Interview with Jamie K

Hello Readers!


I, Haylie, got the great privalidge to interview Christian artist Jamie K! I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I did and that you will go out and buy her CD "Never Gonna Stop"!

1)Tell us about your new album “Never Gonna Step”. What will we find on it?

You will find The Bible set to hip hop music. : ) Most of these song lyrics are straight out of The Bible and all are inspired by scripture from the Old and New Testament. God has captured my heart and I can’t help but write, rap, and sing music about Him! The music itself is an upbeat hip hop feel that will make you want to dance and fill you up with The Word of God at the same time.

2)You said that your heart is inspired by youth. What are you doing to reach them?

I look back on my time as a teenager and realize it was one of the most influential times of my life. I can remember a few people who took time to speak life into me, to encourage me in my walk with Jesus. Their words stayed with me the rest of my life. I want to be that person to the youth now. I want to speak life into their lives! So for my tour for this album I am going to schools and performing these songs with my fellow artist and good friend Sheila Marie. But our goal isn’t just awesome music, it is also to be an inspiration and speak life into these young people. Telling them truths from the Bible: God is with them, to stand strong for Jesus, to pursue their relationship with Him above all else, and yes you can achieve your God given dreams! Don’t be afraid to dream big, because your God is a big God and can do all things.

3) Tell us about Jamie K Entertainment.

Jamie K Entertainment is my label. Even from when I was a young girl I always had an entrepreneur spirit selling lemonade or I even started my own dog walking buiness! : ) God has grown my entrepreneur dreams since and God willing, I plan to expand Jamie K Entertainment in the years to come to produce and work with other artists, make music videos, and even movies. To create the best in music and media in all forms that glorifies God and spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are so many talented Christians out
there and we need to reach the world in ways it understands like music, tv, and movies.

4) It’s refreshing to see that a Christian artist put a “Jesus!” page on their website! What was your thinking behind that page?

I haven’t always been labeled a “Christian Artist” in fact my first album was a secular album I released when I was graduating from college. I was a Christian writing music, but my heart wasn’t in it for the right reasons and I was unintentionally misusing my gift of music God had given me and missing out on the best He had for me. Over the last few years God has completely captured my heart and every aspect of my life, which is reflected in my current album “Never Gonna Stop” I came to realize my greatest success comes in serving Him not money or fame. So everything about my album and myself as an artist I want to direct the attention back to Jesus. A true deep meaningful relationship with Jesus is the most important decision anyone could ever make, so inside my album cover I wrote the scriptures each song is based on and included the website and Jesus link so anyone who gets a hold of my album has the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and ask Him to be their Savior.

5)What is one of your favorite ways to serve God?

God has been teaching me to “live by the Spirit.” I always thought the most important thing for me was performing and music, surely that is how I would really reach people! But I was so wrong. It isn’t what we do in the exciting times that is most important, it is what we do in the mundane repetitive things of life. So for me when I do everyday things like taking my dog for a walk I pray for God to help me see the people around me through His eyes and to literally “Walk in the Spirit”. So sometimes I feel the Spirit lead me to talk to an old woman sitting on a bench, or a young girl walking with a book, and it amazes me how when you let God use you to reach out to a stranger in everyday life circumstances it can change someone else’s life. Anyone can put on a great face when they are in the spotlight, but when you’re not your true character shows in how you live your everyday life.

6)When do you feel closest to God?

That constantly changes for me. I usually feel closest to God when I play piano, in my time studying His Word, or fellowshipping with other believers praying and worshiping God as a church body. But then there are times when I don’t feel Him and wish I could! God promises in His Word that “He will never leave you or forsake you” I always desire to feel His presence but I have learned to not trust my feelings and trust in His Word, He is always with me, that is what His Word says whether I feel Him or not.

7)What is one of your favorite attributes of God?

His faithfulness, it amazes me! How could he always love us and remain faithful to us even when we turn our back on Him? The book of Hosea in Old Testament is one of my favorites, all about how God always loves us and remains faithful when we do not, I can not fathom His faithfulness and love for us!

8)What do you enjoy to do in your downtime?

I love to take my dog to the beach and laying in the sand or playing in the water. I love feeling the sun and being outdoors playing tennis or wakeboarding. My husband and I also recently took up archery and that has been a blast, I shot an apple! : )

9)If you were standing in front of a large crowd of teenaged girls, what is the one thing you would tell them?

Don’t believe the lies the devil is trying to tell you! I wasted too many hours as a teenager looking in the mirror wondering if I was pretty enough when God had already made me as His masterpiece! You are a masterpiece! When the devil tells you your not good enough, smart enough, or pretty enough rebuke him in the name of Jesus Christ your Savior and say “I am a child of God, holy, set apart, loved, cherished, and you and your lies have no power over me.” The devil was defeated 2,000 years ago when Christ was raised from the dead, he has no power over Christians, but he will still try to lie to us and make us believe he does, but he doesn’t that is only part of the deception! You are free! You are who God says you are, and He says amazing things about you!
For a scriptural list of who God says you are:

http://www.jamiekmusic.com/who-you-are/

10)What was your inspiration behind your album “Never Gonna Stop”?

God deserves the best. The best everything including the best music. Christian music doesn’t have to be a certain sound and it should be as good if not better than secular music because God deserves the best! My goal was and is to write and produce Christian Music that is the best in quality and content to inspire people to want to know Jesus.

Favorite color? Yellow
Favorite movie? Enchanted
Coffee or Tea? Decaf : )
Sour or sweet candy? Chocolate!
Heels or flats? Flip Flops

Interview with Jessa Anderson

Our very own Haley Oscar got the great opprotunity to interview Jessa Anderson! Read all about Jessa and do not forgot to buy her newest cd "Not Myself Anymore".

What made you want to start your music career? Music has always been my passion--specifically singing. I toured with a ministry team my freshman year of college and realized that it was a lifestyle I really enjoyed. A few years after that I recorded my first CD, and alongside my husband Jordan, started touring full-time. Having Jordan by my side really gave me the courage to trust God with such an unknown path.

