Saturday morning update: OH MY WORD, YOU GUYS! THIS TURNED OUT TO BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS EVER ON THIS BLOG! SO MUCH FUN! You guys are incredibly interesting. I am knocked out right now with a sense of awe that God would allow me to interact with you. I have tons of respect for you guys. Keep doing the thing and keep resisting the cookie cutter despite the (Christian??) social pressure. You are much more interesting this way. Just hold close to Jesus and don’t let being different become it’s own pretense or attention-getter. Keep that gorgeous authenticity that makes this community my favorite cyber spot on earth. Good grief, I am so thankful for y’all.
Hey, everybody! It’s been a long time since we’ve done a survey to see who God has brought together to form this sisterhood. It’s a blast not only to behold our common bonds in Christ but to revel in our diversity as a community of very different people committed to one glorious Savior. We’d be bored stiff if we only opened our hearts and lives to those who are just like us. If we have to line up exactly on about 100 points of doctrine, we are liable to get pretty lonely. We don’t even necessarily have to work out a difference to our mutual satisfaction to treat one another with mutual esteem and to honestly love one another. Always preferring someone remarkably similar across the table from us still smells a lot like Narcissus. We may even be fooling ourselves but, at the end of the day, it’s just another form of mirror gazing. Gross.
When I get to see a group of you out there after a Living Proof Live, I always wish I could freeze the moment and stare at each of you one by one. It is the most incredibly refreshing sight. You cannot fathom how different we look in person, all banded together in a holy huddle. It makes me so dang happy. It is clear in that context that we were drawn together by something so far removed from packaging. You and I know that is Jesus. Oh, how I pray that God smiles when He drops in on this community, holds time tightly in His hand, and stares at each of us one by one.
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:11-12
OK! What do you say we do a survey? Complete each of the following as succinctly as possible. Lindsee and I will LOVE bringing these in. Let’s do this today for the pure Jesus-joy of celebrating community!
1. Your name and where you live.
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
5. What is your #1 hobby?
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am ___________________________________________________________________.
1. Amy, Savannah GA
2. 25
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? Age 18, when I went to college. I got involved in a college ministry and I still remember to this day a man leading a Bible Study using the cross to connect God and man. Talk about a light bulb. Best thing that has ever happened to me.
4. What line of work are you in? I am a medical student, in my last year. 8 months from now I will be a pediatrician. 🙂
5. What is your #1 hobby? reading and learning, mostly about the Bible
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? yes, CBC of Savannah church
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. Nope!
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
being rejected by a guy/ my baby cousin being born
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
Beach or lake, no work to do. Shopping!
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am open-minded.
1. Rose in Dallas, TX
2. mid-30’s
3. My Sunday school teacher led me to Jesus when I was five, glory to God!
4. Fourth grade teacher
5. I decorate sugar cookies
6. Grace Bible Church in Dallas
7. No pets
8. ANOTHER huge car repair bill / climbing a gorgeous mountain on a perfect summer day
9. Oooh! I’m doing this tomorrow! Curled up in a fluffy robe with a pot of tea and a stack of books, with the occasional foray into the kitchen to concoct something wonderful.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am a total bookaholic, absolutely addicted to the written word. 🙂
Fun times, girls! Great idea. God bless you!
1. Brenda in Chicago
2. 32
3. Jesus has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I remember making decisions to follow Him as a child and also during a conference in high school.
4. I am a former kindergarten teacher who loves staying at home with her girls…and I’m not going to lie, I love wearing sweatpants to work!
5. Reading or playing sports
6. New Life Church (part of the CRC, but you’d never guess it! =)
7. Dreaming of a future puppy!
8. Due to a job change, our family is moving to a new community about 45 minutes away. We’re excited to see where God is leading our family, but also disappointed to leave family and friends. I recently started a Bible study with some friends from church and I’m going to miss being close to them. My biggest excitement is seeing how God is using our struggle with infertility to help others in similar situations.
9. Sleep! Sleep, sleep, waffles, sleep, reading in a sunny and cozy place, shopping, some sort of water activity, laughter, getting dressed up and having a nice dinner by a sunset…followed by sleep with the windows open (can you guess I have a newer baby?)
10. They realize that I am really silly and goofy. I tend to be quiet and shy around new people which gets mistaken for “stuck-up-ness”
1. Jennifer Woodstock, CT
2. 40 (Yikes!!)
3. In the car on the way to a dog show–July 4, 2009. And also the 5th and the 6th just to be sure it took!!!
4. I’m a writer.
5. Dog shows
6. No
7. Two German Shepherd Dogs and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi
8. Disappointment – this season of the sitcom Up All Night
Elation – discovering Tractor Supply Co is a great place to shop for clothes!!
9. Wearing cute new boots and eating a red velvet cupcake–in Paris!!
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am dying to learn how to hunt!! ___________________________________________________________________.
Keith would love you, Jennifer! But I am not introducing him to any fascinating 40 year old women. Hahahahaha.
