A Chance to Meet IRL
 |
| Sharon and I enjoying a moment at the cafe outside of her church |
Last weekend while I was in California, I had the rare privilege of meeting one of my favorite blogging friends IRL, Sharon of Sharon Sharing God. In blogging lingo, IRL means In Real Life. That moment captured all the excitement, fun, sharing, and friendship I had anticipated. As a way to share this moment with our readers, we’ve done a mock interview. We hope it puts you right in the middle of our conversation. So pull up a chair next to us and let that ocean breeze ruffle your hair while we talk.
How did you two meet in Blogland?
Sharon: You know, I can’t quite remember what “rabbit hole” led me to Janis’ blog. Probably through someone else’s blog. Janis, do you remember? I’m having a *senior moment*
Janis: I did a little research and discovered that I made the first comment on your blog back in August of 2010. I probably did find you on someone else’s blog and I liked the comment you left well enough to follow you back to your blog and discover more about you.
What drew you to each other’s blogs?
Sharon: I was drawn to Janis immediately. First of all, I just happen to think she has a happy face. But, more importantly, her writing displays a tender heart toward the Lord, and a poetic and quiet way of talking about Him. She has always been honest and open and vulnerable. And through her blog, I knew that she had a heartbeat that closely matched mine. Oh, and she loves dogs!! Maybe Chip and Marty brought us together??
Janis: Sharon’s sense of humor, her openness, and the depth of thought she puts into each of her posts attracted me to her blog. Her relationship with the Lord and knowledge of His Word amazed me. Also, I was impressed with her credentials–an English major who is a great wordsmith; a mother of two grown sons who is not embarrassed by her age but puts it in her profile along with an acrostic she made up for her stage in life: COLEN–Change of Life Empty Nester. She was the real deal and funny to boot. And that cowboy hat—well, you’ll just have to see it for yourself. And I do LOVE dogs.
 |
| A chapel on the church campus where Sharon attends |
What kept the communication fresh and ongoing?
Sharon: I think our communication has been greatly enhanced by email. Janis and I have kept in touch that way, and emailing has afforded us a way to be more personal with the details of our lives.
Janis: Sharon’s comments on my blog always addressed the topic on which I was writing~and then added more insight. They were meaty comments, not just fluff. In our emails I asked Sharon all kinds of questions about blogging and frequently asked her to pray for our family. I knew she relied on the One who could and would handle all of our needs. Her humorous comments about Marty, her grand-dog, asking if Chip, our dog, was getting enough treats kept it light as well.
 |
| Outside seating around the cafe–Note the clear, blue sky |
What made the two of you decide to meet In Real Life?
Sharon: Janis was coming to my “neck of the woods” for a graduation celebration for her son. How could we pass up a chance to meet when we were literally only miles apart?!
Janis: I’m originally from California, so when I was visiting friends last April, I happened to be in her backyard without knowing it. When she commented about this on a related blog post, I decided that the next time I would be in her area, I wanted to meet this vibrant, humorous, and Christ-loving person whom I had come to know as “friend.”
What were your first impressions of each other after meeting?
Sharon: The first thing that crossed my mind was that I would recognize Janis anywhere – and not just by the way she looks. I recognized her heart. She was exactly what her writing had led me to know. She was sweet and funny, sensitive and caring. I felt like I had known her forever.
Janis: I felt comfortable immediately with Sharon. She met me at the steps of her church, enthusiastically waving me toward her. Sharon was the same sweet, warm, and funny person I’ve come to know through her writing. Worshiping together was an amazing experience. Sharing our love for the Lord together made this a unique meeting.
What did you talk about?
Sharon: What didn’t we talk about?! We talked about our families, our lives. We talked about church, and how important it was to spread the message of Truth in this world. We talked about our dreams for our writing, and our desire to learn what God is leading us to do at this point in our lives. And I think we talked about our delicious salads! (No! Not with our mouths full…)
Janis: Talking with Sharon was like hearing her words come to life. Her voice is softer than I imagined but her gentleness and kind demeanor strengthen her ideas. We talked about a couple of things that tug on our hearts—our prayers for our adult sons in their 20s, and our desire to write about topics that will inspire, encourage, and lead other women into a closer walk with the Lord. I also confessed my age to Sharon. Yes, I’m older.
How has this changed or affected your reading of each other’s posts now?
Sharon: Meeting Janis has added shades of meaning to her posts for me. It’s hard to explain, but now I can picture her face reacting to the things that happen in her life. I can sense her heart as it responds to new insights that the Lord gives to her. I can hear her laugh, and I can feel her hug.
Janis: I smile as I read her posts. It’s like sitting next to her now and having a conversation. It’s a deeper level of friendship than we shared as blogging friends. I know what is underneath her words, a deeper meaning or a deeper need perhaps. I see a different picture of Sharon than I did before. She is strong in the Lord but with a quiet and sensitive nature that I may have missed.
 |
| Blogger Friends IN REAL LIFE |
What did this real-life meeting teach you about the Body of Christ in Blog Land?
Sharon: It taught me that what we’re all doing is REAL – it’s a ministry – it’s a connection that God uses to unite us powerfully together. Our online friendships are deep and meaningful, and God is using the Internet for His purposes.
