Monday, March 6, 2017

Meet the Blogger with Lynn Simpson

 


Courtesy of Lynn Simpson




Lynn and I have been friends for a while now, and I'm grateful that blogging brought us together. We might not have met otherwise, since she lives in Canada and I in the states. Blogging has a way of shrinking the space between people, doesn't it? That is a great benefit. :)

Lynn's blog is a restful spot, and she features lovely and interesting photographs (taken by Lynn herself). Her wise and wonderful words illuminate truths, while encouraging hearts in her friendly and gentle way. I always come away encouraged, and with something on which to meditate. 

Welcome Lynn! Why did you start blogging? How long have you had your current blog? 

Hi Karen! I had to scroll back on my first blog, Connecting Stories on Blogger, to find the date of my first post. I blinked twice to believe what I saw: January 26, 2010. So I have been blogging for 7 years! I started blogging to sharpen my writing skills, meet other writers, and to share information on writing and goal setting. There were times I was writing on Connecting Stories up to 4x per week. My, I had energy then! In the beginning of 2016, I opened up a Wordpress blog under my name with the theme Inspiring Hope. Now I write regularly on at Inspiring Hope on Wednesdays with the odd additional post on Fridays. 

I knew you'd been blogging a while, but didn't realize it was that long. Congratulations on your faithfulness! What is your blog about?


As my writing focus fluctuates, and as I grow in my faith, my blog theme seems to change with me! However, my hope is that my readers leave feeling inspired and hopeful as they proceed into their day. Although not the original goal, my blog is very faith based sharing through my own stories, and God’s character and love for us. My hope too, is others will connect with my own struggles and weaknesses so they do not feel alone, and know that no matter what is going on we are never alone as Christ followers. 

Your posts inspire me, and I suspect, others as well. So I'd say you're doing something right. :) What benefits have you gained through blogging? 

Friends! I love my blogging friends. I have also found out so many new things about other parts of the world, and been inspired by other’s achievements. And the encouragement from readers and other blog posts has been fundamental in my pursuit of my writing and other personal goals. I must also mention photography. It is a hobby of mine, and I love seeing the photography on other blogs of places I have never been. Pictures from one of my blogging friends even inspired me to book a trip south this spring with camera in tow! 

There are many benefits of blogging, but I agree, the friends are the best! And your photos - they're always lovely. I appreciate when you share them. What projects are you working on right now? 

In 2015, I published a journal to help us create a habit of seeing the joy in our lives, the successes we have, and the remembering what we are grateful for. I am working on creating a second intentional journal incorporating devotionals and photography inspiring rest and displaying God’s beauty. 

Another beautiful image by Lynn

Congratulations on the journal! It sounds wonderful. The second one sounds like a great combination. You'll have to keep us posted about that. What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

I was a registered Dental Assistant and worked as an assistant for many years. I know quite a bit about teeth! 

I did not know that! That's a fun bit of info about you. What advice would you share with a newbie blogger? 

Create community by visiting other bloggers and commenting; however don’t burn out with trying to build a platform. Like your face to face friends, build quality relationships that encourage and grow you. I know there are so many great bloggers out there to engage with, but know not engaging with them ALL is okay, and you are still succeeding at blogging. When first blogging I did begin to burn out, and then learned to limit my engagement to up to 5 blogs a day.

That is excellent advice, Lynn. Appreciate you sharing it. Thanks so much for visiting with us. Wishing you blessed success with all your projects! 

Thank you, Karen. 


More About Lynn  

I am Lynn, a mom of three grown children, a grandmother, a career woman, photographer, writer, and most of all, a precious daughter of our mighty God.  I am a Certified Christian Life Coach and love helping others move on their dreams, goals, and visions that God has placed in their minds and hearts. Recently, I self-published a journal titled “30 Day Journal of Thankfulness, Success and Joy,” a tool for you to move toward your hopes, dreams and goals, one step at a time. 

Lynn's Blog - Inspiring Hope 

View or Purchase Lynn's 30 Days to Change Journal 

How long have you been blogging? What benefits have you gained from it? Do you have any questions for Lynn?

Happy writing,

Karen

28 comments :

  1. I've always loved her photos and didn't know she was posting more on her other blog. Thanks for leading me to it, Karen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Always love your photos to Diane! And how you promote and inspire others at your place. Thank you for being one of my blogging friends from the beginning!

      Delete
  2. Glad you've found a friendship on blogger. I enjoyed reading your post. Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to meet you Andrew! Karen is long-time friend from blogger and it is always a blessing to meet her friends.

