Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Birthday to Me! Etc.
On a cold December morning, back in ’10, I sat down on a chair in the living room, opened my laptop and began to type. Seven years later, I am sitting here, in the living room, typing on my laptop. Whodathunk? A lot can happen in seven years, and a lot of it is here in this running stream of blog posts.
To celebrate this plebeian event, I want to do a couple of things:
First, to say THANK YOU. I have the best blog readers ever. When I started out, I had no expectations that I would have any readers, yet it happened. What I was totally unprepared for was that there would be such a sense of community with all of you. It turns out that a group of strangers that share common values and beliefs, can build a virtual community that extends to all corners of the earth. (Last count: 168 countries)
Most of that sense of community comes from being siblings in the gospel, but 25,000 blog comments and countless Facebook conversations don’t hurt, either.
So thanks to all of you, my wise, funny and attractive readers. I appreciate you. You make this whole endeavor so much more meaningful. I appreciate you hanging with me all these years, and your friendship and feedback – both public and private.
Which brings us to the next thing…
A Giveaway!!!
Since you are important to me, I searched high and low to find just the right things to give away. I finally found them – at the Dollar Store – where else?
Yes, I will be giving away SEVEN amazing prizes to lucky winners. Here is a sneak peak:
3 Dollar Store Penguin Paddle Ball Games. (Estimated value, $1 each)
3 Dollar Store Snowman Paddle Ball Games (Estimated value, $1 each)
And for one lucky Grand Prize winner: A Dollar Store Santa Paddle Ball Game. (Estimated value, $1)
I know, I know: Exciting stuff. Please don’t hyperventilate. (If you are feeling faint, breath into a paper bag.)
And it gets better. I will even sign them before I mail them to you! I guarantee that none of your friends have a Christmas Paddle Ball Game, signed by yours truly. (Estimated value, Priceless.)
You are probably wanting to know how to be a lucky winner. Here’s how you do it:
Leave a comment on the blog, and include your best guess for MY favorite Book of Mormon scripture(s). (CONTEST CLOSED)
Whoever is closest, wins. Simple. (Please do not submit entries from the Old or New Testaments, Doctrine & Covenants, or Pearl of Great Price. Or the Apocrypha.) Guesses posted on Facebook don; count – only comments here on the blog.
Should anyone guess the exact answer, I’ll also send them a copy of my book, “There’s a Message in There Somewhere.”
Thanks for celebrating my Blog Birthday with me today!
Good luck, and behave!
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No idea what your favourite scripture is, but wondered if you have other readers from here – in Samoa – or is that another another country to add to your tally. I love your blog – have been tagging along for about 5 years now. thanks for getting things so right.
I do have some readers in Samoa, but you are my favorite.
I think your favorite scripture is… the entire Book Of Mormon!
I am not commenting for the contest. I would have guessed Moroni 10:32 but someone already has. I do want to tell you thank you so much for this blog. I can still remember seeing it for the first few times and just being so very excited that someone out there felt a love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I did. At that time I was seeing so much negative things you were such an uplift to my spirit. I am not very good with words and you help to articulate what I feel. Thank you so very much!
I think you are very good with words – especially kind ones. Thank you.
I feel like this has been shared somewhere before….. but where?
I have looked, trust me.
I am a very private person.
Congratulations on your first seven years. Thank you for your timely essays. You have answered prayers, answered questions and given hope. My guess is Mosiah 2:22.
You and your blog are awesome and I’m so grateful your fame hasn’t made you conceited. You have a wonderful gift, and have blessed many with it. May you keep it up for many more years. No guess, really. Unless you’re like me…my favorite is usually just where I’m at in my reading. Which doesn’t count, I know. Just looking forward to more of your thoughts.
Have enjoyed your posts for several years now! Can’t really remember how I got started. Not going to pretend to guess your favorite scripture, but where can I buy one of your books? It would make a great gift for my sister!
Congrats on your seven years….hope you do not plan on quiting any time soon.
There is a link on the right-hand side of my blog homepage!
Alma 7:11-12
Great scriptures, but already picked by two people before you. Another guess?
Thank you – these have been good years!
