Hello Friends.

Thanks to each of you who have taken the time to visit Annie’s Website and to share your thoughts and your love with us. Your words of encouragement are a salve for our hearts.

Annie and so many others are encouraging us from that great cloud of witnesses in heaven and we are fighting the good fight of faith. Lest you think we have some great spiritual formula figured out - we don’t. Life in the earth realm can be wickedly difficult. We continue to do the best we can as we try to re-calibrate our lives after losing Annie. It isn’t pretty and the temptation to quit is ever-present.

On a lighter note, I was reading STLTODAY.COM yesterday and I liked what Bernie Miklasz said. “TV is the God of a dumb downed culture.” As I tuned down my flat screen to consider what he was saying, I realized he was speaking to me! There is no doubt that God is looking for people whose hearts are completely His! Anyway, if you know anyone who wants a good deal on three flat panel tv’s, have them give me a call!

God Bless,

Jim and Elly Hollinshead

Hello All,

I hope you get the opportunity to read what Annie’s best friend, Sophia has to say about her times with Annie and her encouragement for us. As you probably know, the one year Anniversary of Annie’s Homegoing is April 10th and these are pretty rough times for us. Thank you so much Sophia for being so full of love and for making such a difference not only in Annie’s life but ours, too. Annie’s Mom and I sat here and wept as we carefully read each and every word your wrote. We miss Annie so badly, Sophia. Thank you for encouraging us to continue on. Your words are like a healing on ointment for our broken hearts. We will do as you have instructed and forge ahead with the work of maintaining and extending Annie’s legacy. Thank you for being our friend. We love you so much. Please give big hugs to all of the girls and to your mom.

With Love,

Annie’s Mom and Dad

I don’t know how many of you still follow this site, but if you do, I wanted to ask a favor of you. Would you think of and share special memories of Annie that you have on here. I’ve been spending time writing down special memories and what she liked to do, etc., and would love it if you could share your special memories of her too.

The holidays were difficult and we continue to miss her tremendously. We thank you for continuing to think of us and pray for us.

As we move forward, remembering all the specialness of Annie helps to keep her fresh in our hearts.

Thank you,

Love, Elly

I was shopping on EBay (I love EBay!) the other day and asked the Seller of a pair of Cole Haan Dress Shoes (that I had taken a liking to) a general question in EBay’s Messaging Center about the color of the shoes. The answer to my question was “black,” but, what stood out in my mind’s eye was that the Seller ended his message to me with “God Bless You” -Bobby.
As is my custom, I took the opportunity to thank Bobby for blessing me with these words and mentioned that I would be honored if he would visit my daughter’s website. I never bought the shoes Bobby was selling, but, Bobby took the time to visit Annie’s Website and this is what he told me after his visit;

“Wow, let me start by explaining, My Father Died Jan 2 2007, and my Mother Died Nov 19 2007, they were divorcerd 40 years ago, and I found the need to Ask God, “what, why, after forty years apart would be the reason they would both go Home in the same year?” But, after hearing and reading Annie’s Story, I realize I am not worthy to ask.

Bobby (Texas)

Friends,

Happy New Year to all of you! We wanted to share this word of encouragement with you that came from Annie’s Grandma, Joan Hollinshead. We trust it will bless you as much as it has blessed us. - Jim and Elly

“TRUST ME WITH EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING! WHAT I CAN ACCOMPLISH IN AND THROUGH YOU IS PROPORTIONAL TO HOW MUCH YOU DEPEND ON ME.

ONE ASPECT OF THIS IS THE DEGREE TO WHICH YOU TRUST ME IN A CRISIS OR MAJOR DECISION. SOME PEOPLE FAIL MISERABLY HERE WHILE OTHERS ARE AT THEIR BEST IN TOUGH TIMES.

