2017 Liebster Award....like pie with awesome sauce!

Wow!  Sweet like  a delectable piece of pie, 
a serving of validation with awesome sauce,
 is the appreciation expressed in the Leibster Award nomination from Kim @ Simply Filled.

I have heard of some bloggers not accepting or responding in tradition, to this award, and I want to kindly address that here in a short story:

I once knew a young adult man very well.  I knew him to be kindhearted and sensitive.  He did not excel in academics, but he did seem to shine in his caring and interpersonal relationship skills.  I complimented his mother on this strength that I observed, and she smiled and shared with me that when he was in kindergarten, he received the "kind heart award."

It was a humble piece of paper from his teacher.  His mother cherished it all these years.  Did the humility of its origins, coming from a single person's nomination, lessen this child's character?  Of course not.  This person was a kind caring individual in early childhood, and through out life, which truly is something to celebrate, and appreciate.

Therefore, in all humility, I  accept my nomination from Kim.  My blog is what it is, and this nomination does not change what my blog is, but with this award, I have the opportunity to shine a light of appreciation on a few others, and have some extra fun in my journey!

So thank you Kim!  I needed some encouragement today, and the note and nomination that I found from you, cheered my day!

 It is a great pleasure to perpetuate the positivity and nominate the following.  I hope you will visit and explore over at these blogs:

*Rita @ Revival Rain, is creative and also theologically knowledgeable and grounded.  Her writings range from creative poetry and imaginative fiction, to doctrinal Bible based dissertations.  I will go back again and again, and I am grateful to think of her as my friend!  Oh, and she recently published a BOOK!

*Shayndel @ Challah and Cherry Blossoms has a blog like none other I have ever found.  Her posts beam with exquisite photos reflecting her rich Judaeo- Christian heritage, being a Messianic Jew living in Japan!  Artwork, recipes, and spiritual and cultural  inspiration are a bit of what you will find if you visit Shayndel there.  Go see what I mean!!

*Chavon @ New Beginnings with Me is dedicated to encouraging and uplifting women towards being their best self for Christ.  She is a special education teacher but somehow finds the time to build this beautiful resource for kingdom building through building up the sisters, with scripture studies, posts for Christ, and videos that are a pleasure to watch and listen to.

*Emily @ Splashes of Joy got on my radar when I discovered that she is a voice for orphans (ministry closest to my heart).  In her blog, she addresses all matters relative to fostering, adopting, motherhood, and orphans.  She does link-ups, and guest posts, and any woman who visits her blog is bound to find reason to stay for a while, and leave with a smile in her her heart.

* Melissa @ humblefaithfamilywellness.com writes to build and equip families, including foster/adopt families.  She promotes wellness, healthy interpersonal relationships, self esteem, growth and healing using her expertise as a professional mental health therapist, and Bible perspective insights.  Her sensitivity, kindness, understanding and grace shines brightly from the pages of her blog!  SHE RECIEVED THE LIEBSTER NOMINATION AT THE SAME TIME I DID, also from Kim, SO I MENTION HER HERE SIMPLY AS A FAVORITE!!! 

If you choose to accept this award, according to tradition,  here are some questions for you to answer from me, so that others may get to know you better:

* What do you like to do for stress relief?
* Who was the greatest spiritual mentor in your life while growing up (or later)?
* Do you ever go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink?
* Do you make your bed everyday, or figure it's not worth it?
* What is the coolest thing you ever made with your hands?
* What is one thing that you learned to do after much work and practice or trial and error?
* What is the most daring thing you have ever done?
* Tell three things on your bucket list.
* At potlucks, what dish do friends or family ask you to bring?  Would you do a post on the recipe and link it here in the comments?
* What is your top love language?

(Thank you Kim, for nominating ME ! ) I hope you visit her, @ Simply Filled.  She is like the all American country girl next door, blogging for Jesus Christ on faith, homesteading, wellness, and marriage.  Her blog is beautiful, as is her big chocolate Labrador dog, and her golden hair.

Now it will be my delight to answer questions posed from Kim:

*Where do you find inspiration for what you blog about?  Loosely speaking, I rely on God.  It is not uncommon for one week, me to have NO CLUE what the next post is going to be about, and then, an idea comes or grows.  Often LIFE, something I have experienced, or observed, or read, seems to plant the seed.

*How did you come up with your blog name? I came up with the name kind of in my sleep, because I knew that I didn't want to hide my age, and I identify with Jesus's lady friends Mary and Martha.  I am good mix of the thinker listener and the busy doer, so "Grandma Mary Martha."

*Please share the mission of your blog.  Grandma Mary Martha's mission is to be a friend and encourager, to share creativity, kindness, fun sharing, sunshine and Sonshine (Jesus and scripture).

*If you have a profession other than writing, what is it?  My blog is a hobby and ministry.  I am a teacher by profession.

*What is your favorite food?  How can I choose a favorite?  Watermelon.... German Chocolate pie.....lush blueberry muffins...Can't choose a favorite. 

*Are you a dog or cat person?  There was a time (pre-marriage and pre-children) when I was definitely a dog person.  My vet who knew me well (always bringing in strays) he told me that the dogs in my little town went around spreading the word, "The lady in that house will take care of you....." 

*Busy city life, or quiet country life?  Quiet country life for sure!  Honestly, 3 hours of shopping in a city and I am ready to head for my country home in the hills again. I get a feeling of anxiety, like a scared country mouse in the big scary hustling city.

* Favorite place you ever traveled to? Hmm.  I have seen some spectacular sights in the continental United States of America, which I treasure in my memory, but the scenery along the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon side touched my heart and soul.  We went in November, and the apple orchards on the rolling hills looked like a patchwork quilt, and the gorgeous and tasty variety of apples available at roadside fruit sale barns was outstanding.  I kept thinking about my grandmother, a great quilter and apple pie maker...........and the cascading water falls that were our diamonds to discover on our family hikes in the Cascade Mountains there were splendid indeed.

*What is the best book you ever read? That is a super hard question.  I have to answer generally.  There are two books that I have bought as gifts or shared more than any other:  Joshua by Joseph Girzone, and 5 Love Languages, by Gary Chapman.

* One important thing people should know about you? I would not want to live, with out my faith, and God's word (the Bible) in my life.

* What is one skill you wish you possessed that you currently don't?  I admire people with musical talent and skill.  I seem really dumb in that department, but I think if I could choose (write my life the way I wanted it) I would have chosen to be a gloriously skilled dancer!  

In Kim's Nomination post, she included 10 tidbits about herself, which I enjoyed very much.  I always enjoy getting to know my blogger sisters, a little better........but I feel like I have said enough about me here already.  I will say, if you want to read more about me, here are the links to some pages in my blog about more of such.

Thank you Kim, for nominating me, and thank you to my nominees for the amazing work you do on your blog.  You have been a blessing in my life.  May this Liebster award nomination be an encouragement for you toward many more years of wonderful blogging!

Blessings in Christ,
Tammy @
Grandma Mary Martha💜