I’m celebrating my 500th blog post to GraceLaced today! I am so thankful to have this little place to share thoughts and snippets of inspiration. To celebrate, there will be a guest blogger every day this week– looking back, and posting about their favorite GraceLaced posts. Be sure to check in daily to revisit some favorite past posts, and to meet some special ladies in the GraceLaced community.
And what celebration would be complete without a giveaway, just as a warm THANK YOU for making GraceLaced a part of your life!
Drumroll please…Here it is:
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
Prize: One 12″x12″ signed, custom acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas, based on the winner’s request or photo. (You can see my work here, here, here, and here.)
Contest ends Saturday, January 8, 10pm.
One entry per person, winner selected at random.
To enter: Leave a comment on this blog entry (by clicking on the little yellow dialogue bubble under the post title) telling me of your favorite past GraceLaced post.
Won’t this be fun?!? Thanks, again, for reading GraceLaced. I leave you with some milestone tidbits:
First Blog Post
July 14, 2007: “Pretty Book Issues“
First Comment
by my dear friend Joni Nichols:
Why I Started A Blog
We had just experienced a computer crash with no back ups, losing all the digital files of Number 2′s baby pictures. I was eager to observe, record, express, and connect. I didn’t want any more moments or thoughts to just fade away or get lost in unbacked files.
Post I Am Most Proud Of
I think 10 Things To Remember When Your Child Is Disobedient has been the only post I’ve ever written that’s made it around the internet and reposted on many well-known sites. For that, and the impact it’s had, I’m very thankful. It was a post written in less than 5 minutes as a response to my own frustrations in parenting. I’m so blessed to know it has encouraged others.
My Favorite Thing About Blogging
That I’ve trained myself to look at my life, my family, my ministry, and my thoughts, through a more discerning lens…and to evaluate the mundane of everyday life in the light of God’s grace and goodness displayed.
My Least Favorite Thing About Blogging
I’ve chosen to blog as a discipline. I’ve chosen to make it a part of my weekly routine…which can be difficult at times. There are times that I blog even when I don’t feel like it, times when I blog when there’s nothing seemingly wonderful about my life (or my outlook), and times when I blog just to preach to my own heart. Blogging can be work, whose rewards are not immediate or always palpable.
Future Plans for GraceLaced
Serving my family and ministering to others will always be my priority. However, the opportunity to encourage and inspire through the accessibility of this blog captures my imagine for what may become of this little site. I prayerfully consider growing the blog in ways that will broaden it’s influence, and make the greatest use of the medium. Feedback (and emails with ideas) are always welcome!
Thanks for celebrating 500 with me!
 |
Congrats Ruth!
This, in itself, is a great post as always.
And YAY! Blog comment contest!!!
My favorite post was how to keep your kid from gagging when eating things they don’t care for. I know that I had asked you a few weeks previously how you get your kids to eat without gagging.
It was very encouraging and enlightening for me to hear your point of view. You are a great teacher, in more ways than one. Thanks!
Ruth, I’m so proud of you! Congrats on the milestone. I love popping in to catch up on your households activities. I’ve learned so much from you even through reading this blog. One of my little takeaways is taking the small moments to straighten. I keep those clorox wipes handy! Even through potty training I can do quick cleans
Your help and suggestions in discipline have been priceless. An area we continue to grow in and learn. You are such a precious tool of God. Thank you for sharing yourself through this medium with me.
Oh Mrs. Ruth, all of your posts inspire me. They are a comfort to me when my days seem the bleakest. As a fellow mom of 4 boys, it always helps to know that there is another mom out there who may be going thru the same things as I am. Your creativity in all the crafty things you do make me want to strive to do more.
Congrats on #500 friend.
Ruth,
What fun to imagine what painting I’d request! Neat idea. I’m so glad God allowed our paths to intersect, even for just a bit. Hopefully there will, however, be many more opportunities for the Spencers to be blessed by the Simons’ friendship. We love you all!
Congrats Ruth!! You realize that asking people to pick a favorite is nearly impossible! In addition to stylin’, I would have to pick the post about getting up early. Because even after reading encouragement from GirlTalk to do just that, it wasnt until after I read that post that I actually set my alarm early. I think I was too intimidated by 5 o’clock. But your 5:45 was much better:) Do you want me to send you a picture of the blank wall where your painting would go or would that be bribing?
