tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77656092159447557522024-03-05T07:58:36.699-05:00Stories by Firefly! Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.comBlogger498125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-6479454708751320962022-05-08T23:53:00.006-04:002022-05-08T23:54:35.953-04:00Girl in the Mirror<p>The girl in the mirror. </p><p>Sometimes she’s my best friend. Other times, my worst enemy. </p><p>Lately, I’m learning a lot about her—this girl in the mirror. She’s been there my whole life, yet how often have I rly cared about her as one should a lifelong buddy? </p><p>I spent a lot of time hating the girl in the mirror, criticizing her, attacking all her flaws. My negativity toward her only tore both of us down. It’s only when I’m able to see the good in her that I’m proud of how far we’ve come. The girl in the mirror doesn’t know yet what comes next, but she's proud of how far she's come. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YESOp1_TqpxFdIibntJT00lp4R_WF5tNjgqeyBxFBVR1Dos4PpHavEoqf-0oMhrGtxOeiaQSa2bViCDk42J0IShjwUVAzMkz0d6twSKp8R5b70C1qViWjXiAC5nqWy0pTKHmzpfn0NCDmYmF1V0OqR93i2gHVzoXN-PVRXPizYw3aaDNYbK_O84p2w/s1334/IMG_6672.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YESOp1_TqpxFdIibntJT00lp4R_WF5tNjgqeyBxFBVR1Dos4PpHavEoqf-0oMhrGtxOeiaQSa2bViCDk42J0IShjwUVAzMkz0d6twSKp8R5b70C1qViWjXiAC5nqWy0pTKHmzpfn0NCDmYmF1V0OqR93i2gHVzoXN-PVRXPizYw3aaDNYbK_O84p2w/s320/IMG_6672.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><p><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Maybe you’re struggling to grow into who you’re meant to be while living under the label of who you’ve been told you are.” </span></i></b></p><p>I saw this words somewhere awhile back and many times since then, they’ve popped back into my head. </p><p>We all have labels placed on us—by others or ourselves—that attempt to define us and tell us who we are and what we should be like. Some are well-intended. Some are unintentional. Some are painful. None of them define us. </p><p>I've put many labels on the girl in the mirror over the years. Some were good and lasting. Some were good for a time and meant to be let go of after their season. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfLn6KyPfnxb010668p1XTvi35DgMltH9l8OrVqpyR2JAF8rWFd8TNApM8rCnWq3QJOHGfHB1kFy5ed6IiGYD59KgJU0X8J8fmESPhXooDPI6FzmjBkkT9JrNc36_VtGqMimuVwmJ0rnsxAelwxeqj44wFdldAMMyrMsohBemecnDmPyhOS-cWzGE-A/s1334/IMG_6409.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfLn6KyPfnxb010668p1XTvi35DgMltH9l8OrVqpyR2JAF8rWFd8TNApM8rCnWq3QJOHGfHB1kFy5ed6IiGYD59KgJU0X8J8fmESPhXooDPI6FzmjBkkT9JrNc36_VtGqMimuVwmJ0rnsxAelwxeqj44wFdldAMMyrMsohBemecnDmPyhOS-cWzGE-A/s320/IMG_6409.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>11-year-old me would be surprised that I’m not married or at least in a serious relationship by now. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>13 year old me would be astonished at how easily I can carry on a conversation with strangers. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>15-year-old me would be surprised that I’m graduating college next weeks. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>17-year-old me would be confused to find out that I barely write anymore. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>19 year old me would smile to realize how close you are to making it happen. </i></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><i>21-year-old me is really proud of where I’m at.</i></b></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZOb-bgT8cawfqGhaQa-dQnm1ddHRUyxSZje2ZhbdFrwUs8lh3ZQu7-hj1cThxqnreUTTPmS-kPR_ZqfAHF84TFFOxHtkxizhGWs4QW7H8MNohzo-IxmC2qwUhbQWRFQVZhG6jfdBliLK4HlG9i66VqI9KM7HRWSuy6SPLVCap47GB81eyqoQBxZzhQ/s1334/IMG_6857.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZOb-bgT8cawfqGhaQa-dQnm1ddHRUyxSZje2ZhbdFrwUs8lh3ZQu7-hj1cThxqnreUTTPmS-kPR_ZqfAHF84TFFOxHtkxizhGWs4QW7H8MNohzo-IxmC2qwUhbQWRFQVZhG6jfdBliLK4HlG9i66VqI9KM7HRWSuy6SPLVCap47GB81eyqoQBxZzhQ/s320/IMG_6857.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The girl in the mirror—the same one he’s been staring back at me for over 21 years—she’s graduating college in six days. Next to the mirror where 6972475 selfies have been taken hangs a royal blue cap and gown, with gold honors stole. </p><p>The girl in the mirror has a long way to go, but she’ll get there. One day at a time. For now, she's proud of how far she's come. For now, that's enough. </p>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-64083473997830617792022-01-09T17:55:00.000-05:002022-01-09T17:55:12.280-05:00*Basically Just Mirror Selfies From the Last Six Months*<p>*crickets* </p><p>*walks in and sits down cross-legged* </p><p>Hey, people. </p><p>Let's talk. </p><p>I wanted to start this with "weelll, it's been a hot minute" but that's how I started <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2021/07/its-been-hot-minute.html" target="_blank">my last post</a> like this back in July when I caught up on the first half of the year. And ya girl not tryna be redundant, here. </p><p>But it has been awhile. And a lot has changed since July 27th. (No, this isn't another relationship announcement—sorry to disappoint. ;) ) </p><p>Over the last few months, I've started several times to write this post, but it either didn't feel right at the time, or I had something else more pressing to do, or I flat-out couldn't bring myself to put everything into words and share it with the world. Not that I have some horribly dark secret that I have to divulge here, but because writing has often been therapeutic for me. I feel like, in some way, having to put everything in words and make it make sense helps me deal with things. </p><p>So I'm here now. 2021 has been a little sucky tbh and I don't want to start 2022 without dumping all this mess out here. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • July </h2><p>The last week of July included a church picnic and getting temporarily stranded at work when my car wouldn't start (Dad to the rescue <3). And a camping trip with my family and cousins the same weekend I turned 21—72 hours of campfire smoke and messy hair and laying in a hammock and eating food you cooked over an open flame and laughing until you hurt was B L I S S. </p><p>(Swimming in the river so cold it takes your breath wasn't the most blissful part, but all for the memories, right??) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWvEwskYtYpXiMccRawFZWSjMk17trgAHrtkvFOL8Xu6SvruZHHV_QDvxTWjEBdTAL7jMtapXoc-tlhBpMvLrLwgMW13_yjTQd_vJe5wXkdf4wCMCJFfgF8QPlPB3rclqbvJVOgMg8iEbiT22ywnKNY9yPnxEhNGv50VXPbZygwF9LAsiD3VFuFiR4YA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWvEwskYtYpXiMccRawFZWSjMk17trgAHrtkvFOL8Xu6SvruZHHV_QDvxTWjEBdTAL7jMtapXoc-tlhBpMvLrLwgMW13_yjTQd_vJe5wXkdf4wCMCJFfgF8QPlPB3rclqbvJVOgMg8iEbiT22ywnKNY9yPnxEhNGv50VXPbZygwF9LAsiD3VFuFiR4YA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2PqGCKbXZmz6FqDavzZ3KwxSOK9krGhF1VqyOtv8yLZ9GcYX6k1uNIe8NxuhmMSga9KkJQKz-YF9OH4C20vuHJSvWhhvJ1Z_vfcME68cwQ2oV3jzxQS2re9f9edE_20sjGGX-TBsjHAIgFzyn9DX3apoJR8sttO_TXumykYRl6JhIYWyUQkE-ERhozw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtjYx0YnQRsJW3B5o2g8OWCuQHcYwhhqhK2A-hN9zu6z-Pada89hX1wGETgs9RfhuuoqTY3SEgfHeZ_CFVAk37hxf5u4_6SfYga9nJqqFpnbzXoK30f52-3MyCDg7A8XdwT8EdFBgHx-NWIQPKwN0puPRmV5LyyL25NqfJjV84ooMzDbbAK9xBquNbtQ=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtjYx0YnQRsJW3B5o2g8OWCuQHcYwhhqhK2A-hN9zu6z-Pada89hX1wGETgs9RfhuuoqTY3SEgfHeZ_CFVAk37hxf5u4_6SfYga9nJqqFpnbzXoK30f52-3MyCDg7A8XdwT8EdFBgHx-NWIQPKwN0puPRmV5LyyL25NqfJjV84ooMzDbbAK9xBquNbtQ=s320" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • August </h2><p>Highlight of the month was the amazing week spent with my best friend, and the two days we spent in Colorado. <3 Also, started my next-to-last semester of community college (S C A R Y), lots of Saturday night summer concerts at work, meeting an internet friend for the first time, and catching sunsets and little special moments every chance I could. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8yYoqeu1a4FweWZufnjq2Hqakh8hb_94SvWEmI3m_JnnpchhZL89hgKdlqKgz9ERcTrGRzqDmYra_bpA7C6s7MEBugHPC8nZztSHo2U3Q6nlZGNUEqcEGK7wkOiZ2gf9m3VmxzKQkGVc8kAhD82v0pg1yr4Nips-W9IHloQkWEaGaezt_452e7VNsCA=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8yYoqeu1a4FweWZufnjq2Hqakh8hb_94SvWEmI3m_JnnpchhZL89hgKdlqKgz9ERcTrGRzqDmYra_bpA7C6s7MEBugHPC8nZztSHo2U3Q6nlZGNUEqcEGK7wkOiZ2gf9m3VmxzKQkGVc8kAhD82v0pg1yr4Nips-W9IHloQkWEaGaezt_452e7VNsCA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf66Ii-FsdYvTB9_60UK4P1hWY2zLIazwHgdaqHLjbKR65sk1zKHrB4dVdfQy30HCwDk5Fja8n_8r4fe-84G7uAEOGR6U64cI-vbB-FpzzFKg4SDJanINTeo97u5y8sIBxHSQrVYmj6L--BqzdGlKqTGngvHiWZTaiVXlMXnZN5NLoApDb6DjfBcEV_A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgf66Ii-FsdYvTB9_60UK4P1hWY2zLIazwHgdaqHLjbKR65sk1zKHrB4dVdfQy30HCwDk5Fja8n_8r4fe-84G7uAEOGR6U64cI-vbB-FpzzFKg4SDJanINTeo97u5y8sIBxHSQrVYmj6L--BqzdGlKqTGngvHiWZTaiVXlMXnZN5NLoApDb6DjfBcEV_A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioC2roTAZh_mUbU_F9ERo3lVJeiJ4nFQVNV5LUtJ4vYQUpTiZlVaJ5u3vOHE0nAbcIluH5lswUUKhZNYNSNjRTBN2inMwrGgZOnKmGcGXRCNPuZhWX9TM2SesLoH0hKwHIjBqF7T_5CRJ9D9qXahJ78JryHfSH4spo74deWYaW-AuNnQbXcg-_Iksb_g=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioC2roTAZh_mUbU_F9ERo3lVJeiJ4nFQVNV5LUtJ4vYQUpTiZlVaJ5u3vOHE0nAbcIluH5lswUUKhZNYNSNjRTBN2inMwrGgZOnKmGcGXRCNPuZhWX9TM2SesLoH0hKwHIjBqF7T_5CRJ9D9qXahJ78JryHfSH4spo74deWYaW-AuNnQbXcg-_Iksb_g=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Idk why we all look like we're on crack here, but I'm posting anyway bc we cute</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPZmsfTJ3hniHmkLyxobtVMnUa8tRKO2S9Km3SisW68J-43Gddf32rOBIHuqI2SQXJd2yS1R7tO9IXYhpiYd7wCWt-2sSzbHxbrlIaY7i1wlWq9KRvwUac7tfkfMTHYYQzDT-kcdWSt4ldrOFWtNXAym9qrT1DsYYXezOevnjwM-6-MqUY4pM-hVWmug=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPZmsfTJ3hniHmkLyxobtVMnUa8tRKO2S9Km3SisW68J-43Gddf32rOBIHuqI2SQXJd2yS1R7tO9IXYhpiYd7wCWt-2sSzbHxbrlIaY7i1wlWq9KRvwUac7tfkfMTHYYQzDT-kcdWSt4ldrOFWtNXAym9qrT1DsYYXezOevnjwM-6-MqUY4pM-hVWmug=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5nm6pr60L6YwzicYvqa_xpDD5NA-CSajJ0vafEFg80BUIOOO_odlVHLx7H0_JyvQjgNUBcbcl1mRKLkX2k1FHA5PzZ5QhoIiNBOJiehm40qfqWsDkyh0suruJqRkpW0FuBEQAZA25SKwOrAODJjfRIWQEvpSVFzWdSQa5dNO-plQly8kTRZKCT7Px9Q=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5nm6pr60L6YwzicYvqa_xpDD5NA-CSajJ0vafEFg80BUIOOO_odlVHLx7H0_JyvQjgNUBcbcl1mRKLkX2k1FHA5PzZ5QhoIiNBOJiehm40qfqWsDkyh0suruJqRkpW0FuBEQAZA25SKwOrAODJjfRIWQEvpSVFzWdSQa5dNO-plQly8kTRZKCT7Px9Q=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGPq6GSSCAP5MO8u4Dvwc0tCsuRelZ7OQNzy9bljkMQiivDNRCIuI4kuocfoBKtkwd3X2jn-5SHMGMzHxcIFJFdFghw7mS8INJVLKV0FHl2O1VzNzmAu85K9fWdnXBRTWvHbVgvKK-wqwm5_KDMTHNECaXUR7UnREvuKAoMgYTFKWn63jKaClpCtHTGg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGPq6GSSCAP5MO8u4Dvwc0tCsuRelZ7OQNzy9bljkMQiivDNRCIuI4kuocfoBKtkwd3X2jn-5SHMGMzHxcIFJFdFghw7mS8INJVLKV0FHl2O1VzNzmAu85K9fWdnXBRTWvHbVgvKK-wqwm5_KDMTHNECaXUR7UnREvuKAoMgYTFKWn63jKaClpCtHTGg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • September </h2><p>Looking through pictures from September is hard for me. The first picture of me? Dressed for the lake, jean shorts and sunglasses on my head? That was Sunday afternoon. A family day at the lake. Everything was normal and good. Tuesday night I got home from work to find out that my mom had spent all day in doctors offices. Thursday was a biopsy. Friday was a diagnosis of breast cancer. As the following days and weeks were filled with doctors appointments and tests and more questions than answers, we all felt like we'd been sucker-punched. </p><p>For months, we'd had a family vacation planned for the last week of the month. We stuck to those plans anyway and spent nine days in the beautiful Florida Keys—swimming and sunbathing and boating and fishing and exploring and eating sooo much good, fresh seafood. It was incredible. