Sunny’s been an oddball her entire life! Raised in Alexandria, Virginia in the early 1970’s, she was the only Christian, in an immigrant, Korean-Buddhist household, where she is the youngest of three children. Not only were there no Christians in her family, but there were none to be found in her neighborhood either. But God is Sovereign, and in His mercy and by His grace, He wooed her to Himself at the tender age of four. The Lord of hosts, miraculously provided for a bus to pick her up every Sunday to take her to church, where she first heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, so that she might intimately know His agape love for her. And this truly was the best and greatest news she’d ever heard….and it still is! To read her entire story of salvation, please visit her blog and click “Alive In Christ” on her navigation bar.

Sunny is a 39 year old who has been married for nearly 17 years to the most godly husband in the world who loves her as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25-33 & 1 Peter 3:7) – though it wasn’t always this way. They had their marital struggles and nearly divorced within their first few years of marriage. Due to God’s awesome power of reconciliation and peace, both Sunny and her husband committed to choose Christ as their first love and each other as their second. To demonstrate her immense gratitude to God for restoring her marriage, she passionately reaches out to other women who are also struggling. She encourages women through her commitment to Biblical submission; first to Christ, then to her husband. Sunny is also the proud Mama of two fabulous, godly young men, Michael (almost 16) and Kevin (13 ½).

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
I have two blogs: “A Damsel No Longer in Distress” (my personal blog) and “A Wife’s Biblical Submission” (an online, meme-Bible Study I’ve written). I originally named my personal blog “Jesus Is My Hero”. This is my first blog and I’ve only been blogging since February of this year and didn’t know much about it, so I began reading and searching for how other people were writing and maintaining their blogs. Then I found Amy Bayliss at Split Decisionz and got a great tip!  “Be personal! Don’t be afraid to share your heart.” And I noticed the names other sisters used for their blog titles represented who they are. So I changed my blog title to “A Damsel No Longer in Distress”. The definition for damsel is: a young woman or girl; a maiden, originally one of gentle or noble birth. And that is what I am. I am a princess of the King, one of noble birth and because of my King Jesus, I am no longer in distress, because Jesus is truly my Hero! You can find me at: http://jesusrulzme.blogspot.com/ and http://biblicalsubmission.blogspot.com/

What do you find yourself writing about the most?
I mostly write devotionals and exhortations about Christian living: specifically as a woman, for teen girls, child-training, evangelism and whatever else the LORD inspires me to write.  I also participate in three memes: At The Well, Word-Filled Wednesdays and Live Well Wednesdays.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
I’ve had some serious health issues for the past five years. And this past year, my health took a serious dive and I nearly died in November of 2007 a week after my oldest son’s 15th birthday. I had emergency surgery and had some post-op complications that caused my recovery to take much longer than expected. During my recovery from the first surgery, we found out I had a couple of other diseases that if not dealt with immediately, they would become cancerous. So I had my second surgery in June 2008.

I used to teach women’s Bible studies and disciple quite a few ladies, specifically on Biblical submission and have been doing this for the past 13 years. Due to my serious health issues, I was pretty much confined to my home, but still had the desire to serve the Lord. Then I remembered what Jesus told His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane,

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ~ Matthew 26:41.

And I am a seriously lazy, self-absorbed, self-pitying person and did not want to fall into that temptation since I was “confined.” God gave me hope through His word by reminding me that while my body may be weak, my spirit that has been made one with Christ who is willing to go further, and that’s why I blog – this is how I’m now traveling with the Lord and my sisters…through the internet! I launched “A Damsel No Longer in Distress” in February of 2008 and “A Wife’s Biblical Submission” in August 2008.

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
I pray constantly for God to inspire me and lead me by His Spirit to write for His glory, with His love and compassion only that which will build up my readers according their needs, that it may give grace to those who read (Ephesians 4:29-30). I generally spend about 1 to 2 hours in prayer and meditation regarding each post and write in my journal everything God reveals to me. Then I sit down at my computer and type it all up, do a little editing and voila… I’ve got a post!

I spend much, much more time on posting my lessons for the Bible Study blog. I usually post one lesson per week (on Thursday), but am trying to finish writing the entire study, so I’m attempting to write two per week. Each lesson takes me countless hours in prayer and about 10-15 hours per week in research, then writing.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
I love to snuggle with my family and do just about anything with them! I love movies, herbal tea (that my husband makes for me nearly every evening) and my all time favorite is my quiet time with my Savior, my God, and Master. I’m also a professional volunteer!! I volunteer at my church, at both my sons’ schools and just about any other place I can! Of course, I’ve not been able to volunteer as much since I’m physically limited. I don’t know how to sew, but I’ve sewn and made two large window treatments to save money and made cushions for our kitchen nook, and many other things to help save money and keep my house in a way that is honorable to God and pleasing to my husband. I’m also an avid gardener! I hear the LORD best when I’m gardening!

