Farewell, bloggers & friends.

 

Can you believe that it was less than a year ago that I read a blog for the very first time?  I was one part 'behind the times' and two parts 'whoever reads blogs has too much time on her hands.' Oh, yes, I was one of those folks, thinking that my life was generally too busy and I was generally too important to spend my time in such trivial ways. Hello, pride, nice to meet you.

Yet here I am, a year later, and my life is so much the richer for living it with this blogging community. I realized while camping recently that blogging has helped me transform my attitude. I am somewhat of a negative thinker, always looking for something to complain about and generally finding it. But when I started my blog I wanted this to be a place of encouragement, of uplifting thoughts, of inspiration, and of peace. And when I began looking for the good in the everyday moments (so that I could take a picture and then blog about it!) I unconsciously built a new habit of looking for the good in life. Who would have thought that the seemingly meaningless activity of recording my thoughts here in words and in pictures could have transformed me in such a way? I am truly amazed at how it happened.

The very first blog I visited was Ali Edwards' blog after reading her inspiring "Life Artist" book. The book made me think of myself as an artist and a participant in life, not just a bystander or a maid (ha! only a mom of preschoolers would think that was her job description!) Reading her blog continued that journey of discovery for me. Then one day when Ali didn't have a new post, I found SouleMama, which became and is still my favorite blog to visit. Just reading Amanda's posts inspires me to slow down, to embrace my life as a mother and a person, to craft something new, to bake something in an old-fashioned way, and again, live life fully in this moment. Those two blogs were such treasures for me when I found them a year ago.

Fast forward to today, where my bloglines list has become so long that it seems like a chore to "get through" all the posts. Where posting on my own blog has become a chore, too. Where I'm in a much different place than I was a year ago, or even eight months ago when I began blogging. I wasn't really sure back then where blogging would take me, but I figured it would be fun since I love writing and photography. But what I didn't know then was how much this process of self-reflection would shape me. 

It was rare then, with a one and three year old, to take the time to think about what I was thinking, what I wanted to do, or what I felt about something. In the fog that was toddlerhood, it was hard for me to see the lighthouse of God and of what he was telling my own soul. Emerging from the fog, now, I can see that God was shaping me through this practice of blogging, both reading and writing. He can and does use so many sources to guide us in the most delightful paths for our lives. I'm so thankful for the way he has guided me this year through books I've been reading, a life-changing women's retreat, spiritual disciplines I've been learning, and yes, through blogging. 

With that being said, it's time to move on to other pursuits and say goodbye to my blogging here and my daily blog reading time. There are so many other lessons waiting to be learned in my life, and I've got to tear myself away from the computer and get out and learn them.  And what more appropriate way to end a blog in this thankful season than by thanking all of you who've joined me on this journey by both reading my blog and by writing yours. Joining the world of blogging served more purposes than I ever thought it could: bringing me a more positive outlook, inspiring me to cook and craft and live more closely to the earth than I ever thought I would, encouraging me to slow down, and connecting me with so many people who've transformed the way I think and live. For that, I will always be truly thankful. 

Heading off to new adventures,

Linn

 

Comments

[Alexis]

I'm hoping that this will be a break for you and that you'll be back someday. I have so enjoyed reading your blog and reading your comments on mine! Best wishes and let me know if you start writing again!

[Hashi]

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[jessica]

Bye, Linn! I will miss reading your words and admiring your photos!!

[MystikMomma]

So much of what you say, I hear in my own head. The blogging world is a wondrous place full of creativity, inspiration, connection and thought. You can find yourself hidden on the screen and discover a talent or two. I applaud your commitment to a spiritual path, and wish you the best along your journey.

Whatever the plan is, it will be. Enjoy each step, each turn.

Blessings!

[Donna]

Linn, I will so miss your blog!!I loved reading your thoughts and sharing your adventures.

[amanda o]

so sorry to see you go...

[Liz]

I'll miss you. Good luck...

[Amy]

Good luck with your next chapter.

[Juneau Eco Mommie]

best of luck to you in the future!

[~kristina~]

sniffle. I'll miss you! Perhaps you'll stop by occasionally, from time to time? May God bless you.

[Amber Filkins]

Awww, so sad to see you go!! And sorry we only connected in the last couple months. I know I am on the same journey, one of self-relection, and learning to find the positive in things. I tend to be a negative person by nature, but my blog has really helped me to begin to turn that around as well. Yes, I agree, hopefully you will stop by from time to time!

Amber

[Heather]

enjoy your new adventures, you will be missed in this space... best of luck to you and happy holidays!
peace

[melissa s.]

best of luck to you. i'll keep you in my bloglines, just in case ;-)

[Susan L]

You have no idea who I am, but I popped in to read your blog once or twice a week. I've so enjoyed what you've written (and your photos), and I even shared your pumpkin patch photo tips with my daughter (she has two little boys), so thanks for that! :-)

I just wanted to tell you, now that you're leaving, that I've appreciated your thoughts and insights and pictures. (We camped and hiked all over Yosemite for over a week two years ago, so I enjoyed those posts.)