What’s your family like? Small and amazing. It's just me, Jordan and our 16 month old Lorelei and I am blessed beyond measure to have them. We are together all the time, which is a unique situation, but I genuinely enjoy sharing so much of our lives together. Life on the road is really fun with them!

How long have you been performing? I believe my first solo was "Jesus Loves Me" at the age of 2. :) I have been performing most of my life in different capacities. It's become the thing that I feel most comfortable doing and it really brings me joy.

When did you come to know Christ as your savior? At the young age of 4, at home with my parents. I've been so blessed to live most of my life on a journey with Christ and I continue to be amazed by who he is as I grow deeper in my relationship with him!

Do you have a message you want to give to teen girls everywhere? Oh, I could write a book here... That Christ is truly the beginning and the end, the All in All. We aren't guaranteed a pain-free life as followers of Christ, but I can promise he will meet your every need in a way that brings him glory. Someday it will all make sense, but even if that's not until we are with him in Heaven, he will never, ever leave your side. He loves YOU!

What’s your inspiration for song writing? Life! Isolation is the worst, and I hate thinking of all the times I could have opened up to someone in giving or receiving and either saved myself some pain, or helped save someone else that pain. Let's live life together, as a community of believers, with the aim to bring God the glory and love one another as he loves us! Songs have a special ability to connect us and bind us together, and I find that both fascinating and motivating!

What was life like for you as a teen girl? It was a roller coaster! I switched from a public to private school and the first year especially was terrible. I was betrayed by a close friend, gossiped about and bullied. However, sticking with my decision to attend that school was the best thing I could have done. My best friends now are the friends I made during those four years. They are loving, godly women who have seen me go through everything from terrible heartbreak to pursuing my dreams of being a musician, and they love me all the same! I learned a lot through my teenage years, but more than anything, I learned that God has a plan that extends far beyond my current struggle and that life just keeps getting better as we follow his plans for us!

How did you over come your hardest struggle? The hard way..ha! I have had to fail miserably (more than once) to realize that I am helpless, and often clueless. God is 100% trustworthy. Truly. Let him guide you, ask him for courage, and face the road ahead. He goes before us!

What is your biggest dream? Right now it's that Lorelei would see Jesus Christ for who he is and serve him with her life. Also, that I would be paving the way now with a legacy that will help lead her there.

What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not on the road? Domestic stuff- cooking great meals (trying, anyway), working on my sewing skills, decorating the house. I think I love nesting because I rarely have the opportunity.

Random Questions:

~What is your favorite time of day? Evening

~What is your least favorite food? Olives

~What is one thing you cannot live without? Material thing: iPhone

~ If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? New York City

~ What is your addiction? (If you have one!) It's a toss-up between Coffee and Pinterest

Interview with Shari Braendel

In October, I had the great privilege to interview fashionista Shari Braendel! This women is the ideal modest women in my eyes. She encourages modesty and fashion and explains how they can go hand in hand. I bought and read her book "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad" many times and I got more out of it after each read. I highly suggest you check it out! Read this interview with Shari and I'm sure you will love her as much as I do!

Love Always, Haylie Gregory


1)     Why should women dress modestly? Women should dress modestly to honor God, themselves and the guys around them. God’s Word instructs us to NOT trip up our brothers in Christ and immodest dressing does just that. The Word also instructs us to honor God with all our hearts and minds and by dressing modestly we do that. But understand that I believe that modesty doesn’t mean fuddy duddy, it can be stylish, fashionable and fun!

2) What inspired you to write "Good Girls Don't Have to Dress Bad"?   I never planned on writing a book but I started getting invited to churches all across the nation to speak and afterward women and girls would ask for a resource to take home so the book was born. Zondervan saw it as a great resource for Christian women and took a chance on publishing the first ever (and still only) Christian fashion guide for women in the marketplace.

3)What is your favorite fashion season? Fall, for sure. I wear warm colors all year round due to my coloring and having a plethora of hues to choose from that suit me is this fashionista’s dream!

4)What should every teenaged girl have in her closet? A great pair of jeans, lots of long cami’s and a pair of ballet flats.

5)What would you tell every girl who wanted to be more modest or live modestly? I would tell her to remember that fashion meets faith the minute she decides what to put on her body each day and that her clothing choices are going to show the world who she is and what she believes.  Society will try to teach her that dressing modestly isn’t fashionable and it absolutely can be. I would advise her to be creative with her clothes and show her personality thru her style but never compromise her values.

6) Who are your fashion icons? Why? The only book I keep in my living room (besides my bible which seems to travel from room to room) is a coffee table book called A Matter of Style . It’s a portrait of 10 women who changed fashion and so many of those women shaped my views of fashion and the industry. My favorites are Coco Chanel for her classic style, Katherine Hepburn because she was unconventional in her dressing by stepping out and wearing pants way before anyone else and Mary Quant because she had so much to say about style and the way it affected people. I read and re-read that book.

7)What is one of your fashion weaknesses? Only one? LOL. That would have to be handbags. I have a rule that when I buy a new one, I give one away, otherwise there would be no room for my clothes. I just bought a fabulous (I mean FABULOUS) Michael Kors classic huge bag that I’m planning on carrying for a very long time. However I just caught myself in the purse department the other day and made myself leave before I bought another bag.

8)What NEVER goes out of style? Hopefully my Michael Kors handbag!

And also, a classic blazer, ballet flats, silver or gold hoop earrings, jeans and a simple white t-shirt. Put them all together and you’ve got a great outfit.

9) What is one thing you cannot live without? I must have at least one cat at all times. Right now I have three, Belle, Lily and Olive. A girl’s gotta have limits, right? Okay, my husband limited me to three, but I will probably be the little old woman in my nineties who lives in a cottage by the lake with a dozen little furry friends! I just love them so much because they have amazing beauty and such individual personalities.

