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What Do You Want? (Lurkers Speak Up!)

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The Heart of Wisdom blog averages 500 visitors a day and almost 200 subscribers. But not too many comments. I need your feedback. Why do come back? What encourages you? What would you like to see more of:

Your comments will dictate upcoming posts. Please, everyone– subscribers, commenters, and lurkers — drop me a quick comment and tell me what you want to read about on this blog. Or let me know if you just want to be surprised. Click the comment link to add your input. Thank you.

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Popularity: 9% [?]

There Are 26 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Jana :

    I’ve only been reading this blog for about a week or two, but what compelled me to bookmark it was the spiritual challenges and the spiritual encouragement. I’m intrigued by the Jewish feasts and holidays, as well. I am not at all interested in utilizing the internet, scrapbooking or memes. The other topics you listed would be okay, as long as you don’t focus on only one topic.

    Another thing I like about your blog is that you have the links at the end of each post – either external, or links to other posts of yours that I might like. On days when I have more time to browse, it’s nice to have a few places to start!

  2. Comment by Robyn :

    Robin,
    I visit this blog as soon as it post on my email. I find this blog very encouraging, as a Mom with 7 children of my own and a homeschool Mom , I find that its your transparent personality, your sensitiveness to the Holy Spirit, and just you’ve been there done that and your humbleness to admit your failures and weaknesses. A lott of the things that you post about, is God’s timing. You don’t know how many times the Lord has pricked my heart by something you have written about or going through. I want to personally thank you for just being you and letting us be a part of your life.

  3. Comment by Jacque :

    I think Robyn hit the nail on the head: “…thank you for just being you and letting us be a part of your life.”
    We read because of you.
    I am praying for you, my friend… but I will admit that I asked God how I could pray for you when I too am in the pit, in the midst of despair? “Because you know the hopelessnes; you know the anger; you know the humility; you ar still relying on Me.”
    Robin… I am not near as transparent as you are. I cannot bring myself to blog like you do. You are more real than I and most others, and you touch our hearts, and we are proud to know you and love you and pray for you.
    I don’t come back for anything in particular. I come back because you blog the way you do. You are Robin.
    As far as comments, I LOVE them too. Who doesn’t? But, I would not rely on any lack of comments as an indicator that you are not blogging what your readers want. You have 194 readers on your Feedburner alone. I think you are blogging what we want to read.
    We want to read about you and what tickles your fancy and what touches you deeply. Keep blogging yourself.
    Love you!
    -Jacque
    p.s.
    I just received your What Your Child Needs in the mail today. Amanda got it for me as a surprise-belated-bday gift. I can’t wait to start it!
    Have you been to Amanda’s or Jocelyn’s blogs – or Rachel’s?
    Praying and standing with you, my friend!

  4. Comment by chrissy :

    Dearest Robin,
    I agree with what Jacque said. You write openly about whatever it is that Our Father puts on your heart. Amoung many other things, you are an inspiration to me to be more transparent and honest. Is this not how a circumsised heart should be? Exposed to God and man? I too like comments and am discouraged when I don’t get any. Please keep doing what you are doing anyway! You may not know how the Lord has used you until He tells you Himself in person! Look how many ‘lurkers’ came out when you were sick! You are that Titus 2:3,4 woman for me, and we have never met! Hold fast, my dear friend.

  5. Comment by Julie@Shanan Trail :

    Robin,

    I think you should always blog what the Holy Spirit puts on your heart. And you know ~ sometimes those words will be meant to encourage, challenge or lift up just one reader.

    We are probably very close to the same age, but I read your blog because I see you as a Titus 2 woman: someone who teaches me good things.

    Blessings to you ~

  6. Comment by eph2810 :

    Wow, girl, that is a lot of visitors. Too bad that not many leave a comment.
    I have been trying to find a good median on what I post, but right now I only have time for meme :) .

  7. Comment by Bobbie-Jo :

    What a wide open question! How brave! And how sneaky to force the lurkers like me out of hiding!

    I really love coming here for the surprise. But here are some things I wonder about:

    Which feast are we near? How can I easily “get my feet wet” with several small children (under 10yrs old)?

    I *think* I understand the HOW TA in my head, but how do I practically apply it to the kitchen table when we are studying nouns, or subtration, or one of the other basics of education?

    What about preschoolers?

    Sample day, humour. It’s all already right here, it just comes in fresh forms on your blog.

    I really like reading about scheduling by faith.

    Hmmm. I guess I, too, like coming here to read about whatever neat and inspiring things you have to offer! The variety is the best!

