Milestones
I just had to post that in the space of the last 24 hours we reached two sort of milestones here:
We had our 1,000,000th visitor and we shattered previous commenting records with over 1000 comments to this post.
Recently, I've been working on the long-procrastinated-on project of going through all of my previous blog entries and categorizing them under Blogger's new label feature (I'll let you know when I'm done!).
Even though I only started blogging two and a half years ago, I will readily admit that most of what I wrote the first year makes me cringe. It's truly a wonder I had any readers at all! In fact, though I am deleting some of the posts, it's about all I can do to not delete the whole first year of blogging. (I completely agree with ProBlogger that your first few year of posting is your worst.)
In going through these old entries it has been fascinating to me to see how I've "evolved" as a blogger. From my vantage point, my writing has improved and I've mellowed and softened all around. (My husband agrees and says it's been a good change!)
But it's not just my style that has changed, many of my viewpoints and perspectives have changed, too - I hope for the better. I've come to realize that it's more effective to spend less time criticizing the ills and evils of the world and more time holding up the positive, good, and praiseworthy.
I recognize these changes and it makes me wonder how much I'll change and grow over the next few years. I pray that I continue to be molded and shaped more into the image of Christ and thus, that my blog would become more of Him and less of me.
It's not said enough around here, but I just wanted to let you all know how much you mean to me. Your encouraging emails, your kind words, the friendships I've made, the prayers that have been prayed on our behalf... I am blessed beyond words. Thank you for taking time from your busy lives to share in a part of mine.
We had our 1,000,000th visitor and we shattered previous commenting records with over 1000 comments to this post.
Recently, I've been working on the long-procrastinated-on project of going through all of my previous blog entries and categorizing them under Blogger's new label feature (I'll let you know when I'm done!).
Even though I only started blogging two and a half years ago, I will readily admit that most of what I wrote the first year makes me cringe. It's truly a wonder I had any readers at all! In fact, though I am deleting some of the posts, it's about all I can do to not delete the whole first year of blogging. (I completely agree with ProBlogger that your first few year of posting is your worst.)
In going through these old entries it has been fascinating to me to see how I've "evolved" as a blogger. From my vantage point, my writing has improved and I've mellowed and softened all around. (My husband agrees and says it's been a good change!)
But it's not just my style that has changed, many of my viewpoints and perspectives have changed, too - I hope for the better. I've come to realize that it's more effective to spend less time criticizing the ills and evils of the world and more time holding up the positive, good, and praiseworthy.
I recognize these changes and it makes me wonder how much I'll change and grow over the next few years. I pray that I continue to be molded and shaped more into the image of Christ and thus, that my blog would become more of Him and less of me.
It's not said enough around here, but I just wanted to let you all know how much you mean to me. Your encouraging emails, your kind words, the friendships I've made, the prayers that have been prayed on our behalf... I am blessed beyond words. Thank you for taking time from your busy lives to share in a part of mine.
posted by Crystal Paine at 10:23 PM
14 Comments:
What exciting milestones!! =)
You're such an inspiration Crystal! I'm sure seeing what God has done with your willing life is humbling and thrilling at the same time. I was just going through my old blogs today to do the same- blog orginization...God bless you for 1,000,000 more!
Crystal, that's great!! :)
I agree with you about focusing on the positive... I think we can be a good example to unbelievers by simply showing them a better (more joyful, peaceful, etc.) way rather than criticizing or bashing (not that I ever thought you did those things!). :)
Deleting old posts? I use the edit feature a lot... especially for my recipe photos! I can't believe how much nicer my food photos are after a year of blogging. :D
Congratulations!
I hear you on the first year of posting. I can hardly go back and read my archives.
It's true: the daily discipline of writing does improve one's skills.
Here's to many more years of growing in God's word!
Crystal,
As I read this post I felt led to tell you this:
I am sure you also notice your change in your spiritual life as well. As we grow with the Lord and allow Him to remove the dross and replace it with His likeness, we are bound to see change. And we should see change. Sad is the day that we are no longer allowing the Lord to mold and change us. So while you probably do notice the outward changes, as in your blog entries, I am sure you have an inward change that it is springing from! So before you delete the old posts, and feel ashamed, praise God that He has grown and changed you into His likeness, praise the Lord! He is good!
i guess it depends on how you look at your blog. If it is a business then yes, erase those first posts, but those are your writings. Someday your children or grandchildren may want to read what you wrote back then.
Sorry to hear that last week was tough. My husband is gone a lot so I understand how that can be! Having your new mindset about it will take you a long way. :)
Congratulations! Very exciting. :-)
I have enjoyed reading your blog.
Crystal,
I have to say thank YOU for taking time out of your busy life to share with US! =)
That's really neat, Crystal. I've been reading your blog since your first daughter was born, I think- back when you were doing the wedding business- and I've noticed lots of changes. I pretty muh tapered off writing anything at all on my own blog this year after being conflicted about its purpose, so I understand at least vaguely how you feel about looking back on your older posts with a more matured eye. With 1000 comments, though- I think you'll be around for a few more :)
Blessings!
crystal,
you are one of my favourite bloggers.
i dont always agree with you but i think you seem like you have a wonderful spirit, and your posts often encourage me.
thanks for sharing with us.
Genna
By the way, just to clarify: I'm not deleting anything which I think others would find helpful - I'm mainly culling out nonworking links and a number of posts where I came across in a manner which was too harsh and negative.
For those who've been around here since close to the beginning, you'll probably know what I'm talking about. Thanks for bearing with me as I learn to be more compassionate and positive!
*Chuckles* I was just thinking last night for some reason that I miss the "first year of blogging" Crystal...that's when I started reading you, and your blunt stating of truth was hugely beneficial to me. It's what I needed at the time as God was reshaping my perspective on family, home, marriage, and children. So do leave those posts...I'm sure there are other people who benefitted from them as much as I did.
Becky - ;)
Don't worry, I'm not taking down all the controversial posts and don't worry, I'll still post plenty of controversial stuff here. But I just hope to approach it from a better perspective.
Like I remember you saying when I got to meet you - "The most powerful thing we can do to confront abortion is to have children and raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and thus show the world that children are a blessing, not a burden." (Or it was something along those lines - only I'm sure you said it more eloquently!)
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