To Those of You Who Do Not Leave Comments on Blogs

To Those of You Who Do Not Leave Comments on Blogs~

I am a Blogger. It takes time and energy to write, edit, take pictures, and publish each article. Of course I thrive on feedback from those who read what I place out there in the wide world of websites. There are days when I catch myself checking the blog or email just to see if I heard from anyone. Sometimes I check too often and then when there is silence, I get discouraged.

I know you are out there. I have all the stats before me. I’ve asked other Bloggers what they do to improve their site, to draw in visitors and comments. I’ve read and read other blogs about “How to Increase Your Blog’s Stats in Three Easy Steps.” Some tweaks I’ve made. Others I won’t buy into.

I got to thinking.

What is the purpose of FFS? Why did I begin this blog in the first place?

Why? I want to spread the gospel. I want to encourage others on their journey of life. I want to share my struggles and blessings so I might glorify my King.

The purpose of FFS is not to bring in thousands of views a day, receive 30 comments per post, or bring income to my wallet. Believe me when I say, I’ve learned a lot about affiliate links, ads, and raising my SEO lately.

It thrills my heart when someone comes up to me, or sends me an email, to say how much a post meant to him or her. Especially if I had no idea this person was even reading my blog. At times the next words from this person will be, “I’m sorry I don’t comment any.”

If this person might be you, please do not feel entitled, guilty, or ashamed if you have not interacted on the blog. People are busy. You have a job to do, laundry to wash, food to cook, a garden to plow. The fact that you would take 5 minutes to read something I wrote is amazing. The fact that someone might actually use one of the Bible lessons with a ministry is even more humbling.

Do I want your comments? Absolutely! Do I want you to share articles that bless you? Please do! I love hearing your opinions, advice, and struggles. I try to comment back. After all, some days I’m waiting for them! “Bloggy” friends are fun and great to have!

Before I end this note to you, allow me to let you in on a secret. I don’t leave many comments either. And if you are a Subscriber to this blog and a Blogger, please know that I come to your page to check up on you. I may not get over there every day, but I do try to visit often. I happen to have a busy life, too.

Reader, you are valuable to me. Thank you for taking the time to visit.

May you be blessed by the King today,
FFS

What’s Happening at FFS?

The kids are picking strawberries. The picture doesn’t have anything to do with this post, but I thought they looked sweet!

Readers, I thought it might be time for a quick update post.

Spring has sprung and life is crazy as public school and church activities end for the summer. Awana will be ending in 2.5 weeks. We’ll be having our awards ceremony and it will be exciting to watch the kids receive their awards. Because of Awana breaking for the summer, I will not be posting any new Bible lessons, except for the one I did last week. (I’m late, I know.) I will resume posting lessons when Awana begins again in August.

A big change for me is my decision to step down from being an Awana Commander. In fact, all four of us Pink Ladies will be stepping down. Being Commander is a big job and our ministry is to the point that it needs a fantastic manager and someone with different talents than the four of us have. This is a “sad for me,” but “great for the ministry” type event. The man taking over as Awana Commander will be able to lead the ministry as God works to enlargen its territory. My leaving the Awana Leadership will allow me to focus more on being the Awana Bible Teacher. This is where my heart is and where God has equipped me to serve.

My son will be turning 6 tomorrow, so another birthday party will be taking place this weekend. If you remember last year’s, it will be quite the event.

Another event happening for our family is our taking a two week vacation to the United Kingdom. My husband and I will be taking the two kids and his mom across the ocean for some cultural expansion and history immersion. We are excited, so be sure to look out for posts from England!

Later this summer, my husband will be going on a missions trip to Nicaragua, I will have family driving up from Florida to visit and explore our state, I’ll be teaching a Ladies Bible study for 6 weeks, and the annual Messy Party will take place some time in July.

As you can see we have all kinds of fun stuff coming up during the next few months.

I appreciate all of my Readers who have stuck with me over the past year. Thank you.

~ FFS

FREE Open Source Websites

I had a fantastic time at the first evening of the Teach Them Diligently conference! There were SO many families there and I was not disappointed with the speakers I visited. I want to share a little with you. I’m sure I’ll have more later!

Before I dive into giving you an awesome short list of Open Source websites that I picked up from one of the sessions, I want you to take a moment and watch this video by Sir Kenneth Robinson that I was introduced to. It’ll make you think!

FREE Open Source Sites:

Kahn Academy (online classes)
Academic Earth (online classes: MS/HS)
Math.com  (homework help, practice, games: MS/HS)
Annenberg Learner  (K-college lessons)
Google Scholar  (Research for papers)
Promethean Planet  (Preschool-college lessons)
CK12 (K-HS lessons)

Homeschooling for FREE? You bet!