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgymW7uOozTxoNzLW6RnYdETXHniB_SQrbtCyu4rIgzz52UvS9XeKiAcdNxUhrOP7b1lACw4_wa6Y16N1EMXwVMrkZ2ui7seSc3rbTbOh3Oq_imC_D5gT_jjKBC-yP8x6lO5Cj42Ny1R0mbojXfITGXPJWKPwde7jCLd4hBgFbxTBSp-jqP5dGVODLKcg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgymW7uOozTxoNzLW6RnYdETXHniB_SQrbtCyu4rIgzz52UvS9XeKiAcdNxUhrOP7b1lACw4_wa6Y16N1EMXwVMrkZ2ui7seSc3rbTbOh3Oq_imC_D5gT_jjKBC-yP8x6lO5Cj42Ny1R0mbojXfITGXPJWKPwde7jCLd4hBgFbxTBSp-jqP5dGVODLKcg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJgCnlKqbKYuhLdycJJa4p-M3F6T4fTBLNYs63KLQQ5T4dC4aGSet5jKzvOs0pN1lSXqiK-Ks-qilkl3saqF5vvZBBEbHgwRBYG4e3agqo6RjFk-Zei6JV-3DaWYt3dkgQFa-R3C0CUz0sgl5fEz9mXD4Mfnts6Gx6UNsQKA8Fw0lTkaT5Z0aEn6KhNg=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJgCnlKqbKYuhLdycJJa4p-M3F6T4fTBLNYs63KLQQ5T4dC4aGSet5jKzvOs0pN1lSXqiK-Ks-qilkl3saqF5vvZBBEbHgwRBYG4e3agqo6RjFk-Zei6JV-3DaWYt3dkgQFa-R3C0CUz0sgl5fEz9mXD4Mfnts6Gx6UNsQKA8Fw0lTkaT5Z0aEn6KhNg=s320" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0Hu4Iah0NBiNyZl_FKqXpVUfYkpfEFCITWkPMbYSnOkhk4neLEilLswOaoSYM-SQmvXjZ_g0XE2VPGUelxtG9ftH4oj0UbA9GBWtMbpFof3Yg_sMHtIZT4jIeT63tCxFQ6iFkY9VX6IWYznP-W5tAKsJqcfzBHZGGdYVIrTlGdhrDoMFcZ4AV6qIvdQ=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0Hu4Iah0NBiNyZl_FKqXpVUfYkpfEFCITWkPMbYSnOkhk4neLEilLswOaoSYM-SQmvXjZ_g0XE2VPGUelxtG9ftH4oj0UbA9GBWtMbpFof3Yg_sMHtIZT4jIeT63tCxFQ6iFkY9VX6IWYznP-W5tAKsJqcfzBHZGGdYVIrTlGdhrDoMFcZ4AV6qIvdQ=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my work peeps! Saturday night crew is my fav <3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju2UxIMlKpSh5pakZbFIZsosv35iZ6C04XF2oVNLjfEA5BAip-YX0rZ7j3FR7Wj6UHTPx0Wi0YsGOQmncpnjRparluKzaAD4lngFR0eohNyr2nq45F95rAAsr1kfpSb4ngvwGlHlnCwyTZJ59Rz6y-vI4xJReESX34Ofhn4FsZkf1WcCe3EMMDI_eFQA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju2UxIMlKpSh5pakZbFIZsosv35iZ6C04XF2oVNLjfEA5BAip-YX0rZ7j3FR7Wj6UHTPx0Wi0YsGOQmncpnjRparluKzaAD4lngFR0eohNyr2nq45F95rAAsr1kfpSb4ngvwGlHlnCwyTZJ59Rz6y-vI4xJReESX34Ofhn4FsZkf1WcCe3EMMDI_eFQA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnwPRCtLtpLAyA1rf_W7RaVEtAfPbigwRMkNEpjFey1Niw9lGe5GwEqHZnDch4q8cLj2z2BBDMd1LsQq_VDqAgDWr_62x-16ElPYkVi6x5_P8ofzeOvkYR8dckjwWf1NVj_DxXc3m7IXuVj4kPAgCHJIbBqiN7hRl7VoyBC4-ilrNHoTPELfNTngZOVQ=s2712" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2034" data-original-width="2712" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnwPRCtLtpLAyA1rf_W7RaVEtAfPbigwRMkNEpjFey1Niw9lGe5GwEqHZnDch4q8cLj2z2BBDMd1LsQq_VDqAgDWr_62x-16ElPYkVi6x5_P8ofzeOvkYR8dckjwWf1NVj_DxXc3m7IXuVj4kPAgCHJIbBqiN7hRl7VoyBC4-ilrNHoTPELfNTngZOVQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-SAQgBrR8dzWIjV7FY72mGHkkUitSwFapfQ5zXN4428RE0EZSSy4PUh8SXfFCiTu0686t2Nr3CMPXBFtIIblnOh2IiINB3Szzp1h-pKIDroly7ZNm4eH0V5uWGyO9AjrRH7DiaWfdp2waBknpKd4VFPSuf7g1niaSplfLKSF93dsI0oXPSN7FzD27EA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-SAQgBrR8dzWIjV7FY72mGHkkUitSwFapfQ5zXN4428RE0EZSSy4PUh8SXfFCiTu0686t2Nr3CMPXBFtIIblnOh2IiINB3Szzp1h-pKIDroly7ZNm4eH0V5uWGyO9AjrRH7DiaWfdp2waBknpKd4VFPSuf7g1niaSplfLKSF93dsI0oXPSN7FzD27EA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin112EkFcYFdhJ9AoS86jh4E7qoOrEolTDJ8KxBTZeoM3or2DP_GQRNyWHpN5D-5U30lEjAqBEjQRqsJnYQp9lzl7UPv80CsYA0n4pn6IiyV4lyFaFaW_jyaS4lDgEdol1Lwxc6vE-UQuuet1arR1b1cugw6VAxg_CYvYeyAqJNvcCX0S76V0rTRvFcQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifx-BFtKgC4Wo5siPUzEA0wDll0MQIxcg2cJPzn-YKdrCt9ZErDXw5WphJwvklPzOpItsNxpEu5yt4SUsAIKPQe3nfYK_ZlmIQ59gPBgOF8WvDGTRJ_IHvEDOajiWWCkN0zctmDSXP7jlBdFmKEer2NH3L8H5K70WPJJODJHEKLFgCQPbfdZVbrPDrJA=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifx-BFtKgC4Wo5siPUzEA0wDll0MQIxcg2cJPzn-YKdrCt9ZErDXw5WphJwvklPzOpItsNxpEu5yt4SUsAIKPQe3nfYK_ZlmIQ59gPBgOF8WvDGTRJ_IHvEDOajiWWCkN0zctmDSXP7jlBdFmKEer2NH3L8H5K70WPJJODJHEKLFgCQPbfdZVbrPDrJA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh8vOfjUmcqnCr9J_Ii5-hvf4Q-6utoF2Cfab8O257hW-AQQ8V822HVRKBD1Zzhkb7StbBVQqut5DRy69ZnBmxmxF774CX2lmqjXYUI1Dedo0aStOzX1cjLzdKqcxwXH3OJQWLtaCw1Q44B6_LTRvNeBGKufxjI-5PaxqgLGbU3umaY4OWlfZwVjTDDw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh8vOfjUmcqnCr9J_Ii5-hvf4Q-6utoF2Cfab8O257hW-AQQ8V822HVRKBD1Zzhkb7StbBVQqut5DRy69ZnBmxmxF774CX2lmqjXYUI1Dedo0aStOzX1cjLzdKqcxwXH3OJQWLtaCw1Q44B6_LTRvNeBGKufxjI-5PaxqgLGbU3umaY4OWlfZwVjTDDw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlFaTOo47QXK3gk8F_pBUtK746SkqMsUq5d1um_1IBpxRmrK0Yn-I6JnlUEmYJi8HbBOGBFiPs3xvjIUw3Bu3CoavIQKOgZ285Nr1u7lMgT5lIeMl_7tNGIkKE-pc4rYOWOQeSRccTEfEOW0Aelz-ie5xxIQYiuA6rVYL3BDPkRjpRRKYS1Rlf_vjXRQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlFaTOo47QXK3gk8F_pBUtK746SkqMsUq5d1um_1IBpxRmrK0Yn-I6JnlUEmYJi8HbBOGBFiPs3xvjIUw3Bu3CoavIQKOgZ285Nr1u7lMgT5lIeMl_7tNGIkKE-pc4rYOWOQeSRccTEfEOW0Aelz-ie5xxIQYiuA6rVYL3BDPkRjpRRKYS1Rlf_vjXRQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhidlw0KHV_ZOMhPgD6pgtKjoWCxPvEcaC7pNkjF3OcD9vK-003qoOnKKSRkHa7MN7OgmpQBmzUOL7QFk2GIpv9UAOb8-P-KZkyRXo25OK3Avg6eA1fMcEVUCOM1qFhp7qPeB5lrxokIQAQKHQCEe8WZn8F5Zkh267ZAD_BzUIuOKiubziqgjWTV8Y5Hw=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhidlw0KHV_ZOMhPgD6pgtKjoWCxPvEcaC7pNkjF3OcD9vK-003qoOnKKSRkHa7MN7OgmpQBmzUOL7QFk2GIpv9UAOb8-P-KZkyRXo25OK3Avg6eA1fMcEVUCOM1qFhp7qPeB5lrxokIQAQKHQCEe8WZn8F5Zkh267ZAD_BzUIuOKiubziqgjWTV8Y5Hw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpA2yWPyjIh8XW_TzEdEQ0l7TAuTYx6jTN2wGsQymxHEm_kePcNauSjxK02SHUfCwhkMzG45lvTZ4uApA4O0dR1-tAEzyTqr5uuMzqPwlIBFIFiKO6FZeo2YH4ceJrI1b_1mpH_RKKPtP_pwO3I_Sd6hwjVmp52pytktZO39NoWYP0tRZTJ-xyXTf1Og=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpA2yWPyjIh8XW_TzEdEQ0l7TAuTYx6jTN2wGsQymxHEm_kePcNauSjxK02SHUfCwhkMzG45lvTZ4uApA4O0dR1-tAEzyTqr5uuMzqPwlIBFIFiKO6FZeo2YH4ceJrI1b_1mpH_RKKPtP_pwO3I_Sd6hwjVmp52pytktZO39NoWYP0tRZTJ-xyXTf1Og=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • October </h2><p>Highlight of October was...quitting my job. xP Yeah, legit came back from vacation, worked two days, then turned in my two week notice. I love everyone I work with, but the job itself had been a stressful environment for awhile now and, after considering it many times, I decided I couldn't do it any longer. I turned in my notice around the first of the month and worked the next two weeks. </p><p>Also... more studying, more housesitting, applying for new jobs, applying for internships next semester, and a quick one-night trip to Kansas to see my bestie get engaged. <3 And my dog, my baby and best buddy for the last ten years, passed away. </3</p><p>So... yep. It was definitely a month of emotions. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMxicpIOMNWMP5qugNJ6WXWXoxH0VMtyrcmLvYV6YFjD5of0Uv5HN0fp014KvlyQ5IUZKe6B_BeSFVFUiAKIi1Wfupc7hmtj_qfEp9PWyGHGvPdYt74HYdkTljyCmksLtcaqaiI2VFkkXLSGCvxd_o4cxQwuIqu6YT3fq3sBuSRaUBImrBdbmX8STyMQ=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMxicpIOMNWMP5qugNJ6WXWXoxH0VMtyrcmLvYV6YFjD5of0Uv5HN0fp014KvlyQ5IUZKe6B_BeSFVFUiAKIi1Wfupc7hmtj_qfEp9PWyGHGvPdYt74HYdkTljyCmksLtcaqaiI2VFkkXLSGCvxd_o4cxQwuIqu6YT3fq3sBuSRaUBImrBdbmX8STyMQ=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My face right before quitting... </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO_VrudfXF9BxZpqbUjVVCZTYxurZp-ElFwevcsgL3dm_JgvM05k_p25EMCBFlrLKYR9LCa9ixhpYujLbth5z3GUjWV5m5NHkvLruoqZ2pYVq8-dQXXoUT76-Kmg7abRJfeXRvqSwuQE6se3LV0QYdtaiexcRZcXwoeEaBaD6FLYYXPRGElDKd6Sbllg=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiO_VrudfXF9BxZpqbUjVVCZTYxurZp-ElFwevcsgL3dm_JgvM05k_p25EMCBFlrLKYR9LCa9ixhpYujLbth5z3GUjWV5m5NHkvLruoqZ2pYVq8-dQXXoUT76-Kmg7abRJfeXRvqSwuQE6se3LV0QYdtaiexcRZcXwoeEaBaD6FLYYXPRGElDKd6Sbllg=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... my face right after.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKSPJw8PFIOVuHerNaY7f54ct_2Cnuv8Bkr2J-CSnkuu6j2m1g1bae1l9WZPpyx1Q6QWGXz74xtuohLUZOWJJ-SAlbmNfuEI9MDRPD2p8B_nQfEbkeOWwXMiqXnYYZw-B9BFD6MCPrfkGWJ5cybTpTXiOuJk0Br5fayDvhCYaXq9k9_eAF5s44HABN9g=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKSPJw8PFIOVuHerNaY7f54ct_2Cnuv8Bkr2J-CSnkuu6j2m1g1bae1l9WZPpyx1Q6QWGXz74xtuohLUZOWJJ-SAlbmNfuEI9MDRPD2p8B_nQfEbkeOWwXMiqXnYYZw-B9BFD6MCPrfkGWJ5cybTpTXiOuJk0Br5fayDvhCYaXq9k9_eAF5s44HABN9g=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work homies <3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUg_kYFBvgnBWfSaf9b0BFvnQYpGuMNOJbYhDq5dAaTRLapuC4vyRYF7xzC-fdZhm2JCblS5umHnK4T9Iai3fstN-3WWUPk_jmNF43BaeT62OQtM00I2N8I7cLx4eh8E-v3XWTOyRqUkL8Pb-Z16swBnR-_1PI9bVPDGZnxUrfkcl_wtVYYPruB7daCw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUg_kYFBvgnBWfSaf9b0BFvnQYpGuMNOJbYhDq5dAaTRLapuC4vyRYF7xzC-fdZhm2JCblS5umHnK4T9Iai3fstN-3WWUPk_jmNF43BaeT62OQtM00I2N8I7cLx4eh8E-v3XWTOyRqUkL8Pb-Z16swBnR-_1PI9bVPDGZnxUrfkcl_wtVYYPruB7daCw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFgfz6eEkrGzwmZraakvOXMC0vgTNPhAOXtNcpv06xXovMxR2OQULETO0PdtWwFqAjgsciN7ufqf_4k8Bjhtfo543VU6tD5qtXlyWPeXfyqUydjb2vJ1MpiaibwtyJQowKUNpclJpp6mgBSgB_AUvgzA8o4KSqBtS4xH4AG0fCgLQGtO2TOPvrObUymA=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFgfz6eEkrGzwmZraakvOXMC0vgTNPhAOXtNcpv06xXovMxR2OQULETO0PdtWwFqAjgsciN7ufqf_4k8Bjhtfo543VU6tD5qtXlyWPeXfyqUydjb2vJ1MpiaibwtyJQowKUNpclJpp6mgBSgB_AUvgzA8o4KSqBtS4xH4AG0fCgLQGtO2TOPvrObUymA=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf_tJTG4lsmr1gv3aJO55JPEE2HN7V7DO2BE46SF5SGMWf3NPVLvwu6ObD-ufjqrpI6rrNApp69tUujpCTf9jSMmSgvRCRFXPVplHpzq2DQ6Lj6g0iPdP_Oa4COyFltlhLc_Fb2Bk3JuG355iQeYk_EqnGT-3_TlaA0hebL70AwgKICUEgumeexO6i-w=s6000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf_tJTG4lsmr1gv3aJO55JPEE2HN7V7DO2BE46SF5SGMWf3NPVLvwu6ObD-ufjqrpI6rrNApp69tUujpCTf9jSMmSgvRCRFXPVplHpzq2DQ6Lj6g0iPdP_Oa4COyFltlhLc_Fb2Bk3JuG355iQeYk_EqnGT-3_TlaA0hebL70AwgKICUEgumeexO6i-w=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not me photo-bombing the adorable couple... they stuck with me for LIFE soooo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3RpzpMrMq2GODR8KZwCY0QjkccqtTGkjQG2i6d72cbiFva1Pt7-IOk1ymceCKk7J-R0COXvoiKC2o2dmrBBG9Rowz9K9iLLrBJ5jJPGzMnFePsH1BEsW09QdW6tisHgT_0-Hj4T2WjPvcJOfZfYj-cz5s7u03F_lMUgSwtvncyTJCijENzDVZZVs8mg=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3RpzpMrMq2GODR8KZwCY0QjkccqtTGkjQG2i6d72cbiFva1Pt7-IOk1ymceCKk7J-R0COXvoiKC2o2dmrBBG9Rowz9K9iLLrBJ5jJPGzMnFePsH1BEsW09QdW6tisHgT_0-Hj4T2WjPvcJOfZfYj-cz5s7u03F_lMUgSwtvncyTJCijENzDVZZVs8mg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcm0vgV08Fxnh9vQx_fsF1ut7q31sm8K138qNb4g7u5tibt6TKtPJLIUySnw_-XS-EDJx6yAKOggErJQh23ldZVQDyRqx7NMj5PAw5kykPWIbQoDVQNkaNW6izWrqq-x_Jr17qKOsW4XiGkzZlHOHAfoiRb6CC2QaKEjpe0eREm8Pr_74iumir32-y3Q=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcm0vgV08Fxnh9vQx_fsF1ut7q31sm8K138qNb4g7u5tibt6TKtPJLIUySnw_-XS-EDJx6yAKOggErJQh23ldZVQDyRqx7NMj5PAw5kykPWIbQoDVQNkaNW6izWrqq-x_Jr17qKOsW4XiGkzZlHOHAfoiRb6CC2QaKEjpe0eREm8Pr_74iumir32-y3Q=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">got new glasses!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • November </h2><p>Job interviews and starting training at a new job. Interviews for internships and lots and lots of studying. Got to see my homie again <3 Housesitting again. Mom started chemotherapy. Three trips to the sheriffs office to get fingerprinted (long story). Lots of late nights and little sleep. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT8Vig1hCePc_TpRKNLZpii_XJtF_6BGuSlq23zjD9fgqKjX0rNODuxF7Ib7ymxFWMHLgryXrx4e7GbRqXNmM38YOvOPeo2cCYgdRE7K_0QH31ZBAkNZBWQRwG5Ge3a4KmY-xkmNVCyZJ_lvlIcE9JLOQJzcO2HHzx8g0WMx-3ZE9qP7ZLUwFD8Y-vzQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiT8Vig1hCePc_TpRKNLZpii_XJtF_6BGuSlq23zjD9fgqKjX0rNODuxF7Ib7ymxFWMHLgryXrx4e7GbRqXNmM38YOvOPeo2cCYgdRE7K_0QH31ZBAkNZBWQRwG5Ge3a4KmY-xkmNVCyZJ_lvlIcE9JLOQJzcO2HHzx8g0WMx-3ZE9qP7ZLUwFD8Y-vzQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">job interview OOTD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCqhW149O9xdcfAdIjywPnSydnj4NjiWTGGrQXY8AEqe_8BbaYtIqJdtT8Mg9sbEB8mD8dfYgIeJbvhZwBuNMFb1oMRlHkT9Zt58vGd2a7NU8GAgzS7wdN6ZtT_0f9HPlpTFu8UydkUj1XLWDe12Zal9wJ6lFpwnftkoM6bCsyYnppXWSQIIjBgIioA=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCqhW149O9xdcfAdIjywPnSydnj4NjiWTGGrQXY8AEqe_8BbaYtIqJdtT8Mg9sbEB8mD8dfYgIeJbvhZwBuNMFb1oMRlHkT9Zt58vGd2a7NU8GAgzS7wdN6ZtT_0f9HPlpTFu8UydkUj1XLWDe12Zal9wJ6lFpwnftkoM6bCsyYnppXWSQIIjBgIioA=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">day on campus OOTD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgihHuvHCiWpZcIRjg-49X0C8BGguRM7nhx2xMLID695FaVA67jGfWk1GwvqUqiL4VtLhB-S_UUyLwOLhjV0U2H6FSgRuHLmKX9y6DcEjB-weFicQ6RJ2NQvXO_seussmMhb-MfGAP-hVeZkc9G9ioTM7xmfjv3tSu2VIbXuz4gD_LI_UiSs2xnafc-Sg=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgihHuvHCiWpZcIRjg-49X0C8BGguRM7nhx2xMLID695FaVA67jGfWk1GwvqUqiL4VtLhB-S_UUyLwOLhjV0U2H6FSgRuHLmKX9y6DcEjB-weFicQ6RJ2NQvXO_seussmMhb-MfGAP-hVeZkc9G9ioTM7xmfjv3tSu2VIbXuz4gD_LI_UiSs2xnafc-Sg=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2JxYAHc_vrfVLQCvmp3OTcFve2a0HbwEn04JC3z6V69wLvvFuxtmH0p7RFd7owsMo0TZepqTP7H6tMqWK_4rjWdbYJM7996MrfPBwJsrph7dsetNnfWdEafow5lE3dF4BTxDnBN7XiwZE4gz83eGMzr0dzhaYhM1AbA1m8l72ScD5UPwm7SGw2uDppA=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2JxYAHc_vrfVLQCvmp3OTcFve2a0HbwEn04JC3z6V69wLvvFuxtmH0p7RFd7owsMo0TZepqTP7H6tMqWK_4rjWdbYJM7996MrfPBwJsrph7dsetNnfWdEafow5lE3dF4BTxDnBN7XiwZE4gz83eGMzr0dzhaYhM1AbA1m8l72ScD5UPwm7SGw2uDppA=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNJNQgADORt9d0uBR4h2FKmHDM-05nJ6fSnYQCZLI0bU7WN8qzikkb_hukTdQMuJzd9BYD7qgZpe6d4xc_is6I_MjmrVCGcQvwniU8IB-xduseNK5yhjyrfL1QLQiA8J9ZqTrPlDgeRmVcTXFy6ZV06p9Rg_RiTFvXybxeU8v-N2oylKIYIzSKxo46KQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNJNQgADORt9d0uBR4h2FKmHDM-05nJ6fSnYQCZLI0bU7WN8qzikkb_hukTdQMuJzd9BYD7qgZpe6d4xc_is6I_MjmrVCGcQvwniU8IB-xduseNK5yhjyrfL1QLQiA8J9ZqTrPlDgeRmVcTXFy6ZV06p9Rg_RiTFvXybxeU8v-N2oylKIYIzSKxo46KQ=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stay in and do nothing OOTD</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitT_bSWPU5GTXRr4Tsynu92QI5RVmQLTerNb6dXpGW_upejZj1yObXpNQey0jzc1Vpp4zu8xDka7FmH_HE3oyXXosLBgYlNGtr2lVnvu85CeQfMLZXWfHowQzjNFGCIf1uwlQfbvNYmW2PnliITjqOIyqcN3bKNRE0b5V9U4AZua8b-t8zIhRAwWnZ7w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitT_bSWPU5GTXRr4Tsynu92QI5RVmQLTerNb6dXpGW_upejZj1yObXpNQey0jzc1Vpp4zu8xDka7FmH_HE3oyXXosLBgYlNGtr2lVnvu85CeQfMLZXWfHowQzjNFGCIf1uwlQfbvNYmW2PnliITjqOIyqcN3bKNRE0b5V9U4AZua8b-t8zIhRAwWnZ7w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje_HDBxVoezflMlsNEyW8ma3w6sZHfPpjkoOdSGgS7cWkWBFV9bjsHCIQx-N6_NfiQp_z02boNuCiJgrdvUgIt_Be_6AqCObJFczfABaG-bpRQw2zruO9HgsRPHHyXc_mlV-ZObRwrQ4Xuo_3hQoSI67KiSjR5ExWH73lyKlKlruSmwH3AhS8RHNuPYQ=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEje_HDBxVoezflMlsNEyW8ma3w6sZHfPpjkoOdSGgS7cWkWBFV9bjsHCIQx-N6_NfiQp_z02boNuCiJgrdvUgIt_Be_6AqCObJFczfABaG-bpRQw2zruO9HgsRPHHyXc_mlV-ZObRwrQ4Xuo_3hQoSI67KiSjR5ExWH73lyKlKlruSmwH3AhS8RHNuPYQ=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#mood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzr9zgXESC0Hht87h05zflUtSwJnFQLAGVq4vNEZBgxiU8Wab80uvssAz-0ymar_zhOryCg-kgeIDxHvq2x0fVf60eG_DDWiB5nK_9ZEwza3gZ5bNzMC6DxhyQ_7IC60N1YqpvJiUZdJK9Bo4Tek-VQNwAGqImt4mTdCbsPBPWc0yK9KNiDoBxK8L7Wg=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzr9zgXESC0Hht87h05zflUtSwJnFQLAGVq4vNEZBgxiU8Wab80uvssAz-0ymar_zhOryCg-kgeIDxHvq2x0fVf60eG_DDWiB5nK_9ZEwza3gZ5bNzMC6DxhyQ_7IC60N1YqpvJiUZdJK9Bo4Tek-VQNwAGqImt4mTdCbsPBPWc0yK9KNiDoBxK8L7Wg=s320" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • December </h2><p>Christmas shopping. Spending hours in the school library studying for finals. Bought my first Birkenstock lookalikes (AND I LOVE THEM). Finished my next-to-last semester of community college. Got a cavity filled for the first time in my life. </p><p>And then all heck broke loose xD The weekend before Christmas, my brother was in a bad wreck and spent four days in the hospital. Long story short, everything is okay and he's going to be fine, but we were all a little shook up for awhile. Since then, our house has been full of visitors and food and Christmas goodies. It feels so good to be loved by people <3 </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX8fD50JrFLVIgr_oW4xqLUtaoCsfAArKwDXA61rFY5nbfyo8StBexkJedbGHSVb3O_B0I0bQcY0f8LaHiboTn0GTg9hJlw7JYNVQLr6fyFOhlkAFKIS_LAvF9_Y7hplNQB7rRnt09t0275Ii8E59-LwuPvxHmLcCZqDYtcTDEJOVaCYjavxrEkqLBLg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiX8fD50JrFLVIgr_oW4xqLUtaoCsfAArKwDXA61rFY5nbfyo8StBexkJedbGHSVb3O_B0I0bQcY0f8LaHiboTn0GTg9hJlw7JYNVQLr6fyFOhlkAFKIS_LAvF9_Y7hplNQB7rRnt09t0275Ii8E59-LwuPvxHmLcCZqDYtcTDEJOVaCYjavxrEkqLBLg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF98NoB0iRWcwIIPuNym9mSofNvFduMS_iQtBk9spfz-KYp3YbZTu585jD0HtIl1tlMh_EggssRQDvU0JVO3JLDdrFTM6xmtxWVnzPrRBfbCgIBfZXQMx7f1ChC4gdiG0Zslxv9wzBYhHkaL3jQt3QrpaUfeOR1Unyj6s0Q4MJA1aWt1JuvsHX_ghttQ=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgF98NoB0iRWcwIIPuNym9mSofNvFduMS_iQtBk9spfz-KYp3YbZTu585jD0HtIl1tlMh_EggssRQDvU0JVO3JLDdrFTM6xmtxWVnzPrRBfbCgIBfZXQMx7f1ChC4gdiG0Zslxv9wzBYhHkaL3jQt3QrpaUfeOR1Unyj6s0Q4MJA1aWt1JuvsHX_ghttQ=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_TYLUsQ-fgqvduZcI5btb1zdAR9Vl0YQkSQInubviU31MQkr8UFRptOK0WmCtbd_1RrvNtXd9y9TKGclO_xCkiIq-nLE5UGOfqAop_QHGTZREPv5DTLre2FBMJM7H1jl3SPQneMCOjypUDkYYV5aWnOw3AC4e9T8MsIsS4CdvsXhxn4oDbAhn1fRFnQ=s1334" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg_TYLUsQ-fgqvduZcI5btb1zdAR9Vl0YQkSQInubviU31MQkr8UFRptOK0WmCtbd_1RrvNtXd9y9TKGclO_xCkiIq-nLE5UGOfqAop_QHGTZREPv5DTLre2FBMJM7H1jl3SPQneMCOjypUDkYYV5aWnOw3AC4e9T8MsIsS4CdvsXhxn4oDbAhn1fRFnQ=s320" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a Faith in its natural habitat </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3mK2OhapbbaxJiB7TEkryxSkHse-dRdUxZB4bvkjiWNGNyEQTKkm69bKQntJj6C421YBekfNVYo4G5qtqZLQ949V1ZrSEimePpl3auWPA0hQ69DFPmKiwn_p4PJbsiHw9M1mxlEDjlub9tW7HapZRNw-eT5d7DmXXXbiq1tzkb70HxmZq6-l2coJZ5g=s1334" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3mK2OhapbbaxJiB7TEkryxSkHse-dRdUxZB4bvkjiWNGNyEQTKkm69bKQntJj6C421YBekfNVYo4G5qtqZLQ949V1ZrSEimePpl3auWPA0hQ69DFPmKiwn_p4PJbsiHw9M1mxlEDjlub9tW7HapZRNw-eT5d7DmXXXbiq1tzkb70HxmZq6-l2coJZ5g=s320" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiymrLXj9aPWsiw0CIk4xsCuTdRtdnN9eBzlQ-EZMDreaVJrm1rwwqcmpBtS5K-K8deO5MJ-oP4wWoIlyxZDg5xPoZGcB2GbszGrvzdLxDHQ_euJwggzoEJYMqdRE8hDxc5gTkLrUAm4gEfMpgpLUA9u8rvNjWDxJQA6Sae3LsI-MPtIpbFFVu_xiNPQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiymrLXj9aPWsiw0CIk4xsCuTdRtdnN9eBzlQ-EZMDreaVJrm1rwwqcmpBtS5K-K8deO5MJ-oP4wWoIlyxZDg5xPoZGcB2GbszGrvzdLxDHQ_euJwggzoEJYMqdRE8hDxc5gTkLrUAm4gEfMpgpLUA9u8rvNjWDxJQA6Sae3LsI-MPtIpbFFVu_xiNPQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCXtZoi2XSPc5sHRDs6K609Prgx9f0_laAh_2cmKRiQUemowY-3steAxKuy7bE3RxJfC2tJSoFz1wXtNCfNkpzydbNzZ3WpllxyzBb8BaIroWU-vlJu7pwQr4ePXLCTLzHzcn1G98am1ZHArJgnCd0XXoLd_gMEGFoXXDrSo009eKyjYOSMyE7HfmOQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjoCXtZoi2XSPc5sHRDs6K609Prgx9f0_laAh_2cmKRiQUemowY-3steAxKuy7bE3RxJfC2tJSoFz1wXtNCfNkpzydbNzZ3WpllxyzBb8BaIroWU-vlJu7pwQr4ePXLCTLzHzcn1G98am1ZHArJgnCd0XXoLd_gMEGFoXXDrSo009eKyjYOSMyE7HfmOQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>So yep. That's where we're at. Maybe I'll be back around soon-ish—there's lots of words in my head these days, sometimes I can get them out and making sense and sometimes it's just a nonsensical jumble. For right now, life is crazy wild and writing or little else that isn't an absolute have-to can be priority. </p><p>So this is just me dropping in to say I hope everyone reading this is doing well. :) Drop a note and update me on your life!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;">And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. </div><div style="text-align: right;">// 2 corinthians 12:9</div></h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-47207708483129462742021-10-09T06:00:00.131-04:002021-10-09T06:00:00.258-04:00Five Fall Favorites || Day Six { Top Five + Backpacks }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdyEKwGbQXA2-SjQ5jK3mF_HKQLdLyhNfVTiU6OhpCOVjpy7HwlFZi2g9sbbrTUYpLPERqQteCGnEW5HkOXAqQT9fk8ojpXoU1AmHPeZSOJhJZNhuNYfyUUpKFxOY80r0TRZ07jJ4zx8J/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdyEKwGbQXA2-SjQ5jK3mF_HKQLdLyhNfVTiU6OhpCOVjpy7HwlFZi2g9sbbrTUYpLPERqQteCGnEW5HkOXAqQT9fk8ojpXoU1AmHPeZSOJhJZNhuNYfyUUpKFxOY80r0TRZ07jJ4zx8J/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Can you believe the final day is already here? And it's a special one too! We have oodles of books available for less than a dollar each. Many are even free! You can check all those out by clicking over to <a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-top-5-from-2021/" target="_blank">Rebekah's blog</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUys1tPyrDFRTDJ7QMZ8lJMR8EdBJpWG2czZjFjWCGTw8296O9QBpnsgPEnU7nXau_n_dv3O9PErhyfx2204rFukWaWd10LBF1JTHCKxxyH4K_bk1Qsfw6Evnz_-PxSIJCTtRsYBtUF2X/s500/2JM1gOfQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUys1tPyrDFRTDJ7QMZ8lJMR8EdBJpWG2czZjFjWCGTw8296O9QBpnsgPEnU7nXau_n_dv3O9PErhyfx2204rFukWaWd10LBF1JTHCKxxyH4K_bk1Qsfw6Evnz_-PxSIJCTtRsYBtUF2X/s320/2JM1gOfQ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Backpacks! What better way to carry your bookish treasures from this week home with you? After this full week, you may need several to tote all your books in! </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">T O P 5 O F 2 0 2 1</h2><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0XDWC81D780qhD0Rnr7ihB82xGsN50fD6h6kdxoa_J33V58C9maGWr8vciycAwURwOhjNVaotrIfpdjun7b8jBjRXfbNgX9_jo4_5Oh07GaMUtSd92JFLLnJ-wannO-GNCwL-HpcFe_J/s475/42244972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0XDWC81D780qhD0Rnr7ihB82xGsN50fD6h6kdxoa_J33V58C9maGWr8vciycAwURwOhjNVaotrIfpdjun7b8jBjRXfbNgX9_jo4_5Oh07GaMUtSd92JFLLnJ-wannO-GNCwL-HpcFe_J/s320/42244972.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42244972-finding-lady-enderly" target="_blank">Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano</a></h3><p><i>Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.</i></p><p><i>Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Oh, I do love me a good Politano novel. Every one I've read has been an absolute pleasure, but I do believe this one is my favorite. <3 </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0KmpGCRudF6X7s7CY3XT4oniK0AMRs6dVIa5uQQAZ9PKw-n-Z8iV6MT1UikfUFvRO0xQ-pzwnmcO-wZTKghaZDIY9ciErC5fhHLCPo_ZnfrGocldpeEEl826upszFDIRrza35DKWrDLt/s475/42075205._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0KmpGCRudF6X7s7CY3XT4oniK0AMRs6dVIa5uQQAZ9PKw-n-Z8iV6MT1UikfUFvRO0xQ-pzwnmcO-wZTKghaZDIY9ciErC5fhHLCPo_ZnfrGocldpeEEl826upszFDIRrza35DKWrDLt/s320/42075205._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43866221-sweet-on-you" target="_blank">Sweet on You by Becky Wade || A Bradford Sisters Romance #3</a></h3><p><i>Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.</i></p><p><i>Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who's spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He's achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him—Britt's heart.</i></p><p><i>When Zander's uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.</i></p><p><i>As they work together to uncover his uncle's tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I love me a good Wade novel, too. ;) I read the first two books in this series as soon as they came out, but didn't get to this one until almost two years after it released. But oh, it was worth the wait. Britt and Zander are my favorites. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7e-ORv7bI0br7dfhNSthIFM-QJYQAvyplR4sZOeosOdxG7e9OgqQRcLyoIdcb7k5n4iQszrJmxDK08h90CwLPGydGsdOylueGIm7vHVfXO3tZr_-Z2EdyKZewfv54yMnymlJ7e3EF7xN/s475/6375048._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7e-ORv7bI0br7dfhNSthIFM-QJYQAvyplR4sZOeosOdxG7e9OgqQRcLyoIdcb7k5n4iQszrJmxDK08h90CwLPGydGsdOylueGIm7vHVfXO3tZr_-Z2EdyKZewfv54yMnymlJ7e3EF7xN/s320/6375048._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6375048-the-swiss-courier" target="_blank">The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer || Swiss Agents #1</a></h3><p><i>It is August 1944 and the Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. When Joseph Engel, a German physicist working on the atomic bomb, finds that he is actually a Jew, adopted by Christian parents, he must flee for his life to neutral Switzerland.</i></p><p><i>Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss-American woman working for the newly formed American Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) close to Nazi Germany. When she is asked to risk her life to safely "courier" Engel out of Germany, the fate of the world rests in her hands. If she can lead him to safety, she can keep the Germans from developing nuclear capabilities. But in a time of traitors and uncertainty, whom can she trust along the way?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>This book had been on my TBR for ages and I finally read it this spring. The beginning was a little slow and hard to keep up with who was who, but the ending made up for it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0_363boF37sUFIeS6YxDt80SJh4hBkuiHc9BplvhbDfsF_vM7LoaU5vq61rclzFLKkmS_ATmHwbQbpPhd9q9rcCI2x0upSDynBhjmX32k4DsFd0Z5BDc1CPdKf5jIWx0CydIlHxYYvjF/s458/291444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx0_363boF37sUFIeS6YxDt80SJh4hBkuiHc9BplvhbDfsF_vM7LoaU5vq61rclzFLKkmS_ATmHwbQbpPhd9q9rcCI2x0upSDynBhjmX32k4DsFd0Z5BDc1CPdKf5jIWx0CydIlHxYYvjF/s320/291444.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/291444.A_Promise_Is_Forever" target="_blank">A Promise is Forever by Robin Jones Gunn || Christy Miller #12</a></h3><p><i>Throughout the series, Christy learns about friendships, dating, becoming responsible, waiting on God, being faithful, and God's rewards for obedience.</i></p><p><i>Off on a European jaunt with her best buddies, Christy Miller discovers foreign adventure is her cup of tea. But tension between her friends, struggles with her boyfriend, and indecision about her future dampen Christy's enthusiasm for all her new experiences.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>It's not as gushy as the synopsis sounds—I promise. (Get it? Promise?) This book started out as my least favorite Christy Miller book and ended as my top favorite. The ministry angle spoke to my heart. <3 </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1GulJWBFcUTbUhhXcbItSguv0zur2nZMI20WYSKUii_ooE7mHLxSYo1uXYBKKt9XWKInpHyXo5R9x17cDNQ1efIICXK8oU01o0CV9XH87_CrPma-4EssSmKemDAbMSMZNuz-FkR_L5Q9/s475/54287653._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1GulJWBFcUTbUhhXcbItSguv0zur2nZMI20WYSKUii_ooE7mHLxSYo1uXYBKKt9XWKInpHyXo5R9x17cDNQ1efIICXK8oU01o0CV9XH87_CrPma-4EssSmKemDAbMSMZNuz-FkR_L5Q9/s320/54287653._SY475_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54287653-how-far-you-have-come" target="_blank">How Far You Have Come: Musings on Beauty and Courage by Morgan Harper Nichols</a></h3><p><i>How Far You Have Come is an exquisitely illustrated collection of poetry and essays from bestselling artist and writer Morgan Harper Nichols. In the midst of the hurt and the mundane, the questions and the not yets, you can forget just how far you have come. Morgan weaves together personal reflections with her signature poems, encouraging you to reclaim moments of brokenness, division, and pain and re-envision them as experiences of reconciliation, unity, and hope.</i></p><p><i>As Morgan reflects on the moments that shaped her, she invites you to:</i></p><p><i>Awaken your heart and recognize how your own history has made you who you are today</i></p><p><i>Into a deeper understanding of pressing on and pressing in, of transformation and surrender, of meaning in the losses and wild anticipation for the splendor ahead </i></p><p><i>Reclaim moments of brokenness, division, and pain and re-envision them as experiences of reconciliation, unity, and hope</i></p><p><i>Become who you are in the moment you hold right now</i></p><div style="text-align: center;">•••</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've loved Morgan Harper Nichols writing for years—back before she had three published books and a massive social media following—and her words never fail to make an impact. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-top-5-from-2021/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyFq4h7H6FGq0ZIJRR5B8h3MwFCnsZc9owE5RBbRl8OXsGWBrG22u7KFNQSzHApDUjY0giftnWbjXN9odfRfLQptsvA3IXo9OuSw4lTAUB-c1qn9Hl26foXuBc48qwmr1FJWqNBySVFoF/s320/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: right;">so.... how many new book recs have you nabbed this week? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-86921492549012335122021-10-08T06:00:00.120-04:002021-10-08T06:00:00.265-04:00Five Fall Favorites || Day Five { Historical Non-Fiction + Bikes }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2xSFg286BsYkfsstg9nx65A9-fBRLNKrZqIJwcllnhoF1PxyNnRYoCiGJXn_TSgfGjmale6pD68zmoAJgUNuFCYwpSIha8y7gnP6lCw9hTyZM7GDFFETfZsN6pyaNKAObJCigYA9Gac6/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr2xSFg286BsYkfsstg9nx65A9-fBRLNKrZqIJwcllnhoF1PxyNnRYoCiGJXn_TSgfGjmale6pD68zmoAJgUNuFCYwpSIha8y7gnP6lCw9hTyZM7GDFFETfZsN6pyaNKAObJCigYA9Gac6/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Day five, and the next-to-last day of the party! Tomorrow comes the big book sale, so be sure you're back for that :) Today's theme is "babies" but I couldn't come up with enough books that featured babies and little kids, so we're going with historical non-fiction for today's book list. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiGHCWRZK3JkbOdrGkE_KCpMhciFYe31kL20T8wfaS1yeTE9WD_9ue5bHBp_9eSSgZPcXaN3VB5ets5Xr2hGIGBEXo9SHc_4L19Rsv5189Ha_L_QSIePJ3l4PVmKUhyphenhyphennX1FgO72sjMcDC/s500/N033l4RQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiGHCWRZK3JkbOdrGkE_KCpMhciFYe31kL20T8wfaS1yeTE9WD_9ue5bHBp_9eSSgZPcXaN3VB5ets5Xr2hGIGBEXo9SHc_4L19Rsv5189Ha_L_QSIePJ3l4PVmKUhyphenhyphennX1FgO72sjMcDC/s320/N033l4RQ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Now... I don't recommend reading while riding a bike, although I'm living proof that it is possible. Those baskets look nifty for hauling your books home, though! </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">H I S T O R I C A L N O N - F I C T I O N</h2><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTwwRZkaJ__mnUF7ygp1vzrpnAnCC-mqc-BK5bprwVcq00eDB02qD5l0hyevR6VxgfC-KNQXxyZKaUdk2zTN8tGFoyirvOx2ASZgdomiVywzqel4JCjQRGXZfiAiht1YJr28C_hdHXW_h/s475/573142._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKTwwRZkaJ__mnUF7ygp1vzrpnAnCC-mqc-BK5bprwVcq00eDB02qD5l0hyevR6VxgfC-KNQXxyZKaUdk2zTN8tGFoyirvOx2ASZgdomiVywzqel4JCjQRGXZfiAiht1YJr28C_hdHXW_h/s320/573142._SY475_.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/573142.War_Letters" target="_blank">War Letters compiled by Andrew Carroll</a></h3><p><i>In 1998, Andrew Carroll founded the Legacy Project with the goal of remembering Americans who have served this nation and preserving their letters for posterity. Since then, more than 50,000 war letters discovered in basements, attics, scrapbooks, and old trunks have poured in from around the country. </i></p><p><i>The best of these letters are assembled in this extraordinary collection, offering unprecedented insight into the Civil War, World Wars I and II, Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War, the Persian Gulf, and even the fighting in Somalia and the Balkans.Featured here are dramatic accounts of combat written immediately after the most ferocious battles American troops have ever faced; poignant expressions of love by homesick husbands and sweethearts; humorous anecdotes and gripes about insufferable conditions; thoughtful reflections on the nature of warfare; and perhaps most devastating, a startling number of last letters, heartfelt messages penned just hours before the sender was killed. These historic letters capture the full fury and intensity of warfare, and they reveal in vivid detail what the servicemen and women of this nation have experienced and sacrificed on the front lines. </i></p><p><i>War Letters is a lasting tribute to those who have fought for this country, and celebrates the enduring power and lyricism of personal letters.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I listened to the audio of this book last fall and enjoyed it so much! The narrator did a fantastic job with the different stories presented through historic letters. Unfortunately, the audiobook is abridged so I need to go back some time and read the ones I missed. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEwyjXQr7f1X7fYD6btSfTA3sldMrNLLD5VvipzvP2iZawUmejGPKgwLayN_oC6-ZAtQc9dtdG58ePMWOockcPKuE_TpEPyy4oH8Uv-Q0LemyXVC-Lu2VjV2tayuUf_pH6P-gypDJIJdj/s411/18525711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEwyjXQr7f1X7fYD6btSfTA3sldMrNLLD5VvipzvP2iZawUmejGPKgwLayN_oC6-ZAtQc9dtdG58ePMWOockcPKuE_TpEPyy4oH8Uv-Q0LemyXVC-Lu2VjV2tayuUf_pH6P-gypDJIJdj/s320/18525711.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18525711-lincoln-s-last-days" target="_blank">Lincoln’s Last Days by Bill O’Reilly</a></h3><p><i>Lincoln's Last Days is a gripping account of one of the most dramatic nights in American history—of how one gunshot changed the country forever. Adapted from Bill O'Reilly's bestselling historical thriller, Killing Lincoln, this book will have young readers—and grown-ups too—hooked on history.</i></p><p><i>In the spring of 1865, President Abraham Lincoln travels through Washington, D.C., after finally winning America's bloody Civil War. In the midst of celebrations, Lincoln is assassinated at Ford's Theatre by a famous actor named John Wilkes Booth. What follows is a thrilling chase, ending with a fiery shoot-out and swift justice for the perpetrators.</i></p><p><i>With an unforgettable cast of characters, page-turning action, vivid detail, and art on every spread, Lincoln's Last Days is history that reads like a thriller. This is a very special book, irresistible on its own or as a compelling companion to Killing Lincoln.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I'm slightly fascinated by assassinations (and attempts), especially Lincoln's. This book was a fast-paced, informative chronology of the events leading up to and proceeding the assassination and subsequent manhunt. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7Ynwk1IPIiunXFF3EIrLS3Kp5fvA0ix_otQ91zaSmDPyvt5UiH02gnPhoPeY34vffnPeAVJK24VTKBIFMtQZC08L-sfqtkEHUZv63QWXXjlxckigefu6nFLHVgCL6PTljAVgRJeqZFwj/s475/1569732.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha7Ynwk1IPIiunXFF3EIrLS3Kp5fvA0ix_otQ91zaSmDPyvt5UiH02gnPhoPeY34vffnPeAVJK24VTKBIFMtQZC08L-sfqtkEHUZv63QWXXjlxckigefu6nFLHVgCL6PTljAVgRJeqZFwj/s320/1569732.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4062721-deaf-people-in-hitler-s-europe" target="_blank">Deaf People in Hitler’s Europe by Donna Ryan</a></h3><p><i>Inspired by the conference “Deaf People in Hitler’s Europe, 1933–1945,” hosted jointly by Gallaudet University and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1998, this extraordinary collection, organized into three parts, integrates key presentations and important postconference research.</i></p><p><i>Deaf people living in Europe between 1933 and 1945 were mistreated, forcibly sterilized, incarcerated, and murdered by the Nazis. Their stories have been overlooked or underappreciated because of the complexities of communication and the difficulties historians face gaining access to those communities.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I had to read this one for a Deaf culture college course, but actually enjoyed it. It was an interesting look into aspects of WWII history I'd never read in textbooks. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILS7Nodh-HJwYWIG6V5-3iVcJMkJzkurqU-hC_QbWjDC5To5zmkGbefLVH0WUl0YbIKrrj38w__JXp52SUnCj1rzgEQ9m7VI5-dADgLoAMpz73yB7j8WK3GseYSaO8CaSK5tF_hxp8fZz/s405/876632._SX318_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgILS7Nodh-HJwYWIG6V5-3iVcJMkJzkurqU-hC_QbWjDC5To5zmkGbefLVH0WUl0YbIKrrj38w__JXp52SUnCj1rzgEQ9m7VI5-dADgLoAMpz73yB7j8WK3GseYSaO8CaSK5tF_hxp8fZz/s320/876632._SX318_.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/876632.In_the_Line_of_Duty" target="_blank">In the Line of Duty by Bernard B. Kerkik, Thomas Von Essen</a></h3><p><i>On September 11, 2001, with the terrorist attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the United States entered one of the greatest trials in its history. There were thousands of deaths in the wake of that tragedy -- and thousands of heroes. Led by Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik and Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the New York Fire Department (FDNY) banded together in courage and hope during the rescue and recovery effort. </i></p><p><i>In the Line of Duty salutes the brave men and women of those two departments, who proved to the nation and the world the strength and heroism of the American people. Through over 100 pages of black and white photographs (and 16 pages of full colour), this memorial volume documents the heroism of New York's Finest and Bravest in the hours and days following the disaster. With a Foreword in tribute to the search and rescue teams -- and their fallen comrades -- by Commissioner Kerik, and filled with the inspirational words of national and spiritual leaders, In the Line of Duty bears witness to the indomitable spirit of the American people.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>A thoughtful but melancholy collection of photos, quotes, news articles, and speeches from and about September 11, 2001. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CXtA29OX2b_U-t3uSAqWwP_CJxJbQbtJM4EHotOgwV8GAXyAXTrid73MHL3rPNcdRpAlykl3tMVqBDjtoVZtMpDrM-OB48Gfc591BrL48I0x-aoylnmQaPNWvHu8eiYKj2eBd5SNCnfX/s473/38961856._SX318_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CXtA29OX2b_U-t3uSAqWwP_CJxJbQbtJM4EHotOgwV8GAXyAXTrid73MHL3rPNcdRpAlykl3tMVqBDjtoVZtMpDrM-OB48Gfc591BrL48I0x-aoylnmQaPNWvHu8eiYKj2eBd5SNCnfX/s320/38961856._SX318_.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35297402-bonnie-and-clyde" target="_blank">History’s Worst: Bonnie & Clyde by James Buckley Jr.</a></h3><p><i>Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are possibly the most famous and most romanticized criminals in American history. When the police found photos of them posing with guns and goofing around, they became media darlings. However, their fame was short-lived, and their lives would end in a violent police ambush.</i></p><p><i>Because the reality was very different. During their 1930s crime spree, the two young Texans and the rest of their gang lived a vicious life filled with narrow escapes, bungled robberies, injuries, and murders. And they weren’t the only gangsters operating at the time. Criminals like Al Capone, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, and “Ma” Barker grabbed their own share of headlines, but in the end it was Bonnie and Clyde who really captured the public’s imagination. A lot of that was because of Bonnie herself. The cute, blonde criminal was unique at the time.</i></p><p><i>There is no question that their story continues to fascinate writers, musicians, visual artists, and filmmakers. But is that fascination justified? Or are we confusing the movie images with reality and ignoring the ugly truth of their story?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>So I have a slight fascination with Bonnie & Clyde stories. Not the wild, made-up tales, but the irony and humor within the surviving true stories. This was definitely one of the good ones, lots of cool history stuff. </p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-babies/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bFukhpfxM3QEwM1MhGm3TPI5apTITwc-N3VbwgPM4x5uTmRioj3vsxZHn1bWir56iWQaEFZQ3fkkbclpCnU7fOfEGeBH8PV8QL1E-AgKKObrXuuVFSmGPbaP2UKzUAlO6y7yhEQHeptz/s320/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: right;">last day to enter the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead922/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a>! </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-6144919733633202402021-10-07T06:00:00.116-04:002021-10-07T06:00:00.275-04:00Five Fall Favorites || Day Four { Hope + Blankets }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDSYfU-9IceWuHUxVVO2f0ElfyOoVQAGmSz4ixmDXRpHNpNw-La7Qo-3GB-wqSnR8t0yCkJqWspqhrVR8MwHrw3nyK98QUHyFdKEHRtL9gZ2ZrWBAZWRo0mVrJvI2MYFbSEpkD6HEwZvU/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDSYfU-9IceWuHUxVVO2f0ElfyOoVQAGmSz4ixmDXRpHNpNw-La7Qo-3GB-wqSnR8t0yCkJqWspqhrVR8MwHrw3nyK98QUHyFdKEHRtL9gZ2ZrWBAZWRo0mVrJvI2MYFbSEpkD6HEwZvU/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Welcome back to day four! I can't believe it's almost the weekend already. Any special plans, other than the wrap-up of FFF? :)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGR2IiOM4RhW7ntVRsN1I-DMFnH-Tz_3LgweAs7yHNLo4NwJgOuL0LyTlHX2LdRHgI7UHJs-Tm1mQPPbbEPHpQSgAcqOPVOdpbIFn3KI-HKHO0j-4jrjAeCKMokdympQpt_Qp8cWKdvs9/s500/4mTC_ekQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGR2IiOM4RhW7ntVRsN1I-DMFnH-Tz_3LgweAs7yHNLo4NwJgOuL0LyTlHX2LdRHgI7UHJs-Tm1mQPPbbEPHpQSgAcqOPVOdpbIFn3KI-HKHO0j-4jrjAeCKMokdympQpt_Qp8cWKdvs9/s320/4mTC_ekQ.