It has been a long time since I posted on this blog. So much has changed since my last post!
In April 2017 I moved to Asheville, North Carolina and am in the process of starting up a new venture. I'm using my experience and study in short-term mission to launch a consultation business. One of my very favorite things is meeting with people who are active in short-term mission and learning with them about mission.
In my research, I learned that many United Methodist people who are active in short-term mission are not familiar with anything that is written on short-term mission. It's hymns and scripture that form the foundation of their motivation to be active in the mission of the church. And they are hungry for more reflection on understanding God, the work of the Spirit, and how to be more faithful in their mission practices.
So I've launched Sister of Hope Ministries. I'm currently blogging at sisterofhope.org and my website sisterofhopeministries.org will go live in a few weeks. I'm really excited about this new ministry!
There are so many moving pieces - all at once, and I am not familiar with most of them. I'm learning a lot, very quickly. All the while, I'm staying open to the leading of the Spirit, and giving thanks for the many talented people who are helping me in this venture.
So come on over to sisterofhope.org and check things out! This blog will stay mostly quiet, with a few posts with recipes from my grandmother, as my daughters request them.
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Friday, November 19, 2010
Earn Money By Blogging!
One of the national morning news programs had a story today on "how to make money with your blog". There were the usual tips - write about what you are passionate about, use social networking, find advertisers. Another suggestion was to write every day, although I've read that bloggers should have a set schedule such as publishing twice a week (Monday and Thursday, not everyday).
It was surprising to hear that some of the bloggers are earning more just by writing than I was earning for the last two years working in the church. "I could do that" says the little voice in my head. "But you wouldn't write every day" says the other little voice. "And besides, who'd want to read it?" Drat that other little voice.
It is a depressing little voice. It's the one that is loudest when I'm at home alone. The one that is hardest to ignore. The one that erodes my confidence, questions my abilities.
I thought that living back at home would be easier than living in Boston, so far away from my family. And it has been easier in some ways - it is SO good to have family dinners, to give hugs and kisses, to appreciate my home and kitchen. But in other ways, it is so difficult, ways that I didn't anticipate.
I haven't had a job since May. I didn't think that it would eat at me the way it does. I figured that it would be hard to find a job, but that I could focus on my studies, on my family, on my house. At first that was true, but as time has gone on it has gotten increasingly more difficult. Knowing that we need additional income is always on my mind. I think about looking for work all the time. I worry about it, try to be positive about it, but there's that nasty negative little voice in my head getting louder by the day. I've gone from talking to the church about opportunities and possibilities to applying at bookstores, the mall, and local grocery stores. I've applied at UPS for seasonal help, searched for jobs on Craigslist, and filled out applications in person. They aren't hiring. At least, they aren't hiring middle aged female clergy with too many college degrees.
And then there was that morning news program, telling me I could earn money by blogging. Hmph. I don't write about fashion or travel or video games, so I doubt there is money to be made here. But I do think that writing about my experience is helpful - if to no one else, at least to me. In every difficult situation I can learn something - about the world, about people, about myself. And so I get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. I keep praying, keep reading, keep moving forward, and keep telling that negative little voice it's wrong, and try to keep writing about mission (what I'm passionate about!) in my academic work rather than on the internet. God willing, it will all work out.
It was surprising to hear that some of the bloggers are earning more just by writing than I was earning for the last two years working in the church. "I could do that" says the little voice in my head. "But you wouldn't write every day" says the other little voice. "And besides, who'd want to read it?" Drat that other little voice.
It is a depressing little voice. It's the one that is loudest when I'm at home alone. The one that is hardest to ignore. The one that erodes my confidence, questions my abilities.
I thought that living back at home would be easier than living in Boston, so far away from my family. And it has been easier in some ways - it is SO good to have family dinners, to give hugs and kisses, to appreciate my home and kitchen. But in other ways, it is so difficult, ways that I didn't anticipate.
I haven't had a job since May. I didn't think that it would eat at me the way it does. I figured that it would be hard to find a job, but that I could focus on my studies, on my family, on my house. At first that was true, but as time has gone on it has gotten increasingly more difficult. Knowing that we need additional income is always on my mind. I think about looking for work all the time. I worry about it, try to be positive about it, but there's that nasty negative little voice in my head getting louder by the day. I've gone from talking to the church about opportunities and possibilities to applying at bookstores, the mall, and local grocery stores. I've applied at UPS for seasonal help, searched for jobs on Craigslist, and filled out applications in person. They aren't hiring. At least, they aren't hiring middle aged female clergy with too many college degrees.
And then there was that morning news program, telling me I could earn money by blogging. Hmph. I don't write about fashion or travel or video games, so I doubt there is money to be made here. But I do think that writing about my experience is helpful - if to no one else, at least to me. In every difficult situation I can learn something - about the world, about people, about myself. And so I get up every day and put one foot in front of the other. I keep praying, keep reading, keep moving forward, and keep telling that negative little voice it's wrong, and try to keep writing about mission (what I'm passionate about!) in my academic work rather than on the internet. God willing, it will all work out.
Monday, July 28, 2008
long time, no blog
The summer doldrums set in on my drive back from Texas. My apologies to the reader. Will get back to regular blogging soon.
Quote for the day from Patrick Henry, one of my favorite outspoken people: "For my part, whatever anguish of the spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth - to know the worst and provide for it."
And one for inspiriation to keep going on the journey, from James J. Walker: "The blues of mental and physical wear and tear are not as devastating as the yellows of the quitter."
Quote for the day from Patrick Henry, one of my favorite outspoken people: "For my part, whatever anguish of the spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth - to know the worst and provide for it."
And one for inspiriation to keep going on the journey, from James J. Walker: "The blues of mental and physical wear and tear are not as devastating as the yellows of the quitter."
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Woohoo!
Just a little celebration ~go me...go me...~ that I finally managed to get a hyperlink in a post done right. Thank you RevGalBlogPals for teaching me how!
And this quote just captures so much:
"The gentle reader will never, never know what a consummate ass he can become, until he goes abroad." Mark Twain
And this quote just captures so much:
"The gentle reader will never, never know what a consummate ass he can become, until he goes abroad." Mark Twain
Friday, December 7, 2007
Migrating
My blog from MySpace has migrated - well, some of it. We'll see how it works over here.
Will take some investigating (after finals) about how to put what I'm currently reading and listening to on this blog though. That's one of my favorite features! And the pictures, those will have to come over too. But all that will have to wait. There are papers to write, projects to finish. And Christmas cards to send!
Where's the panic button? I may need it pretty soon.
Will take some investigating (after finals) about how to put what I'm currently reading and listening to on this blog though. That's one of my favorite features! And the pictures, those will have to come over too. But all that will have to wait. There are papers to write, projects to finish. And Christmas cards to send!
Where's the panic button? I may need it pretty soon.
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