Blog Award of the Week ~ Mich

Here it is another ending to a beautiful weekend. Did I mention Steve is home? He came home on Friday for all those that have been praying for us. What a difference his presence makes in our home. Yeah, Praise God for amazing husbands.

I wanted to highlight another amazing blogger who has blessed me both in the blogging world and in personal emails back and forth. I am hoping to encourage those of you that aren't following her to please do so after reading more about her. Her name is Mich, pronounced just like it sounds and her blog is named after her. Makes it easy. She is the wife of a pastor, mom and great friend to so many in the blogging world. The thing I love about Mich is her honesty when things in her life are not going so smoothly. She shows us that we all stumble and fall, but we also pick ourselves right back up again and keep on going.

I hope you find the same things in her blog that drew me to become part of her family and that you join her today as well. Here is some things you may not know about her.

1. Tell us how long you've been blogging and why?

I started blogging about a year now. My sister had started a blog and decided I needed one too. She thought it would be a great way for our family to keep up with each other. Neither one of us realized how much it would change our lives. We have met some fantastic new friends, all of which provide unlimited support and encouragement, as well as lots of laughs.

I also have found blogging to be a "healing" process for me. It gave me a "voice." As a minister's child and now as a minister's wife, I have always felt the limitations of what I could say, but I have always been able to write what I feel. The blog gives me an outlet to voice my feelings, celebrate my joys, vent my frustrations and keep things REAL in my life. I am amazed everyday that people actually follow my blog and read my posts.


2. What did you always dream being when you grew up and why?

I have always loved to be creative. I fell in love with art when I was in high school and was actually in the art club. My friends were all in drama, but I have horrible stage fright, so I joined the Art Club. My dad is a pretty awesome artist, so I was always encouraged to draw and create. My favorite project in school was making the car for our high school production of Grease. Great fun!

However, when I left for college, I had a reality check. I realized after a few art classes, that I wasn't as good as I thought I was and changed my major. However, still today, I love art and to be creative. I scrapbook, help my kids with school projects and come up with super fun craft projects for my kindergarten Sunday School class at church. Just the other day, my daughter told me I should have been an elementary art teacher, for I was having way too much fun decorating my door at work, for Halloween. I had made spiders out of my babies' hands which were too precious.


3. When did you become a Christian? How did your life change?

I was at church camp, as a child, when I asked Jesus into my heart for the first time. I believe it was real, but unfortunately sometimes very young children are not discipled like they need to be. I was left with a lot of questions and doubt, afraid to ask because I was the minister's daughter/missionary kid, who was expected to just know...

Anyway, when I was in college, I rededicated my life and surrendered my life to God's calling. I never desired a life in ministry, outside volunteering at church, but God changed my heart. I met a great guy, with a passion for Jesus and young people. I strive now to daily follow the Lord's will for my life. I am so thankful for His GRACE.

4. Describe the most memorable Valentine you ever received and who sent it to you?

I think it would have to be the first Valentine's Day, with my husband. We were just dating, but he sent me a teddy bear and balloons. I remember being giddy over having a guy who actually loved me, just the way I was. Since that day, for years, my hubby would give me a bear as a gift. It is kind of sappy, but when you are young and in love, you love it.(Still do.) What is funny, is that when we were first married, back when the "country" look was big, my kitchen had a country blue and teddy bear theme. I even had bear canisters. What was I thinking?! I'm laughing as I type this, although I have to admit, there is a small part of me that is sad that the teddy bears have been replaced.


5. Describe your grandparents. What did you enjoy most about them?

I am one of those lucky girls who was blessed with wonderful grandparents and many of them. My Dad's parents were divorced and remarried when he was young, so growing up, I had a step grandpa and two uncles, who may not have been blood related, but were mine nevertheless. I use to boast about having three set of grandparents, when I was a kid.

My mom grew up in the country, so there were plenty of great memories, running around the farm with the cousins. Hanging laundry on the line, mud pies, climbing peach trees, horses, being chased by turkeys, fresh honey from the hive...all great memories of farm life. My Granny was the treasure hunter of the family and taught me how to shop the flea markets and garage sales. My Grandpa could fix the best gravy...

My dad grew up in town, and his mom was the lady who liked to shop, go places and was not afraid of a little adventure. She made sure I was spoiled and never bored. She was the one that taught me how to drive when my parents didn't have the patience and she also talked my dad into letting me go on my first date, since it was two weeks before my sixteenth birthday.

Unfortunately, all of my grandparents have passed on. But I have a peace in knowing that they all knew the Lord, as well as having the blessing of some great memories of time spent with them.