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">In my opinion, wrapped in a blanket is the best place to enjoy a good book. Would you like one? </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">H O P E</h2><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mxmhM5k3XcqzCmBMUKWgGRJVlrrWqrvSV1FJFfbD9FQX0pNtyB3D9Pis39CElA4LuWzr9uDPlqFRxByt2qnWXube5oy6157UzWuJq5RynpKZyTtmeEIg-_B69O1tmGkT_9kE6sng_vIP/s475/51585746._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mxmhM5k3XcqzCmBMUKWgGRJVlrrWqrvSV1FJFfbD9FQX0pNtyB3D9Pis39CElA4LuWzr9uDPlqFRxByt2qnWXube5oy6157UzWuJq5RynpKZyTtmeEIg-_B69O1tmGkT_9kE6sng_vIP/s320/51585746._SY475_.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51585746-a-touch-of-purple-paint" target="_blank">A Touch of Purple Paint by Hailey Rose</a></h3><p><i>Seven-year-old Harper’s biggest concern isn’t that she has cancer. Or even that her diseased leg was just amputated. She’s worried about getting well enough to see the purple bedroom her daddy painted for her birthday—the birthday she spent undergoing chemo.</i></p><p><i>Chad Bailey is more than content with the world-traveling plans he and his wife have in place. What started out as posting their travel vlogs on YouTube for their niece, Harper, to watch during her chemo treatments exploded into an immensely popular channel—and it’s still growing.</i></p><p><i>When a single phone call changes everything for both Chad and Harper, YouTube is the last thing on his mind as he faces the biggest decision of his life.</i></p><p><i>With their world full of questions and pain, can a little purple paint mend the fragments of their lives? </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Ohh, this one hurt. It hurt a lot. But still, hope shone through and brought warmth and light to the broken pieces. This little read is a total gem. <3 </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG9Oq7k3tOsrvF2zl1yxQNRy6xQda2Gnxp1T24YolUIzXC184qnjH3s5aMr3izAweH7gO3aTE7KgVTvhaRvcXll4qmNBwCfbDLNxqLmutEt1CcM6pniiTW7ubOYxoRAa_ZnIzmJnP2gnT/s475/34845058._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG9Oq7k3tOsrvF2zl1yxQNRy6xQda2Gnxp1T24YolUIzXC184qnjH3s5aMr3izAweH7gO3aTE7KgVTvhaRvcXll4qmNBwCfbDLNxqLmutEt1CcM6pniiTW7ubOYxoRAa_ZnIzmJnP2gnT/s320/34845058._SY475_.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34845058-no-chance-meeting" target="_blank">No Chance Meeting by Jaye Elliot || No Chance Love #1</a></h3><p><i>Alex Jennings is done with life. After losing her brother in Afghanistan, everything has collapsed around her. Getting laid off from her day job and failing in her art career, she has nowhere left to turn. She once had faith to believe that all things would work together for good, but that faith died with her brother. Now she just wants the pain to end.</i></p><p><i>Riley Conrad served thirteen years in the military until three bullets sent him home. After a year and a half of physical therapy and scraping together a living, all he wants is to live a simple life and perhaps even open the coffee shop he dreams about. However, the weight of failing his parents’ expectations doesn’t make it easy, and working as a bartender isn’t getting him anywhere fast.</i></p><p><i>Could a “chance” meeting between Alex and Riley set them both on the path God always intended?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>There's lots of sadness, darkness, loss, and pain in this story. But there's also hope. Joy, love, second chances, and grace. I enjoyed it very much. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/02/no-chance-meeting-by-jaye-elliot-review.html" target="_blank"><b>~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</b></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYlVe1K8JJVV8hzQhs-ZT2Axh4_evRI6FPtrNy4jPlAe_pGP78O2jDpY8vuhaVnkV2vz6EIzP0HwOxg0nwfLZF-0IJuKNlgSsRzfNNv47kOSCdJZ0StEl2KFOtMZ7y28aKdDkof-wven2/s2048/48537922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYlVe1K8JJVV8hzQhs-ZT2Axh4_evRI6FPtrNy4jPlAe_pGP78O2jDpY8vuhaVnkV2vz6EIzP0HwOxg0nwfLZF-0IJuKNlgSsRzfNNv47kOSCdJZ0StEl2KFOtMZ7y28aKdDkof-wven2/s320/48537922.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48537922-never-say-goodbye" target="_blank">Never Say Goodbye by Sarah Grace Grzy</a></h3><p><i>They say time heals all wounds. But he was finding it a poor painkiller.</i></p><p><i>Tyler Collens has seen grief and loss in his years of experience as a paramedic—but he never expected it to touch his life in such a personal way. The death of his wife eighteen months ago shook his steady world and changed him in more ways than he can count. Time and routine have steadied his feet, and he looks toward the future as he raises his infant daughter—but the past has a tighter grip on him than he knows. </i></p><p><i>Alyvia Emmerson has never been certain of who she is or where she belongs. Her dad’s abandonment as a teen broke a fragile piece of her heart, but ten years later, she has moved on. Living on her own, she at last has a project to devote herself to: revitalizing a shabby bookstore. But she didn’t count on her dream job revealing the shattered pieces of herself she thought mended long ago.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p><i>Never Say Goodbye</i> combined several things I love in a book and delivered on all fronts. Single parent stories get me every time, but especially ones like this. <3 </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJKfrg0C9PDg0kw1opmjoJhndxjmI8WMuXAqeQF9_PH7fSCjfsMixM1jqHPW9A10zJPkVq0dtF4ZM1HyFq_WOytpXYlF5TXpBPoSmT9R66sEDTbFIcB4SkmWD-9HVAjHe_x6r_of0d9-2/s475/44092001._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJKfrg0C9PDg0kw1opmjoJhndxjmI8WMuXAqeQF9_PH7fSCjfsMixM1jqHPW9A10zJPkVq0dtF4ZM1HyFq_WOytpXYlF5TXpBPoSmT9R66sEDTbFIcB4SkmWD-9HVAjHe_x6r_of0d9-2/s320/44092001._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44092001-beloved" target="_blank">Beloved by Kaitlyn Krispense</a></h3><p><i>Life without love is hopeless. </i></p><p><i>Foster teen Cara Richards is unloved. With nothing left and nowhere to go, she is determined to find peace, no matter the cost. But despite her intentions, she’s tossed into another foster family and this time, there’s no going back to who she used to be. To make matters worse, one of her five new foster brothers is a Jesus freak, and she refuses to believe that God actually cares.</i></p><p><i>Her world is thrown upside down in a way she never expects. Though she prides herself on a resilient heart, her mind is lost adrift among a sea of questions: Is death really the answer? Does God care about someone as unworthy as me? Can everyone truly be loved, no matter what? </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>My book release buddy from just over two years ago! Suicidal survivor stories might be my favorite kind of hopeful. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2019/09/13-reasons-why-release-day-review-of.html" target="_blank">~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</a></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiIN_UcLDFmwWSfuy960FOPOfWbt3SDXWcISzxCBnRYNKRF3LGivGvIHiMuxy6YLeAFrFIzbBPrSCKlvSPDprK-zIUakRSfwMRxP7Erdmd7aZYDpF1-LYLnrmyQNb5_fT2zWyZOP9nkuX/s475/48611574._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidiIN_UcLDFmwWSfuy960FOPOfWbt3SDXWcISzxCBnRYNKRF3LGivGvIHiMuxy6YLeAFrFIzbBPrSCKlvSPDprK-zIUakRSfwMRxP7Erdmd7aZYDpF1-LYLnrmyQNb5_fT2zWyZOP9nkuX/s320/48611574._SY475_.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48611574-tattered-wings" target="_blank">Tattered Wings by Kassie Angle</a></h3><p><i>Some scars can't be seen. And some can't be hidden.</i></p><p><i>Layla Trent's life is pretty much perfect, except for the little matter of a dog of her own—and maybe a brother. So why does a random nightmare of a princess dress, a hospital, and a stranger who's definitely not her daddy feel more like an aching wound? And can a broken, glassy-eyed puppy somehow help her release the pain she didn't even know she was carrying?</i></p><p><i>Corporal Andrew Reyes has proven he has what it takes to be the best—a US Army Ranger. But when a double tragedy rocks his world, his resolve is shaken to the core. What's left for a man to live for when he's lost everything he ever wanted to be? And is the sudden appearance of a teenage girl with a three-legged therapy dog a cruel joke or a divine appointment?</i></p><p><i>Some scars can't be hidden. But some don't need to be. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>As much as this book touched me, I can't believe it's still the only "Kassie book" I've read, but at the same time I'm not sure another can compare. Broken wings still fly. <3 </p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/02/tattered-wings-by-kassie-angle-release.html" target="_blank">~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</a></b></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-hope/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFNhS75CnqJ2QM8pmTZYFhPvwQUOLLPRyeMrY8nQSSWFKHsJKDvfIi6V4gzxZ1t6Yt-KyE3GygCu5AhQTJ_XNw4UMeRo4YS3ud6ovIhZiHbyrscEITYtXnZqd4cHE47cfmieDjgRqvxWw/s320/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">Next to last day! How much is your TBR pile teetering just now? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-72914789660145914312021-10-06T06:00:00.129-04:002021-10-06T08:19:37.373-04:00Five Fall Favorites || Day Three { Go-To Favorites + Books }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganj6pT080yleB8eSWsrCYLQaz_rTJOdw_Ym8heCDUd-RiscC2lrU8VA6wLDMRbWTy9nsdZP_4JQe1mO_mkEdPopkYWWVKLWIglSEv7O3g4-QmZEMs39A_bWuitvIs50du4QiwuBKfk77k/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganj6pT080yleB8eSWsrCYLQaz_rTJOdw_Ym8heCDUd-RiscC2lrU8VA6wLDMRbWTy9nsdZP_4JQe1mO_mkEdPopkYWWVKLWIglSEv7O3g4-QmZEMs39A_bWuitvIs50du4QiwuBKfk77k/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Welcome back to day three! Who else can't believe the party is already half over? Today's theme is go-to favorite books, and I tried to pick books that I've read more than once or are by favorite authors. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Window-Fellow-Faith-Potts-ebook/dp/B08BTWMGQL/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcj3o-tMOtsU0l9Cn9i8nsHVb3tVtIQ2USHO8qX8ryRrMjDDscB8pqnangdL9y-1N5jjPNvruLUzhnI71zIAhStzTftk-aLyf6PYzcqpdxW7fulX8TgRFwNFxLPSvpVDD0gAoiU5xk1Y5/s320/mKfrRi2w.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Did someone say "book room"? :) Click on the graphic above to claim your copy of my free short story! </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">G O - T O F A V O R I T E S</h2><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob00paHw6U4qC5bDRtAHhdKYfSqfc2QGJq88aJbB_T15IVFQIIQgnQZhy0PJb499egY1V-3pVBMzn-uwaACLlMvLBD7QIYIRLi6_dbRR4bQWn3oGeZ7JCH9oVZcKkJtZTsDiK9hv3hRaG/s450/10373887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="291" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgob00paHw6U4qC5bDRtAHhdKYfSqfc2QGJq88aJbB_T15IVFQIIQgnQZhy0PJb499egY1V-3pVBMzn-uwaACLlMvLBD7QIYIRLi6_dbRR4bQWn3oGeZ7JCH9oVZcKkJtZTsDiK9hv3hRaG/s320/10373887.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10373887-the-mercy" target="_blank">The Mercy by Beverly Lewis || The Rose Trilogy #3</a></h3><p><i>Rose Kauffman pines for prodigal Nick Franco, the Bishop's foster son who left the Amish under a cloud of suspicion after his foster brother's death. His rebellion led to the "silencing" of their beloved Bishop. But is Nick really the rebel he appears to be? Rose's lingering feelings for her wayward friend refuse to fade, but she is frustrated that Nick won't return and make things right with the People. Nick avowed his love for Rose--but will he ever be willing to sacrifice modern life for her?</i></p><p><i>Meanwhile, Rose's older sister, Hen, is living in her parents' Dawdi Haus. Her estranged "English" husband, injured and helpless after a car accident, has reluctantly come to live with her and their young daughter during his recovery. Can their marriage recover, as well? Is there any possible middle ground between a woman reclaiming her old-fashioned Amish lifestyle and thoroughly modern man?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Ahhh, this series is such a gem. I felt like the spiritual aspect and soul-searching was deeper than some Amish fiction, and some of the issues that arise more serious. I loved the redemption story <3 </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34dYIUFaemLFfO_F_HqYgANZAvY3809WvWLJrou0DDq_IJecLo-kN9-6q9rh8FJIQd2BQKLA1fr719JA4ihjP6FWtpI9SvpB_pflmTmaydwclJQYQ7CFPEqsHBCvLuVLebUotmN_E9RG5/s475/54735421._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34dYIUFaemLFfO_F_HqYgANZAvY3809WvWLJrou0DDq_IJecLo-kN9-6q9rh8FJIQd2BQKLA1fr719JA4ihjP6FWtpI9SvpB_pflmTmaydwclJQYQ7CFPEqsHBCvLuVLebUotmN_E9RG5/s320/54735421._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54735421-untitled" target="_blank">Untitled by Jesseca Wheaton</a></h3><p><i>Okinawa, 1945</i></p><p><i>Two brothers. Two Separate Paths.