Jan from RevGalBlogPals writes this week’s prompt:

Blogging at Google’s Blogger, I recently was boondoggled by the new designs of the site, which includes my blog. I felt like I had lost track of all the blogs I daily check so that I asked for help both at my blog and on Facebook! Still trying to learn the ways of these new ways of blogging, I am turning our minds to blogging for this Friday Five.

1. When did you start blogging? What/who prompted you?
I had been writing and doing a website of “musings” for some years (along with a once-a-month-cooking website). As I moved from lay ministry to vocational ministry, I found that blogging was easier and I wrote more. I started on Bloggger and then switched to WordPress when I would lose whole posts because of some hinky server hiccup. Writing has always been a way of reflecting on this journey of love and life that I’m on…

2. How often do you post? How often do you visit blogging friends and/or other blogs?
I try to post at least once a week. I frequently fail miserably. I am not as good at visiting other people’s blogs unless they put a link on Twitter or Facebook. That reminds me to go read their stuff, and I’m always glad when I do! And I try to leave a comment, or at least a love note ❤ or a “blog stone” (o)

3. Why do you keep on blogging?
It’s a habit, I guess. As they say, “that’ll blog!”

4. What do you like to write about?
Life – the ups and downs, the frustrations and victories. The cats (who now have their OWN blog). Family, though with code names because… well, because! Things in the media or the world which capture my heart and my prayers. And things that inspire me (music, art) or challenge me.

5. Have your blogging habits changed–or are they changing?
I was getting fairly bad at blogging regularly when I was in seminary. I also hit a dry spell when I felt like every word I posted was being read “into” by someone… a person I gave a lot of credence to what they thought. It paralyzed my forward motion, and even my words.

So with a lot of encouragement, I moved forward in my life’s goals and in my writing. The saying that motivated me was this:
“Ships are safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.”

I have hit some rough seas with some nasty comments (which is why I moderate my comments now), but I’m still doing what God asks and tasks me to do. Blogging has been a part of that.

Bonus: Recommend a blog or two.
You know, there’s so many. If I don’t list yours, don’t be sad. 🙂 I love to read:

• Mindy
• Becky
• Gord
• Martha
• and the most inspirational mom ever, Annie, sharing Collin’s story