6. What did you enjoy doing most as a child? Did you prefer doing it alone or with someone else?

This was a hard question for me. Simply because, while I was a child, I didn't think I really enjoyed that time in my life, but now as an adult, looking back, I'm thankful for it. I was on the mission field for a while. I remember the fear, the homesickness, the loneliness and everything else that went with it, yet looking back I am so thankful of the adventure I was blessed with. I was able to see wonderful things, be a part of some incredible experiences and live an adventure, that many kids dream of. My daughter has a passion for Asia and would love to visit. My son saw an old picture of me the other day and was jealous because I was on an elephant. So traveling around with my family would be at the top of my list for sure.

However, as for my hobbies as a child, I would have to say reading, writing and drawing. I have always loved to read. Books would let my imagination soar and I loved it. My dad often teases me, because while we were on the mission field, if I was bored and had read all my books more than once, I would grab the encyclopedias and read about places I wanted to go and royal families around the world, making up my own stories. I was a dreamer.


7. What two people have made the greatest spiritual impact on your life? What made them so significant to you?

I would have to say my parents. I have had two living examples, my whole life, of what it means to give up everything and follow Christ. Their lives have always been woven in ministry of some kind.

They also taught me at a very young age what true strength and great faith really is. I had a brother who died suddenly when I was five. He was only one and had developed bacterial meningitis's. Thirty four years ago there was little hope for that kind of thing. My mom and dad could have carried a lot of anger through the years over his medical care and God's timing, but they didn't. My dad even preached his funeral. My mom used her situation to help others. I learned at a very young age what it meant to rely totally on the Lord and to do things that one can only do with a strength that comes from God.

My parents are retired now, but are still serving. They are awesome examples and I am so thankful that my children have special relationships with each of them too.


8. What childhood memory comes to mind when you think of winter? What made it so special?

I don't have many "winter" memories, due to my travels as a child overseas, but the few I have stand out in my mind because of that. When I was real young, around second grade, I remember my dad getting out and building snowmen with me and the other kids on the street. But, my dad, being the creative man he is, wouldn't build just any snowman. He would build cartoon characters. I have a picture of my friends and I standing in front of Snoopy dressed as a cowboy. He would also get food coloring and color the characters. I remember being so proud at how "cool" he was,as I stood in front of this giant Snoopy wearing "blue" jeans.

9. Tell me 4 things that you would never leave behind on a trip and explain why?

I thought this would be an easy question and then realized I think I need more than four things, but I will try...

My contacts. I am blind and can't see without them, plus I HATE the feel of my glasses sitting on my nose. One of my greatest fears, is being blind. The Lord will have to help me when I have to give the contacts up one day.

My blow dryer. I have the kind of hair that DOES NOT air dry pretty. On the naturally curly side, it doesn't have enough curl to lay right, without help. I wear it straight these days and can only achieve that with a hairdryer first and then a touch up with the flatiron. Not pretty first thing in the morning.I try hard not to scare little children.

My pillow. Whether going to camp, my parent's house or on vacation, the pillow goes with me.

My Bible. My parents gave it to me in 1992. It is my favorite. I have notes written in the margins, verses underlined and pages marked. I had misplaced it in the house the other day and cried. I was so scared I had left it somewhere. It is one of my prize possessions.

10. What family customs or traditions would you like to pass on to your children and grandchildren. Why are they important to you?

We don't really have true traditions or customs. Never living in one spot for too long growing up, you learn to go with the flow sometimes. However, family is very important to us. We never take it for granted. That would be what I pass down to my kids. Many vacation opportunities were given up, in order to visit grandparents. Lots of miles would be driven to see family. Since my time with my grandparents and my hubby's grandparents is over, I cherish the time spent with our parents and think the time our kids spend with them is so very precious. Holidays are special. We always celebrate. We may not always get together on the actual holiday, but we always get together. I hear of people that are not close to their families and I want to cry for them. My family is my support system. We are all very close. My hubby comes from a very close family too.

Thanks for thinking I am interesting enough for an interview. I am still in awe over the friendships God has graced me with via the internet. Hope I gave you the type of answers you were looking for. If you feel I need to change anything or you would like to ask a different question just let me know.

Thanks for joining me in this beautiful intimate look at Mich and what makes her so wonderful and blessed. Won’t you join me and hope on over to her blog Mich and let her know what you thought of her interview. You will find such friendship and love there!

Blog Award of the Week ~ Off The Beaten Trek

Today is Sunday, the day of our Lord and I thought it only fitting to use this day to award a very special lady and prayer warrior the Blog Award of the Week. Rosel at Off the Beaten Trek has been one of my very first followers and has left me a comment on every single post I have written which has been well over 200 at this point! She remains dedicated to saving souls each night at her job as a Corrections Nurse in addition to becoming one of the most dedicated prayer warriors in the blogging world. She has graciously accepted the award and the opportunity for all of us to get to know her more through an interview we did this week.