</i></p><p><i>A Navy corpsman assigned to the Marines, Jess Walker’s world is shaken as he struggles to aid the men around him. But the battlefield isn’t his hardest challenge. The nagging memory of how he lost his brother weighs on him, serving as a constant reminder of his failure. War has no mercy for anyone and Jess isn’t sure he can survive the war inside. As his world comes crashing down around him, he struggles to believe there is a future beyond the pain. </i></p><p><i>Clay Walker has moved on from the life he once lived. A successful Marine pilot, he wants nothing to do with his family and the God he left behind. Japan is on the brink of surrender when his unit is shipped off to Okinawa, and it’s there that Clay is forced to realize his past is not as deeply buried as he thought. Faced with heavy losses and questions without answers, Clay has a choice to make. Is he willing to step back and let God take the controls? Or is it too late for a second chance? </i></p><p><i>As WWII rages, the two brothers must face their demons — or be lost to the burning world around them.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Do I even need to explain the reasons why you should read this one...? WWII, brotherhood, messy war time. It broke my heart in the best possible way. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/11/untitled-by-jesseca-wheaton-review.html" target="_blank"><b>~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</b></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn47pXwCKHrs-etqN4ycQ4OF06iAljCpDNJfR4T4_tZWSyJaaD5VAFok602aEDe5ge7LUFQv_zUFuHrCARzBmjkP8jsqGwAyRTr_q5XvXWiddJ5Abzj7XMFmioOAQkL0wqi31NWHilU5n/s475/51802531._SX318_SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn47pXwCKHrs-etqN4ycQ4OF06iAljCpDNJfR4T4_tZWSyJaaD5VAFok602aEDe5ge7LUFQv_zUFuHrCARzBmjkP8jsqGwAyRTr_q5XvXWiddJ5Abzj7XMFmioOAQkL0wqi31NWHilU5n/s320/51802531._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51802531-the-pursued" target="_blank">The Pursued by Willowy Whisper || Hills of Innocence Trilogy #3</a></h3><p><i>FAWN WENDELL has no choice but to flee. Her life depends on it. She has no where to go, but that doesn’t matter. She has to disappear. She has to get lost, never to be found again, before her pursuer attacks. </i></p><p><i>ADAM PRESTON loves his children. They’re all he has left. But with the ranch to run, is there any way he can give them what they need, especially when he’s hurting himself? </i></p><p><i>JAKE SUMNER returns to an old house, a place that arouses too many memories. If he decides to stay, he may have trouble on his hands . . . trouble a whole lot bigger than him. </i></p><p><i>SADIE is an injured, silent bird, locked in a cage she can’t free herself from. Her nightmares are real. The fear kills her voice. Will she ever fly again? </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Another book that absolutely broke me. I've loved all of Willowy's books—they always keep me up for hours, wondering where the heck all these loose ends are going to come together. But they do, every time. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-pursued-blog-tour-book-review.html" target="_blank"><b>~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</b></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmdPErffPTeI6-YziBW_YpvidJbzz6d9TZwTTtOIKyLp0ozOotb3Clk70K9f59OAgEtUzJlzBYRJn4zeGmihgaIrWwzZ0USsrIi7lI1JqwVjlUYcOnPaIh5t7F0V0TQkcyGmVYCy8rlFz/s474/12342152.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmdPErffPTeI6-YziBW_YpvidJbzz6d9TZwTTtOIKyLp0ozOotb3Clk70K9f59OAgEtUzJlzBYRJn4zeGmihgaIrWwzZ0USsrIi7lI1JqwVjlUYcOnPaIh5t7F0V0TQkcyGmVYCy8rlFz/s320/12342152.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12342152-interrupted" target="_blank">Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker</a></h3><p><i>Can love really heal all things?</i></p><p><i>If Sam Carroll hadn't shown up, she might have been able to get to her mother in time. Instead, Allie Everly finds herself at a funeral, mourning the loss of her beloved mother. She is dealt another blow when, a few hours later, she is sent from Tennessee to Maine to become the daughter of Miss Beatrice Lovell, a prim woman with a faith Allie cannot accept. </i></p><p><i>Poetry and letters written to her mother become the only things keeping Allie's heart from hardening completely. But then Sam arrives for the summer, and with him comes many confusing emotions, both toward him and the people around her. As World War II looms, Allie will be forced to decide whether hanging on to the past is worth losing her chance to be loved. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I've read this book multiple times and I'm due a reread. It's the best combination of a coming-of-age story and a wartime romance, with a full cast of unforgettable characters. (And I just really love Sam sooo.) </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPsMeNStq_NKiHaj9GDfxDg9-ustYLZdITYA_EBf8-nyv3yiWsJc3f3CYY0y4uFIbNMnT6hlhwyM3QATaH-cSBi8LoKpzDcu-utlXTyrMnNf2IxihHCh_BfUuqDw0ZlcBNTRpgKtC_Et_/s475/27261345._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPsMeNStq_NKiHaj9GDfxDg9-ustYLZdITYA_EBf8-nyv3yiWsJc3f3CYY0y4uFIbNMnT6hlhwyM3QATaH-cSBi8LoKpzDcu-utlXTyrMnNf2IxihHCh_BfUuqDw0ZlcBNTRpgKtC_Et_/s320/27261345._SY475_.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27261345-the-lady-and-the-lionheart" target="_blank">The Lady & The Lionheart by Joanne Bischof</a></h3><p><i>Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia. </i></p><p><i>Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.</i></p><p><i>As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Oh, look, another book that broke my heart. Anyone see a trend here? This novel is painful and hopeful and tells the dearest story of two tender hearts finding each other. The prose is elegant and dreamy and I love it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-go-to-favorites/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrnwZkzx_UYH8mDIL75IF0DlqYcdg53wOV6I_0X8yQbMEHtFNIEeVXwe1UVGwJBJsMEOWOQj75EvdJ2zIpw8FcaPXhjDTyR61ZAjcWCYZvgZiOz7psZoilr4jh0RCN0zYbC6ExE-WcU-Uu/s320/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">all-time favorite book? be sure to get your <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead922/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a> points in! </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-31481861494639908392021-10-05T06:00:00.104-04:002021-10-05T06:00:00.240-04:00Five Fall Favorites || Day Two { Family + Boats }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G-BOCRWhBu2rpJUMegDaWyZKVAa-OEcM5kGGKPJi3nQ5ZGWsTkUvyEB0fD4bqhB_6ZHcGCy1p2xapRVeHtqFPo-qQo9EWAfWZu6QNTvuxMGTRyEui-Y9BRmMaKHo45IfJdboDXkWOn7J/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G-BOCRWhBu2rpJUMegDaWyZKVAa-OEcM5kGGKPJi3nQ5ZGWsTkUvyEB0fD4bqhB_6ZHcGCy1p2xapRVeHtqFPo-qQo9EWAfWZu6QNTvuxMGTRyEui-Y9BRmMaKHo45IfJdboDXkWOn7J/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Welcome back to day two! Did you get to visit all the blogs yesterday? I think I made it to nearly all of them—lots of good books floating around out there this week already. Speaking of floating... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaRexY4wxRzNqfPzxjpigFUNtZB6a10LSfVWiRHXbmeOBMG5YlNgxsQnDEfs0jJiXJ17PdIKwejy1-rB5EAqYQt44C4iYIuW21B1EFrj0wzKZwo1Byfp47tniH8ya-imgmmBkSE9-suXA/s500/2EvPaErg.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaRexY4wxRzNqfPzxjpigFUNtZB6a10LSfVWiRHXbmeOBMG5YlNgxsQnDEfs0jJiXJ17PdIKwejy1-rB5EAqYQt44C4iYIuW21B1EFrj0wzKZwo1Byfp47tniH8ya-imgmmBkSE9-suXA/s320/2EvPaErg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Ahh, it's a lovely day for some reading on the lake, don't you think? You can head out as soon as you grab something to read! Just make sure you don't lose your book (or bookmarks) in the water ;) <br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">F A M I L Y</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqJA8xmLFDPGgO665WaVm9vr19A0idusriHEEu8Grf89iaAU184aODKVRL_7PPBaRh8z3aI58RCWgqD1v85cH4FoLavjAwEGf-4JrCxGxqZHDOsnvX8LYtA4gDpVQK22rbqCAYOTzn2YW/s475/258679.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAqJA8xmLFDPGgO665WaVm9vr19A0idusriHEEu8Grf89iaAU184aODKVRL_7PPBaRh8z3aI58RCWgqD1v85cH4FoLavjAwEGf-4JrCxGxqZHDOsnvX8LYtA4gDpVQK22rbqCAYOTzn2YW/s320/258679.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/258679.The_Swamp_Robber" target="_blank">The Swamp Robber by Paul Hutchens || Sugar Creek Gang #1</a></h3><p><i>The Sugar Creek Gang series chronicles the faith-building adventures of a group of fun-loving, courageous Christian boys. Your kids will be thrilled, chilled, and inspired to grow as they follow the legendary escapades of Bill Collins, Dragonfly, and the rest of the gang as they struggle with the application of their Christian faith to the adventure of life.</i></p><p><i>In this book, the Sugar Creek Gang discovers a "disguise" hidden in a old tree. Does it belong to the bank robber hiding in the swamp? A mysterious map hidden near the tree proves to be even more exciting than the disguise. Before the adventure ends, the gang encounters the robber, helps Bill Collins welcome a new baby sister, and saves the victim of a black widow spider bite. Join the gang as they learn the lesson of sowing and reaping. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I have so many memories of this series being family read-alouds growing up, or the audiobooks of choice during long car rides. They're filled with fun adventures, while presenting kids with Biblical truths as well. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_WHFMYFqGUQqYo_yA6ooufGiHTDS9vh7In032mSiDEAw0BtwOWIOnOGXMw0xg4kI-6-WqnaDZYF8hyE24kHvaZW33zDYIoCZOuxLSgQXFuh9VbQnKA9rEEAFnnthfIemcEXleog0hQy/s475/37842107._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_WHFMYFqGUQqYo_yA6ooufGiHTDS9vh7In032mSiDEAw0BtwOWIOnOGXMw0xg4kI-6-WqnaDZYF8hyE24kHvaZW33zDYIoCZOuxLSgQXFuh9VbQnKA9rEEAFnnthfIemcEXleog0hQy/s320/37842107._SY475_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37842107-kate-s-dilemma" target="_blank">Kate’s Dilemma by Sarah Holman || Kate's Case Files #3</a></h3><p><i>Kate can’t stay with the team any longer. She has worked for too long to keep the walls around her heart and around her past to allow the team to tear them down now. She doesn’t think they can handle what is behind them; she’s not sure she can. Heading to Charleston with the team on one last case, she and Brian go undercover as brother and sister to find out if a young musician is profiting from illegal activity.</i></p><p><i>Patrick is going undercover as a summer student at the University of Charleston. He tries to befriend the sister of a suspected drug runner, but nothing is coming easily. The sister won’t trust him, leads keep drying up, and tension in the team is building. When things begin to fall apart, Patrick is convinced that he can fix things, but can he?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I've loved this series ever since I read the first book several years ago! Kate and Patrick and the gang are lots of fun, the mystery is always intriguing without being confusing, and the Christian viewpoints remain at the forefront. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIcBuRnbUJQbZqhjj6otbueaZD6bk_8A7ZxUtBdZaQub2RYEOEt716bLokgT2exzNFC-VC_0H5t6TUTTdKHImgDCaf9cw3BuyELnd4MDWpxqwVCkFZuvs4Lj06KQDDfp4Y_mDXBsO8NKg/s475/1307000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIcBuRnbUJQbZqhjj6otbueaZD6bk_8A7ZxUtBdZaQub2RYEOEt716bLokgT2exzNFC-VC_0H5t6TUTTdKHImgDCaf9cw3BuyELnd4MDWpxqwVCkFZuvs4Lj06KQDDfp4Y_mDXBsO8NKg/s320/1307000.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1307000.With_Lee_in_Virginia" target="_blank">With Lee in Virginia by G.A. Henty</a></h3><p>The Civil War, as seen through the eyes of young Vincent Wingfield, a spirited teenager from the South and heir to a southern slave plantation, who staunchly supports the rights of slaves but, because of fidelity to the state of Virginia, joins Lee's cavalry and fights for the Confederacy. </p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>My family listened to the audio version of this book so many times when we were younger we could literally quote certain passages. Young Vincent felt more like a friend than a character ;P An absolute classic! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCNlhVBu-2dNf3u_IILaB_5I_2eWVcClEEKV2xVmTtLd9VWibHKUnkblD2iGZVe9GUtCzutRTYqMRp41OgA7WWmXNop7_3cbUmJe6v3g9n79OCIuijkG78Getnky9d1KP1j-Bo0pkh-bg/s475/37834620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCNlhVBu-2dNf3u_IILaB_5I_2eWVcClEEKV2xVmTtLd9VWibHKUnkblD2iGZVe9GUtCzutRTYqMRp41OgA7WWmXNop7_3cbUmJe6v3g9n79OCIuijkG78Getnky9d1KP1j-Bo0pkh-bg/s320/37834620.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36589853-my-father-s-words" target="_blank">My Father’s Words by Patricia MacLachlan</a></h3><p>Declan O’Brien always had a gentle word to share, odd phrases he liked to repeat, and songs to sing while he played basketball. His favorite song was “Dona Nobis Pacem,” “Grant Us Peace.” His family loved him deeply, and always knew they were loved in return.</p><p>But a terrible accident one day changes their lives forever, and Fiona and Finn O’Brien are left without a father. Their mother is at a loss. What words are there to guide them through such overwhelming grief? At the suggestion of their friend Luke, Fiona and Finn volunteer at an animal rescue shelter where they meet two sweet dogs who are in need of comfort, too. Perhaps with time, patience, and their father’s gentle words in their hearts, hope will spark once more. </p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>A wonderful story about family. And loss. I'll be honest—this one made me cry. But the hope and strength and growth shown within the grief makes it a wonderful story that shows the journey back from the most difficult of circumstances. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgbfwTL2ki8a3xRG0ERASb-AZtilbrTdllWHi1-9LXpIj1Fq4ErQ8lhsr9GsshVsoJmuJBFXrYI2876FIOcmmrrUfN6qoWIpChKHI93U7NGuxBtKCIjnuAuZkx_N2B1BZ28r5bYQ5GVwi/s400/32980240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgbfwTL2ki8a3xRG0ERASb-AZtilbrTdllWHi1-9LXpIj1Fq4ErQ8lhsr9GsshVsoJmuJBFXrYI2876FIOcmmrrUfN6qoWIpChKHI93U7NGuxBtKCIjnuAuZkx_N2B1BZ28r5bYQ5GVwi/s320/32980240.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32980240-just-sayin" target="_blank">Just Saying by Dandi Daley Mackall</a></h3><div><div>Just Sayin' tells the story of an almost-blended family that almost falls apart before it even begins. 11 year-old Cassie Callahan is staying with her grandmother while her mom, Jennifer, recovers from a difficult breakup from her fianc', Trent. Cassie, along with Trent's kids, Nick and Julie, are trying to figure out why their parents' relationship ended so abruptly and searching for a way to bring them back together. Meanwhile, the kids get caught up in a game show that encourages the "art" of insults, and learn along the way that our words have much more power than they think.</div><div><br /></div><div>In a way that only Dandi can accomplish, this story weaves together, in a contemporary way, an old-time game show, letter writing, outstanding vocabulary, and reminders from God's word that taming our tongue is both difficult and important!</div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">•••</div><div><br /></div><div>This is such a cute book, of kids from broken homes banding together to help create the family that they want to have. The epistolary style makes it a special treat! </div><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-family/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkaUcxOvrJq2zL5s0tHGrXrAKzBzdPJazr5-QKeY_2GGkB-3DgQ5ArzKX55iFqIzrOTP2hpBaq5Zl67kUBWzEo2Dp2CftUaGYEMMnOqH8XTGSSqy-OdHRjhmACGoDf-SBkp4Wtrcvjx_X/w400-h400/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't forget to visit Rebekah's blog for the other links + updates on the giveaway! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">best family-oriented book you've read this year? are you racking up <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead922/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a> entries? :)</h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-68429764808395737882021-10-04T06:00:00.187-04:002021-10-04T06:00:00.262-04:00 Five Fall Favorites || Day One { Adventure + Barns }<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LLiCUSCZJIzUTiodR0peNpolU5ARaUnBziblzQxYlKR5VahFkgjRRfnR-xnO5gXtLgPU_QB0e4zSExSY4O4tPP9GSo7KvvDPoGr5rAUhVtBCPWru5QI_pDxY8XdyZsTSGMTRB_KXX_c0/s2914/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="2914" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LLiCUSCZJIzUTiodR0peNpolU5ARaUnBziblzQxYlKR5VahFkgjRRfnR-xnO5gXtLgPU_QB0e4zSExSY4O4tPP9GSo7KvvDPoGr5rAUhVtBCPWru5QI_pDxY8XdyZsTSGMTRB_KXX_c0/w640-h238/SUKtyWn_.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>*crickets* </p><p>Hi, guys. </p><p>Long time, no see, huh? </p><p>So by a series of events, including a very spontaneous (and since then, much over-thought) decision, I'm taking part in FFF this year! If you're not familiar, it's a week-long blog party in which participants share five favorite books across several different categories. The giveaway and hosting blog are linked towards the end of the post, but between here and there are five epic adventure books, sooo... here goes, huh? :D</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNvseznhs72SULlBiOtXt6PFYAQfxoTHyLNeZ41EgZWD4UbIu1dhba-tPNY1-E_UtgPJ2lKGty12t-NLAPG0jjIXXIRs_6dqMtK6R_jUPZ49Z0JTPH3E2bSQg6DfFMF7Xjxu3L-qioCbU/s500/4k1z2LKg.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNvseznhs72SULlBiOtXt6PFYAQfxoTHyLNeZ41EgZWD4UbIu1dhba-tPNY1-E_UtgPJ2lKGty12t-NLAPG0jjIXXIRs_6dqMtK6R_jUPZ49Z0JTPH3E2bSQg6DfFMF7Xjxu3L-qioCbU/s320/4k1z2LKg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Welcome to the barns room! Because who doesn't want to hide away in a sweet-smelling hayloft with a good book for a few hours? </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">A D V E N T U R E</h2><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IX2L0LwfPUcJ-cromiTmj-1GeiBtU6FTXHgjNZMxuNw2YOQ_cAE1LNqvF79kvFmBppZLwa0U2KyhOl_9g5XrEcAyE35cC2lJ8POOheWEUIuMGiMUtwHPzSlgiZE_MVFnvaVo1WUsEiXh/s475/30157010._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IX2L0LwfPUcJ-cromiTmj-1GeiBtU6FTXHgjNZMxuNw2YOQ_cAE1LNqvF79kvFmBppZLwa0U2KyhOl_9g5XrEcAyE35cC2lJ8POOheWEUIuMGiMUtwHPzSlgiZE_MVFnvaVo1WUsEiXh/s320/30157010._SY475_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30157010-defy" target="_blank">Defy by Tricia Mingerink || The Blades of Acktar #3</a></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The war for Acktar has begun. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>With his betrayal revealed, former Blade Leith Torren flees into the Sheered Rock Hills, pursued by King Respen’s vengeful Blades. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Left behind at Nalgar Castle, Renna Faythe tries to find her purpose, yet that purpose isn’t what she expected. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Brandi Faythe has been torn from her sister, and that isn’t all right. If Leith can’t rescue Renna, Brandi will take matters into her own hands. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>War demands sacrifice. Courage falters. Who will find the strength to defy King Respen?</i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Acktar rests on one hope: </i></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>The Leader is ready.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p style="text-align: left;">My favorite book from one of my all-time favorite series. The Blades of Acktar are rich with adventure and excitement and epic heroes. <3 </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2016/10/hidden-gems-defy-by-tricia-mingerink.html" target="_blank">~ R E V I E W H E R E ~</a></b></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7m5Ihl6fhnuIF1cGTWtE0sIzFSI6X1yCClaWVRZn7SyGtEDbItKw_Z6Rzk_EmPXeS3VKhXiH88A-199wF5quNEC2-z05q0piKQRQd1L6rqMs1KkELkBV3k_d-Ot57hgqhAQzgelZOiRN/s450/fullsizeoutput_9db.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7m5Ihl6fhnuIF1cGTWtE0sIzFSI6X1yCClaWVRZn7SyGtEDbItKw_Z6Rzk_EmPXeS3VKhXiH88A-199wF5quNEC2-z05q0piKQRQd1L6rqMs1KkELkBV3k_d-Ot57hgqhAQzgelZOiRN/s320/fullsizeoutput_9db.jpeg" width="224" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/488957.Island_Dreamer" target="_blank">Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn || Christy Miller #5</a></h3><p><i>Christy Miller is spending her sixteenth birthday on Maui with her family, Todd, and Paula, her best friend from Wisconsin. What could be better? Christy soon discovers that she and Paula don’t have as much in common anymore. What's worse is that Paula is obsessed with getting a boyfriend and Todd is suddenly Paula's idea of the perfect guy. Will Todd choose Paula over her? Christy's heart is tested even further when she receives an unexpected phone call on her birthday. What happens when it's up to Christy to drive the gang to safety on the famous winding road to Hana? Will her friendships endure? Or will the islands send Christy dreaming in new directions?</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>I'm quite certain the island/jungle adventure in the second half of this book—which is not at all addressed in the synopsis—qualifies it to be in this category. ;) Written with a teen/preteen audience in mind, but readers of any age could enjoy the adventures of Christy and her friends and family. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLppIr0zhw-l_xH-95JwPZiHc_n0BTUq_MaDGoOGyUR5k2hejqE_qTB5ATS8nb-N0wdQ9WcyqjrefR7Zka5O6M3kaswIirTyHySXr58h0UmF5XxuTIDEVw24ixYd4Rd0Odx2bBg7mt_OlY/s475/26263487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLppIr0zhw-l_xH-95JwPZiHc_n0BTUq_MaDGoOGyUR5k2hejqE_qTB5ATS8nb-N0wdQ9WcyqjrefR7Zka5O6M3kaswIirTyHySXr58h0UmF5XxuTIDEVw24ixYd4Rd0Odx2bBg7mt_OlY/s320/26263487.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26263487-if-i-run" target="_blank">If I Run by Terri Blackstock || If I Run #1</a></h3><p><i>Casey knows the truth.</i></p><p><i>But it won’t set her free.</i></p><p><i>Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they have failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.</i></p><p><i>But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up. Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?</i></p><p><i>Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>Oh my stars, this series. I grabbed book one from the library shelf on a total whim, after seeing a couple people screaming about it on social media. And I then proceeded to devour the whole series as soon as I could get my hands on them. This story of a girl on the run for a murder she did not commit is a definite win with true crime, mystery, and/or thriller fans. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dn7O13vUG-K85RStmAUz1kahcdpK8Q2XoMkyM8Yzrebp71CUTqyXSnmhy1e5dzARbNiuYqamp4RbCKOU2IfhG7e_Bwarp-1SZOL7cq3jRePgIwNYgd8w62BAjFM-vlkJM1TJptrYp443/s475/43887657._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="306" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dn7O13vUG-K85RStmAUz1kahcdpK8Q2XoMkyM8Yzrebp71CUTqyXSnmhy1e5dzARbNiuYqamp4RbCKOU2IfhG7e_Bwarp-1SZOL7cq3jRePgIwNYgd8w62BAjFM-vlkJM1TJptrYp443/s320/43887657._SY475_.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43887657-tales-from-memory-creek-ranch" target="_blank">Tales from Memory Creek by Susan K. Marlow</a></h3><p><i>Andi and Riley's adventures continue in this short-story book based on blog posts. Twelve fun stories like:</i></p><p><i>Special Spot--Riley insists he is the only one who knows about his hideaway in a corner of the Circle C ranch. Andi insists there is no place she hasn’t explored. Who is right? </i></p><p><i>Yosemite Getaway--Riley and Andi head to Yosemite for a dream honeymoon that turns into a nightmare when the Yosemite stagecoach is robbed. </i></p><p><i>Sierra Adventure--Andi wants a tree in true Carter tradition, and Riley has to work hard to make it become a reality. There’s no snow but plenty of danger in the Sierra high country.</i></p><p><i>Overgrown Kitty--A cougar cub Andi gave to Chad wreaks havoc on the Circle C, so Chad hauls the overgrown kitty back to Memory Creek ranch. What will become of this lonely cub?</i></p><p><i>Lamb Trouble--Andi loves lambs, but Chad has always said “no.” Riley is a different story, and Andi gets the pet she’s always wanted. How much trouble can one lamb be? </i></p><p><i>Andi Had a Little Lamb--Andi discovers that no pets--no matter how cute and cuddly they are--can compare with her very own “little lamb,” Riley and Andi’s first baby. </i></p><p><i>Plus six more!</i></p><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>An absolute trip down memory lane. Any book with the Circle C logo is like instant flashbacks to my early teen years. This collection of stories from Andi's married life is a special treat for all true fans of the series. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU2wMkNjYRf83mDzJ8CEcaxBqcHPHswYyrntpCEjs4xyIBEBiUpHPdBPbBOIwoUcY6Eg84cpKq34P36VjUWerrRdpj0HXfSOH2NstYiS8S17Vvy6Rgp7DFNaHvDd03_YNgiClly99OpZA/s475/12813940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsU2wMkNjYRf83mDzJ8CEcaxBqcHPHswYyrntpCEjs4xyIBEBiUpHPdBPbBOIwoUcY6Eg84cpKq34P36VjUWerrRdpj0HXfSOH2NstYiS8S17Vvy6Rgp7DFNaHvDd03_YNgiClly99OpZA/s320/12813940.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12813940-avery-s-crossroad" target="_blank">Avery’s Crossroads by Deanna K. Klingel || Avery's Battlefield #2</a></h3><div><i>Avery's skills as a doctor and his dog Gunner's friendly personality make the pair a welcome sight to the soldiers in the Civil War hospitals. But mending wounds is not the only challenge Avery faces. Dwindling supplies, insufficient medical facilities, and local troublemakers add to the stress of the war. Avery realizes that the real wounds of the war the wounds of the soul will take years to heal. But he finds hope for the future in his deepening friendship with Claire, a girl from back home who shares his passion for helping the wounded. Together they pray for the long war to end. </i></div><p style="text-align: center;">•••</p><p>This adventure story of a boy reaching manhood starts in book #1 and carries over into this one—which is my favorite. From stolen livestock to a search for missing family members to medical school and caring for the wounded, this series is the ultimate Civil War adventure. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://readanotherpage.com/5-fall-favorites-adventure/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqcguMDHdPHJHyEOJEcjAoR_10aTFTuZY-bw47HfFvX4Lpyp5R81hzurwWelWlqNdqufrETeVOtjH8PzGL40Ph1rzKWPOKWOGZjAwooKmEvIoXdBnTAUQZCnU6qDNVOA8v1VfBEBDJ72s/w320-h320/0qYSxEFX.