I’ve been at this little blogging gig for just over four
months now. Spring has ended, I’ve gone
to the beach – twice, my tan lines are starting to fade, and the little guy has started preschool. The scenery
outside my home office window has changed, but more importantly, I have
changed.
Five months ago that collection of books wouldn’t have
been assigned to my library card. Five
months ago, I nervously started posting little snippets of writing on a
Facebook group page and sweating it out each time. Coincidentally, I’ve got that same feeling in
the pit of my stomach as I type these words.
I now keep a little notebook in my bag with me at all
times. It seems to have been the cure
for those random flashes of inspiration one gets when there is no paper
around. When an idea does come, I get up
and grab my journal or go straight to the computer to put down whatever
smattering of a concept has flown through my harried head.
I may never be an accomplished writer. My words, grammar, and punctuation might stay
awkward – at best. There may never be
more than 50 or so wonderful, generous readers out there who come out of
curiosity or a loving sense of obligation.
That’s okay. I appreciate each of
you and the immense kindness and encouragement that you give to me so freely.
I’ve learned that friendships can be built in comment
boxes and 140 characters at a time and that inside jokes don’t require shared
walls. I’ve seen how we can support each
other through loss and victory, revel in the surprise of a gift that was a wildest dream and answer to prayer.
I’ve learned that paying attention to details can lead to
business contacts when you didn’t even know you needed them. That tweets and retweets can lead to cute little blog buttons and the ability to promote someone else’s dream for
a change.
I’ve learned computer code, how to use a hash tag and
schedule online activity when I’ll be sleeping (hopefully). I’ve read words that inspired me to my core,
challenged my reactions to status quo and made me laugh so hard my body ached
from joy. These all happened 24” from my
face. All of this has happened on my
computer screen and my smart phone.
Well, not all of it.
Some of
these avatars have leapt out at me and given me full on hugs in jeans and brave boots. I’m counting on many more of those when I
will be so blessed to hang out with a large number of you at the Allume Conference in October. Still
there are others that will require me to wait a little longer.
Whatever God wants to use this little space for is fine
with me. I may never see a penny from an
affiliate link. There may never be a
corporate sponsor that would like to clothe or feed me or provide a
giveaway. That’s inconsequential to my goal. That goal is to live a life that is
glorifying to my LORD and Savior by my words and without having to say a word. The blessings already are innumerable.
I want to thank each of you for teaching me about a new
kind of community. You’ve taught me ways
to encourage and support that weren’t even on my radar. You’ve taught me that it really is worth the
effort. For that I give you virtual hugs
and high fives and sticky chocolate goodness – all with the hot beverage of
your choice in your favorite comfy spot.
The next four months will bring more learning and
growing. There will inevitably be change
– I hope it is for the better. Bear with
me as I stretch and reach. Overlook the
cracks, if you please. It is definitely
a Work In Progress when Amy Learns!!
Linking this up with much love and gratitude to Mary Beth at New Life Steward.
Congrats on four months! :) That is an awesome accomplishment. It's always a little scary when you hit the publish button...sort of like riding down a roller coaster hill. But keep it up, you're doing well!
ReplyDeleteI will be one of the faces with you at Allume and totally looking forward to it! :)
Mindy @ New Equus - A New Creation
Thanks. Loved your post today. I sent a link of the post you cited to my husband at work. I am looking forward to meeting you as well - less than 2 months now. Yippee!!
DeleteWhat a privilege to have been with you every step of this journey! Keep writing and learning and sharing, okay?
ReplyDeleteCan. Not. Wait! for October!!!
You are not the only one!!! So glad you've been there to push me and hold my hand! wouldn't have happened without you.
DeleteAw, love it!! I can't wait to see what happens in the NEXT four months!
ReplyDeleteI expect constructive criticism and massive injections of humor on a regular basis. Thank you so much for everything.
DeleteGlad to find you through the link up! Welcome to this crazy world- 4 months blogging! I remember it and it is so amazing how much we can learn in a short time! I have been blogging for just over a year and feel so blessed and amazed as well as in agreement with what you have shared! Isn't it wonderful! His Kingdom truly is unbound and available even unto the Blogosphere! In His Grace, Dawn
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for these words and for coming by to visit. I'll have to go check out your blog. I'm excited to do that just from your comment. Nice to meet you.
DeleteHow come you are so much more awesome after just four months, then I have been in 8years? :) can't wait for Allume and meeting you! So much truth in this post! I love online community
ReplyDeleteOh, come on now. Your awesomeness is apparent!! 8 years is nothing short of amazing. I'm so excited to meet you in person.
DeleteMay God continue to bless you in your writing, as you continue to bless others!
ReplyDeleteLove in Him,
Laurie
Thank you so much for coming by. I really enjoyed your study and appreciate your kind words.
DeleteAmy--this is a beautiful post and SO exciting! Can't wait to see what all God has in store for you and thankful for how He's already blessed you in so many ways! =)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you have been part of this journey and are part of the blessing.
DeleteHi Amy, I visit because I subscribe and I'm inspired, motivated and challenged by you. I've had a marvelous day with the Lord, I'm trying to sleep but I can't contain my awe and wonder. I thought some inspired reading would help so I opened my email. And guess what? I'm all fired up again!!! Here's what did it, Wanting to glorify the Lord with a word without saying a word. I love your honest desire to honor Him first! I guess that's why I talked about you in my blog earlier this week. I can't connect the link via my email (I haven't read that book for dummies yet!) but you know the address www.dianadenis.com can't wait to hug you at Allume (Yes, I'm a hugger
ReplyDeleteThank you, I am so humbled by this. This gives me a smile deep down because it's those connections with others like you that I love making. I can't wait to see what you've written. You and so many others keep me inspired and push me to do better. I'm giddy just thinking about October!!
DeleteYour blog title is fitting...you have been learning so much here! :) And such wonderful things!
ReplyDeleteThanks! You and Sarah Mae are a huge part of that! I hope you know how muchI appreciate all that you do.
DeleteThis was such an encouraging post! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and reminding that friends can indeed be made on the world wide web :0)! Hope Allume is everything you hope for and that you come back motivated, refreshed...and willing to share :0)!
ReplyDeleteYou have been a wonderful encouraging part of this journey as well. So glad you came by. I can't wait to see what all comes from Allume.
DeleteAwww...makes me tear up a little...love reading your blog and learning more about you!! Has it only been 4 months? I feel like I've known you longer than that?!?! October will be here very, very soon! Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI know, it's really weird isn't it! I'm so excited to meet you in person. I really should have called you at 5:30 that morning. :)
DeleteI had no idea you were as new as me!? Yay for learning and growing and thank you so much for linking up one of my posts! I can't wait to see where this space takes you! :) Thanks for linking up with WIP!
ReplyDeleteReverse that. Until you wrote your First 90 days post, I didn't realize you were as new as me. You are a total rockstar for very good reasons. You are LEGIT, sistah! Thanks for the link up and writing that amazing post to begin with. Glad we're in this together and learning as we go.
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