Introducing myself

Well hi there. I wasn't really going to post this right at this moment - in fact I really just wanted to take a shower and go to bed. But I had already started making everything else to do with this, so why not make a first post?

Anyway you can call me Hollie.

You are probably wondering why I am writing a blog in the first place. Good (and valid) question. Lately I have been thinking a lot of my life. In looking back I have seen where God has taken me from. As a child that was forced to move around a lot (I am neither an army brat or a pastors kid, for the record) and many times I would think, "Well God if I had stayed here I could have ....... or ......" and would question why He decided I shouldn't stay there. Only recently have I been able to figure out possible (and likely) scenarios of what could have happened if I had stayed at each place in my life. And trust me, not one of them are pretty.
So for the first little while this blog is just going to be a written version of my testimony (something I am usually loath to share, but God is very persistent in me telling it). After that I'm not sure.

If your wondering about the blogs strange name. 23 is the book of Isaiah, and then sixty one three is the reference the a verse. I like the verse for it says (paraphrase) that God will give us a garment of joy for our sorrow and beauty for our ashes. My story really is a beauty for ashes type of story (or so people tell me. Personally I think my life is pretty much average.) But I love the promise that God will take our bad and give us good.

Now I should warn you in advance. I am very blunt at times, I tend to call things as I see them. I am critical. And I can be cynical. I know I'm not perfect, and I can easily over look my faults. I will be mentioning God frequently, and if you don't like that, or are uncomfortable with that - well I'm not going to apologize. God is the reason I am here and able to tell you this. (Like I said, critical. No one has said anything and already I'm on the defensive). Please bare with me, as I am still growing and learning and have definitely not reached holiness yet.

Anyway, if you're willing to look past my faults then welcome aboard. Please keep hands feet and arms in the vehicle at all times (this will be a bumpy ride) and buckle up for your own safety. Lets see where this ride takes us.

Hollie