The Story Isn’t Over Yet: Celebrating Life & EPFH’s 1 Year Blogiversary!!

It’s been a year of setbacks and growth, a year of failures and successes, a year of trials and triumphs, a year of joys and sorrows, a year of emptying and filling, love and “war”, new friendship and old… but my most favorite is that it’s been a year of stories. Because stories represent hearts and both are meant to be shared.

God gave me the idea of EPFH early last year and the first post went live on March 4, 2015.

Empty Plate . Full Heart – The Story

EPFH has evolved a bit. New looks and new layouts. We’ve taken some turns and hit a few speed bumps but we continue to pound out the words as God directs and plug ahead on the path He clears.

Today as I write this my father in law’s earthly story is over.  But even in death, his story is not over yet. He is living out the story he was created for. He’s hanging out with Jesus, talking to Him! And I love to think about him hugging his wife whom he said “see ya’ later” to almost exactly 3.5 years ago. My heart is simultaneously empty and full at the same time.

Much of my world is a bit heavy right now but this blog has been as much for me as I hope it has been for you. It started out of obedience to a calling and continues with that same purpose. The fact that a few of you have joined me here and follow on Facebook is a whole bunch of cherries on top!

EPFH’s purpose is to figuratively empty our plates to literally fill the hearts of others.

If I had more time and brain power today I would have hosted a really fun giveaway and posted some stats and the top posts based on what you have seemed to connect with but the more I think about it, the reason for this blog is not numbers, hits or traffic. It’s about hearts. It’s about my heart and your heart. So I’m sharing with you 3 of my favorite things (in no certain order).

1: One of my favorite things about EPFH is that God called me to do this and I obeyed and I’ll continue to obey until He calls me away from it. I don’t understand it. I don’t feel qualified but, just as with Moses, God never said I needed to be on point. He simply needs my heart and my fingers to point to Him.

2. Another favorite thing are the guest writers who have chosen to share their heart here in this space. I can’t express how honored I am when someone agrees or offers to share their words here. My home is a sacred place to me. That someone would want to come over and share it with me is one of my most treasured gifts. I envision EPFH as my home in very similar ways. That someone would want to come over and share their heart here is a blessing I do not take lightly. If you’ve guest posted on EPFH, my heart is all yours. If you’d like to share your story on EPFH, click here.

3.  I also love celebrating YOU! Some days there may be 9 of you who read. Some days several hundred. But each set of eyes is tied to a very real heart to me. If only one set of eyes reads the words God has given me, and even if that one set of eyes is mine, it’s worth it. Our lives are meant to be shared.

In my very first EPFH blog post I said this and I’ll say it again, “thank you for reading my stuff.” It’s not “my stuff” really but God’s. I’m still honored that anyone would read words that came out of my heart. It means the world to me to be able to share with you here.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25 The Message

I raise my mug to a new year of stories lives and stories shared. Let’s CONTINUE to do it! Together. Our story isn’t over yet.

~Andrea

If you’d like to give EPFH an blogiversary gift, the best gift would be the gift of sharing. If you like this blog, please share the link or Facebook page with your friends. The more the merrier!

EPFH is also on Instagram and Twitter!