20th Blog Birthday and Giveaway!

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20th blog birthday

Today marks twenty years since I first started this blog!

I began a blog for a number of reasons. First, I wanted to encourage other Christian women and to be a light to those who do not yet know Christ as Savior.

Secondly, I wanted to learn to write by writing.

Writing helps me think things through, so a lot of my posts are just that: something I hear or read will trigger a thought, and as I mull it over, sometimes a blog post is the result.

I also love to talk about books and reading, so I share many of the books I read here.

Back then, a lot of blogs had the feel of visiting over the backyard fence. Though some still retain that vibe, many blogs have become more specialized.

I never wanted to do a niche blog because, in my experience those kinds of blogs start repeating themselves after about three years. Besides, my interests are too varied.

I hadn’t heard the term “generalist” at the time, but when I did, it clicked. I felt I had a valid label for my blog. 🙂

It took a while for me to fall into my present pattern of blogging. I wanted to keep the “neighborly” feel but still maintain something of a regular schedule.

One of my passions is getting women into the Word of God. If I have an underlying theme to my blog, it would be applying ourselves to the Word of God and applying the Word to our lives.

One thing I wish I had done differently was to think more about the title of my blog. I considered whether to have a blog for weeks or months. When I finally decided to, one of the first things I had to decide on was a name. I hadn’t thought about that in all my ponderings. “Stray Thoughts” is accurate, but I wish I had come up with something a little more meaningful and creative. But after so long a time, it seems better to keep it as is than change it and confuse people.

When I first started the blog, I had three sons at home. Now we’re empty nesters and my husband is retired. We’ve added a sweet daughter-in-law and handsome grandson to the family.

One of the most unexpected but blessed results of this blog has been making so many friends here over the years. Some of my dearest friends are miles away, and we’ll likely never meet in person until heaven. I so appreciate your encouragement and comments over the years. Without you, this would just be an online journal.

I haven’t always marked my blog anniversary, but twenty years seems like a milestone. I decided to prepare a giveaway package and draw names from the comments here for a winner to send it to. But I had so much fun putting it together, I decided to give away two packages to mark two decades.

Both packages have some pretty pens, post-it notes, bookmarks, and such. One package has one of my favorite books to recommend, Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. I started to use another book for the second package, then thought about another copy of Women of the Word. But then I saw a prayer journal at Hobby Lobby and got it for the second package.

Inside the prayer journal:

Prayer journal

If you’d like to be entered to win one of these packages, just leave a comment on this post. I’ll use the Random Number Generator to choose two recipients a week from today. I’m afraid I can only ship to US addresses due to postage costs. Note : I’ll include all comments in the drawing unless you tell me not to include you.

If you have a preference for Package 1 or Package 2, let me know.

I’d love to hear a little bit about you, especially those who don’t normally comment. If you’ve been reading a while, I’d love for you to share how long or perhaps a favorite memory of reading here.

Once again, thank YOU all for being here and for your kindness!

Package 1:

Gift package 1

Package 2:

Gift package 2

Thank you so much for your kind comments! You’ve touched my heart.

The giveaway is closed. The Winner of Package 1 is Lisa, and the winner of Package 2 is Michele Morin!

70 thoughts on “20th Blog Birthday and Giveaway!”

  1. I love your blog. It has helped me so much and I’m so glad I found it and you. Thanks for investing in me. I’d prefer package #1.

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  2. oh my! 20 years! Congratulations! I find your blog very encouraging. I actually started mine for the same reason. I want to learn to write.

    And congratulations on becoming a grandma! Such a special season!

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  3. Thank you so much for this blog. I’ve been reading it for at least 7 years. I always love your book recommendations. I think we may have been at BJU for part of the same time. I was there from 77-82. I would prefer package #2.

