A Peek Behind the Scenes: The Liebster, Community, and Me

I’m taking an odd step today with my behind the scenes post. I’m giving you a behind the scenes peek at me. And since my picture is right there to the right, I'm thinking you'll be okay if I don't add another one of me. This is going to be a long post. I’m telling you that now. Between answering questions and writing about friends, it’s a lot. Stick with me, would you?

A long time ago in a land far away known as “last year,” my sweet, online friend Amy Boyd did me the very gracious honor of nominating me for my very first blog away – the Liebster. I had seen this on various blogs, but never really thought that anyone would nominate me. It’s a wonderful way to introduce smaller blogs to more people and pass around the blog love. I’m so very grateful because Amy is such a gracious host – not only on her blog – which consistently encourages and uplifts me, but also in other media where I’m getting to know her a little more each week. On Twitter, via email, on Voxer.

Unfortunately, shortly after I received this kind nomination, I packed up my family and went on vacation. And didn’t write for the rest of the year. It was only through the encouragement of Amy and some other friends that I remembered the thrill of connection, the importance of letting the words flow, and got back into the sync of my writing.

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought that real, honest, sincere relationships could be made and thrive online, I might have laughed. I’m laughing for sure now, but for a whole difference reason. Amy and a large handful of other women are part of an online writing community that has become an integral part of my daily life. We cheer, pray, cry, encourage, and advise each other. This blessing of community is something I pray that each person will find – whether online or in your hometown.

Behind the Scenes Part One
So Liebster business. We are asked to provide eleven facts about ourselves:

1. I probably have more books in my bedroom than most people have in their house (if you're willing to count and find out, so am I).
2. I have an uncanny fear of crossing sky bridges of any height or length and will do most anything to avoid them if possible.
3. I don't ever want to go to Las Vegas.
4. I danced in the Pro Bowl. Twice.
5. I am utterly and completely addicted to office supplies. Really. I physically can't say no when I hear, "we're putting in an order at Office Depot, anyone need anything?" #itsnotabouttheneed
6. I also probably have more pens (yes, probably here in my bedroom) than most people have. Ever. (my husband says "than you could use in a lifetime")
7. I am a scarf girl - almost every day - no matter what the weather.
8. Ever since I was in high school, I've always had a jar of dried mung beans around. Just because I like the way they feel.
9. I love doing stage makeup, but my specialty is trauma and horror, so I really only come in handy if you want to look like you've been in a car accident (did that for a video) or want to be a zombie (right Kristen?).
   
10. I'm a classic nerd girl who loves SciFi, Star Wars, Star Trek, the Marvel & DC Comic Book Universe, vampire mythology, Tolkien, dragons, Game of Thrones, and just about anything Joss Whedon. I still dream of making it to ComicCon someday.
11. I'm an avid gardener and am looking forward to spending time in the dirt with my family for our fifth year in a row producing good things to eat and share.  

Behind the Scenes Part Two
Amy provided eleven questions to the friends she nominated for the award:

1.    What movie do you wish had a sequel to finish the story?
Movie, television series, inspired tale with brown-coated, devoted followers – give me more Firefly/Serenity. Un-cancel the show. Make more movies. Just give me more Mal. You can’t take the sky from me.

2.    What is your favorite meal?
Given that we have recently returned from visiting family in the place where I was raised, I’m fairly certain I’ve eaten every single one of my favorite meals last month. Not sure I could pin one down, but it would surely consist of Chinese food: chow mien noodles, roast duck, char siu pork, and cold ginger chicken. Add a couple of sides of ahi limu poke (raw fish with seaweed), manapua, and poi, and that just might be my favorite meal. It’s a good thing I don’t live there anymore.

3.    Do you dream when you sleep? Do you remember them?
Yes. And Yes. My dreams tend to be full-blown action dramas; in color; with soundtracks. Sometimes they’re a weird combination of movies or shows I’ve been watching. Sometimes fact and fiction merge and its bits of movies and bits of real life in a mash-up. What it never is, is boring.

