Friday, February 29, 2008

Leap of Faith Friday, February 29, 2008

Jim at Busy Dad Blog and Christine at Chicken Fried Therapy and Piper at Bliss in Bloom birthed a concept for Friday posts in February – Leap of Faith Friday . The idea is to do something in your life that you would not ordinarily do, something that is out of your comfort zone and then post about it on Fridays. This Leap of Faith Friday, I am not cheating with a silly photo of myself or a cute story about the kids getting scared easily. I am leaping with this one. Leaping for me anyway.

For my first leap, I am going to change my blogging M.O. a bit. I am excited about this because I think it will be freeing for me. I am finding that I am somewhat obsessing with this blog – trying to get in a post every day, stressing to some extent over how to be creative with an idea without appearing to be knocking off others’ hard work, ensuring that I comment on other’s so they know I read their hard work, etc. I comment because as a blogger I know that comments are like narcotics. I can’t get enough of them. I love to see who read and who thought to say a word or two. I LOVE IT! (So comment if you have been lurking without revealing yourself) However, I find myself stopping at the computer (no laptop here) every time I walk by and even when I am NOT walking by to check for comments. It is taking large amounts of time away from my family. AND if history serves, global warming activists are correct and God willing, the weather IS GOING TO WARM UP HERE IN THE NEXT MONTH, and I want to be outside weeding tending to the planted beds around the house, playing with my kids, taking the kids to the park, bike riding, walking, watering, reading, whatever, OUTSIDE. I want to be able to enjoy the outdoors without feeling like I HAVE to be blogging because of some expectation I feel from the world, but I have actually put upon myself. I mean really, if I decide to blog 3-5 times a week instead of 5-7 times a week, who cares? It’s not as though I make a living off the blog or ever could. It is a hobby. Its time prioritization in my life needs to be treated as the hobby it is. So, I am going to skip a day here and there and I am going to try not to turn the computer on at least one day a week. This is big for me folks. Grant thinks when he grows up and gets to be a mom (don't ask) he will do mom things like spend lots of time on the computer, if that gives you any indication of where my time is spent.

Secondly, I am going to be taking part in Beth’s new idea of Miracle Mondays at A Mom’s Life. I am going to use this forum to start to recapture some of the events Brian and I have been through - the hardships, the trials, the tribulations, the uncertainties, the pain and the suffering and how God has brought us out of every one of those times and blessed us with the richest form of blessings. From how we met and started dating, to how we lasted, and how we got engaged and married in a long distance relationship; how we handled his diagnosis, his treatments, surgeries, hospital stays; how we grew in our faith; how we handled our infertility, our adoptions, our moves; how we handled his recurrence, his deficits, our new life. I have really wanted to do this for a while and I hope to get Brian’s input as we get going. I am very excited about trying to recapture what I believe to be our most blessed life enriched by God’s molding us through our heartaches, hardships, and His provision. I hope you stay tuned on Mondays for our recaps. It is a wild ride. Other than Mondays I will continue to write about Brian’s progress and anything else that floats my boat a few other days a week.


KEEP BELIEVING

19 comments:

  1. All of this sounds wonderful. This is your blog, and you get to make the rules.

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  2. You are wise to be so deliberate about it. I can't wait to read your new stuff.

    I, however, will not be putting down the crackpipe anytime soon. I am on the laptop so much for schoolwork--I'm becoming like a teenager with my multi-tasking!

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  3. I know somewhere there's a Blogging Without Obligation thing going on - which, of course, is true. The only "should" about blogging, I think, is it should be fun!

    Blog Hoppin',
    Balancing Hops

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  4. You are woman, ROAR!! You sound so empowered!!

    Change is good!

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  5. Angie, I think I remember something you said while you were doing a bible study way back... that anything you can't give up in your life that doesn't glorify God is an "idol"... is the computer likening itself to Baal??? ha ha ha good for you... spend some time with your kids no matter how much it kills you. ha ha again. been there done that.

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  6. wow. what willisfamily said really convicted me! Angie, you need never feel obligated to post every day or read other's blogs. Neither should I. :-(
    Spending time with them one on one is hard. Maybe it's easier to get lost in blogland.
    I've taken a step back and gotten a bit of perspective. Blogging is a good thing when it serves YOU and brings you joy. When it starts to make you feel obligated....somethings wrong.
    I'd LOVE to hear more about you and Brian...your love, your suffering, your relationship with the Lord. You need not always be funny and witty. Just be you.
    I'm proud of you. THis is a leap of honesty.

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  7. Go for it! I think your ideas are really wonderful. The more you share things that really resonate with you, the more you attract readers. I'd love to hear these stories.

    Thanks again for coming by my blog and congrats on your 2 adopted children! It is a blessing.

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  8. Hi this is my first time reading your blog and it seems to me you are one smart lady. Make your own rules and be happy about it :) I too seem to spend too much time on this little keyboard, I am trying to cut down my time to early mornings when my twinks are still in bed, Good luck, I look forward to reading your future stuff :)

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  9. your blog...your life. sounds like you know what's important.

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  10. I am looking forward to your stories. Good for you on the blogging step back every once in awhile...when you get back you will have more to blog about--haha (see it is always about the blog).

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  11. What? only 3-5 times a week? you crazy? ;) I know the feeling. And it IS a leap of faith to tear away from the computer to breath some fresh air. I have my laptop open and accessible AT DINNER (yes, horrible!).It was hilarious that your son has associated being in front of the computer as a "mom" responsibility.

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  12. Best of luck to you with your goals.

    Happy Saturday! Blog Hoppin'! :-)
    "Margarita Mom"

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  13. GOOD JOB! I'm proud of you for reevaluating yourself and taking a growth step. (Plus, on a purly selfish note, I'm grateful that you won't be posting every day so I won't have such a hard time keeping up! LOL!)

    I signed up for email on my cell phone and now get notifications of posts without having to stop at the computer all the time. It helps some, but the addiction is still strong. Maybe I should take a leap of my own! Good luck with yours.

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  14. I am looking forward to your Monday posts. I love reliving your history, and your miracles. There are so many of them in your life. I've been worried lately that I would get burned out on my blog, posting everyday, and I really don't want to. I think 3-5 days, rather than every day, is just about perfect. Now I just have to convince my fingers of that.

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  15. Dear Angie,
    Whatever you do you always set such a great example for all of us! We keep believing with you. Say Hi to Brian, love Monika van Hoeve.

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  16. Hey Angie, I've never commented, but have been reading your blog since you switched from e-mails. I've kept up all this time with what is going on with you and Brian and have been praying for your family.-Sue Hughes

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  17. I totally agree with you!! I'm thinking of doing the same thing, but it's addicting. Best of luck to you!

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  18. I will be a reader if you post once a month..!

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