Time to meet someone interesting and new for a lot of you… A-U-D-R-E-Y—-G-R-A-N-T! Yeah!!!! ~~~~Fan fare!!!!~~~~
Please, introduce yourself… My name is Audrey Grant. I am 43 years old. I am married to the sweetest man in the world who waited 13 years for me! We have three healthy children, a 17yr old son who graduates high school this year, a 12yr. old daughter, and a 10 ½ yr old son.
Anything special we need to know about Audrey Grant? I was (am) a PK/MK. For those of you who don’t know, that means Preacher’s Kid/Missionary Kid. I was born while my Dad was in Bible College and spent my childhood moving and traveling from place to place.
You live in Alaska! Tell us mainland-ers a little bit about what it’s like up there. In Alaska we call the mainland USA the “lower 48”. I have lived in Alaska for almost all of the last 26yrs. It is wild & wonderful with beauty beyond compare! I am addicted in a major way!! There is nothing like the hiking, biking, horseback riding, four wheelers, snow machines, snowshoeing, skiing, sledding, boating, fishing, hunting, etc.
When and why did you start your blogs/websites? I started my first blog “AudOneinAK” about 5 years ago when I first started having bad health problems. It gave me an outlet for the things burning and swirling in my brain that I had to get out but being stuck at home so much I didn’t have anyone to talk to without adding more burden to my poor husband…Each blog grew from there.
What role does your faith in God play in your daily life, especially for you as a home schooling mom? My faith in God and my Salvation is often the only thing that keeps me going on some days with my health and the pain I deal with every hour of every day. As far as homeschooling…I taught in our Church’s Christian School for 9 years so have the experience and training to teach our children and I am thankful for that! God has blessed me in giving me a life of training for being able to teach my kids. Between growing up traveling, missions, teaching…I have a lot to draw from in teaching.
Aside from your first job of home schooling, tell us about the counseling you do. I have been through a lot in my life, for a long time I was ashamed & tried to bury my past. But God has taught me that if I bury my past and pain I am helping no one especially myself. It took me a while but I learned an important lesson that set me free! “God can and will use me, not IN SPITE of what I have been through, but BECAUSE of what I have survived!” When I grasped that concept, I felt a freedom & peace I have never known! So now God allows me to use the things I have gone through to help others.
It seems like God is gently leading you towards becoming an author/writer. What story do you have in you to tell? That is a scary question. I would love to say mysteries or romances. But I think the thing I have burning in my heart and soul is the story of survival. Survival of Abuse as a child from a “family friend”, Survival of an Abusive Marriage and Divorce, Survival of Single Parenting, Survival of Cancer twice, Survival of many health issues and surgeries…
What types of books do you enjoy reading? Favorite genre? A loaded question! I am a major bookaholic!! Probably my favorite of all is Mysteries. I love Christian Historical, Missionary Biographies and Autobiographies, Christian Novels, Alaskan, Cookbooks…ahh, the list goes on and on!
Do you have any authors or specific books that have been an inspiration to you? There are several but three of the most important are “Not My Will” by Francena H. Arnold, “In His Steps” by Charles Monroe Sheldon & “Streams in the Desert” by L.B. Cowman
Any words of encouragement to us fellow bloggers? Be honest, follow your heart and trust God! Don’t be afraid to ask for help and admit you don’t know what you are doing. You will be amazed at how helpful people are and how willing they are to give you advice and encouragement! Just ask! (Audrey’s blog can be found here.)
The Giveaway
A $10 gift card is up for grabs from Amazon.com for your enjoyment! Jump on the Rafflecopter in order to be entered:
Giveaway ends August 27, 2012.
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, very nice to meet Audrey! She is a survivor. It's wonderful how God is using her to help others.
Thank you so very much for your comment and encouragement Jeniffer! I think the one thing we left off of the interview was how to contact me!! LOL My book blog is http://cabinfeverreading.blogspot.com/ and my email is cabinfeverreading@yahoo.com! I would love for you to stop by!
Audrey
Can I just say, "That's my big sis!!"
I'm proud to be Audrey's sister!
Thanks Sass!
No wonder she loves Alaska! Amazing testimony to surviving and it sounds like thriving. Thank you so much for sharing! Best wishes to Audrey.
Jessica,
Thank you for the wishes and encouraging note!
It was a great interview. You should be a writer for sure.
Thank you Aunt Wanda! You are such an encouragement!
I'd ask her why did she decide to move to Alaska. It sounds cool but like a big scary move.
