June 27, 2005
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In my turn about is fair play, if I was asked to interview someone, I feel that I should also open myself up to be interviewed by them.
Chet, http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=angelsea, asked me the following questions.
1.) I like your profile pic,where did you get it? I went to Google search pictures, and found this one. It is of Emily Dickens.
2.) Why did you CHOOSE it(does it represent a conviction you have that women should wear long dresses ONLY,for example)? I picked it because I liked it, she was writing in a book which represented a journal to me. I do tend to wear skirts and dresses, but that is because I think I look better in them. When I lose some weight, I will probably wear pants too, but right now, I just like skirts and dresses. I think that people should wear what they feel is comfortable, but within reason. I do not believe that “everything should all hang out.”
3.) As you seem to like things that help people get to know one another,have you ever played THE UNGAME(a game designed specifically for that purpose?) Never even heard of the ungame, is it a game board? Is it a question and answer game? Not sure about it. I do love playing spider solitaire, but that is the extent of my gaming.
4.) You’ve written before on your site about sexual abuse you’ve endured…..how has it affected you in terms of things you struggle with,even NOW,as an adult believer? I myself endured a lot of emotional and mental abuse from a cruel alcoholic stepfather,for example……as I’ve grown up,I find myself very distrusting of MEN in general and PASTORS in particular(and,sadly,some of the pastors have DESERVED to be distrusted.) You obviously trust PASTORS quite a bit……so what areas DO you struggle with,as a result of *your* background? Note: even though The Deal is you have to answer ALL questions,if you’d rather SKIP this one,that’s fine by me! I am sorry to hear about your abuse and how it affected you. I had and occasionally have problems sexually. My husband is the sweetest, kindest man in the world, but there are days when the memories are close to the surface and I tend to avoid intimate contact with him. But he also respects that there are a few things that I cannot stand in our intimate relationship, and he honors them. I don’t distrust men, but I am careful. I had bad experiences with pastors too, and shied away from them for years. I had one pastor, when I was in the custody of my sister, tell her all that I told him about my past, and she almost killed me. Her husband had to pull her off of me. So I stopped talking to pastors, which was ok, because I also didn’t talk to God at that time.
I think the most profound affect on my life from the abuse on the negative side is that I spent 40 years hating God and anything God stood for. I was led by God, I am certain, to Pastor Don, who is the one and only pastor who has been consistently trustworthy, godly, and a great pastor. With his gentleness and godly love, I was able to finally come to a relationship with God. But as Pastor Don would also say, God had his hand all over it. I also tend to try and be controlling, and that spills over into my relationship with God. I am not all that trusting even of God.
On the positive side, what happened to me, I hope makes me more sensitive to others who are hurting. When I say, I understand, I think they know that I do. And I pray that God uses my past and experiences to help others and to somehow be able to use them for His kingdom.
If you want to read about my testimony, it is written in bits and pieces on the following dates in 2005: March 15, 19, 29, 31, Apr. 2, 7, 16.
5.) What are your HOBBIES? I love Xanga, handicrafts, quilting, counted cross stitch, and making arts and crafts for the Sunday School. Right now, much of my time is taken up with Bible study, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and kid and family things. Perhaps one day I can pursue my hobbies with more time.
Heather
Comments (21)
Heather,
You asked what kind of snake Andy is holding. I think he said it was an anaconda over the phone. But I want to confirm that with him before I post that comment.
Good to see your responses here. A healing process with our Redeemer God.
Jann
Wow,thank you for sharing! Great responses.”THE UNGAME” is a board game where you draw cards that compel you to ask questions of other people that they must answer publicly during the game. It’s called UNgame because it’s non-competitive…….EVERYONE is a winner as you get to know each other better(and,as you get to SHARE with each other).
……………KINDA LIKE YOUR QUESTION THING!!!!!! Thank you again for asking me those questions,and for answering MINE……
Thanks for sharing this interview!! I always liked Emily Dickensen. I am so sorry about what you had to endure as a child/ adolescent. It sounds like you have a wonderful husband (and that is a rare thing).
It is good you found such a good pastor. I think religious (place of worship) is so much about the experience, congragation, and people who work there (minister, priest, rabbi, etc.). The times I have felt a connection – in a place of worship – it is more about the place & feeling.
Many blessings.
Thank you for your comments. Here are some things that might help:
We discover that maturity comes when we decide to step out in faith and trust God. Too often we wait to see if God will do something first, then we can trust Him. This is where Moses got into trouble and others throughout Scripture.
