I'm not really sure why I am a lurker. I think a lot of times I just dont know what to say, or maybe others are just more elloquent with words. 🙂 I will say your family has become so dear to me. I'm constantly talking about y'all to my husband and friends. 🙂

I never post because I read in a google reader and have no idea how to post other then opening up a new window! But tonight I need prayer for my now 4 yr old son to remain cancer free for the 22nd month in a row! His MRI in this wend!
Jennifer
Wichita falls tx

Okay, I'll de-lurk. 🙂 I haven't ever commented, though I guess I've been reading over a year now. I started when I found your blog from another and God was slowly opening my heart to international, special needs adoption. I think I didn't say anything then because I needed to check it out without anyone else seeing my name-it made it to public on such a popular blog. Now, we leave in 18 DAYS to bring home our third daughter, and first adoption, of a nine month old baby girl with down syndrome from Eastern Europe! So, what better reason to de-lurk than to say what an encouragement you all have been, and to ask for prayers during this new time in our lives. We also have a huge praise that we are fully funded! If you, Linny (and we call our first daughter Leni), or anyone else wants to follow along with us and pray, our blog is tappangirls.blogspot.com

I have left a few comments here and there, but I often lurk just because I don't have anything to say. Each and every post you post moves me in some way, though…please know that!

I am de-lurking 🙂 I am not sure why I haven't commented before except that sometime I don't feel like I have the right words. I find your blog very uplifting and inspiring. I do not even remember how I stumbled upon your blog but enjoy reading your stories and find inspiration in your words I find my way back to church and try to be the wife God wants me to be and the mother he knows I can be.

I am not a lurker, so it would be hard for me to explain why someone would choose to be a reader only…..I think when I go to any blog I comment because I like to talk! I like to connect with people…I like to form some sort of relationship..sometimes that happens and sometimes not…but I feel it is often directed by God. Thank you Linny for opening your heart to your readers and inspiring all of us to do the same…and to God be the glory!

I've been following your blog for umm….years…I found it I think in the fall of 2008 after a search on blogsearch.google for arthrogryposis. I don't think I've commented and for that I'm sorry 🙁 I read all blogs on google reader and there is no "comment" button there. I have arthrogryposis and I've actually met your friend Sally at a Ronald McDonald House in Philly. My brother also served in the special forces, I think the in the exact same unit as your son. He left the unit in Summer 2007. I know a couple other AMC Families in Phoenix and I intend to pay them a visit someday so when I do I'll be sure to look you up! I would love to meet your amazing family.

Hi Linny,
It so good to hear that you feel a bond with those of us who read your blog, because, my goodness, do I feel a bond with you. Since I found your blog I feel like God has given me a mentor (you!) Thanks for the intimate peeks into your heart, your spiritual walk, and your family. You are a woman who, with God's grace, I'd like to be like. I just wish we could sit together with hot cups of tea and talk face-to-face. Maybe its silly, but when our family gets our adoption referral you will be one of the first to know, just because I'm anxious for you (and maybe your family, too,) to "Yippee, Jesus!" with us.
Thanks, Linny, for caring about us. With love,
Jenni from St. Louis

Dear Linny, it did not take me long to delurk. I started reading your blog about 16 months ago at the same time I started my adoption journey. Your steadfast devotion to living for Christ and passion for the orphan has kept me rivited. Especially when my friends are tired of talking about orphan care and adoption. You have kept me focused and fired up to continue the journey. Thank you for sharing your heart and life.

Hugs, Debbie

It's funny because I lurk on so many blogs but for some reason you pull me out into the open on your blog! 🙂 I think I don't comment on many blogs because they already have so many comments, why add one more? Especially when I don't know the person. And granted, I don't know you but I feel like I do and I leave encouraged in my walk with the Lord.

Ok, you've finally convinced me to stop lurking! I've been reading since before the fire and I just LOVE your family! You guys are just incredible to me. SO happy for Autumn and Karl and a VERY Happy Birthday to the adorable and oh so handsome Isaiah.

Phew…it feels good to be out in the open now!

http://www.mjmanges.com

Talking to you, Linny 🙂

I wanted to share something with you. I remember about five years or so ago, perhaps ten… I was talking to the Lord, pining about the fact that I am deaf. I can't even hear the others talk, and most importantly, those who are in despair. I told Him, I wished, I would love, love, love for me to be able to read people's thoughts, especially their despair, hurting, needing help, etc…. because I so wanted to be able to help, to be there for them.

And only a few days ago, I realised, He has given me just that, the ability to share encouragement wherever I can, with His leading, through leaving comments on blogs, especially those who desire to serve Him through adopting orphans.

I thank Him for giving me the chance to read into your thoughts which you are able to share on the internet, otherwise I would never have had the opportunity to minister in what ways I can, with His help 🙂

Well, I made my first actual comment a while back but haven't commented since. So this can be my official delurk : ) I've read your blog for a couple years and I have no idea why I never commented. Your writing has often been a challenge and encouragement to me. I should have taken the time to tell you so before now.
Oh, and Happy Birthday to Isaiah!

