Blessed Guest - Lauren

My Blessed Guest today is an adorable gal I met through blogging. She's on my list of girls I'd love to hug in person one day. If you haven't already met Lauren at Living By Faith, pop on over and introduce yourself today.

I won't give away her story, but for those of you on the journey of adoption, her blog will be a comfort and a great encouragement. She will touch your hearts and even remind those of us who are a teensy bit older, what it was like to be a young married couple again.

Welcome Lauren!

How did Living by Faith begin?

I started blogging in January of 2009. So, I am relatively new to the blogging world. I started my blog and had originally titled it “Live Laugh Love.” I felt the Lord prompting me to write my thoughts down and I chose to do that through blogging. For about 4-5 months my husband was the only one who read my blog. In that time I changed the title to “Walking By Faith.” I started getting comments on my posts in late spring and realized that other people were reading them! In the fall of 2009 I changed the title to “Living By Faith” because I think it perfectly describes my life. I don’t anticipate changing the title again.

What do you/ don't you love about it?

I love the community that has developed through the blogging world. In the sphere of Christian women bloggers there is such a loving and supportive spirit. I’ve made some incredible friends in blog land. Doors have opened for me to share Christ with others and to encourage woman by sharing the experiences the Lord has led me through.

One negative about blogging is the unfortunate experience of being taken advantage of. When you put yourself out there on the internet, you make yourself fairly vulnerable. It is sad that there are people out there who use the internet to abuse others. I have been very fortunate to only have limited experience with this.

What has surprised you the most about blogging?

I think the biggest surprise to me is that people actually read my blog and come back for more! I have been amazed at the way God has used my story, especially the hard parts, to bring healing and/or encouragement to others

Bloggers are usually writers. Do you write anywhere else or for anyone else?

I still have a hard time considering myself a real writer, but I guess I am! I write for the Family Channel at Exemplify Online Magazine. It’s been an incredible blessing!

Do you use your blog for your ministry?

It’s my hope and prayer that my blog ministers to other women.

Who are a few of your favorite blogs to read?

Oh my goodness … this is always a hard question because there are so many!
My number one is Amy @ Filled with Praise. She and I have become very close and I consider her one of my best friends (even though we’ve never met in real life!)
Rachel @ Musing of a Future Pastor’s Wife is another one of my favorites and actually the first blog I ever read (other than my own.)
Andrea @ Under Grace and Over Coffee is fabulous and, incidentally, editor of the Exemplify Family Channel!
There are a lot more – but those 3 are in my top 20! : )

Have you ever met your blog-friends in person? If so, which ones?

I’ve never met anyone who was a blog friend FIRST. I do have a few blog friends who are also real life friends though: Brooke @ The Mountain Brooke has been a real life friend for about 4 years. We used to live in the same little mountain town, but now are on opposite sides of the country. I have a couple other real life friends with private blogs that I enjoy reading.

Who has made the biggest impact on your life?

In blog land or in real life??
In real life it would definitely be my husband.
In blog land it would be Amy @ Filled with Praise. She is a prayer partner and a friend. She was influential in our decision to adopt our son from Ethiopia.

How about some tried and true blog randomness:

Oh no… another tough one. Hmmm: My favorite color is pink. I love dogs but have 2 cats.I used to like country music, but now just listen to Christian radio and worship CD’s. My favorite number is 7 … don’t know why, but it sure is biblical! I like my coffee black. I need a good 8 hours of sleep to be fully functional.

Do you have a favorite scripture?

My life verse is probably 2 Corinthians 5:7 “We live by faith, not by sight.”
I also adore Philippians 2:25 “shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”

What would surprise us about you?

Before I came to Christ I went through about a 6 month wild phase. I had 4 piercings up each ear and short spiky hair. I look back now and wonder who that girl was. It wasn’t me. I am so thankful that Jesus rescued me from myself. I look at young girls now who are trying to look cool and act tough and I wonder about the pain in their hearts, and what awful hurts they’re hiding. That was me – living each day in agony on the inside, and acting like I didn’t have a care in the world on the outside. People who know me now are always shocked when I tell them about who I was when Christ came for me.

What's your favorite flavored potato chip?

BBQ all the wayyyyy!!!

Favorite thing to do with your family?

I love my weekly date night with John. My favorite is to cuddle up with a bowl of popcorn, a mug of root beer, and an old movie.

What book is on your nightstand right now?

Daylight Must Come by Helen Roseveare.

Last food you ate?

Hot Dog with ketchup and mustard … yum.

When was the last time you played the air guitar?

I think I do it unconsciously a lot when I am listening to worship music. I taught myself to play with worship songs, so when I hear or sing them I strum my hand against my belly a lot.


Lauren, thank you so much for stopping by Blessed today and sharing your life with us!