Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Goodbye 2018 >>> Hello 2019


goodbye 2018

A year has ended, a new one has just begun.

And Faith is setting down to curse bless y'all with her thoughts and opinions on the matter a week late because she's still trying to put her thoughts into words. For a writer, you'd think this would be fairly easy. It isn't. Mostly because I don't even know where to begin.

2018 was nothing like I thought it would be on January 1st. And yet, in many ways, it was so much more than I even dared to hope.

January through April was an absolutely crazy season. I was swamped with wrapping up my final semester of high school (chemistry lab reports, anyone?), keeping up with blogging, and sorta having a real life. Although it was wild and crazy (gracious, I even wrote about stress during those months), it was a good season. The posts I wrote then are among some of my favorites as I look back today. I created pottery, took 864 selfies, planned a trip, and published a wee little book.

Then May. I finished high school and took a hiatus from blogging and traveled across the continent. Taking two tests, my last two subjects to complete, in one day and then celebrating by having supper with friends were pretty darn epic. A few days later, my family packed up and set out. Three weeks on the road, going nearly coast to coast, through like eighteen states, getting to see/meet three darling friends... It was so amazing.

here's a random pic of my cute (not-so-little) little bro in CA.
In case y'all were getting bored. 

Next up... Summer. It was awesome. Senior pics, graduations party, a mission trip. Turning eighteen—and attempting to "adult." Getting caught in the rain, spontaneous ice cream, long walks, starting a new job, and days by the pool. Wildflowers to pluck, sunsets to chase, laughter to share, and memories to be made. Cute sundresses, adorable puppies, country music...all the lovely things summer should be made of.

The mission trip in June was particularly awesome. Old friends to catch up with, new friends to make. Work to do and the Gospel to share. Long van rides, shingle jokes, games of jenga, and matching t-shirts. I don't even know how to sum up everything that week was. <3

September was...different? Not starting school like any other good kid was weird. xD I had my first ever author event—a table at a book fair for local authors—so that was fabulous. Then, I spent most of the month house/dog sitting about half an hour from home. (I came home for supper nearly every night, ssshhh.)

October through December was a wild and crazy end to the year. I keep using those words, but it's true. Mostly normal life, with more work, another two weeks of house-sitting, getting to meet another online friend, and publishing another book.

Reading back over this, it doesn't sound that out-of-the-ordinary. It sounds pretty...normal. Just life. Just living and breathing and trying to make some sort of a difference in this ol' world.

But it was so far from ordinary. I don't even feel like the same girl who wrote a recap of 2017 only twelve short months ago. I'm not. Yet in so many ways, I still am her. Always will be.


// Accomplishments
  • published a short story/novelette 
  • published a collection of Christmas short stories 
  • traveled across the continent 
  • hosted/co-hosted two blog parties
  • wrote 161 blog posts
  • graduated from high school
  • wrote 72,000 words in WIPs
  • read 200 books
  • went on a week-long youth/ministry trip
  • turned 18
  • spent nine weeks away from home
  • met/re-met four online friends in person
  • grew closer to God <3



hello 2019

Hey there, 2019. I'm rather looking forward to you. A few weeks ago, I wasn't. New Years Eve, I still wasn't. I'd gotten used to 2018. It was a crazy year, but it was so good.

I didn't want to say goodbye. But without goodbyes there would be no hellos. So I'm being brave and having "good courage." My 2019 word of the year was (quite literally) dropped in my lap a few weeks ago.

Courage. This will be a year of stepping out, being courageous, and leaning on God's strength. Let's believe that greater things are ahead than anything we've left behind.

Dear 2019, I can't wait to see what you bring. <3


// Goals
  • publish War Tears
  • publish A Soldier's Freedom
  • start full-time job
  • read 160 books
  • blogging consistently 
  • read the Bible, cover to cover
  • travel
  • go on a missions trip
  • exercise more


best memories of 2018? what are you most looking forward to in 2019?

27 comments:

  1. Lovely post, Faith! ♥♥ I pray God blesses and guides you through 2019! Keep shining for God. :D

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  2. Sounds like an epic year!! <3 I loved hearing about all your adventures, and seeing how far this year has brought you.
    2018 was good. I got to spend a lot of time growing in my relationship with God through more time with Him, and polish my writing skills some.
    I am really looking foreward to pursuing my writing in ernest this year, and reading a lot more non-fiction and Bible studys.
    Thank you so much for sharing! Have an awesome year, Faith. <3

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    1. I'm glad you liked the ramblings! <3
      That is lovely, Mikayla! I pray 2019 is amazing in every way you hope it to be. :)
      Blessings to you!

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  3. Hope 2019 is a great year for you, Faith! <3 Can't wait for your books, too!!! :)

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  4. I loved reading this post, Faith! I can't believe how fast 2018 seemed to fly by! You have accomplished so many things last year! Way to go! And I am cheering you on with your 2019 goals! *throws confetti*
    -Brooklyne

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    1. I knowwwww. It was too quick, but in some ways too long. xD Thanks so much! *enjoys the confetti shower*

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  5. Best memory...playing duck,duck,goose with everyone on New Year's Eve, lol!

    Possibly finishing my Civil War series! Lord willing!

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    1. Haha, sounds like fun! xD

      Good luck, m'dear!

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  6. Great post, Faith! It's fun to look back and see what all has happened, changed, and grown us! And here's to another beautiful ful year!

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    1. Thanks, Raechel! :) May 2019 be particularly amazing for you! <3

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  7. I pray that 2019 is full of smiles, laughter and God's amazing grace. "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." <3

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  8. Really well done post. You are now graduated? Good job! I'm aiming to graduate from college in a few years, but have a ways to go. Keep going with your writing. Keep doing well, and I hope 2019 is even better than 2018!

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    1. Yup, class of 2018! That's awesome. :D Thanks, Evan!

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  9. Happy 2019!! Seems like you had a productive 2018 and I hope 2019 is great for you! :)

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  10. Congrats on achieving a lot in 2018!! Good luck with your plans for 2019, I hope it's a wonderful year for you <3 Btw, I wrote a 2018 recap on my blog and I'm going to share my goals for this year just in a few days too, and I'll be happy if you read it ;) love-english-by-ann.blogspot.com/2019/01/summarising-2018.html

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    1. Thank you, Ann! And I so appreciate you dropping your link in for me! :)

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  11. Woah girl, you've been busy!

    I loved reading this and hearing about your year, and goals for 2019.
    Thanks for keeping us updated!

    elissa // shedancesintherain.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for commenting, Elissa! <3 Have a blessed year!

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  12. I'm so glad that 2018 was a wonderful year for you! <3 Way to go on those accomplishments! :)
    I hope 2019 is an even more wonderful year for you, Faith! <3 Those are some great goals. =)

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    1. Aww, thanks so much, Rebekah! Hope you have a lovely year of blessings and grace! <3

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  13. The best memories of 2018 were the Readathons, a Pennsylvania conference, our trip to Alberta to see family and friends we haven’t seen for like 5 years, to Iowa to see my bestie and her family... <3 It was a good year. In 2019 im looking forwards to some great books, my 18th birthday, graduation, seeing my bestie again!!, and hopefully publishing something and starting my editing business. :D

    ~Katja L.

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