Hello and Happy Monday!

Oh goodness, words cannot even begin to describe how much I have looked forward to this feature. Recently, after my accident {story here}, I have decided to pursue my dreams and goals and step outside my comfort zone a little more. This particular Featured Blogger post is one of those steps.

For those who follow my blog, you know I’m a huge lover of music. While I don’t discriminate against many genres, I always have a special place in my heart for CCM, Contemporary Christian music. It’s this genre that lifts my spirits and really allows me to worship the Lord. These songs always seem to pull at my heartstrings and so many of the songs relates to where I am.

This month, I am doing a feature with one of my favorite bloggers, who also happens to be famous in the CCM circle. She was part of the group Addison Road, that released multiple records and toured all across the country for a decade. Not only is she extremely gifted musically, she is open and honest and has an amazing personality. I am beyond thrilled to introduce you to Jenny Simmons.

Let’s start off with some blogging questions!  

Tell us about your blog! When and why did you start it?

My husband said, “Jen, you have like 5 million words a day and I can honeslty only listen to about 500,000 of them. You have to start writing. You have to find an outlet.” So I did! He has always encouraged me in blogging- and like many things- I am certain that without his constant persuasion I would have quit a long time ago. Discipline is my weakness, so it’s been quite the gift to have someone who believes in me enough to push me past my own level of discipline. I’ve been blogging for five years now! I’ve never done anything for 5 years!

What inspires you for your posts?

I’m a storyteller. I’m constantly eavesdropping :) Constantly watching little things going on in the world around me that perhaps others don’t pay much attention to. Constantly taking pictures in my head. Constantly drawing spiritual implications out of really mundane things like leaves, clouds, a good meal with friends or an annoyingly long line at Starbucks. I have a deep love for people and nature and I try and capture both through my writing. Telling a story the way it is unfolding in my own head is great therapy for me!

Is there a specific post (of yours) that is your favorite?

I like the post called Line Lover because it describes my favorite part of my job. Another called Daddy.Puppy.Peoples. Because it describes the beauty of my little girl’s heart. And my final favorite is called I Don’t Care, But I Do, But I Don’t. A very transparent blog about listening to criticism and being redirected off myself and back onto Jesus.

Do you read blogs yourself? If so, what are your favorites?

I wish I read blogs, but I don’t! Occasionaly I will read Don Millers, but other than that, I don’t ever think about it. The same way that it doesn’t occur to me to listen to music! So I am a writer of music and stories who doesn’t read many contemporary stories or listen to music!

What is the thing you enjoy most about blogging?

I love the way blogging has allowed me to develop a community of friends all over the world. I’ve actually made life-long friends with some of the people who comment on my blog. We share life together in that strange, on-line, sort of way. I also love that blogging allows me to share my life with people who may have otherwise assumed things about me that are not true. I.E. I am a rich, famous, super-strong Christian girl who has it all together and is generally better than other girls. I am none of those things. I like that through blogging, I can dispel the myth that a person on a stage is somehow any different than the next person. When you have a place to tell stories of normal life: mistakes, pain, triumphs, disasters and mom failures, all of a sudden, you become just another person.

Do you ever find it difficult to be “real” and put yourself out there?

Ha! I didn’t read this question before answering the last one! I’m actually the exact opposite. I find it hard to not bare all to the world. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I am an open book. If anything, the struggle for me has always been not sharing too much and creating healthy boundaries that protect my marriage, my daughter, my friends and family… while also being able to speak truthfully about the events in my life and the way those play our in my heart and soul.

 Okay, now onto some fun questions…..

How did you know you wanted to be a singer?

I still don’t know! I think when you are a little kid, you gravitate towards something that you love. And if you are lucky, you don’t ever have to give that up. I always wrote my own newspapers and charged my parents money to come listen to me sing Amy Grant songs in the bathroom (it has the best acoustics, you know!). I’ve always loved singing.

What has been your proudest moment as an musical artist?

Definitely performing at American Airlines center in my hometown of Dallas, TX. It was a sold out crowd of over 16,000 people and I was very pregnant. As in, my doctor was backstage and I was already dilated! I knew it would probably be the biggest show of my career and even though it was only 4 songs, to be able to do that while being so incredibly pregnant… with all our family and friends there… it was just a dream!

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

What is spare time?!? Get back to me when I don’t have a pre-schooler who has refused to nap her whole life!!! If I do have free time I love reading Foreign Affairs journal. I’m somewhat of a history/policy junkie- the artist who secretly wants to be a diplomat! So I read and hang out with girlfriends and veg out with my husband.

In the past few months, what are some (or one) of the Lord has taught you?

For some time now I have been revisiting Psalm 23. It seems to be with me all the time. The Lord is my Shepherd. That one statement is so rich in love, mercy and commitment. That anyone would choose to be a shepherd- a good shepherd at that- to a slightly lost, helpless, vulnerable little sheep amazes me. And lately I’ve needed to find myself lost in God’s provision all over again. And so I am trying to dwell there- in a place where I am led by the good shepherd.

Name 5 things that you are most passionate about:

My daughter. My husband. South Sudan. World Concern. The people affected by my music, writing and stories

If you could be remembered for anything, what would you want it to be?

That I was a lover. I loved God, people and life. Pretty simple, but it’s all I care about.

While Jenny was in Seattle, I had the great privilege of getting to meet and chat with her in person. Even though she lost her voice and was incredibly sick, she was still so gracious and sweet. Here’s the picture we took together:

A great big thank you to Jenny for taking the time to answer these questions. Now that you see how fun she is, I’m sure you want to follow her too! Here’s where you can find her:

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I hope that you enjoyed this feature and either got introduced to Jenny, or learned more about her. I will admit, this has been my favorite blog post to date, and I can’t wait to see what paths the Lord has for me in the future!

Thank you all for visiting {and leaving some blog love}.

Big hugs…..