Welcome to my new site!
I’m so glad you’re here.
I’ve been blogging for a little over two years now, and while the writing side of blogging fits me like a glove, I couldn’t be more at odds with the technical side.
I just don’t like it.
I don’t get it.
And I realized that if I ever wanted to take the presentation of my writing to a new, more professional level, I would need some help.
So this summer, at my first writer’s conference, I took a class from Erin Ulrich of Design By Insight called “How To Take Your Blog To The Next Level”. I left thinking:
“I need someone else to take my blog to the next level!”
And
“I’d really love to hire her, but I bet I can’t afford it.”
When I got back to my hotel room that night, though, I decided as is true with most things in life, it didn’t hurt to ask. So I sent her an email. And she came back with a proposal that blew my mind. Yes, it’s more than what I ever thought I’d spend on a blog that has no revenue stream, but it was completely do-able when I considered the value of my time. (Sadly, as a lawyer with an hourly rate, I view every six minute increment of my life in terms of dollars. And this is how I get out of cleaning my own toilets!)
I’ve been working with the folks over at Design by Insight since August, and it’s been a great learning experience for me. They helped me design a logo, choose fonts, and develop a site design that I hope you’ll find clean, one that showcases the writing and helps you explore the site with ease.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
There’s a few things about our new home I want to highlight for you.
First, you can email me now!
If you have any thoughts you want share, questions you want to ask, or topics on which you’d like to hear from me, please shoot me an email by pressing the “Connect” button in the navigation bar. I’d love to hear from you!
This also means that…you guessed it…I can email you too!
But only if you subscribe to receive our posts by email straight to your inbox.
This is something you want to do.
I promise!
Because within the next few months, I will begin sending regular email updates to our email subscribers which will include content no one else will receive. So if you aren’t already signed up to receive our posts by email, take a minute and sign up for that now, would you?
I don’t want you to miss anything!
We’ve also added two components to the navigation bar that I hope you’ll find helpful.
First, the Popular Posts Page.
I’ve taken the time to study the analytics behind each of my posts and to identify the top 15 posts I’ve published. If you’re new to Confessions Of A Pastor’s Family, this would be a great way for you to get to know me without getting overwhelmed in the archives. If you have friends and family you think would enjoy following the blog, this would also be a great page to share with them. Here’s the link:
Next up?
I love food.
And I love to cook.
I mean I love it so much that sometimes I think I should go to culinary school. I have so much to learn!
But I believe magic happens when family and friends gather around the table together and break bread. That’s how we build real community, and I feel God leading our family to a life spent with more time ministering to others around the table.
Starting a recipe series has been on my heart for a long time. But it’s confession time. I’ve put it off because I’ve been scared. Why? Because I’m a “cross your t’s and dot your I’s kind of girl.”
I don’t have a culinary degree.
My kitchen is a hot mess.
My knives are dull.
My floors look like we eat off them.
I don’t know how to photograph food.
And I’m insecure. Insecure about my ability in the kitchen and my creativity to churn out really good food that’s “share worthy” on a consistent basis.
I finally decided though:
Enough. Of. That.
If God has laid it on my heart to branch out into the world of cooking, then what do I have to lose? So I dove in with my first four installments of “The Sunday Stew,” and I hope to keep this as a regular feature on the blog. Here, we will share recipes, cooking techniques, and family management tools that are helping us keep good, healthy meals on the table and gather around the table as often as possible. You’ve been really engaged with the series so far, so I think it’s a keeper!
We’ve also put a “place saver” in the navigation bar for Favorites.
Favorite books.
Favorite bloggers.
Favorite Fair Trade companies.
If there’s something you’d like to see on our Favorites page, will you let me know? Just press the Connect button and email me. Oh how it makes my heart sing that I can ask you to do that!
In the side bar, you’ll find a link to my Noonday Collection website.
Friends, this company.
I can’t even.
The change it’s infusing all over the globe by partnering with artisans in vulnerable communities to provide empowerment through jobs is blowing my mind. I’m humbled to be a part of it as an Independent Ambassador.
If you love jewelry.
If you love women.
If you love children and families.
And if you’re heart longs for people on the other side of the world to have a better life, would you please consider partnering with me?
You can shop Noonday by clicking on the blog button in my sidebar or by visiting www.jenniferknott.noondaycollection.com.
And if you want to make a big splash?
Please please please prayerfully consider hosting a trunk show. (Now is a GREAT time because of holiday shopping.)
It’s an experience like none other.
I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
The lives of the women you invite will be touched in a mighty way. Because the stories of transformation that are occurring through the simple purchase of gorgeous, unique, handmade jewelry are beyond inspiring.
And the lives of the artisans?
Each and every purchase you or your friends and family make is changing lives.
I promise.
Here are a few photos of me sporting some of my favorite Noonday pieces for fall!
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Finally, in the side bar, there are links to our little corners of the social media world.
If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to “like” and “follow” so we can keep you “in the know” with regard to all things Confessions Of A Pastor’s Family related!
I think that just about covers it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this space online that has captured my heart and helped me find a new voice in writing.
And I know your time is precious. So I’m honored that you’re willing to share some of it with me. If there’s anything about the new site that isn’t working for you, please let us know so we can fix it!
Much love until next time!
Jennifer
The post Six Things You Don’t Want To Miss On Our New Website appeared first on Confessions of a Pastor's Family.