Blast From the Past

 

Good Morning! 

Today's post is super fun because I take a look at my first interview here in the blogosphere. I got the privilege of being interviewed by the lovely Firefly Girl (aka Faith <3) when she was doing a Sisters in Christ series on one of her blogs. Chosen Vessels isn't currently running anymore, but check out Stories by Firefly! First, I just want to say how special it was to me that Faith interviewed me. New to the blog, that was just super cool. Looking back over my answers, I see how far I've grown. Three years ago, I was so different. 

So to celebrate 3 years since the day this interview was originally posted, I'll be reposting it with some updated commentary by yours truly (that will be in the italics).

I hope you enjoy! This was apart of my blogging beginnings:

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"Welcome to Chosen Vessels, Brooklyne! 

Hi everyone! My name is Brooklyne. I’m a seventeen year old, homeschooler, animal lover, bookworm, cowgirl, middle sister, DIYer, Seventh-day Adventist, vegetarian, writer at heart, introvert, and most importantly a daughter of The One True King! Some of my hobbies are gardening, riding my horse Rosie, hand lettering, woodworking, exercising, and taking pictures.

(First, I'd like to just comment on the fact that I obviously couldn't decide on how to describe/introduce myself... Just hit everyone with a mile long, descriptive list. Was I trying to make a long story short or was I trying to overwhelm my potentially new friends?)

I love that! :) Since we met through blogging, let's talk about that. What inspired you to start a blog?

Well, as soon as I started reading about all these bloggers who were around my age, I realized that this was something I could do to make a difference. Honestly, the idea of starting a blog was exciting, crazy, and scary. I had to step out of my comfort zone, and still do with every post. I’m not great with computers, and I have never had Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media site. But I do write. I write devotionals, poems, and stories. I don’t have all the answers, but I feel like God has given me words to write and starting a blog gives me the chance to share these words with people all over the world! I am so blessed to be given the resources to start a blog.

("It's funny, back then, it was a new concept for me to find people my age doing similar hobbies such as reading, writing, etc. That's why, when I first came across blogs... it blew my mind! ahhhh! I love how honest I am with the next part! Since then, we can see how far I've come. It now is not scary to post on my blog. Sure, the thought of everyone reading my content is somewhat unnerving... but not like when I first started! Also, my computer skills have grown so much as well as my use of the dreaded "social media sites." The writing passion has not changed. Writing isn't my top priority at this point, but it's definitely still close to my heart.)

Did you read other blogs before starting your own, or was starting a blog what thrust you into this amazing world we call The Blogosphere? ;)

Yes and no. I really only started reading blogs the beginning of this year. I was really into The Circle C Adventures by Mrs. Marlow when I was around 13 years old. As I got older, I was more into the contests and one day I was reading on her blog about the contest judges and that’s when I found a blog by a homeschooler. I would read over her blog and then find more blogs to read. It was like a ripple effect. Each blog would most likely have a list of other blogs they read. So, I went blog crazy and read so many blogs, I can’t even remember which ones I read.
But, before 2018 I really hadn’t read any blogs, except Andi’s Blog (Circle C Adventures).

(I'm still amazed at how I found the Blogosphere like I did. Starting a blog was really a great transition for me to make out of high school. Although, somedays I wish I would have found blogger friends sooner. But maybe I needed a time when I didn't feel like I had many friends to really appreciate the friends God brought into my life though this blog.)

How did you find my blogs?
I found your blogs sometime when I was going blog crazy:-). So, I don’t know exactly how I came across them, but I do know that I found Stories by Firefly before finding Chosen Vessels. And, I have to say, I really like both of your blogs!!!

(Still do!)

Aww, thank you! 

The blogging community can be a very encouraging place to me—so many people blogging about their faith! What's your favorite Bible verse, chapter, and book? Why?

Oh, this is so hard to choose!!! One of my favorite verses are 2 Corinthians 12:9 because it is a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient in my weaknesses. One of my favorite chapters is Psalm 23. The lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want… there is something so peaceful about this chapter. Oh, and I like Philippians 4 too! I can’t decide on a favorite:-). My favorite book in the Bible is James. I like that it is short enough to read in one setting and I like that it is relatable.

(I still have a hard time deciding these questions!)

What Bible verses have really helped you through some rough times?

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And Philippians 4: 6,7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests by made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” These two verses are the first to go through my head when I need a reminder that Gods got it.

(Great verses!)

What is one event in your life that really strengthened your Christian walk?

(1) Our move to our farm was a very big faith builder. Hints the name, Winds of Faith. (2) My baptism was another event that strengthened my Christian walk. (3) I believe trial’s have strengthened my Christian walk also. One big trial was in 2015 when my Dad had a heart attack. He was forty-one and had to have two stints placed in his widow maker. This was very scary and we really had to trust God with our worries. Since then we have really changed the way we eat to be more plant strong and healthy.