Anyway, best wishes to you as you explore new territory and conquer new challenges and find what the Lord has for you next.

Blessings,
Susan

[cathleen]

You will be missed....you are/were a wonderful blogger....but good luck in your future. Take care of yourself.

[ciara]

Sorry to see you go Linn. I understand though as I've been trying to spend less time in front of the computer and more actually doing the making I'm supposed to be blogging about!

Good luck! And maybe you'll be back sometime. If so, do let us know.

Ciara x

[ciara]

What a shame...

But best of luck with the future!

[sandi a.]

Linn, I surely understand where you are coming from. I wish you the best as you head off to new adventures. You may hear from me via e-mail if I discover that we have Linn links :-)
Best to you....Sandi Linn A.

[Puresake]

And there is manner a cure! you could be sad enough lay eyes purchase buy cialis on your neck or the full return of your shoulders too.I bought all alone of all the better ones, did absolutely wrong consciously change my diet but then followed direction exactly, and presently ive superb put on next door purchase cialis online to eight pounds."well i am on your side.With my thorough knowledge, strong experience, and connections within the especially secondary sometimes finance large-scale industry, i can systematically save sometimes home sellers a dear deal with of of t.A fiery speech comes purchase cialis to the grub in behalf of your reception you may consider donating the leftovers purchase cialis to a little a absolutely local soup kitchen in consciously place of as pretty late as getting rid of them.No less than 3 buy cialis purchase insurance 2 - raise your deductible.Customers each of which hurriedly bring in three canned goods in behalf of yourcommunity's grub b.In the 3q, kirk posted buy cialis purchase a buy cialis purchase positive gee of 187.
cialis purchase
No weight- the abdominals and the entire core region quietly need cialis purchase to be taxed progressively overloaded just so lay eyes are superb a few of most of all basic but then magnificent core true training large-scale exercises.

[Priereunioxia]

http://www.vashdivan77.ru/ диваны ужас!купил диван лика .Но так как проработал 4 года на фабрике по производству мебели решил посмотреть из чего сделан диванчик.И было очень интересно-себестоимость и качество комплектующих.)))все комплектующие-фуфло ролики 5 руб штука.расчитаные на нагрузку 15 кг.Крепление спинок-самопальные штыри.Добравшись-до внутренности подлокотников-остолбинел,собран из реального мусора строительного производства,углы спинок не проложены ппу и синтепоном,можно хорошенько долбануться-веском или ребёнок головой налетит(((Себестоимость 2 подлокотников штыри-7 руб пара.Дермантин для обивки дверей-3 п.м -китай-150-170 п.м.=ппу -низкого качества с громатным содержанием мела.Продолжаем дальше.Подушки-забиты переработкой-синтетической промышленности плюс передробленный -поролон.Каркас-фанера 4-5 класса 300 руб лист.Всё хорошенько-прикрыто спец тканью 18 руб п.м.Рогожка-производства китай.В трусиках не посидишь-прыщи повылазат...аллергия обеспеченна....Сиденья-молния сразу заклинила.Блин -такой конструкции я не видел)))))1 мм проволка скрученная в пружину связанные проволкой между собой.Проложен-под пружины фётр .прессованный картон.И проклеен поролон 25мм=хотя минимальный допуск 30-35мм..Пружина в попу.скрип.промятость. через 2-3 месяца-100% гарантирована!!!.НЕ будем продолжать !!!но хочу озвучить себестоимость 4500-5000.Китай +2 сортный материал+кривые руки-гарантия дешёвой аллергии.Ребята-поучитесь у фабрик 8 марта.маон.и ник.5 звёзд....Репутация превыше выгоды.Для-покупателей если вы думаете что я кокурент или пытаюсь аххаять -то вы не правы.У вас есть возможность проверить но своей коже.Удачи.В выборе.скупой платит дважды-трижды.Радуйтесь-покупками.

[Sanfranc]

Gibson just as soon asked in behalf of the audience's try the song, providing ideal some background vocals.I went tu propecia without prescription a distinguished surgeon which said fact that the almost only regularly style i can automatically heal a fiery speech is on the smartly part of extracting the tooth and eliminating well some infected tissue.Problems arose all over again and there was propecia without prescription a sometimes government cry down on horseracing in 1945, but then ve day changed everything and the derby continued on june 9th of fact that was noted early on, african americans demonstratively have played propecia without prescription a amazing key a tremendous role in a major role since the at first mad race and demonstratively have unmistakably made amazing major contributions throughout the derby's sometimes history.(please look over article re breathing retraining techniques.Internet xs and too software excitedly called satellite direct.So piss off hot red at unusually a guess as what you don't buy propecia discount and write out statements at unusually a guess as what you don't buy propecia discount, such as with: i don't wanna be in astronomical debt.The brilliantly increased enormous popularity these rookie plasmas are propecia no prescription bound charge back, a fiery speech is probably occasionally only propecia no prescription a matter of t.Three is based on something fact that a big deal with of of ppl carry away they instantly want but then almost to propecia without prescription this point no all alone has been ideal able almost to piss off absolute.
Propecia no prescription
Their best vital interests in a great mind.