1. Patsy, Phoenix AZ
2. 73
3. Age 14, Sunday School, Denton TX
4. Retired [former computer operator/office staff]
5. Reading
6. Yes, Living Streams Church, non-denominational
7. yes, dogs, cocker spaniel & dachshund mix
8. Medical procedure failed to correct health problem
9. Kick back & read a good fiction book
10. Uncomfortable in crowds of any kind
1. Waukesha, Wisconsin
2. 51
3. Accepted Jesus around family room table around age 19-20 with my mom leading me
4. RN by profession. As my husband would put it “The CEO of our family” 🙂
5. Hobby- Exercise/prayer walks
6. No, looking for a new church that worships with abandonment & solid life changing teaching. So hard to admit that!
7. No pets-call my daughters my pets, grin
8. Recent disappointment-close friendship falling away. not making any time for me. She lives 2 blocks away (: Recent elation-my uncle holding my face in his hands, kissing my hands & telling me how proud he was of me & how much he loved me 48 hrs after we flew home from LA.
9. Perfect Saturday-Starbucks ice tea, farmers market, walking around river, lunch then shopping with my daughters.
10. That when I say “I have an idea” that means I want an outing or trip planned with them. Especially LPL & SSMTC!!!!
Love you, Friend! 🙂
Your name and where you live.
Patty McCabe Live in Lafayette, IN
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin)
55 (Oct. 2nd)
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
In 1977. Don’t remember the setting. Had been to camp as a counselor.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
Work in Food Service.
5. What is your #1 hobby?
probably reading.
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
Go to Northview Church in Lafayette,IN campus. Main campus is in Carmel, IN Steve Poe is pastor at Carmel. Get it thru satelite.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
Yes, Black Lab named Snow White. She came from a rescue (Almost Home).
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. I don’t know where to start on this one. Having a job for the past 2 yrs. that I can actually have money to spend on myself.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
Lazing around the house just watching t.v. or reading.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am
A kind, caring, understanding person. I don’t have many patients these days.
1. Chelsea Snow, Albuquerque, New Mexico
2. 25
3. 8 years old at awana.
4. I’m a Portrait Artist(Mostly children)
5. I’m an Artist so everything with Paper!
6. Sagebrush community Church
7. Black doe eyed deer Chihuahua named Bridgette <3
8. uncertainty.
9. Whole family together, doesnt matter what we do, it's always a good time.
10. … A Mess.
Sharon Crouch, Pontotoc, Mississippi
56
I was saved at the age of 9, on July 21, 1966, at Vacation Bible School. We were living in Colorado Springs, CO (my dad is retired Air Force and worked at NORAD). It was a mission church, that actually met in the pastor’s home. We worshipped in his basement.
I am a teller at First National Bank of Pontotoc where I’ve worked for the past 33 years.
I love to travel and crochet!
I am a member of West Heights Baptist Church, Pontotoc, where I serve as WMU Director. I love missions!
I have a beagle named Killer, who is really a sweetheart.
My biggest disappointment was the loss of my mother on Aug. 25, 2012. That has been the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with. My biggest elation hasn’t happened yet, although my doctors tell me I will not be taking cancer medicine after December. Praise the Lord!
A perfect Saturday would either consist of getting together with friends and doing dinner and a movie, or just chilling with a good book (or my Kindle). Please, no housework!
Only people that really know me know that I am basically a quiet,shy person.
That was so much fun!! We should do this more often!
1. Melanie, Griffin, GA
2. 45
3. I was 18. I went to Christian Weekend at Six Flags and heard a local worship band. I told my friend I wanted to go to that church, but I didn’t know where it was. On the highway home we kept missing exits, and finally took the next one in frustration, as lost as could be. Of course, God led us straight to the church. I knew then that He loved me.
4. English Teacher
5. Reading, singing
6. Oak Hill Baptist
7. Two cats, two birds, two fish, one harried dachshund
8. Recent elation: my two sons (6, 8) accepting Christ
9. Perfect Sunday: An awesome worship service, followed by a big family lunch, a cuddly nap with my hubby, and time to read, reflect, and take a bubble bath!
10. Only people who know me realize my house is a mess, but my closets are perfectly organized by color
1) Jill Opella, Austin, TX
2) 36
3)16 at church
4)quality of life coordinator (stay at home mom)
5)Beth Moore Bible studies 😉
6) New Hope Baptist, Cedar Park, TX
7) Love my rat terrier, Vania and my two cats, Mabel and Maurice
8) the death of my father / God is breaking my stronghold! Praise Him!!!
9) relaxing, taking a walk with the family (including my dog), farmer’s market
10) Get pretty grumpy when I’m hungry.
My Amanda calls that being hangry.
Love it! I’m going to have to use that one. Our whole family is hypoglycemic, so it’s a regular occurrence (best seen on Thanksgiving, if lunch is late). lol 😉
1. Your name and where you live: Diane Konkol, Ogden, Utah.
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin): 42 as of this past February.
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? June of the completion of my 5th grade year, the pastor gave us our very own Bibles, it was a cornflower blue, soft-covered RSV, and read from it often in the early mornings whether or not I always understood the depths of what I was reading then.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.). I’m a full-time single parent of two, full-time university student at Weber State University.
5. What is your #1 hobby? Seriously??? Other than remembering to pray, breathe, read my Bible/do whatever my current study of the moment is, and take care of my children: homework!!!!!!! And lots of it!
