Asked & Answered with Sis Steele

Asked & Answered

For our second installment of Asked & Answered we’re talking to Sis Steele. Enjoy!

G&S:  I always like to start off easy. My first go to question is what are some of your nicknames?

SS:     Weezie, Juju, Sister Steele.

G&S:  We call our daughter Weezie sometimes (ala “The Jeffersons”) because her middle name is Louise. Until very recently she thought it was because of her childhood asthma. And speaking of family, who are your immediate family members?

SS:     A husband, a son and daughter-in-law with three grandkidlets, a daughter and her fiancé. Wedding bells ring in December. 

G&S:  Ah, wedding bells… Where do you currently call home?

SS:     The part of North Carolina called the Research Triangle. Home of Carolina, Duke, and North Carolina State. I went to two of those schools so automatically hate the other.

G&S:  Do you have paraphernalia for each? And, if so, which do you wear when they’re playing each other?

SS:     I didn’t wear either until my daughter got me a NC State shirt. It’s dangerous to be a Duke fan around here. And when they are playing each other, I always root for State since it was my undergrad school.

G&S:  I know you’ve also lived elsewhere. Can you tell us where?

SS:     DC and Maryland. 

G&S:  What takes up most of your time?

SS:     Grandchildren, wedding planning, reading, and writing. Not necessarily in that order. 

G&S:  It seems like you’re always writing. What projects do you have going on at the moment?

SS:     I am just now getting back into writing work after my surgery. I am helping a former colleague and classmate edit his devotional book. I’m working on a downsizing book for folks my age. And I am thinking about going back into WWII now that I’ve had a break.

G&S:  Please let me know when I can pre-order the downsizing book. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need it in the next few years. But enough about me. What are you reading right now?

SS:     Just finished “Breaking Wild”, a great novel of wilderness survival with two women, a ranger, and a hunter. Now reading “The Black Calhouns” by Gail Lumet Buckley, Lena Horne’s daughter, about her family history.

G&S:  What are some of your all time favorite books?

SS:     “Morning Glory” by LaVeryle Spencer, “The Great Epidemic” about the 1918 flu pandemic, anything by Henri Nouwen, “Warmth of Other Suns”… um I’m pretty eclectic. 

G&S:  How about a few of your favorite TV shows? And Netflix counts.

SS:     Supergirl, Finding Your Roots, Walking Dead, Hawaii Life… um, eclectic again.

G&S:  Speaking of TV, which is your TV food of choice? Sweet or salty?

SS:     I actually put sea salt on vanilla frozen custard.

G&S:  Oh, yum! I may have to try that. What is your favorite holiday?

SS:     Lent. Seriously, the whole season leading up to Easter. 

G&S:  Explain to us why Lent is your favorite?

SS:     Lent makes me think about my relationship with God over an extended period WITHOUT the culture clash of secular Christmas stuff. And the payoff is Easter and my Risen Lord. I can’t stand Palm Sunday because it highlights how people cheered Jesus and then quickly abandoned Him.

G&S:  And along those same lines, what is your favorite scripture and why?

SS:     I’ve gone through phases of Matthew 6:33-34, Jeremiah 29:11, but Micah is resonating these days. “Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

G&S:  Last, but not least, why do you write for Grace & Such?

SS:     I meditate when I write. Writing helps me focus on what God wants me to learn and know. Hopefully sharing what I learn helps others.

G&S:  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer my questions, Sis. Unsurprisingly, you’re answers were great.

Don’t forget to ask any questions you might have for Sis in the comments below.

 

 

Grace & Such strives to advance Christian growth among women. While we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we also recognize human interpretations are imperfect. Grace & Such encourages our readers to open their Bibles, pray for wisdom and study for themselves what the Word says. For more about who we are, please visit the About Us page.
Grace & Such
Latest posts by Grace & Such (see all)

12 Comments

  1. Rebecca Preston on March 21, 2016 at 7:40 AM

    Loved Morning Glory! I think I’ve read all of her books. Where did you live in Maryland? We spent a year there in New Market…close to Frederick.

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 10:34 AM

      I was born in DC, moved around Maryland as I grew up. I also was constantly with my parents as they antiqued in New Market and the surrounding area.

  2. Piper on March 21, 2016 at 8:06 AM

    My question was answered about what your issue was with Palm Sunday. A great interview!

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 10:35 AM

      Oh, Piper. I didn’t realize I never gave you an explanation. So glad you finally got it.

  3. Amber on March 21, 2016 at 9:02 AM

    Loved getting to know you better! Can’t wait to see how that downsizing book turns out- any advice for those of us who are approaching that life season rapidly?

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 10:36 AM

      There is a lot more to it than decluttering and minimalists let on. Especially for those of us who are empty nesters and downsizing.

  4. Diane on March 21, 2016 at 9:10 AM

    Hi, Sis! So glad to get to know what is behind your thoughtful posts! Sea salt on…you had me there!

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 10:37 AM

      Happy to oblige!!!!

  5. Jen on March 21, 2016 at 10:07 AM

    I’m with Amber. Waiting on the downsizing book! I look around the house and think, “Yikes! There’s no way!”

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 10:37 AM

      There is a way!!!! Will be happy to advise even before the book. Maybe you can be one of my lab rats and beta readers!

  6. Gretchen on March 21, 2016 at 10:52 AM

    So nice to have a mentor in the downsizing thing who is just far enough ahead of me to have things in hand, but not so far along that you’ve forgotten the feels and attachments to our stuff and how we might cling to that to keep the season of life from changing.

    I love what you said about the Lenten season and Easter (re: the non-secular part with Christmas). I’ve “done” Lent only on and off, but have really begun to see the value in the preparation for Easter. I’m sure this will be more and more of my journey each year.

    • Sis on March 21, 2016 at 4:11 PM

      Thanks Gretchen I’m still learning. I love your point about being close enough to still have the feelings attached.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.