      Delete
  3. Thanks for the introduction to Lynn, Karen. The idea of journaling to create joy in one's life is inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Donna! I know I created that little journal to help me inspire joy in my life! And blessed that others have shared how it helped them to develop joyful habits daily. Thank you for your comment!

      Delete
  4. Diane,
    Her photos are lovely, aren't they! So glad Lynn shares them with us! :)

    Andrew,
    The friends you meet through blogging - what a great perk, right? Appreciate you coming by to see us! :)

    Donna,
    You are welcome! It's a great idea, isn't it? One I need to try, I'm thinking. :)

    Happy writing
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome you are both a writer and a photographer. Keep using the gifts God gave you, Lynn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Alex! Sometimes it's hard to know which to focus on-writing or photography. One can take over the other (which happens to be photography a bit more now as it seems what people comment on the most lately and I love getting out from behind my screen into nature with camera in hand)!

      Delete
  6. "Blogging has a way of shrinking the space between people,"

    Well put!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandi, I too love that statement too from Karen! She really has a way of stringing words together, doesn't she?

      Delete
  7. Nice ot meet you Lynn, your photo are simply outstanding!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you H! Getting out in nature to shoot pictures never, ever feels like work! Nice to meet you here too.

      Delete
  8. Sandi,
    Thank you! That just came to me as I was writing the post. :) It really does, doesn't it?

    Alex,
    They are wonderful gifts, I agree. It's a blessing to have her share them with us. :)

    Holly,
    Glad you got a chance to meet Lynn.:) I agree, her photos are wonderful!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you, Karen, for introducing us to Lynne. I checked out her second blog and really liked what I saw.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So nice to meet you, Lynne, and thanks to Karen for hosting. Your work--posts, photos, journal--are uplifting and beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great to meet you too Kenda! Karen is blessed with so many wonderful friends! And hope you continue to be uplifted this week in all the places you visit!

      Delete
  11. Cecelia,
    You are welcome! Glad you got a chance to meet Lynn. Her blog is a good source of inspiration and encouragement. :)

    Kenda,
    Glad you got a chance to meet Lynn! She's a kindred heart, that's for sure, and I knew those who didn't know her would like her. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Karen and Lynn - good to meet a new blogger ... photography is a great way of building fellow friendships ... while writing allows us to develop a new way of expression ... seems like you've the best of both worlds Lynn.

    Enjoy the coming of Spring and moving forward - let's hope for life-balance ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Hilary, I do love both and am blessed to be able to do both photography and writing at this time. Life harmony is something I may always have to tune once in a while for sure. Enjoy the spring too!

      Delete
  13. Great interview, Karen. Lynn sounds like a lovely person and blogger. I will definitely go to her blog. As you know, I've been blogging since 2009. Like Lynn, my posts have changed along with me. I just share slices of my own life. From writing a blog, I have gained discipline to write frequently but, first and foremost, have loved meeting people from all over the USA and other parts of the world. Most insincerely , Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, I so agree that meeting people from all over the world is such a blessing from blogging. I didn't know that would happen when I started, and it is what I too love best about it. Thanks for your comments!

      Delete
  14. Hilary,
    Glad you got to meet Lynn. I knew you'd enjoy meeting her, as well as her photos. I agree - she has the best of both worlds. :) Happy spring to you as well!

    Susan,
    She is a lovely person and blogger! :) Her blog reflects her personality, as does yours. I agree, the friends you make are the best!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love Lynn. She is an example of grace in the midst of a crazy world. And her photography--wow! Inspired! Thanks for having her, Karen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jeanette. Your words mean lots to me. I always appreciate your giving and generous nature.

      Delete
  16. Hi Karen and Lynn! I have known Lynn for some time now, and I really enjoy her perspective on faith, and of course her gorgeous photos. I had no idea she was blogging for so long though. Phew! That's a lot of posts!
    I agree with the thoughts about staying connected with our blogging friends. You really do get to learn a bit about them through their writing, and go through their changes right along with them. I have loved meeting Lynn and you through blogging. It's a big blog world out there, but it seems smaller with friendly and talented people like you out there!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  17. Friends are definitely the BEST part of blogging. Nice to meet you, Lynn!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ceil,
    You are not alone - I enjoy her perspective as well. She always offers something to think about, at the very least. :) Love this "small" blogging world!

    Stephanie,
    Amen to that! The people are wonderful! Thanks for coming to see us! :)

    Happy weekend,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!