1. Where did you come up with the name Off the Beaten Trek and why did you start blogging?

- I always loved to write since I was little. I knew I wanted to write a story but about what, I didn't know. About who, I didn't know. Until the Lord found me and then, suddenly I felt that purpose to do this for Him and the least I can do to share the Good News with so many lost people still, needing salvation. After giving this to Him, I knew I could be His tool by blogging about something I do and relating it to what I learn from my walk with Him...Walk...That was the keyword that first came to my mind. A light went on...I had been WALKING for so long - aimless. Until in this long journey of my life, I found that one, less-traveled road "off the beaten trek" that looked so narrow and difficult yet I knew would take me to that promise of eternal hope at the end. So, I liked that "off the beaten trek" as the title of my blog.

2. How did you come to know God?

- My mother was raised Catholic so, being religious, she would take me early in the morning to go to the church. She would make me wear nice clothes she made herself for me [she was a dressmaker], except I hated the lace part either on the bottom or the neck area that would made me itch. She later became a born-again Christian [thank You God] before passing away. Despite the dreadful laces, she was the one who instilled that little seed of "faith" that God took care of at the passing of seasons.

3. Share one of your favorite childhood memories.

You know when you're 80 like me now, it's not easy to recall...Hmmm...My paternal grandma had rice fields but one time had watermelons planted. When my dad and I and other cousins would visit her, she would take us all to the middle of the field where there was a little, cozy hut. There, she would cut those juicy, sweet watermelons just harvested from that field. I enjoyed simple things like those.

4. What is your favorite memory of your mom and why is it so special to you?

My mom was the BEST cook! And that was one thing I truly miss - her cooking! Her home-cooked meals always tasted good because she always stirred love in them. Despite being tired from sewing clothes morning until night, she would never forget to cook something special for her family. Every time my brothers would come home from studying in the big city, or during those holidays like Christmas or when my dad would come home from being away [he was a Radio Operator working with Greek shipping lines at that time], she would give extra time to make something special for all of us.

In the small town where we lived, whenever they celebrated their annual feast, I remember my mom would take out the biggest "wok" in the world and would prepare her wonderful dishes there. As it was customary that during the feast, relatives and friends from other towns were expected to visit and eat and celebrate together. They all loved my mom's cooking...I am not a great cook like her, but when I helped her prepare with all those dishes, it had brought us closer together and I miss those times. It was just her and I, cutting, dicing, cleaning, rinsing, tasting, chatting...

5. If you were to find an old toy box in your attic, what toys would you remember most fondly and why?

Being poor, I don't remember having lots of toys. And growing up with 5 brothers, I don't remember playing much with dolls. I do remember we played lots of "hide and seek" and other games that involved us, siblings. So, it was more family time for me than having a particular toy. And it was great!

6. Describe a time in your life when you feel God led you in an unusual way.

I had a neck injury as I worked in Orthopedics for 10 years. I was in severe pain everytime I would start my shift, despite going treatments and therapies. Until my treating physician told me, "you better get out of Nursing." I was in tears when I got home. I started rambling [to Him]. "How could I get out just like that when I enjoyed helping people. I had been a hard working nurse on that floor. I worked without complaining. What now God? What now? I can't work. I'm in pain...Where do I go from here?" As I lamented in front of my monitor, I typed "correction" somehow [at that time, I didn't even know that correctional nursing exists], out came a facility hiring nurses ASAP!!! It was scary to change from hospital into that kind of setting. But I felt peace when I started applying for that job.

During my interview, when it would take for them to do background checks for many weeks, I didn't know mine was done already. As I was pulling my car into the driveway after that interview, the phone in the garage rang and when I picked it up, the lady at the other end of the line, asked me, "So, can you start tomorrow?" That was the highest supervisor in that correctional facility [where I am working still]. How can it be possible that I would get hired just like that even without having an experience as a correctional nurse, but everything just points out to His divine intervention. I knew "He was for real" and I knew that it was the place where He wanted me to be at that point. I was still crying...but that time, with tears of joy!!!

7. Did you ever go to a dance? If so, tell us about it.

I am a "homebody". I just love to stay at home and not attend parties, gatherings, etc. The only dance I could remember was when my hubby first started dating me. We went to go out for a little drink [and dance] with some of my cousins and friends. When the sweet music started playing, he asked me if I wanted to dance with him. I'm always a "shy" girl but at that time, I wanted to know him more. There was something about us being close as we slowly danced that I felt like "this is the one"...Maybe because he showed he was a gentleman :) ....May I add this statement as an answer to your question no. 6?

