My Six Year Blogging Anniversary
About twelve years ago, I led several groups of women through Created to Be His Help Meet. After this, I began mentoring women one-on-one. I became involved in our large church’s mentoring program and they sent me the women in the most difficult marriage situations. Ken and I then began mentoring couples who were engaged or planning on becoming engaged through the same church. I mentored women by phone, email, and in person. I love mentoring women!
One young woman lived with a neighbor friend and began coming to church with us every week. She was rebellious to the ways of the Lord but she loved coming to church with us every week and then coming to our home afterwards where my entire family would gather for Sunday dinner and have fun conversation. She would sit there watching and listening. A week before she left to go back home across the country, she believed in Jesus Christ as her Savior. I didn’t want to lose contact with her because I knew she needed more mentoring in the ways of the Lord.
Right after she left, which was six years ago today, I came downstairs early the next morning and decided I would begin a blog so I could mentor her through this blog. I thought a second for a name and I came up with Always Learning and began writing. This was my first post:
I had a light bulb moment the other day. I HATE it when Ken “criticizes” me…Other people can do it, but when he does my feathers get ruffled. I was listening to a program the other day and the man was saying his wife had to realize that when he was correcting her, it was just that…correction, not criticism. I thought, “WOW! I need to take Ken’s criticism as correction and learn from it!”
I have such a need to be perfect that I needed to realize I’m far from perfect and listen to his correction and learn…My pride and ego get in the way. Proverbs says a wise man listens to rebuke. Iron sharpens iron. Always learning…
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 9:8
I wrote every day even though I knew writing wasn’t my gift until a writer friend of mine told me to stop writing that I was not a good writer. She informed me that I am a great writer with a strong voice. “When I read your blog, it is like you are sitting across the table from me.” I was so encouraged by her words of praise so I continued on and enjoyed it.
Ken gave me the goal of trying to reach one hundred women who read my blog on a consistent basis but I thought that was impossible. The first time I was blasted by critical and mean comments, it frightened me but now I know this happens to all who speak the truth because they hate the Truth (God). I also get a lot of encouragement and praise. I love what Dennis Prager said about this: “I won’t let the compliments go to my head and I won’t let the criticisms go to my heart.” I know the compliments are only because I teach the Word of God and what He has to say to women so I give Him the glory. Not allowing the criticisms to go to my heart is more difficult at times but most of it is so mean and nasty that I understand clearly who the real Enemy (Satan) is behind it. This keeps it all in perspective!
God has blessed my small seeds planted and today I have a new blog, make YouTubes, published a book (which we have lowered to $9.95 for good), and am in the process of maybe writing another one. I have never been interested in doing all of this as a way to make money. Thankfully, Ken works very hard and is a good provider. I didn’t want to be beholden to advertisers. I want to speak Truth plainly and not be afraid of losing those who I advertise.
I continue to mentor women daily on my blog, in the chat room, by email, text, or however they find me. I always want to be available to any women who seek out my advice. I had seen these small blogs become enormous and if you tried to get a hold of the author of the blog, you’d receive a short note back saying she’s too busy to respond. I never wanted to be like that. How could I be a true mentor if I wasn’t willing to interact with the women I mentor?
God is good. I thank Him frequently for the ministry He has given me. My pituitary is in fact dying. I am starting on replacement hormones now but my tumor hasn’t begun to grow again so that’s great news. In spite of my fragile health, God has given me a way to continue mentoring women, which I love. Thank you for many of your emails, letters, and texts encouraging me, supporting me, sharing your stories of your transformed marriages that always cause me to tear up and will never get old, and especially praying for me. It continually amazes me to see how great the Lord’s ways are and how transforming they are on all who believe and are renewed by studying His truth.
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalm 107:1
36 thoughts on “My Six Year Blogging Anniversary”
Hi Lori! Congratulations on your blogging anniversary, and we pray for more blessings and your good health!
I sincerely thank you for all the mentoring you’ve done. I am one of the many women you have helped and guided! I don’t know what our marriage would be like today if I hadn’t taken your advice on Biblical marriage and my role as a wife in that. Maybe we wouldn’t even be married today and I shudder at that thought. I know now everything we do should be for God’s glory and you model that in the way you mentor others. Thank you for showing me God’s ways our best! Our marriage is centered around God now and it’s been quite the journey, but so worth it. I also appreciate your example of not letting others discourage you in what God has called you to do. The world hated Jesus and it will also hate those who stand for him, but you show us to not let that stop us from following and obeying Him. I pray I follow that example and stay faithful to the very end. I will also continue to pray for your health and for your ministry to women! I’m so thankful for your courage to teach the pure message of the Bible and how to apply it as wives and mothers! Thank you for pointing us to Him and His word!
