Networking is a nice side benefit to blogging. Since entering the blogging world I have met some interesting and like-minded moms who are sharing their ideas and thought via the Internet.
Today I would like to introduce you to one of my new friends. Meet Roan of Joyful Always blog. Roan and her husband Jimmy home school their 5 children and enjoy running together as a family. After you find out some more about Roan from this interview go check out her blog and read more about their homeschooling (can you say fun hands-on co-op?), running, menu plans, and more.
1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with that name?
Joyful Always. I chose that name because it is a phrase from one of my favorite Scriptures: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. When did you start your blog and why?
I began blogging in May, 2008. I began my blog as a way to record and preserve memories of our family. I know that when my children are grown they may have questions for me about homemaking and child-rearing. I am afraid that I will forget how I do things if I don’t write them down!
3. What do you enjoy the most about blogging?
I enjoy seeing my thoughts in print. I love the ease and quickness of blogging. It requires much less time, planning, and effort than scrapbooking. I also like that I may have a positive influence on someone. I like sharing my faith with others.
4. What other hobbies do you have?
running, reading, scrap-booking, planning, organizing
5. What do you want people to remember you for?
My faith in God, and my willingness to serve Him.
6. Tell us about your family in 1 or 2 sentences per member:
My husband, Jimmy, is a wonderful Christian man. He is kind, loving, sympathetic, supportive, and generous.
Olivia, age 13, loves animals, and her hobbies include running, sewing, drawing, reading, knitting, and crocheting. She is very poised, kind, helpful, loving, dependable, and hard-working.
Julie, age 11, enjoys writing, running, reading, crocheting, cooking, and knitting. Julie is very caring, generous, loving, and responsible.
Clay, age 10 is such a sweet little boy. He loves the outdoors, his four-wheeler, fishing, knives, rocks, string, legos and the wii.
Leah, age 5, is unpredictable, but very loving. She likes to draw, collect stickers, ride her bike, and cook.
Sam, age 3 is a Mama’s boy. He loves playing with my hair, riding his four-wheeler, and playing with legos.
7. How do others describe you?
I think most of my friends would say that I am organized and energetic, and that I love my role as a wife and mother.
8. Tell us at least one thing about you that your faithful blog readers don’t already know.
I appeared on Wheel of Fortune in 1998. I was the big winner, but I failed to solve the final puzzle. I won a big screen (huge)TV, a DVD player (didn’t even know what that was at the time), and about $7500 cash.
9. How do you fit it all in?
I don’t! Really. If all of the laundry gets done, then I may have skipped the vacuuming. If I cook a really good meal, then I may have skipped folding the clean clothes. I have a routine for completing all of my household responsibilities, but rarely do I “do it all”. But, I do most of it every day, and at the end of the week, it just all gets done. I am a hard worker. I can push myself to do one more thing on most days. I really do find joy in being a wife and mother. I love my job!
10. When and why did you start homeschooling?
I began officially homeschooling in January, 2001. Olivia was in the first grade. I chose to home school after years of prayer, research, and conversation and correspondence with other homeschoolers. The passage in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 really sums up our reasons for homeschooling. Our ultimate goal for our children is heaven. Teaching them of God’s love for them and His plan for their salvation is THE most important lesson we will ever teach them.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates
Now head on over to Joyful Always and wish Roan and her family a happy spring break.
If are interested in having your blog featured on Raising Olives please email me.
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Hi, I'm Kimberly. 
How neat!! I have to give a shout of confirmation here. Roan and her family are a very precious family whom we greatly admire. God has greatly blessed them and they generously use those blessings for His work. Her family is a shining example of the best of homeschooling. Even though I am older than Roan and have been homeschooling more than twice as long, I have learned many things from her. I feel very privileged to call her “friend”.
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I enjoyed reading the interview. And yes, Roan is a wonderful wife and mother, and a precious and helpful friend. I wish she could bottle her energy, I’d buy some of it! ha.
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I, too, am giving a shout out of confirmation. Roan and I are sister-in-laws. But, more than that…we have turned into close friends over the last year. She has helped me get through so much over the last year. Whenever I want strong advice that I know has been prayed over and is given with much care, I go straight to her. She truly is the most organized and hardworking person I’ve ever met. And…I have NEVER seen her outwardly stressed out (although, I know it happens!). I’m trying to learn everything I can from her…wish she’d put it in a book!
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