Why I Began Blogging and Why I Continue

Once upon a time, long long ago, I wanted to be a writer. 

I began blogging in 2007. It was actually because my husband pushed me into it. ~smile~ I had always wanted to write, but I didn't think I had anything to say. I'm wasn't an expert on anything. My very first blog post was about Christmas and how we celebrated in an unconventional way because of circumstances. That was my first post. 

I ended up writing a lot about homemaking in the beginning and just what was going on in our life. I found writing about trials, and how God and ingenuity and making do helped me through, became a common theme. I chose honesty in my writing over trying to create a persona or a perfect life illusion. That's continued through job losses, loss of a home, homeschooling, and breast cancer.

Sharing our family's struggles, while keeping hope and faith alive, seemed to hit a note with ladies. There is something about being authentic that makes one approachable, believable, trustable, and reliable. I hope I've come across as all those things on this blog. I hope you've also realized that I care.

I do care about my readers and friends. I share my struggles, because I know that it helps to know that others have challenges and troubles and yet they make it through with God's help. I don't know about you, but the blogs that I keep going back to are like that. Real ladies living real life with real experience and usually, a real relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Now, in 2020, I feel pressured to change the way I blog. There's such a push to make money by blogging. That was never my intention. It's been more of a fellowship, a place to offer encouragement, and very often, to receive it, from your comments, cards, letters, and gifts. 

Y'all helped me through the hardest time of my life—my breast cancer fight. It's hard to believe it's been three years since I finished chemotherapy. I still have souveniers of the chemo, the surgeries (4), 5 counting the one I just had, and the radiation. I'm still taking a chemo pill daily; but my prognosis is good, and I only have to go to the oncology center every six weeks now.

I want you to enjoy your time here at Harvest Lane Cottage. I want you to know that I care about my blog friends—and I make friends easily—so, please talk back. Share your blog with me. Let's encourage each other and help each other through this rather strange but blessed year 2020... and 2021.

God is not surprised by anything that's happened. He's reaching out to us individually with forgiveness for our sins through his son Jesus. He's promised to never leave those who love him. He is the one who helps us through whatever life throws at us. He is faithful. Let's be faithful to him, too. 

Thank you so much for praying for me through this month of illness and surgery. I'm homebound because of my treatment, but I am doing well.

 

Hugs to you all,

Laura

Still smiling through it all

because GOD is my strength

and my shield.

P.S. At times, I have and will have affiliate links or products for sale, but they are not the purpose of my blog. You are.

My hair is Winner by Raquel Welch.