Introducing Ali!
- How Will You Respond? - June 19, 2018
- An Abiding Friend - April 26, 2018
- A Prayer For Our Children - April 10, 2018
Hey there! While most of my life was spent in Colorado, I am happy to now call Oklahoma my home. I am amazingly blessed to have a supportive and God-fearing husband who is also a terrific dad to our four kiddos (who we had in a 3 year 9 month time frame). I love to drink coffee, sing, hear people’s stories, and have dance parties. I am passionate about my relationship with Jesus and desire to share that gift with every person I meet. My hope is that I can encourage someone today with and through the Word of God and His steadfast love!
1. What is your favorite Bible verse?
The Word of God is so rich and full of so many gems that I find myself clinging to a new one every season of life I go through. But lately, I can’t let go of Psalm 27:4: “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Just the thought of being in His presence all the days of my life brings me to my knees in humility and reverence.
2. Who is the most relatable Bible character to you and why?
Hmm. This was a question I really had to think about for a while, but the name that kept coming to mind was Abraham with his unwavering faith. I haven’t been asked to do anything as extreme as sacrifice my child, but I can say that if God speaks, I listen. If He says go, I’ll go without reservation. I’m absolutely nothing apart from God, so I will do everything in my power to remain faithful to Him until the end.
3. What is your favorite go-to easy meal?
I love to cook and try new things, but I’d have to say Cheeseburger Salad. It’s one of the few meals that all six of us can agree on to eat. It is essentially a deluxe burger and all its toppings (without the bun) in a salad form which takes away any guilt in eating it!
4. What are your hobbies?
I have a confession to make: I looked at Wikipedia for a list of hobbies to try and determine what my hobbies are. Ha! I know, that is extremely lame! It’s just that I have been asked that question so many times and I never really feel as though I have a good answer. Sure, I like golfing, camping, singing, reading, and dancing, but I don’t do those consistently enough to be considered hobbies in my opinion. There isn’t that one thing that I turn to. Maybe I’ll try out a new one like rock balancing or LARPing (worth looking up)…you just never know!
5. What is your favorite T.V. show or movie?
Hands down, The Voice. I could listen to great music, singers, and sarcastic humor all day long. Oh, and I can’t forget HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Who doesn’t love Joanna and Chip Gaines? They have to be America’s favorite couple by now.
6. What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
See, now this is a question I can answer without having to Google for ideas! I absolutely love being around joyful people full of laughter and love. I’m a “the more, the merrier” type of gal. There is just something so special about a bunch of people getting together and doing life with one another, whether at a game night or a barbecue. I definitely appreciate the occasional alone time with a good book, but when it comes down to it, I just want to be laughing with great friends and family.
7. Who is your role model?
There are many people that I greatly respect and admire for various reasons. It is amazing to me how many extraordinary people there are in the world and the amount of individuals submitting themselves wholly to the work of the Lord is extremely mind-blowing and humbling. With that being said, I’m truly blessed and honored to say that two of my favorite role models are my parents. Without their spiritual guidance and influence in my life, who knows where I would be. They have not only taught me how to be a godly woman, but have shown me what submitting to the Lord actually looks like in all areas of life. I’m truly grateful to have them in my life.
8. Would you rather vacation at a mountain cabin or a beach house?
A beach house tomorrow would be absolutely fantastic! Yes, please! Although I have never lived next to a beach, I am convinced I was supposed to be an ocean baby. I love water sports and flip flops. This is probably why the transition from Colorado to Oklahoma was easier for me than my ski-loving husband. Unlike him, I don’t miss the mountain sports!
9. What is the best thing about yourself?
One trait that I have been blessed with is the ability to keep most things in perspective. I’m not claiming that I react appropriately all the time, but for the most part I can distinguish quickly whether it is truly important or not and what type of response is really merited. This is probably one of the main reasons, (aside from Biblical instruction laid out in Colossians 3:2, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”), that I don’t hold grudges or am quick to forgive. Unless the situation affects the spiritual or eternal outcome of something or someone, it’s probably not as important as we think it is.
10. What is one of your favorite books and/or what are you reading right now?
Truth be told, I didn’t start becoming an avid reader until the middle of college. In fact, I despised having to read for school which is probably what hindered me from any leisurely reading on my own time. However, ever since I started, I have not been able to stop. So much so, that I have too many favorites to list, but the most recent one that a friend recommended to me is Jennie Allen’s Anything. This isn’t a book you pick up, read, and just put on the bookshelf to gather dust. It is one that you pick up, read, and meditate on that ultimately leads to a change in your life.