What struggles, if any, have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
Continued health issues, and sometimes, lack of proper time with God. Due to all my health issues, sometimes it’s difficult to get up in the morning and have adequate time with God; I need a minimum of one hour and I don’t always get that. So I struggle to hear what He’s telling me and I don’t like to write when I’m not inspired by the Lord of my life. I’m sure everyone is grateful for that too, because I’m really not a nice person without Christ.

What are some of you favorite blogs?
One Sacrifice For All Time
I Will Take It Lord, All You Have to Give
The Salas Family
Life-Faith-Scrapbook
To the Moon and Back

What Bible verse has God recently placed on your heart?
Oh my, that’s difficult…to choose just one! Well, God has been repeating to me the same message through MANY different verses: to share His agape love; be tenderly kind; never forget to exercise justice and mercy, with no expectation of it in return; lift up the lowly and speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. But since I have to pick one verse, I’ll share the one God showed me today:
“ ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against one another in your heart.’ ” ~ Zechariah 7:9-10

Is there anything you’d like to add in closing?
Yes. I’d like to encourage everyone that doing things that are “nice” and “good” just for the sake of being nice and good, out of duty, rather that out of love are not what God requires. But in our good works, He requires that we practice compassion, tender-love, mercy and righteousness (Jeremiah 9:23-24). May we all be quick to listen, slow to be angry, generously offer compassion without passing judgment, overlook personal offenses and see others from Heaven’s view and not our own. There are many who are hurting, both inside and outside the Church. And while we share God’s truth and His salvation to those who are lost, let us do it with the humility of Christ with much grace. (Micah 6:8)

For more encouragement and exhortation, please come visit me at “A Damsel No Longer in Distress” or to journey with me to Biblical submission, join me and other sisters at “A Wife’s Biblical Submission.”

Tricia is a pastor’s wife, mother of two, and an aspiring writer.  Inspired by other bloggers, she recently launched “The Domestic Fringe,” a web-blog dedicated to finding humor in daily life. Tricia is enjoying using her God-given love for the written word to encourage others in the monotony of everyday. The goal of The Domestic Fringe is to help people smile.

Tricia feels that women are full of pressure to succeed, meet expectations, and continually strive to be “perfect.” She hopes The Domestic Fringe will become a place for women to escape stress and laugh a little. 

Tricia lives on the domestic fringe in denial of her actual age, avidly avoiding scales, and eating too many M&M’s. Won’t you join her in this adventure called life?  

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
Naming my blog was THE major hurdle in starting my site.  I sought a name that would reflect my personality, my written content, and would be “catchy.” The Domestic Fringe is the place where I live. It’s reality. Currently in society, women fulfill such diverse roles whether or not they maintain a full-time paid position in the “work” world. It is a place all women can come to, feel safe, and laugh despite position, status, and stress.  You can visit Tricia at: The Domestic Fringe

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I write about reality.  Life just happens to me. I’m not a planner by nature, so I really don’t mind, but sometimes life runs off with me before I’m ready. These blogs are my life. It’s what happens when you rub the sleepies from your eyes and brush your teeth.

My blogs, however, are not a personal journal or diary.  I don’t focus on my day, but rather my focus zooms in on specific encounters. We are often so rushed that we miss out on all the humor life provides.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
I was inspired to begin writing because of other women. Their blogs inspired me and gave me a confidence to launch into the world of writing. I’ve enjoyed writing since childhood, and blogging seemed like a perfect outlet for me.  It’s my stress reliever. 

The Domestic Fringe launched August 25, 2008.  I’m a rookie!

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
Unfortunately I spend more time on layout than on writing.  I’m not a web designer, so I’m facing many challenges, but I look forward to learning this new art. I spend approximately thirty minutes writing a post.  I can only write when an idea pops into my head and I start writing quickly because my mind doesn’t hang on to things for very long.  I like to write, walk away, divert my mind and come back later for the final edit.  I’d say my posts take about an hour to publish from start to finish.  Again, layout of my pages is the challenge.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
I love to read!  I enjoy scrapbooking, but I’m a social scrapbooker–can’t do it alone.  I’m an avid yard-saler and I dabble in sewing projects.  As for accomplishments… my kids are my greatest thus far.  I’ve also finished school earning my masters degree this past year.  To be honest, just getting the laundry done is an accomplishment in my life.

What struggle have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
Managing my time is my biggest struggle.  I can’t spend too much time blogging or I’ll forget to live.  Then they’ll be nothing to blog about.  It can be a vicious cycle to get caught in.

