Part 2 : : When Writing & Community Get Cozy ~ A Blog Hop

One of the energizing graces of blogging is that you truly can soar like a bird freed from her cage.  You get to stretch your creative little wings as you design your online home ... and can change it on a whim.  You choose what time of day or night you pick up your pen ... or not.  You follow your heart when it comes to subject matter and carefully select the images that highlight your labors of love. 

How cool is this!

Delightfully, there's no official blog police lurking close by, rulebooks in hand.  And for those of us who love Christ, we do, in essence, write for the most gracious audience of One who welcomes us with open arms, who's delighted to hear the stories that come from the depth of our souls, and is the Author Himself of any bit of creative essence, quirky whimsy, or deep wisdom that we may offer. 

The rest is sheer gift.

So when a blog hop comes along and a couple of the next participants are taking a break from writing, it's no big deal!  You simply pen When Writing & Community Get Cozy.  And five weeks later, you do a part 2!

This is it!

When you read online intros to these kind of posts, the writers often spin the most winsome of stories about when and where they met their friends.  But I can't do that, because these 3 women have been a steady presence in my life, a central part of this community for eons.  I can't for the life of me track back the details of our fledgling connections. 

And it's not important.

What matters is that they live out the radiant beauties of community done well.  And have taught me that yes, you can develop relationships online that stand the test of time.  They've reminded me that often the best life lessons are learned at the knee of another soul who's traveling a different path, but whose heart beats as one with yours.

So please welcome these 3 remarkable ladies who are taking the hop toward the next divergent pathways.  I can't wait to follow where they're leading.  Grab your hat and come with us ...

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Meet Loralu James Conville, {better known as Lulu).  You'll find her navigating city life, experiencing new cultures, and enjoying fresh community celebrations.  She spots spiritual insights through her adventures and she eagerly shares them with her readers.

'Born and raised in a twenty mile radius---a small town girl for most of my life---after a life changing event, I moved to the Big City last year.  Southern—through and through---I have the twang to prove it, but there is no twang in my writing.

A retired bean counter who loves adventure, exercising, cooking, reading, volunteering, traveling, talking with friends, and working in the garden-I can be a study in motion.  Mother to three and Lulu to five-my largest blessing and greatest joy comes from the honor of being called Mom and Lulu. 

Above all I am the beloved of the Most High King who loves me faithfully and calls me His own.'
 

And I'm delighted to introduce Ceil Ryan, whose writings never fail to enlarge my borders and always leave me thinking deep.  Her radiant personality shines through her heart-words and is captured in the personal way she connects with her many readers.
 
'Ceil Ryan is a Wife, Nurse, Mom and Nana of three living in the Midwest.  After working over twenty years, she hung up her nurse’s cap to start writing and blogging full time.  Ceil enjoys nature walks, campfires and leading small groups.  She can also be found coloring, eating play food and sorting shapes with her grandchildren.

Ceil’s passion is sharing personal stories with an emphasis on faith and encouragement.  She’d love to meet you, with a ready ear to hear your story too.'
 

  

Last, but certainly not least, Beth Steffaniak is the first faraway blogger I've met in person, and our sweet visit remains one of the highlights of my year.  She's built a delightful community centered on messy marriages, with her Tuesday evening link-up a big draw for marriage-lovers from all over.

'I've always had a heart for helping the hurting and discouraged.  So in my twenties, I obtained a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling and counseled for many years before transitioning to a certified life coach about two years ago. 

My husband, Gary is the Pastor of Care and Recovery at our church, where we both serve as leaders in the church's recovery ministry.  We've been married for 27 {sometimes 'messy'} years and have three handsome sons, the youngest of whom is going off to college this fall, making us empty-nesters {sniff, sniff!}!'

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