A couple of my very favorites (so surely they must be yours, too, right?) are Alma 22:18 – the sweet sincere prayer of a nameless king “I will give away all my sins to know thee” and Alma 34: 17 -27 – pray about everything. If it matters to you, He will listen.
Both good scriptures. Pick one.
My favorite Book of Mormon scripture is: Moroni 10:4-5.
Did I win?
PS Happy Blogversary! This is my very favorite blog and the ONLY one where I have read every post (well, except all of mine, heh).
I love your Instant Thoughts during General Conference and I visit often to recall your marvelous parables that teach a specific Gospel Doctrine topic and remember what our Latter-day Prophets have said on the subject. I usually smile as I read because I’m always uplifted by your thoughts and words.
You’ve helped grow my Testimony during a very transitional time in my life. I know our Father guided me here so our paths would cross and I could better understand what it means to take upon me the name of the Savior, to always remember him, and keep his commandments. I hope I have given you advice, guidance and a laugh or two that’s helped you along your way to building this successful blog and community. I’m very grateful for our friendship that has grown between our families over the years and look forward to the next 7 years!!!
2 Nephi 31:20 I really enjoy reading your posts!
Congratulations on a wonderful seven years (of plenty)! Alma 34:38.
I just started reading your posts, but even though I stink at paddle ball, my guess is Moroni 10: 3-5
My first thought for your favorite Book of Mormon verse was Jacob 6:12, short and sweet words of wisdom, but after reading 7 years of blog posts I know you tend to ramble on some so I’ll go with Alma 60:16. It’s the longest verse in the Book of Mormon and features Captain Moroni rambling a little about the value of unity within the church, something you’ve mentioned on more than one occasion.
Ramble on? Great Led Zeppelin tune
1 Nephi 1:1. I always feel like I’m at the beginning of an epic quest when I read this verse. So many other favorites were already mentioned, so I’ll go with that.
Ether 12. All of it. Faith and coming unto Christ.
But then there is 1 Nephi and the Lord”s trust and tender mercies.
Finally there is 3 Nephi 11:7-11. A declaration of Heavenly Father’s love for His Son, and the Son’s declaration of love and obedience to His Father.
So…what is your guess? You only get one.
Your blog has gotten me through some dark times! Glad you’re still typing away!
My guess? Alma 7:10-12
Thanks, Nik. Jessica beat you to the punch with this selection. Do you have another?
My guess is Alma 37:37. Thanks for seven glorious years. I’ve learnt a lot and have quoted you in two talks so far.
Barbara beat you with this verse. Do you have another guess?
Oops, I didn’t see that. Alright, then I’ll go with Alma 31:5 because it’s one of my mom’s favorites and she is middleaged, too. 🙂
Since my second guess was already taken, too: 3 Nephi 18:18-21
What Sharlene said above is what I would say, besides Happy Birthday to your blog! You should give a jar of Miracle Whip to the person the most incorrect. ? I will leave the prizes to someone else – I already have your signed book and greatly enjoyed it.
Moroni 7:45
*eye roll*
Ether 12:26-27
(Note. This is Monique’s 2nd attempt because she botched it so royally the first time that I had to delete it.)
Congrats on 7 years! We’ve loved your wisdom and humor. Guessing Alma 37:37.
Alma 48:17. I’m not in a hurry to die, but when I do, I’ll be in a hurry to meet Captain Moroni…
3 Nephi 1:13
I love your faith, spirituality, and humor. I love that you’ve created a safe place for us, as a community, to come to read the thoughts and experiences you share with us, and that we can share ours. I love how we learn from each other, and how we can be strengthened by each other. I love how you remind us of scriptures and teachings from prophets and apostles. I am grateful for your help as we journey through life. Thank you for your blog, for all the time you give, for the sacrifices you make, for the promptings you heed, for the wisdom you share.
I’m going with Moroni 10:32. And happy blog day!
Congratulations and Happy Birthday to You and Your Blog on this wonderful day. I enjoy your blog and humor and spiritual-ness and testimony and thoughts. My guess: Ether 12:27.
I can’t imagine to know your favorite scripture so I will think on it for a bit. But I had to comment that I am sad that the Grand Prize is not a Gassy Bear! And also, I have loved all if your posts for many years!