  8. Comment by Penney Douglas :

    Hi Robin,

    I like to hear about your family. I have 9 children. I love to hear how you do your homeschooling. I come back because I want to find out how you’re doing. I also like updates about HOW. I forget to check blogs because I’m new to blogging. I usually don’t leave a comment because I don’t have time. I get too wordy and spend way too much time on the computer. I’m homeschooling 6 of the 9 and the other 3 are 3-year-old twins and an infant. I’m trying to wean myself away from the computer. But your blog is the one I go to if I go to any blog at all. I love the fact that you are Spirit-led and transparent. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I wish I could buy your house!

    Love,
    Penney

  9. Comment by Training Hearts :

    Wow, that’s a lot of bloggy traffic :) I like reading blog entries from the heart that share about growing together with His word. I’m always trying to learn more from blogs, especially in regards to training our children. I love seeing pictures of what other families are doing in their homes to apply the special teachings that he has put upon our hearts.

  10. Comment by Vienna :

    Hello Robin,

    I suppose I never leave comments because I can’t think of anything someone else hasn’t already said. Or asked. I guess I’m just sucking up the information because I’ve only been homeschooling two months and sometimes it’s just better to visit the FAQ instead of bothering you.

    I found HOWTA about five years ago when I first started thinking about homeschooling. It was exactly what I had been looking for. My children where only 3 and 2 at the time. But then they were both diagnosed as autistic and essentially taken away from me for “early intervention”. Have you ever felt like you weren’t just “in the valley” but underneath it? The first couple of years were awful being part of the public school system. The teachers were good to us, but my children were so wore out when they’d get home. So I probed around about homeschool again. I would ask if the therapists were treating any home schoolers, and they’d look at me in horror and exclaim it would be way too hard for me to homeschool two autistic boys. After that I quit letting people know what I was thinking. I put homeschooling down altogether.

    Last year I felt lead to ask the Lord to encourage me to homeschool again. After five years on hold I went right back to HOWTA. A few years ago we didn’t have enough money for the book, but now we’re doing well and I was able to get a copy. Oh man, is that a cool book! I actually felt the shekinah on me as I read about your account of the calling of Moses. Exodus for the Brewer family! So I made the decision, took my kids out of school and started homeschooling all in a month’s time.

    The stress in our house has dropped and the kids are happy and energetic. So I just hit the website and the book when I need inspiration or have a question. If I could talk to you in person I would. I’d love even better to come to your house and watch how you do it. (I learn best watching and then doing.) Hmmm. How about a HOWTA workshop? Do you do those? I’m sure you’ve thought about them. Obviously, you can’t host thousands of people in your house or on the phone. Or what about HOWTA representatives?

    There! The lurker made a comment and a question. Satisfied? Really, thank you so much for HOWTA. I wouldn’t be homeschooling if you hadn’t been there Robin.

  11. Comment by Shonni :

    Hi Robin,
    I have 10 children and have home schooled for 15 years. Several of our children are adopted and orphan ministry is very important to our family. I was first drawn to your site because of your beautiful ideas about making the Bible the core of education. We started the HOW Ancient History this year and LOVE it. Somehow, I “stumbled” (God was directing) onto the Hebrew Roots Study. Our lives have been changed!! I have wanted to write you anyway and tell you THANK YOU! I feel like I found apart of myself that was missing and my life is richer, with greater meaning and passion.
    I love the Hebrew Roots section since I want to continue to learn about this subject and how other familes are celebrating their Hebrew roots. I love the other sections also!
    I look so forward to each new article. I feel encouraged, motivated and enjoy learning about your family. Your spirit has touched mine and I feel a kindred spirit “out there” in the world.
    HOW blog is the only place I really spend much time and I always feel that it is worth the time spent.
    Thank you for the time you put into this and for sharing yourself and your family with us.
    Shonni

  12. Comment by tonya :

    What brought me to this site? Actually I revisited this site after I was telling another (potential) hs about this website. Then I found out about this blog. I began receiving mail and it couldn’t have come at a better time in my life. Many trials as we all face. Through this site (and others) God has instrumentally used them to encourage me on a daily basis. From which I have found the strength to make some difficult decisions and move forward in the direction the LORD would have me go. It has been such a tremendous blessing!!
    Robin, my prayers are with you and your family. I too am relocating to another state (Mo to WA). Isn’t it amazing that even in the valleys we can see and hear the LORD? He truly is gracious and loving beyond our understanding! Girls, my prayers are with you too, eventhough I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting any of you. I hopeyou all have a wonderfully blessed day!

  13. Comment by Pure and Sensible :

    Transparency, transparency, transparency! (something I am striving for in my blog, without comprising privacy issues.

