Survey says … and no creepy kisses!

If you ever watched Family Feud, did you feel CREEPED out when Richard Dawson would kiss the contestants? Me too. I didn’t stop watching because I found the surveys entertaining and informative (and the problem easily solved by closing my eyes). There is just something about “Survey says” and all eyes being on the board that just warms my heart.

Without any creepy kissing, you guys, thank you thank you thank you for the thought and effort you put into the survey about The Messy Middle.

The biggest take away: the reminder there are REAL people reading and you are interesting, if it’s not too mushy, extremely interesting. If I could, I’d show up at each of your doors, knock, invite myself in, and sit down and chat. I like you that much. You might be thankful that’s not possible :)

Here is a brief summary of who we are:

1. Though more female than male, I was, am, and will be delighted there are men here! Mike, you’re right that it’s more women than men, but I am glad we aren’t made up of “a token male.”

2. In terms of the ages, I was also pleased to see we have a range of ages. If you know anything about me, I like variety and believe every age has something to offer to other ages, I’m glad you agree too! We are

• 20s — 7%
• 30s –32%
• 40s–21%
• 50s–28%
• 60s–9%
• 70s– 3%

3. When asked why people return to or abandon a blog, this answer summed up what many of you said:

I return if a) the blogger doesn’t annoy me and b) if I learn something new or am encouraged to think about something new

You like blogs/sites that are relevant, not whiny, have variety and not too self promoting.

4. I like it when you write about –– well, since a lot of you responded (again, really touched and appreciate your input), this one is a bit tricky to summarize in a short point. Themes included:

• Risk taking
• Learning new things
• China
• Seeing God in the everyday
• Your honest life: struggles, joys, transitions, family, friends and how all these things intersect in your Christian self.
• Life as an expat
• Singleness and living an “out of the box” life
• Book reviews

5. Just being real here, I kind of glaze over or skip when you write about — people you slay me :). This was the MOST skipped question. About 35% of you skipped it. Did you glaze over? I’m kidding. Truthfully, it was encouraging that you went on and on about what you like and there was some helpful feedback about what you skip, but it didn’t leave me in a fetal position. You might skip because:

• You’re too busy
• It’s a sports analogy and those don’t connect with you
• It’s about motherhood
• And we will get to this later … but you might cheer for another team than the one I love :)
• Might seem a bit too “female”

6. How did you discover my blog?

• I know you off-line — 32%
• Through Facebook — 22%
• Through an on-line community — 14%
• Through Twitter — 1%
• Through a friend — 10%
• Through Velvet Ashes — 2%
• I have no idea, the internet plopped me here — 18%

Now isn’t that interesting? I started this blog in 2011 with 100% with people I knew, and now this has grown beyond “I know you in person.” So, thank you to those of you who know me in real life and shared with others. And thank you to various forms of social media and connections. And thank you to the random internet who has brought us together. And I realize it might be all the creepier if I did show up at your door since :). But still fun, right?

7. Let’s skip this one, OK? :)

(It was about the Broncos being the best team and it turns out I am not a successful “Broncos Evangelist.”Which really is fine.)

8. What is one of your favorite places online? (blog, website, community) — We are deliciously ALL OVER the board so I won’t list many, but here’s a few: the world (? I don’t get it), espn.go.com/nba, A Holy Experience (several of you mentioned it!), Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube. Actually, there was a lot here, may need to be a post. I love the variety and the interest you all have!

9. (This is my fav question! I’d read over it chuckling and family around me would say, What now? What interesting tidbit are you learning? I couldn’t help myself, stop being so interesting! Again, this may need to be a separate post, this one is a gold mine.)

One unique or interesting thing about me (don’t over think this, whatever pops into your mind is groovy!) (And by “me” I mean “you!” :). In our midst we have:

• I’m practicing sewing skills this summer, by working on lap quilt squares for my Aunts. I had no idea before I started this project with my mom that my spacial orientation skills were so lacking. Over the past month these skills have improved! I can now orient the pieces properly to make squares. Score!
• I love Jeopardy and record it every night so I can watch it later.
• I am a vegetarian from Washington who loves coffee. I am like every cliche from my state rolled into one.

If you only know how much I wanted to comment on each one of these! And that is only three of the amazing people here! I loved being reminded that you are real, that I’m not just babbling to myself, and that in a small way, God is using this space.

I’ll say it once last time because I don’t know another way to express my joy and gratitude (and I fear, now small addiction to surveys) in your gift of time and thoughts … thank you.

I love us!

Amy