So I originally planned to post this around Thanksgiving when I was nominated by Adalynn, but then I either decided against it or forgot about it (probably I just forgot about it). But I’ve been nominated again by Oceana Rose, so today I’m finally making the post for my Sunshine Blogger Nomination!!

Here’s the official rules 🙂

• Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog.
• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Provide a link to your nominator’s blog.
• Answer your nominators’ questions.
• Nominate up to 11 bloggers.
• Ask your nominees 11 questions.
• Notify your nominees by commenting on at least one of their blog posts.

Since I was nominated by two people, I might mix up the 11 questions between both Adalynn and Oceana — and I also may or may not nominate other bloggers depending on how functional my brain cells are when I post this 😂 but thank you both so much for nominating me!! I’d never heard of this award before you guys tagged me, but I’m so glad that my posts and platform as a whole bring you guys joy and “feel like sunshine” <3

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Q: Why did you start your blog?

Well I technically started it because it was an encouraged/mandatory assignment for a writing program I’m in – but it’s not just something I did because I had to. I love having people read what I write, and having an audience with which to share the things I’m thinking and learning about. But I also love the opportunity to encourage and gently remind people in their walks with God. Like the top of my website says, my blog is “fueled by the truth that our God loves and strengthens us throughout everything we go through, even though we never deserved His favor in the first place.“

Q: What is your favorite holiday?

Definitely Christmas!!! My birthday’s two days before Christmas, and I just love Christmas decorations and presents and the snow outside (if we ever get any here in Virginia) and everything about it. And don’t even get me started on Christmas music, I could talk about that all day.

Q: What are your top 5 favorite books?

The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women (the series not just the one book), the Spy School series, and two books that aren’t published yet called Zephyr and Queen of Spades (shoutout to Katherine and Mattea for your INCREDIBLE books that I can’t wait to have on my shelf one day!)

Q: What was your favorite book as a child?

Either The Lion Storyteller Bedtime Book, or this book about careers called Things People Do. The cover on that book is so worn it’s almost falling off – that’s how many times I pulled it out for my mom to read it to me!

Q: Who are your top 5 favorite fictional characters?

Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, Haymitch Abernathy, Amy March, and Ben Ripley (and Kai from Nova McBee’s Calculated).

Q: Who is your favorite music artist?

Okay there’s no way I can just say one…. my top favorites are probably Brandon Lake, Jeremy Camp, Gracie Abrams, Lauren Spencer-Smith, Lydia Laird, and NF. But I also really like certain instrumental artists like Max Richter and Hans Zimmer and Olafur Arnalds.

Q: What is your favorite drink?

The java chip frappe from Starbucks, or just normal coffee (not from Starbucks). Smoothies or energy drinks aren’t my thing.

Q: Historical fiction or fantasy?

Both! Although I probably read a bit more historical fiction that I do fantasy; I tend to be really drawn to books set during the World Wars, especially WW2. But I definitely enjoy fantasy too.

Q: Thanksgiving or Christmas?

CHRISTMAS

Q: What are your top three favorite movies? 

All of the Hunger Games movies (technically those are already 4 movies), the 2019 Little Women, and The Bourne Ultimatum. I also love Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 (the ones directed by Patty Jenkins).

Q: What is your favorite book to recommend to people?

Probably the Hunger Games, because I love it so much and the themes and plot and characters are just SO GOOD. Plus there’s wonderful movies to go along with it, so you can both read AND watch the storyline from beginning to end. I’d also recommend Sarah Sundin’s Sunrise at Normandy trilogy to people who like reading romance, and Gentle and Lowly to fans of Christian nonfiction.