Homeschool families are so blessed today to have a wealth of curricula out there to help educate our kids. Chareen, over at Every Bed of Roses, is a homeschool mom in Australia and has gathered a fantastic list of {FREE!} websites and blogs that offer all kinds of helps for homeschooling.

Just click on her button here and be ready to settle down in your chair and peruse all the wonderful sites she has found. You’ll even find FFS towards the end!!

Ultimate Blog Party Guests: WELCOME to FFS!!

Hello Fellow Bloggers visiting from the 2013 Ultimate Blog Party! You are my Guests today, but I’d love to make your acquaintance and see you stick around and join the FFS Community.

FFS is a hodge-podge of sorts. My main focus is to spread the gospel through storying and Children’s Object Lessons. I also throw in a mixture of homeschooling activities, family antics, personal thoughts, and encouraging devotionals. You can visit the About Me page to find out a little more about my background.

Here are some features I don’t want you to miss!

FREE Easy Bible Lessons
May I Encourage You? mini devotionals

Here are a few of my most popular and favorite blog posts!

Awesome Children’s Salvation Message
I’m Sorry…My Children Don’t Believe in the Easter Bunny
10 Ways to be a Better Friend
My Life as…And Infertile Woman
Are You Producing? Galatians 5:22 (Fruit of the Spirit Object Lesson)

I’m on the lookout for bloggers willing to share a “boast” about God for the FFS “I Will Boast in God” series. If you are interested, leave a comment or email me.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit FFS. I look forward to getting to know you  better!!

May I Encourage You? Be a New Creation

I have written this May I Encourage You? as a guest blogger over at A Joy-Filled Life.

Please go check it out!!

The Eye Doctor

Reblogged from A Walking Testimony:

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5b

Life is a lot like the eye doctor.  You sit in a big chair while the world forces lenses in front of your eyes.

“Which is better? One or two?”

You stare at the chart as lenses flip back and forth. If you’re honest with yourself, you really can’t notice a difference.

Read more… 720 more words

I love this story written by A Walking Testimony. This blog is all about Boasting in God, and as you Readers know, I try to do that as well. Enjoy the story. Maybe you need to get your lens cleaned.

How to Make a “Grab It” Button

It’s easier then you think. My husband and I made the FFS button the hard way before I knew the easy way. Try this:

1. Choose an image you wish to display, something to match your blog. You can use a photo editing program such as iPiccy, PicMonkey or Paint to add your blog name.

2. Once you have your image, you’ll need to crop it (125 X 125 is common, but that’s matter of preference.), and upload it to a photo hosting site like photobucket (you can also do the cropping/resizing in photobucket if preferred).

3. Copy the image url for your button, then plug it into this code:

<a href=”http://www.yourblog.com/” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket” src=” http://yourimage.jpg” /></a>

4. To add a text box so others may “grab” your button use the same code as above, and add the following code after it:

<form><textarea rows=”6″ cols=”20″><a href=”http://www.yourblog.com” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket” src=”http://yourimage.jpg” /></a><br /></textarea></form>

The complete code will look something like this:

<a href=”http://www.yourblog.com/” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket” src=” http://yourimage.jpg” /></a>
<form><textarea rows=”6″ cols=”20″><a href=”http://www.yourblog.com” target=”_blank”><img border=”0″ alt=”Photobucket” src=”http://yourimage.jpg” /></a><br /></textarea></form>

So there you have it! Let me know if this works and put your button link in the comment section so we can swap buttons. Yea!

(Thanks goes to Marcy over at Ben and Me for the button directions!!)

Do You Have a Blog Button? I Want It!

I have added a new page in the FFS header named FFS Star Blogs. This is a resource collection of sorts for the many wonderful blogs that are out there in the world.

I want all kinds of categories. Right now I have mainly homeschool buttons, and I would LOVE to add yours! If you have an encouraging, Christ-centered blog and would like to have your button added, then please do the following things:

1) Include the link to your button in the comments below.
2) Grab the FFS button and add it to your page.

The blogging community is amazing and I love how God has brought me awesome blogging friends that I will probably never meet on this side of heaven.

You Bloggers are great. Keep on keeping on….spread the gospel…glorify the Lord.

~ FFS

Mud Brownies

I haven’t made these yet, but I thought you Readers might like to make them. Then you can send me some!

Ha-ha. *grin!*

Nah, I think I might bake these for Easter dessert for Sunday. Have a GREAT Tuesday!!  ~ FFS

Mud Brownies
1 box Super 1 Family Size (9×13) pan of brownies, prepared
5 1/3 Cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
14oz Can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar

Prepare brownies according to the directions for cake like brownies on the box. Let cool completely.