River of Thoughts

Christine Royse Niles — Changing the world one word at a time

Nominated

Last week I went to the office.

This required dressing up in more than just a pair of yoga pants and fuzzy slippers. Looking like a human being.  Sitting in a room for three solid days with other people that I told to show up and look and act like human beings, all together.

For an ultra-introvert…that’s hell.  On earth.

(side note:  why can’t our office be someplace that’s located at the intersection of hell and atlantis, otherwise known as Florida?  I did not know that air could be both wet and on fire at the same time.)

Furthermore, I suck at taking care of myself when I’m on the road.  $2.50 for a little bottle of water leads to dehydration.  No rental car (corporate cost containment…sigh) means eating exceptionally random food at exceptionally random times.  Coffee is the only constant.

So I was feeling pretty low.  And sometime around noon on Wednesday, the little light on my phone started blinking.

Being a little bit OCD (yes, paying attention to an ongoing meeting, a laptop, and two phones), I clicked it to find…

A nomination for a Kreativ Blogger Award!

Now, just to be clear…this isn’t something that’s voted on and one person or committee choses and awards.  This is one where EVERYONE is a winner!  It’s a great way to recognize and spread the blogging love.  Here’s what nominees do:

  • Thank the person who nominated you
  • Share a list of seven things about yourself.
  • Nominate seven favorite blogs/bloggers for recognition!

These are all fun things to do.

So:

Thanks!

Special thanks to Jim Woods of UnknownJim.com fame.  Ironic? Yes.  I think he should be called EverybodyLovesJim.  His encouragement continually picks me up in perfect timing like a gift from God.  Check out his blog and support him as he launches his new creative coaching offerings!  Follow him on Twitter here.

Seven Things About Me

  1. My husband and I went from childless to parents of two teenage girls in a period of 2.5 years.
  2. I am a writer who happens to get paid to be a global project manager 40-or-so hours a week.
  3. I started college as a voice major, but I’m not big enough to be an opera singer, and I’m not patient enough to teach.
  4. I’ve always wanted to learn to play guitar, but I can’t keep my fingernails short enough.
  5. I would rather eat a bag of potato chips than a bowl of chocolate ice cream.
  6. I am fascinated by airplanes and would love riding in them if not for the other passengers (can you tell i’m writing this post in an airport?).  
  7. I am passionate about serving orphans and helping break the cycle of poverty that cripples their futures

My Seven Nominees

  1. Scott Kerzner blogs at In Due Season about his family’s journey to pay off nearly $100,000 in debt.  I was honored to be at Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Plaza when Scott, Kathy, Ryan, and Jack screamed “We’re Debt Free” on Dave’s show last March.  Follow him on Twitter here.
  2. I met Thea Nelson online right after the first Quitter conference and finally in person at the March Killer Tribes conference.  She shares scripture applied to daily life at her blog Collide: where truth and life meet.  Follow Thea on Twitter here.
  3. Grant and Kellee Keys rose to the challenge in David Platt’s Radical, and Kellee is blogging through their year-long Radical Experiment.  I love Kellee’s honesty as she and Grant stretch themselves and grow in their faith.  Kellee and Grant are waiting for the phone call for a foster placement.  Keep them in your prayers and follow them on Twitter here and here.
  4. Chris Vonada shares his unique perspective on the amazing planet God has created, and our place in it at I’m Just Thinkin’.  I met Chris through Killer Tribes, and from day 1, he’s encouraged me and cheered me on.  Follow Chris on Twitter here.
  5. Ben Steele works as a welder and machinist to support his dream, writing for young men making their way as spiritual leaders at Big Hairy Deal.  In case you missed it, Ben guest posted here a couple of weeks ago and shared his thoughts on how a young single guy can serve orphans and kids in need.  Follow Ben on Twitter here.
  6. Evan Forester is another Killer Triber who has multiple blogs that are all worth mentioning, but I’m nominating his new Live Fully Blog because, well, it’s about living fully.  Duh.  But seriously, Evan encourages people to stop just sliding through life on autopilot and to live an intentional and full life through Jesus.  Follow Evan on Twitter here.
  7. Keeks (Kristen Keyser) is a Quitter and a hilariously irreverent and creative young woman who is living a better story by sharing the stories of others at TheyCallMeKeeks…Most recently Keeks is blogging chapter by chapter through Bob Goff’s Love Does.  If you haven’t read it, you should.  And then follow Keeks on Twitter here.

Honorable mention goes to Adrian Waller, who blogs at Life Before The Bucket, but is on a 30-day media fast as part of his walk through Jen Hatmaker’s “7”  He will be coming back online in mid-June.  Follow him on Twitter here.

What is your favorite blog?  Leave a comment…

 

 

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About Christine

I am a writer, a project manager, and a corporate refugee with a heart for orphans around the world. My two daughters were adopted from Ukraine at ages 12 and 14. I post about writing, chasing dreams, and making a difference in the world, and sometimes I share fun snippets of fiction in-progress.

11 Replies

  1. Wow, thank you Christine, I really appreciate you that’s very sweet :-)

    I love your blog because it really inspires me… your story and challenges help me keep mine in perspective.

    I read lots of others, for specific content and it would be very difficult to choose one favorite… I will try to use this post as a model outlining some of mine too!!

    1. Christine

      The inspiration goes both ways, Chris! Thanks for your encouragement, your unique perspective, and your ability to make rocks interesting!

  2. Christine,

    Thank you again! I’m also excited to find new connections through your post!

    1. Christine

      So happy you are here, and excited to introduce others to your blog!!

  3. Christine, thank you. I am blown away to have made the “Magnificent Seven” list! (sorry, couldn’t resist the 80’s music reference!)

    I am honored that you included me in your nominations. You are a great source of inspiration, more than you know.

    1. Christine

      OK….you got me, that’s obscure, even for me!!!

      As for including you, how could I not?? Your story is inspiring, your honesty is encouraging, and I love your passion for helping others attack their debt and “live like no one else.”

  4. Magnificent Seven is song from The Clash. I guess that was a little out there. Sorry.

    1. Christine

      No worries…I’m just embarrassed that I missed it. I pride myself on my encyclopedic knowledge of 70’s-80’s alternative music. Or my ability to use Google. :-)

  5. Unbelievable. I never responded to this great honor. You see, here is my excuse:
    I was notified the day before I flew to Kosovo for 3 weeks. Then I got home and packed up my entire life and moved to New Zealand 2 weeks later. Then I got settled(ish).

    Then I just read your book and suddenly remembered this great encouragement before I jumped to the other side(s) of the world. I shall right this wrong soon!

    1. Christine

      No worries. Just living the life you write about is all the thanks that’s necessary. I’m truly enjoying living vicariously through your journey!!!!

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