This is my one thousandth blog post. I think that is kind of fun. I remember starting it as a means of sharing my kids and events with my family that is split by miles. Then it turned into a space to share my thoughts and share my crafting projects.
Then I started setting myself some goals. I wanted to journal regularly. I wanted to live my faith publicly, even though it had to be done very imperfectly. I wanted a ministry that I could be a part of without compromising the ministry I have been called to with my family. Even in that I have not always done well.
Then my photography marginally got better, though I still don’t have the time to develop that skill as I wish I did. I sometimes have time to proofread what I wrote in detail. Other times I miss a lot.
What I did not expect was the number of friends that I would make, and the audience that would soon grow. I have made dozens of friends through this blog, have deepened other friendships, and my readership has grown to about 350 different people a day. My goal for 2012 was to reach 200 followers, which I got. I recently started being more active on my Facebook page. That has grown too. I wanted to be around 100 “likes” at the beginning of this year, and I think I’m now in the 140s.
The most visited sight on the blog is by far the Clara Cowl pattern. That pattern alone gets about 100 hits a day.
The most controversial post I ever did, gauging by the backlash I received was this one, although that shocked me because I didn’t realize when I wrote it that I was being controversial. I had felt I had written WAY more controversial things than that, but that must have hit a nerve with some people. My hope isn’t that everyone homeschool their children, but that we as parents won’t just go through the motions of what society tells us is “normal” but look to God, and study our children’s individual needs and walk in obedience, not in formation. It would be just as bad to homeschool “just because everyone else is.” As parents, we need to wake up and make choices, then stand by those choices.
I bravely shared my homebirth with you all this last year. I was really nervous about that one. Not the birth, just your reaction. I feel the more I write, the more I get simultaneously brave and cautious. I’ve become more bold about sharing some things, and more guarded about sharing other things. Some things will never be shared on this blog, and I hope you understand that.
Is it worth my time? I ask myself that often. I think so. Obviously I do, otherwise I wouldn’t keep doing it. I think it’s a good way for me to self reflect and grow. It’s a good way to reach out to people while I’m living in a place where people are not so near. It’s a good way for me to share my faith, share my art, and hope that in some way Christ will shine through both.
Exposure is not always good, as anyone in the frozen tundra would tell you. My greatest desire is to have God’s grace shine through my cracks and imperfections as a prism in the sunlight. You don’t have to agree with everything I think or believe to be my friend. Some of my best friends are the ones who gently call me out the most.
You see, we are all on a journey. None of us has arrived at a place where we require no more knowledge or growth. Especially as moms, we need someone next to us along the journey. Fellowship is good for the soul.
I guess I want to thank all of you for helping make this blog what it is. If you enjoy reading this blog regularly, and want to celebrate with me could you do something for me? Could you follow me by doing so on the right hand margin on this blog, or if you’re a Facebook sort of person, could you like me at the bottom of this page? Seeing your faces, and knowing that you are there is an encouragement to me. It will be like your 1,000 post present. Also, I hope you know how tickled I get when people leave comments in posts they like. I’ve “met” some really neat people that way.
Thank you for being a blessing to me, as I hope I have been a blessing to you.
Rachael says
April 8, 2013 at 1:15 pmCongratulations Gretchen! Although I have to say, I was hoping for 1000 stickers on a hat or 1000 pieces of macaroni glued onto something, AKA my kids 100th day of school celebrations 😉
Mom says
April 8, 2013 at 2:13 pmWow, 350 followers! I think, I mean I know you have struck a chord with your readers and they feel as though they are being understood as well through reading your blog. It’s like a solidarity thing with other mothers, and other believers in this crazy changing world we live in where the right things are now considered wrong by society and the wrong things are now considered good. We draw strength from each other and you have been a great cheerleader for the rest of us!
Lori Ann says
April 8, 2013 at 3:10 pmI really appreciate reading your blog and all that you do choose to share. I read blogs mainly that have to do with either knitting or home schooling. So your blog is an obvious choice! I appreciate – with all blogs – that everyone does what is right for their own families/situations. I do too and want others to respect that. So congrats on your blog history! And thank you for being so candid – and sharing so many wonderful and inspiring posts.
