Getting to Know You (link up)

Ok, ready to get to know each other better? If nothing else, you'll get to know me better. (And I get away without having to write a book review fresh off of Thanksgiving holidays! ;)

Last week I posted a few suggested questions that you could answer and I'll pick and choose a few of those for my own post. (Because hey, I already did the "hard work" of thinking about them!)

Ultimately, I'll answer 7 questions. Why seven? Because seven is the number of completion in the Bible and I've always liked it. (I use to want seven kids. Completion. Get it? But then I had my first.)


Question #1 - Do you go to church and, if so, what denomination are you a part of and why?

Yes, I do go to church. Now that you are all surprised by that answer (read: sarcasm), I'll be more specific and let you know that we attend an Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Every time I say that I conjur up images in my mind of incense and swinging cross necklesses. It's not like that. You can learn more about the OPC on their website if you are truly curious. (It is conservative.)

Each congregation differs in personality and in some practicies. We live on the West Coast and are in a university town and I would have to say that our church is more liberal in many ways than I am used to (having been raised in the south). As in most churches, there are always things I would like to see change. ;) But because I also firmly believe that there is no such thing as a perfect church (so long as humans are in them) we must commit ourselves to a body, learn from the teaching of the word, worship corporately and use the gifts and talents which God has given us to minister to others in His church.

Question #2 - What social issue are you the most passionate about?

I would have to say abortion. I believe that God is the giver and sustainer of life and that we are not permitted to take life. I believe that life begins the moment of conception and that every human being has purpose and meaning. I do not believe that God makes mistakes and that He is working, always, for our ultimate good - even in what we think are bad situations.

Question #3 - What is your greatest personality strength? Weakness?

This is always the awkward question in an interview process, isn't it? What to say about one's self?

I would say that I have learned (both in real life and online) that one of my greatest strengths is in persuading others to think or believe in certain ways. As is usually the case, one's greatest strength is also their greatest weakness. I have also learned (the hard way!) that I need to be careful not to always share my opinion - or to be slower in sharing them - as I can unintentionally change circumstances or set activities in motion that no one is really prepared for (myself included).

I do think it is important to be aware of one's strengths (they are gifts!) as well as their weaknesses (they are challenges which keep one humble!) as you can make or break relationships when you understand how you come across to others.

Question #4 - What do you like best about your family?

I'll answer as to my immediate family only. This includes: Jonathan, myself, and our three children. The thing I like about it is also the thing I confess to not like about it. (Again, it's our strength and our weakness.)

I like that we are different from one another. Mostly, I like that there is one who is more different than four of us. (huh?!) We adopted our second born from S. Korea and he is very different from us - both in appearance and in personality. As to the appearance, we don't notice it except for when we're out in public and other people notice it. (We've never run into anyone who has been negative about our difference. All responses have been remarkably positive.)

Adoption is a beautiful, wonderful thing. It is also a very challenging thing as you learn to incorporate gifts and traits which are completely unfamiliar to you into your home and family. Our agency prepped us in several classes and courses to prepare for the unfamiliar but real life is different than a story you overhear. Sometimes Bookworm2 will do something and we are left wondering, "Where'd the heck did THAT come from!?" and the answer always is: "We don't know. And we won't know." When your natural born children do say or do something in a particular way, you know that they "got that from their dad" or whatever. With Bookworm2 it's all a guess. And that's ok but it means we have to work hard to accept things we don't know or don't understand. It's not the easiest thing in the world but it is the best thing in the world for us.

Jonathan and I are both first-borns (a fact I like!) and we are always operating with a plan and a mission in mind. Bookworm2 changed us - changes us - and causes us to pause and reevaluate things in light of his personality. This is a very. good. thing. We have been very blessed to have him such a huge part of our lives. (I do not say that lightly! We are indeed blessed.)

To give a quick example to further illustrate what I mean by blessed: Bookworm2 is actually way more friendly and outgoing than we are. So he stretches us to stop and talk to Random Stranger on the Street and be friendly when we are otherwise in a great hurry. He really loves people. Not to say that we hate them - because we don't. It's just that we're so focused on our projects and missions that we don't slow down and notice others so easily. So he is good for us, you see!

Question #5 - Which book blogger have you know the longest?

"B" from Dwell in Possibility. How long have I known her? Since both of us were wearing diapers. (Our families went to church together and our parents were friends.) We were part of the same home school group growing up and the first book club I was ever a part of us was organized by her. She is really cool and crazy smart and I always found her to be intimidating. I still do. ;) She is also one of the most different-in-a-very-interesting-way sort of people I have ever known. I mean that as a great compliment as so many in our social circle were so very alike that being different was a good thing.

My dad considered her dad one of his best friends and when my dad died, B's parents came to see him at the very end. They showed great kindness and love for my parents - and myself- during a remarkably difficult time and I'll not soon forget that! B comes from good stock! ;)

Question #6 - If you were to write a book, what genre would it be?

It would definitely be non-fiction. It would likely be relating to my faith. And I'm too immature and young to be writing anything at this point in my life. If it ever happens, I woud have to assume that it'll be non-fiction unless lightning strikes and I'm overwhelmed by a story idea.

Question #7 - What is your idea of a perfect day?

The perfect day very much involves the following:

1. Sleeping very well, waking up no earlier than 8 a.m.;
2. Doing something that I've never done before, i.e., enjoying a new experience of some sort;
3. Doing said new and interesting thing with people I love; and
4. Having time to read a chapter or two in a really great book before going to bed.

If those four things happen (and, on rare occasions, they do!) then I will have had the perfect day.

Bonus question: What's your favorite month of the year?

DECEMBER!



A few pictures:

Me. Age 34. (Having recently cut my hair short for the first time in awhile!)
Some pics of my children:



On the left: Bookworms 1 and 2 playing Knight and Dragon.  On the right: All my bookworms reading books in a tent, escaping the Oregon rainy season.
Now it's your turn! Do you have a post to share to help me (and the rest of us!) get to know you better? I hope so! Leave a comment with your link in the comment section below!