2015 The Literary Heroine Blog Party

Good morning, blog family!  I am SO happy to share the questions to Kellie's fun, and creative blog party!  

I did this last year, and if you would like to read my answers, please click here.

<<<---Don't you just love this part in the movie?  I cry every time! :p

I am composing/answering these questions with what read in 2014.  Next year it'll be with what I've read this year.  :) 

Here are the questions and my answers. :)  Enjoy!  

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

Well hello!  My name is Sarah and this is my second year attending Kellie's online party.  The first year was SO much fun I just had to come back for more!  My life's vision is to honor and glorify my Savoir and King with everything that I say, think and do.  As I pray that part of God's will for me will include marriage and children, I am finding the grace and glory that comes with waiting on His perfect timing.  "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities." (2 Corinthians 12:9) 

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?
A true heroine to me is a Proverbs 31 woman. 

Sapphire Adi.

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

Last year I shared three ladies: Anne Surely; Elizabeth Bennet, and Margaret Hale.

My picks this year are:  

1. Sapphira Adi from Bryan Davis'  The Eye of the Oracle.

2. Kira from Lois Lowry's Gathering Blue

3.  Keturah from the book, Keturah and Lord Death

4. Ashley Stallworth from Bryan Davis' series, Dragons in Our Midst
(all great reads, mind you!)

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

1. The Martyr of the Catacombs

2. Keturah and Lord Death 

3.  To Have and to Hold

4.  Tuck Everlasting

5. The Magic of Ordinary Days
(If you can call any of them "historical!")

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why?

Marcellus from The Martyr of the Catacombs.  I picked him because I also relate to his character.  I cannot tell you every little thing that happened because then it would spoil the story.  I picked him because his faith and devotion are something truly wonderful!  I highly recommend it - you shan't be disappointed.  

6. Out of those five books who is your secondary character and why?

Ralph Percy from To Have and to Hold.  His devotion to his wife is truly wonderful and encouraging.  I actually found out about this book from last year's party and it has become a definite favorite!   Can't wait to find more treasures! :)

The Dead Sea.

7. If you were to plan your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there?
My dream vacation would be to visit the Holy Lands...and/or float in the Dead Sea!  What I would like to do in the Holy Lands is take a tour of all the places Jesus walked - can you imagine? I believe that that would be very emotional and powerful.

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

After reading The Hunger Games and the Divergent trilogies,  I've to come to the conclusion that I prefer books that take place back in time - like the 17th, 18th, or 19th century.  Culture?  Any kind, really.  While I enjoyed The Hunger Games and Divergent, I realized that "futuristic" books are not my thing, and that's okay. :)  I just prefer the old stuff is all.  :)

9. You have been invited to preform at the local charity concert.  Singing, comedy, recitation, tap dancing...what is your act comprised of?

Well, seeing as how I enjoy square dancing, I would plan to put together a little performance  of me and my brothers and sisters dancing for the guests to enjoy.  We would dance to oldies and even dress the part!

I always wanted to wear this dress!

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

Last year I chose Margret Hale from Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South.  This year I think I'll go with Anne Surely from the classic, Anne of Green Gables.  The dress she wore to Diana Berry's wedding was so elegant and timeless!  I wanted SO badly to own and wear it!!

11.  Favorite author(s)?

C.S. Lewis, Elisabeth Elliot, Elizabeth Gaskell, Jane Austen, Ted Dekker, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Charles H. Spurgeon, Mary Johnston, and Bryan Davis, Lois Lowry, and Sir Author Cannon Doyle.  I'm sure they'll be more next time. :p

12. In which century were most of the books you read written?
Same as last year: the 19th and 20th century. 

13. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in all literature is...

Out of what I've read in the past year, I would have to pick (without any hesitation) Marcellus.  I cannot stress enough how much his faith inspires my own walk with God.

14. In your opinion, the dastardly villain of all literature is...
Out of all the books I've read this past year, I would have to pick President Snow from the Hunger Games.  

15.  Describe your ideal dwelling place.

If there's one thing I feel like God continues to teach me, it is about dwellings.  What they and what they aren't.  For the past 7 years I have been "fighting" with God on what an actual dwelling is.  To me it's a house with four walls, a roof, a kitchen and bedrooms.  But it's so much more than that.  It is where He is.  Let's face it, our homes can't come with us when He calls us to His Ultimate Dwelling.  I know that deep down but I have a hard time letting it sink in.  What I have now is so much more than what most have - or could even hope to have.  The word "content" keeps surfacing in my life...like a lot and I know it's because God is still teaching me what that truly means.  Today, right now my ideal dwelling place is where He is present: everywhere.  In a house, hut, hill, or den, He is there with me and I must be content with it because, it could be much less.

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11 

Click here to read more.

16. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 

Pretty much the same as last year.  Comfy, modest, classic, and affordable! 

 17. Three favorite non-fiction books?

1. The Holy Bible 
2. The Martyr of the Catacombs 
3. Alone Yet Not Alone

18. You're duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?
Relaxing, reading a good book, horseback riding, sunning myself (with sunscreen of course!), or baking something yummy to eat - it would have to be gluten, dairy, and egg free!

19. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

Let's see...something simple yet dramatic; wide-brimmed and with earth -toned colors.  Either of the bottom two:  

20. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Well, for one my brother, Timothy got married and my other brother, Joseph will be getting married as well!!  Two weddings within the year!  Such a blessing and a treat.  Two new sisters - God is SO good! :)  Also, I've been blessed with a "pen-pal" (who I also "met" through this party), Heidi who blogs over at Along the Brandywire. 

21. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." Psalm 37:4-8

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

I cannot tell you, Kellie, how much I have enjoyed answering these questions and attending these parties!  I look forward to this every year

Enjoy everyone!  

~Sarah