Welcome to Emily! A New Contributing Writer

As I mentioned yesterday, I am beyond excited to introduce you to the new contributing writers that will be joining me here at The Purposed Heart.  These ladies are sure to bless us, teach us, and encourage us.

Today, I would like to start off by introducing you to Emily.  She is such a sweetheart and has been a reader here almost from the beginning.  She has encouraged me personally many times, and I am so thankful that she will be able to do the same thing for you now as well!

I have asked each of my new contributors to answer a short little questionnaire so that we could all get to know them a little better. I LOVE reading about other people, and reading this Q&A from Emily was no exception.  So, just for fun, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little conversation time with my friend and new contributor, Emily.

1. If health wasn’t a factor, what one thing would you like to indulge in on a regular basis?

I love chips! Corn chips with dip are my favourite. The dips can be not too bad if you make them yourself; homemade salsa, guacamole, bean dip, hummus – none of those are bad for you, but it’s the large bag of chips I want to eat along with them that is the problem!

2. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?  What has that person taught you?

My mom has definitely been the biggest influence on my life. She homeschooled me at a time and in a place where virtually no one else was homeschooling. It wasn’t easy for her, and I didn’t make it very easy at times, but I know that keeping me close to home and in her company was hands down the best thing she could have done for me – for my education, my spiritual growth, and my relationship with her and my sisters. 

She taught me to love reading and learning, to be interested in current events and to question the status quo when appropriate. She taught me how to cook (though she protests that I am now a much better cook than she is), how to sew (that one didn’t really stick, I still bring my mending to her), how to clean, and – through her quiet example – how to love my husband and children. She showed me how to graciously endure poor health and other trials, how to manage a home and how to get along with the rest of the family. Most importantly, she taught me what it means to have a relationship with Christ and what that looks like on a day-to-day basis. She is one of my dearest friends and she still teaches me something every time we talk.

3. Describe yourself in three words or less.

Christian, Wife, Mommy.

4. If you could pick any time period in history to live, what would it be.

Probably the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Recent enough for lots of good books to read, far enough to eliminate a lot of the clutter and convenience of modern living.

5. How many kids do you have?  Boy(s)? Girl(s)?

Two sweet little boys so far, and hoping that God blesses us with many more! Our Eli is 2 years old, Theo is 7 months.

6. Describe your cooking style.

My cooking mantra would probably be “from scratch.” My goal in cooking is to use virtually nothing that came in a box or a can – unless I canned it myself. I like to start with basic, fresh ingredients and go from there, but beyond that I try to keep things pretty simple. No fancy techniques or overly expensive ingredients.

7. What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?

One that I quote a lot is Isaiah 43:2-3 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”

This is the verse that springs to my mind and lips whenever I face a trial or a challenge of any kind. It comforts me to cling to God’s promise of help and his declaration of his power.

8. Are you a spontaneous person or a planner.

A bit of both, but I lean toward planning. However, I have a tendency to over-plan and talk myself out of things too. My husband is a perfect balance for me in this respect. 

9. What was the happiest moment of your life?

The births of both of my children were pretty phenomenal, especially my second (unmedicated) birth.

10. City slicker or farm girl?

A little of both? I grew up in a subdivision in a village who’s slogan was “Shopping Capital of the Valley,” so it was hardly rural, but not a city either. Now I live in a rural community but drive into a city to do all my errands. I enjoy the benefits of both.

11. Growing up, did you enjoy school?

It depends on the year and the subject, but as a general rule yes, I did. Now that I’m no longer studying, I miss it.

12. What would you like to do with one hour of uninterrupted free time?

Some days all I would want would be a nap, but a lot of the time I take advantage of my young children’s naptime to go to the kitchen and get a head start on supper or any other cooking needs our family has. I love spending time in the kitchen creating, it’s very relaxing.

