As of TODAY I have been blogging for 16 YEARS! 🎉I well remember sitting at my computer and publishing my very first blog post. I was unsure of what to write, yet I had so much in my heart.
I first began this blog as an extension of the ladies’ ministry at Boones Creek Bible Church, then later made it my personal ministry/outreach to women. That’s always been the burden of my heart – to refresh women as they live their lives for Christ. I just wanted to share simple helps, tips and ideas to refresh them with the practical things that touch our lives each day. I pray that I’ve done that in some small way in your life!
Blogging has opened so many doors for me. While my blog has remained small-ish, it has broadened my world in huge ways! I have met so many wonderful people who have stopped to leave a comment, and then we become Internet friends over a period of time.
Some have left prayer requests and I’ve had your names in my prayer journal for years. Some have come to Boones Creek Bible Church and visited and I’ve gotten to meet you in person! Wow! That has been wonderful! Some have invited me to speak at their church or camp, and again, I’ve gained new friends. On and on it has gone. I am a rich woman because of each of you who read. Thank you for the blessing you are to me.
I don’t know how long I’ll keep at this, but I can say that I still love it! My mind is always at work, thinking about the next post to write. So, if I have any say in it, I will be around as long as the Lord gives me strength of mind and body to continue posting.
Let’s celebrate the 16th anniversary of my blog with some pie, shall we? This pie has never had a page all its own, and has only every had pathetic little snapshots, simply because the pie gets eaten so quickly I never get a picture! I want to take care of that today! This pie deserves its own page because it’s SO good, and also so easy and quick to make! Here you go…
Kentucky Derby Pie
1 stick butter or margarine, melted and cooled.
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup walnuts or pecans
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Unbaked pie shell
Add sugar, eggs, and vanilla to cooled butter. Stir well. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
How about letting me know in the comments how long you’ve been reading Refresh Her? Have we met? If not, maybe it’ll happen this year! That would be fun! Thanks again for reading and refreshing ME!
RefreshHer 
Happy bloggiversary, Denise! 🥳 Wow, 16 years! Your consistency has kept me inspired in my own blog when I’ve thought of quitting. I glean soooo much from your posts and have shared them with many other women. Thank you for all the time and thought you’ve put into refreshing us ladies on a weekly basis, and for allowing me to send you questions from time to time. You’ve been a sweet long-distance friend to me. 💕
It thrills me to hear that you still love blogging and plan to continue! I hope another 16 years at least!!
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Thank you for your blog! I have followed it for many years and always appreciate your Bible-focused answers. We first met your husband about 25 years ago when he would come into the bookstore where my husband and I worked. Wow, that was a whole other season of life for both of us! Thank you for your ministry!
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Happy 16th blogiversary!! You’ve done such a fabulous job maintaining your blog all these years. It’s my favorite one to read! ❤
I’m glad you posted this recipe because you’re right – Derby Pie deserves more than “pathetic little snapshots.” Ha! It’s the best dessert!
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Happy blogiversary! I love your blog! It’s just the kind of blog that is my favorite to read. I think I discovered it years ago via a link from someone — it may have been Christa Threlfall. Your recipes are especially great, but I love the spiritual content just as much, and the hints, tips, and family fun posts are wonderful too.
And yes, we have met in person — at two ladies retreats at The Wilds of New England in New Hampshire! I am looking forward to seeing you in September, Lord willing!
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Thank you! I’m so grateful for your faithful following of my blog. I’m also so grateful to have met you, and I look so forward to our time together in the near future at TWNE!
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Happy 16th, Denise! I discovered your blog through Whitney’s blog. I am not great with timelines, but I’d say it’s been around 9 years that I have benefited from your encouragement, tips, words of wisdom, and yummy recipes! I look forward to reading your blog each week, as I thank you for your dedication. It’s a lot of work to put a post together, along with all the other things that you do. While we have not met in person, we have exchanged emails, and your kind responses to my questions meant so much. Thank you so much, and I am grateful that you are planning to continue. Congratulations on this milestone!
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Sheena, Thank you for reading and for this encouragement! I’m so thankful we’ve met here! You are a rich blessing!
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Happy Anniversary! I have so enjoyed your blog for many years. I look forward to them and am always excited to see new ones. Thank you for your faithfulness.
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Awww, thank you, Vickie. You are a blessing!
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