Top Ten Blogs You Need to Visit

As I was heading into the new year, I began to think about all the blogs I love and what the people writing them have taught me. I thought I’d share some of these less well-known blogs in the hopes that they will inspire you, too! Here they are, in no particular order:

1. The Sacrifice of a Broken Spirit

Wendy’s blog started out of tragedy. When her husband Emmett was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer, together they started a blog to keep family and friends informed. As Emmett got worse, Wendy did most of the writing, and we all saw what a gift she has. Not only is Wendy an amazing writer, but her faith in God, even (and especially) in the midst of tragedy is inspiring. Before Emmett died, he set up Wendy’s own space to record her thoughts. I thank Emmett for this gift that he gave, not only to her, but to us.

Wendy and I have been friends since we were overly-dramatic 15-year-old girls. Our senior year in high school, our favorite English teacher, in attempt to assuage the fear of leaving our best friends as we ventured to different colleges, pointed out that she and her best girl friends still were best friends and got together once every five years or so since they all lived in different states. After hearing her story, we all began to cry. However, now I see the wisdom of Mrs. Beals, and I am honored to do life with Wendy, even if we only see each other a couple times a year.

2. Small Glimpses of Grace

Elaine was the other friend present in the hallway with Mrs. Beals. She recently started her own blog, and I am so excited to see her writing! In high school, Elaine was always writing, and I remember her first play that she wrote and directed. Now she’s using her writing skills to find God’s hand in her everyday life. Perhaps if she gets lots of visitors to her blog, she’ll start writing even more!

3. Life in a Glass House

I have never met Gaby, but I feel like we have been friends for years. Her blog is honest and full of wisdom and faith. Much of Gaby’s blog focuses on adoption, as her two children were adopted domestically, and her husband and she are in the process of adopting a third child internationally. However, Gaby’s blog will capture the interest of women everywhere (like me), regardless of if they ever went through the adoption process.

4. Graceful

Michelle and I met at a conference and have continued to stay in touch through our own blogs and e-mails. She is transparent and has a heart for finding and following God’s will, especially when it comes to viewing her life in contrast to the lives of those in impoverished situations. You may already know all about Michelle–she has gathered quite the following–as she is a fantastic writer, photographer, and soon-to-be published author! Michelle recently landed an agent, and I am very excited to help spread the word about her and increase her platform. If you haven’t already visited her blog, I encourage you to do so and become one of her newest followers.

5. hooey!critic

Mama Neena is a friend from the days of the ever-trying student-teaching. We learned to teach literature to high school students so that we could become stay-at-home moms after a few years. 🙂 However, Neena’s story is much more inspiring than mine; in addition, to all the duties of a mama at home, she is working on her PhD! Her blog chronicles the life of a stay-at-home-mom-drive-to-college-student with humor and honesty.

6. Just Wondering

Diana is in a completely different stage of life than I, yet I love to grab onto her wisdom. As she writes about retirement, children getting married, and caring for her own mother, I feel like I’m right there with her, experiencing every moment by her side. And Diana is a great blogging friend to have–she is generous in imparting her own wisdom and encouragement in others’ blogs, as well. At this point in my writing, the script has gone gray, and I have no idea why. Maybe that’s a sign that you should go check out Diana’s blog.

7. Not Mommy of the Year

Krista’s blog is full of both beautiful prose and beautiful children. As a working mom of a sweet girl and boy–ages two and under–Krista has her hands full, and she’s not afraid to open up about the struggles that many moms work through. I love Krista’s honesty and the fact that she can make fun of herself. It’s always comforting to know that there is another mom out there who might not win any awards with the public but, instead, with the hearts of her children.

8. Finding Floyd

Floyd is my token male for this list. Floyd has a way of drawing the reader to God and, possibly, a point of conviction without ever preaching. In one moment, he has the reader laughing at the story he has painted of his crazy teenager antics, and in the next moment, the reader is reflecting on the lesson Floyd found all these years later. Storytelling is a gift, and Floyd has it.

9. Sweet Inlows

Lisa and I met after we realized we had developed a friendship online and thought we should develop one in person. Lisa is fun and full of life, and so is her blog. What I love most about Lisa’s blog is her heart for God. She wants to honor Him in all she does, and right now, that is through parenting two beautiful children and supporting her husband. I will never forget one post she wrote about teaching her children Scripture; it convicted me and inspired me, and that post changed the way I taught my children about God.

10. Confessions of a Former Undomestic Goddess

A list of top blogs wouldn’t be complete without another member of my family! Jessica is my cousin, and I am so grateful for social networking to keep in touch with her. This Georgia gal can keep in touch with her Jersey girl via Facebook and our blogs. Jessica’s blog is completely different than the others I have mentioned–Jessica devotes her blog to recipes, fashion, and decor for the home. Her latest blog post is a review of a candle that has a ring inside of it–who knew? (Maybe everyone, but I didn’t, so I’m thankful for her being in-the-know) What makes Jessica’s blog great is her wit–she’s a Martha Stewart with a Jersey girl attitude!

What blogs would you recommend we read? Write their address in the comment section below!