Sometimes I Write

My name is Niki and I’m a copycat. The truth is out, so let’s get real. I blog hop every chance I get and sometimes I notice trends and end up jumping on the bandwagon. That’s so not like me, but blogging changes a person :)- My favorites list is 22 names long and though I don’t read all of them every day, I check them all at least once a week. I checked them more when I had broadband (sigh). I’m so bad at this blogging thing (or maybe it’s good) that I’ll get online to post on MY JOURNEY and I never get around to it because I spend my time reading and commenting on other people’s blogs! Does that make me a commentaholic?

Anyway… copying some of my fellow bloggers, here are a few of my very favorites, in no particular order other than this is how my mood strikes right now.

Adam Copeland – He is my Yoda. 🙂 (Thought you’d like that Adam!) Seriously, he is the one who introduced me to blogging, helped me get started and hasn’t stopped encouraging me since. He is one of our youth ministry friends from Texas. We do summer camps with him and he’s become a really good friend. If I only have a few minutes to be online, his is the blog I read first. He is thoughtful, witty, and full of compassion. He is single and I’m constantly keeping myself from playing matchmaker. (Living a few states away helps-haha.) He is one of the people that taught me that age does not equal wisdom. He is younger than me, but I’ve learned so much from him. He is doing great things for the kingdom and he’s a lot of fun!

Mike Cope – I don’t know him personally but I hope to someday. He is a preacher at Highland in Abilene. I first became familiar with him through Wineskin magazine. This man keeps me challenged, thinking, praying, crying, kneeling, and laughing. I’m one of a zillion people that read and comment on his blog. He has created quite a community of blogging believers! I have tremendous respect for this man. I have found several favorite blogs through those who leave comments on Mike’s blog.

Kent Brantly – We moved to Indianapolis in June of 1999. Kent graduated about two seconds later and flew off to Abilene for college. He never taught me how to play euchre for which I’ll never forgive him! 🙂 O.K. maybe sometime before Christ’s return we’ll get another chance. Kent is now a Med student in Indy, but living in Guatemala for a spell learning Spanish. I love to read about all that he is experiencing there. Kent is single too…hmmm…maybe I could matchmake through my blog…hahaha I’m kidding!!! Kent loves the Lord and anyone who meets this handsome young man knows that before long!

Larry James– He is the CEO of Central Dallas Ministries, an organization that works with and for the working poor and homeless of the Dallas area. This man has more conviction and love for those less fortunate in our society and he is not silent about it! I linked to his blog from Mike’s, and my life will never be the same. Larry is a very busy man, but he took the time to answer my questions and encourage me through a long email. (We’ve never met) I read him regularly for a kick to the gut and a pat on the back. He is ministry in motion!

Sandy – Yes I read blogs by women too! 🙂 Sandy found me by accident and ofcourse I had to check her blog out too. I was thrilled to know we have stuff in common. She is a devoted wife and mother of four living in Hawaii. She’s and RN, and in school too. I love her writing style and her refreshing honesty. She loves to post pictures, and her confessions sometimes make me laugh. (because I can relate!) I feel she is a kindred spirit, and I look forward to the mutual encouragement I know we’ll share.

Rich Melheim – A Lutheran pastor from Minnesota that Benny met, actually pursued. He has great ideas about Faith, reaching the lost, and transforming the church. He is on Sabbatical this year here in CO. He’s a talented speaker, writer, and think-tank coordinator! I’m not sure what else to say about him, but definitely check it out! He’s one of many that has lifted us up in our times of discouragement. He gave Benny hope during a low point last year and we’re blessed to call him brother!

There are so many more – Ed, Jeff, Betty, Val, Steve, Andrew, Dana…my list goes on, but my energy doesn’t. It’s now 12:47 a.m. and the baby will be awake in about 5 1/2 hours. See what I mean? I’m addicted. If I hadn’t stopped to read all of these blogs before posting on my own, I’d be asleep by now! Goodnight blogworld, goodnight John Boy, goodnight Mary Ellen, goodnight Jim Bob, and all of you other people out there! 🙂