Sunshine Blogger Award!

You saw correctly–I just had the privilege of being nominated for the Sunshine Blogger Award! I’m so honored, and I pray this award (the first blogging award I’ve ever been nominated for) does nothing for my glory, but, rather, glorifies God, and highlights some amazing Jesus-focused bloggers I enjoy reading.

(Y’all feel free to skim the post…it’s a long, wordy one)

First of all, I’d like to thank Mr. Ward Pimley for nominating this blog (specifically my post titled The Role of a Christian Female) for its first award!

Okay, so here’s the rules so y’all can follow along and understand what’s going on a little better.
The Rules:

• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link back to him or her.
• Answer the 11 questions provided by the blogger who nominated you.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 questions of your own.
• Notify the nominees by commenting on one of their blog posts.
• List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo on your post.

My Nominations

This is an exciting moment!! I’m super pumped about this–I get to notify people that they’re nominated and read their great nomination posts and y’all get to meet some really cool bloggers that I enjoy, and in turn, go find more Christian edification and fellowship.

Sidenote: I do plan to do this in a slightly different way: nominating, in particular, one of my favorite posts of the nominee. The link I give to the site will go directly to this post.

Okay, without further ado, here goes (in no particular order, of course):

• Lee Ammerman‘s blog is one of my favorites to read. It builds my faith, convicts me, and it brings truth, even when the truth isn’t a comfortable thing. Lee writes humbly, but with conviction and clarity. This particular post, No Fear in Love, is one of my favorites of his (and one that speaks directly to me and convicts me) and one I want to share with you all. Anyways, y’all go figure out the other great things about this blog–I highly recommend it.
• Michael Israel at Jesus Our Peace — Jesús Nuestra Paz is so refreshingly simple…in fact, Michael’s posts usually consist solely of Scripture. While in some blogs I get overwhelmed with words, Michael’s blog is primarily Scripture (most of the time without so much as commentary), which is so timely and applicable. Not to mention it gives me an excuse to read Spanish 😀
• Some of y’all know that I have unofficially adopted some folks as my brothers and sisters. Well, Mikayla at Acts , , , is my “big sissy”. She just started this blog with a quite creative name (the domain might give a clue) and I’m excited for her and excited to help her start out on this journey. I hope you enjoy!
• Ezekiel Thiessen at The Way, the Truth, and the Life is one of my Canadian friends whom I met when his family of ten visited ours through a hospitality network in September 2017–in fact, y’all may remember when I blogged about his family’s visit. Anyways, we have since become friends and I wanted to highlight his page on the Gospel. It definitely shows the need for repentance in the Bride, which is one thing most churches and pastors leave out of sermons, and yet it makes up so much of the Gospel. Well, here I go ranting now 😉
• The Delightful Dueters, written (and sung) by missionaries and sisters Rosy and Gracie Marr, is a greatly refreshing site to go to. They have beautiful voices and sing some amazing, peaceful music (some of which I’ve never heard but I really like). The two are teenagers, and definitely worth checking out for any youth, singer, or even if you just need a peaceful music break. This particular song is beautiful. Go check it out 🙂
• cheerfulchitchats is a great site to go visit. The writer bubbles over with enthusiasm and joy, and I especially love this post. Such a true word–we need to continue emitting that beautiful aroma that brings people to Christ, even when we’re hated for it. I also enjoy her vlogs, which you can find on her site. Anyways, y’all check it out!

Ward’s Questions and My Answers:

What is your “Life Verse” or favorite verse and why?

Ooh, good one! My favorite is Acts 20:24. It has really touched me and spurred me on toward the mark, so that I don’t become fearful or intimidated by the calling God has given me. It is just fine if I die–I will be home. For that reason, I am not scared of being persecuted or even killed (though sometimes it seems I’m more intimidated of just stepping out of my box than I am being killed). Oh, how did this turn into a #vulnerablemoment?!

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Sidenote: this verse being on my blog header has its ups and downs–I once had a friend, who could only see the first half of the verse on a phone, think I was suicidal 😉

Describe briefly a moment of Grace in your life.

Haha–briefly 😀

Well, there was the time when I was stupid and walked alone on a dark street in a dangerous city in Nicaragua with two gringos younger than me. And God definitely saved my life. I would for sure define that as grace (on my dad’s part as well–he saved me from a whupping by forgiving me).

On a more serious note, I would consider when I was sick over last winter for a long time a time of grace. I was slightly depressed during this time from the desperation of feeling bad–I’m used to feeling good–and the enemy used that against me. I was weak, lethargic, and just overall in bad shape. God gave me immense grace during that time to make it through the other side.

What is your favorite gift and why?

One of my favorite gifts (apart from salvation 🙂 ) is to see a friend I haven’t seen in a long time, especially a like-minded one. Another would be when a kid takes a liking to me–that always makes my heart leap. And, of course, to build relationships and meet like-minded people. And lastly is when God gives me the answers to my prayers, especially when it is for a friend’s relationship with Him. I’ve seen lives changed through prayer, and it really is my favorite gift (along with seeing a soul saved!).

Oh, one (or two) more. I also enjoy for someone to take time out of their day and teach me what they know about one of my subjects of interest. And for someone to take time out of their day for me to talk to them about the places I’ve gone and things I’ve seen.