13. Where did you and your husband meet?  Was it love at first sight?

We met at a Baptist Convention we were both volunteering at. I wouldn’t call it love at first sight, but he did come and sit next to me and introduce himself as soon as he arrived in the room. My interest was immediately piqued by this handsome man I perceived as being so much older than myself. Three years is a lot when you’re a wide-eyed girl fresh out of high school! We got to know each other a few months later attending the same university, and love didn’t take very long to blossom.

14. What’s your favorite color?

Blue, usually, but it all depends on what it is that I’m choosing a colour for!

15. Have you ever travelled out of the country?  How was it?

At the end of my first year of university I went on a short study tour in El Salvador with a group of other women. It was an interesting experience to learn all about another part of the world and the problems that it faces, as well as how the churches there were attempting to address those problems. 

16. What’s your all-time favorite song?  All-time favorite artist?

I’m really not sure I can pick because it changes every 15 minutes or so, but my favourite hymn is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I especially love Chris Rice’s version. But aside from that I could never choose a favourite artist. I might go from listen to Christ Tomlin to Justin Bieber to Mozart all in the same hour!

17. What book are you reading right now?

A few different e-books I purchased recently, Blog Design on a Dime by Jacinda Vandenberg and One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider. I also read the Bible every morning, the latest issue of Time Magazine, and I’m slowly plowing my way through Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Oh, and my husband and I are reading Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll together. 

18. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

One summer after university I worked at a tourist destination called Cape Enrage. The whole Fundy coast of New Brunswick is beautiful, but Cape Enrage particularly so. Waking up every morning and eating breakfast on the deck overlooking the beautiful Chignecto Bay… I still miss it.

19. Do you have a hidden talent?

In high school I loved acting and did a few plays, but I don’t think anyone who knows me now would believe it!

20. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I LOVE food, and I think I discover at least once a week a new yummiest thing I’ve ever eaten. Lately though, I had a pretty fabulous roasted beet and goat cheese salad at a local restaurant that made me want to return every day for the rest of my life.

21. What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Bananas. I loathe them.

22. Driving style: tortoise or hare?

Hare if I’m not paying attention! I’m usually pretty careful though.

23. Do you make your bed a.) every day b.) once a week c.) once a month d.) never

Every day! Don’t ask me how often I vacuum the floor though…

24. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Bad grammar and misspelled or misused words. Just recently I read a news article that used the phrase “shredded in mystery” and I wanted to cry.

25. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.

I do think I’m a pretty good cook, or I suppose I wouldn’t presume to have a cooking blog.

I read fast.

26. Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Decorating. I’m not in the least artistic and have a very hard time figuring out what I like.

Fixing things that are broken. Somehow I always think I’ll be able to fix it and then end up calling my husband and acting pathetic.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

It varied: a speech therapist, a math teacher. The one constant was that I wanted to get married and have children someday and I’m so grateful to be able to live that dream every day. 

28. What is one frivolous thing you own that you wouldn’t want to live without?

My Kindle e-reader. I really didn’t need it, and when my husband surprised me with one last year out of the blue I was beyond  excited. I use it constantly.

29. What do you think is the best invention of history?

I don’t know about best invention, but the Internet has certainly affected our lives more, I think, than any other invention.

30. Most hated household task?

Floors. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, it’s always the thing I put off until the very end.

31. Favorite household task?

Cooking! Mindlessly chopping vegetables is very relaxing.

32. List five random things about yourself.

• I wear glasses.
• I dread making phone calls.
• I’m addicted to club soda.
• My first word was “shoes.”
• I love exercise videos.

Welcome, Emily!  We’re so glad to have you here and can’t wait to start learning from you.  Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself with us!

Emily is a young wife and stay at home mother who blogs at Gourmet Mommy about life, food and kids. She was married to her wonderful husband Cory in October of 2008.  Their first son, Eli, joined their family on September 13, 2009 and they welcomed their second son, Theophilus [Theo], on May 25, 2011.

Emily is passionate about her faith in God, being a homemaker, living a healthy lifestyle, cooking (and eating!) healthy and delicious food, homeschooling and lots of other things!  You can follow Emily on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t forget to check out her lovely blog as well!

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