Jan
26
Hi! I’m Marla, and this is my first day at my new blog. Thanks so much for coming over! (Unlike the time I invited 40+ women and children to my house before I realized they wouldn’t all fit in a million years, there’s room for everyone here!)
I’m going to be upfront from the get-go. It’s going on 3 a.m. in my neck of the woods. My hubby has been laboring most of the day to get this blog up and running (Thank you, Gabe! You’re A-MA-ZING!), and I’ve been working for the last 5 hours getting everything moved over from my old site (Thanks for the past 3 years, Xanga! It’s been a hoot!). Sooooo…if things seem a little loopy around here, we can blame it on that. (unless you’ve known me for awhile and know better)
Our pastor’s message at church this morning (well, yesterday morning now, I guess) was all about community. How we need each other. How we can’t do life on our own. How God Himself models community as our Three-in-One God. It was powerful stuff. And made me think of all of you. Some of you I’m thrilled to know in real life. Some of you have touched my life profoundly through our interaction on the internet. Some of you I haven’t met yet–but hope to soon!
I’m thankful for you. So thankful.
I want everyone to feel welcomed and at home here, so would you do me a favor and tell me just a little bit about YOU? Maybe your first name (if you’d like), your home state (or country), what you’re passionate about, where you blog (if you do), what your favorite color is, what you’d do with $50 if someone handed it to you today… Stuff like that. And if I know you (or know of you) in real life, share how we met!
I’ll start. I’m Marla. I live in Ohio. I blog right here. I’ve got an awesome hubby and three darling girlies. I’m passionate about Jesus and my family and writing and zoos. I love words and flowers. I like blue. And with $50? I’d buy Lettuce Wraps and Mongolian Ginger Chicken from Pei Wei and put the rest in our Zoo Fund. I go to bed too late, I lose my temper too often, and I can’t control my clutter. But I desperately want to follow Jesus, and He’s all about grace and forgiveness. My life isn’t without its struggles at the moment, but my goodness, my God is good.
How about you?? Leave a comment (as personal or impersonal as you’d like), and I’ll love you for life.
Thanks again for stopping by! Have an awesome day!
It’s awesome! Love the new you!
Let’s see – I’m Tressa (something few internet people actually know lol), and I’m from the Heart of Dixie. I do blog, mostly about my kids – 3 boys & a surprise girl. What that means is that I am passionate about quiet!
If I had $50 right now, I’d get a sitter & go spend a night out with my Hubs – it’s been WAY too long!
I’m Cindie. I live in Florida. I have a wonderful hubby… we have been married for almost 39 years and have three grown children. We have 5 absolutely wonderful grandchildren I am passionate about Jesus, helping women find their unique God given purpose , my family, photography and writing. I love browsing in book stores and libraries. And with $50? I’d buy books, craft magazines, yarn to knit pretty scarves and of course Starbucks. I am impatient far more than I care to be and I procrastinate way too much! And like you Maria I desperately want to follow Jesus, and I know that He’s all about grace and forgiveness. My life isn’t without its struggles at the moment, but my goodness, my God is good. He is so good and I am so blessed.
I’m Heather … wife of (almost) 10 years and mother of 2 girls age 5 & 7. We have lived near Nashville TN (from FL) for the past 3 years and LOVE IT! I blog at http://hthr.wordpress.com and I’m always ready for a good cup of coffee! With $50? I would head straight to TJMaxx! I always find something fun there!
Your blog looks great! Congrats on finishing such a big project!
Hi, I’m Kristie…I have a great husband Jeff and two adorable children…Bella is 5 (almost 6) and Hunter is 3 (and was born on my birthday). I currently live in San Antonio, Texas. I love it here. I am passionate about my family…anything to do with them I love. My favorite color is pink. I met Marlo (you) at Cedarville…miss orange was the craziest girl on the hall. We had some amazing times.
If I had $50.00 I would prob. buy something for my kids…or some books for myself…I LOVE TO READ!
Thanks Marlo for sharing…
I’m Nichole. And I just wanted to say hi and check out your new digs. Now I must go
Wow, first day and look at all these great comments.
My name is Barb and I have several blogs, including a new website for Christian women we will be launching soon. I live in Tennessee.
I love the theme. Very fresh and alive.
Just little old me saying I love your new site…and thanks for sending me some of that joy
Hi Marla,
Your new site is great. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog the last several weeks. I met you when you attended the Beth Moore conference in Louisville with us.
I have lived in Kentucky my whole life. I love being a Mom. I have 4 great kids. Two daughters ages 20 and 22 (they really do grow up fast) and two little boys ages 8 and 3. God is so good!
My favorite color is pink. And, if I had $50 I would save it for my Valentine date with my husband. Our youth group is providing free child care!!