I guess this is my chance to delurk as well. I really can't say why I don't comment. Maybe it is because I just don't know what to say and the written word can be so misinterpreted and I don't want to inadvertently cause any pain from something I say. Perhaps it is because now I am just not peering in the window so to speak, but I am letting you peer back at me 🙂 and I often feel like I have so many struggles, failings etc that I don't feel up to the two way 'relationship'. I hope I am making sense here, but I fear I am not.
Anyway, hopefully now I will comment more often since I have opened the door……
By the way, your children are all so amazing and I am truly blessed each time I read your blog and experience your family through it.

Okay! Hi, I am young in life (teenager) and have been reading your blog for about 6 months now. Your blog is amazing, so encouraging! When I am older I hope to adopt as many children as my arms can hold 🙂 I am one of 5 sisters, the youngest being 6 months home from China. Thanks so much for your encouragement your blog gives me! Keep writing and I will (for sure) keep reading!

Here I am! I've been reading your blog for a long time…a really long time…so long I can't even remember HOW LONG! I may have commented once before but I'm not quite sure. The reason I keep lurking is that I feel like my opinion or comments don't really matter or make a difference. But here I am…putting myself out there and commenting! Thank you for your blog! It's such a joy and blessing to read.

For the longest time, I thought I had to have my own blog in order to comment. I had tried but somehow it never showed up. Anyhow, I know now and have made a few comments.
I love you, Linny!

For me, it's really about that fact that I am private. I think about commenting, but then I realize that my comments will out there for everyone else to read, and so I don't. I know that my name is not there, but still, it is worrisome for me. I do "follow" the blog, and try not to be a lurker, I just won't comment often if at all.

I am an official lurker 🙂 I've only commented on your blog maybe 3 or 4 times in the year I have been reading. I'm not really sure why I don't comment. I think mostly because in general I am quiet, stay-out-of sight kind of person. And also, when I tried to comment before, blogspot kept asking me to start a blog and I was kinda confused. BUT I finally figured it out 🙂 Haha.
Oh, and I wanted to let you know, I love your playist! 😀 Chris Tomlin and Hillsong are my favorite singers/bands 🙂 Listening to Hillsong right now! They are pretty amazing 🙂

I have been reading for sooo long that I dont know if I am a lurker or not!!! 🙂 I love your precious family, have prayed for you guys,sent clothes and a family photo to Uganda, but…..am I a lurker? I think you should be quite flattered by the lurkers. Whether you know it or not, you are changing lives by sharing yours;) Keep on! You challenge us, encourage us, and make us feel like part of your family!
Love you guys!

I'm not lurking anymore but I have before here and on other blogs. I guess one of my reasons has been that someone else has already commented what I was thinking, only in a much more succinct way. But you, yes, you, Linny, drew me out. I think my first visit to your blog was when you posted a picture of Ruby's little black hand in yours or maybe Emma's. I LOVED it and was immediately drawn to you because of the love you were sharing across the races. Ugh, how I wish I knew how to say that better…we're all the Human Race. Anyway, I'm the mommy to 3 children born of my body and 3 precious children born in our hearts and not of my skin color. That is what first caught my attention. And then I read more…and cried more, and prayed more, and laughed more. I love visiting your blog and when my obstinate computer/internet access allows me, I try to leave a comment fairly regularly. 🙂
I'm one of your wee-hour followers. haha Even my husband and our children who are still at home get to hear about what's going on with y'all. Tonight I shared with my 5yr old son, who had just asked for chocolate chocolate chip muffins last week, about Isaiah's birthday breakfast. He loved it!
Love you, my friend.

In a word…..other comments always seem to express more than I ever could. So I keep fairly quiet!

i've commented lots, but in all honesty, linny, sometimes i don't because it seems a one-way street. there isn't any replies to my comments on any blog…so it seems kind of pointless. i know it's encouraging for you, but i read a lot of blogs and there is only one that i follow where the blogess regularly comments back to the commenters and answers questions and clarifies things. i think that is awesome. perhaps if you restructured your blog so that you or others could "comment within comments", it would be even more interesting. and it would save you having to write a blog with the answers/info/names of everyone you're responding to. that's my thought, anyway. blessings!

I've been reading for awhile now. I jump over from a friends blog. I love your passion and your sense of humor. I guess I don't comment because I don't really know you and you definitely don't know me. Seems strange to me I guess.