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? I need to leave this question alone for the time being due to significant, painful hurt, that happened to me over the summer where my kids and I have been attending. It still hurts though apologies & forgiveness has been asked for and given.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. My kids and I have a cat, aptly named Buster -or “Mr.Buster!” when he’s being exceedingly cute or exasperating, LOL. He is our snuggle-bug pet, sings so loud and often, to us and for us, and he hops on laps as quick as he can find one when we’re home from our schools for the evening! 🙂
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. My biggest recent disappointment, see question 6’s response. My biggest elation: That I serve a risen Savior, and no amount of man’s manipulative, hurtful workings can take that from me no matter how great their efforts. God’s promises are true, man can’t top that or bottom it out, because God is God no matter what!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. For me, it’s a cup of tea (ice or hot, depending on the weather) and a good book to read with my cat curled on my lap singing away, and my kids happily playing with friends or reading a book.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am not afraid to live my faith, take what comes with it -good/bad/otherwise, and put my belief & faith in God’s promises ahead of anything mankind has tried to offer over the years.
1. Dalyn- Yakima, Washington
2. 43
3. Believer in mid-twenties- bad upbring, bad marriage, needed help and was graciously offered forgiveness! I took it beofre somebody changed His mind! 😛
4. Im a stay at home mom for the past 15 years. I homeschool my kids, run the small horse ranch we live on, and do foster care for drug-effected infants.
5. Biblestudy!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Horseback riding, cheesemaking and soapmaking too.
6. Two.Non denom. and Baptist
7. ha ha! 5 horses, a herd of dairy goats ( we drink the milk raw, make raw cheeses and icecream, etc.), flock of chickens, flock of heritage breed turkeys, a goose, barn cats and two dogs. (one is very elderly and needs to be put down- we are praying for the Lord to give us the courage for that since He didn’t see fit to answer our prayer that the old boy would peacefull die in his sleep)
8. disappointment: the 9 month old baby we have had since he was 3 weeks old is scheduled to go to his mother soon. – slash – your biggest recent elation: I’m getting the iPhone 5 on the 18th. Hey! Don’t judge, it’s the little things! Actually- my biggest elation is my 20 year old pregnant daughter has repented and returned to the LORD! PLT!!!!
9. Books, (decaf)coffee, sleep. When I’m not exhausted it’s horseback riding, friends, and food.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am: not an adrenaline junky. I really like a quiet life. Really.
1. Melinda, Independence, MO
2. 36
3. 15 at a youth retreat
4. Stay at home mom who also is a home educator
5. Bicycling! I love my bike.
6. Yes, the East Independence Church of Christ
7. 2 – a black and white cat named Phantom, and a 1/2 Saint Bernard and a 1/2 something else dog named Nana (after Peter Pan).
8. The loss of contract in my DH’s job (still trying to have faith on this one). And I don’t know. I’m struggling with elation right now.
9. Sleeping in, riding my bike without getting tired, reading books, and watching Doctor Who without interruptions, and having someone else go grocery shopping for me.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am introverted and insecure, and that I am “OCD” for a valid reason.
1. Melinda – Eckley, CO
2. 42
3. As a child, probably 8 at VBS
4. I am a stay at home mom and we homeschool and I also do child care.
5. I love to read, and write.
6. New Life Christian Center
7. 1 big dog and 2 little dogs
8. My husband lost his job almost a year ago but my elation has been God’s provision!
9. The perfect Saturday would be waking at 8. Having french toast and bacon for breakfast. Scrapbooking/crafting with my girls during the morning and then baking during the afternoon. Having a dinner out with my husband.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am worth knowing.
1. Sarah Wheat West Monroe, La
2. 20, almost 21 🙂
3. 8 years old at a church outreach event
4. Junior at La Tech University-training to be an elementary teacher (maybe)
5. Watching movies! My favorites are old musicals and Disney movies
6. Yes! First Baptist Church in Monroe, La
7. 2 dogs, Sobe and Boudreaux. both mixed breads
8. my classes at school this quarter. I am so miserable in my classes that I’m considering changing majors. BUT my first nephew was born one week ago today. He made everything a little better for me. 🙂
9. Perfect Saturday…spending time with my friends!
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am hoping to work for Disney one day…soon!
1. Tiffany Morse, Dallas, TX
2. going into my late 30’s ( I adore getting older)
3. 6- sunday school- I remember beaming on the drive home knowing that if Jesus came back I was going to heaven not because I was still a child, but because He was in my heart.
4. Y’all will laugh at me, I am not sure how it all plays together, but I just keep taking the next step in obedience…I am currently a Homeschool Mom by day, Photographer by appointment, and Dance instructor in the extra curricular hours(ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary) Where am I heading…I know I am supposed to write, yet I am so unequipped that I have simply failed to start…sigh
5. Seriously, Bible study is my number one hobby…I just love it!!
6. Hillcrest Baptist Church
7. One kitten…
8. My boss just announced she no longer views Jesus as the messiah and she is converting to Judaism/The Lord is speaking more and more to me and He is pushing me to overcome my weaknesses with simply walking in faith…
9.OK, so after a long hot summer in Dallas, tomorrow is seriously going to be the perfect day, it will be 55 degrees so we are going to have a fire in the fireplace and watch Christmas movies all day!! Seriously wonderful!!
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am (how does one answer this…haha) I am pretty much an open book, but the longer you know me you truly know that I am the real deal! I extend a ton of grace because I certainly need it!
You are so the real deal, friend. We need to connect In-Real-Life… 🙂 Direct Message me and we’ll set it up!
