This is the 100th post on Encourage Your Spouse.
I began this blog (on Blogger) at the end of 2007. I think only my husband knew I was dipping my toe into the online world. Nobody else noticed. And that was perfect! I was writing for me – to keep myself motivated, document what I was researching and organize my thoughts.
I didn’t post often. That was OK because I was the only reader. 🙂
Then, this year – 2011 – I decided I’d really take the plunge and ‘get soaked’. I would write more, try a challenge , and finish a free eBook*. The culmination of 2011 (I decided in January) was going to be completing and self-publishing my book: Encourage Your Spouse. Finally.
(insert the sound of a whooping, hollaring & cheering husband here)
First – I just want to acknowledge how surpassing great my Heavenly Father is – I deserve nothing, and yet He still blesses. (I’ve shared my feelings with Him, and thanked Him for all His guidance and blessing during this year. It was ‘supposed’ to be a boring year. It hasn’t been.) All Glory to God.
Next – I want anyone and everyone who ever reads this to know – my husband, Robert, has been and continues to be my greatest encourager. He doesn’t give up on me. He gives me hope for the future, he strengthens me with his faith, he loves me without limits or conditions, he prays for me, and he supports me – physically and monetarily and emotionally. Thank you Rob.
Never Last – Thank you for reading this. It turns out that writing posts for other people to read isn’t as scary as I thought it would be. I’ve met such kind and nice people. I’ve learned so much from you all – technical stuff, online etiquette stuff, and valuable content stuff. (And I now know that there’s still so very, very much I don’t know.) I’ve learned to be verycareful about spelling someone’s name when referencing them for their valuable content. <doh> 😉
Thank you Michele Scism and Michelle Shaeffer for setting up the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
Thank you all for your patience. Thank you for your comments. Thank you.
*the free eBook is finished, and Robert is researching aWeber, iContact, and ConstantContact etc, to see which one will work for a form so I can send it automatically to anyone who would want it… All this technical stuff is a work-in-progress. <sigh>
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Lori,
I’m so glad you’ve joined the blogosphere on a more regular basis! Your testimony here sounds so much like our journey. We started The Romantic Vineyard in November 2008 thinking is was only for the couples in our church. We had no idea what God had planned for us, but it has been incredible. Tom is my biggest encourager and cheerleader. He leads the blog, but I write most of it. We are in this together as a team, and it has helped our marriage tremendously to think daily about what is on God’s heart for marriage.
We look forward to meeting you guys in August!
Blessings,
Debi
Your website is a beautiful gift to husbands and wives – it’s fun to see what happens when God takes what is started (our ideas) and blesses it! You and your husband – working as a team – make a difference. Thank you, Debi!
Congrats on 100 and achieving your goals. Love the idea behind your blog and ulimately your ebook. Good luck! (and yes, a huge thank you, to Michele and Michelle for the Ultimate Blog Challenge).
Thank you, Tia. I appreciate your kind words very much.
Lori;
It is great that you have stuck it out. All too often it is easy to get discouraged. I am thankful that your husband is a great support for you. In this world, it is often hard for the spouse to fully understand in order to be supportive.
Debi;
Your blog is fantastic. How both you and Tom team up is very refreshing and exciting.
Keep up the great work girls. I am so thankful that you both joined UBC so that I could find your blogs.
Thank you for your encouragement and affirmation, Ria.
Lori, I’m so proud of you. You are the #1 encourager. What a privilege for me to watch your gifts and talents grow and be shared with others.
Oh Rob 🙂 Love you lots.