10) What are some tips you would give to a girl who wants to be a junior fashionista? Be true to who you are and don’t be afraid to show your style by wearing clothes the way that only you can. Only a fashionista would understand what I mean by that. Also, read every fashion magazine and style book you can get your hands on. I would live in the library if I could, just reading all the books on style, beauty and fashion that I could. I still do that on occasion.

Random Questions:

1) You never leave the house with/without...?  I never leave the house without my sunglasses. I never leave the house with: my cats! They have to stay home.

2) Would we ever catch you in jeans and a T-shirt? Jeans, yes; T-shirt, no

3) Muffins or Cupcakes? Cupcakes for sure, hopefully with lots of frosting!

4) Sour candy or Sweet candy? Sweet, especially white chocolate

5) Photographs or Paintings? Paintings

Interview with Robin Jones Gunn!

In September, I had the great pleasure of interview the well-known and greatly admired author, Robin Jones Gunn! Robin has written over 75 Christian books for women, teens and young girls. She worked in the youth ministry and is a speaker. She is currently living in Hawaii with her hubby, Ross and their dog, Hula! Enjoy this little interview and get to know Robin better!

Haylie~ I was recently listening to an interview Margaret McSweeney from "Kitchen Talk" did with you and she said that you just completed writing your 75th book! How amazing! How do you feel about it?

Robin~ The 25 years that I’ve been writing for publication have gone by very quickly. I didn’t even realize I was at book #75 until I had to do an inventory list. I looked at the list and felt overwhelmed. I knew more clearly than ever that this is all a big, amazing God thing and His dreams for us are more extravagant and enormous than anything we could every come up with in our imagination.

Haylie~  Out of all the books/series you have written, which was your favorite to write? Why?

Robin~ Oh dear. This is like trying to say which child is my favorite. Or which friend is my one-and-only favorite when I love each one for different reasons. I’ve been asked this question before and I always say the first Christy Miller book, “Summer Promise”. That’s what I’m going to say again this time. I think it’s my favorite because it was the first novel I wrote and it was the most challenging one to write. I had to learn everything as I was writing and I truly put my whole heart and soul into that story over a period of two years.

Haylie~ Each one of your characters has its own uniqueness about them. Did you come up with these characters on your own or do you base them off of people you know?

Robin~ When I start writing a new story I fill up a binder style notebook. I cut pictures out of magazines of different characters, I write short profiles for each one and I cut out pictures of their clothes, cars and furniture. With Sierra Jensen I found a pair of cowboy boots and knew she had to “have” them. My kids used to think it was like playing paper dolls. 

When I write the profile or bio for each character I sometimes think of people I know and incorporate a piece of their personality into that character. But for the most part it’s all made up. Some things I draw from are from my life. For instance, our son is allergic to bee stings and had some bad reactions when he was little. So I decided that Todd was allergic to bee stings, too, and that came up in the story, “Island Dreamer”.

Haylie~ When you are not writing your next bestselling book, what are you doing?

Robin~ I love to travel. I also speak fairly often and I really enjoy that. I started an Online Shop two years ago and that has taken a lot of time and creative energy but the results have been terrific and lots of great ministry is happening as a result of the books that are sold in the Shop.

My husband and I have really great friends and we enjoy spending lots of time with them. Our son and daughter are both married but they come to Hawaii with their spouses every chance they get so that fills up my heart.

We live about a mile from the beach. My favorite time to go swimming is in the early morning. I walk down to the ocean, jump in and swim about and then I walk home as the water dries on my arms making little white polka dots from the salt. That’s a happiness. I love listening to the doves in the morning outside our open bedroom window.

Haylie~ What can we expect from you in the next year or so?

Robin~ The next three books coming out are:

“Love Finds Your in Sunset Beach, HI” Sierra Jensen’s love story October, 2011

“Finally and Forever” book 4 in the Katie Weldon series May, 2012

“Cottage by the Sea” a novel that is close to my heart and taken from when my dad had a stroke. Sierra’s wedding is tucked inside this novel. Summer, 2012

Word Questions

~ Tea or Coffee? TEA!

~Watching a Movie in the Theater or at Home? At Home

~Vanilla or Chocolate? CHOCOLATE!

~Cake or Pie? Ice Cream.

~Magazine or Newspaper? Magazine.

Robin~ I’ll be sharing more details about future projects in my Robin’s Nest Newsletters when it’s the right time for me to release information. I hope you’ll sign up for my newsletter at www.robingunn.com or on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Robin-Jones-Gunn/110691292261?ref=ts I’m also on Twitter as RobinGunn

Gunn and Tricia Goyer! Click  here to see the blog and click here to see what the books all about!

Did you know that Haylie is currently writing a Christmas book?! She hopes to finish it by the beginning of January!

Interview with Submerged

Our very own Abigail got to do this interview with the band Submerged!! I hope you enjoy!

Hey everyone, I’d like to introduce you to some people from my old home-state of Indiana who I really think you are going to like: Nic, Cait, and Gavin of the band Submerged. You probably have never heard of them before, but I think after you get to know them a little, you’ll start to love them as much as I do.

Submerged first began back in 2006 and has since remained true to its initial goals: staying true to God and setting a good example of Christ before the world. In 2008, the band released its first album entitled “Don’t Hide.” Rather than settling for a couple good songs, the band pushed itself to offer its fans a solid album full of their very best efforts while promoting faith, love, and emotion from the first to the last second. With Ben Kasica –former lead guitarist of Skillet- co-writing and producing, and Acceptance’s Nick Radovanovic engineering and remixing it, their album was released through Skies Fall Studios and met all of their expectations and then some.

Lead singer and songwriter Caitlin Shea was very pleased with the final product, saying that working with Ben and the others really taught them quite a bit. She also explains how all the songs are written from either firsthand experience, or from watching her friends go through things –and that while recording, stories, music, and emotions came together beautifully.

Getting to Know Them…

Q: How did Submerged get started?

