We've wondered when this time would come. After all, you just can't maintain a blog forever. We originally thought this blog might last us throughout our maidenhood, but the time to stop is here, although marriage isn't in the foreseeable future for either of us. But, we trust that God's timing will be best for that too. He's been faithful through the years of blogging, and will continue through this next season of sharing less.
Why stop now? God has led us to be involved in many things, and blogging has become less of a priority. Miriam will have a full course load and extra-curricular activities at Judson college, in addition to being an RA this fall; Anna has a busy schedule of teaching and directing through The King's Courts while continuing to study on her own and look for other ways to serve from home. While writing and blogging about these activities and other thoughts along the way is fun, we both feel that we don't have the time maintaining this blog well would take. And while having an online community of blogging friends is encouraging, we feel that the time we have to devote to friendships should be more focused on close friends both near by and across the states.
We've also come to realize that sometimes life is better not shared with hundreds of people in an online, very public way. God has led different people in different ways, and our lives, while we hope they were encouraging to others, were never meant to be taken as the pattern or only way to live Biblical womanhood. While it's challenged and matured us to learn to communicate our convictions in a public way, there are things we just prefer to keep private and among close friends and family. Much as it would have been fun to share our stories when those special young men - whoever they are - come into our lives, it will also be easier not to have to worry about blogging it, but instead, just enjoy the experiences when they come.
Our friendship is still strong; we've remained friends through the years. If anything, we've grown closer, by God's grace. However, our spent spent as co-blogging, at least for now, has come to a close. Miriam may update her blog, Merely Miriam periodically, and Anna will still be blogging about productions on The King's Courts. The content on Maidens of Worth will remain up as an online archive, but don't look for anything new.
It has been a good four years. We've matured and been challenged over our time of blogging. We're still committed to serving God, however He wants us to, as maidens of worth.
43 comments:
Wow, congratulations on the end of an era, I suppose. I will miss reading your posts though! Even as a married 20-something woman from the Pacific Northwest, I found your posts charming and looked forward to the updates. But, good luck with life. With God, all things are possible!
- Andrea
I've so enjoyed your posts! May God bless both of you!
Aw, sorry to see your blog close, by I understand :-). Enjoy moving on and living life, not worrying about writing about it!
Very well written post! Though I'll miss reading your posts, you have very good points to make that I can agree with since I'm in a similar season of life. I pray that God continues to bless you both in all that you do in the coming years! :)
Shalom!
~Sydney
Thanks for what you've shared on your blog and the encouragement you've been to many!
I will miss it! But I understand :)! Y'all have been such an encouragement to me! :) I love y'all so much!
Your sister in Christ,
*Katie*
I'm so sorry to see you go. I'll miss your beautiful pictures and your book reviews, but I know it's good to just live your life without worrying about letting us know what's going on.
I'll miss you girls. Good-bye.
Love in Christ, <><.
I've been a reader for a LONG time but haven't left comments. But I'm going to today... your co-blog has been a joy to me and I look forward to reading your individual blogs in the future.
Blessings!
Janeen
i'm gonna cry!! o wow, well ur blog will be missed! it has been a blessing!! <3 mk
Congratulations on these four years of blogging! I have been blessed through your blog and I will really miss it, however, God's plan is best :)
Blessings and prayers,
Annie
I have enjoyed your blog so much, though I do not share your faith. I havefound much of what you write inspirational and thought provoking, and I will miss your updates.
Thank you for all the time you have both put into this blog, and be assured it has had a positive impact on people you've never dreamt of!
Thank you for sharing what you have in the past! My mom and I have really enjoyed it! We will miss being able check up and see what y'all have been learning.
You have been a huge encouragement to me in striving to be more feminine and trying to be a true maiden of worth.
I will be checking your Kings courts blog for updates!
Thanks again!
Your Sister In Christ,
Naomi
Thank you for the time that you have spent on this blog - It is really appreciated!
I have so enjoyed reading all the post and have found them encouraging and inspiring. Plus the book reviews have been fab.
If I was feeling down or doubting this was the blog that I would look to for motivation especially in the earlier days when I was finding my faith.
Your dresses in the 2007 photograph are so pretty
Jenny
x
T-T I will miss this blog. It's definately been an adventure. Good luck, ladies, and keep the faith. You've been a beacon, and I wish you all well.
Good bye, may God go with you and guide each step you each take through life and bring you safely home to heaven.
I totally understand you're wanting to live your life and not have so many people you don't know reading about it. I'm in the same spot right now, as I'm contemplating closing my blog soon, it's been four years for me too! Though I don't have as many readers as you do! Blessings!
I love both of you girls! I'm sad to see this blog come to an end, but I know the Lord will do even greater things with the projects you're focusing on.
I am so sad to hear you are leaving the blog! This has been one of the only blogs I read anymore, as we are so similar. You have been such an amazing encouragement to me over the two and a half years I have followed you. I have so enjoyed reading about your life, your musings and bits of wisdom and advice. Good luck in your future- may God bless you and Miriam both! If you ever decide to revive this or a similar blog, I'm all for it ;)
Anna and Miriam, your posts have been such a great inspiration and encouragement to me. God has richly blessed you with wisdom and the "gift of encouragement," and it has been a great blessing to me to read thoughts and sharing from other young women who desire to glorify God with their lives.
I do understand where you are coming from, and I pray that the Lord would bless both of you in a special way. I know he has great things planned for both of you! :-)
Your Sister in Christ,
Vicki <3
Oh! Thank you for your sweet posts. Your blog has been very encouraging to me from the beginning. Thank you girls. May God bless you as you move on.