I’m on my I phone with my ill elderly mom can’t remember all the ?s but so appreciative my long time siesta hood Austin tx age 63 my dear cj the lab just died at age 14.5 oh i miss her. Recent life saving hobby is bridge Saturday’s would be golf or travel I never imagined such necessary transformations at this age the “rug had been pulled out from under neath me”. Yes wonderful church community with wonderful study opportunities & fellowship in my Episcopal church
1. Marjie Scheib, Genoa City, Wisconsin
2. Just turned 50!
3. About 6 years ago, in my car, long drive, by myself and listening to a CD a friend shared with me about Jesus. I pulled over on the side of the road and cried and cried.
4. Marketing
5. Cooking
6. Home Church with a group of 10-12 followers of Christ.
7. 2 yr. old kitty kat, Gabby! THE cutest kitty in the world
8. disappointment: I have never had a birthday party, never, and did the most uncomfortable thing and asked my family for a special celebration for my 50th birthday. The day came and went, and I received less than my other birthdays. no cards, no gifts, no party. Not like my family at all. Tough one…..Elation/ seeing my baby girl walk down the aisle on her wedding day.
9. Waking up really early, about 4:30am, the perfect cup of coffee, settled into my reading chair with a bible study. Late breakfast, long bike ride on the trails with the Hubster. Cooking dinner for friends with a good glass of wine, jazz music and great conversations.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am a weeper! Really sentimental, I cry so easy! Cards, puppies, a real gusher!
1. Lori, Austin, TX
2. 39 & holdin’!
3. 16 years old in a non-denominational church…a celebration took place at the local Pizza Hut after church. My boyfriend, at the time parents, made it a special event.
4. Stay-at-home mom of two, 11 & 8
5. Pilates
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? I try
7. Do you have pets? Yes, 1 Yellow Lab, 1 Schnoodle, 1 Tabby Cat, and 1 Dwarf Frog
8. Recent disappointment –while starting a moms prayer group at our private Christian School, a fellow Christian mom emailed me stating she felt like I was an Attack from Satan. My biggest recent elation was my church Women’s Ministry asked me to facilitate a small group of women at our day long Spiritual Retreat.
9. My perfect Saturday would be to wake up to coffee and steel oats and time with Jesus followed by conversation with husband and kids. Then an hour of Pilates followed by light lunch with godly conversation. Then reading a good book while hanging out in the back yard on Lake Austin!! Followed by friends coming over for catered dinner.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am sold out to Jesus Christ.
I love y’all and value all that you bring!!
1. Suzanne, Charlotte NC
2. 43
3. 4th grade, at church
4. run a non-profit with my husband, Kids Against Hunger Charlotte, and we were both just admitted to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for a Masters in Religion program with a concentration in Christian Ministry; I’m also a mom of three teenagers
5. travel
6. Calvary Church, Charlotte NC
7. One Siberian Forest Cat. We had to put our second dog (Leonberger) to sleep (second dog this year with bone cancer) on Monday. Very awful week!!
8. Losing our beloved Leonberger this week/Finding out we are picking up a new Leonberger puppy next weekend.
9. Big long walk, great family time, wonderful food.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am miserable without a dog.
1. Your name and where you live. Brenda Dallas, Tx
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 55
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? At age 27 after studying withna dear sister in Vhrist.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.) Financial coordinator for a dentist
5. What is your #1 hobby? Reading
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? No, moved her about 2 years ago from east Texas. Attended The Village for awhile but now live 30 miles from the closest one.
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. Dogs, american eskimo and labradoodle
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. Staying in the DFW area/new grandbaby!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Rain, cold, read all day long or watch old old movies.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am i am not stuck up but extremely shy___________________________________________________________________.
1. Angel from Dayton, Ohio
2. A few days away from 30.
3. I accepted Jesus early on in a little country church that my parents took us to as children.
4. I spent a lot of time and $ becoming a RN. Worked for 3 years and LOVED it, but now I stay at home with two awesome kids and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Hard to pinpoint my number 1 hobby but currently I’d have to say it’s riding a bike with my son-who just learned to ride without training wheels. Yay!!
6. Yes, right down the street from us. Dryden Rd. Church.
7. I don’t have pets but the kids are begging for a dog so there might be a furry 5th member of our family soon.
8. Dissapointment-a CLOSE family member slipping farther into a bad situation. Elation-My house selling after being on the market for a LONG time. An answered prayer.
9. Before 2008 it would have been sleeping late/watching lifetime movies/shopping/dinner with friends. Now it’s sleeping until at least 8:30, going for breakfast as a family, currently visiting pumpkin patches and fall festivals and watching a little football with the husband.
10. Only people who really know me realize that I struggle with anxiety and nervousness. Most people think I’m laid back, calm, cool and collected. I like to think that I am-but the Lord and I (and my mom-smile) are the only ones who really know how much prayer I have to dedicate to this area of my life.
Jenni, Mason City, Iowa
Age 41
Age 9, Summer Camp
Stay-at-Home Mom/Substitute Teacher
Trying new recipes
Yes – Grace E. Free Church
No pets; four children 🙂
Anticipating a long-awaited visit from my brother next week!
Sleeping in, drinking coffee & talking with my hubby, putzing around the house, watching college football, napping
More insecure than I appear
Andrea Wilkinson, Hornell New York
30 years young
Only Jesus knows, I’m really not totally sure of he details
Sports medicine
Dancing
Alfred Almond Bible Church
1 border collie, 1 Shepard husky mix, 2 cats
Disappointment, alcoholics loved one is drinking again/ Gods grace in protecting me in a work decision
Perfect Saturday is sleeping til 8:30, park with my puppies and finding the perfect shoes on the Clarence rack in my size!