4.    What was your favorite Christmas gift as a kid?
Had to be the red and white skates I got when I was nine. I wanted those so very much and couldn’t wait to open the shiny silver package under the tree that I was sure contained my long-awaited gift. I had hours and hours of fun rolling around in those things.

5.    Are you a morning person or a night owl?
I think I’ve adapted to the morning out of necessity, but it’s pretty telling that during vacations and holidays, I’m lurking up into the wee hours. I guess I’m really a night owl at heart.

6.    If you won the lottery, what 5 people would you tell first?
I’m so terrible – I’m not sure I’d tell anyone for a while! I think it would be fun to run around coordinating extravagant surprises and meeting needs for people and not letting on that you were the responsible party! For sure my husband and my daughter (after I finally broke my silence), but after that, I’m not really sure I’d tell anyone!

7.    What is your best physical feature?
I had to ask my husband and this because I am horrible at this kind of question. We’re going to go with eyes, because they’re expressive.

8.    Who inspires you the most?
People who do put actions behind the words they speak or write. I love to read a passionate entreaty or a determined call to make a difference, but it means so much more – and in turn moves me – if the writer or speaker is also doing what they’re calling others to do. All of that is doubled when it’s an everyday person like me, who is daring to risk brave; step out; and make a difference in their world.

9.    How old were you when you started dating?
This is a tough one. I had a couple of boyfriends in high school – the kind that you only saw in school, but didn’t really “date” – as in go out on dates where they have to pick you up at your house and meet your parents – until I was at least 18. Dating + Me didn’t go very well. I’m happy that I’ll never be doing that again!

10.    If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
In Spite of It All:
One Woman’s Journey to Answer God’s Call on Her Life and Discover Strength through Brokenness            

11.    Are you a rule breaker or a rule keeper?
Pretty safe to say I’m a rule breaker.

In turn, I’ll be nominating some other bloggers and sending them some questions for them to include as they write their own Liebster award post. I’d like to introduce you to:

Karrilee at Abiding Love, Abounding Grace – If you’re a regular reader or follow any of my social media, you’ll probably recognize Karrilee immediately. We connected for the first time on a Five Minute Friday Twitter party over year ago and continued to make connections and discover things that made us kindred spirits as we talked over Facebook, and our blog posts. We had a chance to meet in real life last fall and attended the Women of Faith conference together – what a blessing. Her words of encouragement and her joyful spirit; always urging her readers back to God’s throne are a breath of life.

Jenn at Running This Thing Called Life – You can’t even know, there was a time in my life where there were no Jennifers. Now I have an abundance, and each one is a blessing. My blogging friend Jenn – she is amazing. We met via Twitter and have been in writing groups together, and her encouraging spirit can brighten even the darkest of days. She's dreaming big and has allowed me to have a peek inside that dream. I'm excited. Jenn is a real lyricist with her words, and her original photos will capture your heart. She writes bravely into the face of living – the beautiful and the hard – and always brings it back to the Lord, who is her strength.

Lauren at It’s a Wilderness Out There And In Here Too – This is a friend of my heart that you need to come see. She writes fearlessly about everything from relentless love, parenting in the midst of the mess, f-words (like fear) that can break us if we don’t keep our eyes on Jesus, and chronic illness. Yes. Lauren is the friend who gave me the courage to admit in writing that this is something that I struggle with. She gave me her number so I could call or text her when I was having a rough day (dear lauren, i don’t think i can go one more inch on this bike and i’m not going to make it back. Yes you are. You can do this), and she has cheered these revelations in my journey like she’s known me in person forever.

These women, they bless. They are amazing writers. Their hearts are His. I hope that you’ll visit them and give them some love.








I'm linking up with Crystal Stine and company again today; joining the Behind the Scenes link up – where we show those photos – but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it.

I'd love to connect with you some more - stop on by the Three Bees Facebook Page or connect with me on Twitter @3BeesBlueBonnet. Let's continue the conversation!