Anna says
April 8, 2013 at 5:33 pmI’ve benen following your blog for a few months now, all the way from northern Europe. Finding it while surfing on Ravelry I realized there was more than knitting to it. I read every post, the ones about your children with great recognition…. Keep it up! 🙂
Anonymous says
April 8, 2013 at 6:13 pmI found your blog a few months ago through a friend I had noticed liked your facebook page. I have been reading it everyday since. While I am not religious or conservative, I can connect with you and what you have to say. And I really appreciate and enjoy that you do not preach or judge, but approach everything with openness, thoughtfulness, and understanding. By the way, I only stated that I am not religious or conservative to show you that you have a grander appeal even to someone like me who on many things has a very different point of view…otherwise I normally do not like to label myself as anything 🙂 There is more that makes us the same then makes us different, right?! Congrats on your 1000!
Erin says
April 8, 2013 at 9:18 pmJust subscribed to be a follower, officially lol! I really enjoy your blog, thank you for sharing. Congrats on 1000 posts, blessings from the still snowy province of Alberta!
Erin
bookworm-Mary says
April 8, 2013 at 10:49 pmSo cool that you’ve been able to keep posting for this long!
I admire you for your openness, and I definitely appreciate your boldness in speaking what you believe. thank you.
Vimsen says
April 9, 2013 at 12:14 amCongrats!!
I have read your blog a few months now, and I looking for updates every day! I dont know, but it is something here, something peacefully, I guess!
Your vulnerability and honesty .. your strong faith! You remind me on God, how much we have to thank for! how blessed we actually are! In Norway, we are so superficial and ungrateful. It is a shame!
We have everything we need, and more, but all we do is complain to the politicians and the government. It’s a relief for me to read your blogs and other sisters in the USA! So thank you!
God bless!
Anonymous says
April 9, 2013 at 12:40 amCongratulations on your 1000th post! Like Anonymous, I am not conservative, or religious. I don’t have children, and I am married to my same-sex partner of 14 years. We are very different! What I love about this blog is your honesty and willingness to share your thinking about parenting and home schooling. Thank you for writing so well about your life.
Debbie Petras says
April 9, 2013 at 12:56 pmCongratulations on your 1,000th blog post! I’m so glad I found you through your sister Heidi. 🙂
Blessings and love,
Debbie
http://www.heartchoices.com
Tina says
April 9, 2013 at 7:24 pmCongratulations! I can only hope to ever get to that number. I really enjoy reading your blog every day. Our oldest is four so we are still in discussions about sending them to school vs. homeschooling and I love reading about your posts about the joys and struggles. Keep up the good work!
(from a fellow former Comet cheerleader 🙂
Moon over Guangzhou says
April 9, 2013 at 11:23 pmI will say to you what Sarah and I say to each other at least once a week, “Don’t you just LOVE the internet?”. 🙂 What did we do before, I ask you? There you sit in the middle of nowhere’s-ville, connecting with people and lives all over the globe… How cool is that? Anyway, congrats on your 1000th post. Having the discipline to do anything 1000 times is to be commended! 🙂
Kristen says
April 10, 2013 at 4:59 amCongratulations on your milestone!
Rachel says
April 11, 2013 at 5:10 amCongratulations Gretchen! I enjoy reading your blog. I’ve been blessed by you many times. Keep up the good work.
Anonymous says
April 11, 2013 at 3:17 pmAnother anonymous (I should probably sign up for an account)! I don’t remember how I’ve found your blog but I’ve been reading it for over two years now. I also share none of your beliefs, I am very liberal and I am really struggling with my relationship with Christianity, and have no kids! But I think you seem like a great mother and I love reading your posts. You’ve inspired me to sign up for a knitting class at Michael’s! Thank you for sharing your words. Congrats on 1000!
bd says
April 11, 2013 at 5:24 pmCongratulations on your 1000th blog. I grew up in the community you are living in, and so glad that there are still wonderful people living there:-) I enjoy the reflections on your blessings and hearing of the life you are living as a young mom. Thanks for sharing!