it happened just like that.

{i find myself saying that way too often.}

it happened just like that.

we hit 500 posts this week!

i wasn't waiting on it. i wasn't paying any attention.

i was doing what i love to do...writing. and then i looked up and saw 500.

reading that many blog entries would be like reading 25 books having 20 chapters in each.

 if you started with me in 2006, thank you. all 4 of you. very much.

if you've joined me here since then, thank you. there have been times when over 1500 joined me in one day.

what began as a way to keep family and friends up to date about the growing pilgreen family life has flowed into a steady stream and into the rapid current we find ourselves in today.

what began as victories of potty-training and first homeruns in the backyard is now celebrations of salvation and friendships.

it happened just like that.

life was all consuming with three littles back then.

one growing independent at the ripe ole age of four, one was toddling into laundry baskets and cabinets and the other was being formed in the womb.

the littles are bigger these days and my writing has shifted from updates for friends and family to developing my voice as a writer.

now that ever-growing social media platforms allow for instant uploads and updates,

i can give a different voice to the blog and throw in-the-moment snapshots to instagram.

regardless of when we joined this journey together, i’ve got to have you revisit post number 1.

my, how it all has changed...

 

blogpost entry #1: Loving it in Tuscaloosa

February 12.2006

please note: tuscaloosa is in alabama. roll tide!

 i look 16, but i promise you i was 29.

and i was into capitalizing words back then.

This has been a very busy winter. Shauna’s sister, Katie, got married on New Year’s Eve. It was such a fun and worshipful celebration. Pictured above is Shauna’s sisters, mom, and Matthew’s(Katie’s Husband) sisters, mother, and grandmother at Katie’s bridal luncheon. Natalie came to stay with us for a week before she begins her teaching job in Gainesville, GA. We were able to take in a gymnastics meet: Alabama vs. Georgia. It was a great meet, but Georgia won…barely! Ben, Elijah, Samuel and I are loving it more than ever in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We’re having so much fun with one another, as we have just recently become a family of 4! (Samuel was born November 25, 2005) The college ministry is taking off! Elijah loves to name as many college student’s names as he can. He loves to be on the go like his daddy. Ben has many trips planned this spring: Chicago, New York, and Equador. Me and the boys will travel to Americus to see Mimi and Pops! I finish up a writing assignment very soon. The Lord has been so faithful!

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it was in those days of early blogging that i gained a friendship in the midst of college ministry and diaper changing. a friendship in the deep south with a momma just a few steps ahead of me in life.

as God weaves our story, it intersects in beautiful ways with beautiful people.

my favorite is when they intersect again and again.

me and this momma haven't seen each other in years, but i've discovered she meets me here more often than i thought.

i want to share with you her words that she recently shared with me in a handwritten scripted letter that was delivered by a postman:

“...your journey as I see you from a distance remind me of a beautiful dance. A graceful, joyful, beautiful dance. One that is open for others to watch, enjoy and learn. Not perfected, but the way you dance invites, encourages, and challenges others to join. They feel comfortable learning the steps with you around. Your grace and gentleness puts all at ease. So my words for you today are to keep dancing! Don’t lose the joy, we all need to see people dancing. It encourages us who believe to keep going and intrigues those who don’t as to why you should dance at all. God has placed a beautiful dance in you, keep dancing. The beauty of it is captivating in a world of strife. I am so thankful for your thoughts, words, and transparency as I read your blog....I am so grateful that our paths crossed! Keep dancing!”

~a deep south momma just steps ahead of me in the dance

blogging allows me to put words together from the voice God has given me, but it has been because of the experiences i’ve had with you.

the words are nothing without friendship.

the words contain no power without us sharing life together.

with all of me to all of you, thank you for meeting me here. 

i know you are praying for us and our little girl halfway across the world.

i know you celebrate our victories in the city and in the church

and you've told me you cry with us too.

 so here's to 500 and dancing!

and i'm just getting started!

if you're just now joining me here, subscribe so you don't miss a beat.

invite others to dance.

we were never meant to do life alone

in the places we call home...