Congratulations! I loved reading your milestone tidbits… and, yes, I agree your list of 10 things to remember when your child is disobedient is spot on!
Your blog and your friendship are a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing your heart and your life.
love the blog. thank you.
Congrats Ruth! What an accomplishment! I have many favorite blog posts of yours, but I think the most memorable one is when you used Stone as a fit mannequin for your tutu.
such a fantastic blog. so enjoy reading it. thank you for all the work you put into it.
Wow, 500 posts, amazing! I love how you honor your husband for his birthday each year, and the poems you write (the recent ones about expectations but also other people’s – Valley of Vision, etc). Who could ever pic just one? Looking forward to reading more this year, God is good!
My favorites are the Rising Early for Prayer and your post on Efficiency!
And this post, too…going to re-read…I am needing some direction with my blogging and this is good advice!
Sweet Ruth, every tine I read your blog, I wish we were living in the same town again so we could spend face to face time together. Your genuineness is an encouragement to me and I am often challenged to trust in God more fully by you. Thank you! May the Lord continue to use this discipline in your life to turn readers to Himself!
As far as a favorite post? That is hard…but I think your recent Psalm after you had just learned #5 is to be a boy stands out as my favorite.
Ruth,
Congratulations on 500! Wow, what an accomplishment. I have enjoyed getting to know you through this blog. Although I’ve enjoyed just about every post, the one(s) that continue to “haunt” me is your exercise in discipline to rise early and devote that time to prayer and meditation on the Word. You are an encouragement to me.
Many blessings to you as you continue in this ministry.
MCA
Ruth,
This is awesome! I love seeing God bless everything you put your hands to. You make me think of Psalm 1:3 “He (she in this case) is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields it’s fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. WHATEVER he does prospers.”
Like everyone else, I love all the posts, but since no one has mentioned your recipes, I love it when you post those. I love making new things and especially learning from you… So, please keep posting new dishes and I would love an “essentials for your pantry” post and the quick things you can make with them. Love you!
One of my favorites is when you posted some favorite books and cds you use with your kids. From those recommendations Josh and I bought our nephews and niece the Steve Green Hide ‘em in Your Heart CD. What a blessing it was to hear my nephew singing God’s word when we visited a year later.
FOOD!!! I am all about your delicious food…let’s see, the Coffee Roast recipe, oh let’s not forget the fabulous Quinoa Pie, then there is the Ugly Soup, delicate yummy scones…the scrumptious Mango pudding, oh I could go on and on and on. Thank you for sharing all of your delectable food my sweet Ruth! Oh and the Lemon Meringue PIE!!
I’d have to agree about the Psalm one being my favorite. I love how real you are.
I also love your new Christmas stockings! Maybe next year…
Ruth,
When your husband mentioned your blog at FEW for Oak Grove…. I knew you were “out there somewhere!” This is the very first blog I have ever followed! I have thoroughly enjoyed every post you have made. You are an AMAZING mom, wife and Woman of God! Many of your posts have inspired me, encouraged me, made me laugh, cry and reflect. Thank you!! By the way all of your creative & artistic abilities are simply incredible!! Congratulations on the 500 mile stone!
JOY
Congratulations Ruth!!
ONE of my favorite posts was when you announced the sex of baby boy #5. I loved your sincerity and your willingness to be content with the Lord’s perfect will.
Ooh, it’s hard for me to pick a favorite! Your post about boy #5 was really moving. Maybe the giveaway sparked this memory, but I also loved seeing some of your painting-in-progress posts.
Cool! 500 posts is awesome! Love all your pics and your recipes and tutorials. Enjoy your blog!!
Ruth:
Thank you for the time you spend on your blog. God has used your words and pictures many times to encourage me to keep pressing on. My favorite post – the reluctant soccer mom! I too find myself in this position and laughed to see my feelings expressed in your words. I also love “Wordless Wednesdays”! Thank you for your wisdom, grace and your open heart.