Long story short, I love being with people. They, in various forms, are probably my favorite gift.

Favorite Christian song lyrics?

Okay, I’m going to have to list multiple answers, like most of these. One of my favorite lyrics is from Faithful by Ryan Stevenson.

Lord, You don’t need to find me on the stage
Just find me faithful

Definitely really applicable in my life. The next one is from Sons and Daughters by NorthPoint InsideOut.

We are the sons we are the daughters of God
No matter where we go we are close to the Father’s heart

This is also really applicable in my life–we go lots of places!

Christian book that you would recommend

Okay, I might actually have a quick and single answer for this one: A Nickel’s Worth of Hope by André Vandenberg.

It reads like fascinating fiction while actually being a true story. I literally forgot I was even reading nonfiction several times as I tracked the author’s perilous journey from Holland to South Africa during the first part of the book, and his journey from death to Life during the second part of the book. He ended his life serving people and telling them about Jesus. His life is inspiring, and his book is not quite well-known enough.

Describe your intended blog reader.

Ooh, this is a really good question! I legit don’t think I’ve ever been asked this. I would say that my intended blog reader changes, depending on what kind of post I’m blogging. But, just in general, my intended blog reader is someone, believing or unbelieving, that is seeking God; wanting to know more about Him and know Him more. I pray that my site is consistent with my intended reader base 🙂

Favorite book of the Bible and why? (okay to list two!)

I would say Acts is my number one favorite, mostly because it shows the amazingness of when we as believers are baptized in the Holy Spirit, and also because it shows the greatness of what happens after the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It’s a powerful, dynamic journey, and I love how Acts describes it.

And things that are weird to talk about or rare and exciting for us now–like oppression and possession of demons, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, etc.–are sooo…almost expected in Acts. Acts reminds me that the supernatural is not commonplace, but it is to be a natural part of our lives. Not to mention how there’s such a smooth transition from being filled to going out–part of all of our callings!

What city or town is your favorite “go to” place and why?

This one is haaaaaaaaard. Really, really hard. I really enjoy going to Matagalpa, Nicaragua. It’s physically stressing to walk all over town and deal with heat and different food and language and stuff, but when I’m in good health, I enjoy the challenge and I get to missing the people very, very, very much. San Sebastian de Yali, Nicaragua is probably the prettiest place in Nicaragua I’ve ever seen, and I really like it there. Though it is pretty primitive, so not terribly “relaxing”. I also enjoy Hot Springs, South Dakota. It’s really peaceful and relaxing there, and it’s not too far to pretty mountains. Oh, and it’s legal for me to drive there (more about that in a later post if I ever get around to it).

What would you like to change about your life?

Here comes another #vulnerablemoment 😉 My answer to this is fairly quick: I want to be less ashamed of what I know to be true, and I want my prayer and evangelism to take on a more out-in-public role.

Unmet desire or goal?

That one I can answer pretty quick, too. I have a few, but one of the main ones is to learn Chinese. It’s one of those things I really want to do and I’m almost sure I will at some point in my life, so that definitely counts as an unmet desire/goal. And I want to go to the places God has for me, which I’m super excited about.

Share an interesting fact about your life.

What to choose?? 😀 I live a unique life that is super different than the “average” one, so most of the facts about my life are interesting to most people. I am an only child, for starters. My parents don’t have paying jobs, and I don’t go to a brick-and-mortar school. We travel a lot, and telling people about Jesus is our family career. But that’s…my life. 😀
My Questions

Sooo, here’s my questions for my nominees! Also, if you’re not a nominee, please, please, please answer these questions in the comments. I’m super excited to see answers to these questions, both in nominees’ posts and in the comments!!

1. What would you consider to be a turning point or climax in your life? Why?
2. Do you feel called to a particular place or people group? If so, who or where? (more than one is just fine)
3. What is one spiritual lesson you have learned recently? How did you learn it?
4. What is(are) your favorite type(s) of ministry and why?
5. What kind of ministry makes you uncomfortable? Why?
6. What is your favorite attribute of Jesus and why?
7. What is your purpose in life? What do you hope people see in your life?
8. What’s your favorite Bible verse(s)? Any reason why you chose that?
9. What is the quality you look for in a friend the most? Do you feel like people see that in you? In who and how do you see that quality the most?
10. List a Christian resource or two (or three) that has touched you. (can be a book, movie, song, blog, YouTube channel, etc.) How did it touch you?
11. Who is your intended blog reader and what is your blog’s purpose?

And, because I’m on a roll here, here’s some bonus questions you shouldn’t feel pressured to answer, even if I nominated you. These are for fun, and you may answer them if you like in your nomination post if you’re a nominee or in the comments if you’re a reader, or you can completely leave them off.

1. Where would you go for mission work if finances wasn’t an issue?
2. What kind of transportation would you choose to get there, provided time, money, and realism weren’t factors?
3. What kind of people would you minister to once you got there?

I’m tempted to answer my own questions, but I’ll wait for pressure from y’all to do so 😉

There we are! It’s taken me waaaaaayyyyy too long to get this post out, but I’m super happy that I finally did! I hope you all enjoyed and will get involved in this post by either checking out the nominees, commenting with your answers to my questions, or some other way. I’m so grateful to y’all and look forward to all that will come from this post.

Blessings, everyone!