Hi from here. I know it’s been quite a few weeks. My cogs have needed some quiet time and I’m currently catching up with my notes & prayer journaling. But I’m getting back into the flow & will be continuing to cover a variety of topics as I can.

Before then, I’m so happy to share some surprise cheer this week. Thanks so much to Joy of joywilliams.com for very kindly nominating me for the Leibster award. It made my day!

The Leibster Award is an award within the blogging community to recognise & discover new blogs, given by bloggers and received by bloggers.

To accept the award, the nominees have a few requirements, such as posting the Leibster Award picture on their page; answering selected questions; nominating other bloggers…& so on. The full list is further down this page.

So to get started, here are my Leibster Award responses to Joy’s questions.

● How did you choose your blog’s name?

I wanted to have the acronym M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) included. But also the word Hope, which has always been my lead & basis for writing in the first place, it had to be in there too. It developed from there.

● Who is your favourite youtuber podcaster?

Mmm….I listen to more worship music than podcasts. But it would probably be CFS Warrior ‘s Youtube videos (5 minutes in length generally) which works for me when I’m need of a boost & some encouragement. Also filmed from lovely locations, which is equally uplifting. I’m also discovering Bible Journaling Youtubers, such as Bible Journaling Ministries , which are great.

● When times are tough, how do you deal with stress?

I sit in the garden (if I’m up to it), talk with God (basically pour my heart out), pray & listen to worship music & fuss my hound. Or sketch & do some pen letter doodling. I do, however, try not to chuck a dinner plate outside the back door, although this was highly recommended to me by a physio in the early days of ME/cfs! However, I’m not sure who was expected to clear up the mess!

● Give us the link to the blog post you enjoyed writing the most.

The Perception of Wheels is a post I enjoyed writing. I’d felt the need to share on this, long before I’d started my blog site.

● If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Ooh my goodness that’s a toughie. Very probably to Hong Kong. I lived there with my little fam for a few years & would love to revisit our favourite places there. Although the thought of longhaul is a bit bleuh! Also the US, London or to a beach to feel sea and sand under my feet & between my toes. Just a few! Basically to be able to travel beyond my home town & county would be A-MAZ-ING!

● What do you want readers to know the most about you?

That I’m still who I was before ME/cfs struck (but hopefully an improved version!), so there is much more to me than you might first think. That I’m a woman of faith & pretty straight talking.

● What’s your advice for new bloggers?

I don’t claim to be an expert, but I would say enjoy it, take your time, interact with other bloggers & join a blogging group. I have found such a fountain of knowledge, encouragement, and generosity & tips from so many talented writers.

* * * * * * * *

And there you have it. That was fun and felt a little like being on Desert Island Discs!

Here are the 5 blogs I would like to nominate for the Leibster Award & why ~ 

Beautiful art & sensitive writing ~ livingfreewithdisabilities.com

Encouragement, logic, analytics & adventure ~ livingingod’spocket.wordpress.com

Words of faith, short stories & poetry ~ edithohaja.com 

Inspiration from the heart ~ hylaandpeterechols.com

Yummy, healthy recipes ~ livebynaturesite.wordpress.com 

It’s not easy to explain in few words why I have nominated these 5 blogs. I hope my summaries help give an idea. There are many more blogs I could go on to nominate, so it was pretty difficult to choose just 5. 

All these nominated bloggers inspire me with their skill, creativity, perseverance & faith. Along with their encouragement, interaction & mentoring. They are just great artists, creators & writers to be in touch with and to be inspired by. 

To see why first hand, please do visit their blogs. You will be inspired, I am certain of that.

And it goes without saying, please do head over to joywilliams.com blog site to enjoy a read of her posts, along with her chosen nominee blog sites. 

To my nominees. Congratulations! I hope you’re happy to accept & here is a run down of the rules.

My Questions to you are ~

• What is your favourite part of blogging?
• What prompted you to start your blog?
• Name your favourite worship or other song & why?
• If you could invite any one inspirational person for dinner with friends, who would you invite & why?
• What is your favourite city & why?
• Post the link to the blog post you most enjoyed writing.
• What is your advice to new bloggers?

It’s a pleasure to take part. I’m looking forward to reading the responses, and seeing your chosen nominations. Have a great day.

I’ll include a song, as I always do.

Until next time. God bless ❤

Overcomer ~ Mandisa