We got back from vacation last night and I was anxious to see what you all had to say! Thanks for the comments--what a great help and encouragement! (Had a great time, by the way, but I almost feel like now I need a vacation from the vacation--guess that's what 1800 miles round trip--and a beach full of shells--will do to a body!).
Here's a recap of what I posted last week while I was gone . . . SCROLL RIGHT OVER IT TO GET TO THE COMMENTS FROM KELLY, DENISE AND MYRA.
Monday Aug. 16
When I started this blog six months ago--Monday, Feb. 15-- I had no idea what would happen. I never realized I'd meet such incredible women of courage, faith and grace. Stories from Denise, MaryLou, Debby, Carol, and Eleanor, plus widows from history, the Bible, and the news give us hope.
Where would we be now without each other? Although life might be OK without this blog, it's certainly better together, isn't it?
At this six-month point I need your input to creatively reach out to more women and to effectively help them develop the "new normal" by drawing closer to God.
Your feedback on the following questions will help improve this blog. Please take some time throughout this week to comment on any or all of the following questions. Do one, do all, do them all at once, or pick them up any day you can.
1) How did you find this blog?
- I saw a Facebook status update
- I personally know Ferree
- A friend, or pastor referred it to me
- I did a search using these keywords: _________
- This Side of Heaven
- Minus Prince Charming
- Widows Sanctuary
- _______________(fill in the blank with other ideas)
3) Have you ever had trouble navigating this Blogger site?
- Are there times it hasn't been available because of technical difficulties?
- Have you ever had any trouble leaving a comment?
- Has the email been convenient?
- Is six days a week too much or too little--do you want Facebook and Twitter updates several times a day, too?
- Or do you think posting once or twice a week is enough?
- Would you like to see me in a video/podcast welcome on the sidebar?
- Would you prefer the days of the week in tabs across the header of the blog rather than labels on the sidebar?
- Are the articles too long? Too short?
- Any other ideas?
- Monday: Grief issues
- Tuesday: Single living skills
- Wednesdays: Widow stories and Porchlight
- Thursdays: Resources and (soon to come) book discussion group
- Fridays: jokes
- Saturdays: devotional thoughts
Your comments will post next Monday . . .
Well, today's the "next Monday" already, so here they are!
♥ ferree
Kelly C.
1) How did you find this blog? I honestly don't remember! I think it was one of those Facebook sidebar things... I clicked on it and here I am!
2) Would you prefer any of the following titles? Hmmm. "Widows Christian Place" does not come trippingly off the tongue, but I don't care for the other suggestions, and I'm having no luck coming up with anything myself!
3) Have you ever had trouble navigating this Blogger site? Nope!
4) How about the layout and features? I sort of like the days of the week as tabs idea. Articles are just the right length, I think.
5) I think your categories are just great the way they are!
Denise
I am praying that you have a great vacation this week! It sounds like you had some fun-filled and relaxing things planned. We just had our first day back to school with the students today. I am taking a few minutes for myself tonight. This summer was a time filled with fun, relaxation and healing. God has truly shown His presence and I am looking forward to this school year. I am a little nervous about the busyness once again, but know that I am not alone! I am glad to hear that your book is progressing. I pray God continues to guide you and use you as a tool for others. God has truly blessed you and your ministry through your writing and the blog. I thank God for all the support I find in the blog and on The Gathering Place. Thank you for your work!
1) How did you find this blog? I did a search using these keywords: _Christian widows blogs______
2) Regarding the title . . . I think the title lends itself well to the search since that is what I was looking for. I started looking for Lutheran widowed teachers first and couldn't find anything. I was looking for widows that were teaching who are single parents and then transitioned to the words above for the search.
3) Any trouble navigating this site? No
4) How about the layout and features? I enjoy the variety. I don't mind the length on any of them. I just keep in mind that if it is a long one, I can always come back to it on another day. I don't know much else about layout. I don't have much experience doing it. I think the layout is easy to navigate.
5) How about the content? Each day of the week hosts a different category. Please let me know what you think of each day. I enjoy each topic. I look forward to them. Fridays are fun to read at the end of a tiring week. I am also looking forward to the book discussion group. I have just finished reading A Grace Disguised and have bought two more copies so they too can read it. My intention is not only for any losses they have had or will go through but also because he puts so many of my thoughts into words. Thank you for the suggestion! I appreciate all of the encouragement, uplifting words, promises from scripture and helpful anecdotes.
Myra
1) How did you find this blog? I did a search using these keywords: widows Christian support
2) Regarding the title . . . I like the current title because it is easy to remember
3) Have you ever had trouble navigating this Blogger site? No
Are there times it hasn't been available because of technical difficulties? No
Have you ever had any trouble leaving a comment? No
Has the email been convenient? Yes
4) How about the layout and features? It would be helpful to have a list of helpful links available all the time, altogether. I have found several email publications and websites that I keep on my favorites, but they have taken a while to find. A dropdown list for ready reference would be nice. A booklist would be good, especially since you are going to start doing a book club like thing one day a week. The categories by day are great for topics, but are difficult to look through when you tell us about reference material.
5) How about the content? Each day of the week hosts a different category. Please let me know what you think of each day. All are good and useful, but the jokes on Fridays don’t do much for me. An inspirational story from another writer or source would serve me better.
As always, Ferree, I love the blog and love your contributions to the confusing world of widowhood.
Thank you soooo much! I hope to find some ways to provide easier referencing, I'm thinking maybe I'd better not mess with the title, and I'm with Myra on the jokes, but I have others who visit specifically for them. Feedback helps a lot! I'm looking forward to hearing more as we go along. Keep checking back, and God bless. ♥ ferree
1) How did you find this blog?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't remember! I think it was one of those Facebook sidebar things... I clicked on it and here I am!
2) Would you prefer any of the following titles? Hmmm. "Widows Christian Place" does not come trippingly off the tongue, but I don't care for the other suggestions, and I'm having no luck coming up with anything myself!
3) Have you ever had trouble navigating this Blogger site? Nope!
4) How about the layout and features? I sort of like the days of the week as tabs idea. Articles are just the right length, I think.
5) I think your categories are just great the way they are!