I CAN’T BELIEVE I’VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR TEN YEARS! TEN!
Now that I have that out of my system, please allow me to wallow in nostalgia before I extend an invitation to you, my clever, intelligent, attractive and witty readers,
In the early hours of December 9, 2010, I sat in the living room with my laptop, struggling to figure out how Blogger worked. Eventually I posted my first, lame, article. It would become a regular occurrence, but I never anticipated it lasting so long. My how time flies.
Since that day, a lot has happened in the world and in my life. I went from zero married kids to four, zero grandkids to almost 6, 49 to 59, and lots of other wonderful things. It is nice to be able to scroll through my blog and find it reads as a sort of personal history at times.
I never expected to get much traffic, let alone faithful readers, but it happened anyway. I know that some of you who are reading this are new, but there are some of you who have been here since the beginning. I appreciate all of you. I appreciate your support, your wisdom, your humor, and your (literally) tens of thousands of comments. (I even appreciate some of the hate mail and nasty comments I’ve received because they are usually pretty funny.)
One of the best parts of all of this has been the “community” that has grown up around MMM/TWS. I have developed real-life friendships with many of you – something I never anticipated through the “anonymous years” of MMM.
I am also so pleased that many of you have developed real-life friendships with each other because of your contact here, and on my Facebook. I guess that is what “Zioning” is: building a community of hearts with shared values and beliefs. I feel kinda like the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon when I trace so many connections and friendships back to this little blog.
The most important thing I can say is Thank You for your love, support encouragement and contribution. I love you all!
Now, over the past 10 years I have written well over 1.5 MILLION words in 1400+ posts. That’s a lot of writing – it boggles my mind. With the exception of the wonderful conversion stories I published, and a handful of guest posts, it has all been me. ME ME ME!
To be honest, I have thought seriously about hanging it up on this anniversary, but I know that this is good for me, and I feel like I am doing something worthwhile – so you are stuck with me.
Sure, it is a lot of effort to do this by myself, so I have an idea as to who can help:
It’s YOUR TURN.
To help me celebrate my 10th anniversary, I am asking you to join me by adding YOUR voice to TWS as my special guest. Yes, I am inviting YOU to write a blog post to become a part of ThusWeSee. You know, a shot at being a giver instead of just being a taker.
A lot of you are already seasoned writers, and I EXPECT you to contribute, or I will use my formidable powers of social media and Photoshop to taunt you into submission. (You know who you are, and you know I’ll do it.)
Some of you might want to give it a try, but are nervous. There is no need to be. If I can do it, you can do it. There are a lot of us who would be happy to help you get your feet wet.
Here’s what I am asking for: A single blog post from each of you. That’s it!
Here are some basic guidelines:
- Keep it short – 1,000 or so words works best.
- Make it personal. Tell us one of your stories that matters.
- Find a gospel connection to your story and teach us, inspire us.
- Make sure it is doctrinally correct. (I am the sole arbiter of this.)
- Don’t make it seasonal, because I don’t know when it will be posted.
- If you need it edited, find a friend who can go over it with you. (I am genetically coded to ignore typos.)
- Don’t use it to market your book, business or MLM. No politics.
- Please submit Word format or a Google Doc link.
- As much as you are able, please write with profound finesse.
- Email finished post, with a brief biography and maybe a photo to brad@thuswesee.com.
- I’ll let you know when I plan on running it.
And yes, I will still be posting most weeks. (One does not just turn it off.) BUT, on some Sundays I will post some of my favorites or yours, and I will post as often as needed, based on how many of you step up.
Got it? You’ve been reading my stories, thoughts and testimony for ten years. Now it is my turn to read yours.
Sound good?
Please be supportive of each other as you take on this challenge. Some of you will find it a piece of cake, others will struggle – but in the end, you will better understand why I do what I do, and we will all be blessed.
Thanks for your love and support these past ten years. You guys are the best!
Love,
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Profound finesse….😂😂😂😂
I have read your blog for a couple of years, and really enjoyed it! I also blog, on blogspot, but often share what others have written, always giving the total information of where it came from. But I started my own blog on November 13, 2013, in hopes of spreading some inspiration. I mostly wrote various Family History stories from my ancestors for quite awhile. Then when I ran out of them, I would post something that I found that was so inspiring to me — telling and giving credit for their own words. I hope that is okay, as I actually shared one of yours — before the election, telling why you liked President Trump, and giving the Gospel reasons. I agreed with it, and gave the credit, etc.