Hi Linny, I'm not really a lurker. I have commented a couple times, but I too,read your blog on google reader, and I just fail to get back and comment regularly. I love your blog and your faith. We have nine biological children and are beginning our journey into adoption now at 46 and 47. We are adopting a thirteen year old girl from China, and will probably travel in August. We are getting approved for two children on our I800A and homestudy so we can immediately go back for another. God has broken our hearts for the fatherless, but he has use you and several others to really encourage us and help us to believe and trust enough to step forward. We are having our homestudy visit this morning.
I have been reading and following your blog for a year and a half, at least.
I have begun blogging as well. My year old blog is http://www.mylifeingodsgarden.com
I love you guys. God is doing great things through you.
Diane

Hi! I read your blog every day and have been so encouraged and challenged! I've only commented a handful of times and every time I do (even now) I feel so insecure about what I write. I'm afraid it will sound lame, dumb, or that it will be mis-read. So, I lurk generally because of my insecurities.

Hi Linny….I have commented at times in the past, but honestly, so many other people comment and they always say what's in my heart, but usually much better than I could have said it. So, I come to your blog every single day and follow along with you, but let the regular commenters say it for me :-). I pray for your family and others that you might ask for prayer for, I think about you often, I dream of going on one of your mission trips one day, so even though I don't comment much any more, I'm still here. And I never pass up a chance to show your little Miss Ruby off! The pictures that show just how much a matter of life and death a family for a child can be are always amazing to people that see them on my computer! Thanks so much for sharing your life, you are such an inspiration. Love, Sherrie

I love commenting. I would love to comment on every post on every blog I read, but I already spend way too much time on the computer and need to cut back. Commenting takes a lot of time (especially as I tend to get a bit verbose if I don't watch it) so I try to save it for the posts that REALLY speak to me and that I just can't help commenting on. Or ones that say happy birthday to a sweet kiddo. Also, like a previous poster said, sometimes I intend to come back and comment "later, when I have more time" and that later only rarely comes.

Your posts bless me so much. In fact, I often save reading your blog for last because I know I'll be blessed (saving the best for last). I truly appreciate that you open up. I truly, truly do! Please don't take lack of comments for lack of appreciation (however it is really nice to know what the comments mean to you and I will try to comment more.) You are influencing lives here! One small token of that is the memorial box that is in my living room. THANK YOU!!!

2 reasons for me 🙂 1 because I didn't have a blogger profile for awhile and(2)I have been to nervous to make one and comment because I'm only 12, but I love reading your blog!

I'm not a lurker, but I do have big news. We have a referral from Ehtiopia! A little girl who just turned two; her name is Isabella Addisalem. Isabella means God's oath since we were promised her about 3 years ago before she was even born.

I can send a picture to private email if you want to email me it at jenandkids@va.metrocast.net.

Love you all!
Jenny, JD, Gabe, Alei and the crew!

Had to ask myself why I don't comment on any blog regularly. I have when a prayer request really moves me, and even without commenting I have prayed in agreement with the needs you've lifted and made request for.
But, regular commenting feels too much like needing to join the "in" crowd to which I have a total aversion. Almost commented on Isaiah's dimples when he smiles – absolutely adorable. So commenting or not, your family is in my prayers. I appreciate seeing as the Lord leads, and you respond so diligently to take up the latest clarion call on your hearts. And His faithfullness to provide as you do. It serves to encourage me as these testimonies are shared by those who trust in Him. God continue to bless and keep you all.

Hopefully I don't count as a lurker, I have commented a few times… but what fostermama said is what I was thinking. Lack of time, and trouble commenting by phone. A couple weeks ago I had a burning comment and pounded it out even though I ran out of time and my husband was waiting for something… and my phone wouldn't show the graphics thing that I needed to type in so it would post. I guess I also I do tend to think that you get so many, you couldn't possibly want more. Now that I know maybe I will try harder! Btw I commented to say that although I was happy to see the cliffhanger or the giveaway, what I have really been waiting for is the part 2 of when God says no. Have I missed it? I loved part 1. His ways are higher…

I delurked a while ago but thought I'd just say thank you.

Thank-you for sharing your heart on this blog.

Thank-you for your insightful posts that uplift me, inspire me, and at times challenge me (in a very good way, or course!)

God bless you and Dw.

I do comment sometimes, but on other blogs when I comment I am a faceless number. There is no relationship, so unless I have something enlightening to say that will add to the discussion, or am signing up for a fabric giveaway, there isn't much point to commenting. With your blog I figured you are sooooo busy I don't want to bother you, so I don't comment that often even though I am thankful for your Godly counsel, check your blog daily, and have talked about your blog with lots of family and friends. Thank you jfor the community you have created here! It is rare that someone cares more for the people who read their blog than the popularity or financial gain they get from their blog. You are a rare and precious treasure. Thanks for being a bloggy friend. Still praying here in NE.

By debunking the popular myths you have persuaded me to de-lurk! I have started to comment in the past, but had both of those thoughts run through my head. Now I can't use them as excuses any longer. =D

I have been lurking for YEARS! I first found your Place Called Simplicity because of Isaiah. I was on Journey to Me reading adoption journeys and came across Journey to Isaiah Samuel. At that point Isaiah was already home, but I still cried all the way through his story. Praise God for all the ways He moved for that sweet boy!

