I know I haven't been very interactive on my blog. I'm not especially good at interactive - I guess that's why I'm pretty much a FaceBook dropout.
But . . . I've been wondering about something, and I was hoping a bunch of you would comment on this post, and answer my question. I'm wondering why you're visiting and reading my blog. I figure, if I knew the answer to this, I could do a better job of writing more on the topics that you are interested in reading.
So, are you here because you're a personal friend or family member, and you want to know what's going on with the family? Are you mostly interested in our ministry work? Or are you more interested in the "homesteading" topics? Could you be visiting because of a specific desire to read about Honduras? Perhaps you like reading about all of these, and prefer a mixture of all or some of the above?
If I was good at the technical side of things, I'd post this as a poll - but I'm not, so I won't. You're stuck using the comment section, instead. I hope you will comment, and help me out with this.
Thanks a bunch!
25 comments:
I read you for all of the above. I like the homesteading a lot, and I have tried to keep up with your gardening and canning, etc.
I have enjoyed watching the children grow into such self-sufficient, young adults.
The ministry part is could, too. Every year I hold my breath til the containers arrive for Christmas.
The bridge building is interesting. Macho Man reads the blog when you are doing any kind of construction.
Most of all, I admire you and the work you and your family do, and I love hearing about all of it.
I will keep lighting candles and sending those Catholic prayers going if you will keep writing about what ever comes to mind that day. ;-)
Awww, Patty, thanks so much for your kind comments! I'll put you down in the "mixture of everything" category! And I appreciate the "Catholic" prayers! LOL
I like all of the above, too.
I'd rather hear from you every day or every other day and have it be short vs you feeling like you can't post until you have time to write a long post with a dozen pictures.
I enjoy little, regular snapshots of life, and occasional longer posts. Even if you just throw up a pic with a sentence or two every day, over time, it accumulates and paints a picture of life there.
I read everything you write and love it every single time. And just about every single time, I wish I was headed back for another visit!
Johanna
(ok, but you know my real life name!)
I like it all too. I guess my favorite is the ministry stuff, especially the construction stuff, but I like reading about your garden too. I still get your kids mixed up, (except for the bucket boy, I do know which one he is, LOL) but I like reading about them. You don't post much about homeschooling anymore, but I like reading about that too. Like I said, I guess I just like it all.
Thanks Johanna, that's helpful to hear. And, you know you're welcome to come for another visit anytime, right? We'll try not to schedule any curfews during your next visit, okay?
Thanks Anonymous, I appreciate your taking the time to comment! I don't know why you'd get the kids mixed up, though . . . there are only six of them, after all! Maybe I should put a handy reminder on the sidebar, since I do mention them by name fairly often.
I'm not sure how I found your blog...maybe through the Honduras Living Yahoo group??? I started reading it because I'm interested in reading about missionaries in Honduras. I like to learn about the culture and how it is the same and how it is different from US culture. Now, after reading it for a number of years, I'm interested in your family, ministry.
Like another person who commented, I know who "bucket boy" is and am gradually starting to keep the others a little straight. I know Russell is married to Iris (because my friend in Honduras is also named Iris) and Kristin is living in the US.
I admire what you are doing...as missionaries, as homesteaders and as a family. I appreciate the glipses you give us into your lives via your blog.
It's all good. Maybe you would consent to write a guest post for the Honduras Gumbo? Then we could delve into those deep questions that everyone wants to know the answers. For instance, why do you have 30 puppies? Why do you like Honduras? Or do you secretly not like Honduras? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What's your secret desire (be the president of Honduras, or live as a socialite in the Bahamas?). These are the deep, burning questions that keep your faithful readers awake at night.
I like hearing about your lives, and I like knowing how to support you in prayer. Ever since getting to know you at SL (so many years ago - still marvel that your Bucket Boy is no longer bucket sized), I've always admired your model of ministry. However, I have to admit that is the family posts that I enjoy more. Maybe that is because those are first person accounts - a more natural voice.
As Johanna said, I actually prefer little snippets to very long posts.