I also was a piano teacher for around 50 years, and did a lot of simplifying of hymns, Primary songs, and Christmas songs, having some of them published. I’ve been doing that for several weeks, sending e mails free to those who want them, and feel perhaps it will help some budding pianist. I am an 86 year old widow, and in good health at this time, living with my oldest son and his wife. They are so good to me, and I’m living much closer to 6 of my 9 children.
I love Family History and have been on 2 or 3 missions for that, and also 2 missions with my husband, before he passed away in 2016. You are doing great for 59 years old, and I am old enough to be your mother! –Also grandmother of 29, and great-grandmother of 25 now — Some of my grandchildren aren’t even married yet. Life is great, and I love doing all I can do to help family, friends, etc. to realize that what we are experiencing is truly meant for our lives! When I was in college, I typed blessings for an aged Patriarch. He said in almost every blessing “You will live to see the day that faith will be taken from the earth and found only in Zion and her stakes, and all who don’t want to fight against their neighbor will flee to Zion for safety”. (in D & C 45) We are living in that time! Isn’t that a blessing!
OK Brad-
My wife and I joined the church in early 1973, and started our family in 1976. A few years later, we were invited to take the Family Relations course during Sunday School period with several other young couples. It was to be taught by our Bishop. We eagerly accepted. We looked forward to the class starting and each lesson.
On the third or fourth lesson, we were to be taught about disciplining our children properly. We were meeting in a corner of the Cultural Hall. About a third of the way through the lesson, I was prompted to look to the other side of the hall. For only an instant, I saw the image of my deceased mother, and she stated firmly, “Pay attention”. I was startled, and looked again. But she was gone.
The Bishop then kindly cautioned us that when it is time for disciplining our children, we should never rescue our children from the natural consequences of their choice(s) . . . That every choice has a specific and tailored lesson and/or blessing — if we align that choice with gospel principles. When anyone makes a choice, that person is to learn the blessing/lesson(s) associated with that choice.
However, if as parents, we decide to “help, guard, or protect” them — from those natural consequences (that were also selected when they made the choice) . . . because as parents, we may think that some lesson may be “too painful” for them to bear. Then — we as parents are actually depriving them of the ‘tailored’ lesson that they should and would have learned. That lesson is then delayed or withheld. In short, — we actually prevented (and participated in) that delay of their natural progression and growth.
I learned a lot that Sunday.
Well Brad,
I have been reading your blog since almost 2 years after you started this Adventure. I would love to type what you have inspired me to do and think about that gave me comfort or straighten my thinking and feelings out especially that I’m not the only one out there searching. But, typing is hard for me now since my condition has advanced where things are difficult. So I am unable to write my thoughts to you without causing some complications. But I feel I owed you this, I do because you have given so much that has been truly inspired by God and it has helped me through many difficult times. I am reading Scriptures and the Conference talks concerning Life after death. You and the Lord have given me hope and a reason to not fear. That there is a place for us all when we leave and open another door as they say. Thank you for all you say. Even when others may not agree or get upset, it just shows you are being listened too and they stay come back for more of your thoughts. That is your success, that is your gift. I will continue to read your words and maybe depending on my situation health-wise will let you know I am still here as a loyal follower. God’s continued blessings on you and your family. I didn’t write this to be entered in your blog for your 10 yr., Congratulations on that by the way. I wrote this so you know there are silent followers out here where physical challenges keep me/us from knowing you are someone we are grateful for with your humor, knowledge and honest opinions. Keep it up as long as your Spirit guides you. You most definitely make a difference. This is the longest I’ve been able to write,but I wanted to let you know between us.
Your Sister in Zion.
One of the loveliest things I’ve ever received. I am so grateful. You have blessed my life. God bless you.
You are most gracious. I honestly had/wanted you to know. This may not be an official Church Calling but a silent Voice you hear is is a calling , your gift and many of us need it and look forward to those incites. I hope you get the responses you asked for everyone adds something.
Intriguing..very intriguing.
Bring it, Kari!
This could be fun. Maybe I’ll submit something I wrote on my own blog previously.
Would love you to jump in! Maybe dust off the keyboard and write something new?