Nic: We started out as a youth band at church, back in summer of 2006. Soon after, we went from just playing church events to playing all over the place, from Ichthus to Rocketown in Florida. In the process, we've met some really great people - we recorded our album with Ben Kasica, Skillet's former guitarist, and we played shows with bands such as Icon For Hire, Stellar Kart, 7eventh Time Down, and Seabird as well!

Q: Although your music has quite a strong Christian basis, I’m sure it also appeals to those who generally don’t listen to Christian music as well. Has it been difficult trying to balance writing music that attracts those who don’t share your faith as well as songs which will point them the right way while still writing things relevant to Christians?

Gavin: I’ve always thought it was because you had to make sure you’re bridging the gaps between the two but not crossing over.

Nic: You kind of have to push the envelope, but you can’t push it too much, so you really have to find the right balance.

Cait: I agree and disagree with that. It is a fine line, but I always write what I feel and don’t really think about it in the moment. I try to write from experience and things my peers can relate to, whether that is God-centered or emotion based. So I think it gives us a good mix, naturally.

Q: As a band, what is your biggest goal? If you could accomplish one thing together, what would it be?

Cait: The biggest goal is to touch lives and lead people to God. And if that means we eventually get signed... That'd be even more awesome!

Q: What is a lesson (faith-wise) each of you have learned since you’ve been a part of Submerged?

Nic: You can find really cool surprises in the most unlikely places. Big shows aren't always the best. At smaller shows, you get to meet close-knit communities that have strong faith, and that's always really inspiring.

Gavin: I've really learned to trust in God, even when things don't look like they're going the way you planned. Because you always have to know He has a better plan than you can imagine.

Cait: I agree with Gavin. A musician's life isn't glamorous like most people think. It's definitely trying at times, and you really have to have the passion for it to stick it out. But it's God's calling for us, and He'll always provide.

Q: Frequently how/why we come to Christ can really affect the way we live our lives afterwards. Could each of you tell us a little about how you came to Christ and the impact that has made in how you live today?

Cait: Jesus has always been such a big part of my life. If it weren't for Him, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. I had way different plans for my life, though they still were plans to dedicate my life to Him... but He steered me a different way. And I love it.

Nic: Cait and I are brother and sister, so we've had pretty similar experiences, faith-wise. I feel like that's been a great thing - we've always kept each other in check!

Gavin: I came to know Christ when I was pretty young, but when I was around 14, He really made a big impact in my life and changed my life for the better.

Q: How are things looking for your new album? Do you have a tentative release date for it yet?

Gavin: February 30th.
[Everyone laughs]
Cait: Seriously, though, the album is coming together, but funding the album is difficult. We've also gone through so many changes since our last album, that it's been hard to get solid as a band enough to ready the album. But it will happen, and we will make a big announcement!

Q: Do you (Cait) ever find it challenging to be the only girl in the band?

Cait: Never. I’m a very girly girl, but I’m also just one of the guys. I’ve never felt out of place hanging with the boys.

Q: What bands do you think have most influenced your music?

Cait: We always list our band influences as Anberlin, Paramore, and Skillet. Switchfoot was a big influence too, especially when we started. Now we all have so many different influences that come into play in our sound. For instance, my biggest influences are Michelle Branch, Miranda Lambert, Stephen from Anberlin, Gwen Stefani, and a Japanese artist named YUI. But I still love and am inspired by rock music.

Gavin: I study the bands I like live to learn from them, and that influences me, and it's also reaffirming. My biggest overall influence though is Anberlin. And you could probably put down Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Joe Jonas too. [Everyone laughs]

Nic: [sarcastically, laughing] Oh, yeah, and Lady Gaga inspires my clothing style. I have the same Kermit The Frog outfit! [seriously] Some of my actual influences include Stellar Kart, Decyfer Down, Underoath... and secular artists as varied as Kanye West, Steely Dan, Jack Johnson and Los Lonely Boys.

Q: If you could change your band name to anything else...what would it be?

Nic: The Peg Legs.

Cait: [laughs] We always joke we'll change our name to that, and then crack pirate jokes the whole show. But actually, it's funny you mention that, because we have been considering a name change lately, we're just not sure what it would be.

Q: Have you ever considered giving up the band and just going your separate ways to live more "normal" lives?

Gavin: Not really. It's something I've wanted to do from day one, so I've never thought about giving up the life I've always wanted.

Nic: I've always told everyone in the band: "I'll be a part of this as long as y'all want me." [laughs]

Cait: I've never doubted that this is what I'm supposed to be doing, so I've never wanted to quit.

Finding Out More…

Submerged is currently at work on their sophomore album in which they hope to showcase their growing maturity in both faith and music. Until then however, you can catch them out playing shows or through any of the following places:

facebook.com/SubmergedMusic, YouTube.com/SubmergedMusic ,twitter.com/SubmergedMusic, and iTunes

Interview with Natalie Lloyd!

I had the great pleasure of interviewing Natalie Lloyd, author of the book Paperdoll and columnist for Susie Magazine. Natalie is an absolutely amazing women of God! She is fun, exciting, very knowledgable and someone, I believe, every girl and women should look up too! I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I do!

How do you spend your quiet time with God?

I adore this question. I wish you were here so I could hear your answer too. I love hearing about how people get to know God better.

If I’m being totally honest, there was a time I asked folks this questions because I thought maybe there was some cosmic quiet-time secret I wasn’t privy to. I’ve decided that’s not the case though. My quiet time doesn’t always follow the same structure and it doesn’t last for a certain amount of time. For me, the core of my quiet time is getting to know God better through His Word and through prayer. How I spend that time is always evolving and changing, and I think that’s a good thing.

Lately, I’ve started my quiet time with a Beth Moore study called Esther. I love Beth Moore’s work because she makes both parts of my brain – the creative part and the think-harder part – work together.

After that, I usually read a day’s segment in my Daily Bible, which is a resource I’ve used since High School and adore (it’s called The One Year Bible – the translation is NLT). That particular Bible has a segment from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a Psalm and a Proverb all together in a day’s reading. As I’m reading my Bible, I keep a notebook handy. There’s usually at least one verse (but most often several) that make my heart kick a little bit harder. The verse might speak to an issue I’ve been struggling with or it might be a not-so-subtle nudge to get something right in my life.

