June 6th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

Time for Saturday Spotlight! Today I would like to introduce you to Monica from Daily Dwelling! I have been following her blog for several months now and have really appreciated her perspective as a military wife (they’re stationed in Germany) and mom of three. Enjoy the interview and then hop on over to dailydwelling.com and say hello to Monica!

1. Tell us about yourself in 3 sentences or less!
I am a Christian wife and stay at home mom to three small children. I am most passionate about growing in my relationship with Christ and being the wife and mother that he has called me to be. My husband recently returned from a long deployment to Iraq and we are enjoying being a family again.

2. Flashback: you’re a senior in high school and you’re wearing your favorite outfit today. Describe your “look.”
Goodness…I had absolutely no fashion sense in high school. I would probably be wearing jeans with a t-shirt and sneakers. I did go through a phase of wearing silk button down shirts and choker necklaces in the tenth grade. Scary, huh?

3. What is your favorite “fun” thing to do?
My favorite thing to do would be to get totally lost in a book or complete some scrapbook layouts, but I’m not sure that either of those fall into a “fun” category. My favorite “fun” thing to do would probably be going to an amusement park and riding all the scary rides! I haven’t done that in years!!

4. What is your most dreaded household task and why?
My most dreaded household task is cleaning the bathroom….it’s the chore that I put off the longest. I tend to think of this area as just yucky and avoid it if I can. It does always surprise me how quickly the task can be completed when I just buckle down and do it.

5. What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?
I just love to take my kids to the park and play with them. I also enjoy sitting back and watching them play. My girls can really get into some pretend play and it just cracks me up!

6. If you had a whole Saturday alone with your husband, what would you do?
I think we would enjoy sleeping in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and head out to some German town within driving distance, probably Trier. We’d spend the rest of the day shopping, eating, talking and strolling down the walking street.

7. What are three other blogs that you enjoy reading, and why?
Big Mama is my absolutely favorite blog. I love the way she writes and I also think that she has stayed true to the purpose of her blog and is just very real. Life At The Circus is another favorite because she always keeps it real. She is a great mother and I can tell that she really enjoys her family. And, of course, I have to mention my husband’s blog, ChaplainAndrews.com.

8. How long have you been blogging, and what motivated you to start blogging?
I started blogging in March of 2007. My husband originally motivated me to start blogging, along with knowing that I was about to have a new baby and we were moving overseas with the Army. I was pretty inconsistent then and didn’t really get involved in the blogging community. I began again in the fall of 2007 after discovering some comments that were made on my blog in the summer. I was amazed that someone was actually interested in our lives and something that I wrote. Since then I have gotten much more consistent and involved in the blogging community. I cannot image not blogging at this point.

9. What five words would you use to describe your blog?
Welcoming, Sincere, Honest, Devoted, and Encouraging

10. Freebie: anything about yourself or your blog that you want to share!
I try to focus my life and, in turn, my blog on honoring God and dwelling on things that honor him. I have been tremendously blessed by this life that God has given me. My family will always be the priority in my life along with my faith and relationship with Christ. I pray that everyone who visits Daily Dwelling feels welcome and encouraged by being here. Oh, and I love hearing from everyone through comments. I am truly honored by my opportunity to share my life with you!

May 30th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

It’s time for another Saturday Spotlight! Today’s spotlighted blogger is Julie from Come Have a Peace!

I feel honored to have Julie on my blog today – I first met her in 1999, I believe. Her husband, Jeff, was the youth pastor at the church I attended through college and Julie headed up the primary age Sunday School class. I got to know Julie when I volunteered in the primary department, then got to know them both better when my roommate and I helped out with the Sr. High youth.

Julie was a good friend and mentor to me through my college years, and I have fond memories of going for walks and dropping in at their house – Julie was so quick to drop whatever she was doing (and I’m sure I interrupted her in the midst of things!) and offer me a drink and sit down to chat. One night when NP was visiting we went out to dinner – his car was broken into and my purse was stolen. We didn’t know what to do, so we called Jeff and Julie! We were all frazzled when we got there around 9:30 or 10:00pm, and they offered their phone to call our parents, Jeff took his camera to help NP document the damage for the insurance company, and Julie served us warm biscotti she had just pulled from the oven! :) She modeled hospitality and what it meant to be a young, Godly wife and mom to me – and I am deeply grateful for her! So, enough from me… enjoy the interview, give her a warm bloggy welcome, and hop over to Come Have a Peace to say hello and browse around – you’ll be blessed!

