Friday Favorites 5

This week, we have Joanna... we are new friends in the bloggy world, but I absolutely adore reading her stories about working out and parenthood. She is a very sweet soul, and I hope that you'll pop on over and give her some blog love too. (Shoot up some prayers for her as she's finishing up the 30 Day Shred!)

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself:

I’m a sinner saved by grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While the journey is rocky, I strive to honor Him in all I do.

I’m a Southern girl with Alabama roots that has lived in Texas for many years. I married a sweet Tennessee man and after eight years of infertility and loss, God blessed us with our precious daughter, Grace. I am thankful to be a SAHM while my husband works as a high school principal. Before having a child, I enjoyed being a teacher (band director) and an elementary school counselor. Both jobs reinforced to me the high calling of parenthood and how important it is for moms and dads to be loving, firm, and the main influence in their children’s lives.

2) Tell us your mission/goal for your blog:

My blog started in April 2008 as a way to document the important happenings in our life for various family/friends around the globe. I also wanted a written record of our parenting journey that Grace can read in the future. My blog readership is slowly growing and developing into a community that encourages others in a variety of topics that are close to my heart including parenthood, homemaking, weight loss/fitness, infertility, and loss.

3) Tell us about your favorite post or your best inspiration:

I recently finished a bloggy book study on Ginger Plowman’s “Don’t Make Me Count To Three!”. I took thirteen weeks to go through this book, chapter by chapter. It was a great experience for me to learn more about biblical parenting while fellowshipping with other moms.

I also started a weight loss/fitness journey this past February. For accountability purposes, I started a weekly “Monday Milestones” post that documents my progress. This series has turned out to be a great encouragement to me!

4) Tell us one thing you can’t live without: (this could be animal, vegetable, or mineral – it’s up to you)

Well, for years I thought that I could not live without having a child. Parenthood is an admirable goal…one that God created us (especially women) to desire. That in itself wasn’t wrong…but my heart was often in the wrong place. I let this desire become an idol in my life and it broke me. Despite my sin, it pleased God to eventually show me that my joy and contentment can be found in Him alone. And it pleased Him to give me a child, although by that time we had come to accept a closed womb. Funny how God works, isn’t it?

On a lighter note, I’m not sure that I could live without my piano, my crock pot, my air conditioner (it’s HOT in Texas!), Sonic Happy Hour (AMEN SISTER!! oops sorry - I hijacked her answer for a second.), or Taco Bueno bean burritos with extra salsa!

5) Tell us something funny/interesting about you:

I have a wicked sense of humor and sarcasm is my favorite weapon (though I TRY to control myself). All those years of band directing toughened me up a bit. But, boy do I love teenagers…it’s my favorite age to teach! Raw emotion, fear about what other people think, knowing it all, youthful energy…it’s ME without any self-control! Working with kids in the schools is what I miss most about being a SAHM. Well, that and the extra paycheck….

6) Tell us how we can find you to read for ourselves: (your blog address)

You can visit me at www.graceinthehome.blogspot.com

Pop on over and visit Joanna - you will be so GLAD you did!

You can also be featured on Friday Favorites - drop me an email or leave a comment on this post with your email and I will send you the survey to fill out. I'd love to be able to feature more blogs as the summer continues.

Also - anyone that wants to direct people to this post is appreciated... I'd really love to spread the word about these blogs that I love to as many people as possible. I read some of the most inspirational stories from women everyday - and it would be a shame for someone to miss a message that they desperately need to hear for their own journey.