Gretchen Ronnevik

A New Face

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Yep, you’re in the right spot!  If you’re looking for the “He Sows and She Sews” blog, you are here, it just has a new face.  It’s something I’ve been thinking of doing for a few years, and am finally brave enough to pull the trigger.

Why a new name?

Well, the old one was a bit confusing.  Its a lot for me to spell out when in conversation.  Also, I sewing isn’t exactly the center of my writing anymore.  If you could see the mess of my sewing room these days…  Many people don’t know what “sows” means either, and I’d have to explain those old fashioned farming terms like “reaping” and “sowing.”  Then I explain that my blog really isn’t about farming.  Really, when someone says, “Oh, you should read her blog!”and then the person turns to me and says, “Yeah, what’s the website?” what follows is a 15 minute awkward description, with spelling, explaining, disclaimers and shrugs.  Seriously, people, I can be so socially awkward in person.  I’d just really like to simplify that whole process.

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Over the last few years I have blogged about my family, sewing, cloth diapers, knitting, parenting, chickens, homeschooling, my faith, our farm, my struggles, and just living life through the lens of grace.

The old name just didn’t seem to fit anymore.  It’s almost like I outgrew it.  As a writer, I have better defined my mission statement for myself, and have looked for a name that would fit that, and leave room for my writing to grow into my big dreams, however God would direct that.  And then I couldn’t come up with anything I could commit to long term.

I have been asking for advice from other writers, and all of them have suggested that I just use my name.  I have been writing a Bible Study book this last year that I hope to publish somehow, and God has amazingly opened up some speaking opportunities, which has been surprising to me.  I honestly don’t know which direction God will take my writing, but I want the name to make all of this to fit under that umbrella.  I want it to be flexible enough to fit under whichever ways I grow as a writer in the future, whether that be more knitting, more devotions, and even into  the empty nesting years, when I may not be talking about the early years of mothering anymore.

I have been fighting the idea of using my name as a blog name for over 2 years.  I’m not sure why it was such a struggle, even though that’s the thing to do these days.  It felt too narcissistic, and too exposing.  I’m one of those people who was most nervous on her wedding day about that moment when everyone looks at the bride.  I just want to run and hide from people looking at me.  But the more I prayed about it, the more I saw that while I don’t want to make my name famous, I need to make my name available to God to use as he sees fit, and to give him glory.  When it comes to my life, and what God has access to use for his glory, I want nothing off the table.  My hope is that as I write about my faith, write about my faults, write about things that are beautiful and true and hard, that through my life, people might see the beauty of God through it all.

So I’m pulling the trigger and rebranding my blog as I look to the future.  I still intend to write about the same kinds of things, but more projects are opening up.  I’m continuing to guest post at various sites, and The Unlikely Homeschool has taken me on as a regular monthly contributor as well.  I hope to keep you updated on when this Bible study will be finished.  So far all my speaking things are local, and will stay that way as long as I have littles in the house.  But I’ll try to make those events more available for you all to know as well.

This doesn’t mean that I’m only going to be publishing devotionals.  This doesn’t mean I’m only writing about homeschooling now. This doesn’t mean that if you are a non-Christian you are no longer welcome.  This doesn’t mean I’m not writing about knitting, sewing, or crafts anymore.  It just means I want a name that covers the diversity of what I do.  I want to eliminate the confusion of my old name and make things simple.

I love simple.

My hosting site assures me that those who go to the old website will be automatically redirected over to this new name, and all of my old posts will seamlessly transfer over.  Let’s hope they know more about that sort of techy-side of things than I do!

Thanks for sticking with me friends.  I hope you like the new look.

Comments

  1. As a way older mother of six, there are many ways in which I can relate to your blog, though I had about 1 bazillionth of your patience and kindness and my kids went to public school for that very reason;). It’s a joy to read what you have to say, especially about your love for our Savior. Do we agree on everything? Probably not, but who cares:)? I do believe that love conquers all and you and your family prove that in spades:).
    Congratulations on the new littlest soul in your care. You will have memories to look back on to make you smile:).
    Your name is lovely!:)

    Reply

    • Haha! If you asked my family, patient wouldn’t be a word they would use to describe me. 😉

      I really appreciate your encouragement. Thank you.

      Reply

  5. I loved the ‘he sows she sews’, it made me smile with the fun of it but i can see that explaining it could be frustrating and time consuming. Good luck with the new look, we will all adjust to it as its the writing we’re here for. I’m not Christian but i value the integrity and honesty of your blog, thats hard to have i think, as you have to make yourself so vulnerable and balance the privacy of you and your family. All good things to you and yours and congrats on the new wee one.

    Reply

    • Thanks for your kind words, Joy. It is hard to balance honesty and privacy. I actually have a list of things I won’t write about for that reason. I’m encouraged that you feel welcome here even though we don’t share the same faith. My goal isn’t to be exclusive, but to give a place for everyone to come and exhale. Thank you so much for saying that.

      Reply

  6. I like the way it looks 😊

    I am a new home schooling mother of four children ages 6, 4, 2, and arriving in less than 3 weeks. I have followed you for awhile now. I love your honesty. I love many of your posts. I am not protestant, but a Catholic convert. I think we seek blogs that seem to have similarities to our lives, speak truths we yearn to hear, and seek out the beauty in everyday lives. Your blog has always done that – no matter what you topic you choose to write for that day. I look forward to reading future posts!

    Reply

  8. Congrads with the new look! It’s lovely and clean! I loved your old look too, but totally get the reasons for changing it! God bless you! And your family!

    Reply

  9. I love that you use your name; I have often thought of doing this myself and as we prepare for some big changes in our lives over the next six months or so, I think my name will suit my blog much better, just as yours does. Congratulations on “pulling the trigger,” and I look forward to reading about your many life journeys, wherever they may lead.

    Reply

  10. A rose by any other name…

    No matter what you call your blog, I will enjoy reading it. In fact, I’ve been away for quite a while and now look forward to catching up on at least a few of your posts. I only hopped over to your blog one time while I was on my lengthy trip, and didn’t take the time, but I wanted to tell you: Congratulations on the baby!

    Reply

  11. Gretchen, I very much enjoy visiting your blog. The new name and new look reflect the changes that you have gone through over the years. I look forward to following what blessings God will transpire in your life.

    Reply

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