On my new favorite author
In my last post, I opened with "Hey, y'all," which in case you don't know, is totally out of character for me. I completely hate the word (should it really be considered a word?) "y'all" and have never liked it. In fact, I can probably count on one hand how many times I have actually said this in a real conversation (thanks to my three years as an RA and eventually getting bored of greetings such as "folks," "everyone," and "is anyone in here??").
So why the usage? My new favorite author, Melanie Shankle, better known as "Big Mama," using it quite a bit in the book "Church of the Small Things" which is the companion book to the Bible Study that I am doing right now at church. Trying to channel my inner-Melanie is why I used "y'all" and y'all are just going to have to deal with it.
Melanie is from Texas (duh, seems like a no brainer) and thoroughly embracing all of her Texan goodness. She talks (I say this because she is so personal and relatable that it feels like more than just reading words that she has written) about the Texas heat, things that I would consider "the good old days," and all things Southern, including the food.
Having visited Texas before, I can confirm everything she is saying.
Melanie begin her blog in blogging's earliest days, back before most of us had any idea what it was or what that weird sounding word meant. On a different wavelength, I began blogging at a point where it is probably too late. Everyone and even their mother knows what blogging is, and sometimes, the mother has a blog, too.
But I found myself relating to Melanie in many ways. Maybe part of it is that I was a pre-teen when she began blogging, which is around how old she was in multiple of her stories and how old her daughter is now. Or maybe it is that I totally see how she would get frustrated with her husband over something, or how grossed out she is by small creatures. It could also be that she is innately hilarious and I utterly feel that I am as well. Or it could be that she and I have similar struggles with life, relationships, or insecurities. Still, it might be that she didn't feel capable of writing, yet, she did what she felt God was calling her to. That she shares her memoirs, which is why I started this blog. It could be the fact that she and I both love Jesus and want others to know Him. But primarily, I think it because she is hilarious, as am I.
Okay, obviously not everyone thinks that I am hilarious, but I can truthfully say that I appreciated Melanie's humor. The part about the man at church getting distracted by donuts on his way to coffee, inhaling two of them and then "remembering" that he is supposed to be gluten-free? That was great, but then to add in a real kicker, Melanie referred to him as her "spirit-animal" and to that I just have to say, Melanie, you are my spirit-animal.
All of this greatness just to say that Melanie is a tremendous author, a wonderful woman, and what seems like quite the hoot to have for a mother, wife, friend, or sister. I have picked up another one of her books, "The Antelope in the Living Room" which is about her relationship with Perry, her husband, and I have plans to read her other books as well.
Maybe someday, God will call me to write a book, or speak, or even just "show up" in the daily small things as He desires a loving and faithful relationship with us. As Melanie said, sometimes we have dreams that are placed in our lives for a reason, and I believe ultimately, that reason is to honor and bring greater glory to our God. As synchronicities upon synchronicities arise, I can only attest to the hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that He has a plan for my life as I work to serve Him, and that I desire to go where He leads.
I started this blog as a memoir to share some of my life stories with you. My goal is that these encourage and educate you on how to live a more joyful, healthier, full life; one of hope.
So why the usage? My new favorite author, Melanie Shankle, better known as "Big Mama," using it quite a bit in the book "Church of the Small Things" which is the companion book to the Bible Study that I am doing right now at church. Trying to channel my inner-Melanie is why I used "y'all" and y'all are just going to have to deal with it.
Melanie is from Texas (duh, seems like a no brainer) and thoroughly embracing all of her Texan goodness. She talks (I say this because she is so personal and relatable that it feels like more than just reading words that she has written) about the Texas heat, things that I would consider "the good old days," and all things Southern, including the food.
Having visited Texas before, I can confirm everything she is saying.
Melanie begin her blog in blogging's earliest days, back before most of us had any idea what it was or what that weird sounding word meant. On a different wavelength, I began blogging at a point where it is probably too late. Everyone and even their mother knows what blogging is, and sometimes, the mother has a blog, too.
But I found myself relating to Melanie in many ways. Maybe part of it is that I was a pre-teen when she began blogging, which is around how old she was in multiple of her stories and how old her daughter is now. Or maybe it is that I totally see how she would get frustrated with her husband over something, or how grossed out she is by small creatures. It could also be that she is innately hilarious and I utterly feel that I am as well. Or it could be that she and I have similar struggles with life, relationships, or insecurities. Still, it might be that she didn't feel capable of writing, yet, she did what she felt God was calling her to. That she shares her memoirs, which is why I started this blog. It could be the fact that she and I both love Jesus and want others to know Him. But primarily, I think it because she is hilarious, as am I.
Okay, obviously not everyone thinks that I am hilarious, but I can truthfully say that I appreciated Melanie's humor. The part about the man at church getting distracted by donuts on his way to coffee, inhaling two of them and then "remembering" that he is supposed to be gluten-free? That was great, but then to add in a real kicker, Melanie referred to him as her "spirit-animal" and to that I just have to say, Melanie, you are my spirit-animal.
All of this greatness just to say that Melanie is a tremendous author, a wonderful woman, and what seems like quite the hoot to have for a mother, wife, friend, or sister. I have picked up another one of her books, "The Antelope in the Living Room" which is about her relationship with Perry, her husband, and I have plans to read her other books as well.
Maybe someday, God will call me to write a book, or speak, or even just "show up" in the daily small things as He desires a loving and faithful relationship with us. As Melanie said, sometimes we have dreams that are placed in our lives for a reason, and I believe ultimately, that reason is to honor and bring greater glory to our God. As synchronicities upon synchronicities arise, I can only attest to the hope that is found in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that He has a plan for my life as I work to serve Him, and that I desire to go where He leads.
I started this blog as a memoir to share some of my life stories with you. My goal is that these encourage and educate you on how to live a more joyful, healthier, full life; one of hope.
I write about my fascination with whole foods, my love of Jesus, my struggles, my childhood stories, my passion for education, and my devotion to creating a healthy life (body, mind, and spirit) for every person in the world.
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