What are some of your favorite blogs?
My favorite blogs are: 
Life In The Parsonage,
From Under The Laundry Pile, and
The Pioneer Woman

What Bible verse has God recently placed on your heart?
Proverbs 17:22  “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

I believe God has been teaching me to enjoy the life he’s given me.  My grandfather passed away this summer at the age of 93 and he wasn’t ready to go, not because he didn’t look forward to heaven, but because he still had more life to live.  I want to live each day that the Lord gives me to its fullest.

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing? 
I just want to encourage women to find the gift God’s given them, whatever it may be, and use it in faith knowing He will provide the increase.

Visit Tricia at: The Domestic Fringe

Married to her best friend for almost ten years, Jenifer is the mother of three precious treasures. She has been blessed to be a stay-at-home, home schoolin’ momma. She and her family moved to North Carolina four years ago for her husband to attend seminary and they have definitely bloomed where the Lord has planted them. Jenifer enjoys spending her days with her kiddos instilling within them a love and passion for Jesus and His Word. To relax, she enjoys writing devotionals and Bible Studies.

Jenifer graduated from college with a degree in Christian Counseling. Although she doesn’t have a “paying” job that supports her degree, she will tell you that the Lord uses those years of training everyday in the ministry that He has called her to. The Holy Spirit has placed within Jenifer’s heart a burning passion to study and teach His Word. Her desire is to share God’s unconditional love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness with ladies of all ages. God has opened the doors for her to share her story through teaching and writing women’s Bible studies and devotionals that can be used as tools to help women grow in their relationships with God.

How did you go about naming your blog, and where can we find it?
When the Lord first prompted me to begin blogging I realized that naming my blog was the first step in getting things up and running. I thought about what I would name my blog for days and those days turned into weeks. I didn’t think it would be so hard. I began praying two things: first, “Lord, how do You want me to use this blog?” Second, “got any suggestions for what to name this thing? I’m at a loss.”

Very quickly God answered me with the exact direction He wanted to take this blog in and what He wanted it to be named. The Lord has blessed my life in more ways than I can even begin to name. He has delivered me from deep pits of sin, saved, healed and restored my marriage which was on the doorsteps of a divorce, mended broken relationships and placed within my heart of burning passion to know Him more. The mission that He has me on through my blog is to lead women to the heart of a Savior who loves them no matter what. Speaking from one who likes to be in control of things, God has shown me that it is only by His grace that I am what I am today. In the end, there was no question that our ministry would be called “By His Grace” because without Him, I am nothing. We can be found at www.byhisgraceministry.blogspot.com

What do you find yourself writing about most often?
I normally write about what God is dealing with me on at the time- lessons He has taught me, challenges He has set before me, and areas in my life that He has shown me need some improvement. My kiddos also provide some great topics to share with others, as well as everyday life lessons.

What prompted you to start blogging, and when did you launch your site?
A friend of mine began blogging and introduced me to the idea of it. Then I was asked to set up a blog for the ladies of our church to have somewhere to visit to get encouragement from the Word. After much prayer, the Lord gave me the go ahead to set out on this journey. I began blogging in November 2007.

How much thought and time do you generally put into each post?
It depends. There are times when the Lord lays something on my mind and heart that I have to immediately share or I’ll bust wide open. Then, there are those times when the Lord begins dealing with me about an area in my life and He and I have to work through it for a while before it all fits together and I’m able to share. Right now, I have many “posts” that are in many different stages–some posts I have begun, gotten half way through and the Lord said stop, some have been completely finished but the Lord hasn’t given me the go ahead to share them yet, and some are still brewing in my mind and heart. My prayer for everything that I share is first, that it has become real in my life and then that the Lord uses it to somehow minister to others.

What are some of your hobbies or accomplishments outside of blogging?
Hummm. Hobbies!?! I don’t have much time for hobbies, although I do enjoy reading, scrap booking, and writing. My kiddo’s activities have now become my hobbies–dancing and taekwondo. Would Bible Study and teaching be considered a hobby? If so, I’m totally into that! I love digging into God’s Word and sharing with others what He has taught me.

What struggle have you experienced with keeping your blog updated?
My biggest struggle with blogging is balancing my time between all that I have going on in my life. I’ve had to do self-checks many times to make sure that those priorities in my life: God, family, and homeschooling my kiddos, were coming before my time on my blog.

What are some of your favorite blogs?
I have many favorite blogs. I hate to name just a few for fear of leaving some important ones out. So here’s a shout out to all of ya!!

What Bible verse has God recently placed on your heart?
The Lord gave me a verse a while back and I try my best to incorporate it into all that I do:
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.” –Ezra 7:10

Through this verse God has shown me that I must first be studying His Word for myself, then practicing in my own life what it is that He has taught me and only after that will I be able to share with others.

Is there anything that you’d like to add in closing?
Jesus is my life. He is my joy, my strength, and my rock. It is a true honor to be a daughter of the King; for it is only By His Grace that I am what I am today. I praise You Jesus and give You all the glory!

Visit Jenifer at By His Grace