Update!

So it's been a few months since I've last blogged! I've been through a bunch of changes and yet have enjoyed a bit of stability. Pierce is getting big, CJ is maturing, Lily is getting sassy-er and Amy and I have just gained weight and worked like dogs to get a handle on our lives. That means that we're fat and happy - Literally. Amy's not really fat at all but if you asked her she would tell you she's a cow. If she's a cow - then she's the hottest cow in the pasture. Me on the other hand, I'm the chunky cow that everyone stares at. I'm the cow that everyone feels sorry for because I'm too fat to run. Yep that's me! Moooo!!!

I just wanted to update that I may be starting a new blog soon about children's ministry, ministry in general, the church, and other church related stuff. We'll have to see how the Lord leads me on this. Who knows maybe I'll go back into just writing about my kids.

Talk to you soon.
Brian

Twitter, Facebook, Myspace...Oh My!

So I'm attempting to get all of my social networking things up to pace. Everyone I work with are Tech guys and they are all over these websites. I feel like an old person...WAIT...even old people are more tech saavy then me. This year we decided to move up to basic cable. My cell phone is soon to be an IPhone (this is HUGE!) and I work for technology company. My life is evolving to say the least.

Keep me in your prayers. I'm scared that someday I'm going to be one of those people that intimidate others because I know I so much about that "techno stuff"!!!

I'm going to go now and going to find out how to use the Google app on an IPhone so I can Twitter...what ever that means!!!!!

Brian

Fun Things to Talk About!

I haven't blogged in awhile but I thought of some blog worthy things to talk about...here goes:

1) Got a new job! I'll be selling churches the absolute best church management software available. This is right up my alley. I plan to rock at this new opportunity God has given me.

2) Got second job! I am the children's pastor for a great little start up church here in the Aubrey area. I'm honored to serve God in this capacity again. It's a part time thing but it will scratch my itch to teach kids about Jesus and God's plan for their lives.

3) CJ is three days away from going an entire 6 weeks without any behavior or academic issues at school. They call this Gatorific since his school mascot is a gator. Go CJ!!!

4) Lily and I participated in our first Daddy/Daughter Dance. I was in a bit of heaven dancing with the most beautiful 6 year old girl in the world. Of course they played "Butterfly Kisses" and I pretty much turned into mush.

5) Amy is enjoying being a mom. Pierce has pretty turned her into mush.

6) Pierce is too cute and is enjoying turning his mom into mush.

7) Ashlyn is more than likely going to school in College Station. I'm just glad she's wanting to go to school. Go Ashlyn!

8) Ginger & Snaps - Hairy, rotten, and cute.

That's all for now.
Brian

I'm so glad 08' is over!

I'd like to start this blog off with a sad but true statement: 2008 will go down in the Holt chronicles as the toughest year we've ever had! Toughest: Financially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Here's a quick list of the changes and result that made it tough for us in 08:

1) Amy and I quit all full time jobs and go full force into Amy Holt Design Jan 08:
THE GOOD: The business was good for three months. We worked great together! We had a our third child Pierce in April.
THE BAD: Part A) by April we lost our two biggest customers in one week (one went out of business, and we lost our contact with the other and the new person had their own designer).
Part B) Unfortunately when Pierce was born we also lost our ability to both work all day at the same time. Production was cut in half and so was our income.
THE UGLY: We went right through our savings and have basically gone broke!


WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF IT YOU ASK?

Ok, so it's not all about money but without money many other things are effected:

THE GOOD: God works through your family and friends and to provide...well...provisions!
THE BAD: 1) You have to make excuses to people about why you can't go do things or contribute to things. 2) You can't pay your bills and your credit goes down the toilet. 3)
THE UGLY: The evil one has a playing field to kick up stress, effect your love life, your family life and your ability to enjoy the little things - simply because the "big" things are saturating your mind. The money valley is one of the darkest, deepest and perhaps the hardest to climb out of. In addition, we've both gained weight and we don't feel as good as we should.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAITH?

Good question! It's amazing when you're down because your faith is constantly tested:

Here's what God has taught us:
1) We need Him!
2) He will take care of our needs!

3) We can live on less!
4) We need to go through valleys to appreciate the hills and the plains.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOING TO CHANGE IN O9 TO MAKE IT BETTER?

Good question again! Amy and I have prayed and God and has let us both know in various ways of a different plan He would like for us to follow. Here's the skinny:

1) He wants me to provide for this family.
2) He wants Amy to take care of this house.
3) He wants us to serve more, give more and love more.
4) He wants us to build kids of Character and He want us to be the model for that character.
5) He wants to honor Him through our marriage. That means: Make Him #1 and us #2 in our lives.

So there you have it. This is a long blog but it's my blog and I'm the only one reading it anyway - so who cares!

MAY GOD BLESS 09!

Brian

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

November comes every year and every year in America we get the opportunity and privilege to celebrate Thanksgiving. Family, food and football!!! I assume that the first Thanksgiving was a little different - probably more like family (what was left of them), food (what little they had) and football...oh well - two out of three isn't too bad.

This year we celebrated with Amy's father Bill and our friend Pam and her daughter's family. It was a nice time had by all.

This year I want to give thanks to God, my family and friends for being just who they are. God for being so good to me and my family. My family for being my family and my friends for still being our friends. Amy and really don't feel deserving of the love we get from God, our families and our friends. We are often in awe knowing we are as blessed as we are.

We hope that 2009, we are even more thankful.

I love giving thanks!

Brian

I'm on the B team!

I liked this devotional. I know that I'm on the B team and many times the third string or even the "Waterboy"!!!!


"B" Team
This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden

"Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people.’ And they left their nets at once and followed him.”—Matthew 4:19-20

If you were a race car driver, you would choose the fastest car. If you were a chef, you would choose the finest ingredients. If you were a jockey, you would want the strongest horse. If you were an athlete, you would want the best equipment. If you were a CEO, you would want the most qualified staff. If you were Jesus, you would want the weak and dependent?

What if I was to tell you that the Lord starts with the “B Team”? In fact, when Jesus picked his team (known as the 12 disciples), he actually picked those who had been glossed over by other rabbis and been left as fishermen. There was nothing special about the men. They were everyday, ordinary people. Jesus could have gone to the temples and chosen those who had memorized the Torah. He could have recruited men of influence and good standing. He could have chosen those who were popular or wealthy. Instead, he took the least of these. He looked past the most obvious apprentices, approached some fishermen and simply said, “Follow me.” They did.

The appendix in my Bible lists some of the characteristics of the first disciples. Perhaps you can relate to a few of them: treacherous, greedy, doubtful, despised, judgmental, short-tempered, impulsive. These were people who struggled with imperfections. One reason they all stood out was that they were willing to leave everything to follow Jesus. They were willing to leave everything behind to follow the Way, the Truth and the Life.

What about you? Are you still waiting to make yourself perfect before you try to really follow Jesus? Or, are you ready to see that God has picked you for His team? As much as you may have feared that you might be picked last, He picked you first. Why? He believes in you. He knows what you can do through Him and for Him. It is when you are willing to sit humbly at His feet and acknowledge your need for Him that God will show you great strength found in Him. He will make you fishers of men.

Now that was some high quality H20!

Brian

Some more brilliant greatness from our friends at Sesame Street!

I dream of triangles too!

Brian