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  5. Thank you for your commitment all these years. I always appreciate and am thankful for the Scripture references in your writing. You’ve opened my eyes and pointed me in the right direction many times. You’ve also helped me find some great books to read for pleasure! I don’t know how many years I’ve followed you. Several years ago, I started looking for bloggers in the same season of life as I am.Blessings to you on this 20th birthday.  -Alicia 

    Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS

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  6. I forgot to write about myself lol! I’m a homeschooling mom of 3 children, I found your blog during an intense season of trying to get my feet under me after losing both my parents within 2 years. I connected with your eclectic writing and your pointing towards the Lord. After running on fumes, it has been incredible to find your blog, as an older Christian woman, your perspective is so encouraging. I will continue to read and share your blog.

    Thanks so much.

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  7. I am fairly new to your blog, but so happy to be here. I’ve been a writer off and on since high school. I am retired now, so have a lot of time to write more. We must spread faith, hope, and love to as many possible. If there is just one person changed today, then it is well worth it. Thank you for all you do. We are all sisters in Christ. (Pkg 1)

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    • Thanks so much for your kind words and for being here. I agree about needing to share faith, hope, and love to as many as possible. I’m so thankful to God for this outlet to do so.

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  9. Huge congrats — 20 years is a long time and a LOT of writing! I started in 2008 and thought that was a long time 🙂 I’ve tried to remember how I came across you, but I can’t figure it out. I wish I could. I too love the online friendships that blogs make possible! Especially for introverts, it’s such a nice way to find “our people.”

    I can always count on finding helpful thoughts here, and for that I appreciate you! So much of the internet is a pretty dark place. Your blog is a bright spot, just as you wished, pointing us always to the Lord.

    Thanks for the nice giveaways too! I love both packages; I’d probably go with #2 just since I’ve already read (and enjoyed) that book by Jen.

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  10. Congratulations on the 20 year anniversary of your blog. That is a lot of words spread throughout those years that have blessed many hearts. Thank you for your generosity with the give away. Both packages look amazing and would be happy with either one.

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  11. Well done to make it twenty years. I agree that generalist is a good term for your blog and for mine. I’ve enjoyed our long distance friendship over the years.

    I like Jen Wilkin’s studies, so I would choose Package #1. Willow

    (willowscottage@blogspot.com –because wordpress is not happy with me)

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    • I have as well! I’m pretty sure we first crossed paths on Friday’s Fave Fives. And I remember being delighted to learn early on that you worked with Margaret Stringer in New Guinea! It’s been fun to watch your grandchildren grow up over the years!

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      • Yes, it was FFF where we crossed paths.

        And I had forgotten that you know Margaret! Yes, we worked through the same mission organization, so we knew each other quite well although she lived in South Papua and we lived in the Bird’s Head region.

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  13. Hi Barbara, I am a homeschooling mom of 4 ages 9 and under. I found your blog a few years ago in the middle of having babies and it was so comforting to have that “over the fence chat” with a Christian woman during the lonely times. Thanks for your blog and congratulations on 20 years!

    Emily

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    • Thanks so much, Emily! I’m so thankful to know there are some younger moms among my readers! I remember feeling overwhelmed so often when my children were younger, so I hope to be an encouragement to moms still in the midst of child-rearing years. I’m glad you are here!

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  14. Twenty years! Oh my! Such a big event! It’s just lovely that you are offering giveways to celebrate! I’m officially entering. 🙂

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  15. Twenty years! WOW! Congratulations!

    I’m so grateful for the connection we’ve made here in the blog-o-sphere, and when I hear or read words lamenting the death of blogging, I refuse to be discouraged. We’re still here, and God is still at work! Thank you for your faithfulness to your purpose and calling.

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  16. Happy Blogversary Ms. Barbara. Such a demanding blog schedule you keep. Not sure how you do it ,sweet friend. Congratulations.

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  17. Happy blogaversary! I’m visiting from Talking About It Tuesdays but don’t think I’ve been here before. I’ve been blogging for 17 years and still love it, for many of the same reasons you mention. Keep writing!