Sharron, I didn't "decide" to move to Alaska. As a MK, this was the last move I made with my parents before meeting my husband and getting married. I ended up falling in love with Alaska and stayed! My family has moved on over the years to other missions and Churches and works. I have been blessed to work in the same Church for the last 26 years!
It was scary when we moved up here when I was 17 but I was kind of used to that as it had been my way of life, most of what I could remember!
As her sister, I can tell you that her first move to Alaska with with our parents when she was about 16!
I totally admire your courage and I'm glad you have found away to share your life with us in the lower 48! Praying for you!
jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]com
Thank you so much Jennifer! For the encouraging and more importantly for the prayers!
So glad you introduced us to Audrey, Diane! Alaska sounds wonderful.
Thank you Karen!
P.S. Thanks for offering the giveaway!
Hi Audrey! I always thought Alaska was beautiful. Just have no desire to meet a bear face to face, lol.
Hi Dana! I have gotten pretty close to bears a few times over the years. One time while traveling I woke up in my truck seat with my feet on the window and a brown bear with it's nose pressed to the window between my feet, looking in the window right at me!! I was thankful for that window!!!!
Awesome interview! I would love to visit Alaska one day. I'd ask her if she moved to any other cool places
Hi Daniela! Other than Alaska I would have to say my two favorite states I have ever lived in have been Washington State (Seattle area) and Mississippi.
How inspirational! Enjoyed it.
Thank you so much Sarah!
Hello Audrey Grant, It is so nice to meet ya here, My husband was stationed in Alaska in the army before he and I married and he loved it and promised me a visit but doubt that will ever happen esp now as he has numerous health issues so I know where you are coming from when you talk of yours. I think you would enjoy reading Jody Hedlund book "The Preachers Bride" truly awesome story. thanks for sharing today with us.
Paula, I am so sorry about your husband's health issues I know how very hard that is on the family. Not just the person who is sick but the people who have to pick up the slack AND take care of them! I have Judy's book "The Preacher's Bride" on my TOO READ list!! I have been wanting to read it!
Truly enjoyed the interview! Great to know there is another fellow fighter out there!!!!
Thank you so much! You can read some of my personal bits and pieces on my personal Blog if you click the AudOneinAK link at the top of the page on my book blog. I haven't written a lot currently but it links to all my blogs. Hope it is an encouragement to you!
Have you written a fiction story?
No…I would like to one day! My Brother has one almost finished and has a Children's Book done except the art work but I don't even know where to start with fiction until I get the real stuff off my heart and mind. Then we will see where God takes it!
Audrey, great interview. Have you started writing your book yet?
In bits and pieces and in my mind I have, I just am not to the putting it in order or organized chapters. I admit I am pretty lost on the PROCESS part of the writing. I have the "story" I just am not sure how to make it into a "BOOK". So I have a file and as I feel a need to write or have a very clear memory I write until I exhaust what I have to say and stick it in the file.
How do you balance it all, I know I have a hard time.
It is not easy and I do not do a good job of it most of the time if I am completely honest! Being so crippled up means I spend so much time in bed and sleeping that way too many thing slide. My Husband and my 17 yr old son are my first line of defense. They keep the bills paid, get me to Dr appointments, themselves and the two younger ones to Church and where ever else they need to be. Keep food in the house, etc. My Daughter (12yrs) and my youngest (10yr old son) keep the basic house running. Dishes, Bathrooms, laundry, etc. when Dad and big brother are at work. Thankfully I started teaching all my children to "HELP", cook, and do house work at VERY early ages so they all know how to cook.
I do a lot of Supervising and Directing from my bed and recliner. My 12 yr old daughter can cook a full meal for up to 12 people by herself!
My third line of Defense is the help I get from two of my closest friends and former coworkers in the Christian School. My Ex-Mother-in-Law retired teacher and principal and best friend and a dear friend who retired but does tutoring for high school! The two of them pick up the slack and help with the paperwork for me with the homeschooling of the kids, helping where I can't keep the ball rolling. Especially like last year when I had four discs replaced in my neck right in the middle of the school year!
Then I have the most wonderful Church Family that have stood beside me and prayed for me for almost 27 yrs now! And that is priceless! And My family, though scattered around the USA and often even the World, serving the Lord, they are always there for me!
So short version… SUPPORT, SUPPORT, SUPPORT!!!
Thank you so very much!
What a super interview Diane and Audrey!!! Fellow homeschooling mom here. It seems to me you should tell these stories. The survival ones. I know they would be widely read. I can very much tell you are a writer already. Grab a pen or keyboard and write the words. You'll be amazed at how quickly they come out of your head. And I want to take a trip to Alaska very soon. *waves*
Thank you for the encouragement Robyn! I am trying and praying God keeps opening doors and guiding my words and footsteps so I don't get in front of His direction and plan!
