Happy Anniversary!

Kamiak Butte County Park by David P. (via TripAdvisor.com)

Just a few days ago, I realized that my very first blog post was made on January 20, 2008.  Seventeen years ago! One would probably think that over the span of 17 years, I would have written 17-years’ worth of blog posts and published several books. Well…. umm, no. There’s something about adding 4 additional children to the family; making 2 more cross-country moves; and adding several other life-changing events to the mix that can stymie such ambition.

I got started blogging when a dear friend of mine encouraged me to do so saying that starting and monetizing my blog would be a great way to make some extra cash as a stay-at-home mom of 2.  I was unsure about what to blog.  When I looked at the blogs of others, they always seemed to be experts in all kinds of things like photography, parenting, fashion, cooking, education, birdwatching and the like. I, on the other hand, was not an expert in anything.  But I quickly realized that I did not have to be. I could blog about whatever I wanted. So, I decided to write about HIM.  Below is just a portion of what I wrote that day about the purpose of my blog entitled, “…that all may know Him”.

“My goal, however, is not merely to write, but to write with a purpose-to encourage, to inform, to inspire, to motivate… so that all may know Him. Who is ‘Him’, you ask?  ‘Him’ is Jesus, the Son of God, the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World!  As one who has personally accepted His free gift of salvation (as a result of Him dying on the cross for my sins), my life is dedicated to glorifying God in all that I do.  In Colossians 3:17 of the Holy Bible, it reads, ‘And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (NKJV)’. So, I may write about something I have learned through personal experience (as a mom of a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old, I’m always learning something new).  I may write about a book I have read, a movie I have seen, or just whatever pops into my head on a given day.”

Well, 17 years, wisdom learned from parenting the now 23-year-old and 21-year-old (and 4 others) and $0.00 later, it has been really neat to look back and see all that God has done. In honor of this and the #throwbackthursday concept, I will repost some of my old blog posts (one each day, beginning tomorrow) during the remainder of this month.  Perhaps you will be introduced to Jesus for the very first time or perhaps you will get a bit of needed inspiration. At the very least, you will get a bit of insight into the heart of this freckled-face, married mom of an increasing number of children (at the time) who was living on the Palouse, in the Pacific Northwest. Whatever the case, my hope is that He would be glorified and you would be encouraged. Blessings!