'Simple Nourishing Home' Is One Holy Experience!
“I’m not telling you it is going to be easy. I’m telling you it is going to be worth it.”
This might be an unpopular thing to say in today’s society but, admittedly, I am a believer. Yes, I believe in God and I touch base with him every day...many times a day, in ways that are normal to me and my routine.
Unfortunately, for many years now, I have not been able to work into that routine regular attendance to church outside of ingesting my faith through the tube compliments of Joel Osteen’s Ministries. Thank you Pastor Joel. And as much as I’d like to change my ways, the outlook doesn’t look hopeful -- at least, with regards to the immediate future.
Which leaves me in a bit of a quandary as I can’t help but miss the unmistakable feeling that attending church brought to my life years ago -- a feeling I was, unexpectedly, reminded of when I encountered Durenda Wilson’s blog Simple Nourishing Home. Durenda writes her posts from a holy keyboard, I believe, and she wraps her readers in “care” with every post. Whether she’s blogging about safeguarding our kids, homeschooling or the high cost of our society’s indifference, Durenda leaves you feeling calm, whole, pensive, and revived.
She does the same in her interview below. All you need do is read it to see what I mean.
What is your full name?
Durenda Wilson
Where do you live?
Pacific Northwest
How many children do you have?
Eight...five boys, 3 girls ages 11-25. Four grandbabies. Two are married, one is graduating from college, 2 are graduating from high school this year.
If you were asked to describe yourself in one word, what would that word be?
My husband says gracious? I would probably say loyal.
What is your personal mantra?
Heaven bound
Do you believe you have a “life’s purpose?” If so, share it.
I would probably say (judging from what others tell me) that I am an encourager.
Tell us about you and your life.
It's changed pretty dramatically over the last couple of years. We lived on acreage with all of our kids and I made a lot of things from scratch...lotion, soap, laundry soap, bread,etc. .along with homeschooling our kids. I still do many of those things, but with so many older kids in the house now and some gone, I find myself busy running them where they need to go. We moved into a neighborhood in town. I also work part time at home. I recently published a book called The Unhurried Homeschooler and it's doing very well. It's a simple, mercifully short book that encourages homeschooling moms to simplify, throw off unreasonable expectations and rethink their homeschooling in order to make it better fit for their particular family.
Finish this sentence, “The best part about being a mom is?”
“Is watching our kids grow into wonderful adults and our best friends.” Seeing them happy and healthy and doing what they love, but also overcoming difficulties and challenges. And....I have to admit it...hearing them tell me what things they think we did right!.”
How long have you been blogging for?
Just 2 ½ years
Do you blog for any group blogs or websites beyond your own?
I write for Hip Homeschool Moms and have been doing a half hour weekly Blab interview for HHM, answering questions about Unhurried Homeschooling. I also write for The Busy Mom and do podcasts there with Heidi St. John.
What is the name of your blog?
When was it launched?
August 2013
What is the primary focus of your blog?
It's family related with many posts on parenting and homeschooling, but also just issues of the heart.
What makes your blog unique?
I think the fact I encourage moms to throw off unnecessary expectations and simplify anywhere they can. We are so inundated with Pinterest, Facebook, etc., I think we have lost our way as moms. We need to learn to tune into our natural instincts, enjoy these years with our kids and do what is a good fit for our families without constantly comparing ourselves to others.
Tell us about your blog, including what you hope to accomplish through it.
I am hoping that moms will come there and find ideas, but mostly grow in confidence in their own mothering style and enjoy the uniqueness of their own families.
Are you a Brand Ambassador and if so, for which companies?
No
Beyond your blog, do you engage in other social media outlets such as Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, etc.?
I have Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter accounts, but my main outlet is Facebook (Simple Nourishing Home)
What is the one piece of advice you would give to moms who may be interested in beginning a blog?
Make absolutely sure that you realistically have the time and energy for it. It can be a wonderful outlet and hobby as long as it doesn’t own you. Your marriage and kids MUST be the priority. Don't sacrifice those on the altar of blogging.
Are you an entrepreneur or professional beyond your blog (and outside of being a mom)? Please share.
I am an author (as mentioned above) and would love to do more speaking. I am also Executive Assistant to Heidi St. John, a popular author and speaker.
Do you support – either formally or informally – a particular social cause?
I think my heart is to encourage families to be healthy and whole. For our family, our faith is the driving force behind everything we do. It directs our parenting, our marriage, our family, our relationships. I think cohesive, loving families are foundational to a decent, healthy culture/nation.
When all is said and done, what is the one thing you hope your loved ones and those who knew you remember about you?
I hope that they remember me for having loved deeply and wholly and that I encouraged and challenged them in ways that helped them love and trust God more. Also, that when they think of me, they have good feelings and memories and that I smiled and laughed a lot!
So in lieu of my immediate return to the pew, I can take heart in knowing that my kitchen chair, my cup of coffee, and my computer plus Simple Nourishing Home is much of what I need to recreate the sanctity, satiation, salvation, and solemn that days gone by and church visits would offer. The rest of the gap will be filled by Pastor Joel, my bible, and prayer. It will have to do for now or until I opt to reprioritize where the actual “attending of a church” fits into my life -- a day that will most certainly come, I am sure.