Wow... <3 

(Moving to our property was a huge event that strengthened my walk. That tends to happen when you have to learn the lesson of what you think you want (Kansas) might not really be what God has planned. And-- trials can also strengthen Christian walks, for sure. My dad's heart attack was just the beginning of a rough season. I'm super glad that in that time, I was able to really cling to Jesus. He's never left my side.)

Any Bible reading tips?

I’m not one to be giving advice in this area. (lol) Sadly, all to often, my time to read the Bible gets cut short or pushed back and this is something I want and need to change. I think reading the Bible has to be a huge priority. To purposefully choose to spend time reading the Bible. A lot of times I use the concordance in the back of my Bible to look up words for different verses and this helps me get on a roll;-).

(Yes, getting in the habit of reading the Bible is hard but a truly great habit to cultivate in your life! I'm currently reading the Bible cover to cover and its been going well!)

Speaking of reading... On a scale of 1-10, how much of a reader would you consider yourself? What about a writer?

For a reader, I would say I’m a 8-9. And for a writer, I’d say a 7-8. This would be for books that were amazing and if I didn’t have writers block…

(I'm pretty sure I over thought this answer... Now? Hmm, I'm probably a 6-7 reader and a solid 7 writer.)

Where's your favorite place to read and/or write?

Definitely in my room. And sometimes I will read in the car if it is a really good book! ;-)

(I'd say this answer hasn't changed!)

Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books by them?

I can’t pick a favorite, it’s too hard! I really like Stephen Bly’s writing style. My favorite books written by him are Skinners of Goldfield series and Homestead series. There are lots more authors and books but the list is too long! ;-)

(Ah! somehow I'm always trying to skirt my way around this answer... To save me endless rambles about favorite books, just go HERE to my Goodreads. That series by Stephen Bly was pretty epic, though I'm not sure if it would entertain me quite so much now as it did then.)

Hehe, isn't that like the worst question? ;) (yessss!) What are some books that really impacted your young life?

I really enjoyed reading Pony Pals, Sisters in Time, Circle C Adventures, and The Serenity Inn series when I was younger. But I would say that the one book that really impacted my life was iChoose His Way by Hannah Rayne. If you haven't heard of it, look it up and read it. I totally recommend it for anyone, but especially us teenagers! It was written by a teen for us teens. This book just really impacted me.

(Circle C Adventures!!!)

Alrighty. Time for a few random questions, before we have to say farewells. :D If you had to use one word to describe yourself, what would it be?

Um, maybe creative. I don’t know.

(Good word, and it hasn't changed much...)

Any pet peeves?
I walk around like everything is fine, but deep down, inside my boot, my sock is sliding off! A bunched up sock is the worst! :-)

(lol, this is my attempt at being funny/witty. Although, the above mentioned pet peeve is, indeed, the worst!)

Favorite songs?

I like quite a few songs and types of music, so this is kind of hard to choose! I really like country music. Some I like are I Don’t Dance by Lee Brice, Fight Like a Girl by Bomshel, Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood, Road Less Traveled by Lauren Alaina, May We All by Florida Georgia Line, Austin by Blake Shelton, and lots of others!

(Carrieeee! Lauren Alaina also rocks.) 

Anything else to add? Goals for the rest of this year?

Some of my goals for 2018 would be to ride Rosie, a lot more than I have been. And start writing more too! Like starting a book series I have in mind… and to keep writing devotionals and poems. A big time goal would be to publish some of my writings but this will most likely not take place in this year. Also, to blog! I have lots of great ideas for Showers of Blessings and can’t wait to perfect my blog style, add more pages, etc.

(Oh this is fun. Let's assess the goals of young and naïve Brooklyne. Rosie: True, I've been making more time for her. But I can't say I've quite hit my goal. I still am writing so that's good. Although my poems have slowed down a bit. *clears throat* haven't made much progress with that book series...)

And I want to say, thank you so much, Faith, for hosting Sister’s in Christ! This was such a great opportunity for me to get to know other bloggers in this blogosphere and for them to get to know me too. These were great questions and they were very fun to answer! Thanks for letting me participate in this blog series! ;-)

I enjoyed it as well! Thanks for coming over! <3"

(Yes! Thank you again, Faith! Your friendship means a lot!) 

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Thanks so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this little "Blast From the Past!"

In what ways do you think my writing has changed since then? Did you like reading this interview? Were you around the blogosphere when this was first posted? Comment below!

Many Blessings, 

Brooklyne Elysse