Lynsey Winkelman

I've known Lynsey for years, but we've recently been talking more and I couldn't be happier about it. She's kind, warm and very dedicated to things that are important to her. I'm thrilled that she wanted to be a part of this. 

Lynsey Winkelman

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

Hi! My name is Lynsey and I’m one of Nashville’s newest Midwestern girl residents. Wisconsin will always be my home but I recently moved to Tennessee in attempt to challenge myself and find adventure. Mission accomplished. It’s really difficult for me to be living so far from my family and friends. Mostly I miss my mom’s perfect tuna salad, our lame-o sounding game nights, and late night Shabbat sing-alongs (ranging from T-Swift to Fiddler on the Roof and everything in between) with the coolest siblings around. But I felt strongly that Yahweh was pulling me here and I knew that I needed to follow His direction or else I would always be wondering. It’s crazy how He worked everything out for me… I literally didn’t even have to do much at all! He provided the kindest family for me to live with, a job in a really tough school as an exceptional educator for some precious third graders (I guess I can’t complain – challenge is what I was going for, right?), and a lovely, supportive, Messianic fellowship that has taken me in and really made me feel part of something bigger. I still don’t know why I am here or what Yahweh’s plan for me is, but I’m trying to take everything as it comes and be okay with it Other unimportant tidbits – I like to run but only in small spurts of a couple months at a time, I love finding healthy and delicious recipes but I usually pair them with some type of brownie sundae, I’m a bit of a coffee snob but can force down some Dunkin Donuts coffee if need be (which happens all too often), I live for my phone dates with the best friends, and I think that even though the world is broken, there’s so much beauty still to be found in it.

2) What's one of the most beautiful things you've ever seen/witnessed?

That’s a really hard question. I have no idea. I can say that over the last two years I’ve gotten to see most of my very closest friends marry their very best friends. Weddings are the one type of occasion that I refuse to miss because I think that they represent the most beautiful thing in the world.

3) What are you currently watching/reading/listening to?

Listening to – My good friend, Elisha, just released her very first album a couple days ago called “I Will Not Be Silent.” It’s seriously so good; I wish I could buy everyone a copy! The lyrics are really heartfelt and it’s so easy to worship to her music. I have a feeling that between that and Civil Wars’ newest album, I’ll be good for a while.

Reading – Mostly I’ve been reading educational material in preparation for the beginning of school. I work with lots of students who have serious emotional/behavior disorders and, as a first year teacher, I need all the help I can get. I won’t bore you with those titles but I’ve been learning a lot from them! Also, I’m doing “The Creation Gospel” bible study by Hollisa Alewine with some ladies from fellowship. It’s fascinating but pretty intense so it takes quite a bit of time. I’d love to get some easy, pleasure reading in soon but would need some recommendations!

Watching – I always watch the cool shows way after they’re cool. For example, I’ve been watching Grey’s Anatomy for the last six months trying to catch up. Now that school is in session, I don’t watch much TV but I do plan on reserving Sunday afternoons for my Packers  

4) What's something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I feel like someone else should answer this question! When I was younger my go-to response to this question was always that I hated eating with spoons and only used forks. Somehow I grew out of that and, in turn, became less interesting. I don’t think I am a very surprising person to be honest but hopefully people would be surprised to know that even though I may look like I have everything under control; most times I don’t feel like it. I care too much about what people think about me and tend to stress out about it. I love honey turkey and can eat more of that than anyone needs to know. 

5) Where do you want to travel?

I would love to travel to so many places! Number one will always be Israel. I was able to go there for almost two months in 2010 and ever since then I’ve just been dying to go back. You know that when you feel homesick when you leave a foreign country that it will always be top priority. Other than Israel, though, I am intrigued by countries that have completely different cultures. I’d love to go to South Africa or anywhere in Asia. Backpacking in Europe would be cool and I’ve always wanted to visit the Scandinavian countries but I couldn’t tell you why. Umm… should I keep going?

6) Favorite way to relax?

Back patio. Campfire. Good conversation with friends. Sangrias/ ice cream/ something else equally terrible for me. The family that I’m living with right now taught me that combo and I love it! Also, I’m a huge advocate of naps whenever possible.

7) If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

If I could tell each and every single person in the world one thing it would be that Yahweh created you for a divine purpose. He has given you talents and skills that will make this crazy-broken world a better place, you just need to use them! Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, put everything that you have to offer into it. Don’t let the gifts that you have been given go to waste just because you aren’t where you want to be or where you thought that you would be. I have to be reminded of this often, and so I feel like other people probably need to hear it too!

Sarah Elaine Drummond

I'm so excited to start this project with a sweet friend of mine. Meet the very well rounded and beautiful Sarah. 

Sarah Elaine Drummond

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.

Hi! My name is Sarah and I am a Jane Austen addict. It's been three days since I last read a piece of her work. I was born in East TX, a Lutheran and a country girl. I grew up loving the outdoors and the indoors, books and trees, and everything artsy. I'm an optimist, a dreamer, an idealist, a lover (as in, not a fighter). I was home schooled, yes, but before you crack a joke, I also graduated college Summa Cum Laude. Three years ago, I found my Mr. Darcy and settled down in the heart of TN. Best. Decision. Ever. He is truly my "other half" if such a term was ever perfected. Last year, we welcomed the first of our little Drummonds. This year, I had the honor of fulfilling the dream of costarring in a full-length movie and now I'm working to finish a novel conceived nearly eight years ago.

2. Who is your biggest inspiration?

God, totally. He is the best part of who I am. He has changed and molded me and led me to who I am today. I hope to someday hear I've made Him proud.

And also, my grandmother. She had a tough childhood. During WW2, she gave birth to a second daughter, to whom her husband took one look at and then left, abandoning the three of them. A single mom surviving in the midst of war, getting by with whatever means she found, working at the Royal Air Force. After the war, she fought for citizenship to the U.S. for herself and her daughters. By herself. I could go on and on and on. She was one tough cookie with sayings like "stretched out like a shilling dinner". But I now am forced to see her deteriorate in the horrid clutches of Alzheimer's disease.

3. If you could spend an afternoon with any person, dear or alive, who would it be and what would you do?

An afternoon with Yeshua would be so so awesome! I would have so many questions about God and Torah and life in general. I bet He would have some amazing advice on issues I struggle with as well.

Of course, a close second is Jane Austen. That lady sure knew how to made a sentence compliment and slap you at the same time.

4. What's your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Reading or writing with a cup of coffee to the sounds of Michael Buble.

5. What are you currently watching/reading/listening to?

I'm watching Masterchef. I can't cook very well at all, but cooking shows give me energy to try.

In the commercial breaks, I'm reading C. S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" again. Love that author and his works!

6. What's your favorite way to inspire someone else?

I'm definitely a "do" kind of girl. Like, "watch what I do". The best compliment I've ever received is being called a genuine believer/follower of Christ by an unbeliever. If you say you believe something, follow through in your actions! Don't be all mushy/lukewarm about it.

7. If you could tell the whole world one thing, what would it be?

I'm not really sure. I would pray and ask for the right words, definitely. Probably something like: In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.