Your Favourite Posts in 2009!

Today, instead of looking at posts that were popular over the last three months, I wanted to take a look back over the year.  This isn’t necessarily a list of the most significant things that happened, or posts I find most interesting – it’s a list of some of the posts that have been the most popular with you – our visitors.

In 2009, most of our blog visitors came from the United States, Canada, Mexico, the UK and the Philippines.  Some things people were searching for to bring them here included swine flue [sic], pan de vida orphanage, how to peel a pineapple (still a big hit), bad side of technology and missionary blogs.

Our visitors primarily speak English (of various varieties), Spanish (of various varieties) and Russian (naturally).

Now with that background, here’s a look back at 2009, based entirely on what you found most interesting:

January

One of the most popular posts in January was also one of the most popular posts all year – So you want to be a Missionary.  As we do pray for others to join us here in the work, it’s appropriate that this one comes first.

And I hope you’ll continue to pray for Mexico as we head into a new year, as you did last year after reading Mexico at War (pray for Mexico in 2009).

On a lighter note, one of our most popular videos was a simple one about a cooking session in our home – Comida Mexicana (video).

February

Apparently February was the month for practical resources.  You could be speaking Spanish (on that trip to Mexico) highlights some excellent material I still recommend to jump-start your Spanish, even if you’re an absolute beginner.

And on the biblical side,
Was Jesus Pierced for Our Transgressions? talks about an excellent book on the topic and some practical ideas for teaching about Jesus and the cross.

March

After talking about Mexico’s war in January, I tried to balance things out a little.  When you listen to the news you may think we’re all dodging bullets every day here.  Actually, if you were to come here to Mexico City, your chances of being killed is about the same as your chances of dying of the bubonic plague – check out Mexico City, Safety, and our latest visit.

And certainly one of the highlights of my year – A Very Special Sunday for Sendero de Vida!

April

Looking at the posts of the year, there’s no doubt what topic was the most popular – that’s right, the A(H1N1) flu, originally called the swine flue.

 In April the news really started taking off, and you visited to find out more in posts such as Earthquakes and Swine Flu, Swine Flu Numbers (confused yet?) and Epidemic (?).

May

News about the flu continued, and the most popular post in May continued the topic with Our Church, The Flu, and The Latest here.

Finally we got on to something else as I did a quick review of the prayers of the apostle Paul in Paul’s prayer – that they may Know.

June

Of course in June we left for our summer trip – and you wanted to know where we were going.  First stops were explained in Hitting the Road – Schedule Notes

We were also looking ahead to new ministry in the fall in Team Ixtapaluca.

July

Once again you dropped by to check on where we would be when, in Schedule in Ontario.  We started by visiting family, and the surprise video hit of the summer becameCousins at the Zoo (video).

August

Let’s face it – I wasn’t blogging a lot in August, and you weren’t reading a lot.  But one post did make a hit, as we looked at our Ontario Days Ending.

September

On the other hand, September was a blog catch-up month, and you visited a lot!  For one, you were curious to know How Far did the Cottrills Travel?.  You were also there to check out the pictures in Some Ontario Photos Posted!

Finally, (and remember these are in order of popularity in each month, not in chronological order) you found out we were Ready to Return to Beautiful Mexico.

October

In one of the stranger posts of the year, you found out that I Won A Waterproof Bible, which I now have (it’s in the bathroom).  (Incidentally, if you want to see a demonstration you can watch this video from November – Our Weekend in Texcoco and Pachuca (video))

In October you started reading the prophecy series leading up to Christmas.  These were surprisingly popular, starting with Promises of a Messiah – Genesis 3:15.

November

One of the most popular posts of the year is turning out to be another prophecy post – on a popular topic, I guess – the 70 weeks of Daniel.  Here it is:  Promises of a Messiah: Daniel 9

The baking classes took off in November, and you read about them and saw Shari as a cartoon here – Amigas del Alma.

December

You were still reading in December – thanks for sticking with us!  First, you wanted to find out about an event we were going to, and see a little video sample – Coming Up: Coro Unido.

But the year ended on an appropriate note – another promise of the Messiah early in the month featured one of the most familiar passages of all – Promises of a Messiah: Micah 5:2.  To see a summary of all these prophecy entries leading up to Christmas, see Promises of a Messiah: 12 Passages (and a surprise bonus)

Thanks for your prayers, your interest, your encouragement – see you in 2010!  🙂