Blessings this Week: 02.17.2017

It's already time to recap the week!

The week started with a much-needed snowstorm. I answered calls and drank coffee in my nice cozy house and watched the snow fall.

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The Speckled Goat's "Tops" of 2016

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone.

Usually, I'm one of those flakes who starts projects and doesn't finish them... but this marks yet another year that I've been consistently writing here. Which is in part surprising, and in part shows me that I'm pretty blessed to have found something that I am passionate about.

And I'm glad that you, my loyal readers, find my words encouraging and valuable.

It's been another great year, so let's do a little review!

Favorite Links This Summer

It's no secret that I like blogs.

I read 'em, I share 'em... and it was reading the blogs of other people that got me started writing my own. Because I like blogs.

Working in an office (in front of a computer) means that I have the unique opportunity to fill my coffee break and lunch break with reading blog posts, and this summer has been full of great ones.

And I wanna share them with you!

Leaning into It: Finding Myself in the Fear

I woke up before the alarm on my little nightstand went off. The sun hadn't even started to peak over the empty fields.

I wasn't up because I was perfectly rested. I was far from refreshed and ready for the day.

No, I was awake because my nerves hadn't really let me sleep, in the first place.

See, I was headed to a blogging conference that day. My very first blogging conference. With real live people, none of whom I really knew. And I'd have to talk to them. Like a real person.

No hiding behind a keyboard at this conference. No editing my words before I said them. And I had to wear real clothing... my fuzzy pink leggings (read: my "blogging uniform") would stay in the dresser.

And then, if all that wasn't enough to give me butterflies in my stomach, I would be introducing myself as... a... blogger.

Terrifying.

Blessings this Week: 3.24.2016 Edition

Sharing the little blessings in my life, even the ones that are speckled. (Like the snow. But we'll get there.)

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Last Saturday brought about a really great opportunity for me- I got to go to my very first blogging conference. (!!)

There was a ton of information- I'm still mentally sorting through it all- but even better than all the things I learned were the relationships I made.

I loved talking to other people about blogging- I loved laughing with them and seeing people who I only knew through words and pictures in  a real-life, face-to-face setting.

It was a wonderful day. 

Other Stuff You Should Be Reading, and Yes, I Started another New Project.

Maybe you've noticed (or, you know, maybe you haven't...) that there's a new tab in my menu bar.

If you noticed, gold star for you. 

If you didn't notice, the new tab is for a new project I started without thinking through completely. I do that.

But it was one of those things that has turned out so very well, and I'm glad I didn't over think it and talk myself out of starting it.

The Speckled Goat's "Tops" of 2015

Hello, lovely readers! 2015 has been quite a year here on my little corner of the internet, and truly, it's all because of you.

For serious.

Without you reading my thoughts (as random as they often are), sharing them and commenting on them, this little blog wouldn't have grown nearly as much as it did this year. I'm indebted to you guys, and I'm humbled that you take the time to read what I have to say. Truly humbled.

<Sniffle.>

Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. Let's get to doing a little review!

Introducing: The Speckled Goat!

Welcome, welcome to the new website!

I'm so excited for this new season.


A few housekeeping-type things/questions you just may be asking:

Blessings this Week: 08.29.2015

A visit from my sister and sitting out on the dock

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The World Needs to See Us

"There's so much junk on the internet."

"I feel like the media is so anti-Christian these days."

"Nothing on TV is good anymore. Even the 'family shows' aren't really family friendly."

"Everything on the radio has terrible lyrics."


Most of us have heard sentiments like these. I know that I complain about it in my own home- just try to find a TV show that doesn't, at least offhandedly, normalize pre-marital sex. Almost impossible. (And if you know of one, share. I need more TV.)

The lack of media that represents my values? It's one of the reasons I blog.

Ask a Catholic: Lent Style, or What's with the fish on Fridays, anyway?

It all started with a lunchtime conversation about fish.

At Camp, we’d served fish on Friday for one of our retreat groups- because there were a few Catholics in the group, and Lent.

Which led to the questions- why fish? Was that in the Bible? What about the “giving things up” and how come so many people who do give things up for Lent have ulterior motives that have little to do with spiritual growth (losing weight, for example)? And why is Lent such a big deal with Catholics, anyway?

As the closest thing to Catholic at the table- I was baptized both Catholic and Reformed (double-dipped!)- I ineffectually shrugged my shoulders right along with everyone else.

But it did get me thinking.

See, while I’m technically Protestant (we attend an Evangelical Free church), I’ve found lots of wonderful truth and tons of beautiful and meaningful tradition in the Catholic faith.

I don’t agree with everything the Catholic church believes, no. But I do think that as Christians, we can all learn from different Christian denominations- we’re all the body of Christ, and we’ll be hanging out together in Heaven.

Different perspectives are a good thing.

And also, I’m just plain curious. So instead of shrugging my shoulders and moving on, I thought … hey! Why don’t I ask a Catholic?

So I did.

Better Blogs, and How to Support Your Favorite Bloggers

So, I read a lot of blogs.

I got hooked back in college, and while the titles I read have changed (several times) since then, one thing has remained pretty constant. I still love blogs. 

There's just something about a peak into someone's life... it's like reality TV but better. Way better. 

I thought I would share a few of my (current) favorites with you. You're welcome... and I'm terribly sorry about that free time you once had.