Camping, a New Project, and Sweet 17 // July Recap

Welcome to August, friends! Be prepared for lots of outdoorsyness in my recap of my favorite month of the year. :D 

// Life. // 

>> Dad killed two huge black snakes near the house and like ewww. *shudders* This is not okay. 

>> We went camping with friends. It was a week of total epicness and food and bikes and hiking and memories. :) 

>> Someone said I was "absolutely darling" and I'm still trying to figure out what they meant by that. #random

>> I turned 17, y'all!! :D Sweet sixteen was amazing, and I'm sure sweet seventeen (yes, it's a thing – don't argue) will be as well. 

>> Okay, wow. It feels like this segment was really short when, in reality, life was amazing this month. I lived and laughed and loved. *smiles* I don't have time to go into all that now, but keep an eye out for a post about my 'best summer' and all that I've learned in the past two months. I know who I am, Who I'm loved by, and that He has a beautiful plan for my life. <3 

// Books. // 

Reading and bibliophile-ing went well this month! :D Feast your eyes on all the loveliness... 

I read 10 books: 

Millie's Courageous Days (#2) by Martha Finley -- 5 stars

Millie's Remarkable Journey (#3) by Martha Finley -- 5 stars 

Katy by Mary Evelyn Notgrass -- 3.5 stars 

Admirable by Sarah Holman -- 4 stars 

The Farmers' Market Mishap by Wanda & Jean Brunstetter -- 4.5 stars 

Millie's Faithful Heart (#4) by Martha Finley -- 5 stars 

Andora's Folly by Abigayle Claire -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. 

The Coronation by Olivia Lynn Jarmusch -- 4 stars -- Review HERE. 

Darkness before Dawn: A Memoir in Verse by R.S. Oswald -- 4 stars 

The Notes in Our Hearts by Gabriellyn Gidman -- 5 stars -- Review HERE. 

And I sorta kinda got *cough* 20 books this month. Used bookstore, review books, birthday gifts, and a CBD sale...Twas lovely, and my wallet doesn't hate me that much. 

Gunner's Run by Rick Barry 

Found in Translation by Robert Bruner with Kristi Rae Bruner 

Winds of Change by Gilbert Morris 

Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli -- review book 

The Return by Suzanne Woods Fisher -- review book 

Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum -- Tyndale Rewards

Millie's Grand Adventure by Martha Finley - #6 

Millie's Reluctant Sacrifice by Martha Finley - #7 

Millie's Fiery Trial by Martha Finley - #8 

Westward Hearts by Melody Carlson 

Amish Promises by Leslie Gould 

Hiding Places by Erin Healy 

Not by Sight by Kate Breslin 

The Atonement by Beverly Lewis 

From the Start by Melissa Tagg 

Love's Enduring Promise by Janette Oke - #2 

Love's Long Journey by Janette Oke - #3 

Love's Unending Legacy by Janette Oke - #5 

Love Takes Wing by Janette Oke - #7 

Love Finds a Home by Janette Oke - #8 

// Writing. // 

So, basically, I failed Camp NaNo this month. 

Surprisingly? I'm not bothered by it. Like, at all. I wrote about 2k, and less than half of that was in my 'pre-planned NaNo project'. You see, I was planning to write a sequel to Dandelion Dust. I have the Pinterest board (because #priorities), the characters, the possibilities. I was going to pantser-it. It was going to be great. 

Except that it...wasn't. Not only was I not able to focus on anything writerly for the first four weeks of July, this book absolutely.has.no.plot. Like, none.what.so.ever. Time for a change of plans, right? 

Yup, that's what God told Faith. And that new project mentioned in the post title? Let's just say it's going to be amazing... <3 (What you should read between the lines here: more info to come.) 

// Music & Movies. // 

Y'ALL I FOUND A NEW SHOW TO FLAIL OVER. 

Okay, so basically, I'd heard about this show aggeesss ago on TV, and then a friend told me to watch it and, like the rebel I am, I didn't watch it right away. (Okay, so the real reason was I kinda forgot half the time, and then didn't have time whenever I did think "hey, Self. You should totally go watch that show Micaiah recommended, Self.") 

All that to say, I'm IN LOVE with Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Oliver and Shane and Rita (someone should really just give me her wardrobe. Like puhleezzz. I would totally kill the t-shirt/denim thing-I-got-goin' and be the cute sundress-n-cardigan type of girl) and Norman and all the side characters and just YUSSS. 

> Songs on Repeat <

Where I'm From // Jason Micahel Carroll 

People Loving People // Garth Brooks 

God Love Her // Toby Keith 

Hills and Valleys // Tauren Wells 

Mama's Song // Carrie Underwood 

// Goals. // 

~ July Goals 

>> Finish beta-reading aforementioned book.     No...but I'm close. 

>> Read 10 books.    Yes!! :D 

>> Go camping.    Yup!! 

>> Post about mission trip.    *cough* no. But I have a post nearly written, sooo... Soon? 

>> Live life to the fullest and savor the golden moments...without worrying so much about 'goals'.      *beams and nods* 

~ August Goals 

>> Finish beta-reading project. 

>> Read 10 books. 

>> Begin again posting weekly on Chosen Vessels. 

>> Start school. 

>> Catch up on blogging and emails. 

>> Write 10k in new writing project. 

>> Edit 14 chapters of War Tears. 

How was your month, friends? Have you seen SSD? Did you win Camp NaNo? Been camping? Ready for school? Let's talk!! XD 

~Faith