Blogging
June 30, 2011
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Hi Everyone!
I have been struggling with the idea of blogging lately. With the exception of fulfilling my obligation of a book review yesterday I really haven’t written much lately. Personally, I love blogging it is one of the ways I process my world, so to speak. (Hence making a post out of this.)
Lately however, I have been wrestling with the whole idea of blogging. Things with Joel seem to be moving to a new phase, ‘intense rehab.’ I feel an obligation to write about him, but sadly the recovery side of things is a long slow road.
I also have a confession to make I have sort been sucked into the blog world, “Hmm, look at that blog she has 200 followers, that one has 500 and she has 2000.” I feel like I am back in high school desperately wanting to be one of the cool girls. I have toyed with the idea of joining facebook and twitter to increase traffic. I know how to increase followers and traffic, I could join in regularly on various blog hops, do guest posts, and jump on the follow me and I’ll follow you band wagon. I could advertise and do more reviews etc. That said there is nothing wrong with blog hops and facebook etc. It is just I know that is not why I started blogging.
Here is my very first post, short and sweet;
Well, I may be on the Old Path but this is definitely uncharted territory. I have wanted to blog for a long time as away to keep in touch with friends and family, and to share the ups and downs of our journey. I have been encouraged and challenged by reading other blogs. I have no idea if this blog will ever be anything more than just the musings of a girl and the crazy antics of the family that bless her daily. If you are blessed by this blog, well, then that is more than I could have hoped for!
…and that is how things began. It covered our move to our own little want to be Homestead, all our dreams for this place. It has followed the kids as they grow learn and discover, and then in the end of March 2010 Joel hijacked our family blog. None of us saw it coming, sure we’d noticed his headaches and how they had increased in frequency. What an incredible blessing this blog was to our family as we went through the hardest thing we have ever faced. (Joel’s cancer) You all helped to encourage us and hold us up with your prayers and for that I am grateful beyond words.
Somewhere in all this I feel I have lost sight of why I started blogging. What is the point? Should I continue on with it or is it just pulling me away from the things that matter the most. I may need to step back and think and pray these things through. I do value the friendships I have made through blogging and I will post Joel’s MRI results when I get them next week… but I need to sort out what and why I should blog.
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5 Comments
Larien
Hey, trying to contact you thru email but I must not have your email right :(We are passing thru in the beginning of August and wonder if we can crash with you guys for a night, hang out for a day???????? August 3 or 4th???Let me know what you think :)Chrissy
Jules
Hi Cheryl! Let me just say I would really miss your blog! It's lovely, you're lovely and I would just miss it. BUT I totally get it. I recently retired Ad Bits because it was turning into something I HAD to do instead of something I wanted to do. There are days I miss it, and I imagine someday I'll blog again, but for now it was absolutely the right choice. You'll make the right choice too- I don't doubt it! Just know this should be something fun for you, not something that just adds stress to your life. 🙂
Leah
It is easy to get sucked into the "social networking" and "trafficking" of blogging, which is, in my humble opinion, is a big waste of time. I think your original reasons for starting this blog are still the reasons you should go by. We must each weigh our priorities in our God-given vocations often, and return to what brings peace, rest, and joy in Jesus to our homes. There are times and seasons for everything and sometimes one thing will outweigh another in the time and energy it needs at any given moment in life. I, for one, have enjoyed the little glimpse into your family's life these few months and the faith with which you have endured and written about your sufferings with Joel. May God bless you and give you peace in whatever you decide. (Oh, and I do love all those little updates and adorable pictures of Samuel. Maybe because my little Lily is only a month or so behind him and I'm sympathetic to all cute baby doin's these days. :)(As to followers, phooey! Who cares! Besides, you have four times the followers I have, if that cheers you up at all. hehe!)
marlece
I hear you on all accounts! But, as a friend I would miss seeing you on here. I was out for two weeks because computer was down. I found myself praying for you because I wa unaware of waht was going on in your world. So, I do understand though, the whole 'popular' thing. I always go back to the focus of sharing my thoughts as a Momma and my family. It's not about anything else. I will miss you!
Talkity Christian
Hi Cheryl, Louis here. It's interesting, I've been working on Savannah's site a lot lately (for no apparent reason, just happened to land that way) and I've experienced first hand how much work it can be to market a site on blogger.At the same time, for some people, it's an enjoyable task, challenging as it may be. This has also led me to start a blog of my own for the purpose of sharing some of the things that God has laid heavy on my heart.I do expect a lot of work ahead as far as the whole "popularity contest" goes, but I also know that I can limit that involvement of my own free will.Though I would miss hearing about your family and the thoughts you've heard, this would not be what I missed the most. The story of your faith through your trials, your pain, your joys, the prayers for your family and others, and all those things in between. To me, hearing from Savannah, and first hand myself, and the times we've spent together in person has been a ministry.I do believe that you will pray and make God's choice, and I don't believe you should ever do anything that you aren't 100% sure is God's will, but I hope that you continue to encourage many people around you, online or in person. It's been a great blessing!