One Year's SoJourn

Well it was one year ago today that we launched SoJourn with the Inaugural Blog . One of the things that most concerned me about beginning - was fear that I would lose my follow-through.

I am glad the practice has lasted this long. I thought that I would offer an evaluation at this point and also record some of the affects resulting from this blog. In addition, I'd like to address the original reasons for the blog and how they are holding up.

Here are some negatives that I believe have arisen due to my blogging:

• I do little or no journaling. I have journaled sporadically over the past 13 years or so and this year, my journaling suffered. I did express a great deal of my thoughts here however, there are some things I don't talk to you guys about so they went unsaid or unwritten.


• Reading - as chronicled in a recent post - the number of books I read over the past year was much less than most previous years. I am working on that.


• I am learning that family time can suffer without deliberate action from me. Unless I am careful - this practice will take away too much of my time and attention which I owe to my family.

One of my four reasons for beginning the blog was to create. This has provided an outlet for creativity (though you may question that). There are many nights I have gone to sleep with a sense of satisfaction because I felt that I had had something worth saying and I had said it in a creative way.

In looking back over my writings the past year, there are some I really enjoy re-reading and think that God must have really had His hand in the works since the writing seems to go beyond my abilities.

Then there are some that are embarrassing.

That being said, I am not sure how well we're doing in the area of - to craft.

To communicate was another reason to begin the blog. I am a little surprised at myself that I want people to read the blog. I had originally hoped that I could be content with just the exercise of writing - not worried about whether it was read or not - not so. I view readership stats from time to time and it often effects the sense of value I place on the blog.

I still want to write things that will encourage others and things that are worth reading.

My last reason for blogging was to learn.

I think I have been challenged to take on some new tasks which may have also served to crowd out some of those items mentioned at the top - inspired more fully by my children I have taken up the guitar and also began running er- JOGGING.

The past year has been a transitional one for R. and I: we stepped down from a Bible teaching role we had been allowed to fill for eight years. We have also been in something of a transition from one fellowship, style of worship and tradition to another. We are still not sure exactly where God is leading with this transition, but we have enjoyed the freshness and the challenge we are finding in the journey.

In our extended families we have had challenges this year - my Dad's debilitating open-heart surgery and R.'s Mom's ordeal with breast cancer.

So R. and I are in the midst of some learning opportunities. Since we are SoJourners and have not "arrived" yet, we are not certain at this point, how many lessons have actually been learned. Perhaps one day we will be able to look back and see God's Hand.

In short (oops too late for that!), the year has certainly been a different one; one with light and dark shades and this blog has been a part of that tapestry. I am glad for the opportunity to share it.

If you just happened by today or have been a visitor from time to time ... thanks!