community life in alaska life lately the whole & simple gospel

Let’s open up this space a bit.

Three and a half years ago, I shut down the comments on this blog. My offline life felt quite full, and I wanted something I could control. Now, I don’t receive any income from being online, and my following isn’t the largest on the internet. It was the engagement that kept me around. I wanted to see what was happening. I wanted to follow the traffic. I wanted to reply to the comments. I wanted you to like me AND understand me AND agree with me AND accept me unconditionally AND never, ever unfollow me. In order to support all of these unhealthy habits, I had to be online a lot. Along the way, praise God, I course-corrected quite a bit. I got off of Facebook completely. I turned off notifications on my phone. I even started deleting social media apps a few times per week. I missed writing, but school was simply more important at the time.

Now that school is over and my kids are older, I’m ready to put “writing” back on my list of hobbies. (You wouldn’t believe how many of those questionnaires I’ve filled out over the last few months. Everyone from the new employer to the new counselor wants to know what I do in my spare time. Study? I only remember studying?) Now that I have the time, I would love to write on a blog again, in expanded form.

Let’s keep the expectations low, for now. While I’ve been on the internet for decades, I’m also quite technology-challenged; even the new Instagram updates overwhelm me. I don’t know how to build a website to save my life; I paid someone to help me with this blog years ago. Regardless, I would like to start writing here more. I would like to put up a picture every now and again. I would like this blog to be a friendly place for readers to gather for a minute or two, and maybe exchange some ideas. I still want you to like me, but you don’t have agree or even understand me to show up here. I’ve been working on a thick skin and soft heart for long enough. It’s time to put it to practice. Consider the comment section officially open. Let’s open up this space a bit.

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24 Comments

  • Reply Rach Kincaid August 27, 2020 at 4:45 PM

    ::blows dust off:: testing testing 1-2-3… it works!

  • Reply Maggie August 27, 2020 at 6:02 PM

    Here for this!!!! Been around a long time and i miss your writing.

  • Reply Vipul August 27, 2020 at 6:03 PM

    Look at me, I’m the first one!!

  • Reply olivia August 27, 2020 at 6:04 PM

    As I read, “let’s keep the expectations low…” I’m thinking, YES the marriage book is coming! haha I can be patient, welcome back!

  • Reply Claire August 27, 2020 at 6:04 PM

    Hi! I’ve followed you on IG for a long time, and just wanted to say that I always appreciate your outlook on things – especially if we don’t agree.

    I also have enjoyed seeing Alaska snippets!

  • Reply Abigail August 27, 2020 at 6:07 PM

    Hello! I did not follow you a few years ago, so I will only know of this space with open comments, but I am here for it! I discovered you on IG via Jess Connolly and I am ever so grateful I did. Your perspective is refreshing, challenging, and needed. Excited to read more of your thoughts and musings in this space!

  • Reply morgan August 27, 2020 at 6:09 PM

    love this! as a long time follower (since ames was born!), i’m so happy to hear more of you here. and to see more of that new alaska life!

  • Reply Beth Ann August 27, 2020 at 6:09 PM

    Here for it! “I’ve been working on thick skin and a soft heart for long enough.” I feel that. I’m the same with hobbies, only it’s just been my kids that have hijacked my brain and free time. Now that I have them all in school a few days a week, I’ve been daydreaming about dusting off my old blog as well. Thanks for going first! ;) Looking forward to it! I always value what you share!

  • Reply Terri August 27, 2020 at 6:09 PM

    Here. For. It.

  • Reply Julia August 27, 2020 at 6:17 PM

    Yay! Me and my sister love you. “Rachkincaid” has formed into one word, and we speak of your cute family and wise words vey fondly. 🙂

  • Reply Kindra Shah August 27, 2020 at 6:38 PM

    Can’t wait!! So proud of you!
    Also, if you’re tech-challenged, then bless my heart 😂

  • Reply Kim August 27, 2020 at 7:25 PM

    Yay! Here for all of it.

  • Reply Megan August 27, 2020 at 7:28 PM

    I love the thoughts and photos you share on Instagram, looking forward to reading your posts on this little corner of yours on the internet!

  • Reply Megan Sybrant August 27, 2020 at 7:52 PM

    Love it! I have followed you on Insta for awhile. I’m a pastors wife in Montana & i understand the cold & rural pastoring lifestyle. I imagine so contrasted to the south. Excited to hear more about Alaska.

  • Reply Mariah August 27, 2020 at 8:47 PM

    A way to hang out with you, just a bit?? Yes please!!

  • Reply Kristina August 28, 2020 at 1:28 AM

    Hi Rachel, I‘ve been following your Instagram for a while now but had no idea that you used to write a blog. Glad you are getting back into it and I‘m definitely here for the conversation! Kristina :-)

  • Reply Kristel August 28, 2020 at 3:33 AM

    Love you, friend!

  • Reply Bethany August 28, 2020 at 3:36 AM

    Excited to see more from my internet mentor. 💛

  • Reply Danielle August 28, 2020 at 3:55 AM

    Yay! Excited for you and this new season! ♥︎

  • Reply Leia Johnson August 28, 2020 at 5:15 AM

    Very much looking forward to listening, learning and enjoying your this space!

  • Reply Brooke August 28, 2020 at 11:16 AM

    a BLESSING to have a nurse blogger in my life. a momma who’s cultivating a life outside of the gram. So excited to follow.

  • Reply Carly August 28, 2020 at 1:11 PM

    You go girl!! Also, I’d buy “Toddler gospel” if you’ll put it together and publish it. You’ve already got the chapters laid out from those old IG posts :)

    • Reply Rach Kincaid September 15, 2020 at 4:59 PM

      You are the kindest! I still need those reminders, too! Glad I used the hashtag :)

  • Reply Lisa August 28, 2020 at 2:29 PM

    Woohoo! Love your perspective on life.

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