I don’t blog because I don’t really know how to begin or what I would say. I’m new to the whole blog world. Maybe someday I’ll give it a try.
I like the new blog design! Good job, Gabe!
Gee, if I had fifty extra dollars right now, I’d take my hubby out for dinner…probably at Saltgrass Steakhouse. I love eating out!!!
Hi, Marla. I’ve been reading your xanga blog for about a month and am always amused and inspired by what you write. I don’t know you personally, but I’m a Cedarville townie who was friends with Rachael, Courtney, and Jessica. I went to Scioto Hills several years, but you weren’t my counselor… I couldn’t tell who was though. I’m very passionate about working with kids and making a difference in their life. I blog on Xanga, but I’m not very regular about it. My favorite color is green and if I got $50 today I’d probably spend it on some new clothes. I have a 5 month old little guy and still don’t have many clothes that fit right. Before I had Ethan I read your book, Changing Your World One Diaper at a Time. I loved it! Your writing is so easy to read and I loved all the stories. Funny thing… I bought it at an Amish bookstore when we were visiting Berlin, Ohio. LOL! The new blog looks great and I look forward to getting to know you through it!
~ Michaela B.
I subscribed using my gmail reader. Love gmail. My name is Krista and I want you to watch your mail.
Gabe did wonderful job. This is soooo YOU! Good job, Gabe!
Wow! I LOVE your new blog! It is truly wonderful! Your husband is so very talented!
My name is Megan. I live in Ohio and we “met” over on Xanga through Kimberly! I am married to a fabulous guy, Sam, who is the pastor of our church. We have two little boys, ages 2 and 10 months. I was a teacher before I became a mommy and now, I stay at home full-time. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family and the “job” of staying home to raise the boys!
I love my Lord, my church, teaching my kiddos about Jesus, going out with my husband on dates, spending time with friends and family….I could go on and on.
My favorite colors are blue and brown. If you gave me $50, I would probably plan a special outing for my family…..I love to share new experiences with them! Oh yeah, I blog at xanga (the2bryants and scripturesisters).
Hi Marla,
I’m from New Zealand and first came to your blog when I bought your book ‘Blushing Bride to Wedded Wife’ soon after I got married. The book made such a difference to the way I was approaching my new marriage. I now have ‘Expecting’ on order at my local Christian bookshop as my husband and I have a baby on the way!
I don’t have my own blog so I guess that makes me a lurker ,but I’ve really enjoyed your blog over the past year or so and it’s made me think a lot about my own Christian walk and attitudes towards marriage and motherhood. Thank you for keeping at it and for the heart you have for women (all around the world.)
Perhaps you didn’t realise that you’re an overseas missionary already!
$50! Well if that’s US$ then that would equal about $95 here in NZ so I might be able to get the maternity jeans that I’m going to require very shortly!
Thanks Marla, I hope your 2009 is the best year ever!
Anna
so cute with your scrabble tiles! LOVE it!
forgot to tell you green or red are my favorite colors, depending on my mood!
Hi, I love the new look! I’m Kimberly and live in San Antonio, TX. I blog at http://www.kampkk.blogspot.com . I’m single, with the most spoiled ever dog! I love Jesus, my family, lazy Sunday afternoons and Oklahoma football. If someone gave me $50 I’d put it in the bank towards medical bills! Thanks for inviting us all over!!
Looks great! I love the scrabble letters, and the red flowers & Nina & Ava’s hair-dos.
I love Jesus, and Matt, and my kids, and most other kids, and bargain shopping, and chocolate, and coke, and sterilite storage containers, and photography, and football, and sweets.
the end.
Woot! Congrats on your new & improved web self, Marla! This looks awesome.
I’m Kelly from Xanga (where I “met” you through my sister, Brooke or lilriver). I live in Maryland and love the color blue, my husband, clarity in language, and my soon-to-arrive son. I also love my God, my Friend, who is patient with me even when I neglect Him – just like I’m bad about doing to my earthly friends. If someone gave me $50, I’d probably spend it at the grocery store, stocking my freezer for life with a newborn!
Loved the photos of Gabe and the girls!!
Hi Marla! I’m Betsy (M3mine from Xanga) and although you don’t know me personally, I’m a friend of the Edlund family, so I know Kim, etc. I live in Ohio near Springfield, a mom of three adult children (two married and one more getting married soon, grandma of two grandsons, and wife to Ron. I share being organizationally challenged with you, as well as a great love for the Lord. This website is super! Gabe did an exceptional job on it! God has used your old Xanga to show me areas in my life I need to work on too. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Hi Marla!!
Love the new site, looks awesome!
Have a great week!!
Love,
Abi