Introduction – Who is Journaling Bee?

Who is Journaling Bee you ask? My name is Barbara Ann, I love Jesus and I’m a Christian working diligently to grow stronger in my Christian walk and closer to Jesus, my Savior, every day.

I’m a wife, mother of two adult children, and a grandmother to 3! (My three grands call me “BeBe”– that’s where the “Bee” portion of my blog name came from.)

I am a retired secretary/assistant. Since retirement I’ve spent more time enjoying my passions–camping, traveling, fishing, reading, and puzzling (jigsaw puzzles).

I also love coffee–usually decaf out of necessity. The Hubs and I love visiting coffee shops, trying new coffee drinks, and soaking in the coffee shop atmosphere. (We’re people watchers!)

Fun facts: I’m a Halloween baby, my cell phone ringtone is “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys (how appropriate!), and there is always a jigsaw puzzle “in progress” at my house for friends and family when they drop by.

Why Do I Blog?

Growing closer to Jesus in my daily walk is very important to me as is growing stronger in my prayer life. I began “journaling” in my quiet time many years ago. (This is where the first half of my blog name comes from!)

In these journals I have recorded my conversations with the Lord. These conversations include prayer requests, how those requests were answered, and any insight I might have gained about God’s character.

At any time, I can look back over any of these journals and see how God has encouraged, comforted, and strengthened me. I am also reminded of His obvious presence in my life and of his many answers to prayer. When I note these many blessings, it reaffirms and strengthens my faith for the future.

Blogging for me serves a two-fold purpose. (1) Most importantly, it allows me to share Jesus with others; and, (2) I can accomplish this through my writing, which I love to do.

My growth has been (and continues to be) a continual journey with many mistakes on my part and various ups and downs. But I must point out, that I have felt and seen the Lord’s presence with me the entire way!

I pray that as I share my writings, prayers, and experiences that you will be encouraged and filled with a desire to grow stronger in your own Christian walk and closer to Jesus in your own relationship with Him.

The History of Journaling Bee — The Name

The name for this blog came from two of my favorite things.

1. Journaling is a much-loved passion and pastime.

2. My grandchildren refer to me as “BeBe.”

Therefore, my blogging name is “Journaling Bee.”

The History of Journaling Bee – Writing Experience

After the hubs and I retired from the workforce, we spent the next two years camping “across the United States.” We panned for gold in Alaska and traveled Hwy. 1 on both the East and West Coasts in a 1999 Ford camper van. 

We visited many places of interest, eclectic towns, historical sites, etc. We visited all 50 states (or at least crossed the state line). We were able to fill in all the stickers on our 50-state US travel map. (We cheated with Hawaii. Although we have visited there–it was via airline, not camper.) We met some interesting people, shared a lot of travel stories, and made many friends.

I kept an online journal of our travels and shared with family and friends. They traveled with us via e-mail each day. 

Five years later, we began preparing for hiking the Appalachian Trail. Once again, I started a travel blog to keep family and friends updated on our training, preparation, and travel details.

The hike ended abruptly (mainly due to my PTSD from a fall that ended with a broken nose and 54 stitches while training.) With no traveling to report on, I felt bereft because I didn’t feel I had anything else to write about and I missed writing.

The Beginning of Journaling Bee

It was at this time I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to start a blogging ministry to encourage fellow Christians in their Christian walk and, hopefully, introduce new people to Christ, our Savior. After several months of focused prayer, research, reading other blogs, seeking the opinion of trusted friends, family, and acquaintances, “Journaling Bee” was born.

I initially started the blog in September 2016 and did great for two years. I saw God’s hand in everything. Jesus’ presence was very real to me on more than one occasion. And the Holy Spirit filled me thoughts and words that just poured out onto paper.

Hurricane Michael and Journaling Bee

However, on October 10, 2018, Michael (a category 5 hurricane) brought devastation and chaos to our hometown. With so much destruction around, I put blogging on the back burner. It was such a disturbing and overwhelming time that I could not begin to put it into verbal, much less written, words.

Our community focused on rebuilding and attempting to find our way back to “normal.” It was a distressing time for many thousands of people, although it barely made the national news. 

Many buildings, including homes, schools, churches, and businesses were destroyed. Residents relocated because there were no places to live other than campers and tents. It was several weeks, sometimes months, before power was restored to all areas.

Schools were damaged and had to go virtual during the rebuilding process. So did any businesses that were able to stay afloat financially. Getting supplies and food to the community took many volunteers. We waited many months for stores to be repaired and opened back up. Building supplies were difficult to find and took weeks to be delivered. Homes, churches, and businesses that needed to be renovated were at a standstill.

The two hospitals in town were severely damaged. Medical resources disappeared along with physicians and many other medical personnel because there was nowhere for them to work. Both hospitals in our community took months, even years to rebuild. It was total disorder everywhere. It has been a long, arduous process to try and build back our community and economy.

COVID 19 Pandemic and Journaling Bee

We were making progress as individuals, and as a community, when the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020. Trying to regain “normalcy” went out the window in our community, nation, and world-wide. Survival was our focus, although many lives were lost.

Businesses and churches that had rebuilt after Michael were forced to close their doors again. Schools returned to virtual, employees began working from home, and churches went to on-line services. Initially it was due to quarantine restrictions. Later these changes were caused by loss of teachers, employees, and general population. Other contributing factors included a continued lack of available places to live and lack of available medical care.

My “few months” of putting blogging on the back burner, turned into several years. But during those years I saw God working mightily in my life, as well in the lives of those around me. 

Journaling Bee Returns

Eventually, I felt God call me back to blogging. Once again, there was much focused prayer and advice sought from trusted friends and family. So, in the beginning of 2022 I re-started my blog, Journaling Bee. I found out much has changed in the last several years in the blogosphere. 

Re-starting the blog has been a slow process, but I am enthusiastic to be blogging again! I have a lot to learn to get back in-sync and up to date with the blogging world!

I look forward to sharing some of the many ways I have seen Jesus at work in and around my life, especially in the last several years. 

What You Can Expect in Journaling Bee Blog

• Emphasis on the importance of incorporating regular one-on-one time with Jesus, learning, and growing in your relationship with Him.

• Ideas on integrating prayer into your daily life—prayer for yourself, your loved ones, those in need, and anyone or anything the Lord places on your heart to pray for.

• Devotional blogs on topics that will help identify areas of needed growth in your own personal Christian walk.

• Ways to identify how Jesus is at work in every area of your life as well as in the lives of those around you.

• Reminders on the importance of offering encouragement to others and being aware of opportunities to reach the lost and bring them into God’s kingdom by accepting Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

Join Me at Journalingbee.com

I hope and pray that you will join me on this journey of adventure and growth. (Subscribe here)

I welcome any feedback you may have. Let’s grow together! (Contact form)

Many Thanks

Thank you for joining me at Journaling Bee. I look forward to the time we will spend encouraging each other, growing together, and introducing Jesus to those who don’t know Him as their Savior and Lord.

Barbara aka Mom aka BeBe

3/1/2022

Updated 8/30/2022

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