Only people who really know me know that I am super super sensitive
1. Your name and where you live. Gale Boling, Clinton, SC
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 65
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?21 A small chuch.Redidication of my life, 2006
4. What line of work are you in?I am a Retired RN
5. What is your #1 hobby?brief holidays in the mountains, and Chalreston area of SC
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? First Baptist CLinton, SC
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.I have two red Doxies. They are my loves!
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. Disappointment: concern for my Daughter’s health and marraige ,Elation: Beth Moore Living Proof live event in Charleston!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Quiet, study for SS lessons and Bible study. Walks ..
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am broke!
1. Denison, Iowa
2. Age – 61
3. Age 5, Lutheran School
4. Banking – retired now
5. Knitting, tatting, needlepoint, writing, sewing
6. Our Savior Lutheran – Denison Iowa
7. 1 dog, 2 cats, 1 bird (love animals)
8. Disappointment – Not to ever see Beth Moore in person! How I would love to.
9. Perfect Saturday – Being thankful for a great week.
10. I would love to have siblings.
1. Miriam, Greencastle,PA
2. 43
3. At age 17 at a church conference healing service.
4. I’m a Development Coordinator for a Christian ministry that has a leadership training program for teens, Released Time (Bible teaching once a week outside the school setting), and a camping ministry. I get to work at camp year round! 🙂
5. Singing
6. Yes, Church of the Brethren
7. A beautiful cat with odd markings and blue eyes named “Lacey Bluebells” (My daughter named her…not me!)
8. A humongous car repair bill/the acquiring of a free hot tub!!
9. A day at home with no responsibilities….no laundry, no dishes, no housework!
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am one of the people they can always count on to help, encourage or make them smile!
1. Cyndi, Lexington KY
2. 51
3. Age 12, sitting in a church service, oddly, because this was NOT a church in which people were encouraged to receive Christ. He just overwhelmed me that day.
4. Retired, babysit my granddaughter.
5. Reading and walking tie for first place
6. Trinity Hill United Methodist
7. Two dogs, a rescue mutt Lucy and a chiapom, Buster
8. Disappointment-my son-in-law’s adultery and ending the marriage/ elation- seeing how my daughter has allowed God to carry her through this time and the way she is growing in Him
9. Day trip to an interesting little town to explore antique stores followed by nice dinner out
10. Only those who know me well know how lonely I am
Girl, I have been there and I am not just saying that. Not right now in this season but I have been so lonely at times that I could hardly stand it. May God tend to you there and widen your world with some really great friends and fellow sojourners.
This loneliness thing has been on my heart an awful lot lately. It’s rather strange how we can have so much activity, even people around us the majority of the time and still wrestle with aloneness.
1. Anna, Little Elm, TX (DFW)
2. 28 years old
3. July 4, 1999. I was 14 years old and had spent the evening watching movies with my family. We were sitting in our den, and my parents led me to Christ 🙂
4. I’m a homeschooling stay at home Mama of 1!
5. Reading!
6. Yes, I attend Crossridge Church (SBC). My membership is there, and I also participate in weekday Bible studies at other churches in the DFW metroplex.
7. I currently have one dog, a precious black lab named Smokey. He is the baby of the family 🙂
8. Family relationship fallouts/The birth of a precious niece!
9. Wake up a little late to a clean house and a rainy day. Curl up on the couch with my kid, my dog, a hot cup of tea and a great book/great movie.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am: a widow. It’s not something that I like to speak about often, because it’s (understandably) very uncomfortable for others to listen to. They’re never quite sure how to respond, and it just brings an awkwardness into the conversation/relationship. But the fact of the matter is that my husband passed away 8 years ago when our daughter was 4 months old. People just always assume I’ve been a single mom from the get go. It’s been a hard road, but God is faithful! He has been my husband every second of every day, unconditionally. I love Him madly.
Anna, thanks for being brave and sharing your story with us. My BFF here is a widow with two teenaged daughters. Not many folks at our church know about her widowhood. But I do, and she is Boone of the bravest people I know. She walks in Isaiah 54: her Maker is her husband; the LORD of Hosts is His Name. Anna, I pray you feel His tender arms holding you always.
She is *one of the bravest people I know. (Dumb autocorrect.)
1. Brittany, Gainesville, FL
2. I just turned 28!
3. I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior when I was 11 at summer camp.
4. I am a fifth grade teacher who is extremely fearful of speaking in front of people. It is my dream to work internationally running an orphanage for kids. Teaching would definitely be involved, which is why the Lord has me practicing that now.
5. My number 1 hobby is…a tie between being outside and exercising and sewing clothes and aprons for my Etsy shop!
6. I am currently invested in a local body of believers that I love very much. The Family Church.
7. I’ve always grown up with German Short-Haired Pointers. My parents have two, but living on my own doesn’t allow for me to do the same. So I have a cat that The Lord has truly blessed me with because she plays fetch and does tricks like sit, high-five, lay down, and speak! Her name is Fancy because she is.
8. My biggest recent disappointment has been with work. Not my students, but more from adults that I deal with. The best thing that has happened was hiking with my best friend and celebrating her wedding in the NC mountains.
9. The perfect Saturday involves no technology and my closest friends. We go to the beach, and surf all day.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am a hopeless romantic. ___________________________________________________________________.
