happy blogiversary to us!
Yesterday was my four-year blogiversary.
I started blogging as a “let’s see how this goes” way to keep a handful of friends and family updated on my life in Africa. But the opportunity to write personally in addition to all the writing I do for ministry made it quickly become a passion.
Then about two years ago, the Grit took on a life of its own.
It became the welcome mat that invited people into my life. I began developing real friendships. Conversations progressed from comments to emails. Then there were phone calls, and webcam chats, and even hugs.
Nobody was more surprised than I was.
And it surprises me still.
I have more friendships now than I ever have—real, raw, authentic friendships—and that blows me away. The sense of community that’s been fostered here is one of the most unexpected blessings of my entire life.
My eyes fill with tears just thinking about how God’s used you to carry me through this difficult year. I’m humbled and honored to call you friends.
I no longer blog simply to keep people updated on my life. And I certainly don’t write just to throw words at you. Or to hear myself speak.
I come to the Grit for strength, support, encouragement, and community.
And I’ve never been disappointed.
Here’s to you! Happy four years, friends!
yay! we need to celebrate!
@dubdynomite says:
Wow! Four years? And here I am just meeting you not long ago (in the online sense at least).
I feel like just a baby in the blogosphere, although I was on the internet before the internet was cool.
Although I haven’t known you for long, I believe I know one thing: you have a beautiful heart. I’m thankful to know that there are incredible people in the world (like you), who inspire me to better things.
So here’s to another four years, and even more.
i love you. i’m so glad you blog.
btw, i sent the package this morning. it should get to you by Saturday or Monday. =)
happy anniversary…i`ve enjoyed getting to reconnect with you, alece!
Happy blogiversary!
@moweezle says:
4 years!!! Yeah :) (Seems like just yesterday) :)
happy 4 years!! i feel the same way about this blogging community. some of my most genuine friendships are with people i have yet to meet face to face.
love you, my friend!!
Yeah! I am honored to be a part of your blogging community! Celebrate with a red cup of happiness for me, and then we’ll celebrate together in a few weeks over some wine glasses!
@cassgirl says:
simply put : FF
Love you!
Hear, hear! (Raises glass in honor.) What kind of incredible, amazing things lie in the next four years that you’ll be able to share and write (so well) about, things that will surely convict, challenge, really make us think and feel… and maybe change perspectives and views?
So grateful to have you and the Grit in my life. It means a lot to me to know I’m welcome here.
@dg4G says:
So glad to have finally met you online Alece. Might have missed most of the four years, but it’s a privilege to be here now – supporting (from afar) as you continue on this journey.
And hopefully meeting someday too. We need to do a grand tour of twitter/blog friends; if we start now, we might be done before the rapture!
@chrystieecole says:
Girl, YOU have blessed us with your words, your heart, and your transparency. Happy blogiversary, friend!
Wow, how exciting that God has created community via the Internet…he truly is so creative.
Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Anniversary!
@christielici0us says:
Happy 4 year anniversary! I love your blog, and I’m so glad I found you! :]
Well alright. I didn’t even know what a blog was 4 years ago. I just thought I was cool because I had a facebook at age 13. Haha. And it was only a few months ago that some (amazing) person reccommended your blog. But in the past few months, you have helped me grow exponentially. You are a breath of fresh air to my spirit. You have so much wisdom. You make my heart smile. I can’t thank you enough. But thank you. The impact you’ve made in just a few months has been extrodinary. In just a few months. I hope you have been as blessed by your blogging as I have been by your blog. Happy blogiversary, stranger friend. I’m thankful for your heart and transparency. So thankful. You are a blessing to me. May God bless you 10003.91 times more.
how wonderful. happy blogiversary to you, cupcake!
what a blessing you are.
Basically what coop said! I am so greatful for the encouragement that God provides through blog world. We may never meet face to face (in fact in the near future we may be on two separate, non-North American continents) but Jesus has used your journey and story to communicate His grace and love into my life.
That said, I love the vision of Thrive. Change does only really come from transformation. I’m praying for Asia in the same way you pray for Africa.
@atangie says:
Woohoo!!! You are so sweet. I love your blog. Happy blogiversary, Alece!
@bajanpoet says:
Happy 4 year blogiversary!!!!!!!!
I concur with what I read above. I have only recently joined it, but this community resonates with so much love – so much honesty – so much authenticity! I am SO grateful that Tam nudged me to this post through her endorsement on her blog – and even if we met under painful circumstances, just know that your story HAS inspired me, even as I walk through the restoration of my own marriage.
Just know that you are loved – from all the way in the Caribbean – sending some Barbadian sunshine your way right now!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope those were side hugs!
Happy blogiversary, my friend! I can’t wait for the day we get to meet and hug! :)
Happy Blogiversary!! Thanks for allowing all of us to be a part of the community :)
Wow. Four years. I can’t imagine keeping a blog and writing as brilliantly as you for a year let alone four! Here’s to many, many more of your challenging and witty posts!! It’s been wonderful to me that God allowed me to stumble across your blog and now it’s tough to imagine not having you as an “iron sharpens iron” sister in Christ. Here’s praying God allows us an opportunity to actually meet and hug. :) Happy Blogiversary!
congrats! love you my sweet friend! what a gift you are!
“It became the welcome mat that invited people into my life.”
Favorite, all time description of what a blog is/does.
@mjdagenhart says:
Happy blogiversary!
I love starting my day on your blog. And I love you!
Happy blogiversary, Alece. :)
I’ve heard so many great things about the blogging community, and even though I’ve only been apart of it for half a year, I’ve already begun to see how powerful it can be. I’m so glad I found your blog today!
Thanks for making this a wonderful place to be real and honest and a place to have lots of laughs.
@tamhodge says:
i am one thankful woman that you started blogging!
That was such a nice post. :) I’m glad it has become that as well. Blogging became something totally unexpected for me too. Amazing how much can travel through some electronic current across space and time.
What gypsymama said. Because yeah.