1. Tell us about yourself in 3 sentences or less!
I grew up in VA and met my Pennsylvanian husband while in college in Ohio, where we never imagined how many opportunities God would give us. We’ve loved being in pastoral or missions ministry for over 15 years together, and I’ve loved being Jeff’s partner in life & ministry. I’ve used all I learned in college, every talent and ability in my life as a mom to my two awesome kids who prompt many praises and prayers.

2. Flashback: you’re a senior in high school and you’re wearing your favorite outfit today. Describe your “look.”
I’ve tried to block out the memory, but I think I’m wearing keds tennis shoes, jeans (pegged), and a sweatshirt, topped off with permed hair.

3. What is your favorite “fun” thing to do?
Love to go to an historic site that includes an herb garden, place to hike, and unique restaurant.

4. What is your most dreaded household task and why?
IRONING. I ask myself that same question … and while I ponder, my pile grows.

5. What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?
Make a picnic for the day, pack the chairs, blanket, and dog, and go play in the mountains by a stream.

6. If you had a whole Saturday alone with your husband, what would you do?
Sleep a little late, have breakfast at Pete’s, go for a drive in the country, and then end with a romantic hilltop picnic in Cades Cove.

7. What are three other blogs that you enjoy reading, and why?
Love reading Kristi’s blog for the great variety of the personal, the practical, and the purposeful depth she includes. Really enjoy Courtney’s blog for the perspective she brings to life as a woman following God. I also love Lisa’s blog – Lisa really challenges me as a mother.

8. How long have you been blogging, and what motivated you to start blogging?
I started blogging in January of 2009. I had been considering the blog plunge for over a year and had really prayed for the right timing to “blog with purpose” not just add more words to the world. In December an editor with Proverbs 31 magazine asked me to inlcude my blog address in a description for an article that just appeared in P31′s June issue. It was the push I needed. So, the blog was born to express my personal walk with the Lord and to complement my ministry to women in my own church, my writing opportunities, and any new opportunities God opens up beyond that.

9. What five words would you use to describe your blog?
I spent the most time considering this question. I settled on some of what I hope: meaningful, honest, practical,encouraging, and peaceful.

10. Freebie: anything about yourself or your blog that you want to share!
I want people to feel like they “know me” when they read my blog, but more than that, I want them to feel like it helps them “know Him” and His peace. We have “schooled” our children in every way possible at one time or another and are using 2 options right now. Each morning I ask the Lord to help me prioritize my hours with His values in mind, in a way that reflects His peace and overcomes potential craziness. I keep loving & learning so much from His Word the longer I’m in it, and my favorite book is Revelation.

May 23rd, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

I’m finally doing a Spotlight Saturday again! Lo and behold, you have to plan ahead for these… not always my strong point. :) Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to my blogging friend, Rosslyn Elliot! I stumbled onto her blog, Inkhorn Blue, quite a few months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her in the online world. Her blog is intelligent and insightful, and I always enjoy her perspective on life, faith, literature, and whatever else she decides to write about. I have also appreciated that for someone who has a doctorate in literature and writes novels, she never corrects my grammar. ;)

1. Tell us about yourself in 3 sentences or less
By day, I’m a Christian homeschooling mom. By night, I’m an inspirational novelist who blogs to let off some idea-steam.

2. Flashback: you’re a senior in high school and you’re wearing your favorite outfit today. Describe your “look.”
I’ve never been much of a fashion plate, so I suppose it would be jeans and a solid-colored t-shirt. Let me think of a few fashion disasters—and believe me, there are some to report. I had a black t-shirt with a tuxedo front printed on it when I was in junior high. I also went through a period of wearing nothing but primary colors: sapphire blue shirt, bright red pants, yellow belt. Ugh! Then the style was grunge in college; I did that well.

3. What is your favorite “fun” thing to do?
Play boardgames. Games allow me to spend time with friends doing something that doesn’t have to matter, just for the pleasure of it. I need to make more time for game nights, and I’m going to get started on that tomorrow by proposing a game night for our church. I’ve had that in the back of my head for a while.

4. What is your most dreaded household task and why?
Folding and putting away clean laundry. I’m always in the middle of some other task, and there’s never enough time, so a huge mound piles up on the bed. Then it really takes forever to put away. The only solution we’ve found is to go up there together and put laundry away for half an hour so we can keep each other company.

5. What is your favorite thing to do with your daughter?
Homeschooling. I have the best time learning with her. Nothing compares to the light in her eyes when she’s really interested in something. I also love the way she later repeats stuff back to me as if I’ve never heard it. “Mom, did you know that street kids in India sometimes live in the sewers?”

6. You have babysitting for the whole day on a Saturday – what will you and your husband do?
Honestly, a Saturday sitter would first enable my husband to go do something by himself, because he often takes our daughter out on Saturdays so I can write for several hours. Sweet, isn’t it? But let me stop dancing around the question and tell you what we like to do. We have been known to go sing karaoke on dates. We also like going to local festivals. If we had a sitter until late at night, we might go to a concert or a play.

