Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Make New Friends . . . and a Giveaway Preview


We've all sung this tune more times than we'd care to count, around blazing campfires on dark summer nights and in brightly lit Sunday school rooms on Tuesday afternoons and on the great big evening stage in elementary school productions.  We've crooned those simple words acappella or with guitars strumming, often in a round, sweet voices blended together with childlike enthusiasm, albeit just a tad off-key

I'd like to think that over a lifetime I've tucked a wealth of relationship gold close to my heart, treasured friends who've carved a cherished, permanent place of honor somewhere deep even though our paths seldom cross these days.  And in this topsy-tervy transition season, the silver is beginning to add up in surprisingly unexpected ways that fill me with a gratitude that just can't be ignored.

I feel rich indeed.

You, too?

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Us introverts just love cozy settings and significant conversations with other kindred spirits.  We're not into noise and crazymaking and strained small talk.  And I've always loved being a bit of a matchmaker, a relationship builder ... creating warm and welcoming spaces, inviting a few like-minded souls to join hearts over coffee or a meal, gathering people together when I think they'd just click.

Maybe that's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about nurturing this little online community.

I'm excited to introduce you to seven inspirational women I've run into recently.  Simply put, their words are oft' profound and thought-provoking, their spaces radiant and peaceful.  And the images they capture and share?  Sublime.

Let's put it this way.  If you like coming here, you'll love going there.

If you've already met up with any of them, you know what I'm talking about.  And if you haven't ... well you're in for a treat.

Promise.

Paige Knudsen
photographer & journaler


Lisa McKay
psychologist & author


'less busy, more being'


photographer & retired therapist


designer & creator


teacher & photographer


'worth, relationships, faith'

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As I close out this post, I won't pass up the opportunity to send my love to all you faithful friends who've been hanging around here for awhile.  Whether you're in on every conversation or sitting quietly on the sidelines and soaking it all in, I love doing community with you.  Please know that I feel so very blessed that we're sojourning this life together.

This is the internet at its best.  I thank God upon every remembrance of you.

If you're new around here ... well, I'm just so happy you've dropped in.  I hope you'll stay and linger to wander around a bit.  I'd love that.  You'll meet some really exceptional women and men conversing back and forth on all kinds of subjects.  It's a community with wide open arms.  You are welcome here ... and I'd just love if you'd subscribe before you head out.    

That's it for now.  And speaking of friends, I'm slipping quietly off into the sunset for an early 40th anniversary celebration with the love of my life.  I'll see you later ...

P.S.
First item of business when I return?  A truly wonderful giveaway {or 2!} of Sarah Young's brand new book, Jesus Today: Devotions for Kids  


20 comments:

  1. Linda, this is really one of the nicest "bloggy" things that anyone's done for me. I'm touched this morning. With sincere thanks (and one huge smile), I'm thankful for your heart and the kindness that just radiates from you. It's truly my pleasure knowing you lady. I hope your day is wonderful!

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  2. What a kind and thoughtful woman you are! When I was studying to b a teacher a long time ago, we were required to read The Education of Little Tree - a great book for so many reasons. One idea from the book has stuck with me for all these 20 years or so: if you find something good ... share it. Thanks so much, of course, for sharing my site, but also for introducing me to the good you've found out there. Can't wait to explore! Thank you, my new friend.

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  3. “Grandma said [...] when you come on something that is good, first thing to do is share it with whoever you can find; that way, the good spreads out to where no telling it will go.”
    ― Forrest Carter, The Education of Little Tree

    Happy Anniversary!

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  4. HAPPY & BLESSED ANNIVERSARY, MY FRIEND!

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  5. You are just so sweet. Love how you love and share the love. And enjoy your early 40th celebration with you man. Love you, friend.

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  6. Oh my! Congrats on you 40th Linda!
    I have visited Pam's blog.
    I am yet to visit your other new friends!
    Lovely Weekend to you, Linda.
    God Bless

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  7. Happy Anniversary, Linda, enJOY the sunset!

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  8. Happy anniversary! 40 yrs is a great accomplishment!

    What's this new online collaboration you're doing?

    Have you been hit by this northeastern blizzard I've been hearing about?

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  9. Happy anniversary! What blessing it is to be married to the love of your life for 40 years!

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  10. Happy Anniversary! Wishes for many more.

    I look forward to visiting your friends, thanks for sharing them.

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  11. Thanks for introducing me and "us" to so many other inspiring bloggers, Linda. You are quite the social butterfly in cyberspace, even though you are also quite admittedly an introvert. I find that I am more of an extrovert in my blog-hopping than I am with your average stranger that I meet on the street. Of course, there are so many incredibly gifted and passionate Christ-followers out there in the blogosphere! And I can't wait to get to know some of these you've highlighted for us, my friend! Hugs to you!

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  12. I hope you are having a wonderful anniversary celebration, my friend! Thank you for the introductions to these bloggers. I know with a recommendation from you, I must visit them :). That happy song from the video is now stuck in my head! It's always a pleasure to see you, Linda.

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  13. Happy Anniversary!!! Enjoy:)! You are much loved and appreciated - God bless you lots:) Always a pleasure to read your words. My husband and I celebrated 12 years of marriage yesterday. We all have so much to be thankful for! Praise the Lord!

    :)

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  14. A little late getting here but never too late to find to places to visit. Given my love of photography, I'm especially excited to drop by a few of your new friends. Happy 40th anniversary! Celebrate and celebrate some more!

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  15. Linda,
    Enjoy your anniversary -- what a wonderful legacy of 40 years of marriage! I also love Paige Knudsen -- her photos and blog are an anticipated part of my week - and it's through her blog that I discovered Jeanne Oliver and eventually led me to discover the retreat in Italy I had the pleasure of going on last year (whew -- what a run-on sentence)!! xo

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  16. Hey dear friend! I love how you nurture and create community. You have always been a role model to me of how lovely this online community is and can be. Since I know you, I have no doubt that everyone above is just as welcoming as you are. Hope your 40th anniversary has been blessed and joyful.

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  17. I actually have never heard that friend song! Thank you for the new connections. I aspire to be one who inspires others as well as you do and many of your friends in this community. Hope you had a wonderful anniversary!

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  18. Happy Anniversary!! I hopoe you have a wonderful weekend.

    Speaking of introverts have you heard of the site, Introverted Dear? Wonderful site! Here is one of their latest posts, http://introvertdear.com/2016/01/25/why-introverts-feel-like-outsiders/

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