Late night convos, Christmas, and a linkup // December Recap

Hello all. Just me. Popping for a quick December recap. And by quick I mean, I'm gonna try and keep stuff brief because I have a Farewell 2016 post coming soon...followed by a Hello 2017. XD 

There will be a lot of screenshots, because my month was basically just one big conversation, so YES. *pretends this is a good intro and moves on* 

// Life. // 

>> Um, okay, so my family had fake afros one night. Like, we got this fruit basket and Tucker took all the crimped papery stuff out of it and sat the big mess on his head. And then everyone else's in turn. We laughed SO hard. :P 

>> Y'all. I went to 2nd and Charles. THAT IS THE MOST AMAZING PLACE IN THE WORLD LIKE WHAT EVEN. If you haven't been, GO NOW. And buy some books for me. XD 

>> This convo with Emma W.... 

>> I had a 'profound' convo with a friend late one night. About writing and why we write. I'm pretty sure we both ended up crying, and it was just so amazing. I'm not sharing screenshots from that one though...just too special. <3 

>> Also, Christmas happened. I got books. Had an awesome time with friends and family. Sang at a candlelight service at church. Went caroling and Dad nearly fell out of the back of the truck. It was fab. God is so good to us. <3 

>> Tucker asked who Mercy Miles is. Mom told him that Mercy Miles was Hark Herald's brother, but he didn't seem to believe her. I can't figure out why. (If you didn't get this, go listen to Hark the Herald Angels Sing. On repeat. Until you get it. Then come back and laugh with me.) 

// Books. // 

I read thirteen books this month! :D I'm hoping to finish three books that I'm currently reading today and hit 130 for my total for the year. :) 

Christmas Union by Karen Anna Vogel -- 2 stars 

Let's Keep Christmas by Peter Marshall -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

A Christmas Peril by Diane Moody -- 5 stars 

Our Christmas Bear by Sarah Brazytis -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. 

The Lopsided Christmas Cake by Wanda Brunstetter -- 4.5 stars

The Acts of the Apostles -- 5 stars 

Joy to the World by Colleen L. Reece -- 4 stars 

Twice Loved by Wanda Brunstetter -- 5 stars  

One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg -- 4 stars 

Destroy by Tricia Mingerink -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. 

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado -- 5 stars 

White Fur Flying by Patricia MacLachlan -- 5 stars 

Last Wish: A Short Story by Valerie Howard -- 5 stars 

I also beta-read Lydia's amazing mystery. :D

And...BOOK HAUL! :D As mentioned above, I went to 2nd and Charles...and got books for Christmas...so here ya go.

Amish Prayers by Beverly Lewis  

This Quiet Sky by Joanne Bischof 

Spring's Gentle Promise by Janette Oke 

The Measure of a Heart by Janette Oke 

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris 

I'll be Home for Christmas by Julie L. Cannon 

Dare and Defy by Tricia Mingerink 

No Better Friend by Robert Weintraub 

// Writing. // 

Word count of the month: 11,957 (and I'm hoping to write another thousand today and that will put me to nearly 13,000. WHAT WHAT.) 

Okay, so, writing went really well this month. I had planned to finish two shirt Christmas stories and hit 72k in War Tears. 

But none of that happened. Instead I started and finished a completely different Christmas story and I wrote 22 words in War Tears. *dies*

Allllssoooo... I started a new story. *covers eyes and ears* I know. I say that a lot. But stop laughing. I'm serious this time. I've been writing over a thousand words a day since the 26th. :-O 

If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise (I'm kidding. The creek has nothing to do with it whatsoever), I will be calling for beta-readers for this novella in a couple of months. And – publishing? Well...we'll see what the year brings... 

// Music & Movies. // 

I WATCHED SO MANY MOVIES THIS MONTH OH MY GOOODDDNEESSS. *ahem*

A couple of them were just 'meh', but a lot of them were awesome, and so yes. Also, lots of re-watches. XD 

And then music. Loads of Christmas music (OF COURSE) and a MercyMe concert...

And a new Lawson Bates CD. (Basically, this is the soundtrack to my new novella. <33) 

// Goals. // 

December Goals.

>> Read twelve books. (Yes, I have great expectations...)     Did it!! 

>> Hit 72k in War Tears.    Ehh...no. 

>> Survive the rest of tree harvest.     Yaayyyy!! 

>> 12 Days of Christmas linkup! Click here for details and how to join in the fun! :D    Yes! It was awesome! 

>> Go to a MercyMe Christmas concert. SIX DAYS YALL. *squeals*       IT WAS FAB YES. 

>> Have a lovely, family Christmas that's focused on giving, not receiving, and reflecting the light of Christ... :)      Hehe, I believe so. ^_^ 

January Goals. 

>> Read 10 books. 

>> Finish one beta-reading project and start alpha-reading another. 

>> Finish Dandelion Dust.

>> Write at least two quality posts for Chosen Vessels. 

Happy New Years! :D Will you be staying up tonight? 

~Faith

(So much for keeping it short, huh?! XD)