Friday, March 30, 2007

Thinking Blogger Award

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One of the fun aspects of doing something like Wordless Wednesday is that you get many visitors who don't normally read your blog, nor do they necessarily come back to read it after viewing your pictures. But I always like to go back and visit theirs to thank them for stopping by. It was in doing this that I first spotted this award. I thought it was a great one, but didn't expect to ever receive it. Then it arrived in our "circle" - one the most interesting things about blogging is the concentric circles that are formed - intersecting at various places.

Imagine my delight when Linda paid it forward to me yesterday. I love Linda's writing. In fact, I told her the other day that I love her thought processes and her heart for God. She should be writing devotionals for a publication. I am so glad we "met" in this way and wish we could meet in person someday. She also nominated Bev of Blessed Beyond Measure. She also makes me cry and laugh. She is a gifted writer. As Linda mentioned, we're all grandmothers and are in love with those little kiddoes who have enriched our lives (and also exhaust us!)
So now it is my task to whittle down my incredibly long list of writers who inspire me to only five. I cheated a bit and already named two extra. Don't tell anybody!

Bev's sister, Barb, makes me think - she makes me think about how much cooking and cleaning and creating I don't do any more! She has more energy than anyone I "know" and she inspires me to bigger and better things. Unfortunately, I have not arrived at the point where I'm actually putting these inspirations into action. But I love going there and reading what she has written. She is a very busy grandma as well, and is trying to balance her life. She has so many readers and commenters, and she is a wonderful commenter and supporter of what we write. I think we will have the opportunity meet soon, because her soon-to-be son-in-law is going to be a member of the newest MSW class we are admitting. I am so excited to meet him and Mandy and someday meet Barb and Rob when they come over to visit.

My daughter, Kristen, got me started on this blogging journey, and is the one who keeps my technically challenged self up to par in this world of very smart people. She normally writes about the kids and the challenges of motherhood, and I was delighted when I joined this adventure to discover her writing ability afresh and anew. But today she did a post that will make you really think. It is a subject that we all probably need to think about. Check it out. I told her it is one of the best pieces of writing she's done and a very timely topic.

I've mentioned several times that Diane was right up there with Kristen in helping me get started with this new circle of wonderful supportive friendships. She has been my biggest cheerleader as I've written the stories with Kristen and Kevin of our struggles through anorexia and drug addiction. (Thanks to Kristen, they are collected on my sidebar now). I love Diane's writing as well, and she challenges me every time she does a devotional type post. We have had some common struggles, and yet are very different in other ways. But what a wonderful friendship this has become and we hope to connect in person soon.

Kim
is close to my daughter's age, from what I can discern. I love Kim's writing. She hasn't been able to post as much recently since she got a new challenging job that she loves. But when she does write, it sends me into the cerebral parts of my brain. She is a gifted writer, in my opinion. She has a real love for God.

I don't remember how or when I connected with so many of these wonderful women, but another dear cyber friend who has really touched my heart is Nancy. I know many of us have been challenged to
think about our blessings more often since we've been reading her Daily Blessings. She has enriched my life.

I thank God for bringing these incredible women, and SO MANY MORE, (I wish I could have named ten!) into my life in the last 10 months. I know I probably spend too much time on the computer, and those in my life who have not experienced this blessing cannot understand it. I was a hard sell at first. You have all had an impact on my life. When I think of the volume of prayer that ascends to the throne of God whenever one of us has a need, or we know of someone who has a need and we bring it to this place, it is awesome. We are blessed to know each other.

16 comments:

Susie said...

Good morning Dawn,
I'm trying to get a bit of "visiting" done before my Grammy day begins..
Wasn't this a fun meme? Your nomination from Linda is quite richly deserved and I totally agree I could also have nominated at least 10!!
The only one of your nominees I haven't read is Kim, so I will certainly make a point of visiting her!!
Your statement that one the "most interesting things about blogging is the concentric circles that are formed - intersecting at various places." is extremely well put and certainly very true..
((hugs))

Barb said...

Well, thank you, Dawn, for your kind words about me. You know, I was nominated for this by someone else and my inclination was to ignore it because honestly, I couldn't imagine how my blog makes anyone really think. There are so many wonderful writers out here, people who really express themselves well. I post a lot of randomness with lots of cooking and craft lessons and lots of whining about being exhausted by my little grandchild. LOL

But you convinced me that I should accept this. I so appreciate that you are inspired by my posts.

Mandy is here for spring break. Let the wedding madness begin! We have a list a mile long of things we need to get done in the next week. I was just telling her last night how much I look forward to meeting you and hopefully Kristen when her dad and I make our first trip to see her and Aaron after they get settled.

They're really leaning toward living in the married student housing on campus, by the way. It's too good a deal to pass up.

Congratulations to you. Very well deserved honor and if anyone out here makes people think, it's you and both your children.

Thank you again. Now I have the daunting task of trying to narrow the number of people who make me think down to just five. Sigh.

someone else said...

Congratulations! It's nice to feel that what you have to say is appreciated.

Diane Viere said...

Dawn,

Thank you for the nomination! I am daily blessed by your blogging friendship and by the other bloggers you have mentioned! You are so right....."We are blessed to know each other."

And what a fun meme to share! I'll get working on my "pay it forward" post. Well, right after I visit each of the posts you have nominated!

Diane

Barb said...

My acceptance post is up now, Dawn. Thank you again. And I hope this post never goes away - if I'm feeling the least dejected, I can run back over here and get my self esteem built up again. LOL

Rita Loca said...

I enjoyed reading about all these neat people.

Kristen said...

Thanks, Mom. I think I'm going to have difficulty paying to forward, however since most of the people I would give it to have already gotten it!

I appreciate the award!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

A very well deserved award, Dawn. :-)

And I agree with your choices to pay forward. God is indeed doing a work through us Christian bloggers, isn't He?

I love our posts, comments and emails back and forth. If only we all lived a little closer to one another...But then we'd SURELY never get anything done, LOL! ;D

Nancy said...

Thanks so much Dawn! I feel honored. I loved the way you descrided the concentric circles of the blogging world... it is so true. I appreciate your kind words and feel blessed each time I visit your blog. Have a great weekend!

Linds said...

Congratulations, Dawn! This is very well deserved. I also struggled to choose just 5, and I think everyone deserves this award, because one way or another, they all make me think. I am off to check the one I don't know now!

Carole Burant said...

Hi Dawn...congratulations on winning this award, very well deserved I must say!! Your posts are always a joy to read and you certainly do make me think a lot with everything you've gone through in your life and with your children and yet your faith is so strong...a beautiful thing to see! Have a wonderful weekend my friend, I'm off to the Sugar Bush:-) xox

Linda said...

This is why I love to read your posts. You just deserve this award so much. Your writing blesses me every single time in so many different ways. I do hope we get to me some day. Texas is a great place to visit!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your award! You write great posts, I always enjoy reading them :-)

Grafted Branch said...

Congratulations, Dawn! I'm headed over to your daughter's place to "think!" :)

Tammy said...

Congratulations, Dawn...you are so deserving of this award! And your choices are great, too...

I'll be heading over to Kristen's soon, too...:)

I just had to pick five people to give the award to also- and let me tell you, it was tough!
I was struck by your well-written line that Susie mentioned, too...loved that!
Blessings, Dawn!

groovyoldlady said...

You ARE one who makes me think. Thanks for doing that!

I'm afraid my only claim for my blog is that sometimes it makes folks chuckle. I have the spritual gift of giggling.