I wish i had had the foresight to buy up all the Gassy Bears that i could find. Sadly, there are no more
Alma 31:5
Helaman 5:12- I’m sure this could be said about other scriptures, too…When I reflect on all the posts that are my favorite,I felt like this scripture could be a common theme.
I started thinking about posts and had several come to my mind, quickly. After I thought for 4 seconds, post after post after post keeps coming to my mind. I couldn’t even pick a favorite since so many spoke to my soul.
Do you have a favorite post?
Congrats on the milestone! You should have cake 🙂
Mmm cake. Do i have a favorite post? Good question. Let me give it some thought.
I’ll guess 2 Nephi 2:25. You strike me as a joyful kind of guy. Congratulations on sticking with the blog for so long.
3rd Nephi 26:14.
1 Nephi 2:15
I’m new to this blog and this is my first comment. I don’t know you well yet, but what I know of you tells me you would like Moroni 10: 28-34.
I’ll guess Helaman 13:4, because that seems to be the instruction you have taken to heart in writing your blog.
The “sense of community” is just one of the good things I enjoy when reading your blog and the comments. As to the scripture, 2Nephi 31:20.
Uh-oh, does this have anything to do with 7 years of feast and 7 years of famine?…
It better not.
Happy Birthday! Thank you for your words of inspiration, guidance and wisdom. I’m going to say that 2 Nephi 32:3 is your favorite verse.
Happy Blogday! Love reading your posts. They’re an anchor of truth in the turbulent world of the internet.
My guess is Jacob 6:12 😉
Since one of the reasons I enjoy reading your blog is because you often articulate exactly what my husband thinks, I’ll go with his favorite Book of Mormon scripture – Mosiah 2:41. Thanks for your continued efforts to bring light and happiness into this world. We do appreciate it!
Mosiah 18:8-11. If I can only have one, I’ll go with 11. (Uhm. How did I not know you have a book?!)
Happy blog birthday! I’ve read every blog post since I discovered you many years ago. I’ll guess Jacob 6:12 O be wise; what can I say more” since that is one of my favorites
Jacob 2:8 “And it supposeth me that they have come up hither to hear the pleasing word of God, yea, the word which healeth the wounded soul.” 🙂
3 Nephi 5:13
Looking forward to another 7 years (and more)!
My guess is 2 Nephi 25:26
Tom
I will take a guess at Alma 4:27 which is one of mine.
And thanks so much for your blog!!!
I don’t even remember how I found your blog, but I am so happy that I did. A wonderful side benefit is some of the other people I’ve gotten to know a little bit–distance is hard sometimes. Your posts are always a bright spot of my day. I’m guessing that your favorite scripture is Alma 5:14. Failing that, I know that Boyd K. Packer was your favorite apostle. Does that count for something?
It shows that you are observant and wise – no matter what other people may say.
*Beams* Aw, thanks! *Vague, unsettling thought appears*
Your posts have always been timely, truthful, and inspiring. Thank you!
I’m going to guess Alma 7:11-12, mostly because those verses have been my anchor through the last few, very tough years.
2 Nephi 2:25- I always appreciate your words. they are my weekly spiritual thought! Keep up the good work.
Devon-belles, is that you? I think the whole family reads this.
3rd Nephi. All of it. Every single word.
Yeah. That’s not gonna fly. Please be more specific. Nice try though.
Well, I can speak for a lot of us that we are so glad you started blogging! I found your blog in the early months of your starting it and have followed it ever since. The draw? Your humor and the fact that you haven’t veered from truth or doctrine. I’d say that’s a pretty big deal in the LDS blogging world! 😉
I love your blog! Happy birthday! I don’t really know your favorite book but I love the words of King Benjamin. Whenever I dip into his councils I seem to find just what I need. We even named our last son Benjamin after him.
Not specific enough to count as a guess, but thanks!
Was there no paddle with Santa kneeling before the Christ child? Because I was hoping to win that one. My guess for your favorite scripture? Helaman 5:12
?
Vicki, I didn’t notice that I picked the same scripture as you. Plus, my first paddle ball thought was about Santa and Jesus pictures. I bet you’re awesome ?
I didn’t realize we had the same guess. Plus, my first thought for paddle boards was the Santa kneeling by Jesus pic. I bet you’re awesome?