Let me know if you get to come to Alaska! If you are in my area I will give you some great places to see and at least meet you for a cup of coffee!
Ooh, I love good inspirational stories where someone overcomes a bad past to grow into a good life. Sounds like you have been blessed with yours, Audrey. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much Linda! That really means a lot! And I have been blessed beyond measure and far beyond what I ever deserved!!
I'm a homeschooler too!
Great interview – so inspiring.
Thank you lovely peoples xx
Thank you Michelle! Keep up the good work with your homeschooling!
Nice interview! Here is a question for Audrey: what is your favorite snack?
Melanie, I know I answered your question but for some reason it didn't go through. I am so sorry! My favorite snack is Coffee and DARK Chocolate!! Not a lot of chocolate because of my low blood sugar, but that is the nice thing about the dark…the darker it is, the less sugar it has!!
I am very seriously addicted to Coffee and Diet Coke but try to drink water with lemon in between each cup of the other to offset the bad somewhat. But if I lived in a dream world it would have espresso mocha's and dark chocolate covered nuts on every table by every chair and they wouldn't have any calories or bad fat, they would just make you stronger and healthier!! LOL (We can all dream, right?!?!) What is your's??
Keep up the good work! Homeschooling is rewarding, fun and yet a lot of work! I am so glad you enjoyed the interview!
What other countries did you live in while your dad was a missionary and which was your favorite?
Marissa, I have been on trips to Mexico and Canada and we did deputation, sold everything, were packed, had passports and were waiting on visa's to move to Bogota, Colombia, South America when I was about 11. But the country had a major political uprising and they closed the country to all incoming missionaries and even threw out the ones that were already stationed there, including the family we were going to work with who had been there for years.
After the door to South America closed we were in a Church in TN for a while waiting to see what came next then God sent us to Kodiak Island here in Alaska for a year to fill in for a Missionary who needed to go home to visit family and churches. I ended up married and staying in Alaska while God has moved my Family all over the place. I have now been here almost 27 years!
Thanks for sharing!
You are so welcome! Thank you for stopping by!
I was wondering if anything in her life has ever made her question her beliefs?
Alissa, Nothing has ever made me question my belief in God and His Word because what I have is a personal relationship with Him. Yes I was raised in church but I know a lot of people who were who did not develop a personal relationship with God and when they grew up or trouble came, they doubted or left or both.
I have been through some pretty rough times but always, no matter what is happening, I have a joy and peace in my heart when I talk to my Personal Lord and Savior! And I see His Hand in so many ways in my life. So very many miracles…by rights I should be dead at least 3 times by now. Medically the Dr's can't explain how I am even alive nor how my youngest son even exists. Do I get discouraged? YES! Do I doubt God? NO!
I would like to know about the different places that you lived while growing up
Ahh, Beth!! That in and of it's self would make a book! I was born in Michigan, and other than Alaska, (unless I forget and leave one or two out) have also lived in Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, Washington State and have spent time in a few others…
Great interview … thanks for sharing, Audrey!
Thank you! It was fun to "talk" to you all! I hope to see you all over at my Blog!!
What quotes so you live by
My name is Audrey – growing up my Mom jokingly called me "Audball" (yes I'm going somewhere with this!) My name means "Noble Strength". Which I didn't know for many, many years. When I was about 12 or so everyone had these wonderful life verses with such beautiful meanings and my life verse was Eccl. 9:10 "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;…" I kept trying to find a more feminine or "leaning on Jesus" verse but every time someone asked me for a verse this is the only one I could think of…I finally just admitted to myself I was a worker and it was my verse. Then, I found out the meaning of my name and God started showing me that He was giving me the strength I needed. Because He knew ahead of time what my life would be, so He gave me a name and a verse of strength.
Now having said all of that…I live by that verse, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
As for fun ~ I tell my kids "I'm your Momma not your slave!" Meaning, I will teach you and show you how to do it, I will do it for you if you are sick or can't, but if you can do it for yourself…do it!!
And last not least ~ "My name's not S'mam" (to make the kids speak clearly).
I HAVE A BIT OF A WEIRD SENSE OF HUMOR. :~)
Wonderful interview! Always love learning a little more about na author. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Thank you for the compliment Margaret! I don't know if I would call myself an author yet! That kind of scares me, but thrills me too! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview!
CONGRATULATIONS ALISSA S. !!! THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR GIFT CARD!!