about a month ago, i was tagged by erika @ chambanachik to receive the "liebster award." basically, this means i get to tell you guys a little bit about myself, and then ask YOU to tell me a little bit about yourself! :)
The rules for the Liebster award:
1. Post 11 Random facts about yourself.
2. Choose 11 deserving bloggers and tag them in your post.
3. Tell them you've tagged them.
4. Answer 11 questions the tagger has asked you and give 11 questions to the people you've tagged.
5. No tag backs.
11 facts
If you knew me…
1. ...you would know that the mountains are my favorite place in the world.
Between the still of the forest and the chill of the morning and the smell of the pine, being in the mountains is like the most romantic love affair for me and the place I feel closest to God.
2. ...you would know that I am introspective to a fault. I am constantly analyzing and re-analyzing everything.
3. ...you would know that I despise television, unless it’s something on the History, Travel, or Discovery channel.
4. ...you would know that I love my alone time. I love being around my family and friends, but I thrive off of days to myself.
I love time to listen to music, to lounge around in my boxers, to watch Roseanne, to paint my nails. Time alone is what keeps me sane, what keeps me motivated to move forward.
5. ...you would know that I love birds. I think the way they hop around and eat and chirp and tilt their heads is absolutely adorable. I definitely got this from my mom:)
6. ...you would know that I can’t stay in the same place for too long. After a couple of weekends at home, I start to get antsy and need to get out, even if for only a day. That feeling of driving on roads I’ve never seen before, of being in new places, and exploring unknown territory is pretty magical.
7. ...you would know that mornings and breakfasts are my favorite part of every day. The smell of morning + waffles, bacon, and a fresh cup of coffee is pretty close to perfection in my book.
8. ...you would know my love languages are quality time + physical touch. If you haven't already noticed from my blog, I love writing about the time I spend with my family, my best friends, and Ethan. Even if it’s just talking over a cup of coffee or taking long drives, spending one-on-one time with the people I love is my biggest priority.
9. ...you would know that I’m really bad at communicating through email. Often times, when I read an email, I get overwhelmed because I feel like I can never respond in a way that does justice to someone. I would also much rather pick up the phone and talk to someone than sit at my computer and plink out an email. Another reason is that, if I have the option to do something other than sit at the computer? I’ll always pick that option. I really try to distance myself from technology as much as possible. Even still, I feel like I’m never distant enough.
10. ...you would know that, even though people hate on all of these things, I'm not ashamed about the fact that I:
a) enjoy listening to Nickelback every now and again. b) rock out to Justin Bieber erryday and I LOVE it. c) have read all the Twilight books and have seen all the Twilight movies. d) got sucked into all The Hunger Games hype. e) still love watching High School Musical.
yes, i'm 24-years-old, but age is just a number, baby. ;)
11. ...you would know that, at this season in my life, I am pretty much against organized religion. I have to come to find that there is just as much legalism in the church now as there was during Jesus’ time. Today’s “church” seems to enjoy teaching that there’s a one-size-fits-all Christianity packet, which I think could not be farther from the truth. Every relationship with God is personal and I believe the real church is believers being gathered together, whether that’s physically or in spirit. My favorite church is having conversations about God with my family and best friends.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy going to church or love participating in amazing worship. It just means that I no longer buy into the whole “being a member, getting involved, quiet time every day” checklist that today’s Christian seem to pride themselves on. My desire is to focus less on what I’m doing and more on who God is.
11 questions--Erika's questions for me
1. If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now (a particular career, being a homemaker, etc.), what would you want to do?
right now, i'm an administrative assistant at a tax firm. i really enjoy what i do because i'm good at organizing and administrating and i love working face-to-face with people. if it wasn't working where i'm at now, i'd love to be doing something similar--working with people, helping them out in any way that i can, and building face-to-face relationships.
my dream is to work with kids and my ultimate dream would be to run my own children's home someday. i'm also really interested in world geography, in US history, and cultural anthropology. i'm not sure what i'd like to do in regards to any of those topics, but they are things i'm passionate about and fields of interest i would love to pursue in the future.
2. What’s the best, no-fail recipe you have?
i haven't made enough things in my lifetime to have a no-fail recipe;) but the best thing i've ever made, hands down, is pioneer woman's chicken parmesan.
all i can say is: OH. mygosh. my mouth tingles at the prospect! i'll warn you that it IS a little time-consuming to make, but oh, so worth it.
3. What 3 things would you grab in a fire?
my stuffed Snoopy that i've had since i was 2 or 3;
my stacks of letters from ethan from boot camp and deployment;
and the set of DVD's of my family's home movies.
4. What book has made a big impact on your life? You’re allowed to name more than one.
at this point in my life, i would have to name 4. all of these books have made me see God more clearly than i ever could on my own. and He continues to be better than i ever expected.
1. Cold Tangerines: This book completely changed my way of living and the way that i see the world. it made me stop seeing the world as something to survive, but rather, something to savor. it made me realize that life will never be anything we expect, but that it is beautiful for its surprises along the way. it made me realize that God's heartbeat is in everything--in sidewalks and laughter and the green of the trees--and i can see it, hear it, feel it, if only i'm willing to stop and take it in.
