delays. And sometimes, everything happens in a flurry and you’re running to catch flights.

I love that God sees the whole landscape of a life, like me looking down from this plane.

It’s beautiful. I’ll arrive right on time.

So hello to you from way up here in the sky. The sun sets. Night falls. And I’m here, amazed.

Pumpkin Update

I have no pictures. Imagine: deep, glorious orange. The leaves shrivel and allow the sun to ripen them. I’m amazed!

Faithful to God’s Word, Not Approval

As I speak in Colorado this weekend, I remember my goal: present God’s word. Rather than seeking approval, I seek alignment with this singular goal.

(If you don’t hear from me, for a few days, it’s because I’m high in the mountains with poor reception.)

 

 

A Fun Quote: The Juice is Worth the Squeeze

I read this today, and I laughed: “The juice is worth the squeeze.” It’s such a good reminder that whatever you’re going through–whatever crushing pressure or squeezing stress–is worth what it produces: dependence on God and humility.

The juice is worth the squeeze.

I think about perseverance, of setting hard goals, and about being uncomfortable in order to achieve something later.

The juice is worth the squeeze.

Another False Resting Place

These past few days, I’ve been so nervous about my fall speaking schedule. Will I do a good job? Will the women feel connected to God? Will my words make sense? Did I choose the right scriptures and stories?

I keep asking God to give me confidence and an overwhelming sense of peace regarding these events.

He doesn’t.

What He does do is remind me of a quote from Os Guinness in his book, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life. 

It’s this: “Unsure of ourselves, we are sure of God.”

I’m crunching acorns underfoot as I walk around the neighborhood in the dewy morning air. I think about how Paul must not have felt particularly comfortable or full of cozy feelings when about to suffer imprisonment or stoning. I think of so many other heroes of the faith who rested in Jesus and not in their own emotions about what was happening.

Unsure of themselves–or their circumstances–they could be sure of Jesus.

It feels like the breakthrough I need: moving forward, I am sure of Jesus, not myself or ability to perform, choose the right words, or create the right response. In fact, staying unsure of myself means I stay certain of Jesus; I’m dependent, humble, meek, and desperate.

I’m sure of Jesus.