Lori, I am glad that you followed God’s calling to minister to women in this way. You and Ken are about the same age as my wife and me, and have been married about the same number of years. I pray that some day my wife will be led to read your blogs. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Lori,
the Lord used your blog Always Learning among other voices to gently lead me to Him a few years ago. I read every post, from the archives, slowly feeling the veil falling until I gave my life to Him. I have no real women mentors in my every day life, but I read you every day, here and in the chat room. You help me inmensely in my striving to be the woman, wife and mother God wants me to be. I will be forever grateful <3 Praying for you always
I agree with Katie. My marriage, my life, my husband’s life, and my children’s life wouldn’t be the same today without the gift of your ministry. You have helped to keep the legacy in our family. Thank you! <3
The most critical relationship is the husband and wife.
If the wife is ‘ruffled’ by correction then it is eventually modeled for everyone else: for the kids, then the church and then the world. This is directly how we got to no spanking of kids, no effective challenge in the church, no more grades [everyone gets a star for participating], no fault divorce, [no fault] abortion, OJ Simpson getting off, transgender baloney, same-sex everything, church fables, media lies, militant marches, and on; the dumbing down of everything.
Lori, you are addressing this at its root, as scripture has commanded you to do. Yes, we should not be afraid of the word ‘command’ because Jesus says that is the basis for loving Him: ‘If you love me keep my commandments.” You are doing that with joy. You are doing that with fear and trepidation of Him. When the ‘light bulb moment’ went off, you did not hide from the light like a cockroach – you joined the light and reflected it. It would be fascinating to hear the story of every life and family to have effected, including the ripple effects; even of those that were nasty to you that you have planted a seed of truth in. God’s word does not come back void and your answer to His call is living proof of that. Goosebumps here.
I encourage the women that gain Christ from this blog to ‘Titus 2’ pass it on in some small or big way to other women, just as your mature sister Lori has modeled for you. Blessing in the Word of the Lord – Jesus Himself.
Dear Lori,
An enormous thank you for being the truthful and faithful “older woman” in my life, showing me and refreshing my memory about God’s ways for me as a wife and mom… “From the bottom of my heart” (translation of French expression) : THANK YOU !! Lots of love and blessings? !!
Thank you, Joyce!
Thank you, Katie! Now, you can begin teaching younger women the ways of godly womanhood according to the perfect will of God. Blessings to you and your marriage.
Thank you, Tali. It’s amazing how much fruit is produced when we are willing to do what God has called us to do! He created us so He knows best.
Blessings!
Keep praying, Charles. As you live with her as a godly husband, you are sanctifying her according to the Word and there is nothing so powerful as a transformed life. Blessings!
This is what it is all about, Tali: pointing others to the ways of the Lord because we are promised that His Word does not come back void. I didn’t have any real life women in my life to mentor me either but thankfully God uses even modern technology to get His Word to others. He’s so good!
Thank you for your encouragement and support, Dave. I very much appreciate it. Your comment is beautifully written!
Thank you, Daniele! (Ken speaks fluent French because he grew up in the French West Indies!) There is so much more joy in life following the Lord’s plans for us. Blessings!
So glad to have come across your FB page and your blog. Blessings to you.
May you have many more years of mentoring women; I truly appreciate opening my emails and having an encouraging word. Biblical as always. I love your posts; it reaches my heart.
