Rule #1 in Blogging: Know Your Gifts

About once a year, Pastor Jerry does a sermon on knowing what Godly gifts we are given. We all have one, but not everyone is able to figure out what their gift is on his or her own. So in our church, each person in the congregation gets a little questionnaire, which, after checking off all of your interests/talents will reveal your Godly gift.

My Godly gift is the gift of teaching. Rich and I have been teaching Third Grade Sunday School for a number of years now, and it's something I can't imagine my life without.



It has brought me so much joy and I've learned so much from these precious children.

That is the point of knowing your gift - so that you may use it to serve God, your church, your church family and also to grow as a Christian.

For some that gift may be in the technological realm. Those people serve by making power points of upcoming church events that are shown during worship each Sunday morning. For others their gift may be planning and organizing. God uses these servants to plan the church picnic or Vacation Bible School.

Just as teaching SS and serving God has changed my life, I have also been forever changed by blogging. This may seem like a strange comparison, but it's true. Blogging has taught me alot about myself. For instance, just as I never knew how much I could influence a child, I never knew I could be so fascinated by spray paint. I've also met some of the most amazing women while blogging. How could I become so "close" to someone I've never even met face to face? Blogging has also helped me to learn that it's way more fun to give than to receive? How many times have I seen "giveaways" in Blogland? It's amazing isn't it? All of these women so generously offering the most wonderful goodies, just for fun? Just for the sheer joy of giving? It's all about giving!

But perhaps the single most important thing I've learned from blogging, is to know what my blogging gifts are. In essence, knowing my limitations. Let me clarify. When I first started blogging several months ago, I was completely swept away for a good month or two. My husband was sure he would never spend quality time with me again, the children wondered when mommy was going to start making dinner, or if they would even get dinner. To say I was a little distracted would be the understatement of the millenium. The tablescapes, the before and afters, the recipes, the how-to's and tutorials, give-aways galore and parties, parties, parties! I partied more in the first month of blogging than in my entire 4 years in college (okay, 4 1/2). It became more than just a hobby, but a new way of life. I was more frugal than ever and determined to transform my home on a budget by transforming boring furniture into sheer works of art. Soon after, I was buying napkin rings, tablecloths and flatware by the truckload at yardsales, thrift stores or on clearance at BB & B. "They don't match" my friends would say. Even betta! That would make an even more interesting tablescape! One stop at Tootsie's blog, and I was convinced I could morph my average yard into the Garden of Eden. And visiting Na-Da Farm had me believing that I could serve my family a dinner that consisted of only those ingredients that had been organically grown in my own backyard oasis of fresh fruit and vegetables.

If only...

If only tablescaping was my blogging gift.
It's not.
My one feeble attempt at tablscaping was using only things I had purchased at the Dollar Store.

And would you believe that dear, sweet Susan at Between Naps on the Porch was gracious enough to leave me the most thoughtful comment? Love that lady!
Unfortunately, a tablescape in my home looks a little something.like.this.

Btw, that's homework on the left at 3 p.m. flanked by leftover breakfast from 8 a.m.

If only gardening was my blogging gift.
It's not.
My annuals have long since given way to weeds. The newly planted shrubs cried, "there's a fungus amongus!" and the climbing vine that never climbed was overtaken by Japanese beetles.



Sadly, I never worked up the nerve to publish the "Pardon My Garden" post.

If only being "green" was my blogging gift.
It's not.
Annemarie, you may want to look away at this point, if you're even still here. The only positive thing I can say about dinner last night is that there was no MSG - at least not that I know of.

Would anyone like a fortune cookie?

Organic? No. Easy? Youbetcha!

Now don't think for a nanosecond that I will stop visiting, Susan's, Tootsies', and Annemarie's blogs, or the blogs of the many other incredible women who continue to inspire me every day with their wit, wisdom and insight into all things domestic. I live for Thursdays and a chance to enjoy one of Susan's gorgeous tablescapes. And there's nothing quite like grabbing a cup of joe (organic, of course) and relaxing with Nada Farm Life with Annemarie. It's like going back to a simpler time, a simpler place. Thank you Annemarie. And finally Toots, well, just start thinking of a name for your show on HGTV! I'll always be your #1 Fan!

I guess besides wondering if there is an end in site to this post, you may be asking yourself "So does this chick have a gift or what?" SILLIES!! Of course I do! You'll just have to wait for another post to find out what it is ;)