8. If you could go anywhere on a second honeymoon, where would you go and why?

My hubby and I visited Denmark back in 1994. I had been there, too in 1988. There is something about Europe that makes me want to go back again. Seeing those huge castles feels like I'm in a different time zone. I love those roads built with cobblestones. The simplicity of eating bread with coffee or wine and cheese...I love simple things. I love chocolates, too and I think European chocolates are the best!

9. What were your summers like as a child?

Magical...Because I loved to fantasize and weave dreams...Lots of playing with other kids from neighborhood...

10. What is the best movie you have ever seen?

Being a Christian now, we tend to screen what we watch. My family and I truly enjoyed "Fireproof" because it has so many messages that would really help couples in a shaky marriage. And it was clean kind of movie that our kids can watch it with us. And even if we are not having problems with our own marriage, some of the scenes reminded us to re-fan the flame in our hearts and strive to work together to make that light not die down. I love the fact that it pointed to Christ for without Him in the center of our marriages, it would really be hard to fix any gap.

So as you can see she is a wonderful wife, mom and friend to everyone she meets. You will never find a more loyal supporter in the blogging world as part of your new Christian family. Please take the time to head on over to her blog and let her know how this interview touched you and if you aren't already a follower of hers, please do so today at Off the Beaten Trek!

Blog of the Week! ~ Greg's General Store

Sundays are the greatest days to bestow gratitude and blessings upon someone who has touched your life in a profound way. I remember one day happening across this blog called Greg's General Store and wondered what interesting things I might find there. I was thinking it might be a mix and match or odds and ends kinda of place, but I found a great friend there. Greg's General Store is a blog written by a wonderful man who finds happiness in the day to day circumstances of life. His posts are laced with that humor that only life experiences can bring. You feel an instant connection with Greg not only through his posts but when he stops by and pays your blog a visit and leaves a wonderful calling card!

I had the unique privilege in emailing Greg and asking him so questions so we can all get to know him better. Please stop by his blog once you leave here and let him know how this interview touched you, it would mean the world to him.

1. How did you come up with the name, Greg's General Store?

As a child I was always fascinated with those little general stores. You know the ones that had a little bit of everything in them but not a lot of any one thing. Also as a child I always dreamed of owning one of those little country stores but that never came to pass. Well when I started blogging I quickly found out that I skipped around a lot and wrote about a bit of everything and not a lot about any one thing. I skipped around a lot on my blogs too so when I decided to settle down with one I used this name. It just fit.

2. Why did you begin blogging?

I first started blogging because I had a real estate website and a friend told me that blogging was a way to increase my website traffic. Yes I was an agent for a while and in fact still am just not actively doing it. At the time, I didn’t know what a blog was but I tried it and it worked. I found out that I like blogging so even after I closed my website, I continued to blog. My first few attempts at a blog weren’t heading where I wanted so I deleted them and moved on to new ground.

3. Describe your childhood home.

I was the middle child in a family of 5 children. I have an older brother and half sister and two younger brothers. My father was a fireman and an alcoholic and my mother was a nurse and bi-polar. Talk about an explosive combination. If I had to use a coined phrase it would be “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” Life was either great or really bad. There was never an in between. We were poor and lived in a small town just north of Daytona. I got my first job around the age of 13 mowing lawns and I have been working ever since. I would frequently make dinner for us since my parents both worked. I would spend my own money to help out. Often my mother would come home in one of her moods and throw what I cooked out in the back yard because she didn’t like what I fixed or she just wasn’t in the mood for it. Ok enough about the fun times, off to the next question.

4. What is your favorite sport or outdoor activity?

This one is easy. Fishing. One of the things I would do to escape when I was a child was to go fishing. I often left at sunrise and didn’t come home until sunset. I taught myself to fish and caught lots of fish. I kept the freezer full of fish at our house. I am a self proclaimed fishing expert.

5. What are three of the most important lessons you have learned in life?

A. You can pick your friends but not your relatives. I no longer cover up for my family or make excuses for them. I have nothing to hide. They are not me and I am not them. Don’t judge me by my family’s actions.

B. You only get one chance at life. Choose wisely. When I think of all the wrong choices I have made in my life it is frightening.

B. Being a Christian doesn’t mean you are perfect, just forgiven. All we can do is try to be more like Jesus and keep heading in the right direction.

6. What is your greatest fear?

I don’t know why spiders scare me so much but they do. Aside from that I have a fear of falling. I can handle being in high places as long as there is a fence or railing. When I am on the top of a tall building and there is no railing I get an uneasy feeling. I can be 50 feet back from the edge but I still feel sick to my stomach. If there is a handrail I can walk right up to the edge and lean over. Go figure?

