I think it’s Monday. I think I’m at work. I think I need to hurry this blog so I can go get more coffee.

See it’s been yet another weekend of lot’s of fun and little sleep. Holly had asked me a very long time ago if I would help her with Rebekah’s birthday, and I said I would. It was to be Saturday night and she was going to have a few people over and let the older girls stay. (Chloe was going to stay because I was going to stay) I told her I would. Well some of the youth girls wanted to spend the night at her house Friday. So, Holly said they could. Holly pours her heart and soul into these kids. She wants each one to know they are special to her. So when the few wanted to come over, even if timing wasn’t the best, she’d still say “OK.” and have a great time. Well, Holly says “You and Chloe stay Friday night too.” All the while the 80s back-to-school party for youth is uppermost in my thinking. Vision was supposed to be in charge of the food for the party, and Holly wanted me to come to her house right after work Friday (with clothes for the entire weekend). I couldn’t quite figure out how I was going to pull this off, since I didn’t have the first thing bought for Sunday, but I knew if any person could help me accomplish this, it was Holly. I went home and threw mine and Chloe’s stuff in my car and took of for Holly’s. I got there, and after a lil’ bit she and I went to Harris Teeter for a few snacks. We got home and the kids started gathering. Meagan and Ashley were there too. Richard and a few of the upcoming senior guys, and Mark, went to hang for a bit and then they came back to Holly’s. The guys continued to ignore me as I said “Well, I hate y’all have to go.” We went to bed so late. So, so late. Saturday we got up, Rich came home to tend to the girls and Holly and I headed out to accomplish what were obviously impossible tasks. In a two hour time span we were going to get the things for the party, plus for the 80s party (which involved various locations). We did it. As I said with Holly these things just work out. We were also trying to get out “outfits” for the 80s party, which for us wasn’t too hard to figure out, ‘cause we both know all about the 80s. We got back and Rich was getting stressed (or so I thought). “Holly, do you have………………………………….??” Some things she didn’t have yet. I thought I perceived tension and stress. Party happened successfully, and as I said, with Holly it just works out. At some point in the night Richard was going to his mom’s for a bit, and to the church as well to see how the decorations were coming along that Meagan and Christi were doing for the party. When he left I hopped up and said “Holly, let’s get all this cleaned up.” “What? Gina, sit down and rest. Rachel’s gonna dance for us.” “Holly, we need to get all this done first. I think Richard was getting upset. I don’t want him to be upset and stressed out.” “Huh? Gina, he is not stressed out. That’s not being upset. I told you, we don’t even ever argue.” “Well, what was it then?’ “It was nothing. Now sit down. We’ll do all that in a little bit.” As I said with Holly…………ya know. Everyone went to bed very late. Now 2^nd night in a row. Sunday morning we had to get umpteen kids and us to church with their bags and sleeping stuff. I don’t think I was very helpful to Holly on Sunday morning. Church Sunday morning was absolutely wonderful. The content of the message was dead on. Now, after church I still had to get the rest of the food for the party. Dress up. Oh yea, and Pat invited us to eat. But, Holly would be with us, so it would work out. The party was a 100% success in every way, and Richard delivered a powerful message, that challenged us all for this upcoming year. I would like to talk in detail about Sunday and may in the next day or two. (103) in attendance last night at the party!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s right. (103).

Now as you noticed, I’ve commented throughout about Holly. I learned some powerful things this weekend. Holly has learned/is learning to not take offense to every single thing, and to live her life in joy no matter the outward circumstance. I mean when I thought Rich was upset, and Holly said he wasn’t, she saw it for what it was. He’s exhausted. His mom is dying. He has the call of God on his life to lead youth. I could tell she genuinely meant it when she said “Oh, he’s not upset.” Therefore there was never any tension between them. Me on the other hand, I take offense to most things when it comes to Mark. See it’s my choice to be offended or not to be. http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2008/06/26/dont-get-offended/

It was huge for me and a realization of how I’ve seen Holly maintain and survive and thrive and grow. She chooses not to be offended. I’m not putting her in a high place and exalting her to something she’s not. She’s human and she has struggles. But I’m watching her attempt to live by this. The other thing Holly does is LIVE. She doesn’t sit around and worry and tomorrow and next week and next year and sacrifice today to do it. I’ve watched she and Richard be wonderful parents to Rachel and Rebekah and yet spend time and invest in others and maintain one of the strongest marriages I’ve ever seen. I believe the key is living in the moment. Let the hate mail roll in, but I don’t care. Yes, planning is wise. Yes, goals are good. But I told my class this statement recently and believe this is one of my new life themes: HESITATION CAUSES CANCELLATION. When you hesitate to live in Christ-the world system of pretend godliness takes over. That system says you survive in Christ not live in Christ. Yesterday Roger touched on the rich young ruler who was told by Christ “sell everything and follow me.” See Jesus wasn’t saying “Become a pauper and follow me.” Jesus was saying “Trust in me to meet your every need.” The problem wasn’t the money, the problem was the trust. People read that story and assume that man was gonna have a miserable life if he followed Jesus, as if Jesus wanted that or something. If that man sold everything, and gave to the poor that doesn’t mean he would never have food, or clothing. It meant he fully knew Jesus would be the source of his needs. This is why people looking inside the church from the outside sometimes turn away. We present as miserable. Who wants that? I used to always tell Holly, “No. My house is a wreck, I can’t go. I’m too tired. I’ve gotta……………..” when she would invite me to do something, and I would think “How can she do this right now??? Isn’t she worried about the Beauty Within Seminar? I mean it’s 6 months away, she needs to plan for that tonight. I mean goodness, it’s only 8 years until Rebekah leaves for college. They need to plan what color she wants her room. Silly isn’t it. But truthful. But Holly doesn’t live like that-therefore she LIVES.

So, last night after the 80s party, after a few hours sleep the entire weekend, after all that, when Meagan said “Can people come over? It’s my last night at church before college?” I said “Yes.” Because I could see it for what it was. The last Sunday night Meagan could be with her friends before college. Plus I could see it for what it wasn’t. It wasn’t going to be the end of my life if I went one more night with too little sleep. If the house wasn’t perfect, or if I came to work with bags under my eyes the size of a White Castle Hamburger- that doesn’t determine who I am.

Thanks girl!! Thanks again!