Agape love has nothing to do with us and everything to do with the Lord. Here is what I mean: God is the one who decided to love us as we are inspite of ourselves from the foundation of the world. All we have to do is trust Him with our lives. The aspect of trust is also where our “loving God” with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength comes into play. That is what this passage is describing for us, what it means to trust God.
Do not base your faith walk on human nature and base it on who God is. You decide if you will or not. It is your choice. Spiritual maturity is not found in emotional experiences, head knowledge, or desire. It is discovered as we walk with God. Trust.
In our culture today we are too caught up in introspection and fail to see God at work. Instead we begin to base our faith on the experience rather than what is real and true. Christians have co-opted the selfish expression as their own: It’s all about me. We think that everything in God’s universe is about “me.” I have news for you, it is not. It is about God.
While God loves us and proved His love for us from the beginning, that does not mean, as some wrongly imply, that this is all there is to God. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. So high as the heavens are above us, so is the Lord God. Who knows the mind of God? Instead, we are asked to do one simple thing: TRUST.
When we do not, we are saying that my hurt, my emotions, and what I think or feel is far more important than what God is about. Healing begins when we trust, not before.
And by the way, trust is more than saying a “sinner’s prayer.”
I strongly reccommend Hannah Whitall Smith’s book: The Christian’s Secret of A Happy Life. It is a classic, like Pilgrim’s Progress, and will be a book you will want to read over and over until you understand what she is teaching.
God bless.
WOW! I’ve seen other “interviews” on other’s sites but this one was definitely specific to you… Thank you for always being so transparent… I feel like I could ask you anything and you’d be upfront and honest about it… that’s an awesome quality to have.
Hi Heather…thanks for coming by, and also for sharing this interview…quite different from my Q&A(previous post)!!!!!
Aside from the steaming-hot weather during the soccer tournament, we tried to make our weekend kind of like a mini-vacation…well, only by going swimming at the hotel pool and cooling off, and going to a really cool restaurant. Our daughter definitely needed to rest between games, so we didn’t do much. Planning another vacation in July, though…
Have a great week! Love, Margie
I’ve played the ungame. It’s a board game, but it asks personal questions that make you open up to others. It’s very good. In a fun kind of way.
Thanks for the comment on my entry! No, I can’t take credit for writing it; all I did was add the verses at appropriate places. I received it in an email and thought it communicated the plan of salvation in a very unique way. You’re right… it would make a good tract. I did email it to many of my friends, maybe it’ll get around that way!
God bless you!
Nice to know more about you! Thanks for sharing yourself………….hugs and prayers
Well, now I think I’d like to see the UNGame.
Glad you took the time to be interviewed. I may do another question day soon. It was fun to see the kinds of things people asked.
snowberryoxcream
The Ungame is FANTASTIC……..check on eBay,maybe THEY would have an old copy! Beyond that,I think it might be out of print.
Heather
I read all seven parts of your testimony!!!!! PRAISE GOD for preserving and SAVING you!!!!!!! Oh,you poor dear,the things you suffered…….
Chet
I loved the Ungame when I had one. I would use the questions as icebreakers in small groups or youth groups.
Guess what,I checked eBay and they actually DO have Ungames for sale! SEVERAL of ‘em! CHEAP!!! (Including the “Christian Version”)!!!! Wow!!!!!
I really enjoyed answering the five questions Heather asked,I LOVE things like that. Heather,wanna ask me five MORE? (Or……anyone ELSE???)
RYC … Amen !
I’m not skipping out … but I will be away for awhile. I have to make a trip to WV tomorrow to pick up my stepdaughter. She will be staying a month or so. Please remember us all in your prayers !
Heather,
Thanks for you interest. Our daughter Chloe is doing much better now. God is good! Thanks for praying.
God Bless!
- Kristen
“.. .strongly reccommend Hannah Whitall Smith’s book: The Christian’s Secret of A Happy Life. It is a classic, like Pilgrim’s Progress, and will be a book you will want to read over and over until you understand what she is teaching.”
I LOVE Hannah Whitall Smith!
That is great that you are willing to be so transparent in your post. It helps us to know you a little bit better.
Thanks for your honesty. I know it will help others who struggle. lala
Wow!!! How honest. Good for you to be able to express and share your past with others.
Karen
Never heard of the Ungame either. Maybe I should play it, it sounds pretty fun.
I loved reading your answers and enjoyed very much answering the ones you asked me. You are such a neat person.
RYC from the other day. It was really a good one for me. I feel like God was using you to give some comfort there. Thank you. I am going to print off your words and keep them in my Bible. It is good to have an encouraging sister who knows what I have been through. You continue to be such a blessing to me and a source of great support.
I have not been able to be on the comp as much either this summer. I am trying to spend time with Alisha and my dining room has swallowed me whole as you know!