Thanks for stopping by. You're just in time for my first Blessed Guest of the month. Pull up a comfy chair and grab yourself a cup of tea. This is going to be fun.
It's my pleasure to introduce all of you to a North Carolina gal and my friend. A woman who has a gift of writing that pierces my heart and has refreshed my tired soul more times than I can count. I'd like you all to give a warm welcome to
Elaine from Peace for the Journey.
I had read
Elaine's blog before (almost) meeting her in person at the She Speaks conference. I caught a glimpse of her in my peripheral, through my tear-filled eyes, after receiving some disappointing news from a woman who was an over-achiever in the discouragement department.
Elaine and I have spent the past two years getting to know each other and our families through our written word. Every so often we will shoot emails back and forth, encouraging one another.
Prompted to chat on the phone last year, our conversations have always been easy and quite humorous. Since her blog is so deep and spiritually filling, I'd expected the same deep well when we spoke. She is truly a godly and wise woman, but I think we were both surprised with each other. I was deeper in my thoughts and she was quite hilarious. I look forward to her books being published because I've told her I will gladly and freely work her book table.
Peace for the Journey is a blog I encourage all believers to subscribe to. As Elaine and Jesus walk hand in hand together, she invites her readers to follow along on their journey. And what a beautiful journey it is.
So, once again, please welcome Elaine.
Elaine, it's so great to have you here today. There's so much I want to ask you. Let's begin in the beginning. Tell us about the birth of your blog.
The name for my blog surfaced long before I'd ever heard of the word "blog." In fact, long before I ever owned a computer. "Peace for the Journey" has been the closing benediction of my correspondence for at least the past ten years. I'm not sure how or even why it intially surfaced, but I have an inkling it had something to do with the fact that my life, in that season, hosted a fragmented "peace."
As for blogging, there is really only one reason I started my blog. I wanted to be able to leave a comment on one of my favorite author's blog,
Alicia Chole. At the time, her blog didn't allow for anonymous comments. As someone who dearly admired her work and wanting desperately to be able to connect with her somehow, I decided to walk through the "set up" for starting a blog so that I would be able to share my thoughts with her. Once I saw how easy it was to leave my world of anonymity and join the vast array of other authors who painted their words for public display, I was hooked. Now, two years and nearly 300 posts later, I suppose I'll stick around a while longer.
What do you/don't you love about it?
I love writing. Blogging allows me an open forum for penning my thoughts and for receiving immediate feedback. That being said, one of the drawbacks that I felt early on in the process was the time commitment it required. I don't "do" quick posts. I labor over most of them for hours, simply because the goal of my writing is to point others back to Jesus. I want to be careful and deliberate in that pointing. Honoring Christ with my words is one of the greatest ways I've found to express my love for him. Thus, my desire to do it well and to do so with no regrets.
What has surprised you the most about blogging?
The biggest surprise and joy I've received from blogging have been the relationships I've formed with the community of readers who frequent my blog. In my wildest dreams, I couldn't have imagined on the front end of this blogging adventure how God would bless my life with so many wonderful, deep friendships.
Bloggers are usually writers. Do you write anywhere else or for anyone else?
I've authored some articles with "Exemplify" on-line magazine and had some devotionals published with the Upper Room. In addition, I've completed three full manuscripts and am currently working on a fourth one on the topic of "faith." My third manuscript, peace for the journey: in the pleasure of his company is soon to be released through WinePress Publications.
Do you use your blog for your ministry?
Well, yes, I use my blog for ministry purposes. I believe that God has enabled my pen to write a few coherent thoughts pertaining to him and that he intends for me to use it for his glory. I can't cook; can't paint; can't decorate; don't scrapbook, occasionally clean the house, and am still working on the "fruit" that God desires to implant within me through the power of his Holy Spirit. But when it comes to writing my heart? Well, some days it's "spot on." For as long as God provides the ink, I intend to write for his kingdom purposes since so many other areas in my life lack the polish and shine therein.
Who are a few of your favorite blogs to read?
How do I hate this question? I love so many blogs for so many different reasons. But I'll give a shout out to the three girls who have stuck with me the longest, almost from the very beginning (and please forgive me in advance for feelings hurt, etc.; I'm simply answering the question):
Kristen @ Over the Backyard Fence
http://christianchick-kristen.blogspot.com/
Sassy Granny (who couldn't use some Sas every now and again?)
http://sassygranny.blogspot.com/
Joy @ Pondering in his Presence
http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/
Have you ever met your blog-friends in person? If so, which ones?
Well, I almost met you at "She Speaks" if you hadn't been sitting there crying on that couch in that bright and bubbly yellow shirt.
Joy
http://ponderinginhispresence.blogspot.com/
Beth
http://endeanmom1.blogspot.com/
Susan, a.k.a. "runner mom"
http://scrunnermom.blogspot.com/
Angie
http://www.theknightlynews.net/
Pamela
http://inhisgraces.blogspot.com/
Lelia
http://leliachealey.blogspot.com/
Kelly
http://aromaofjoy.blogspot.com/
Katie G from Tennessee
http://katiegfromtennessee.blogspot.com/
Who has made the biggest impact on your life?
With the understanding that no one person could replace the impact that the triune God has had in my life, I would say my four children. They have magnified my need for more of Jesus in my life; not because they're rotten, but rather because they are deserving of my earnest pursuit of the Divine. I want to leave a soulprint across their souls. I want to leave them a map for the road home. They have pushed me toward my perfection and forced the issue of my faith, and I am so thankful for their continuing prod along these lines.
How about some tried and true blog randomness:
Do you have a favorite scripture?
Jeremiah 9:23-24 "This is what the LORD says: 'Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD."
The overriding goal of my life is to know God more with every passing day.
What would surprise us about you?
For as ponderous as I might appear to be on the blog, I'm actually quite funny and laid back in 3-D. I'm not a funny writer. I leave that to the Joanne's of the world, but I am a funny person who likes nothing more than a good laugh with a good friend. Actually, I don't even really need to know you to enjoy a good laugh with you. We live in an incredibly funny world.
What's your favorite flavored potato chip?
If one comes in chocolate, then that one.
Favorite thing to do with your family?
Our favorite pasttime is eating out together (remember I can't cook); we usually eat Mexican one night during the week and then enjoy the $2.22 pizza/drink combos at Sam's Club on another day of the week.
What book is on your nightstand right now?
Brother Lawrence's Practicing the Presence of God.
Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for His Highest
Margaret Feinberg's The Sacred Echo
Alicia Chole's Intimate Conversations
Last food you ate?
Does Starbuck's count? If so, then a pumpkin spice frappucino; if not, then a cheeseburger from Cook Out.
When was the last time you played the air guitar?
What's that?
C'mon Elaine, an air guitar!? Haven't you ever pretended to play the guitar or the drums to your favorite song? I see I'm going to have to purchase a ticket to North Carolina, get on an airplane and stop by your place, just so I can teach you the fine art of air guitar.
I'ts been a pleasure having you here today Elaine. I wish you could stay longer. Thank you for being faithful to the ministry He has placed in your hands, and through your hands, writing for Him and for us.
It's a joy to be on this journey with you.