Hi Lori, I’ve been reading your blog for close to 6 years. My oldest of 4 is 6.5. So you came at the right time for me. I was a teacher in the public schools during my daughters first year of life. I’ve been at home full-time with my children for over 5 years. The first year I stayed home God doubled my husbands income!! We were prepared to do anything necessary to have me home full-time and did not see that financial increase coming. It’s such a testimony to Trusting in God. His ways are perfect and he takes care of us abundantly; not just finances. We are homeschooling which has been so good too. You’ve also really helped me undo a lot of things I saw in my parents marriage. My mom still destroys my dad every day with hurtful words, looks, and no intimacy of any kind. I’m thankful for your story and your willingness to speak truth. I pray I could be like you; bold and courageous! Blessings to you! Thank you for being my mentor! Stefanie from Minnesota
Lori, I will forever be thankful for you and your wisdom. I don’t have a clue how I found your blog a few years ago but I know it was no accident! I have read here daily ever since and my life and marriage have been transformed. Thank you for always teaching the hard and true things even when it’s not popular these days. Please do not let the negative people get to you (I know that’s easier said than done) and always remember your ministry is such a blessing to so many. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you in such mighty ways. I pray He restores you to full health so you can teach us for many more years. 🙂
Lori, thank you for not only your teaching but the heart in and behind your mentoring. I read that living without a pituitary is possible and take comfort in that. Thank you for the love of the Lord and your desire to serve, that in itself is testimony of your faith. Congratulations on your 6th year and may there be many more years of your blogs to read.
I say, “Happy Anniversary to ALL OF US BECAUSE OF YOU, Lori!”
*hugs*
Kelley~
Thank you, Erica!
God’s Word and His ways have a way of doing this, Melinda! Blessings.
This is wonderful, Stefanie! What God commands, He provides and He wants mothers at home raising their children. It may be living without some modern conveniences but there is NO greater joy than to have children who walk in Truth.
Can you give your mom my book or Debi’s book? It’s never too late to change. If anything, do it for your dad and pray your mother’s stubborn heart will be softened to truth. She is missing out on the joy of having a loving marriage.
Blessings to you and I am sure you will one day be teaching younger women!
Thank you, Summer, that would be great! Modern medicine has helped me a lot, that is for sure.
No, truth is a hard pill for most to swallow but we are warned about this in His Word. It’s sure the only thing I want to teach, however, because it’s the only thing that changes people for good in the long run because it is living and active.
Thank you, Diane, and yes, some do live without their pituitary. It’s easy for healthy people to take for granted something as small and powerful as a pituitary gland. God has created our bodies in such magnificent ways but we live in a fallen world but He continues to be good, very, very good! Blessings.
Thank you, Kelley. Hugs to you too!
Congratulations on your blogging anniversary, Lori! Thank you for all you do!!
Diana
Congratulations, Lori!
Lori thank you so much for your ministry. I appreciate your blog and what you teach and have also appreciated when I’ve emailed you a question and you respond, that has been very helpful to me. I am praying about who I could mentor ( besides my two grown daughters)and seeing how God could use me. Thank you again and I pray for renewed strength and health for you and continued blessings for you and your family❤
Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! Words cannot express my gratitude for you and your ministry. I had just about given up hope on my marriage but your testimony and ministry have given me a small glimmer of hope that things might yet change. I want to convey blessings on you and your family but I realize that the blessings are built-in to your obedience to the Lord. Through your obedience to the Lord, you have become a crown to your husband; you are building your house up, and you, your husband, and your children are experiencing marriage and family life in the wonderful way that God intended for it to be!
Unfortunately, the opposite is also true, for all of the wives out their that are still being disobedient to the Lord (contentious, disrespectful and disobedient to their husbands) and insisting on doing it their own way and selfishly living for themselves, the curse is built-in to their disobedience. Through their disobedience, they are tearing their house down with their own hands. Their shameful behavior is a rottenness to their husbands bones. It is like a cancer killing him slowly, day by day, from the inside out and at some point, he will become all hollowed out and have nothing left. These women are not experiencing the blessings of the Lord in their marriages but rather His curse. Because of their disobedience, their husbands and children are cursed and suffer with them.
Thank you Lori for being obedient to the Lord! Thank you for your Titus 2:3-5 ministry! I pray that God will heap extra blessings on you, Ken and your family! Thank you for being a light in this world of darkness that we live in. With each and every God honoring post that you write, you continue to give me hope.
You’re welcome, Diana! I am blessed to be able to do what I am doing.
Thank you for your long time encouragement and support, Lady Virtue!
Keep praying, Tami, and at church look around you. I am sure there are young women who would love to have you in their lives. Blessings!
Thank you, Trey. You are a great writer and I am thinking of using this comment for one of my handwritten posts. It’s powerful!
I pray your wife will one day become a godly, submissive wife. It is never too late. My mom did around 80 years old and the last six years, they have been so happily married.
Congratulations, Ms Lori! I, too am one of the many ‘students’ you have mentored. I am infinitely grateful for all your posts of exhortation, making me a better helpmeet and keeper of my home. Thank you, Ms Lori!?
You’re welcome, Michelle!