Ladies, you’ll completely get me when I say this – who doesn’t love the quiz pages in those girly magazines, am I right?!

There’s something about a little self introspection that’s intriguing and satisfying – like having someone ask you questions that you’ve been dying to talk about, or didn’t even know that you wanted to talk about, but with first glance, you’re ready to dive in.

When my friend Amy nominated me for a Liebester Award – a shout out to smaller blogs – she asked me 11 questions with the request to share my answers and then ask 11 new questions to a 11 new bloggers that I nominate for a Liebester. Totally unexpected, but I have to admit, such a treat fill out!

With that, here is a little bit of me, revealed through Amy’s thought-provoking and fun questions!

1. Why do you blog?

Ever since I was little I have loved to write – everything from creatively, crazy stories to journaling. During college, I came to realize my passion for the family table and the communion that comes through sharing a meal together. I originally started blogging to write about the family table, but now my blog has grown to encompass issues of faith and finding inspiration through the people who surround us. I blog because I want to share, not because I want to get more hits or get  my name out there.

2. What’s your favorite dessert?

I am a dessert girl, so this one is tough. Without fail, if you give me a bowl of vanilla ice cream topped with fresh berries, I will be sailing through dessert heaven. When the berry juices swirl with the melty creamy goodness, oh boy …

3. What’s your favorite workout?

Currently, I love to swim. It’s more than a workout, though. Getting in the pool reminds me of my dad. He was a swimmer, an All-American swimmer and my forever superman. When I jump in the pool, I come up for a first breath and smile. It’s like he’s swimming beside me. With every stroke I feel his presence.

4. What are your three favorite songs right now?

“Alive” by Jesus Culture with Kim Walker makes me want to jump up and raise my hands. For me, music is such a powerful form of worship. Praising our Lord through words and sweet melody is like dissecting the heart to reveal its beautiful love song. “God’s Great Dance Floor,” by Chris Tomlin also makes me bust into spontaneous dance moves I wasn’t aware I could do. “Boasting,” by Lecrae – those lyrics are truth to live by.

5. What brings you joy?

Amy, you know me well. My favorite word is JOY – something I firmly believe never leaves you. Happiness is conditional, but JOY is unconditional. The greatest thing that brings me JOY is knowing that we have an incredible Abba Father who created each one of us in love. He chose us, each one of us. We didn’t have to come into being, but He said, “You’re worth it.” It’s not hard to find the miracle of life, like look at a   new mother and father left speechless with the birth of their child. Every morning when I wake up, I’m reminded that my Father blessed me with the gift of a new day. He created me with a purpose. He is my JOY.

6. What’s your dream vacation?

Vernazza in Cinque Terre – a small, small town on the Northwestern coast of Italy. My friend Taylor and I (yes, two Taylors – we’re a hoot) traveled there two summers ago and spent the week eating slabs of fresh foccacia slathered in pesto, walking the cliffs overlooking the ocean (miles upon miles each day) and swimming in the Mediterranean.

7. What’s your dream job?

Helping people see the beauty of their stories – their God given story. I love celebrating people’s passions. I want to be the person you can trust when you’re feeling heartbreak or pain. I want to be transparent so that others can see we’re all weak at times, but in weakness, we support each other and realize we’re not in it alone! I want to share these powerful stories with our world, because everyone has a story worth sharing.   I feel blessed to be doing that right now!

8. What’s one rule you live by?

A dear friend put it to me this way – God is who He says He is and I am who He says I am.

9. What’s one outfit you could live in?

My black Patagonia dress. I wore it every Sunday when I was in Czech for three months last summer. Super comfortable and just classy enough to make it dressy if you’re in a “oops, I forgot to dress nice” scenario.

10. What are some of your favorite blogs?

I love Jenna Weber’s Eat Live Run. I’ve read it for so long I feel like I know her! She shares recipes for her delicious creations and is bold in sharing her faith. Another blog I love is Amy’s C’est California Vie. She’s one of my closet friends and watching her grow through her blog is always a highlight of my day.

11. What do you do to unwind?

Wander. I could walk and stroll all day, be it in nature, a new city or a cozy neighborhood. We are surrounded by beauty and allowing myself to explore it refreshes me.

My Blog Nominations:

Tim in Czech

Spoonful of Sugar

The Summer of 2013

The Adventures of an Irish Girl

The Reluctant Missionary

In the Midst

 Nathan B Hughes

Living by Lysa

Claire’s Corner

My Thoughts of the World of Sports

Cornelia Seigneur

My Questions:

1. Why do you blog?
2. What dessert best describes your personality?
3. What is your ideal way to start the day?
4. What is your favorite room in your home?
5. What’s your favorite word?
6. What’s the thing you spend the most time doing each day?
7. If you could hop on a plane tomorrow, where would you go?
8. What movie have you seen the most?
9. Who/what is the thing you trust the most?
10. Your last meal – what would it be?
11. If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be?

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