7. When did you become a Christian? How did your life change?

This is a tough question because it is hard for me to pinpoint a time when I became a Christian. I think for me it was a slow process and sort of resembled a roller coaster ride. I was baptized at the age of 10 in a little church in Daytona Beach Florida. We were 7th Day Baptists which is a very old religion in this country and a very strict one. At the time I truly believed in God and accepted Jesus as my savior. I felt forgiven for my sins even though at that age I really didn’t have many to speak of. Church for me was a necessity from the standpoint of offering me a sanctuary away from the madness in my life. One thing was certain. When we went to church, Dad was sober and Mom was calm. Neither one wanted the rest of the world to see them at their worst. It was the only place where I wasn’t picked on and I felt like I had a friend: “Jesus.” I talked with God a lot and even though I felt Him listening, I was becoming impatient because he seldom answered my prayers. Looking back I did feel a lot of comfort when I spoke to Him but I didn’t realize it at the time. I was looking for visible miracles.

4 years later, about the time I turned 14, we quit going to church. It was my mother’s choice and since my father usually went only when forced, he didn’t argue. At this point, my siblings and I were on our own as far as religion. Without my sanctuary, I felt alone and quit praying. I felt betrayed and let down by God. This continued for about a year.
Then someone my age moved into the neighborhood and we quickly became friends. As luck would have it, (I think God had a hand in this) my friend’s father was a preacher. He invited me to join in with their youth group activities which I did. I soon began attending church with him. One thing led to another and soon my family joined this new church. My father even got baptized. I never knew he had never been baptized. I thought about that when he passed away and I am so thankful that he did it.

I again began praying and talking to God and life was good for a while. When I joined the Navy, I moved around so much that it was hard to establish a Church home but I did read the Bible and attend when I could. I did become a bit wild in my early Navy years though so it was hard for me to go back. I always felt guilty attending church when I wasn’t being a good person on the outside. I wish more people would think like this.
That takes me to my post Navy years and more recent times. One day I finally realized that those guilty feelings that I had all my life whenever I did something wrong or didn’t attend church regularly were normal. And they were no reason not to go back to God. It finally dawned on me that through all the times I left the church and no matter what I did wrong, God was still there waiting on me to return. In fact he was there with me all the time through good times and bad. It was always me who broke off our relationship. And those feelings inside telling me; “you did something wrong, don’t let God see you” was the devil trying to keep me away.

So I guess the answer to this question is that I became a Christian the day I got baptized. It just took me about 30 years to realize it. As for my life changing, on the outside few people other than my family even noticed. I have always been a really nice person and a friend to anyone who needed one. But inside I am a changed person and my relationship with Jesus is getting stronger every day.

8. Tell me about your mothers cooking. Can you recall a favorite meal? What made it your favorite?

How do I say this nicely? My mother was a terrible cook. There I said it. Everything she cooked was either burnt or boiled to death. Her specialty was “salmonella surprise” because some of her preparation techniques were less than sanitary. My favorite meal growing up was something my father cooked: Hamburger helper cheeseburger macaroni. So simple yet so filling and tasty. Filling was important because many of our meals were not.

9. Did you ever get into any fights as a kid?

I guess I could say 3. I was beat up twice (highly outnumbered both times) but I only started one fight. My brother was always a loudmouth and I was the quiet type. Everyone knew that I had a breaking point though and you never wanted to cross that point. Well my brother started pushing me one day and wouldn’t let up so I punched him. I was aiming for his mouth but he ducked (chicken) so I ended up hitting his head. He cried but I broke my hand.

10. What were some crazy fads from your school days? Did you participate in them? Why or Why Not?

When I was in high school, the style was to have long hair. At its longest point, my hair was down to my shoulders. At that point it began to flip up so I couldn’t let it grow any longer. Drugs were very widely used in my school and thankfully I didn’t get involved like a lot of my friends did. Several of my friends from high school died from overdoses shortly after high school.

So as you can see a real heart lies beneath this wonderful man. He has a heart for God, keeps his family close and offers help to those in a hurting world. Please take the time to stop at Greg's General Store and say Hi to Greg for me, and let him know how this interview touched you. You may just meet the same friend I found when I stopped by!

By the way, Steve picked my winner of the copy of Seaside Letters and the winner was Kelly from Kelly's ideas! If you can email me your address, I would love to ship this out to you!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Blog of the Week! ~ Some Things I Have Learned!