My favorite verses – obviously ;) – are the ones that remind me that I’m loved by God, and that He’s working every situation out for my good, and that He has a plan for my life. I try to always find one verse, the one that speaks most specifically to me, to write down. I might make that verse into a prayer. Sometimes I actually write that prayer onto an index card, so I can keep it in the wild abyss of my purse. The Bible has become more meaningful to me as I’ve learned to interact with it: I mark my Bible. I ask questions about what I read. I wrestle with what I don’t understand. I reach for it when I’m lonely and I read the verses He put there to comfort me. Sometimes, when I find a verse I love, I pen the date beside it. That’s a sweet experience; reading through the Bible and finding a date from five or six years ago. I may not remember what specifically was happening on that date, but it reminds me of God’s faithfulness to me.

 

 

I spend time in prayer too. I don’t always journal my prayers, like some people do. But I do keep a list of ongoing requests so I can see how they’re answered. Two great resources that have helped me learn more about prayer are Kenneth Boa’s Face to Face and Bill Hybels Too Busy Not to Pray. I struggle with prayer. I feel more connected to God when I’m reading His Word than I do when I pray; but I’m learning. Mostly, I’m learning to be genuine.

Also, I’ve come to realize there’s no big secret on how to do a quiet time “right.”I’ve never heard God speak to me audibly. I don’t always understand what He’s teaching me or where He is leading me. I spend lots of time praying fill-in-the-blank prayers. Know what I mean? I want to know specifics. I don’t typically get specifics. But truly, way more than I probably realize, my heart’s desire isn’t just to know what happens next. My desire really is to know more about God: I want my eyes wide-open to how He loves and how I can love back. Some days, I just use a devotional book and pray for a while. There are days I don’t even have a structured quiet time. I try every day though. My heart feels more settled when I do.

I had a girl’s day with my sister last weekend, and we were listening to Jason Gray’s new album “A Way to See in the Dark.” There was one song in particular she wanted me to hear and I liked the song so much that it was pretty much all we listened to. There’s this great lyric he sings: Remind me once again/ who I am in you.

That’s what my quiet time does for me. When I’m in God’s Word, and when I’m seeking Him through prayer, what other people think about me doesn’t matter as much. Their words definitely sting, but they don’t go heart-deep when I’m close to Him. He inspires me and He makes me want to do something good, to stop wasting time. My quiet time recalibrates my heart in the best of ways.

I guess the best advice I could pass on is to make the time you spend with God authentic. Make it yours. Listen, ask questions, wrestle with the scriptures and bring your whole creative self to the process. Don’t hold back.

(… Did I mention I get a little long-winded sometimes?)

 

 

Can you remember a time when you found yourself completely in awe of God’s wonder and power?

I do this pretty often, especially when it comes to nature. I’m a total sky freak; I’m constantly taking pictures of sunsets and storm clouds. I forget time completely when I’m staring at the stars. This summer, my brother and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest. As soon as we got off the plane, we drove to Mt. Rainier National Park. It blew my mind. At first, I just saw glimpses of snowy mountains, glancing over the tips of the pines, peeking out from the clouds. Then the mountains come into full view: black and snow-capped and jagged and gorgeous. The air was so clear and the sky was blue and the mountains surrounded us. They were scary-beautiful. I got out of the car to take a picture and ended up crying. I cried over a mountain. J I think I was overwhelmed by the enormity of it, first. But I also couldn’t stop thinking about how the same God who created Mt. Rainer also created fingerprints. I think God loves to see the look on our faces, that uninhibited joy in our expressions, when we’re wowed by His glory.

More often, the moments I’m bowled over by God’s wonder have to do with people –particularly my niece and nephew. They’re both so cool and compassionate and imaginative. Watching them grow up continues to blow my mind. And when I find something in God’s Word that wraps around my heart and comforts me … I’m done for. I’m wowed by that too; that I even get to hold His Word, much less read it. He made the mountains. He made fingerprints and heartbeats and music. He shapes my days into something beautiful. And He loves me. I’m wonderstruck over Him.

 

Who do you look up to in life and why?

I’m blessed to have many people in my life that I admire greatly. Most of all, I look up to my parents. They’re such genuine people – kind and funny and smart. They love the Lord, and while they don’t mind talking about Him, I see His love evidenced even more in the way they live their lives and treat other people. They don’t use churchy words when they talk. They’re not judgmental. They don’t pretend to understand everything that passes down. They’ve both been through some setbacks in the past few years –health and otherwise – but they still take on their days with so much resolve and so much faith. And I know my parents love me unconditionally. They tell me frequently how proud of me they are. They’ve walked with me through some dark places. I don’t deserve to have them in my life, but I am endlessly grateful.

 

Can you tell us about Connection Weekend?

I would love to! Connection was an event for teen girls in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The whole event had a mission emphasis but, within that, there were a bunch of sessions on different topics that would encourage girls in middle school, high school, and even college. It was a great event. It’s a yearly shindig, so if you’re anywhere close to East Tennessee, you should definitely round up your girlfriends and come down!

What did you talk about there?

My session was called “If Cinderella Wore Cowboy Boots.” Ha. J I talked about what it means to live a good story: to find confidence and healing and hope in God’s Word. Specifically, I talked about how to pray God’s Word: using specific verses to come through dark places, to remember who God says you are. That’s always been a tough one for me: how do I internalize who God says I am? The only way I know to do that is to get in God’s Word, personalize those verses, and hold on tight. I hope the girls who came were encouraged. They were such a major encouragement to me.

 

 

What inspired you to write Paperdoll? Where did your inspiration come from?

I wrote Paperdoll during grad school. I was 25 and feeling stuck and insecure and very, very unsure. One night, I got back to my apartment late and decided to skim through my Bible before I fell asleep.

