thoughts on the blog

These are some photos of a couple of the things I got at ICP. This isn't everything, and it is kind of hard to tell what's what, but they looked pretty in a mosaic like that. So I included them. In the top right image of wall art, the green, blue, and orange/red squares are letterpress prints from Ragamuffin Press. The green one says "grow together", the blue one says "soar", and the orange one says "build community". Speaking of community, our community group starts on Sunday night. I am way pumped. The orange cloth napkins are from Phoebe Flock, and the beautiful ceramic vases were the result of a trade with my booth-neighbor, Rachel Feece. She is so gifted.


So guys... I gotta confess, sometimes I get weary of blogging because I can't be transparent. Before I started my blog, I would get annoyed at other people's blogs because I felt like they were just another way of making oneself look good. And in some ways they are that. It's like putting your best veneer up on the internet for all to see. Facebook is the same way... I feel like I am constantly self-promoting. I am trying to get exposure for my business efforts, but I think it just gets annoying after a while. This isn't like a real relationship because I can't fully disclose who I am. I mean you can, to varying degrees, share things, but I don't feel like this is the appropriate venue for me to share my sin and real hurts and the areas of my life where I feel like I am failing over and over again. I can't talk about the things I fear, because it would be false for me, I think, to share such personal, fragile things in such a public venue. It seems careless. I long for community like that in my life. I only really have that with my husband right now. It is a season that God's given me, and I am thankful for it. But it can be hard. That kind of community takes time. I am seeing that you can't just jump into relationships like that... they grow organically over time.


Having said all that, my blog still has a special purpose in my life. It gives me an opportunity to share about my passions, it has brought so many like-minded women into my life... it is a way for me to document our life in a lasting way. Writing here forces me to put into words the things that are in my heart, and that process really does help shape my understanding of what I am going through. I used to write more in-depth posts, and I plan to resume that practice if I have time. This blog can be a source of encouragement to the people who find it. I think that when we talk about God's goodness and work in our life, it is a powerful thing! This is one of the only ways that I have right now of sharing the gospel and talking about Jesus. That means alot to me. 


These types of interactions are just different. They're so surface level, but yet, they can be so good.


In other news, my blog tabs are up and working underneath the header. Nothing spectacular; just a little info to make the site more accessible.


And guess what guys?!? I got a new phone and it is totally awesome! I was able to get it for $30 after the rebate. Piper dropped my old phone in the toilet. I was eying Trevor's iPhone, but those are so expensive. My palm pixi is way cute, tiny, has a keyboard for emails and texting, and I get a data plan. I have a cool phone for the first time ever. I promise to be more accessible. Promise.


Until next time... take care, dear readers.