100th Post... and a few thoughts!

Can you believe that THIS is my 100th post???
I can NOT!

Back in the beginning of the year when I decided to try to write a blog I wondered if I would even find the time to post once a week! Now, not even a year latter I have written 99 posts and this is my 100th?? Wow! I guess I do have lots of words to share. And I have found blogging to be such a creative and fun way to share what is on my heart. I have always been a journal writer, but this is so much better. It totally amazes me how much I love sharing my hear, posting pictures of my children, connecting with new and old friends and sharing my faith all in this journal that is there for the whole world to see. But I do love it, and I find myself getting tense and out of sorts if I haven't been able to post enough. (Like this week. But moving forward now... )

In honor of my 100th post I want to share a few thoughts about blogging in general, my blog specifically and offer a great giveaway....

First, as I said above, for the most part this is for me. I love it. But I am human. I do have times of frustration, sadness or just plain being overwhelmed. In those times there is little that can touch my heart as deeply as a kind work from someone. Whether it's someone who knows me well, or a complete stranger that stumbles across my blog, those words mean the world to me. I LOVE your comments, words of encouragement, or plain hugs. So that being said... if you read my blog often I would love to hear from you!! Give me something to look at in my dark hours that I can be encouraged by. Here, on the blog (vs. Facebook comments) where I can look back at them anytime I want to!

Secondly, I want to thank everyone that reads and respects my thoughts and feelings without attacking me. That was one of my greatest fears when I started blogging and it has no come to fruit. What amazing people each of you are! I thank the Lord for bringing such great people into my life!

Third, I have to say that I treasure the "friendships" I have made in the blog world with people I have never met in person. I dearly love my real world friends that read and nothing will diminish their place in my heart, but there is something about just connecting with someone and having this great way to get to know each other through our words. Two great women that I look forward to hearing from in my daily reading are April and Carla. My world has grown in such amazing ways by just reading these dear women's words regularly! What a delight!

So... other than writing my 100th blog post, guess what I have done today?? Well I did wrestle with that ANNOYING orange dress for the better part of the day... BUT then I decided that I needed a break, and took some time to create! I am so excited about a possible way to share Christ's love with others that may be opening back up for me. It is not firmed up yet, or a done deal in any way, but I couldn't help myself. I had to create some....

So, what do you think? I love making cards! And I love writing messages in them and sending them on knowing that whoever opens it will be blessed. There is nothing better than reading words of encouragement!

And that brings me to my GIVEAWAY!!! I would like to offer a giveaway to honor this 100th post. So the comment section will be open and ANYONE who leaves a comment HERE (not on Facebook, but on the blog) will be entered for a great random drawing! I know that we are all busy folks so I am actually going to do the drawing on NEXT Saturday (9/26) so that there is plenty of time for folks to leave me some comment love and have an opportunity to win this item that I MADE myself :) How exciting and fun is that??


Blessings!