Of course since that point I have cried and rejoiced with you as you also brought home Elizabeth, Elijah, Jubilee and Ruby. I can't wait to see how God will move so Sarah Jane can come home also!

In Journey to Me you had posted a link to your blog so I popped over here and have been lurking ever since. I've commented on your FB a time or two, but for the most part I have just laughed and cried and thanked God for the blessing you have been to me, even if you didn't know I was here.

Hi Linny,
I'm pretty sure I could consider myself "de-lurked" by now, but just to be sure, I thought I would comment again. I am the Green Bay Packer loving, kindergarten-teaching, wife to Rob, and Mommy to Maya Grace, who is about the same age as your Ruby Grace. I have been following your blog for a couple of years now and adore your family! I cannot remember how I came across your blog, but something kept me coming back! I now look forward to your daily updates and you inspire me to keep our blog updated as well! Like Fostermama, I also frequently THINK comments in my head, but they don't always make it to the blog 🙂

Well, since you're going to pressure us here. I've been "lurking" for just under a year now. I don't comment for the same reason that I'm a quiet person – I don't really have anything to add to the conversation. I'm a college student and so I spend most of my waking hours trying to balance school, work, and not losing what little semblance of sanity I have left. 😛

I recently am branching out and have commented some… and even did my first Memorial Box Monday a couple of weeks ago. I have an outgoing personality generally, but had a painful divorce many years ago. I had to realize the portion of the fault that was mine, and coupled with a good measure of being insecure about myself, I just tend to pull inward. In addition I became aware about 3 years ago that I am not the same as my coworkers. I had worked for years in a remote office and had to transfer to the main office where most of my coworkers are 15+ years younger… so many frames of reference are different, including belief in Christ and commitment to faith. Learning & growing as I occasionally close my eyes and jump off the ledge! Commenting is one of those ledges.. albeit only a few inches tall, but sometimes those inches seem like miles!

Honestly, even though I know you read all the comments, I STILL see the overwhelming number and think, "What could I have to say that would even be of benefit?"

So I just read and click away. Even though I adore comments on my own blog.

Plus, I read all of my "regular" blogs in a reader and often I do that between homeschooling subjects, or in between peanut buttering sandwiches or *gasp* on my iPod while I'm tucked away in the bathroom.

Inevitably, I get interrupted and never make it to the comments section.

PS: You really need to add a picture of Ruby on your sidebar w/ your other treasures!

I also read your blog regularly, and have commented rarely! I see some responses and think, wow that was great! What can I say that hasn't already been said! 🙂

I've been a part of your blog family for quite awhile! 🙂 I first found you when we were going through the process of intl. adoption through Ethiopia. God had other plans for us- now we are welcoming 3 foster kiddos into our home! I usually don't comment because I'm a chicken and am concerned about privacy.
Love ya!

Guilty of lurking here too. I have followed your blog for about two and a half years! Your blog has made me laugh hystericaly and cry tears of all kinds, some from sadness,some from fear and disbelief but tons from joy and most importantly some from conviction. The words and stories you share here have touched me deeply and have urged me to follow closer to The Lord. I wanted you to know that you and your blog have influenced my life in a very powerful way. THANK YOU for all that you do and for all the different ways that you do it!

I'll come clean, too!! I am a lurker, but not in a negative way!! I enjoy reading your blog so much and it inspires me!! We are a busy family with 4 bio children and 2 "newbies" from ET, one 6 year old and a 2 year old!! I have a blog as well and so much of the time I feel like my comments sound like everyone else's, but I do know from my own blog how nice it is to read the comments, soooo… there ya are!!

Hi Linny. 🙂 I think I've commented once before (oh! and sent clothes for the wedding), but not regularly by a long shot. I have been reading for over a year and love sharing in the joys of your beautiful family, and praying over all the prayer requests. Our long term life goal is to start a Foundation that will raise and distribute funds to orphan charities such as your International Voice of the Orphan. Until then, we just give from what the Lord blesses us with. 🙂 I read George Muller's biography to my kids, immediately got the connection to your son's name when I started reading your blog, and was not at all surprised that you are following in his footsteps of living by faith alone. What a wonderful testimony to God's provision….nearly unheard of in American society! We are the parents of 3 bio kids and a sweet treasure from China, and a relatively new homeschool family. So nice to meet you. 🙂

I'll bite! I'm a lurker too and I LOVE your blog. The reasons I seldom comment are:
1) time constraints – I read several blogs and pray for the bloggers/families/needs and I just don't often take the time to post a comment as well – figuring it's better to pray than to comment!
2) I'm not a very good writer so I don't feel that I do a very good job when I DO ocmment.
3) I'm very private and don't share too much except with friends I can see face-to-face.
4) I guess I didn't realize it mattered to the bloggers.
Anyway, Linny, your family is precious to me and I do pray for y'all. I'll try from now on to be bold and comment once in a while!
P.S. I can't read the two "words" (?) I'm supposed to type in order to post – guess I need a secret decoder ring.

