I’m not really sure when I started reading Holly’s blog, Seeking Faithfulness. If I had to describe her in one word I would have a hard time choosing between three, grace-filled, meek and kind.

Holly is a mother of 8 who feeds her family a rather “crunchy” diet, she would definitely be my hero if I had one. Without trying she intimidates me to no end. And knowing what I do of her, she probably shuddered a bit as she read that.

Take a few minutes to read her interview below and you’ll see what I mean about her.

Me: Holly, thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. I know that you are a busy woman so we’ll get right to it.

What are the good things blogging has brought to your life?

Holly: Blogging has expanded my world. I’ve gained good friends from around the globe, and learned so much in the process. It has given me a place to practice writing, which is something that I love to do but haven’t always taken the time to do. It is an outlet, a place to record all of the strange and wonderful emotions of mothering. It is also a written record for my children. Some day, I hope they look back on these years when they were all at home, and think, “those were good days.” It gets crazy around our house, with 8 children ages 5 months to almost 16 years.

Me: Is there anything you find disturbing about blogging?

Holly: I find it strange that people can build a blogging empire giving advice on something they have not yet achieved or are not yet proficient at.

Me: My guess is that you probably don’t want to give us any examples so we’ll just move on.

Ultimately, what would you like your blog to accomplish for you or others?

Holly: When I started blogging on my own, I offered my blog up to the Lord to use in any way that He would choose. I cannot measure the results of that, of course, but I believe that He uses our willing hearts and hands. I keep telling Him, “As long as You keep sending ideas, I’ll keep blogging.” Most of the time, I’m rolling in ideas. The busy days of being a mom keep me from blogging more. J Ultimately, I’d love to write a book or two or many more…but that is up to Him!

Me: Promise me you’ll let me know when you get your first book deal because yours is one I would buy. Honest.

You seem like a very easy going person, is there anything in real life that gets you worked up?

Holly: a) It really, really bugs me when my children walk on the back of my flip flops when we are walking together somewhere.

b) It bugs me when everyone finishes my sentences. This is my real theory about mothers and Alzheimers. Eventually, if no one lets you complete your thoughts, you lose the ability to speak in sentences.

Me: I love asking that question because I’m always surprised by the answers. I didn’t picture you as the flip flop type. No idea why.

After reading your blog for a while I feel like I might know the answer to this one but for our readers, can you tell us what your true passion is in life?

Really? Just one? Oh, goodness. I’m passionate about everything from chocolate to cloth diapers to scrapbooking to gardening….I tell God that I need at least 20 lifetimes to do it all. He tells me that I only get one, so to make it count. He reminds me that there is eternity to enjoy much more than I can imagine.

So, to pick one passion: Families.

Daddies and Mommies who desperately love each other and who are devoted to pouring their lives into their children. Parents who are faithful to each other for life, who can look beyond the difficulties that come with raising children to the future generations that are to be born, who will be better off because of their commitments NOW.

Me: That was so beautiful! That said, what is the one piece of advice that you love to give to people?

Well, no one asks…but this is what I’d say if they did.

“Do not worry about what other people think about you. It. Does. Not. Matter. Seek out, and be faithful instead, to what God has for YOU to do. Do not spend time trying to be someone else, or to measure up to someone else, or even to please anyone else. Spend time developing the YOU God wants you to become.”

(This makes housework and child-raising so much easier….)

Me: Point taken! I will not let your well-thought-out, intelligent, grace-filled posts intimidate me any longer. Instead I’ll learn to let them motivate me!

Important facts about Holly:

How old are you? -39

Married - Yes, for 19 years this month!

Children? - Eight.

If so, homeschool, private or public? Homeschool - from the beginning.

Favorite season? - Fall, or Spring. I can’t decide.

Favorite past time? - Reading, or writing, thrift store haunting.

Favorite color - sky blue

Favorite movie? - Toy Story 2, the part where Jessie sings, “When She Loved Me.” I cry EVERY TIME!

Favorite song? - I do not have one.

What kind of car do you drive. Car? I don’t know. It’s grey. But my BIG MAMA VAN…she’s a 15 passenger Ford.

Mac or PC - I have a PC. My son says that I want a Mac.

Dog or Cat. We have a cat. I’d choose neither.

Salt or Pepper. Real Salt, from Utah.

Vanilla or Chocolate? What kind of a question is THAT? Chocolate.

Diet Coke, Sweet Tea or Evian? - Mountain Dew

Steak, Chicken, or Shrimp? - All THREE.

Type the first word that pops in your head after reading the five below.

1. Emotional: 12 year old girls and 2 year old boys.

2. Devastation: Hurricane

3. Pleasure: quiet

4. Crown: Dentist bills

5. Eastern: Europe

That was such a pleasure, Holly. Thank you again for your time.

Categories: Interviews
Tags: faith, families, large families