My bookmark (aka: my most recent Starbucks receipt) was in John 4. As I read the story of the Samaritan woman, something clicked. I already knew her story. I’d heard it before. I’d even taught it before, way back when I taught Sunday School. But the whole story felt new. Because I realized she was asking Jesus the same questions I was asking: about what religion really is, about romance, about worth. I loved that she didn’t bottle up her questions. She saw him there and she asked.

And I loved how He responded. I love Jesus for many, many reasons. But one of my favorite things about Him is that His earthly ministry was so focused on people on the fringes: outsiders and outcasts and people who felt worthless and broken-hearted. I hear people say that Jesus “went out of his way” to meet up with lonely people. I’ve probably said that too. But I’ve come to realize that was his way. That is his way. Loving people, all people, is his way. Even at my worst, at my most insecure, at the moment I think I’ve screwed up too much to ever be redeemed, He’s reaching for me. He didn’t condemn the Samaritan woman or rebuke her or anything like that. He answered her questions and gave her a new story to tell. He helped her see she was made for more.

I didn’t sleep that night. I stayed up making notes and drinking coffee that I found in the back of the fridge that had probably been there for a month. When the sun came up, I turned up a Vicki Beeching song called “Captivated.” I listened to the song and looked around at the mess of my heart: a paper cup and pages and pages scattered on the floor and many more pages on the computer. All of those notes and thoughts and dreams eventually (a few years later) became Paperdoll.

 

 

Your book is based around the story of the Woman at the Well. Was the girl from Samaria (Sam) in your thoughts for Paperdoll?

Definitely! This probably seems ridiculous, but one of the biggest mistakes I sometimes make in reading The Bible is forgetting that the people in there actually lived. They had best friends. They had a favorite food. They had sinus problems. Most importantly, I sometimes forget that those women and men only saw the minute they were in. They didn’t know things would work out. They all had to step out in faith and take a risk. Or two risks. Or a hundred risks.

The Samaritan Woman (whom I started calling “Sam” in my notes) truly ceased the day. She was so brave. I loved that she was bold enough to ask questions. I also love that she had a very visceral response to what she’d learned. Suddenly a woman drawing water all by herself was running back into a village, a village that most likely gossiped about her like crazy, telling them that her whole life had changed. She didn’t run back to town all preachy and judgy telling folks what they were doing wrong. She didn’t feel like she had to “make something of herself” before she went back. She went back and said, “Let me tell you what He said to me.” When she realized how much she was worth to Him, everything changed. What they thought of her didn’t matter anymore. She was secure in Christ. That floored me.

As far as similarities go, I was most inspired by Sam’s question about religion and worship. Religion is defined a bunch of different ways, in her culture and in ours. She wanted to know what the truth was: what’s really real. I so get that. I want my faith to be mine, not just something my parents believe or something my culture dictates. I want my faith to be genuine. Studying the Samaritan Woman reminded me that Jesus is genuine. I sometimes get put off by the church (not a specific church, the church as a whole). I get feisty over people who use religion to justify abusing people, hurting people, or carrying out some psycho scheme.

I’ve done stupid things too. I know I’m guilty of sometimes making my faith into a list of rules. I get gossipy and/or lazy or judgmental.

But when I get bogged down by the mess I make, or the mess I see around me, I turn my eyes back to Jesus. Jesus is genuine. He is real. There’s an old hymn that says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.”That truth became so apparent to me as I studied the Samaritan Woman.

 

In fact, I’m a little bit jealous of Sam for that reason. She got to talk to Jesus; verbally. She got to look into his eyes. I know we get that in Heaven. I know we can know about Jesus through the Bible here on earth. But she actually met Him while He was on earth. I wonder if that’s the story she told her grandkids, if even when she was old, her eyes went starry-wild when she talked about the day she met Jesus face to face.

 

 

While writing Paperdolldid you ever get discouraged? Did anyone discourage you? If so, how did you deal with it?

Oh goodness. I get discouraged pretty often whether or not somebody is discouraging me. I am, most assuredly, my worst and toughest critic. I’ll never be a writer brimming over with confidence. But yes, as far as the actual process of making a book, there are always a few (or a big-ginormous-bunch of) people who discourage.

Discouragement comes at every point in the writing process: it might happen when you’re still drafting, still trying to wrangle the book into what it needs to be. It might happen you’re looking for an agent. And then, when your agent sends out your book, rejection might come from editors. And then, once the book comes out, rejection can come in the form of some seriously awful reviews. Rejection never stops. In my opinion, it never gets easier either. I often read advice from other writers that tell me to develop a thicker skin. To some degree, I guess that has to happen. You have to learn to deal with criticism. The best way I know to deal with it is to keep writing. That is often the last thing I want to do when I’m down; but that’s also the best way I get through it. (Note: Some criticism is good, by the way. Constructive criticism stings but it can make a project so much better. I’m speaking more to the all-out rejection part of writing.)

However. I don’t have, and will never have, a thick skin when it comes to writing. I’m sensitive to it. I can’t help it. Quite honestly, I like being that way. I think vulnerability is what makes you a better writer. The rejection part stinks, and it usually sends me into a sinkhole for a while. But somehow I climb out of the funk and keep going. I am endlessly encouraged by girls who write and tell me about what the book meant to them. A sweet reader sent me an email about Paperdoll that I re-read pretty often. She said: I never knew God’s grace was real for me too. But I read this book and now I know God’s grace is real for me.

That’s why I wrote the book. That’s everything.

Do not let the discouragement sink you, you brave and snazzy writer-types. Keep writing.

 

 

What encouraged you to add the study guide in Paperdoll?

My editor, Kim Bangs, came up with the study guide idea. Kim is incredible. She’s sassy and smart and creative (she’s the sort of editor who gives excellent constructive criticism). From the beginning, Kim was so excited about the potential in Paperdoll. She was always trying to think of how to make it a more personalized experience for a reader. She thought a study guide would be a cool resource to add. And that excited me too. I have a background in student ministry, and I was always on the lookout for a fun curriculum (especially a curriculum that I could personalize for my girls). We did not want the study guide to feel like homework. We wanted this study guide to be creative and interesting and different. I’m so happy with the way it turned out.