I've commented before, so I'm not an "official" lurker, but I'll say hi anyway! I've been following APCS for a few years. I found it through a friend who was journaling online about their adoption process. When the fire happened, she asked people to pray, and that's when I started reading!

PS- betcha can't guess who the friend was! 🙂

Well, I just recently delurked. For me, the first reason was fear. I didn't want my blog/identity out there on the www (my blog was private until recently) and if I comment as "anonymous", then how was I to gain relationships? So I figured, why bother, eh?

The second reason was as you said, "Does MY comment make a difference?" Yes, I have thought I was "one of the bunch" as you put it. Like with emails…knowing you are so busy and unable to respond, I say, "Why bother?" (No offense intended.) 😉

Lastly because I tend to keep to myself, it's hard to imagine the relationships that can be gained in blog world. I'd welcome it, but often hear about the nasty comments left and just figure it's better to fly under the radar and not get noticed or have my blog read (by delurking).

All that to say, the one time I did get an email from you, Miss Linny, I was truly over-the-moon!!! LOL!!!

So, why did you hide for 50 years? Are you glad you came out of hiding? Is it worth the scrutiny you have to sometimes endure?

I will say that being a part of Knee Team (KT) has totally blessed me beyond measure. I love praying for my sisters (and brothers) and I love not always focusing on myself and my own needs. Thank you for KT.

I already delurked over the IVO announcement teaser but I thought I'd comment anyway. There are lots of reason why I don't comment. One of which is .. you don't know me, my heart, so you my words typed with the best intention and most sincere heart might be misinterpretted. Is that a word? lol
I'm really only beginnning to "know" you and your family but reading about all that God is doing in your lives is inspiring. I rejoice with you as you embark on new adventures fully trusting our Lord and Savior. His love for you is a beacon to all that know, hear of, or read your blog. I've put your blog on my blog's "blog list". I want "my" friends to "meet" you too. Who knows… maybe they'll lurk awhile… snicker.

Hi Linny! I'm not a lurker 🙂 but I DO lurk on some other blogs, and here are some reasons why. Sometimes, like you said, I feel like there are so many comments already that there's no reason for me to add my 2 cents. Sometimes, I have an opinion that differs from 99% of everyone else who has commented, and I don't want to "start" anything. 🙂 And sometimes, especially when blogs have fewer comments but all from the same people every time, I feel like I would be intruding into a community that I've just stumbled upon and don't really belong.

I just want to say thanks for saying that you and Dw always read every comment here. That's just one of the things I love about you – that you truly care about every single person who reads your blog! And I'm so grateful that I'm one of those who once got to meet you in person because I mustered up the courage to delurk! 🙂 Much love to you and your sweet family!

Ok, here goes. I don't feel like what I have to say is really all that important to you and you family. I enjoy your style of writing and all you glorious pics. I am going through a togh time with God and come here for encouragement. I am beginning a Daniel Fast tomorrow and can't wait to see what God has in store for me. I love your blog and will try to comment more often. Maybe even asking for prayers….as if you don't have enough to pray about already.

I am no lurker but rarly comment becuse I never know what to say….. But yeah love Y'all

I honestly have no idea how I happened upon your blog – probably searching for something adoption related. I don't think I've commented before, mostly because I'm a single mother of a 2 year old (recently home from Ethiopia). She's hard-core, my daughter, full of energy and life, so I tend to read blogs on my phone in between clients (I'm a mental health counselor) because when I'm home it's all about her. And honestly, commenting on my phone isn't really feasible. I do love checking in on your family, though, because as an adoptive sister and adoptive mom (and I only say adopted for purposes of clarification because they are simply my sister and my daughter) I adore seeing other families blessed by adoption.

I absolutely LOVE reading your blog-have been doing so for a couple years and am delurking now 🙂 Not sure how I found your blog-I was looking for Christian families who have adopted and somehow came across yours. And funny thing is, months down the road I shared with my sister your blog who said she knows Abby in a round about way from Life Pacific College where my sister graduated from. And actually her good friend, Shyla, photographed my sisters wedding. But I just know you as an amazing family who is obedient to God and puts Him first in all you do. Ever since I was a teenager I wanted to adopt-even wrote letters to my future husband telling him I wanted to adopt someday 🙂 That desire hasn't diminished-just wondering how the Lord is going to use that desire and when. My husband and I are 30 and have three girls, 2 1/2, 4 1/2 and 7 yrs old so we feel quite blessed and quite busy-trying to figure out how to do life with 3 girls. Our church has many families who have adopted children internationally as well as through the county and I would LOVE for you and your husband to come speak (King's Harbor Church in Torrance, CA)-just praying for the right chance to present it to the pastor 🙂 Anyways, enough about us-why have I stayed quiet so long? Not sure-probably because it's easier to not comment-but I promise you have brought tears to my eyes, caused me to go deeper in my walk with God, and continued to put the orphan on my heart through your life. Your grace as you go through trials big and small is so encouraging to me. I share your blog all the time with those I meet who talk about adoption. Someday I hope we meet-I just told my parents they would LOVE you and DW! Your faith as you trust God to provide for your family is so great-bless you!!
Tiffany

