Liebster Award Nomination 2017

A big shout out to Sarah of The Backyard Missionary blog for nominating me and Existing For More for the 2017 Liebster Award. I’ve enjoyed connecting with Sarah in our group of Women Christian Bloggers and across other social platforms. It’s women like Sarah that I look up as I continue to grow in this role as a Christian blogger. Their example encourages me to share Jesus with others in a very real way, through my experience, strength, and hope.

I had no idea how large the network of female Christian bloggers was when I started Existing For More last summer, but am so grateful I stumbled upon this group in recent months. They have helped me a ton by rooting me on showing love across various social media platforms to just doing what they are doing and being great examples and encouragements for me to keep going!

There is one lady in particular, I’ve felt especially connected to through her writings (and I really haven’t even let her know! Silly me!), her name is Nicole Kauffman and her blog is Courage Hope Love. Not only is her content great and something I almost always relate to in some way, but she’s inspired me with what I can be doing with Existing For More, when I’m ready to grow again.

A little about this great blog:

Blogging has become so trendy these days; there are all different types and genres out there. I enjoy reading a wide variety, but at the end of the day, my bucket is full when I read the words of other Christian women. The words God puts on their hearts really resonate with me and I feel like I’m among friends when I’m reading them. Nicole’s blog does just that for me — makes me feel like I’m sitting down with a friend getting some advice or perspective on life.

Her most recent post “How to Be Thankful in the Middle of Your Pain” hit me at just the right moment as I sat here reading crib-side in the NICU. Like many of her other posts, it is talking about real stuff, but she also gives some great solutions. I don’t need more friends (or posts) that confirm what I’m feeling. I need some new insight on what to do about it.

Nicole doesn’t stop their either — she includes some fantastic resources with most of her blogs. Whether it’s a print out you can hang up with scripture reminders or some helpful worksheets to write out or journal about a specific issue, these resources have great benefit! Not only that is it a value add, but her “extra mile” inspires me to keep thinking of what more I can be doing with my blog to really help my readers. And that is what this whole thing is about!

My 10 Random Facts

My daughter was born 14 weeks early (currently on day 105 of our NICU stay).
I love the part of the day before 11am.
I’m not using what I went to college for (marketing/advertising), except for the skills I learned to get me through college (being organized and disciplined).
I’ve spent the last 2 years working to completely detox our house of chemicals.
My husband and I married 9 months after our first date. When you know, you know 🙂
The Whole30 Program has changed my life.
My english bulldog has his own Instagram account (@wesleythebully).
I have been a “Big Sister” for 5 1/2 years. My “Little Sister” started as an 11-year-old and she will be graduating high school in May!
I do not do well with moderation — I’m an all or nothing type of gal.
I can’t say no to a donut.

Questions

1. Do you prefer country or city living? Why?

I’ve only ever lived in the city. That being said, I’m desperate to get out of here! Of course there’s nothing wrong with city life, I’m just ready to be away from it all. I’ve done a few large cities in my life and I have a desire for something very different. Thankfully, my husband is a farm boy and still works in the ag industry. He’s also ready to find some land and settle down. We are out in the country plenty and I feel that’s where I belong. Out in the middle of nowhere, raising some animals, having a garden and some crops. Learn how to live without Target 10 minutes away. We hope to make this a reality in the next 10 years, so we’ll see!

2. What is one message you want to shout for the world to hear?

Each person was created on purpose, for a purpose. You may not understand your purpose right now, but trust it will be made clear. And just like you have a purpose, each person you come in contact with also has a purpose. Just like you were made in the image of God, so was each person you interact with throughout your day. You don’t have to like everyone, but you do need to love everyone.

3. What motivates you to get up every morning?

The answer to this question has changed many times a year as I’ve grown up and learned more about myself and God. For now, it’s my daughter. Her room is 5 miles away from mine, in a hospital. It won’t be forever, but this has been long. I’m just embarking on this journey of motherhood, feeling excited and scared, but I see this being my answer for a while. Amelia gets me out of bed each morning.

4. What is your favorite scripture or quote? Why?

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This verse gives me peace when I feel lost or afraid of the future. It reminds me, I’m not going at it alone. He walks beside me and He has plans for me. He will make the best out of all I endure, even when I can’t see it at the time, as long as I continue to turn to Him.

5. What do you hope to be remembered for?

For loving my friends and family well. And also for showing grace and sharing my life so others could see Christ in me and how He’s worked in my life. I’ve had many ups and downs and twists and turns and through it all, I try to share my experience, strength and hope so that when people hear my story, there is no question to them that it’s all because of Him.

6. What is your favorite post and why?

Now that’s a tough question! I pour so much into each of my posts… maybe I should do that less and I’d have more posts and something to choose as a favorite! 🙂 I really enjoyed writing my goodbye letter to my dog, Hank. It was extremely healing for me because I really let it all out. If you are a dog lover, you might enjoy it!

