Blogging is one of those things I tend to do for me.  My blogs have become places where I can get what is in my head out on "paper."  It is a cathartic environment.  It is a place where I can think "out loud."  I am always thrilled when others join in the conversation I am  having with myself...even when they disagree...and they do disagree from time to time.  

Occasionally, I run across a blog out there that really makes me think.  (Those who know me well know that thinking is a favorite pasttime of mine.  I can overanalyze with the best of them.)  One such blog run by two very lovely, very intelligent young women is the Pearls & Diamonds blog.  You could literally get lost in their blog and end up coming out of this labyrinth of intellectually, theologically stimulating topics with tons to mull over.  All this from two women who are in their early twenties.

They recently awarded me 3 Awards; however, lest you think I am only singing their praises because they so graciously gifted these awards, let me tell you a little bit about these two ladies...

First is Lauren.  The very little time I have spent with her has been such a blessing to me.  Her heart is on her sleeve and her eagerness for all things spiritual is apparent.  She doesn't mind getting her hands dirty or simply sitting and chatting while her hostess goes through endless tubs of children's clothes.  (I was soooo grateful for the distraction!)  She is an amazing woman and a joy to be around.

And then Abigail.  I met Abigail at a homechurch we attended for 2 1/2 years before moving in August of 2007.  She is the woman I pray my daughters become.  She is talented, but not prideful.  She is beautiful, but not arrogant.  She is her father's daughter in training to someday take the reigns of her own household under the headship of her own husband.  We could talk, sing, and laugh for hours despite the age and circumstances-of-life differences between us.  I cannot help but smile when I think of her.

I am not one to give out idle compliments, so these ladies are well-deserving.  I am also not one to give out awards.  However, I did want to hand off one of these awards. 

The Marie Antoinette Award is for people who write about real stuff.  I was recently gifted this award on my other Blog as well by Regina of Skeeter Creek Farm.  Now, lots of people write about real stuff, but not a lot of people take that real stuff and and sculpt it and mold it into something that is going to make me think, make me a better person, really encourage or motivate me to do something, ask me to dig deeper.  That's REAL STUFF to me.  So, with that in mind, I would like to give this award to:

Lynnette at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground

and

Rachel at Finding Joy 

And please, take a moment to check out the fine blogs I've mentioned here.  You will not be disappointed!