Like most bloggers, I monitor my blog stats daily. These stats help me to keep my finger on the pulse of what visitors to my blog are reading and where they are from. The information on my stats page also tells me things like what key words led folks to my site, how many subscribers I have, and other useful information. At the end of each year of blogging I receive an annual report from WordPress that summarizes my blog stats. I am encouraged by this year’s report and grateful to each of you who faithfully read my blog posts as well as those who stumbled onto my site or just visited once or twice. Here is a summary of the report I received from WordPress.
Busiest day of the year. | The busiest day of the year on my blog was December 15. That’s the day after I posted my blog entitled Shooting at Sandy Hook. Our nation continues to mourn the senseless loss of life at Sandy School Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Like so many other bloggers, it was impossible for me to remain silent in the face of this national tragedy.
A consistently popular blog post. | For the third year in a row, my post on William Borden, heir to the famous Borden Dairy estate, is still one of my most popular blog posts. Borden’s untimely death in 1904 made headlines around the world. His life continues to challenge and inspire people today. If you have not read his story, I hope that you will take the time to do so.
Most commented on post. | Last year my most commented on post was Traveling With Women, a blog I posted from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This year’s most commented on blog post was An Unexpected Finish, the story of doing the Neches River Wilderness Canoe Race with my son Jonathan, and finishing first in our class.
Number of views. | Last year my site was viewed 60,000 times. This year my site was viewed 76,000 times by folks from 163 countries. That boggles my mind. I never expected that my blogging adventure would reach so many people in so many countries around the world. This information keeps me grounded and reminds me that blogging is a great stewardship.
Top referring site. | For the second year in a row, Facebook is the top referring site to my blog. I do not have a Facebook account, but many of my readers do and they have been kind enough to post links to blog posts they liked on their Facebook accounts. This has generated lots of traffic to my site. Thanks Facebook users!
So, as 2012 comes to a close, I appreciate each of you who have made this a record-setting year for my little shop in the marketplace of ideas. I promise to continue doing my very best to post the kind of stories that will inspire, encourage, convict, and challenge us to go beyond in 2013.
Go Beyond 
I always enjoy reading your blog, sometimes inspiring, sometimes thought provoking. Always entertaining.
Looking forward to next year!
By: Kim Heston on December 31, 2012
at 2:29 PM
Thanks, Kim. I appreciate your friendship and readership.
By: Omar C. Garcia on December 31, 2012
at 2:33 PM
Your blog is truly what I look forward to most both here and while in Honduras. May God continue to bless you and your fantastic endeavors on His behalf in this new 2013 year.
Bendiciones my friend
Love Jackie
By: Jackie Sayles on December 31, 2012
at 3:21 PM
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words, Jackie. May 2013 be a great year for you as you continue to advance the interests of His kingdom among the least of these and the most vulnerable both here and in Honduras.
By: Omar C. Garcia on December 31, 2012
at 4:01 PM
Pastor Omar, 2012 was a great year. I look forward to 2013 and seeing you again in Feb. on our way to El Salvador. God Bless, Clay
By: Clay Lewis on December 31, 2012
at 3:29 PM
Grateful for your friendship, Clay. Always great to get dirty for God as we drill water wells in El Salvador.
By: Omar C. Garcia on December 31, 2012
at 4:03 PM
Thanks for everything Bro. Omar!!! Your words are always encouraging me & my FB friends. Thank you for being faithful to God in all you do here & all over the world. We will see you soon. We love you!!! Happy New Year!!!
By: John Tracy Richardson on December 31, 2012
at 4:47 PM
Thank you, John. I appreciate your faithful heart for God and His kingdom. Thanks also for your encouragement.
By: Omar C. Garcia on December 31, 2012
at 4:50 PM
Omar, you really do a great job with your blog. Thanks for taking the time and sharing with us all.
By: coach4growth on December 31, 2012
at 8:36 PM
Thanks, Glenn. I appreciate your encouraging words. Best wishes for a great new year.
By: Omar C. Garcia on December 31, 2012
at 8:39 PM
Gobeyond is adventurous blog worthy reading.Texas Water Safari is my favourite. It has a way of drawing me to the Scriptures (with all the preparations, trainings, hardship and the finish line which is the parts I enjoy most). I can’t wait to follow you up next on Texas Water Safari this time as you sail through with Pastor Doyle.
May God bless you and your family as you serve Him in the new year!
By: Veronica Nakyewe on January 1, 2013
at 7:34 AM
Thanks so much for following my blog and my adventures on the Texas Water Safari, Veronica. I appreciate your friendship and encouragement. Hope to see you again in Uganda. Please give my regards to all of my dear friends at The Comforter’s Center. I pray that 2013 will bring you God’s richest blessings.
By: Omar C. Garcia on January 1, 2013
at 7:42 AM
I love your blogs! And I’m very thankful for your faithfulness to it! You are a dear friend & I pray many blessings for you and your family in 2013!
By: Kristin Dry on January 1, 2013
at 9:53 AM
Thanks, Kristin. So thankful for my friendship with you and your sweet family. Love you all.
By: Omar C. Garcia on January 1, 2013
at 9:56 AM
[…] Annual Blogging Report (gobeyondblog.com) […]
By: The State of Your WordPress Stats « Cheri Speak on January 1, 2013
at 6:19 PM
Way to go, O! Keep us thinking deeply and living wisely! I appreciate your commitment to blogging your life. It challenges all of us to consider and process our life’s events in light of their Kingdom purpose. Glory to God!
By: Brian Stone on January 1, 2013
at 9:11 PM
Thanks, BStone. Appreciate our weekly conversations. They challenge me to think deeply so that I can live wisely.
By: Omar C. Garcia on January 1, 2013
at 10:34 PM