Hi! We do not know each other, but we serve the same Great God, and I have been reading your blog for a while. My family and I are missionaries to Italy. I agree with Johanna... I like regular snapshots of life. I like seeing what it looks like to be a wife, mom and missionary in other parts of the world.
Trish-I think I like blogs like yours because we too live out in the country and minister. With no peers locally, I find it helps me feel connected to read blogs about peers-and pray for them. Fauche.
Trish, Happy New Year! We love hearing what you guys are up to. We also do our share of gardening and have our hands in projects, so I can relate to a lot of your posts. Many blessings to you all!
Thanks for your thoughts, Cindy. I'm finding these detailed responses very helpful.
Laurie - I'd be happy to do a guest post (or be interviewed) on your blog. Sounds like fun. Will you do me a favor, though, and edit out all the coughing?
Thanks for your suggestions, Jennifer. I'm starting to work on a short post for this evening. We had an unusual event at our house today.
Hey Anne, thanks for your thoughts. I visited your blog today - what a bunch of cuties you have!
Hi Kris - thanks for commenting. I appreciate the prayers!
Julie and Norb! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, too. Happy New Year back at you!
And you thought nobody was paying attention!! See how wrong you were? See how many of us are nosy? ;-)
LOL Patty - I did indeed receive lots of responses! I really appreciate all the input, everyone!
I think I found your blog via the Honduras Living group too. I'm a gringa married to a Honduran and we're in the process of buying land and building in Honduras. I like hearing about your gardening, your construction projects, and your solar power. We'd like to use solar at our house in Honduras even though we do have access to regular power (albeit sporadically - TIH afterall!). :)
I have read your blog for a long time now, I enjoy stopping by 2 or 3 times a week to see if you've posted anything new. You don't know me but, strangely, I feel like I know your whole family. I enjoy reading about Honduras and the little cultural tidbits that are woven into the posts. I like the homesteading and gardening, the construction and ministry work. Reading about your family (the wedding posts were really good). I love seeing the pictures, more please. Generally I just enjoy the snapshot of every day life that comes across in your posts.
Mark
Thanks! Patty is right- we're all nosy!
Oh Trish, I love it ALL!! I stop by at least twice a week just to see what's up in your neck of the woods--or should I say "jungle?" I love learning about Honduras, watching your sweet family grow up and grow in numbers, seeing all your livestock (my virtual farm!),
and the construction and ministry projects. And it helps me keep you all in my prayers with a little bit of insight into what you are doing. Love your blog! Don't stop!!
I too am a gringa married to a Honduran. I'm interested in everything Honduras & ministry. Who knows, maybe we'll move back to HND one day!?!
I enjoy hearing about your homesteading endeavors and life in Honduras.
Trish, Every since we met you at the MV conference we loved you and love to hear about your life in Honduras. Having lived in Costa Rica I can relate to a lot of it and it is fun! I enjoy all of the post you do.
I really like the family post and homesteading but also love hearing about Russel and Iris and how they are helping you in your ministry. It is also neat as to how the men build the bridges, such hard work all by hand, amazing!
Keep up the good work with your post you are doing an excellent job!! I really feel like I get to know you more through your blog and I like that.
Many prayers for your ministry and blessing over your new year!
Thanks so very much, everyone, for the helpful comments about the blog! This whole discussion has turned out to be a really big encouragement to me!
I can't pick just one thing I like...I like the hodge-podge picture of your life as a whole. I found you through the SL forums, BTW! I'm 4them over there...
I just started to read your blog today. I got the address from the website of friends of friends, who are currently house sitting for our friends near La Ceiba while they work on their sailboat which is in dry dock in "Ceiba". We also own a villa near La Ceiba and a piece of seafront property near Trujillo. We met other Missionaries, Cindy and Carl, (maybe you know them) who have a villa in the same resort as we do last year...they "mission" in Honduras at a local hospital every winter for a month. We are always interested in reading anything we can about Honduras and your blog is going to aid us in that quest for sure! You are doing wonderful work! Have a great day!
Margo (and Terry)
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