GFC Not Working - Dear Google, Fix It Fast!

I've noticed that GFC (Google Friend Connect) is not working, and it's been like the over a week now. It's really annoying, because I like to follow blogs via GFC. To me it's the most convenient way.

There are couple blogs I really wanted to follow but I always got this message:

 We're sorry...

We were unable to handle your request. Please try again or return a bit later.

I tried again... I came back later... like 100 times, but it didn't work.

I had to do it manually on my blogger main page. 

Unfortunately I'm not the only one having trouble with GFC. Message boards are filled with bloggers and blog followers who are experiencing this too.

Let's hope Google fixes it soon. I like GFC!

Are you having problems with GFC? How do you follow blogs?

A Blog Challenge -April is here!

We want to challenge you! Choose a topic/topics below and post a link so everyone can read your masterpiece! More info about the Blog Challenge HERE. And if you'd like to co-host, email Mrs K: iammrskblog@gmail.com

Let's be creative! Let's have fun! Let's write!

Yours,

Mrs K & Mary

An InLinkz Link-up

Dear you

I want to say thank you to all of you who have posted a link to their Blog Challenge posts this month! So many people... so many  point of views... so many stories! Wow!

HERE you can find the March posts and more info about the Blog Challenge.

Also a huge thank you to my co-host Laney, from Night Owl Venting. 

I'm so happy that spring is almost here! 

I'm also extremely happy that Mary, from Eat, Drink And Be Marry, will be co-hosting the Blog Challenge in April. She had amazing topic ideas! So you should definitely come back in couple days to check out the April topics. 

And if you are interested in co-hosting, email me: iammrskblog@gmail.com.

REMEMBER THE BOOK GIVEAWAY!!

This week

... I've been excited about my sponsor Robyn's new blog design:





... I've written essays and portfolios (about 30 pages) 
... I've watched House MD. One word: hilarious.

... I've sent job applications! I can't believe this! My uni studies are almost over. 
... I've read about people who married an animal. WEIRD! You can find the article HERE.
... I've been enjoying the sunshine. Spring is coming!
... I've written a book review and been excited about my book giveaway. Check it out HERE.

What about you? What have you been up to this week?

A Book Review & Giveaway: The God-First Life

Couple days ago I received a book from Icon Media Group to review. ( a giveaway alert!!!) 

I hadn't heard about Stovall Weems before, so I opened this book with an open mind. 

What I liked about this book is its point of view. There are many books about Christian-living, books that tell us how we should live and what to do to really be close to God or have God's blessings etc. The God-First Life also talks about Christian life but there's something fresh about this book.  

"Uncomplicate your life, God's way" 

I love the idea of simplicity. Being a child of a loving Heavenly Father isn't rocket science. I also love that this book emphasizes God's amazing love to us and how everything starts from there. We are adopted into God's family. I don't know about you, but I think that is really amazing. 

Another great thing about this book is the chapter titles, like 'Space for the soul to breathe'. 

This book was easy to read and there were only about 160 pages, so it was pretty fast too. I'm sure this book will linger on my mind for a long time. And that is a good thing.

And now... good news: One lucky reader will win a copy! So enter the giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Blog Survey

I would make me extremely happy if you'd fill out this survey about my blog! I want to make i am Mrs K better are more interesting, and I need your help to do that :)

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Reminder

You should definitely take part in the Blog Challenge! Here's how you can do that:

Easy!

Go HERE to choose your topic(s) and post your link. (26th is the last day to post a link)
If you are interested in co-hosting, email me: iammrskblog@gmail.com

I'm looking forward to reading your posts! <3

I've been married for almost 4 years. Here are couple things I'v learned about Christian marriage.

You don't get married because you love someone

Before you say 'What!?', read what I mean. In a "worldly" view of marriage love, being in love and loving someone are the reasons to get married.  Marriage and weddings, per se, are a manifestation of 'I love you'.

But from a Christian point of view, you get married so you can START loving. Loving, love and 'I love yous' are not something you feel - love is a decision - love is action. As 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 tells us:

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

You can't love without God's help

Love is not a feeling of happiness or bliss. It can sometimes even feel awful or annoying. Why? The Bible says that we have deceitful hearts and in our natural state we don't seek God, instead we do bad things. And though I have given my life to Jesus, I am still just a person - I do bad things. For example I put my own needs first.

I have learned that God gently and patiently reminds me to love my husband. Especially in situations when it is natural to feel hurt, angry, selfish... 

"God, help me to love my husband."

"I'm sorry" means more than "I love you"

Once again: "WHAT!?" Saying you're sorry can be hard. You have to swallow your pride. But when you say you love someone, it usually stems from a good feeling. And saying 'I love you' doesn't take anything from us. 'I'm sorry' on the other hand does. It proves that we have been wrong or done wrong. It humbles us - we have to admit that we weren't perfect. 

This has been the hardest thing to me. Admitting and humbling myself before my husband, before my God - before myself.

My lovely sponsor, Robyn, has written several amazing posts about Christian marriage. I warmly recommend! You can find them HERE.

I Heart Blogging

Last week I wrote about why I hate blogging. You can read my thoughts HERE and make sure to check out the comments, too. Today my take on blogging is a "bit" more positive. 

