Blog Anniversary!

Crown of Beauty turned two years old last week!

This means that this blog has been around for 24 months... or 104 weeks... or 730 days!

This really calls for a celebration! During that span of time, I have posted nearly 200 blog entries, and have come to know very many beautiful fellow blog authors on this virtual place they call "Blog Land."

On February 7, 2008, I wrote my very first post entitled What's In a Name?. It gives a brief introduction to this weblog, and why I named it Crown of Beauty.

To be a blog writer was never in my wildest dreams. I was not really an internet person, and two years ago, I did not even know that there was such a thing as a blog.

My husband Ernie and I were living in Chiang Mai, Thailand at the time this blog was born in February 2008. We had 24 hours free internet access at the university flat where we lived, and in the evenings, after dinner, we had plenty of time on our hands.

A friend named Jenny encouraged me to begin a blog. Thinking one had to be a computer techie to be a blog writer, I had a hundred and one reasons as to why blogging was not for me.

After overcoming my initial hesitation and reluctance, I discovered the joys of having a blog. It has given me a wonderful opportunity to put up important signposts - for myself, and for my loved ones, those who are interested enough to know what's going on in my life. I have family and friends who I know are regular readers of my blog. The signposts serve as important reminders to me of how far I have gone; they are also for my loved ones to follow.

A blog has also helped me to tell about my spiritual journey, and is therefore a tremendous aid to "soulmaking." Theresa of Avila described the soul as an interior castle that most people never explore. And she is so right.

Keeping an online journal has helped me to be disciplined in writing down my thoughts in an organized way. Just as turning a faucet allows water to flow, so has writing a blog helped my thoughts to flow out. My flashbacks have helped me see the events of my life from a different perspective, and given me understanding for my present, and hope for my future.

In many ways, this blog has indeed helped me to keep track of my soul's condition.

I have not made it my aim to have too many blogs on my dashboard, for practical reasons. As in real life, I can only relate meaningfully to a few close friends at a time. The rest of them end up being mere acquaintances. I look at my blog friendships in the same way.



So, on this my second blog anniversary, I want to thank all my blog friends who have encouraged, inspired and uplifted me, by sharing their lives, by regularly visiting my blog, reading what I have to say, and leaving behind heartfelt responses in spite of their busy schedules.

The beautiful frame pictured above is a gift created for me by Katie of Hope is Calling. She is one blog friend that I truly appreciate.

In the final analysis, I have come to realize that maintaining a blog is a give and take proposition. If you want good blog friendships, then take the initiative by being a good blog friend yourself. Most blogs I have visited and commented on have usually returned the favor. On a few occasions I have been flatly ignored, and I can only guess at the possible reason.

It doesn't matter to me at all! I can really say that the Christian blog world is a gold mine of wonderful people!

This past year 2009, as I was grieving the death of my husband, it was this blog that helped me to be in touch with my own feelings, and gave me countless precious opportunities to process my pain. My blog friends were always ready with their hearts wide open to understand what I was going through, and to receive me into their lives.

In His wisdom, God knew that I would need this venue to help Him get through me in my difficult hours. So the real honor as I celebrate my blog's second year belongs to the One Who created me, and has designed me, and has given me a beautiful destiny and purpose for living!

He has placed so much hope in my heart for the journey ahead of me!

I give glory to my God, my King, my Creator...for the person that I have become and am becoming. May this blog continue to be a channel of blessing to anyone who visits, and may God always be honored and glorified by the words that I write here!

A "dog day afternoon" at the Global City

Me and my friend Bolet with three of her eight dogs!
Taken on January 24, 2010