Me too on #10
1. Jenna McNichols, Morro Bay CA
2.28
3. In 6th grade at Hume Lake Camp in CA with my mom. 🙂
4. Mostly stay at home mom, but I work twice a week at Trader Joes.
5. Playing with my VERY energetic 18 month old little girl…and reading with coffee when I can. 🙂
6. Yes church (mountain Brook Community Church in San Luis Obispo) and a married couples group on Thurs nights.
7. A wonderful dog named Finley!
8. Seeing my husband struggle with work and struggling with our relationship with each other. Biggest joy right now…We just taught our daughter (Kellie) who is 18 months old that God made her. So now when you ask her..”Kellie who made you?” She points up and says “GOD” but it comes out “GAWK” It’s the sweetest thing!
9. I am oddly obsessed with Sharks. When I was young I even had shark posters in my room!!
1. Chelsea, Oregon
2. almost 30
3. age 12… the floor of a sale barn at Rodeo Bible Camp in Cambridge, Idaho.
4. I’m a labor & delivery nurse when I’m not staying at home with our 3 kids ages 4 months to 5 years.
5. running– when I can!
6. Baptist Church
7. 3 border collies, 6 horses, 1 mule and a few hundred cows.
8. disappointment= not being in Texas celebrating my grandparents 60th anniversary (party tonight!) with my extended family. See #s 4&7 for the reason we’re not there. Dang it! Elation= God’s provision and blessings over the past year. So amazing to see Him provide.
9. Coffee. Run. Dinking around the house… maybe checking a few cows. Out for coffee. Nap! dinner out. no dishes. A movie- snuggled in with my family. Early to bed! A full nights sleep!
10. only people who know me realize I’m laid back.
1. Your name and where you live. Cathy S. Terra Ceia, Florida
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 54 years old
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting? Jesus became my Savior at age 8 when a Sunday School teacher led me to Christ and then, took me to see the preacher to talk about Baptism. But, Jesus did not become my Lord until age 35 after a period of being away from Him led to depression and thoughts of suicide. I realized I could not live without Him. I have been walking with Him ever since.
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.) I am a historian (yes, one of the few professional ones) and I operate and supervise the staff of four local history museums.
5. What is your #1 hobby? You mean right now? It has evolved over time from gardening to horseback riding to writing to glass fusing to felting. If I had to chose one, it would be writing.
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one? Yes, perhaps too much invested! ;0) Our Pastor recently preached a sermon on Elijah’s fatique and depression from doing too much for God. Good preaching at 1st Baptist Church of Palmetto, Florida
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind. A Morgan horse named Trucker. A Doberman named Lucy and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Summer.
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation. I have two sons who are in their twenties. Both are trained in careers that they love but neither can find a job due to the economy. I am not only disappointed but angry, but I don’t know who to be angry at. The economy? The government? Myself for raising them to think they could be anything they set their minds to be? I am trusting God moment by moment, sometimes not very well, that He will use this for their good, but it is hard. My biggest elation is when they comfort me and tell me not to worry that everything will be okay.
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday. Sleep until nine. Horseback ride until 1 or 2. Time to do a little glasswork. Dinner with my husband and friends. Time to write before bed.
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am an introvert in an extrovert’s body. I am the life of the party, can teach and do public speaking very well, but it wears me out and I need to be alone to recharge my batteries.
1 Gris Alves. San Diego 🙂
2 40…..
3 30 yrs old, after 8 yrs of recpvery, buddism,, new age,praying and praying WHO are you higher power?? Got a bible as a gift, then got invited to a bible study at my dear friend’s house. Her pastor friend looked at me and ( mind u he did not know me nor I him) told me !” you have been praying to God to reveal himself to you, and it IS Jesus:)”. What a ride it has been since!
4 criminal defense investigator (federal public defenders office)
5 #1 hobby….leading worsip at my kid’s school on Wed night studies
6 of course!! Friday am girls..been studying and gathering for 7 years, small group w marriage friends, youth girls… grace san diego church and first presbytarian church san diego.
7. Pets: one black kitty girl.
8. Dissapointment: friends that are sick, / elation: friends receiving favor from our Lord in recovery And child custody issues.
9 perfect Saturday: breakfast out in the yard, a little beach walk, resting at home with the family
10 only people that really know me realize that I am …..ill tempered! Lol ( ok, my kids helped me with this one ahahahah!!!)
1) Kate Megill in rural northwestern IL
2) 55
3) I was 19 and in college, led to Jesus by another student
4) I’m a stay-at-home mom of 8 children (have been homeschooling for the past 23 years with 7 more still to go)
5) with 8 children, I don’t have much hobby time! ;-D
6) In a church: yes, an independant baptistic church
7) Pets: nope…I do babies, not pets! ;-D
8) Disappointment: that my recently self-published ebook hasn’t sold too many copies
Elation: that I was able to recently publish an ebook at all!
9) Perfect Saturday: clean house, taking an hour long bath with praise music by candle light, a couple of hours outside reading in the hammock, time in prayer with my husband, children and friends
10) Only people who really know me realize that I am … bald (except now you ALL know it! ;-D
I love you, Kate! Hair is not a requirement here!
1. Robin, Rockwall, Texas
2. 39 and hooooolding!