How did you come to add the ‘Confessions’ part of the book to Paperdoll?

‘Confessions’is a candid prayer written at the end of each chapter. Those pieces are shorter and, while they certainly aren’t nonsensical, I wanted them to have a more poetic, freeform vibe. I wanted them to feel a little bit rough. When people talk about “a quiet time,” that always makes me think of something a bit more formal. But my time with God isn’t limited to my quiet time or an hour in a worship service. Most of the relationship comes together in the daily part. ‘Confessions’represents the kind of prayer that happens all day long; my heart’s unedited response to God.

Random Questions!

Sweet! This part is so fun!

Favorite Season?

Definitely fall! I love it when the leaves change color and the air gets prickly. I’m also a major proponent of boot-wearing. On September 1, even if it’s 100 degrees here (which it usually is … I’m fairly certain I live in a volcano), I slide my favorite pair of boots over my jeans and stomp outside and defy the heat. Fall is peaceful and pretty but somehow it energizes me too. I feel most inspired in fall. Fall is a good transition. I wish transitions always felt this peaceful and pretty.

 

 

Favorite Movie/Series?

I’ve been on a Netflix kick lately with Avonlea. Avonlea is a TV show that aired in the 90’s, based on a couple of LM Montgomery’s books – The Golden Road and The Story Girl. I loved Avonlea when I was younger. As I’ve been re-watching it, I’ve realized that my affections haven’t changed. The characters on this show are incredible. That’s the thing for me. Whether it’s a book, or a movie, or a TV show– the characters make me fall in love with the story. Characters are way more important to me than plot. The characters in Avonlea are sensational. Hetty King is my absolute favorite. And, of course, if we’re talking Ms. Montgomery, I need to give a shout out to Anne and Gilbert. They’re the best. Anne with an“e” is, in my opinion, one of literature’s greatest heroes.

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee. I’ve started warming up to tea, but coffee makes me so happy. Jittery-happy. I’m always up for trying new teas though. So let me know if you have a fun suggestion!

Vanilla or Chocolate?

Chocolate. I wish I didn’t like it so much. Chocolate is my kryptonite. ;)

Current Obsessions?

Fine tip Sharpie pens. Skinny jeans. The Gillian Welch station on my Pandora. My dog (she’s an always obsession – seriously the sweetest little puffball ever). Knee boots. The song“Slumber” by Needtobreathe. Creamy Hazelnut Coffee from Fresh Market. Zephaniah 3:17. And blogs like this. I’m not just trying for suck-uppage either. I love the way you encourage each other, and encourage your readers. I’m so floored that you asked me to stop by! You Lilies are the coolest ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay readers, we are giving away a copy of Natalie's book Paperdoll!! To enter in, follow Natalie's blog and leave us a comment!!! We will announce the winner on the 17th!!!! 

Interview with Vicki Fourie

Vicki came to me one day, via email, and asked if we wanted to interview her on LAT! After reading her blog and speaking with her, I could not say no! Vicki has an amazing story to share with you and I hope you get as much out of it as I did!

Much Love,

Haylie Gregory, Editor

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a true South African gal who lives in Bloemfontein (it’s in the middle of South Africa), and I turned 22 earlier this year.

We don’t know exactly what caused my hearing damage... When I was a baby, I had a high fever (just like Helen Keller & Marlee Matlin) and we think that’s what caused my hearing loss. I personally don’t believe that I was born deaf.

When I was 2 years old, I didn’t respond when my family called my name, and after extensive tests at the hospital, it was confirmed that I have 97% hearing loss. This came as a big shock for the family, especially my parents.

However, my parents didn’t give up on me after receiving the news. I’m grateful that they reacted this way, for it enabled me to learn how to speak like a hearing person and read lips. I even went to a hearing English school, despite Afrikaans being my home language.

There was many obstacles along the way, but I overcame them by believing that ‘Courage isn’t a gift, it’s a decision.’

In high school, my biggest challenge was large groups. Everyone would  speak all at once, and when you have a profound hearing loss, you can’t really follow what’s going on. And when someone makes a joke and everyone laughs but you didn’t get the joke… that’s when it hurts the most. You feel like an outcast.

I try to avoid these kind of situations, but there are times when you simply cannot, and you have to make the best of it. Don’t be shy to ask questions – he who asks is a fool for a moment – but he who does not ask remains a fool forever.

Today, I still have my moments when I feel left out…  for instance, I can’t speak on the phone, listen to the radio or go to the movies. But I have adapted to my situation. Instead of speaking on the phone, I sms or send emails. Instead of going out to the movies, I rent a DVD and watch it with subtitles. Instead of listening to the radio, I buy the newspaper.

All of us are strong survivers with even stronger survival instincts. We learn how to make the best of our situations.

2) Tell us about your public speaking life? What do you talk about?

With the primary schools, I share on how I struggled sometimes as a deaf girl in a hearing school – the topic is ‘I Know I Can’. With the high school kids, I tell them that ‘Courage isn’t a gift, it’s a decision.’ So many kids today are struggling with drug abuse, self-harming, cursing, etc.

I also share the following story with the high school children:

When I was 14 years old, I was accidentally shot with a gun – the bullet entered me at the back of my shoulder and exited in the front. This accident changed my whole life – in a good way. Before this happened, I always thought that my life was about ME, about what I wanted, what I needed. I also struggled with depression.

After the accident, my attitude towards life changed. I decided not to be selfish anymore and not to feel sorry for myself. Life owes you nothing – it’s your responsibility to make something out of it.

The more I shared my story with others, the more I received healing. When something traumatic happens to you, you tend to keep it inside. It’s not the right thing to do – if you don’t talk about it, you will die within yourself.

3) How is life as a beauty pageant girl?