I asked my lovely sponsor, Robyn from Robyn's Nest, why she loves blogging. Here's what she got to say:

"I love processing life through words & pictures. I love documenting crafts & recipes. I love meeting new bloggers & birthing friendships with people I never would have known otherwise! I love that other bloggers share their lives & I love reading their thoughts!"

4 Reason why I love blogging

Couple other posts about blogging related stuff

Why I blog?

AWOL - My 5 most read posts

What about you, why do you love blogging? Have you met interesting people or learned something new?

A Makeover

 

My blog went through a makeover. What do you think? Do you like it or was the old style better? 

By the way, a huge thank you for all you bloggers who have posted a link HERE. It's been a pleasure reading your posts!

If you haven't posted a March Topic yet, do it ASAP; I'd love to read your thoughts! Consider yourself challenged!

photo credit: nosha via photopin cc

You Don't Have To Understand A Word To Enjoy These Blogs

Kaunis pieni elämä

This blog is cute! Cute pics, cute ideas, cute everything! A blog filled with imagination.

Kotipalapeli

This blog is fun! Fun pics, fun atmosphere, fun everything!

HOMESiCK

This blog makes you want to redecorate your home. I cheated a bit though: there're English translations.

Weekly

You don't have to follow anybody. Just leave a link. Have fun and get connected.

Would you like to have your ad on my blog for free. Yes? Well enter my giveaway then! 

An InLinkz Link-up

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you!

I did some counting: I have 198 followers. I am truly honored that you have decided to follow me. Thank you!

You still have time to leave a link HERE or challenge your favorite blogger(s). And come bad tomorrow for the Weekly Link Up!

Why Blogging Is Stupid

I noticed that writing about stuff that matters to me doesn't necessary interest people: no new readers/followers.

Writing about stuff that is shallow and/or is on every other blog: more readers/followers.

People like to read stuff that doesn't take much time... So I write short meaningless posts. This makes me think that I'm not proud of my blog. I start writing about stuff I think is important. NO READERS... 

How should I solve this problem? Maybe short AND meaningful posts... 

I have tons of ideas what i'd love to do on my blog. Ideas about the design etc. Unfortunately I can't make them happen, because I'm not a professional graphic designer. I just don't have the skills. Frustrating. 

I'm not going to lie, without this blog my master's thesis would probably be ready. If you want to have a pretty blog... a blog that you are proud of... or if you want to achieve your "blogging goals", you have to remember: it. takes. time.

Sometimes my blog is not good for me. I worry about it. I constantly think about statistics, topics... Then I have to take a step back and remind myself why I blog. I also want to remind you, my fellow blogger, don't live your life through your blog.

My lovely sponsor, Harlynn from Mind Your Madness has written a similar post about: 

5 things I can't stand about the blogging environment

I also asked her opinion: why she hates blogging. Her answer:

I want to end this post with positive words: I love blogging and reading blogs! 

I would also love to hear your thoughts!

About Being A Woman

Happy Women's Day! 

Virginia Woolf

Let's not be that anymore. Let's celebrate and value our femininity. Let's not be ashamed of it. 

Let's not revenge men. Let's value them. And... Let's show them being a woman is a strength, not a weakness.

Let's make them say WOWman!

Let's...


10+1 reasons why it's awesome to be a woman
About women and beauty
About women being precious
About a woman who decided to be a survivor
About a woman who decided to forgive
About a woman who became a hero
About a woman who was only the second best
About a woman who loved her son

What better way to start this post but:

When The Saints Go Marching In.... March-ing. See what I did there? Haha! 

Marvelous things are going to happen this March! First of all: next week I'm going to present my master's thesis. Yikes! I haven't finished it yet, but luckily it doesn't have to be 100% ready. 

My Tomato Technique and these:

              

...have helped me. (By the way, I started using Instagram... Still learning and trying to understand why it's such a big deal)

Another great thing about March (that has already happened) is that we celebrated my godson at my church. We don't baptize infants, but we have baby blessings/ baby dedications. It was such a beautiful and touching ceremony. Afterwards coffee, cakes and Karelian pies were served. 

We don't have official godparents either, but nowadays close friends etc. are asked to be "prayer godparents". I'm honored I was asked! I'm going to pray for that little fellow everyday. He is a handsome young man! I'm warning you girls!

Other marvelous things about March:

- The Americans! (The best TV-show ever made. Period.)

- I was contacted to review 3 books! I will also host 3 book giveaways! Marvelous!

- Spring!

- I have new DIY ideas!

- The Oscars!

Is your March going to be marvelous? I'd love to read about it! Leave a link below and maybe even choose another Blog Challenge topic :)

AND enter my giveaway!!!

An InLinkz Link-up

Weekly

There's only one rule: there are no rules! Let's just have fun and connect with other bloggers!

An InLinkz Link-up

Dress Dreaming

What is your dream dress like? Leave a link below and maybe also choose another topic HERE.

An InLinkz Link-up

How Pretty!

I did some research. I wanted to find out which keywords people use before ending up here on my blog. In addition to "boring" keywords I noticed something extremely pretty! 

I'm smiling when I think about how someone found my blog using these words: 

How perfect! 

Have someone used "pretty keywords" to find your blog?