  14. Comment by Sharon :

    This is my first year homeschooling, so I enjoy reading anything you put out on your blog. I would like to see any advice on homeschooling children that have been taken out of the public school system. My 10 year old daughter went to public schools through the 4th grade, and her attitude towards homeschooling has been absolutely awful. There are some days I just feel like crying and calling it quits, but I know this is what the Lord wants me to do (it only took me five years to listen to him -shame on me!). I’m afraid of her attitude rubbing off on my 5 and 3 year olds, which can happen pretty easily. Any suggestions on schooling multiple ages would be welcome by me as well.
    Thank you and God Bless!

  15. Comment by Louise :

    Shalom Robin,
    Yes I confess I have been a lurker! I feel very convicted about this. My excuse has always been that I spend way too much time on the internet and don’t have time to comment but the truth is, it doesn’t take much time to say thankyou or post a few encouraging words. So please forgive me. I have always enjoyed your website and have many of your resources that have been a blessing to our homeschooling family. I particularly love your blog. I love your honesty and willingness to share your life and struggles. You seem to bring up things that are relevant in my own life. You are a blessing Robin, you encourage me in the LORD and you are in my prayers.

  16. Comment by Susan :

    Hi Robin,
    Like Bobbie-Jo I would love to hear more about the practical, daily happenings and events in and around the biblical feasts and also daily life and schedules with primary/high school aged children is what I’d love to hear more of.

    Often I find myself nodding and agreeing at your posts…or I find myself pondering them further throughout the day. But as I only have four children I often feel like commenting will just give you more to do. Not saying that is right or wrong or that you’ve made me feel that way (not at all) but it is part of how I feel.

    I also love reading your object lessons, holiday ideas and book reviews. I like external links but they just make me sit at the compie more :sigh:

    I love you and appreciate your books, site and blog!

  17. Comment by Hope :

    Just another lurker. Thank you and I have been praying for you. I appreciate your obedience to the Lord. I am most interested in homeschooling and curriculum topics like helps and object lessons. I have 4 children under 6 and love to hear what people have done with little ones, but I also like to see ideas/products for other years as well.

    May God richly bless you and your family.

  18. Comment by Terri Layne :

    Robin,
    Bless you! I honestly don’t post much because I’m never sure I have much of value to say, beyond what others have already said. That being said, I read almost every single blog you write and I always find it encouraging, thought-provoking, funny, convicting, or all of the above and more!!!!

    I have toyed with the idea of a blog of my own, but I can’t seem to get a handle on time management of home-schooling my two young children (ages 4 and 6) as the oldest Mommy on the block (age 57.)
    My girls were adopted from China. The blessing is that they now know about and are learning to love Jesus, Someone they had never heard about before coming here.

    But I struggle with scheduling by faith, with my own perfectionism, etc., and I so appreciate hearing your wise comments. The links themselves are worth their weight in gold! In some ways, you are like a radio preacher, who must wonder if anyone is actually listening and benefiting from the words he speaks. Well, I’m here to tell you that I am benefitting tremendously from your blog, and praying for you too, and knowing that the Lord continues to hold you in His hands–your times are in His hands–is an encouragement to me too.

    Bless you!
    Terri Layne

  19. Comment by Michelle :

    Robin,
    Honestly, It truly is God’s wisdom that brings me back to blog. I wait for every one to be in bed so that I can read what God gives you to write. It is always very timely. I love being continually reminded to turn my homeschooling over to God. Sharing your experiences help me to do that. As well as the reminders you blog as you did in the promised land article. There is so much you blog and it is all helpful to me. I thank the Lord for you and the Godly wisdom you share.
    Praise be to Him. Michelle B.

  20. Comment by morison dony :

    Thanks for this helpful resources :)

  21. Comment by Kenneth :

    Interesting stuff! I’m just getting started with blogging and trying to gain some insight into writing articles. I like your style!

  22. Comment by chris :

    haha … the one who is posting the comments :D

  23. Comment by Terence@InternetMarketingReviews :

    First time here so I can’t be called a lurker but I have to say that comments are the lifeblood of any blog as long as they ain’t spam.

    I have found that comments will come naturally when you post something that strikes a chord in peoples hearts. The word for it is flagship content. It has to be compelling though.

  24. Comment by elias b. hancock :

    Good Morning just figured i would let you know that i had a problem with your blog appearing frozen as well. Might be gremlins in the page.

  25. Comment by free christian printables :

    Well I got to be honest here,Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post! Will definitly keep me coming back….Thanks:))

  26. Comment by make your own printables :

    Well I got to be honest here,Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so! really nice post! Will definitly keep me coming back….Thanks:))

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