OH Linny You are so tricky aren't you? I guess I was in the myth number 1 group. And I also feel like when I do come out of the bushes I have to explain who I am each time and I then think that is weird for me to do that. DW holds a special place in this now grown momma's heart for helping my mom so many years ago. I almost feel connected to you guys….we both are no longer at "home" and when I read I feel like I am listening to and dear friend from home….does that make sence? I don't want to be a creeperish! Hey by the way! I started to homeschool 2 weeks ago, so now I REALLY feel like we have a common bond….anyway there you go…you once again got the lurker out!
Much Love!
Kelly

Hello Linny,

I don't consider myself a lurker. I have commented a time or two. I am just a person with few words. I am not hiding, and when I feel that the Lord is directing me to comment, I do.
Earlier in my life, much earlier,the Lord had to teach me some hard lessons about words and how many of them to speak. I used my words to get attention, and to sound wise, or knowledgeable. It was a matter of pride for me.
I have learned to think before I speak and to make the words I do speak, or write for that matter, be worthy of the one who hears them all.
I love to read your blog and to pray for you all. I love the orphan and widow, and you remind me to hold them up in the forefront in prayer. Your words and stories inspire me to listen for God's voice and to see His hand in everything that happens.
So, thank you for blogging. I will comment when I am led, but you can know that I am reading each week and praying along with you for every need mentioned.

I try to comment once in awhile…but with chasing FIVE kids under age SEVEN around my house, I'm fortunate just to get to sit down to read! (I understand, however, that you probably don't see this as a valid explanation!) Love you guys & pray for your family regularly…

I comment on lots of blogs, just not everytime. I know how I like to have feed back from others, on my blog, at least happy feedback, lol. So I like to spread the joy as much as I can, by commenting from time to time.

I've been lurking for a few weeks now. This is my new favorite blog. Each time I read it I am more inspired and can't wait till my husband and I adopt. I have tried to comment before but the computers at work are slow and it never showed up. Thanks for sharing your heart with us all!

Its been awhile since I've commented. Not sure why. Its been a really long while since I've updated my blog. For me, I think life just gets kind of hard and you don't think your comments (or blog posts) really matters. That may not make sense, but I think it might be a form of discouragement.

Hi Linny!

I'm thinking since you have been "My friend, Linn" for a few years now, I should introduce myself to you! I'm Jodi from Michigan and I am Tina from Waiting Faithfully's sister-in-love. I am in love with Jesus and also in love with my husband and high school sweetheart (the same person ha ha)! We're celebrating 25 years of marriage this fall. Woohoo! I am a pastor's wife, a homeschooling mom of 5 amazing kids, with 2 out of the house and 3 at home. We adopted 2 little ones out of the foster system.

Tina told me to go to your blog, I'm thinking 3 years ago. (It was a few months before your fire.) She said that we had a lot in common, and that we do! I read your blog daily and it is like a devotion to me. I talk about your family all the time and my family and our church family have prayed you guys through your trials and have given praises over your joys. We have fasted with you for the orphan, Ruby, Karl, Big Dave and so much more.

So why have I lurked all these years? I have no idea. After reading your last post I was convicted that I was being a selfish friend and it was time for the friendship to not be one sided! You have been a huge blessing to me and God uses you to strengthen me!

My goodness, I should have said thank you so many times and haven't. I'm usually not a rude person…was voted "Best Manners" class of 84! Ha ha! Please forgive me!

Thank you for sharing your life, your family, your joys, tears, and fears. Thank you for sharing your heart! You have touched my heart every day for 3 years! You have an amazing ministry through your writing! Thank you!

Having difficulty putting a picture on. Will continue to try.

Your new 3 year old friend!
Jodi

Ok I've been lurking. I'll admit it. I've wanted to comment and I've even started to comment but I just chicken out. I can't really explain why I've been reading your blog for about a year and have never introduced myself. To be honest this will be the first comment I've left on a blog ever. Who knows now that I've taken this first step perhaps you will hear from me more often.