What a blessing your blog is to so many! I was just thinking the other day how often I am encouraged in my role as a wife and mother through gracelaced. You have had so many timely posts that it is hard to pick a favorite. As far as the most impactful, it would have to be your post on the book Feminine Appeal. I learned about the book through your post and went on to read the book with a group of ladies. After reading FA I picked up Shopping for Time and I was challenged to commit to rising early to read God’s Word. Your thoughtful writings have encouraged me to love God, my husband and children more, thanks Ruth!
Congratulations on your 500th blog! I don’t get to every post, but I love get on here and read about what’s on your heart and happening in your life. I also love when you share your amazing recipes. Thanks for all the time and energy your put into encouraging us women. We are blessed by you!
You blog is so hopeful in so many ways. I’ve already mentioned elsewhere your creativity and desire to make beautiful things inspires me. The amazing thing is that you are able to encourage and share your gifts in such a way that does not leave one feeling guilty (i.e. ahhh! i’m not a good mom because i don’t do such and such…).
THANK YOU, for your faithful service onto the Lord.
Also, you are so kind to visit your readers’ blogs. I was so honored when I saw your comments! =)
fav post? i loved reading “50 Simple Everyday Pleasures”. It made me want to seek beauty and pleasures in my own little world. You inspired this post.
http://waitinginthewaters.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-capsule.html
I love reading your blog, and do so regularly
Love reading all your posts and I love reading your recipes 
my fav post has to be Kale shakes 
London doesn’t eat ANYTHING! He L*O*V*E*S kale shakes! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful recipes! I am still learning how to cook and your recipes help me in my learning process and I am beginning to love it! Thanks Ruth 
Congrats on your milestone!
Kelsey
Sweet Ruth,
I’ve avoided commenting all week because I’m still trying to come up with my favorite post of yours, but between my indecisive tendencies and your many gifts and talents I can’t pick just one!
I think my favorite favorite thing about your blog in each and every post is the authenticity and vulnerability with which you share. I love your HEART and the way it shines through in each time you write. If it helps you gauge your goals for this blog at all, I really think you capture God’s grace beautifully from your art, to your child-rearing, to the way you encourage us women to inhabit a quiet and gentle spirit before the lord. It is truly a place laced with grace (and don’t make fun of me for rhyming here! ha) If you can take that seriously at all, please do:)
On my favorites list, I love your rearranging/repurposing around the home posts, your yummy recipes, your most raw moments when you’re wrestling with God’s truth in your life, and still, forever and ever, will LOVE the post when you first shot a gun. I know you and Troy well enough that it just killed me to see the pictures and thinking bubbles in that one. All in all, thanks for being raw when it hurts, messy when it’s uncomfortable, and encouraging when maybe you’re the one needing encouragement. Love you!
Ruth,
As I reflect on the years that God has given us together as friends, I am so thankful for the journey. Your blog is just one of the countless ways that you encourage me to not be hardened by the deceitfulness of my sin (Heb. 3:13). Five hundred posts! This milestone marks a diligence of many facets. It is one of growth, honesty, mutual encouragement, and grace. Most importantly though, it is a beautiful expression of your greatest desire — to know and glorify Him in this life before meeting Him face-to-face in the next.
I don’t know if it is possible to pick a favorite post, because they are all so fabulous. But, if I have to choose, I think I would pick the 2 that Susan posted about today. This was actually the first time I read either of these. I don’t know how I missed them as I usually check your blog every day like clockwork. Check email, check facebook, check bank account, check gracelaced. (Hmm…What does it say about me that I check facebook before my bank account? Ha!) Anyway, I love them because I was moved to tears by both. Tears in the first, because your determination to share what God is teaching you whether tidy or messy met me with a much needed hug today, and tears in the second because I was laughing so hard at the antics of those sweet boys of yours.
Congratulations and Godspeed in the next 500! Love you!
Haley
Ruth,
Congratulations on 500 blogs! I really don’t know how you do it! I can barely manage a quarterly newsletter of my life here in Moscow. Funny though, I have decided to turn my dining room into a library (of sorts), and then I saw your post about turning your dining room into a library. My room’s a bit smaller though, and will still have to function as a dining room at times. I must say though, the pics of your transformation are definitely inspiring!