Blogger Appreciation Week

My fabulous friend, Daveda, is hosting a "Blogger Appreciation Week" this week. I am excited to join in and hope that you will as well! Whether or not you intend to join into the "Blogger Appreciation" portion; I hope that you will continue past the next two paragraphs to receive a heart felt, Thank You, written especially to you - those who read my blog and are read by me.

Here is how to join in:
You will title one of your posts from May 25th-June 1st "Blogger Appreciation Week" and in it you will share with the rest of us information about why you blog, why you like to write, how reading the blogs of others has touched your heart, what God has done in your life through blogging, tell us about some of the special people you have meet...etc. Somewhere in this post you may also want to include the titles to one or two of your favorite post so that those visiting your blog for the first time can read them. After you have posted, go to Daveda's blog and enter your link into Mr. Linky!

Then, the next step is to visit the other blogs on the Mr. Linky, and make sure you LEAVE A COMMENT of encouragement! Tell others how their blogs have touched you and what you liked about their writing, their life...etc. If you read through other postings and have a comment please leave ALL comments under the "Blogger Appreciation Post" just name the other title related to your comment, this way we can all read through, and you will be sure that blogger sees your comment next week. If you like what you read become a follower and make a new friend! We all love new friends!

Here is my "Blogger Appreciation Post!"

I began my blog last year following the Proverbs 31 She Speaks Conference. I had attended a break out session on blogging and found it a bit over my head...URL's, Mr. Linky, and a bunch of other things I had no idea what they meant; but God kept bringing it to mind. As I considered something Lysa Terkeurst had said later in the conference about each of us having many things every day that are worthy about writing about; I began praying about what the name of my blog might be and,... "A Teachable Heart" began.

I had never been a consistent writer throughout my life; but when I needed clarity (usually during difficult times in my life) I would find myself writing. God always used the writing process to help me to see truth in my situations and it helped me to let go of anger, loss, roots of bitterness and even depression. When I began blogging; I had to set a "schedule" (M,W, F) for myself to help to develop my own discipline of writing. I was walking in obedience and asking God to fill me with His Words for myself and for others. It has always been one of my life's purposes and passions to encourage and equip others and to help them to reach their God-given potential and freedom in Him. Truly, when we seek Him, He is found to us.

I have been blown away by the relationships formed in this short (almost) year of blogging. Many of you have written timely words that God has used powerfully to encourage, convict, and even bring levels of healing to my own heart. I have laughed with you all, cried with you, agreed with you in prayer, and (best of all) rejoiced in the faithfulness and goodness of our heavenly Father. You all have been instrumental in further developing my writing skills as well. I am currently in the midst of writing a curriculum for girls that I hope one day will touch many lives.

So, Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to write, to read, and especially to leave comments. God has used all of those things in my heart and life this year.

Now to share a few wonderful bloggers with you...

First, I want to encourage you to check out all those who I have listed on the side of my blog; they are all amazing and worth your time. If you must choose only one today; please spend some time basking in the gift of God's Grace at Grace Talk with Daveda.

Secondly, some of my best blogging friends have been met by clicking on someone's link who has left a comment that resonated within me - so take a few minutes to click on the other commenter's links.

And lastly, I wanted to share a few bloggers who have touched my heart again and again in many different ways. I often have to remind myself that I don't know these people "in real life" because we have shared so much together in our blogs and e-mails:

Jeneil at Autism in a Word. Jeneil is such a gifted writer! (BTW, even if you do NOT have autistic children, her writing will bless you.) She is able to draw you in, show you truth, love, and grace (often through humor) while deeply impacting your heart.

Pam D from Life by the Creek: Is another "soul sister" of mine. She is the queen of simple; yet profound. God has spoken to me several times through this sweet sister.

Gretchen from Jewels In My Crown Someday: What I especially "lurve" about Gretchen is her willingness to be real. She guest posted over at His Girl's Blog (Another AWESOME blogger!) awhile back about being unequally yoked. We need more people who are willing to take the "masks" of perfection and Spirituality off long enough for people to catch a glimpse of God's amazing love and grace in action in our lives. If people only see "perfection" all of the time; they will miss the reality of God...(something I am also passionate about...can you tell? ;)

Here are a few more you may enjoy checking out:

The Preachers Wife - Lisa is funny, witty, & obviously, a "Preachers Wife."

Pure Wells - Kathryn draws deeply from the wells of Scripture and the truth she shares is a "full meal" Spiritually speaking. I am blessed to love this precious friend in real life.

A View From the Mountaintop - His Daughter is bursting at the seams with God's hand in her life. I look forward to watching His plans for her continue to unfold.

There are obviously so many more I'd love to share with you - many of whom I passed on awards to in my previous post.

God's heart is for His children to walk in love and unity. It is our hope that through Blogger Appreciation Week we will all be encouraged and drawn closer to the heart of God as we take time to share in the lives of others. "Father we ask in Jesus name that no person would leave this event not feeling loved and blessed by you. We pray that every heart would be softened and touched by your beautiful love and grace as we read through each others lives." If you would like to participate in this special blogger event anytime from May 25th -June 1st, add your blog to Mister Linky @ Grace Talk With Daveda. Invite your friends, put up your post with the first and last paragraph of this post copied and pasted in,then surf the blogging world and be a blessing to others, make sure you leave COMMENTS of ENCOURAGMENT to all whom you visit (leave them all under comments for this post, even if it is about another post to be sure that they see it)! Don't forget to check back often through out the week to visit and encourage those who join later.

With Sincere Appreciation!

Shanda