7. How and where do you pray for your most pressing issues? (e.g.- you write them, sing them, share them with close friends, do them early, or late at night…)

I tend to keep my prayers pretty private, but if I do share it’ll be with my husband and mentor. Otherwise, when I’m going through the “stuff”, it’s pretty much between me and God. I like to pray out loud when it’s the really big stuff. I tend to do it most while I’m driving or on a walk. Once I’m past the “stuff”, I feel comfortable to share it when the opportunity presents itself. And some of it even makes it way into this blog!

8. Where are the top 3 places you want to visit?

Australia is my #1 place I’d love to visit. I don’t know that I’ll ever make it there, but it’s definitely top on my list. After Australia, that’s tough. I’m getting less and less interested in travel. But I’d like to go back to NYC, San Fransisco and Washington DC with my hubby to experience those cities with him.

9. What’s your favorite season and why?

FALL. Easy question. All of my favorite things have always happened in the fall… football, leaves changing, hoodie weather, marching band, football, Thanksgiving, our anniversary. I love when the weather changes and opening up the house, especially at night. And laying in bed a little longer because it’s so cozy and warm! Oh and did I mention football?? 🙂

10. What book has inspired you and how did it do that?

I was recently introduced to Jen Hatmaker (I know, what took me so long?!) through her book For the Love. I read it during my first few weeks as a mother (in the NICU) and I laughed, cried, and nodded along. She writes how I think so I really connected and hearing about motherhood, wifehood and being a Christian woman from her was extremely powerful. My biggest take aways were: be gracious and don’t take myself so seriously. I think these are the two lessons I have had to learn about over and over and this time, the message was received loud and clear. And I hope that helps me to be that much better of a mom.

11. What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?

I received SO MUCH great advice in my life and it’s hard to even choose. But, the thing I use daily: “Be where your hands are.” I heard this all too often while I was young, but as an adult it really makes sense. I’m a planner and am frequently getting way too far ahead of myself. This reminds me to be in the moment, to enjoy the present, to let God drive. As of lately, I especially appreciate it. My pregnancy did not look how I planned and now, with a baby in the NICU, I never know what the next day will bring — so all I can do is be where my hands are and most of the time that’s in the NICU holding my girl, and that is just fine!

My Nominees

Please check out these amazing women and their wonderful work!

Kenley, Blonde and Broken (Kenley is a woman after my own heart – and I love how fervently she pursues and shares the Lord, especially in college. Very admirable!)
Lindy, This Beautiful Ride (Lindy is a fellow farmer’s wife with a new blog talking about how she sees God – and evil – at play in her life.)
Maryann, Coming to Light (Maryann has so much knowledge to share – biblically and experiential – and I’m really digging her devotional section of her site!)
Jenn, Jenn Hesse (Jenn puts in to words many of my own feelings about blogging – and life – and I’m especially grateful for her honesty and bravery in sharing about infertility, infant loss, and adoption.)
Elaine, This Grateful Mama (Elaine shows how God is working in the every day details of her life and I appreciate how she just keeps it real.)

Questions for my nominees

What is your favorite room in your house and why?
How do you relax?
Are you an early bird or a night owl? Have you always been this way?
Describe your overall inspiration for your blog.
If you had to pick a bible verse that serves as a mantra for you at this point in your life, what would it be and why?
What would be your ideal morning (or start of day) look like?
What post are you most proud of and why?
Describe your dream vacation.
What is your earliest memory?
Describe your ideal weekend.
What is one piece of advice that you would give to a new blogger just starting out?

About the Liebster Award

If you are nominated for The Liebster Award AND YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT, write a blog post about the Liebster award in which you should do the following:

Thank the person who nominated you, and put a link to their blog on your blog. Try to include a little promotion for the person who nominated you. They will thank you for it and those who you nominate will also help you out as well.

Display the award on your blog — by including it in your post and/or displaying it using a “widget” or a “gadget”. (Note that the best way to do this is to save the image to your own computer and then upload it to your blog post. Check out this post to select an image: https://theglobalaussie.com/blog/liebster-award-2017/)

For the 2017 Liebster Award, I will be shaking things up! Write a 150-300 word post about your favourite blog that is not your own. Explain why you like the blog, provide links.

Provide 10 random facts about yourself. (This year I’m making this optional. If you wish to engage with your readers it’s a great idea to include random facts about you.)

Nominate 5 – 11 blogs that you feel deserve the award, who have a less than 200 followers. (Note that you can always ask the blog owner this since not all blogs display a widget that lets the readers know this information!)
List these rules in your post (You can copy and paste from here or simply link to this post.)
Once you have written and published it, you then have to inform the people/blogs that you nominated that they have been nominated for the Liebster Award and provide a link for them to your post or mine if you don’t have all the information so that they can learn about it (they might not have ever heard of it!) Post a comment in the comments below so I can view your post and check out your blog. I personally visit each and everyone. I visited a few hundred last year!! https://theglobalaussie.com/blog/liebster-award-2017/