You know how when you are reading your comments on a recent post and a name comes across that you don't recognize as a follower of yours but it sounds interesting enough that it warrants a visit to their blog? This is how I found Kurt as known as Krippled Warrior at his blog called Some Things I Have Learned . He left me a pretty powerful and inspiring comment the first time he can over for a visit.

So I had to return the favor and thank him for his heart felt comment. While I was there I visited for quite some time and at first was intimated by his picture on his profile. I am guilty sometimes of stereotyping based on appearance but the name and the picture did not go hand in hand so I had to read more into his blog.

Kurt's blog has become his personal testimony of sorts of just how he arrived at this place in life. I honestly don't want to give it away but would encourage you when you stop by and become a part of Kurt's blog of followers, read his posts from first to last and tell me where you would be at if you had to endure everything Kurt did.

His blog posts for me, are one the most powerful testimonies I have ever had the priviledge to get to read and in the process got to know this wonderful, loving man who rides for Bikers for Christ and is so good natured and sold out for the Lord as any man I have ever had the opportunity to get to know. We don't have many men blogging in this world and to find one as inspiring and motivating as Kurt is, I know you will agree with me. I had an opportunity to ask Kurt a few questions and hope you will become part of his blog with me.

1. Tell us something about yourself we wouldn't get from reading your blog?

I am a rough tough cream puff. But I used to be a very hard to get along with, chip on my shoulder, fight at the drop of a hat, kind of guy. I was also a very talented and self taught musician. I played guitar. Bass guitar. Violin. Drums and some Keyboards. Someday I have hope to regain that too.

2. Where did you get the name, "Some Things I Have Learned?"

When I got my first college degree, I had to write an essay of my lifelong learning experiences. "Some things I Have Learned" was the title I chose. English 301 was the only course I had to take as I took CLEP tests and challenged all the other courses. I try to learn something new every day. My second degree was more challenging.

3. Why did you decide to begin blogging?

The people where I work bought and installed software that would allow me to use the computer without my hands. I was still paralyzed at the time. They did it out of love, and so that I could write email to them so they could keep up with my progress and send encouragements back to me. Several of them said "You should write a book." This seemed easier to me. And here we are.

4. What are three questions you want to ask God when you get to heaven???

A) Lord? What did the dinosaurs really look like?
B) Father? Were thinking about me on a motorcycle when you created Southern California?
C) God? Exactly how many stars are there in the Heavens?
D) Father, Can I talk with Jesus and Paul the apostle for just 2 hours? Please?
(I know that was 4. But in the bible God says all will be revealed. And 3 just wasn't enough.)

5. What are your 3 favorite smells and why?

A) Christmas trees. I reminds me of my home when I was young.
B) Salt spray. I love going to sea.
C) Poison, by Christian Dior. It is my wife's favorite scent and I think of her every time I smell it.

6. What is your best experience about your time in the service and your worst?

Walking into the Welfare and Rec. center at NTC San Diego, 1980. That's where I fell in love at first sight, with my wife. That was my best day ever. My worst memory is Telling my wife and children good-bye on the pier, leaving for a six month deployment. I broke heart to walk away with them crying for their dad. (I was crying just recalling this memory).

Sorry if that is too mushy for a BIKER! I was trying to be honest. Not impressive.
Thank you for your concern and words of encouragement.

So please take a moment today and join me as part of Kurt's blogging family at Some Things I Have Learned and trust me you will enjoy every time you stop by just to see what he will say next!

Blog Award of the Week ~ Simply Divine Love

So glad that God has used Sundays as His day to highlight new finds within the blogging community. I came across Simply Divine Love quite some time ago and found the posts that Charlotte puts together divinely inspired. She receives insight from the Holy Spirit as to what to post each day from the Bible, devotionals and even the occasional inspirational music videos. I have found so much peace and solitude when I come by to visit Charlotte and felt lead by God to showcase her blog this week and ask her a few questions so you can all get to know her better.

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself we don't know by reading your blog.

I'm a army brat and the oldest of three with two younger brothers. For anyone who has watched "Army Wives" on Lifetime Television; that's what our life was like living on a military base. Only most military bases are located in some place that most people probably wouldn't want to visit much less live. The military has always been about rank, rules, and respect and that applies to children who grow up around this environment.

Not long after my Father retired from the military during the height of the Vietnam War; our family relocated from Maryland to Nashville so that we could be closer to my Dad's family. Which is why Tennessee will always be my home, even though my husband and I have spent the past 20 years living in beautiful Atlanta, Georgia. Some of my favorite pastimes include cooking, gardening and reading historical novels. My paternal grandmother just happens to be related to Samuel Langhorne Clemens aka Mark Twain which is probably where I get my love for blogging. But it's my maternal grandmother that loved keeping dairies. I bet if she were alive today that my Nana would be blogging.

