Friday, February 16, 2007

Thank You Friends!

A friend encouraged me to start this blog. I have always enjoyed putting my thoughts on paper and after reading other blogs for several months I certainly could see it would be something I would enjoy doing. Several years ago, I wrote articles for a homeschooling support group on various topics. That short assignment brought me a great deal of enjoyment and I knew there was more I was to do.

I started off writing posts based on the book, Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney, which I was reading along with several other ladies who no longer lived near me. Once we finished the book together I never expected to continue to have anything to post. But I continued through the holidays writing thoughts about Thanksgiving and Christmas and found a great deal of enjoyment in writing and reading other blogs.

Several friends are faithful readers and have encouraged me greatly! I know in real-life several other wonderful women who write blogs and I find those blogs as some of my absolute favorites, since I know who they are. I have two friends who inspire and encourage me with their emails and comments to go on even though they do not write their own blog.

With all that said, one of the things I did not expect in writing this blog was to have any one reading it beyond maybe a few people I told about it. I have been amazed by those who 1)either have personally told me they read this little itty bitty corner of my world. 2) perfect strangers who read here and 3) blogs which I have come to enjoy and read several times a week myself.

Like everything in my life I hope to always glorify God with this little itty bitty corner of my world. Today I received an email from a long time friend who has been reading and asked if I would write more about being a Godly woman, wife, mom, and if I would speak of some of the demands of being a Pastor's wife. I was humbled by her request, because it is something I would have looked to her for in recent years. I emailed her back and said, "I would try."

Today I wanted to say thank you to some of my new friends in this blogging world who have also greatly encouraged me by their kind words and comments. Today, Jennifer at Snapshot listed me as a new read for her. Thank you Jennifer! Most of you leave wonderful comments, but Susanne at Living to tell the Story is one of the most gracious commenter I have seen. If you think you have written something really bad or just plain boring, she will find something good in it. Her blog is a very warm and friendly place. Thank you Susanne! Kelly at A Spacious Place and Kim at Lifesong are two of the first blogs I began visiting regularly and I can't even remember how I came across them. They both are extremely inspirational. They have since received new blog designs which are beautiful. Thank you Kelly and Kim! Two of my newest reads have been Cyndi at One Day More and Deidre at For Such A Time As This. Cyndi has blessed me with her posts and her comments. I only wish I could sit down and have coffee with her. I sense we could talk for hours. Deidre has written some beautiful and very well written posts. Today she shares part II of a beautiful post titled: Not My Plan. Please go read this most beautiful post on God's sovereign and loving hand in her life. Her blog is beautiful!

I would love to hear from those who read and don't regularly comment. Are there things that could be shared on this blog or by others that may encourage you? If so, would you share as my friend has. Thank you!

8 comments:

Cyndi said...

Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful? To sit down over coffee and chat for hours? I'm smiling just thinking about it. Your blog blesses me everyday. Your beautiful spirit comes through in every post in your well-articulated and wise words. I'm so glad we're "sistas!" :)

Kim said...

Chris!

You were one of the first blogs I began reading,too...how did that happen? It is not a coincidence...I'm glad we found eachother!

I want to join you and Cyndi with that cup of coffee and chat! That sounds wonderful!

God bless you!
Kim

Susanne said...

Chris your blog is a blessing in my life. I learn so much from you! I'm so glad I found you or you found me, whichever.

Ditto with Kim in wanting to join you and Cnyndi! Coffee and chat sounds wonderful!

Heth said...

Chris, you are such a blessing whether it is through the words you type, the words I hear you teach or the words that you don't say, just the way that you live. I'm so glad to call you friend, even though it feels more like family.

Lori said...

Chris your blog blesses, I am sorry I don't comment as much as I do and I enjoy the comments you leave. Blessings.

Deidre said...

Thank you, Chris, for the kind words. And, thank you so much for reading my blog.

I have to tell you that your blog has hugely blessed my life. And, not only me. Remember the post you wrote recently about your daughter (the one I linked to on my blog)? I was so impacted by that post, which is why I linked to it. God brought your words to my mind while counseling one of my SS students last week. She is a precious 15 year old and struggles in school - with reading in general. She has the kindest heart and sweetest spirit. I began sharing Psalm 139 with her, and then God brought your post to my mind. I told her I didn't know God's plan, but I did know he created her to be just the way she is, and that if she was a straight A student, it may interfere with his plan for her life. I told her He has enormous plans for her and would use her compassion for others in a mighty way if she would let him and not allow the enemy to attack her in this one area.

I'll stop hogging your comments, but I just wanted to share with you what a blessing you are. I, too, was so skeptical of this blogging thing, but my how God has used it in my life and others. Thank you for posting! We're all better for it!!

Natalie Joy said...

Thanks for sharing some fun new blogs to check out. Of course, you and laundry girl will still be at my top. I always enjoy and am blessed by your blog. I wish I had more time to blog myself. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly said...

Chris,
What a blessing you are to me! I am so glad that I have been able to encourage you--as you have been such an encouragement to me! Thank you for your kind words and the example you are to me as a fellow minister's wife and mother.

Also, thank you for sharing your tea-drinking expertise with me. I am enjoying trying various different kinds of green and white tea. Maybe we can share a cup together someday!