Ruth
You all are so kind and encouraging with your comments! Thank you for sharing how Maidens of Worth has blessed you. We certainly never anticipated the number of readers we would get by just sharing our thoughts and lives. To God be the glory!
My first reaction when seeing this post was "Oh NO!!" :( Because I have enjoyed reading this blog so much!! I am sad to see it end, but I respect the decision you two girls have made. I think you already know how much I appreciate this blog, so I just want to say WELL DONE, and praise God!! I will always remember what I've learnt from here.
God bless and all the best for your future!
All good things come to an end. I am sorry to see your blog end, but I understand! I pray God's blessings over both you girls; I know He has good things in store!
I have been reading your blog for so long. It is hard to see you go. It makes me wonder what my own blog's future is. I relate to so much of what you wrote in this post.
Whatever the days to come hold, you will add grace and beauty to all you put your hands to!
I'll miss you guys! this blog has been a huge blessing and encouragement to me. Best wishes to you both as you continue on in this season of your lives :-)
Okay, now I'm depressed. How can my favorite blog shut down!!!! ugghhh. Well, I understand your reasoning, but I sure will miss reading your posts. *sigh*
I am very different to you two lovely girls but I have really enjoyed reading here in the past couple of years. May God bless you both in what ever you do.
God bless this new season of life for both of you. I will miss the blog posts!! :)
Nooooooo!!! Well, ok, if you must. I do understand. Thank you Anna for all your advice and just listening. You have definately been an inspiration to me. Imagine - being an inspiration to a 41 year old woman from Maine! Please thank Elijah as well, as he has been very thoughtful and kind as well. I wish all of you the very best.
Take care,
Julie from Maine
I'm so sad to read that this is the end of Maidens of Worth. I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed your blog and what a blessing it has been to me as I have kept up with it for a long time. Thank you so much for all the work you put into your blog and all the ways you have pointed us to Christ. It was such a great blessing and a great encouragement to so many. We will miss you!
God bless,
Brooke.
I have been a faithful reader of your blog since early 2007, perhaps late 2006, and I know we are sad to see you ladies go, as I feel we've all grown in the Lord together. We are praying for a wondeful future for each of you. I have been blessed by your testimonies personally, and I have oft felt that you have expressed views that I share far better than I ever could have.
I know you both are sad to move on, but I firmly believe that when God closes a door, he opens a window. May you enjoy the experiences to bring Glory to God. The coming years are times of great change for ladies of our age group, and I am so glad you will be able to live them to the fullest!
To God be the Glory! Amanda
God bless you both, it's been a good 4 years. :-) *hugs*
In Christ,
Sheila
I have also been a reader of your blog for a couple years but had never left a comment :) I'm going to miss you both! It has been really encouraging hearing about what God has been doing in your lives over the years. I feel like I'm losing 2 friends! Anyway God bless you both in your futures. He is faithful!
aaaawe. i have been a silent lurker for years! i cant keep up with my own blog, but i read yours. i love you. we will all miss you, but glad that you are leaving up the archives, because i still go through them. but, hey, at least come back and let us know when a husband does find you.
Sarah, lovely wife of...
We'll all miss you. We knew this day would come. It was sad when you girls stopped posting so frequently. You could always find some new maidens to take over the blog. It wouldn't be the same without you guys but it would help keep a modest community alive. Great work all of these years and good luck!
We found your blog several years ago and have been encouraged by the insightful and helpful posts. Thank you for sharing the lessons you have learned, and for the wonderful Christian witness you have had at this site. Praise the Lord and God bless,
-David
Young Christian Leaders' Alliance
What sad news! I hope you will leave your blog up for others to see your past posts!
Despite ending your blog I still would like to give you an award for your beautiful blog that has inspired me and continues to inspire me. Thank you!
Link to the blog award image: http://blog.saintmariasmessenger.com/blogimages/lovely blog Award 1.jpg
There are a few rules, though, in order to accept the award:
1. Accept the award. Post it on your blog with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Send it to 15 other bloggers that you have newly discovered.
3. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.
Bernadette Fox
My blog: http://blog.saintmariasmessenger.com
Dear girls,
Over the years He's used you all to deepen my walk with Him. Thank you so much for being faithful to what God calls you, no matter what that is!
Your sister in Christ,
Joanna
I just found you and it's all over LOL!
Will you be updating when major things happen in your life (eg graduation, marriage)?
Roxanne
Roxanne: Sorry. :) But, it has been nice not to blog, to not feel the need to share things with the world. And no, we probably won't update with major life milestones, though they may be mentioned on our other blogs. I think Maidens of Worth is truly over, and much as I've enjoyed the online community, I don't feel the need to share big details of my personal life here.
You will be missed by many. You were one of the fist blogs that I started to read and though I have not been your most faithful reader, I have been blessed by many of your posts. May God bless you as you continue to follow Him and His plans for your life.
Sarah
I totally missed this post the first time around! I'm glad you guys are able to focus on your life without having to share it with the world, and I'm glad for the encouraging posts you have had. Keep strong in the Lord ladies! God bless you greatly!
Mackenzie
I just happened upon this site. As a mother of two young maidens I am very happy you left the site up altho you are no longer blogging. Both I and my daughters can peruse the contents and still be blessed. Its wonderful how God uses our lives to bless and encourage one another.
A mommy from the San Francisco Bay Area
Both are very beautiful.
I sure miss Maiden of Worth. There aren't many other places to read wholesome material and encourage posts. God bless you both! ~Jenna
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