2. Why did you begin blogging?

Well, I first started blogging on the InJESUS web site in 2004 with a blog titled "A Lament" that was inspired by the Holy Spirit and the book of Lamentations. This was not a name that I would have chosen but it was the name that the Holy Spirit wanted me to use.Then in November of '07 I decided to try blogging on Google because it allowed me much more freedom to be creative with posting graphics and music videos. The focus of my blog is centered around matters of faith and this is why I tend to shy away from talking about myself.

3. Where did you get the name for your blog?

The name for my blog first started out as "Simply Divine Christmas" focusing on the true meaning of Christmas minus all the retail hype that most folks tend to associate with Christmas. Then around the middle of January, I decided to keep this blog going but I thought that I might need a less seasonal title, so came up with "Simply Divine Love." But actually that turned out to be a mistake because someone else on the web already had a site titled "making love simply divine" and the subject much to my chagrin, was not about faith!

4. If we can to visit your state, what three things would you recommend are can't miss while we are there?

Georgia is a beautiful state visit. For example when family and friends come to visit and they never been here; we love taking them to Stone Mountain to watch their amazing weekend fireworks display in the summertime. Personally I love visiting the historic and very romantic city of Savannah for it's splendid architecture, carriage rides, wonderful restaurants and art galleries. My third choice has to be a "must see" visit to Callaway Gardens near Pine Mountain Georgia. Callaway is where my husband and I were married. It's located near Pine Mountain Georgia and it's a great escape weekend where people can play golf, tour the gardens, and visit the Butterfly Garden which is North America’s largest, glass-enclosed conservatory, home to 1,000 tropical butterflies, plants and birds.

Callaway Garden Chapel in the Woods

5. What are you three favorite smells and why?

Only three? Wow, I'm big on smells from candles to bath salts to perfume. My first choice would be Lavender because this is my favorite herb to grow in my garden. My second choice has to be Lemon Verbena because it's fresh and clean smelling, especially in soap. My last choice has to be French Vanilla because it's warm, sweet and comforting anytime of the year.

Fountain in Savannah, Georgia

So as you can see, this is a very inspired woman, lead by God to write from His heart everyday on her blog, Simply Divine Love. Please stop by and visit Charlotte today and welcome her into God's family of believers and become part of her following. Trust me, you life will be that much more meaningful for having stopped by. This is a lost jewel in the blogging community!

Blog of the Week! ~ This Day!

Here it is Sunday, August 23, 2009 and once again God was wise enough to give me the opportunity to highlight another great writer in the blogging community to share with all of you today.

I came across Susan's blog from one of my many blog hopping days. You know the ones were you stop at someones blog, look at the list of blogs they are following, find an interesting name, you click on it and off you go.

When you arrive you find yourself someplace fantastic. Some place you wonder why it took you so long to get there and make this a new part of your family. Susan's blog did that for me. I found her blog This Day! through one of those adventures. When I stopped and read her blog I found that she is one of the most amazing people who has completely dedicated everything she does for the glory of God. From riding her Harley to writing her morning blogs, she is completely and honestly sold out for God.

Please join me in getting to know Susan much better as she has graced me with the privilege and honor of an interview with her.

1. Tell us a little about yourself we wouldn't know from reading your blog.

This is a tough question. There is so much of my life that you wouldn't know by reading my blog. I'm really introverted when it comes to talking about my personal thoughts and feelings. I think this blog is one way God is breaking down the barriers I put up. One thing you definitely don't know is that I didn't meet Jesus face-to-face until I was over 30 years old. Crazy, isn't it? That makes me very young as a believer. Hey, I kinda like the sound of that.

Anyhoo, you see, I grew up in a broken home where God wasn't discussed much. My dad raised me, my brother, and my sister. Dad did the best he knew how, and I'm grateful for his commitment to raising us. The little exposure I had to God and the Bible came from my grandparents. My grandparents lived several hours away and I didn't see them often. So this gives you an idea of how often the Lord was mentioned to me.

Yet looking back, I can see that God tugged at my heart from a very early age. There were different times in my life when the pull from God was very strong but I didn't understand what it meant or how to respond. Then in the summer of 1990, the Holy Spirit descended on my heart. At the same time, God opened the door for a friend to help me understand that it was God's voice calling me and what it all meant. I vividly remember the day I walked up to the alter, submitted my life to Christ, and accepted Him as my personal Savior. Retelling the story to you and seeing it in my mind's eye still stirs up tears of joy.
2. Where did you come up with the name of your blog "This Day!"?

