Outstanding Blogger Award

Hello, lovely readers! I have some fun stuff in store for you today! I’m doing another blogger award and answering some amazing questions. This is s the kind of post you’ll want to read in your favorite spot with a glass of lemonade in your hand. It’s like a sort-of-random conversation between sisters. 😜 AND I need your help! For this to be a conversation, you’ll have to carry it on into the comments. You can pick one of the questions from the award or maybe share something exciting you’re doing before school starts:) I look forward to hearing from you!

Without further ado, let’s get to it!!

Outstanding Blogger Award

Thank you to Elisha McFarland for nominating me for this award!!

The Rules:

1. Provide the link to the creator’s original post. Outstanding Blogger Award by Colton Beck.
2. Answer the questions provided.
3. Create 7 unique questions.
4. Nominate 10 bloggers. Ensure that they are aware of their nomination. Neither the award’s creator, nor the blogger that nominated you, can be nominated.
5. At the end of 2020, every blog that ping-backs the creator’s original post will be entered to win the 2020 Outstanding Blogger Award

---

1: What (or who) inspires you?

My most powerful writing comes after hard days and long battles with sin. How Humility Hit Me in the Face came from a disappointing day on the track, Stop Trying came from the years of self-righteousness I knew so well, and I wrote It’s Okay to Have an Imperfect Family with a flashlight in the dark after a big argument. Difficult circumstances get me out of my routine and make me think hard about important topics, and I get the most inspiration from the struggle.

2: What is your favorite blog to read?

Ooh… that’s a hard one! I love so many blogs and know so many amazing bloggers. I really enjoy The Striped Plaid, but I read LOTS of other blogs too!! 😊

3: Do you enjoy writing?

If I didn’t enjoy writing, I would’ve given up on this blog a long time ago. I admit writing sometimes feels like a chore, but even when it does, my readers keep me going. Those kind comments ya’ll take the time to write make all the difference. So, yes, I love writing. Writing helps me process what I believe and why I believe it. I’ll think over a certain topic for a while, and when I write about it, it’s like letting the air out of a balloon. It’s relieving and satisfying to get my thoughts down on paper.

Suggested: My Life As a Blogger

4: Do you have a specific goal for your blog?

Yes. I want to encourage girls like me by showing them how amazing God’s grace really is. I want my writing to remind girls they’re not alone in their doubts and struggles.

5: What is your favorite conversation topic?

For deep conversations, I like to go back and forth between politics and theology. For lighthearted conversations, I can talk about XC and swim team for a long, long time. 🙂

6: Do you write about this topic?

Yes, I write about almost all of those things! I generally avoid writing about politics, though. I feel very passionately on many political topics, but I don’t know if the internet is the best place for me to voice those opinions yet. I do know, however, that I might become a bit more “political” because of my pro-life, pro-family views. As politics becomes more centered on moral issues, my political stance can mean more than high or low tax rates.

7: Do you like coffee?

Never actually tried it, but I love the smell. Since I don’t like many coffee-flavored things, I don’t think I will like it when I try it, though. Sad, I know. I’ll just have to load up on hot chocolate. 😂

8: Do you, like me, have a specific snack you eat while blogging?

No, I actually don’t. Food distracts me. Water is nice to have on hand, but I usually just sit down at my desk and start writing. I usually have to eat before, though- I cannot write (or really do much at all!) on an empty stomach.

9: Who taught you how to write?

My dad, mom, and older brother have been my editors. I’ve gotten lots and lots of constructive criticism from them, and I’ve greatly benefited from it all. I also took IEW and LTW writing courses. Both classes strengthened my writing and gave me a foundation for what I write now.

10: What is your strongest conviction?

That Christians have to be ”all in” and totally reliant on God and His Word. If you’re not growing closer to Him and serving Him, you’re drifting away to Him and serving yourself.

On a lighter note, I’m passionate about keeping out of that Hydroflask fad. 🙃 Seriously, 9/10 people on my XC team have one! Fads make me laugh. Remember fidget spinners? Yeah, that fad went out pretty quick.

Suggested: Died Before We Came – A Christian’s Call to Total Surrender

11: Do you have vision for the future? If so, explain.

I want to be a mother when I’m older, and I hope to be a blogger, author, and speaker (and also possibly a content-creator?) on the side. I’m still dreaming and thinking up new possibilities, though. I’m so glad that God is the one directing my life- I can be pretty confused about future plans.

12: What activities (besides writing) do you enjoy?

Swimming and running and eating… the athlete’s life:)

13: Do you think social media is good or helpful?

Yes and no. I think that’s everyone’s answer. It definitely does harm, but then again it does good. Some of it is a complete waste of time, but I really appreciate the social media that kept us connected during the lockdowns. I waste a lot of time on screens, so sometimes I feel super guilty and want to be done with it all. On the other hand, this platform has helped me to grow my writing and encourage other girls. Like I said, yes and no.

14: What is your greatest wish?

To be a successful speaker and author. I also really want to be a wife and mother when I’m older. If I couldn’t have both dreams, though, I would definitely chose having a family.

My Questions

1. What was the most exciting thing that happened to you in the last year?
2. If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
3. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in blogging/writing?
4. If you had to write a book, what genre would you choose?
5. Is there anything you can talk about for multiple hours? If so, what is it?
6. Would you rather eat a bucket of ice cream or a bag of chips?
7. If you could spend one hour with anyone in the Bible (someone other than Jesus), who would it be?

My Nominations

(I couldn’t find 10, but if any of you like this award, feel free to carry it on. I nominate you!)

Malaya

Quiana

Hope Leilani

Julia

Anna