It is exactly as you said. If I leave a comment, then maybe you'll "see" me. And if you see me, you'll see my flaws, my failures, my so less than stellar life. I'm always afraid I'll write something that will let others see beyond the surface, and see the real me – in all my inadequacy. Leaving this comment is like jumping off a cliff, and it's terrifying, but your sweet words of love too all your readers have ministered to my heart over the months, so I'm willing to take that leap and let you know why I lurked. 🙂

Lurking is definitely a part of the internet, and blogging and facebook have created voyeurs out of so many of us. It's easy to anonymously check out someone's life with out anyone knowing.
It takes effort to think of something to say and then type it out. We lurkers are just lazy voyeurs.
Also we feel like we are just countless faceless people so it is hard to comment. It is good to know that that isn't the case.
What made me begin commenting was partly because you have encouraged me so much, even though you don't know me, I have begun to feel like we are friends. Also I have my own blog, and it is disappointing when no one I comments on mine; so I want to at least occasionally comment on the blogs I read.

I think I started reading your blog before the fire (like right before the fire!). I keep coming back for the inspiration… and to see what God is saying to me through your story. You "hooked me" when you moved to Phoenix!! The Valley of the Sun is in my heart and I miss it! Mostly I "lurk" because I am not totally sold on "community" through blogs…partly because my time is spent teaching kindergarten (which also takes most of my energy!!) along with having four children of my own (okay…they are 24, 22, 20 and almost 17 and lack of energy cuts into the time spent "homemaking") keeps me from spending the "time" needed to build relationship through the blog community. I have commented once or twice…but relationship is built through "time". Another reason has to do with the blog itself–MINE. I have my own blog, but at the moment my time and talent is spent using it for my community. My "Saved by Grace" blog is hidden (not technical enough to figure out how to have both!) and the blog that shows up is the "Concerned Citizens for Stryker Schools Levy" blog. I am in no way ashamed of that…feel free to read and comment…but most of it pertains to our local school district. I believe there are truths for all in each blog post…but it seems weird to me when I see my "signature". God's blessings to you and Happy Birthday to Isaiah!!!

Well- I've commented a few times but probably not really proportionate to the years I have been "'lurking." Mostly I sit down to read your blog in between moments with my little ones and often I am nursing at the same time making it really easy to read but much harder to type. But I have prayed many times over prayer requests found in comments or in your entries.
I would have answered you post about the knee team last summer but we were away celebrating our 10th anniversary (smile)when you posted about it and it was closed by the time I got home are read the posting!

I am going to delurk too. The main reason I have never commented was because I had been getting error messages when I would try to comment on other blogs. After I read your post on Ruby tonight, I decided that no matter what it was time to post a comment or send an email to let you know that I am praying for you guys. Ruby is precious, and it brings tears to my eyes when you write about her struggles. You and your whole family are precious! I am so inspired by you and your love for children. I stumbled upon your blog through a church friend's blog who recently adopted a little boy from Russia. I have been drawn to it ever since. God has really been moving in my life in the last year. He has been transforming the way that I think and conduct my life. There have been times that your blog really spoke to me and confirmed what I felt God was calling me to and whispering in my ear. Your How to Hear God Speak posts were instrumental in preventing me from making a very destructive decision. I have developed a deep love for the orphan and I am excited to see what God has planned. I am so excited to see how he will use me and my family in the future.

Hi Linny,
I've been reading your blog for some time, and I love praying over all the prayer requests regularly. I commented early but for some reason it did not show up.
I so appreciate your encouragement and you sharing your sweet family with us.
Praying for Ruby today….
Tanya

Isaiah just brings such a smile to my face. You can't help but smile looking at his picture. HAPPY Birthday!!

Like others have said, I comment at times but others put words way more eloquently than I ever could.

Linny, I know you don't know me, but you have no idea how much I would love to meet you and your family (and I am sure be completely 100% overwhelmed by them) as I was an only child. 🙂

God has adoption on my heart….. so we'll see what happens. I'm single and in my early 30s…and a west Texan. Some day I will write you a novel of an email with questions and thoughts!

Heather

I guess I lurk because you always get so many reply's and I guess I think what I have to say all the way in the southern tip of Africa counts for much. but I do think that you and your family is awesome and I love reading all your news. And the transformation in little Ruby is so amazing,it is phenomenal what love can do. I hope that the Dr's can get to the bottom of what is wrong.
lots of love
Jess – South Africa

You already know me but I want you to know my reasons: WORK! Im usually working so I stalk, read and then go finish what I was doing, so I can get home to my 3 boys! And it does take me time to write in english! 🙂
So happy about the wedding! And sending lots of prayers for baby Ruby!

I sent wedding clothes last year, so not quite a lurker. I started reading your blog when I found it through Cindy Adams blog. She was amazing and wise. We were friends through an adoptive moms email loop. This was right after your fire, so I've been following you for a while.
Why do I read and not comment? Reading does not take much energy; writing requires thought and time, both of which I do not have. I feel that I am sitting at your feet absorbing all that you have to teach.
I am also trying to catch some of the joy that you find in your children. We have nine children, most of them under age 10, and life here is busy, hard and stressful especially because our children have many, many issues that kind of suck the joy right outta me.
My children know your little ones' names and faces and are excited to see a family that looks sort of like ours: big with a mix of bio and adopted and multi-colored. You give me hope for our future.