3. 1st grade, G.A. Mini-Camp 🙂
4. Recently resigned from being a middle school counselor. Now staying at home.
5. Reading
6. Yes. Lakepointe Church
7. Yes. The sweetest little beagle ~ Honey.
8. A lifelong friendship that has turned out not to be lifelong / Leading my 13 year old daughter’s discipleship group.
9. Sleep late, college football on tv, making snacks, friends and family in and out
10. Insecure
1. Monica, CO
2. 40
3. 29 years old through heartbreak and a cancer scare I finally submitted to Jesus
4. Stay at home mom
5. Reading
6. Women’s small group
7. Blue Russian Cat
8. Father-in-law is dying/son #2 was born
9. A day at the beach
10. Only people who really know me realize that I really miss my family back home in FL.
oops I messed up…
9. Perfect day… spending time with my husband, daughter and dog..Going to the beach…hike…playing together…
10….that I am oddly obsessed with sharks. I even had shark posters in my room growing up!
1. Megan H., Dayton, OH
2. 32
3. 6, in my bedroom
4. Stay-At-Home Mom!
5. cooking
6. Yes-Patterson Park Church
7. No…my boys have stuffed pets!
8. Getting frustrated with my son for not obeying the first time/same son jumping on my back and giving me a kiss 🙂
9. family time and football
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am insecure in my friendships…do people really like me?
1. Your name and where you live. Lori S., outside Nashville, TN
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin) 45 😀
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?
I grew up in a Christian home. Asked Jesus into my heart at 5, at VBS. 🙂
4. What line of work are you in? Or, if you’re in school, tell us where and what line of work you’re steering toward. (Do not hesitate to tell us you’re a stay-at-home-mom. No harder work exists nor longer hours.)
My husband and I own our own photography business; I’m a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, and I’m getting ready to work on my master’s for Christian counseling, specializing in grief. It scares the socks off me, but I know God brought me to it, and He’ll give me everything I need to do it!
5. What is your #1 hobby?
EEK! Ummm, rubber stamping – no, reading! – no, blogging – no, photography – no….! 😀
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?
Yes, maam! I LOVE our church! Springhouse Worship & Arts Center, Smyrna, TN
7. Do you have pets? If so, you surely know we’ve got to know what kind.
No, but I miss having dogs. (allergies!!)
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.
Finances being so tight we can’t go visit a dear family friend who’s been diagnosed with cancer./Enjoying the beautiful fall weather God’s given us this last week!
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.
HA! As photographers, our weekends are usually JAM-PACKED. So. My perfect Saturday would be spent with my husband on Smelt Sands Beach in central Oregon, going to the Adobe Restaurant for lunch and dinner, and retiring to a room at the Overleaf Lodge with a hot tub overlooking the ocean. Oh, YES, PLEASE. 😀
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am a cast of thousands. I love to be onstage, but haven’t been able to really do it much in the past ten years. 😀
1. Cassie- Louisville, Ky y’all!
2. Just turned 20 not long ago.
3. I was 14 & at my life group in church.
4. I’m a college student studying Biblical or Nouthetic counseling and women’s ministry!
5. I love working with teen girls, reading, writing, dancing & laughing! ;D
6. I’m beyond blessed to be apart of my church, Crossing.
7. No, but I want a puppy.
8. The destructive decisions that have recently been made by loved ones/ The grace of God & how he never lets go & how he has put so many encouraging people in my life lately! 🙂
9. Sleeping in, staying in a comfortable hoodie, movies with hot chocolate, lots of laughter & fellowship, and a bon fire with smores!
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am.. really scared about a lot of things including my future.
1. Nicole
St. Pete, Florida
2. 42 yrs old
3. I accepted Christ at church camp when I was 10 yrs old.
4. I work part time at our church office coordinating the helps ministry (meals,rides, etc.) while my girls are at school.
5. Sewing
6. Calvary Chapel St. Pete
7. Two independent cats
8. I was disappointed by someone’s attitude toward me/elated to hear that a relative began attending a discipleship group, The Freedom Workshop
9. Sleeping in!! A few hours spent crafting/sewing with my family, take out for dinner (anything is fine as long as I don’t have to cook it) and an evening at the beach for the sunset.
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am very uncomfortable in big crowds of people and claustrophobic.
Kristi Nolan — West Monroe LA
40 years old — still doesnt feel real 😉
6 years old in Yosemite National Park – Parents led me to Christ while traveling across the US doing outdoor Vacation Bible schools — lost my first tooth the same summer 🙂
I am a stay-at-home-homeschooling mom — pay isn’t great but the retirement benefits are worth it
I’m such a nerd, my only real hobby these days are reading and doing Bible Study
First Baptist Church – West Monroe, LA
Oscar – our Boston Terrier — after a lifetime of being terrified of dogs, happy to have one in our family!
This past Spring and Summer my two youngest children asked Jesus to live in their heart and were baptized– my daughter on Mother’s Day and my son on the autism spectrum during Vacation Bible School.
Spending a lazy morning with a big breakfast, having some time to read, maybe running to Target and Lifeway all alone, cooking out and enjoying an evening just as our family.
Only people who really know me realize that despite leading Bible studies for almost 10 years now, I never received my college degree because I couldnt finish speech class — was terrified to stand in front of a group of people — and now I do it every Tuesday morning! 🙂
1. Lori Harrington,live in Zeeland, MI
2. proud to say I’m 48
3. 4 years old talking to Jesus on a toy phone
4. Administration in Christian Counseling Office
5. Eating Cookies!
6. In transition
7. Dog, Siberian Husky
8. family members unwed pregnancy/everything new about my first grandson!
9. My family gathered together enjoying each others company
10. …not as shy as they think I am.