The beauty pageant world came onto me unexpectedly. When I was in matric, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. There was 3 or 4 people who said that I was going to be like Esther of the Bible – I was going to use my beauty to save a nation. At first, I didn’t quite understand (I thought I needed to marry a prince, and South Africa does not have royalty!).

Soon opportunities started popping up in newspapers, magazines, advertisements, etsc. I heard about the Miss Deaf South Africa, and realized that Esther also partook in a pageant: the Miss Persia pageant. I took this as a sure sign that I must enter.

In 2008 I participated for the first time. I didn’t win, but was crowned 1^st Princess & Miss Personality.

In 2009 I participated again, and I was crowned Miss Deaf SA 2009/2010 and Miss Deaf HESC (the official sponsor of the pageant).

In July 2010, I participated in the Miss Deaf International in Las Vegas, and I was crowned 2^nd Princess.

In 2011, I competed in the Miss Deaf World, which took place in Prague from the 1^st till 11^th of July 2011.

For some reason, althroughout

God was preparing me all along – during that week I kept asking Him what I should do for the rest of this year. He was silent until that Friday night – until that women came to me. Everything just fell into place. It all made sense.

4. What is the message you try to bring to people?

 I do not consider myself as a deaf woman... Your circumstances does not need to define you. I consider myself as Vicki – my name means ‘Victorious’. I refuse to be a ‘Victim’ to my circumstances and surroundings.

I believe South Africa has many opportunities. Life is full of choices, and having a positive attitude doesn’t just fall on one’s lap – you need to make a choice to practice this attitude in life. It’s like a muscle: at first it’s not that easy, but with the seasons it becomes easier and then one wonders, ‘Why did I ever doubt myself?’  

There are some people who wallow in self-pity and bitterness, and that doesn’t bring you very far in life... Stop complaining – you are alive, and your disability and/or circumstances is nothing compared to what you have – the gift of life. The world doesn’t owe you a thing – it’s your responsibility to make something out of your life.

Be bold – do not be shy. Always ask questions. Be curious about everything and everything – the more you learn, the more you realize you still have a lot to learn. The world owes you nothing – it’s your responsibility to make something of it. It doesn’t help feeling angry towards God or people about your disability. Believe me, it’s a waste of time. Find out what are your talents and gifts, and focus on them. Embrace who you are. You’re disability does not need to define you…Be courageous!

5) Tell us about the Miss Deaf World 2011 that took place in Prague earlier in July 2011.

Over 38 girls from all over the world competed in this prestigious event that lasted for about 6 days. My mother was my chaperon & we arrived in Prague the 2^nd of July after 2 days’ flying. The 8^th of July (Friday evening) the pageant’s crowning took place at the Top Hotel Praha.

This year’s Miss Deaf World was the 11^th year it took place.

We were treated like royalty. All the girls PLUS their chaperones’ tickets were paid in full by the Miss Deaf World organizers. Our accommodation was free & we had platters of food 4 times a day.

The contestants received so many freebies every day that by the time I had to fly back to SA, I had to leave behind 4 pairs of shoes, amongst other random things. My suitcase was too heavy – that’s how much they blessed us during our stay there!

I didn’t win a place at the Miss Deaf World pageant... BUT about an hour after the crowning someone came up to me, asking whether I’d be interested in playing opposite an Oscar-winner in a new movie. It’s a small role I’m getting, but it’s a start!! I’m not really allowed to reveal more details yet – the contract has to be finalized & everything. But I’m majorly excited!!!

Also, a psychologist from Germany has invited me to be a guest speaker in her country. Will get more details on that later.

So, I didn’t win the Miss Deaf World title, but I came back a winner in other areas of my career. I’m going forward!!

6) How do you spend your quiet time with God?

First thing in the mornings, I spend time with the Lord. I take out my Bible the night before and leave it on the ground so that I won’t forget when the morning come. It takes plenty of wisdom & insight to do what I do (writing, motivational speakings, etc.) and that’s why it’s such a priority for me to draw from the Living Well. Otherwise I’ll run dry. I don’t want that to happen.

I have a favourite spot where I always spend time with the Lord – my room. The winter sun always comes through my window and it’s lovely & warm. I don’t check my cellphone first thing in the morning, and I don’t even put on my hearing aids. That way, I am much more focused in the morning when it comes to spending some time with Jesus. Away from all the noise & madness of this world.

7) What is one of your favorite things about God?

That I can speak to Him whenever & wherever I want to. My job gets real lonely sometimes – the friends I have can’t really relate to what I do because it’s such a unique job that I have. It’s really nice to know that while I’m travelling so much, I can pray in tongues or just bask in my aloneness with the Lord. I can be at the airport, a photoshoot, or just be alone at night and know that He sees me – He knows exactly what I’m going through.

8) What is your favorite passage of scripture and why?

I love the Old Testament. I think it’s because it’s full of powerful stories of battle & courage. We tend to put God in a box and say, ‘He’s a softy. He’s not very strong.’ But when I read the Old Testament I am blown away by the way He just stood up and raised men in battle. Life is a battlefield for all of us. I like to think of God as the Gladiator who’s fiery & undefeatable when it comes to the temptations of this world...

9) What do you like to do during your free time?

I have a beautiful cat named Ally who as the most adorable character. I also love horse riding and jogging to clear my mind.

10) Who do you look up to in life and why?

When I was 14 years old, I was accidentally shot with a gun – the bullet entered me at the back of my shoulder and exited in the front. This accident changed my whole life – in a good way. Before this happened, I always thought that my life was about ME, about what I wanted, what I needed. I also struggled with depression.

After the accident, my attitude towards life changed. I decided not to be selfish anymore and not to feel sorry for myself. Life owes you nothing – it’s your responsibility to make something out of it. They say that a hero is someone who saves your life – the Lord saved my life after that horrible accident. I look up to Him. He is my Saviour.

Readers are welcome to contact Vicki a guest appearance or speaking opportunity: vicki@247mail.co.za

Read her blog: www.vickifourie.blogspot.com.

Follow her on Twitter: @vickifourie