Day Three of Anniversary Week at The Messy Middle is here! If you missed day one or day two, please check them out and thanks to all who have subscribed!
What’s one step below expert? I’m not sure, and a year ago if you would have asked me what might I become “minorly” (very minorly!) known for on the internet NOT ONE of these things would have been on my list. But, thanks to the inner workings and mystery of search engines, the following seven inquiries are likely to lead you to The Messy Middle.
{Sort of a no-duh statement, but not including Amy Young, Messy Middle, or some form of Amy Young + Messy Middle.} 
1. Writing on hands. Yup, from the girl who was raised by a woman who frowned, at best, and outright forbid writing on our hands when we were girls, if you search for writing on your hand you might be pointed to God is whispering to me or God is whispering to you.
2. Chipmunks as pets. I’m kind of surprised how many people out there are interested in chipmunks as pets, what to feed chipmunks, do chipmunks make nice pets?, or housing for chipmunks. For the record, I believe that chipmunks should run free and if you’re really looking for a good pet, I’d recommend a guinea pig. But who says chipmunks don’t make nice pets?
3. Is meningitis a painful way to die? I am thankful to be able to answer that one with no hesitation. YES. Imagine your brain in a vice grip … that just will. not. stop. cranking. tighter. and. tighter. It is so awful you might beg someone near you to kill you and then cry out in pain to the heavens, “This teammate You gave me is of NO HELP TO ME!” when they refuse to kill you. Erin, I was wrong. You were wonderfully helpful, it’s just that meningitis is a painful way to die. I am still grateful that I didn’t die.
4. Hula hooping. I find it interesting that that I get more hits from things I don’t normally do (write on my hands) or have (a chipmunk as a pet), than things that are more a part of my life. Hula hooping is no different! If you recall, I hadn’t hula hooped in years, but hula hooping as an act of bravery put me on the map for hooping, as it’s none in the biz! I bet you didn’t know that Hooping.org is a great place to learn, let’s just say, a lot about hula hooping, they reprinted part of the post.
The next three are related.
Bar none, the most likely way to find The Messy Middle from an internet search is going to be related to An Open Letter to Pastors {a non-mom speaks about Mother’s Day}. To date it has gotten over 70,000 hits and continues to be viewed ever day. What a rich learning opportunity for you and me (thanks to the many, many who forwarded and commented). I shared some of what we’ve gained in Another open letter to pastors {lessons from the comments section}. If you haven’t read about what this experience was like you can read about it in Dear Pastors, It’s me again {what a few days, eh?!}.
Here are some of the searches that lead to the Mother’s Day letter.
5. Letter. Appreciation letter to my pastor. Thank you letter to my pastor. A letter to my pastor to say we miss him. Thank you letter to a pastor for honoring a conference. An open letter miscarriage sucks. How to write a letter of gratitude to my cousin i’m blessed having you.
6. Pastor. Famous pastors who have lost children. Pastor friends austrailia. I’m pastor my son ran away. Pastors in the midst of mess in the church. Pastor mind reader. Pastors as fathers.
7. Mom and non-moms. Is it normal for a mother who lost a child to want another baby. Moms exclude non moms. Mothers letter to her miscarriage baby. Your an amazing mother dedicated miscarriage. Black non mother female bloggers over the age of 50. Thing to do for non-mothers. Friend or foe letter from mum.
How did YOU first hear about The Messy Middle?
P.S. The subscription drive is still going on! All who subscribe this week can win a $20 gift certificate to a business of your choice (like amazon, itunes, Starbucks, that kind of thing). Got any friends who might like The Messy Middle?
That is awesome that hooping.org quoted you! Sort of hilarious, too.
With the meningitis thing, after having three acquaintances/friends die from it in a span of less than six months, I volunteered for my first non-required shot ever. Headaches still make me nervous (praying through that!). I am SO glad you are not on that list!
I know! When I was linked to their site I wondered if it was some kind of joke :) … and yes, so, so, so glad I didn’t die!
I really do not remember how I happened upon your blog.. Probably followed you here from a comment you may have made on someone else’s blog. Have enjoyed your post.