I walked into blogging backwards. Actually, I  stumbled into writing. I had been teaching a parenting course at my church and many of the participants told me I should write a book. I totally dismissed the idea. I had four little kids and there was barely time to get the laundry done. (Thankfully, laundry is a…process.)  Then one of my small group leaders in the class came to me and said, “I’ve always wanted to write a book but never had the right material. This is the right material. Do you want to write a book together.” Someone…I guess it was me… popped out a, “Yes, let’s do it.” So we did it.

 

EMPOWERED PARENTS: Putting Faith First, Wildenberg & Danielson, was our first endeavor. A couple years prior to our second (Raising Little Kids with Big Love)  and third book (Raising Big Kids with Supernatural Love ) being published, Becky Danielson and I attended the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park. There we were trained in how to blog and why blogging and being an author go hand in hand. After the conference, I rolled up my sleeves and began my personal blog, Eternal Moments, all things faith and family.  Shortly after that my Becky and I founded our family ministry (based on the Love Chapter in 1 Corinthians 13)  1 Corinthians 13 Parenting (1C13P). We now have a team of 25 experts who meet the needs of all moms and dads–even grandparents. We exist to serve and support parents of younger and older kids, step-parents, single parents, adoptive parents, married parents, parents of special needs kiddos. We write about education, relationships, faith, and from time to time share some recipes. Our goal is to be the place to meet all your parenting needs.

 

I am passionate about  encouraging and equipping both moms and dads to be the parent they want to be and be the parent their child needs. And blogging is a powerful component to that mission. 

 

To be honest, I am a skimmer. I jump around a lot. I tend to be drawn to blogs that are faith-based and family focused. Aside from Her View from Home, I regularly read the posts over at The MOM Initiative. Being a part of the TMI team as well makes the posts even more impactful when I read what one of my fellow mentor moms has written. 

 

My kids are now young adults so my mornings look way different than they did a few years ago. ( I can start and finish a hot cup of coffee.) I get up early to take care of my social media responsibilities for 1C13P. Next, either I do some writing or I am off to a speaking engagement, my bible study, or I am meeting clients for a parent consulting/coaching. Then Murphy, my rust colored labradoodle is ready for his w-a-l-k. Dinnertime is spent at home with my husband, Tom and often one of our four kids will join us.

First I’d ask, “What is your passion?” then I’d inquire, “Do you have an encouraging or inspiring story or message to communicate?” Next I would recommend narrowing the audience by picturing the reader. Who is she? How old? What are her strengths and weaknesses. Once a writer can visualize and know her reader the writing flows  more easily and draws more readers to the blog. Know to whom you are speaking and try to write like you talk. Be authentic. People love real. Oh! And keep a pen and paper near the shower and your night stand. You never know when inspiration will strike.

 

10 Warning Signs to Heed when Dating is the piece I feel made the biggest impact. The back story of this article is my oldest daughter was in an abusive relationship with her significant other. I wrote the article because of that situation. I had prayed that God would let her see the blog and that she would realize the relationship she was in was toxic. She did read it and the words rolled around in her brain over a period of a few months. The post was the beginning of the end of that relationship. I pray that it helped other families too. 

 

Since that Colorado Writers Conference I am all over social media! Here’s the list:

 

Eternal Moments (personal blog) http://www.loriwildenberg.blogspot.com/

1 Corinthians 13 Parenting (team blog plus website) http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/

 

Lori Wildenberg  http://www.loriwildenberg.com/

1Corinthians13Parenting.com (website plus team blog) http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lori Appel Wildenberg

Facebook Ministry (LIKE) page: http://www.facebook.com/1Corinthians13Parenting

 

 

 

loriwildenberg

 

 

 

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