Janis: That when the Lord is the Lord of our lives, He can use each of us mightily to minister to one another. Many of us have the gift of writing but it is expressed differently and we are walking through different experiences in our individual lives. But as we join together, we become a victorious voice for the Lord.
We hope you have enjoyed what a unique blessing it is to meet a blogging friend In Real Life. We hope this interview has encouraged you to venture out and do the same when it is possible and practical in your lives. Sharon has her post about this meeting over at her place, so please follow her over to: http://sharonsharinggod.blogspot.com/
 |
| The refreshing Newport waves |
“You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.” Psalm 4:7 NIV
From My Heart to Yours,
From My Heart to Yours,
Linking up with Playdates with God
<$BlogFeedsVertical$>
<$BlogItemFeedLinks$>
This is wonderful Janice; I love how you composed this! How exciting to meet with a dear blogger friend IRL; I have often thought it would be such a sweet experience and blessing to meet some of dear people I have linked up with. I adore the pictures; I can tell by looking at them that you two immediately bonded in a loving real life friendship! 🙂
Hugs and blessings,
Denise
Hi Janis, it’s been a one since I’ve popped in for a visit. Reading this interview brings tears to my eyes. Even with all the blogs in the world, what each of us do in our own spaces matter. True God connections are formed beyond the boundaries of location. Hope your week is blessed and filled to the overflow with the Father’s presence.
I know exactly what you mean! Meeting a blogging friend is so different as you already know their heart. I loved reading this interview style on your meeting with Sharon. Btw, I stopped by her blog to say hello as I wasn’t familiar with her blog …yet.
Yes, our blog is a ministry and yes, it is REAL!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Janis,
I come to you from Sharon’s Blog. I so enjoyed her blog about meeting you and this interview with the pictures is wonderful. Sharon has become a very good blogging friend of mine. I too feel blogging can be a ministry especially when you write as Sharon does. I hope now to get to know you better too. I love the photo’s of you and Sharon, I wonder if you would mind, if I took copies of them?
God Bless – Nita.
This was such a wonderful day, wasn’t it Janis?! What joy still fills my heart! God gives us such great blessings (IRL!) – and one of them has certainly been the privilege of meeting you, both in Blog Land, and now in person. The Body of Christ has a strong heartbeat, and I’m so glad that it does. We need each other out there in the big old world. And I am heartened by those that are my *blessed encouragers* – and to have been able to look into your actual eyes, and hug you – well, that was just icing on the cake.
GOD BLESS!
(P.S. I still say we are awfully cute…just sayin’)
Hi Janis! It is so nice to meet you! I popped over here from Sharon’s blog and am glad I did. I loved the truths about blogging that you shared – it is a ministry! I have felt the same way and have been so encouraged by my fellow bloggers “out there”. I am so glad that you got to meet Sharon IRL!
Blessings to you!
Hi Janis:
I just visited Sharon and had to come over to read the interview. I love the way you did it.
The photos of you together are so sweet – such pretty, smiling faces.
I am also blessed by so many that I have “met” through blogging, both you and Sharon being among them.
I truly believe that God is using this as a means of “going into every nation.”
Blessings,
Joan
Denise~Sharon and I extended that bonding that had begun through our blogging friendship! What a joy!
Wanda~I’m touched to know that this post brought tears to your eyes. The Lord does use each of us in different ways through our blogs. And yours, like Sharon’s, are always full of His word and encouragement.
Debbie~I’m so glad that you stopped by Sharon’s blog. Her posts are brimming with insight from God’s word and sprinkled with humor. Looking forward to when we can meet IRL.
Joan~Thank you for visiting from Sharon’s. Meeting her IRL was a joy!
Sharon~There’s your smiling face and encouraging words. Yes, this has been a day filled with extra joy. But I just got home to respond. My computer at work won’t allow me to comment on the sites. Seeing you face to face–now that was the best! And the joy doesn’t end here. It’s only just begun. I’m sure the Lord has great work for each of us.
From this blogging space to yours–lots of hugs and love. It was fun doing this!
Joan~thank you for the encouragement on the interview style of presenting the topic. I’m glad you liked it. Sharon and I sure had fun writing and tweeking this back and forth. You should see all the different colors of ink we went through to get it just the way we wanted it!!!
I’m blessed to have met you, Joan, through blogging. Your posts glorify God and lift Him on high as do your photos. Look forward to more blogging visits until maybe one day we can meet IRL.
From My Heart to Yours,
Janis
HOW AWESOME IS OUR GOD!! K
I love how God leads us to one another, to encourage, build up, and to love. Borders are no bounds for our God.
Janis, that was amazing. Thanks for sharing the “interview”. Marcia
So sweet. I love those *real-life* meetings. They just take the real life I’ve already shared with kindred souls and make it even ‘realer’ 🙂
What a wonderful gift! I love peeking in on your friendship and your IRL meeting, Janis and Sharon. What a sweet story. The two of you together in one photo just makes me smile.
What a wonderful experience. I’ve been able to meet a few bloggy friends irl and it has always been so much fun and such a blessing. 🙂
What a special time. I loved the interview-type post. The questions were well thought out. And I love, love the fact that you were as blessed in real life as in blog land. This was a great read and gave me much to ponder of the hearts we see in our friends.