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  19. Well, Happy 20th Birthday, my friend! That’s amazing. I was trying to remember just when it was that we started getting to know one another, but I can’t pinpoint the exact time. I started blogging 18 years ago and it seems to me that it wasn’t long into that time that we “met”. I’ve gleaned so much wisdom from your thoughtful posts, Barbara. I know when you recommend a book that I can take the information you’ve shared and your thoughts about it, to determine whether or not it is something that I would enjoy. I’ve met many new to me authors through your book reviews. I’ve enjoyed watching Timothy grow up. I remember how excited I was for you to be a grandparent because of the joy we had encountered when our grandson was born and made us grandparents. How very kind of you to do a giveaway…not just one but two!… in celebration of your 20 years here in this space. You are a blessing.

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    • Thanks so much, Dianna. You are a blessing to me as well. I can’t remember how we first came across one another, but I remember noticing that your comments on other people’s sites were always kind and thoughtful. So that motivated me to click through to your site. I’m thankful for our friendship over the years!

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  20. Congratulations, Barbara! I know I have been reading your posts for a long time but … it took me time to get up the courage to comment 🙂 Your words have always blessed me and I am grateful you stayed the course. I hope you continue to do so!

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  21. I especially like your book recommendations. It’s also been nice getting to know you and your family.

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  24. Dear Barbara,
    Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! That’s a lot of writing!
    When I refer to you, I call you “my blogger friend.” 😊 Thank you for sharing your life, book reviews, and biblical insights, and for being faithful to Jesus and His Word.
    Could I suggest two edits on your blog post: I think you wanted to write “backyard fence,” (it says “backward”); and near the end of the article change “shop” to “ship” to US addresses.
    Congratulations again and thank you for the goodies you are offering your readers.
    Love,
    Sara

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  26. Congratulations on 20 years – that’s amazing! I think I’ve been reading your blog for close to 10 years, not sure how I found it.

    I was a pastor’s wife for 50+ years, grew up in Tennessee, but we served in Texas, Colorado and Oregon. Currently living in Idaho near family and great grands. I would love to have Package 2 since I already have the book by Jen Wilkins.

    Thanks for your faithfulness in writing and sharing family, books, and encouragement. Blessings . . .

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  28. Congratulations on twenty years of faithfulness in blogging! Your thinking and writing have blessed many. You can leave me out of the drawing, but I wanted to leave my congratulations to you!

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  29. Congratulations, Barbara! Twenty years of blogging is quite an achievement. I can’t remember when we started interacting in the blogosphere, but I’m so thankful for your writing AND your encouragement. (And, these last few years, for the lovely opportunity to be in a writers group together.) Your output amazes me, and I also appreciate your thoughtful writing.

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    • Thanks so much! I don’t remember how we first crossed paths, either–I’m thinking the Grace and Truth or some other link-up. But it’s been a long time! I’ve enjoyed being in the writer’s group together as well and getting to know you better!

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  32. Congratulations Barbara! I have been reading your blog for many years. It has been a blessing to m. I enjoy reading about your family and have read many of the books you have recommended. I’m glad your family celebrated this milestone with you.

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  33. Congratulations on 20 years! I met you through Friday’s Fave Five and I always enjoy reading your posts. It’s been fun watching Timothy grow up through the years.

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  34. Congratulations on reaching 20 years. That’s a big milestone and the give away is a lovely thing to do. No need to include me in that though living here in the UK. Not sure when I actually started my blog and I’ve moved from Yahoo 360 originally then to Multiply and finally to Blogger. My first post on Multiply was on 15th October 2007 and I wrote that I’d been blogging for almost a year so I’m nearly at 20 years. Maybe I’ll use New Year’s Day as my blog birthday. Your family certainly helped you celebrate in style!

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  35. I wonder how long we’ve been commenting on each other’s blogs! I probably didn’t find you before I started my own blog (18 years ago), but I imagine it wasn’t too long after that. I’m glad you’re still at it! You have so much to share.

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    • It’s been a very long time! I think it must have been not long after you started yours, probably trough Grace and Truth or one of the other link-ups. I’m glad you are still sharing, too!

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  36. Happy Blog Birthday, Barbara. I don’t always comment but so many of your posts have been a blessing to me over the years. I’m in Canada so can’t participate in the giveaway (I know the postage is insane!) but how fun for you to make that giveaway to celebrate!

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