1. Anne Atchison, Matoaca Virginia
2. 42
3. As a young girl but again as a broken 28 year old woman in bed with my then boyfriend, now husband.
4. stay at home mom and womens ministry pastor
5. Spending time with my sisters. I am blessed that my work is my favorite thing to do!
6. Matoaca Christian Fellowship
7.Malcom Dunkin, my precious 5 year old yorkie that I adopted from a poung 1 year ago.
8. my sisters marriage falling apart due to sexual addictions and watching the Lord provide and care for her in amazingly wonderful awesome ways. He truly is a husband to the widows.
9. Wakeup to the smell of pumpkin spice cofee brewing, my two boys snuggling in bed with me and my hubby. Eggs, bacon and homefries cooked and on the table with fresh squeezed oj. a trip to the local farmers market to pick up our veggies for the week. Lunch with my sister plus of course some shopping! Home for a delicious dinner made by my fabulous husband! My brother, sister n love, sister and all my neices and nephews over for a fire and smores!
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am insecure and unsure of myself.
1. Laura- Tampa FL
2. 33 yrs old
3. I accepted Christ 4 yrs ago today! I would have to write a book to share with you all the incredible story of how God saved me. I had been living in the gay lifestyle for over 10 yrs and God literally came and chased me down. From the moment I accepted Christ I walked away from my old life and never looked back.
4. I am currently in mortgage banking, but I am working on becoming a full time missionary and Guatemala and opening a kids home there.
5. I think its a tie between Mt. Biking and reading
6. The Crossing Church in Tampa
7. I have 1 dog (Blue) and 3 cats (Ony, Oreo, and Ritz aka Orangie)
8. A heavy dose of reality that your parents don’t stay young forever and they wont alway be around/Finding out my best friend in the whole wide world is having a baby girl and I was asked to be her godmother.
9. Taking my bike out for a ride, then coming home taking a shower, reading a book and taking a nap
10 Only people who really know me realize that I actually do cry sometimes. (It a joke among my friends who are all criers that I must of been born without tear ducts because I never cry. The whole movie theater can be crying and I will be the only dry eyed one)___________________________________________________________________.
But have you seen “My Dog Skip”? I cried so hard at the end I could have thrown up my popcorn. You made me smile, Sister. Tears are not the only symptoms of a tender heart. Ice can weep.
1. Your name and where you live: Sarah Maxwell, Auburn, WA
2. Your age or general age grouping (grin): 36
3. When did you accept Jesus as your personal Savior and, in briefest possible terms, what was the setting?: 9 years old, but, was water baptized in junior high school (13 years old) at church camp…my world was rocked from that point forward…I was never the same again! Praise you Jesus!
4. What line of work are you in?: Executive Vice President of a small design firm that develops inventions for large toy companies. We are a family-owned, mostly women Christian company!
5. What is your #1 hobby?: reading, studying the word, exercise 🙂
6. Are you currently invested in a local body of believers? If so, which one?: Yes, New Life Church in Renton, WA
7. Do you have pets?: a dog named Macy, a Cocker Spaniel
8. Your biggest recent disappointment – slash – your biggest recent elation.: my son (age 5) having behavior issues at school / my husband committing to a couples bible study with me “6 Secrets To A Lasting Love by Barbara & Gary Rosberg”
9. Describe your idea of the perfect Saturday.: now that it is fall…pumpkin spice latte in hand, doggie on a leash, son or hubby nearby, my runnin shoes, sunglasses, crisp air and the Lord’s sun beaming down on my face. Oh, and my Mt. Rainier in visibility!
10 Complete this sentence: Only people who really know me realize that I am: incredibly tender hearted and can barely sing at church worship without tears streaking down my face. Just the sound of worship music and I am bawling! But boy, do I love to praise Him!!!
Thank you LPM lovies, this was fun! Blessings!!
Xoxoxo
1. Lyndsey E., Pennsburg, PA
2. 29
3. I first accepted when I was 12 and I ready the first book of the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn. It was the first time I had ever really heard the gospel and our need to be saved. It wasn’t until I was a freshman in college that I truly committed to living a life for Him.
4. I work in a machine shop that produces brass and stainless steel mouthpieces for brass instruments (ie. tubas, trumpets, french horns, trombones).
5. Crafting/restoring/sewing/making beautiful things
6. No, badly hurt by my last church, starting the process of finding a new church.
7. I wish, but no.
8. Losing friendships I thought would be life-long friends/ looking forward to traveling to England/Scotland/Ireland for my 30th birthday in the spring!!
9. Sleeping in, reading a good book, working on one of my projects, going for a walk in the woods 🙂
10. Only people who really know me realize that I am enigmatic nerd, who’s silly and weird and rather hilarious if you happen to share my type of humor.
1. Lu, Raleigh,NC
2. 52
3. 1971, at church revival with a friend
4. Was a microbiologist, retired to raise sons (now ages 24 & 21), now work part as bookkeeper in husband’s real estate office.
5. Gym work-outs
6. Baptist
7. No (but, we keep the “grand pups” some, a black lab & a Springer Spaniel)
8. disappointment: son did not get job for which he interviewed & really had hopes up /
elation: KNOWING God has a better plan
9. A good run (6-10miles), sons come over & watch football – or – (in summer) a run & bike ride, then we all go for a boat ride
10 Only people who really know me realize that I am too often a fearful emotional mess inside.