2. Bittersweet: this book was written by the same author as Cold Tangerines, but it's changed my heart in a completely different way, by making me see that i'm so not alone in this life. the things she writes about has made me realize that i'm not the only one who struggles, who feels inadequate, who yearns for things, who needs redemption. it's beautiful and painful and filled with oh-so-much grace.
3. The Shack: this is a book i would recommend to all Christians because it showed me that God can't be found in a box. He doesn't reside in church buildings or even in the term "Christianity." writing about the book won't do it justice, but this book has continued to open my eyes up and allowed me to see that God is not who i think He is. in fact, He is more good and more loving and more graceful than i ever imagined. but the thing that got me the most about this book is that He's more REAL than i ever knew He could be. He's an Almighty God with His hand wrapped around the universe, but He has made Himself small enough to know each of our stories individually--to laugh with us, to mourn with us, to redeem us, to lead us forward.
4. Captivating: Captivating is a book that put a mirror in front of my face. and instead of seeing my ordinary old reflection, i saw Jesus. i saw His love and felt His beating heart. this book taught me that, as a woman, i am more precious than any diamond and more delicate than the most beautiful of flowers. i am the Beloved of God, the One on His mind, the One He pursues, the one He romances. it showed me my wounds as a woman and bound them up. every woman--and i mean, EVERY woman--should read that book. i believe God is waiting in between those pages, just waiting to pour His love out on you and to finally set you free.
5. If someone handed you a front row seat to any concert, who would you want to see?
Rascal Flatts. hands down.
my new favorite song by them<3 i think it's one of their best yet.
6. Imagine someone describing you to a stranger-what would they say?
probably: hard-working. fiesty. sensitive. stubborn. loves to laugh and laughs a lot. good conversationalist, but still reserved. quick-tempered, at times. introspective.
7. What’s something you’ve always wanted, but never gotten? (an accomplishment, a possession, a feeling, anything)
i've always wanted to master both the guitar and piano, as well as another language. 3 things that i haven't made a point to work very hard at, but i'd like to see that change in the near future.
8. What’s something you’ve always wanted and did get?
i always wanted a man who would cherish me completely. who would see my flaws and my messiness and still want me despite all of it. i wanted a man who was affectionate, adventurous, and who i could laugh and play and be silly with. and now, i'm lucky enough to have all of that. it's been a long and windy two and a half years, but more recently i feel like we've finally arrived a place we both want to be. it feels pretty amazing.
9. You are magically handed your own birth certificate to type in any name you want. Do you stick with what you have or change it?
i would keep my name, absolutely:) i adore it.
10. What gives you the most comfort?
the mountains. writing. talking with my mama. laughing with my siblings. talks about God with my stepdad. reminiscing with my best friend. holding hands with ethan. fresh coffee. long drives. the sound of acoustic guitar. watching the sun rise. an amazing worship session. being in any of the places that remind me of home: sutter creek; downtown sacramento; old fair oaks; the church i grew up in (provided it's empty;)). time with old friends and that feeling that nothing at all has changed.
11. If you go to England someday, can I stow away in one of your checked bags?
Erika, of course!;) we'll find old bookstores and drink tea and eat crumpets and ride big, red double-decker buses and stroll through museums and have a jolly old time!
***
Now, this is the tough part!;) i don't think i can come up with 11 bloggers, but i'll pick the people i'd love to hear the most from. and in no particular order! :)
Nicole @ Consider the Lilies
Lindsay @ Lindsathy Loves
Beka @ Hold On, Love
Lauren @ Ladaisi
Emily @ Skinny Fit Blog
Angie @ The Heart of Aloha
Courtney @ Vintch
Kate @ From Kate, With Love
now, my 11 questions for you ladies are:
1. where is your happy place? the one place you love escaping to to find peace, comfort, joy?
2. what is your dream job?
3. if i were in town visiting for only one day, where would you take me? what would we eat, what sights would we see?
4. tell me what your ideal outfit looks like--one that makes you feel the cutest while still the most like yourself. for example, mine would be something like: skinny jeans, white peasant top, red flats, red nail polish, gold dangly bracelets on my wrists, and waves in my hair:) now your turn!
5. if you could go back in time to witness any event in history, which would it be and why? (mine would be the parting of the red sea:))
6. what song/which artist is on repeat for you right now? and please, name more than one!
7. what are you looking forward to the most about fall?
8. tell me about a weird pet peeve that you have.
9. which of these 4 would be your number one and why: mountains, city, country, ocean?
10. stealing this idea from erika;) what is your favorite thing to make in the kitchen?
11. what is something you're learning/God's teaching you in this season?
i really thought long and hard about the things i would want to ask each one of you and this is what i came up with! i so hope you play along, as i'm really looking forward to each of answers. even if you don't feel like posting a blog about it, i would love to read your answers in the comments below or in an email<3 so excited to see what you have to share!
thank you, erika, for tagging me! i had such a blast doing this:)
0 comments:
Post a Comment