The term "this day" was part of my prayer one day. I was praising God and thanking Him for "This Day." Working through prayers and requests for our children, family, friends for This Day. When I finally submitted to God's calling for me to write the blog, I struggled with coming up with a title. God brought to my remembrance that prayer. Eureka! Great title, Lord! Thank You very much. (Yes, I actually talk to God like that.)

I also wanted to incorporate the title into my posts. Sometimes I ask a question about today, This Day, or comment on how that applies to my life today, This Day. I think it's important to acknowledge that we only have today. Because today, This Day, God calls us to accept Him: "now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

3. Why did you start blogging?

I'm starved for attention! hahaha Just kidding. Actually, I started blogging at the encouragement of my dear blogging friend, Laurie Pace. She is an exceptionally talented, godly woman who saw something in me that I didn't see in myself. Thank you Laurie for your encouragement and prayers.

When I started, my intent was to improve my writing skills and document how God impacts my life. God is so personal. He wants to be a part of every detail of our lives. Yet, He is perceived as some spiritual being who is out there somewhere or is all about controlling our lives. Some think God wants to force us to give up our lives or that we have to change to be accepted by Him; when in fact He accepts us just as we are and is all about adding to our lives abundantly. He wants to bless us in ways that bring a joy and happiness we can't get from anyone or anything else. My goal is to demystify God and bring Him into a personal light so others can experience His unconditional love for themselves.

4. If we stopped by your state, what are the three things we would need to see while we were there?

Illinois is such a large state with very distinct regions that covers so much area the climate varies dramatically between the north and the south. When you mention Illinois, most people automatically think of Chicago where there are world renown museums, restaurants, shopping, architecture, the Navy Pier, and.... did I mention the shopping?

I love visiting Chicago, but there is so much more to Illinois. Springfield is centrally located in the state and rich in history with Abraham Lincoln's New Salem historic site, home, law practice, and tomb. In the southern most part of the state are some of the most beautiful and accessible hiking and biking trails. Some points of interest include Garden of the Gods, Giant City State Park, River to River Trail, and the Trail of Tears.

5. What is your favorite part about blogging and your least favorite part about blogging?

Let's start with my least favorite part of blogging which is coming up with something to blog about. There are days where I sit with my fingers posed to type and nothing happens. I pray, I sigh, I start typing a few words only to hit the backspace key. What can I possibly tell someone that they will find interesting? uplifting? encouraging? Especially on days when my emotional state is not any of those things. When an idea does come to me, I seriously over edit my words. I struggle with getting each sentence perfectly structured, each verb tense correct, and transitions that are smooth. Some days it seems to take forever to get a single thought down. Then there are days where the words just flow, and I am amazed at how God has turned one simple idea into a life lesson.

The openness, caring, love, friendship, and prayer support in the blogging community is my favorite part of blogging. It was something that came totally unexpected for me. Before I started posting, I prayed fervently that God would bring visitors who needed to read the words He would inspire. When God works, it's rarely the result I expect. I have been the one who has been inspired, encouraged, prayed for, and blessed by the visitors He brought.


6. If you could have grown up in any decade from the early 1800's to 1900's or 20's, 30's, 40's ... which would you chose and why?

I've lived through some of those decades. I've seen the first man walk on the moon. I vividly remember the day President Kennedy was assassinated and his subsequent funeral on TV. I remember when The Beatles came to America and when our neighbors went off to Vietnam. So I'm going to pick something totally random. Do you know the song by Toby Keith, I Should Have Been a Cowboy? I'll wait while you play the chorus through your mind or search it on YouTube. That could have been me.

I could have been Annie Oakley or Calamity Jane or Perilous Priscilla. Looking at my blog photo you might not think this about me. I have always loved horses. So much so that I have owned several, bred some, raised some, yet sold all. The only thing that comes close to riding horseback without all the work is riding my Harley, but that is a different story.

Back to being a cowboy. I love to ride and shoot and camp out. Shoot? Yes! I've handled guns since my preteen years. Dad hunted pheasant and quail. Guns are tools. Oh, and I love the companionship and friendship bond between me and my horse. I also enjoy the chores that come with being a horse owner: putting up hay, mucking out stalls, and daily and routine care. There is no better aroma than the sweet smell of alfalfa stacked in the hay loft. Yes, I could have ridden the range, foraged for food, protected myself and my livestock, and spread the sweet words of Jesus across the plains.

So there you have it, an incredibly adventurous lady who has her heart and soul completely on God and if you haven't stopped by and visited Susan, please do at This Day! While you are there tell her Hello and join up to follow her. Encourage her with all your warm and heartfelt wishes on her comments and add a new family member to your blog. You'll be absolutely glad you did.