Holly Smith Archives - The Mom Initiative

Making Plans to Succeed

A few years ago on a Sunday, we decided to stay home and have home church. Everyone was feeling OVERWHELMED, and I felt a strong leading to do a family assessment, individually and as a whole, and with that came a couple of pieces of insight that I believe will help YOU, too. We all have a nature that, when put in a passive mode, slips back into places that are like quick sand or even thick, muddy clay. Sometimes, we wake up and realize we are stuck or even worse, sinking! So whether it is a new school year or …

Praying Paint

Yes, you read that right! Sometimes local language and geographical accents collide to create a wonderful and beautiful, albeit confusing, story. We had just moved to the beautiful Rocky Mountain foothills of Colorado from the Piney Woods of East Texas. And this is how our story unfolded… As school began that fall, our oldest daughter, Kylie, was beginning kindergarten. On the second day of school, I had this discussion with her about some school supplies she was still lacking.. This is what I heard: Kylie: Mom, I need some praying paint. Me: You do? Why? Kylie: For school…my teacher says I …

When You Need God to Provide…

The past six months have been formative months for me. I can say it no other way. I have gone deeper with God, knowing that He alone can sustain the pressings of my heart. He is after all, the One who formed it. He is forming it still. His Light has come and permeated the dark recesses of my heart. His power has amazed me. His ability, astounded. His love has come and become my foundation–firmly establishing me in Him. One afternoon in March, I had time for a shower. The sun was gently filling the room. My heart was heavy–burdened …

Taking Down the Hindrances to Hospitality

As a newlywed, there were many obstacles that should have in all propriety and dignity (said tongue-in-cheek) kept us from hosting people in our home. We lived in a small apartment. We had little in provisions, financially. We didn’t have fancy napkins or table settings. Maybe it is a personality thing, but I plunged in and invited people anyway. We made lasting memories, not because we had a perfect place or perfect food, but because we had welcoming hearts to friends, new and old. Then something happened about five years into marriage. Someone told me that I needed to have certain …

Italian Fare on a Budget

Here is the last in our series of eating out foods you can make at home. I started with PF Changs, then moved on to Costa Vida, and today I really wanted to do Olive Garden, but I have only found one unique recipe that I use often. And I have lately seen Olive Garden copycats, so I’m going to share some Italian recipes from another restaurant we enjoy! We are from East Texas near the LA border, and a staple restaurant for us there was Copeland’s. My very favorite food there is this: Eggplant Pirogue 1 large eggplant (cut 1/2 inch …

Running on Empty

Six years into our marriage, still barren, I came desperately to God. I was running on empty and needed to not only know more of God Himself, but to be comfortable in my own shoes, as His beloved daughter. Still living to please others way more than I lived to please God, I found myself running on empty. It was time for me to take time out with God and know Him more. It was time to cease striving. For you see there was nothing I could DO that would put me into my heart’s desired place to be a …

‘Twas the Tuesday before Thanksgiving

…and all through the house, all the creatures went shopping, except for this mouse. So I sat and I listened to sounds of quiet cheer, and thanked God again for joy soon here. I’m supposed to be cleaning, but before I begin–I wanted to write this thankful note for both kith and kin. Those near and those far, I never forget–each face, through my memory, some I have never met. I stop for a moment and bend my knee, giving thanks for they’ve given so abundantly to me. A smile, a kind word or prayer and a gift–letting the dross …