One of the best things about blogging is the community. You get connected with people all over the world. You see into the hearts and lives of people and you support them. Sometimes find myself in complete awe of writing I come across, whether it’s for the stories, the sentiment, or the writing quality itself. In the case of the blog, Prayer Wine Chocolate, it was all three and inspired me to start this spotlight series. The Quirky Mom Next Door’s Through a Blogger’s Eyes series will be an ongoing series showcasing my favorite blogs and the bloggers behind them!

1. Tell us a little bit about you and your blog.

My name is Amy Brooks and I blog at prayerwinechocolate.com. My husband and I were married in 2006 and were eager to start a family right away. After experiencing infertility for years, we decided to pursue adoption. In 2012 we were blessed with the most wonderful baby boy through adoption. We still desire to grow our family and we are hoping to adopt again. One of the reasons why I started prayerwinechocolate was to document how we are networking and pursuing adoption without an agency.

2. How did you get into blogging?

Before I became a mother, I worked full time as a teacher. Once I was blessed with a son; I chose to give up my teaching career. I worked several part-time jobs, but completely lost myself in parenting. I am so grateful to be with my son all day. However, I never lost my desire to help contribute financially to our family. I found myself on social media a lot during the day – so I thought, maybe I could channel this energy and make it into a career. I love getting to know people and hearing their stories. I wanted to share our non-traditional adoption journey, and I also feel completely blessed by prayers. My friends and I started a Rosary group years ago – and we had so many answered prayers we often talked about documenting them in a book. One idea for a book title we had was “Prayer, Wine, Chocolate” since our Rosary nights were rarely held without wine and chocolate.

3. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I find writing to be very therapeutic. Long ago I stared a prayer journal, but somewhere along the way I stopped. Blogging has allowed me to relieve stress, meet some amazing people and has honestly sparked excitement in my life (outside of parenting and marriage of course)! It’s a new adventure that is leading to so many other adventures – I am loving it!

4. What do you find most challenging?

The most challenging thing about blogging is finding the time to do it. It’s hard to balance being a mom and a homemaker with writing!

5. How do you come up with content for your blog? What inspires you?

I hope and pray for the Lord’s guidance! I’m often inspired by my faith and how much it has given me hope and joy.

6. What makes your blog unique?

I am not sure what makes my blog unique – I guess that it is a reflection of my life and journey – and since no two people are the same, it offers readers a glimpse into my soul.

7. Where do you picture yourself and your blog in five years?

I hope prayerwinechocolate.com continues to provide opportunities to spread hope and gives me the opportunity to publish books, provide retreats and prayer journaling classes, speak at events and promote the loving choice of adoption. Hopefully in five years our son will have two siblings!

8. How do you keep motivated and make time for blogging?

Motivation is not really a challenge since it provides some “me” time. However, finding that time is tough!

9. What are your favorite things to do when you’re not blogging?

I love to simply enjoy my coffee in the morning! I love taking nature hikes with my son. I enjoy photography and I try to go for a run once in a while. I love watching comedies or good clean comedians (Brian Regan is my favorite). I really like enjoying the outdoors whether it be riding a bike, taking a walk, or even doing a zip line course. I love going to a pumpkin patch with my family and touring Philadelphia as well.

10. Tell us about your proudest achievement.

I think my proudest achievement is that I earned a Master’s Degree in History. Actually, all of the education I have received and the diploma and degrees I have earned – with the help of God’s grace and the Holy Spirit – are my proudest achievement. Good grades never came easy to me, and I was always a slow reader. My parents did not have the money to help me pay for college, but somehow, through hard work, financial aid and prayer, I went to college right after high school and graduated in four years. I wasn’t sure at first what subject to pursue in graduate school. I’m so happy I eventually earned a Master’s in History.

11. Where is your favorite place to go or visit?

I love going to the beach – or down the shore as we usually call it. I honestly have not traveled that much, so it is something I want to do in the future. I would love to visit Italy.

12. What’s your personal philosophy or motto?

I heard a quote about a year ago that really resonated with me: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire”. This quote is attributed to Saint Catherine of Siena. I turned that quote into a prayer, “Dear God, help me to be who you want me to be – and set the world on fire”!

13. What would you do if you won the lottery?

Oh my goodness, well, first I would pay off a lot of debt – including our house! I am sure we would donate some money to several causes – one being the pro-life cause and the message of adoption being a loving option. I would hope to expand our family – and sadly, money makes that easier for those of us who long to adopt. Probably spend it on a lot of boring things like fixing our house, buying a bigger one. I am sure we would plan a fun vacation as well.

14. You’re stuck on a deserted island with three things, what are they?

A boat, its captain and enough drinking water to get me home alive. I don’t like this game haha!

15. Share a link to your two favorite posts.

http://prayerwinechocolate.com/god-hears-us-a-spiritual-adoption-miracle-free-printable/

http://prayerwinechocolate.com/how-to-throw-a-prayer-and-pair-party-with-free-printables/

Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

I would love to ask anyone and everyone who is reading this to keep us in mind if they know of anyone considering an adoption plan for her/their baby. We can be contacted by phone or text at 215-550-1957. We often update our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wanttoadopt/ if anyone wants to learn more about us. Liking and sharing that page is also a great way to help us let others know we would love to adopt! We also have an adoption website: http://mattandamyadopt.wixsite.com/hoping-to-adopt if anyone is interested in considering us as adoptive parents.

I would just love to thank Tiffany at The Quirky Mom Next Door for sharing my story! I’m so happy to know you!