ANOTHER ASPECT IS EVEN MORE TELLING: THE CONSTANCY OF YOUR TRUST IN ME. PEOPLE WHO RELY ON ME IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY MAY FORGET ABOUT ME WHEN LIFE IS FLOWING SMOOTHLY. DIFFICULT TIMES CAN JOLT YOU INTO AWARENESS OF YOUR NEED FOR ME, WHEREAS SMOOTH SAILING CAN LULL YOU INTO THE

I CARE AS MUCH ABOUT YOUR TINY TRUST-STEPS THROUGH DAILY LIFE AS ABOUT YOUR DRAMATIC LEAPS OF FAITH. YOU MAY THINK THAT NO ONE NOTICES, BUT THE ONE WHO IS ALWAYS BESIDE YOU SEES EVERYTHING - AND REJOICES!

CONSISTENTLY TRUSTING IN ME IS VITAL TO FLOURISHING IN MY PRESENCE. SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE: PSALM 40:4; PSALM 62W:8, ISAIAH 26:3-4

STUPOR OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

This is the day that the Lord has made, we are rejoicing and we are glad - in it!

Well, we are excited to be moving on from 2007 and into a New Year!

What’s going on with Jim and Elly?

We are taking our place, finding our pace, and running our race! It’s really that simple!

Life is so precious and we are cleaving to the goodness of The God who has brought us this far. There is no turning back for Jim and Elly Hollinshead and 2008 will be a most wonderful year.

We have invited God into those places in our hearts that still need attention and repair and we have sanctified (committed) our hearts to setting our affections on things above and not on the things of this earth which are temporary and fleeting. Like tiny grains of sand, the days of our lives seem to slip through our hands and into the wind so quickly.

THANK YOU to everyone who has helped us in 2007. It wasn’t easy. That is for sure, but, together, we made it through. We Praise and Thank God for every one of you and WE LOVE YOU so much.

We enjoyed 10 days in Sanibel, Florida for Christmas and got some sun and ate plenty of fish! It was good to get away from the familiarity of St. Louis during the Christmas Holiday, needless to say.

Well, we are moving on into the New Year and ready to Honor God and Help People. That includes YOU! Please let us know how we can help you or pray for you or whatever you need. We want to give. Please allow us that privilege.

Don’t forget to check out annieh.com and please buy some Annie Hollinshead Foundation License Plate Frames. They are cool and the money goes to help children!

Our Best,

Jim and Elly Hollinshead

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe and joy filled Christmas 2007. We are in Florida at Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary’s beautiful home on Sanibel Island, taking in lots of sun and eating plenty of Grouper.

Annie’s Uncle Mike and Aunt Holli had a beautiful Christmas Wreath and Red Christmas Stocking made that they placed at Annie’s gravesite. It really touched our hearts. Yes, our first Christmas without ourr princess is painful, beyond description. We feel very alone and very empty and are just trying to get by, one day at a time. Your love and your prayers and support mean more than you may ever know. Thank You and God Bless you.

Jim and Elly Hollinshead

PS: A picture of Annie’s Christmas arrangement is posted on the home page of ANNIE.COM.

Hey Everybody,

If you get a chance, please visit Annie’s Store on ANNIE.COM. Our first “product” are Annie Hollinshead Foundation License Plate Frames. They are very stylish and the proceeds go to help the families that this outreach serves.

We Love You,

Jim and Elly H

Hello Friends!

Just wanted to let you know that The Annie Hollinshead Foundation has some cool plans for the Holidays and thought you might want to take a look at annieh.com.

Thanksgiving was a disaster for us, but, God sent an angel in the form of a couple whom we love and admire so much who are sending us to Florida for the Christmas Holiday! We love them so much and we are so relieved to be esacping all of the memories of Christmas’ past with Annie and going to the beach, where we can rest and unwind and catch a much needed break. We Praise God for our wonderful friends who made this possible. They are divine.

Please visit Annie’s website if you can and let us know how you are doing. We miss hearing from many of you and want to know how you are doing and what is new in your lives.

We Love You,

Jim and Elly H

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends. Thank you for helping us thru the struggles this year, and continuing to love and uphold us. Today, although we miss Annie greatly and think about memories of her eating a turkey leg, toasting over the meal 10 times, etc… we are also very thankful that we were given the Gift of Life in Annie — a true miracle — and for 7.5 years.

Please see annieh.com if you get a chance this weekend. We love you all and are thankful for you!