🙂 I LOVE, love, love your blog, read it every day (usually check several times a day to see if there are new updates on various situations), pray for what's happening in your family, and comment on about half the posts. Do you read MY blog? Have you ever commented on it even once? 🙂

A blog is like a pastor. He looks over his congregation of 10 or 100 or 1,000 or 10,000, and he says, "I love you. I pray for you." But unless he has fewer than 100 congregants, he probably doesn't personally know the name of every person in the congregation. He probably can't call on every member or even on every visitor. He only has so much time. And not every congregant can get to know him. Not every congregant even has time to get to know him. They have relatives dying of serious illnesses, and job struggles, and wayward children, and financial issues, and broken friendships, and they just don't have time to sit down and write the pastor a lengthy note of admiration after every sermon. But they still come to hear the Word, and they probably still love and admire the pastor and are grateful for him and maybe even pray for him. We can only hope. 🙂

I say, "Keep preaching, Linny!" God is using you in every single post. The "darn lurkers" (as you have called us before sometime in the last year) have a pretty wide variety of reasons for not writing their letter of appreciation after each post. Some have technical issues, some logistical issues, some personal issues, some time issues, some spiritual, etc.. That doesn't mean you're not reaching people's hearts. Your blog is amazing, your responders are amazing, and you are amazing.

Keep preaching! Your congregation is growing, and your message is powerful.

Dear Linny,

I feel bad for not de-lurking earlier, but better late than never, right?! I love reading your blog and I admire your faith and courage! I continue to be amazed every time I read your posts! You have a beautiful family! God bless you all!

Best regards, Maria from Finland

Hello! I officially de-lurked with your Christmas link-up in December, but I haven't commented since. I agree with many of the things that have already been said here:

With so many comments, it seems that somebody (or many somebodies :o) have already said what I would say. As a woman with chronic illness, commenting is an emotional and physical expenditure for me and I only have the strength to leave my words where I feel they will have the most impact. Which is why I agree with another commenter here that it feels very "one sided." I like to engage with other bloggers when I feel like it can be mutual. I am a relationship person and want to "walk with" someone in their journey, not just "follow" someone around and give them encouraging comments without them even knowing who I am. Does that make sense?

I am a blogger, too, and with only 60 or 70 readers (according to all my feed data), I am lucky to receive 1 or 2 comments when I post. In some ways, I am thankful for how small my community is because I can reply to every comment and try to engage with my readers as much as possible. But I also constantly remind myself that it is a *gift* that people even read my story, whether or not they have the time or energy or fearlessness to comment.

I enjoy reading about your family and definitely believe that adoption is in my future. I appreciate your honesty and candor and I hope you will accept my reading and lurking on your blog as a gift rather than being bothered by the fact that I do not comment.

Hi Linny, I have commented a time or two, but not often – I don't know for sure why but think that probably, like many others, that someone has already said what I would say, or that they have said it better!
I am a mom to 5 – two bio and three adopted. I was married for 21 years and went through a very painful divorce and ended up raising my five children on my own for the last 20 years. I always wanted to adopt again, but working, money, and age kept me from it.
I am excited to be able to help Kala here in Bakersfield with the warehouse for the orphan project. We are meeting tonight to have an evening of prayer for the orphan situation worldwide.
I love your blog and would love to meet you sometime if you are back in Bakersfield.
Vicki

I comment once in awhile, but have been a reader for years. I have read your blog from countries all over the world. I don't always comment regularly-we are a U.S. mil*tary family overseas and I guess we're just used to the whole OPS*EC thing. I love, love, love your blog though-it has been a huge blessing to me!

Linny,

I wrote a long winded response to delurk and when finished decided to preview it and then it was gone! So maybe the Lord was telling me to keep it short and sweet. Well, I have been reading your blog for a couple of years after my daughter spent an extended length of time at a baby cottage in Uganda and fell in love with a boy with no home and no family. She was in the process of applying to adopt him and as she shared her heart she sent me to your site to read the article about single people adopting. I read more of the blog and was hooked. You are on my favorites and I check in every couple of days. I pray for your family, and love to read how God answers prayer. Soooo excited for your upcoming wedding, and all the joy filled children that you have brought into your family.

My daughter's request for adoption was denied, but we continue to pray for a home for the little guy who is still in the orphanage

Thank you for being a voice for the orphans of the world and we pray that IVO will bring hope and love to touch many lives.

So I have delurked, guess I will need to write again now that I broke the ice

Yaaaay! Didn't know how to de-lurk, but got help! Happy Blessed Belated Birthday to Isaiah!!! And MANY of His Blessings to you and ALL your family and friends! God has used your many testimonies to strengthen my faith, and I sooooo thank God for you and ALL your family and friends! Have a sunshiny and joyful day with Jesus! <3Elizabeth B.