7. What are three other blogs that you enjoy reading, and why?
Well, yours, for one! I like your mix of personal info and scriptural analysis. I never miss a post on my agent’s blog. Her name is Rachelle Gardner; she’s known for giving great advice to writers. I also really like Billy Coffey’s blog. He’s a very talented writer who views everyday life from a unique faith-based perspective.

8. How long have you been blogging, and what motivated you to start blogging?
I first started blogging to allow my long-distance family members and friends to keep up with our family life. Then I created another blog to connect with the Christian blogging community.

9. What five words would you use to describe your blog?
Faithful, Honest, Passionate, Encouraging… Confused. LOL!

10. Freebie: anything about yourself or your blog (or your books!) that you want to share?
I write Christian historical fiction including lots of romance and suspense. My first novel is under submission to publishing houses by my agent. (This is a fancy way of saying we don’t know what’s going on with it yet.) I’m close to finishing my second novel. Both novels are based on real historical people from the central Ohio area. I’m very enthusiastic about using my writing gifts to tell others about these real-life heroes.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Kristi!

Thanks for participating! Now, everyone please take a minute to jump over to Inkhorn Blue and say hello to Rosslyn! :)

April 18th, 2009 by Kristi Stephens

This is the first of many (I hope) “Saturday Spotlights” here at Run the Earth, Watch the Sky. This is my way of saying “thank you” to those of you who are loyal readers, commenters, and friends – both online and in person! If you are a faithful reader and commenter, perhaps you will be contacted about being our Saturday Spotlight for an upcoming week! :)

This week we’re talking to Courtney from Women Living Well! Courtney and I met through a mutual friend (well, in a complicated way my friend is related to Courtney, but I still don’t have that straight) and it has been a pleasure to get to know her through our blogs!

Tell us about yourself in 3 sentences or less!
I have been married to my high school sweet heart for 11 ½ years. I am a mommy of two who will begin homeschooling my 6 and 4 year old next year. I am a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute and I LOVE Jesus and want to share him with everyone I know and even people I don’t know!

Flashback: you’re a senior in high school and you’re wearing your favorite outfit today. Describe your “look.”
Okay – it’s really hard to remember this far back!!!! I liked purple to match my purple eye shadow and on my first date with my husband I wore a purple silk shirt with black dress pants. But the most important part of my “look” was my curled hair. I slept in curlers every night and then fluffed and sprayed aqua net all over my hair – I had a beautiful helmet!

What is your favorite “fun” thing to do?
Facebook doesn’t count right? Then I’ll say – go to the beach with my husband and a good book!

What is your most dreaded household task and why?
Ironing – I am not very good at it. I have a very close friend (Kelly) who is great at it and recently she gave me some “ironing lessons”. Thanks to her and my new Shark iron I am finally beginning to enjoy this task.

What is your favorite thing to do with your kids?
I LOVE singing songs with them. I love to hear their little voices singing to Jesus and we have the most fun in the car when I crank the music up and we just sing to our hearts delight! They are great little singers! I love telling them stories about Jesus and answering their questions and I enjoy reading books with them.

You have babysitting for the whole day on a Saturday – what will you and your husband do?
We would buy tickets to an Ohio State Football Game and head to Columbus for a day of shopping and cheering on the Bucks!

What are three other blogs that you enjoy reading?
Yours of course!!!
www.girltalk.blogs.com
www.desiringgod.org/blog
http://www.titus2atthewell.com/

How long have you been blogging, and what motivated you to start blogging?
I’ve been blogging since August of 2008 and my number one fan has been my husband. He has been my motivator and I run everything by him. He has listened and listened and listened to me talk about this site. Daily he asks me about what is happening on the site. He truly cares and encourages me – I am so grateful for his support.

What five words would you use to describe your blog?
Passionate, Encouraging, God-centered, Transparent, Living Well (Jesus is our living well – and when we walk with Him we will live well as we serve him with our mind – body and spirit)

Freebie: anything about yourself or your blog that you want to share!
Blogging can be a lot of work – but for me I enjoy it so much it feels like play! Thomas Edison once said “I never worked a day in my life, it was all play.” That’s how I view serving God, serving my husband, homemaking, and child rearing. I want to keep the joy of the Lord alive in my life – so I can take pleasure in my duties rather than seeing life as one big drudgery. I take my responsibilities seriously but I don’t take myself too seriously – I know I am very flawed! So come enjoy life with me as I attempt to live well with joy to the glory of God!

Thanks, Courtney! Now, head on over to her site and say hi! :)