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be sure to hop over to Rebekah's blog for the rest of the fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><h2 style="text-align: center;">G I V E A W A Y</h2><p>Ahh, best for last. What would a book-oriented blog party be without a bookish giveaway? </p><p><br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="6113ead922" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6113ead922/" id="rcwidget_mv78nqvt" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">best adventure book you've read this year? excited for another year of FFF? :)</h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-50893906020205237842021-07-27T00:18:00.001-04:002021-07-27T00:18:44.580-04:00It's Been a Hot Minute... <p> Hey, people :) </p><p>Yeah, it's me. Your former <strike>favorite</strike> blogger friend. I haven't been here since February, although it feels like so much longer. I've thought about it often, though. I've missed being here. </p><p>(I've written a few things during that time, but didn't have the guts to post them. They're very personal, heavy, straight from the heart. I'll probably share eventually.) </p><p>So hey, I'm here now to give a run down + photo dump of what's been going on since I disappeared. Buckle up. ;)</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • February </h2><p>At this point, school was still insane. My winter semester was super heavy. Bought bell bottoms. Did school in the car parked at the library a lot because internet at home terrible and the library was still closed because #covid soooo. Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4Rhujxgw2PTS_ANAyBxrm8gPbRPZtvZPGaAqbUuK-ENxrlL18MWQdSPqGx0RAB2DL8wmXVTWW6hJBTzgpXBHujtu6dUfdmDOdddCw6Gn4zz3xBZFE8CqoilS-Ba-dQ7LmJbkPi7m4Lx/s2048/09E6F078-9676-475C-9A2C-DEFBEBCE925B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM4Rhujxgw2PTS_ANAyBxrm8gPbRPZtvZPGaAqbUuK-ENxrlL18MWQdSPqGx0RAB2DL8wmXVTWW6hJBTzgpXBHujtu6dUfdmDOdddCw6Gn4zz3xBZFE8CqoilS-Ba-dQ7LmJbkPi7m4Lx/w320-h320/09E6F078-9676-475C-9A2C-DEFBEBCE925B.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg718RIevZwp9H8r68Y7jLUw7nsem6BB__-EuaU44MzabSZJA4FT9qYHX0Kty4iTGUVLVfjbmQvGAOMsvUG62Wy2B3YdraRJ8SAm3npuO_FzAbf4oaMbmd-2Zt0H7MKNyVdfKPvkYaqSrAS/s1334/IMG_8744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg718RIevZwp9H8r68Y7jLUw7nsem6BB__-EuaU44MzabSZJA4FT9qYHX0Kty4iTGUVLVfjbmQvGAOMsvUG62Wy2B3YdraRJ8SAm3npuO_FzAbf4oaMbmd-2Zt0H7MKNyVdfKPvkYaqSrAS/w181-h320/IMG_8744.JPG" width="181" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh040pdSzjXGiDe4VQjPyG7xzBLeCa7Ee7-eC3i6N75hBPr6Ti2np9xOc1_UH1sMc4Tyw3-hflQUnKziEyxBRdc_0_szGZN6eIl4zX0IV5_9fzpbOBWvuJNHARVKc8w797Z1UKmjjjFNpiJ/s2048/IMG_8759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh040pdSzjXGiDe4VQjPyG7xzBLeCa7Ee7-eC3i6N75hBPr6Ti2np9xOc1_UH1sMc4Tyw3-hflQUnKziEyxBRdc_0_szGZN6eIl4zX0IV5_9fzpbOBWvuJNHARVKc8w797Z1UKmjjjFNpiJ/s320/IMG_8759.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8OrKaSTt21WjRWYAoMeCfv7mqopMRL1toXP1PJnFronjUjM5TRVz_5iJGvtWXE8zajy_c5YfBnzsY2WCeVh8jOZM7rXiszYvhmmzT_6XPM64lLGBHh70nNBlJ_rO-RS9JPqXAj5QDiIm/s2048/IMG_8799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8OrKaSTt21WjRWYAoMeCfv7mqopMRL1toXP1PJnFronjUjM5TRVz_5iJGvtWXE8zajy_c5YfBnzsY2WCeVh8jOZM7rXiszYvhmmzT_6XPM64lLGBHh70nNBlJ_rO-RS9JPqXAj5QDiIm/s320/IMG_8799.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0_e6tTEzVm1xMBGpc1YwxVZ7wj93IiyVI4QWA4JorEncYw9zh8bxtTzOZmaf0OF6zbr40uLzAHz8mrCqUNRKqzENgnjMrGfmVJmTJP6Nkt9OMVhtbi0a0HKKWjq9uSmVrYfXm7NPVa8E/s2048/IMG_8868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0_e6tTEzVm1xMBGpc1YwxVZ7wj93IiyVI4QWA4JorEncYw9zh8bxtTzOZmaf0OF6zbr40uLzAHz8mrCqUNRKqzENgnjMrGfmVJmTJP6Nkt9OMVhtbi0a0HKKWjq9uSmVrYfXm7NPVa8E/s320/IMG_8868.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5_S6iLKd9lz3nB8hS8_1MIG-we37jwsu3x4SG8wFgvMbD4LrXwUYfw2B9TyHnzAmADR5QkC7V6DnLVeZU4PDq4BEtgGSxKWkMASLw_QOkNu-NSOIs9LQE4wlRxKjFyBY4j_I38Adb6Iu/s2048/IMG_8876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5_S6iLKd9lz3nB8hS8_1MIG-we37jwsu3x4SG8wFgvMbD4LrXwUYfw2B9TyHnzAmADR5QkC7V6DnLVeZU4PDq4BEtgGSxKWkMASLw_QOkNu-NSOIs9LQE4wlRxKjFyBY4j_I38Adb6Iu/s320/IMG_8876.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • March </h2><p>Work started back up. A class on food prep/safety/service. Long walks in the cow pasture. Lots of painful memories showing up in my photos <3 A last minute trip to Kansas to see my people. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjQyEJ4nUN3_3G04eYsPexSI_snJJWBvBzCJhSzpdVGyT8TojFupf6IV5FwxiEZcQRvq8tOUH8qjCujwCk27BfQy8eLeCKTf1GOBNXeQiS2TMk04pakWoISYrMIRqWXy9uNzCn9SxUVu4/s1776/IMG_9475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1776" data-original-width="1332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjQyEJ4nUN3_3G04eYsPexSI_snJJWBvBzCJhSzpdVGyT8TojFupf6IV5FwxiEZcQRvq8tOUH8qjCujwCk27BfQy8eLeCKTf1GOBNXeQiS2TMk04pakWoISYrMIRqWXy9uNzCn9SxUVu4/s320/IMG_9475.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV4nagbOvebLn2aMibddc1A14bhbAstk0ZkkPu0oF9dEPf1lcP3vvxkszDGTg45oETkG_6dE8i2G9YqDFBsScBExT7LV0PmUbORwvUGRR6hoKtJR68HmQ1eaSdxNC1wvfexSpAluTCAZM/s1334/IMG_9397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV4nagbOvebLn2aMibddc1A14bhbAstk0ZkkPu0oF9dEPf1lcP3vvxkszDGTg45oETkG_6dE8i2G9YqDFBsScBExT7LV0PmUbORwvUGRR6hoKtJR68HmQ1eaSdxNC1wvfexSpAluTCAZM/s320/IMG_9397.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz1X4S8Yv4ga2as7SJ1_AQU7bsxeaNdZ7NaxWd3RjCnXxZDEWpoGG_gDHrhXVKsZQcFiXCG1fBhRvf5iHAtQ8VOQoahVCm2sub6nhsKPPr8ODDzL_ERRT45qMqdoehGobjKyHk3qocL_/s2048/IMG_9378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFz1X4S8Yv4ga2as7SJ1_AQU7bsxeaNdZ7NaxWd3RjCnXxZDEWpoGG_gDHrhXVKsZQcFiXCG1fBhRvf5iHAtQ8VOQoahVCm2sub6nhsKPPr8ODDzL_ERRT45qMqdoehGobjKyHk3qocL_/s320/IMG_9378.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSgFdjGijVIB_w7wZzmtegYFCc-6UP-VHF4-zXc2ZIh4rrye9a3NtO3EsieU1mBPXYTaF2JSwfQUHjdDeZQXk0RhhvZbNXTcPbE4GGl0Ijrq9PXDq05IHhu4kuq2_cBlOPyp_-VSIp-1O/s1334/fullsizeoutput_9b1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSgFdjGijVIB_w7wZzmtegYFCc-6UP-VHF4-zXc2ZIh4rrye9a3NtO3EsieU1mBPXYTaF2JSwfQUHjdDeZQXk0RhhvZbNXTcPbE4GGl0Ijrq9PXDq05IHhu4kuq2_cBlOPyp_-VSIp-1O/s320/fullsizeoutput_9b1.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BH01uozs1qBXdzS751NijOIxhz0-yoDspKcUM4IZR0eMniM83D9-Gw-US4ouDdG5PJc2QQ7GbZ4tuHG9-uisTQFNduRWDWcamqY5pMyKPp48qyIMNOsVr2_0HiUthtyPLpEE8EDU7-vk/s2048/IMG_9099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BH01uozs1qBXdzS751NijOIxhz0-yoDspKcUM4IZR0eMniM83D9-Gw-US4ouDdG5PJc2QQ7GbZ4tuHG9-uisTQFNduRWDWcamqY5pMyKPp48qyIMNOsVr2_0HiUthtyPLpEE8EDU7-vk/s320/IMG_9099.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewdXQe6dUyFGYcqU8yzeTpJUEkv4by8YnrTpiMn5S5UgaT1ab_e-jASluoHvQLQYBTyo2iriv0qVbISEVJOz1Z_nJ6_Jc5bTANVXxencOmoLoJeGPorf2HWud1gnLl8Clca-NxcNWo6is/s2048/IMG_9151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgewdXQe6dUyFGYcqU8yzeTpJUEkv4by8YnrTpiMn5S5UgaT1ab_e-jASluoHvQLQYBTyo2iriv0qVbISEVJOz1Z_nJ6_Jc5bTANVXxencOmoLoJeGPorf2HWud1gnLl8Clca-NxcNWo6is/s320/IMG_9151.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • April </h2><p>Spring's arrival. Long, peaceful evenings sitting in the yard eating pasta and studying psychology. Campus sunsets. Work and housesitting and study study studying. Quick trip to Florida for my friend's wedding + getting to be a bridesmaid <33</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6Qhb1X0nJjv0ENH78YDQOkCWzCjLKa38BSHJCfNcbSFjF8UQuYudYL6ecUXPN6i-FZCJP1bTnyIvjLrh_5gW_1gAvtkXhskYwg1iAVmF8fP-HgWYtpPehwYLkrYcoINj9FjAMu6eh_0a/s2048/IMG_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6Qhb1X0nJjv0ENH78YDQOkCWzCjLKa38BSHJCfNcbSFjF8UQuYudYL6ecUXPN6i-FZCJP1bTnyIvjLrh_5gW_1gAvtkXhskYwg1iAVmF8fP-HgWYtpPehwYLkrYcoINj9FjAMu6eh_0a/s320/IMG_0067.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorc0-nhfEpsJP_gEo77ggxDbmobQeLUuoIbZquvUdUUHZbbo52ofF_ZR_urtYcaCkLcpAjVr5-YVJETY_EIz6Yc1esSc77MLD5GltSCbd85Meh1OdVn2A377BGy76f4hMS9Lxl4wvhmpO/s1334/IMG_9891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorc0-nhfEpsJP_gEo77ggxDbmobQeLUuoIbZquvUdUUHZbbo52ofF_ZR_urtYcaCkLcpAjVr5-YVJETY_EIz6Yc1esSc77MLD5GltSCbd85Meh1OdVn2A377BGy76f4hMS9Lxl4wvhmpO/s320/IMG_9891.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_FxheREfdI8RDHtFmtAW5CQ67nKqtYKnlFXwStC_8Mm05OckJEaOvfmNHyLQ4L7ASF94H2eQ9ycc1dDD9yRuzFi6UKau2U4AyXVQ6MrhqaVBWy7SE2zltydQQx7HoHPkcjHBIuCyg2Hy/s2048/IMG_9933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_FxheREfdI8RDHtFmtAW5CQ67nKqtYKnlFXwStC_8Mm05OckJEaOvfmNHyLQ4L7ASF94H2eQ9ycc1dDD9yRuzFi6UKau2U4AyXVQ6MrhqaVBWy7SE2zltydQQx7HoHPkcjHBIuCyg2Hy/s320/IMG_9933.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8uXlDRzzqtN0XxEqZUGM35raH8mo_JlZ9B3eFU-Du9pRoYI2U8VRkxuOKi-1-8KrtQ5jro66Id9Jly2vll9pnmKzRm_jvvIyYrjch0PpHrWOc5N6pYrGafdwtE4_KWfuj6TXtaZGmODo/s2048/IMG_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8uXlDRzzqtN0XxEqZUGM35raH8mo_JlZ9B3eFU-Du9pRoYI2U8VRkxuOKi-1-8KrtQ5jro66Id9Jly2vll9pnmKzRm_jvvIyYrjch0PpHrWOc5N6pYrGafdwtE4_KWfuj6TXtaZGmODo/s320/IMG_0084.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPLjbrpnfMKhvw65HGhAZrcPmxf9QSc8jz1kRCd4dgRzQSJ4OirJMFD3TcTfJ8hLSw8cG3WanrRRNBzwQyCWWzIue9qqDIWEWSqTTuv7FXrHR4wlUtfvxX4j4F2MKlb8q7GtiBwwMocfc/s2048/IMG_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPLjbrpnfMKhvw65HGhAZrcPmxf9QSc8jz1kRCd4dgRzQSJ4OirJMFD3TcTfJ8hLSw8cG3WanrRRNBzwQyCWWzIue9qqDIWEWSqTTuv7FXrHR4wlUtfvxX4j4F2MKlb8q7GtiBwwMocfc/s320/IMG_0169.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Lxf7bwiTwx50M175QHraXNvM9dC5ZFcxlAyrfdlIWMiv0-OFgSZdOdF6Zo7Dkz5k4oAb-oXKodueyRGvKpp9TeNIhvYF4K8QFTMd2Bzkvr83sL42QvX2Q3xERIBFyzDeps25nMYK_Rg/s1334/fullsizeoutput_9c0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Lxf7bwiTwx50M175QHraXNvM9dC5ZFcxlAyrfdlIWMiv0-OFgSZdOdF6Zo7Dkz5k4oAb-oXKodueyRGvKpp9TeNIhvYF4K8QFTMd2Bzkvr83sL42QvX2Q3xERIBFyzDeps25nMYK_Rg/s320/fullsizeoutput_9c0.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • May </h2><p>Finishing the spring semester and diving into the summer semester less than two weeks later (someone save me). Attending yet another wedding (ahaha). Binging a new crime show. The NC gas shortage making life a little extra-stressy for a few days there. Buying new swimsuits because SUMER IS A CUMIN. Got jury duty summons and freakin loved it. More housesitting, more work, more school. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DSLCF8DqzPhkrSOcmqXUmlAI9kIYKhUqwhoO_XGFb-Tx09cJ28mbhkfK2smCFh7VeZXNsPuIrDcsgR7KCH2NWYlXGzPe1IJFODLq3FxIxNDlDkTagJrEWxx2S8lFUEqaiBoKoCHTyIq-/s1334/fullsizeoutput_9c3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DSLCF8DqzPhkrSOcmqXUmlAI9kIYKhUqwhoO_XGFb-Tx09cJ28mbhkfK2smCFh7VeZXNsPuIrDcsgR7KCH2NWYlXGzPe1IJFODLq3FxIxNDlDkTagJrEWxx2S8lFUEqaiBoKoCHTyIq-/s320/fullsizeoutput_9c3.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXk02gDK8fzvA17DPo4dwi11OrPaVIfGmIIfeY2gpd1rKYMMSSmgl1KsjwhWJINZszCKJuKe8N49x9zUUOFBlCRMxwsP5gEGp466XG3ZsihQV0LXv3fe-gUktOjUTs5srUq0xgb1XXoaA/s2048/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXk02gDK8fzvA17DPo4dwi11OrPaVIfGmIIfeY2gpd1rKYMMSSmgl1KsjwhWJINZszCKJuKe8N49x9zUUOFBlCRMxwsP5gEGp466XG3ZsihQV0LXv3fe-gUktOjUTs5srUq0xgb1XXoaA/s320/IMG_0863.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1Kvfp1AuTHS_2YHKcRssDgqycHKbBejDW0QBogFiWhDeZHGWWmad1ztYcuIyUSeiPgrkAVtYnDsZD4l7-ZKXsoJbs_L9NkmKmg9OefqAMZJKPM_nWQiQCBNE3IXc_yQq1hBO-ncHHXcG/s2048/IMG_1148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1Kvfp1AuTHS_2YHKcRssDgqycHKbBejDW0QBogFiWhDeZHGWWmad1ztYcuIyUSeiPgrkAVtYnDsZD4l7-ZKXsoJbs_L9NkmKmg9OefqAMZJKPM_nWQiQCBNE3IXc_yQq1hBO-ncHHXcG/s320/IMG_1148.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • June </h2><p>Lots of work and studying and long days. Late nights at work with epic coworkers. Day at the lake with my mama (spoiler: I got TOASTED). Epic weekend at the beach with my people. <3 More work. More always being tired. More studying. Rewatched Outer Banks because #JJ. ;P </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij0ufcIX7wnrCTbDpgPsFElKURXHbIQWxpDSnRnadzJ8_lnax2aQqXwsLalJnOBRvfugKR72KdgeOU97XU9T84zEMsWNV4PI-dbI7kjmuc35fTxmeVDS7g-u3yOqFEmas1pWhUFtPjMs8/s2048/IMG_2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij0ufcIX7wnrCTbDpgPsFElKURXHbIQWxpDSnRnadzJ8_lnax2aQqXwsLalJnOBRvfugKR72KdgeOU97XU9T84zEMsWNV4PI-dbI7kjmuc35fTxmeVDS7g-u3yOqFEmas1pWhUFtPjMs8/s320/IMG_2024.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI-DOvEWb9jKjCsnDyz5JUOs7Jy2bGFregp0IO35YC0nyMLHVoCTnfBTpRq4wcJvoiSlW_wJAp7tlGach8oWzQdYnr6kSBfLdP_lzH6H3rR0IRN_DuHwS1NTQMwtLsJScch_P2f5Ou97L/s1334/IMG_1387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZI-DOvEWb9jKjCsnDyz5JUOs7Jy2bGFregp0IO35YC0nyMLHVoCTnfBTpRq4wcJvoiSlW_wJAp7tlGach8oWzQdYnr6kSBfLdP_lzH6H3rR0IRN_DuHwS1NTQMwtLsJScch_P2f5Ou97L/s320/IMG_1387.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YAUX1l2DcYQ6VZgEfBNUMcEC1LCHIN6xWQbfYc25gsnbk7DsC7k7W-_Fj75g2Y6V3Ob1tRhzvXJCsmDvf1j-kwDPXtcLKYMf4BbehfQZwgupiOfrdxneWmija8VzkRVm-Jj6wOBm8vaN/s4032/IMG_0300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YAUX1l2DcYQ6VZgEfBNUMcEC1LCHIN6xWQbfYc25gsnbk7DsC7k7W-_Fj75g2Y6V3Ob1tRhzvXJCsmDvf1j-kwDPXtcLKYMf4BbehfQZwgupiOfrdxneWmija8VzkRVm-Jj6wOBm8vaN/s320/IMG_0300.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDsoCQDTLdhor_wf1n0nDZfv9YIKjumB57YF-OWgyrVs6TYzGm9kmMH8_ifv2aHndhE-tkOnlNBtHKg5POGprNMnmWLRQWtAekXVyJ2R11YhikZXu8qBIlCUtQQOyc9y-FtJXNShAHw7w/s2048/IMG_1593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDsoCQDTLdhor_wf1n0nDZfv9YIKjumB57YF-OWgyrVs6TYzGm9kmMH8_ifv2aHndhE-tkOnlNBtHKg5POGprNMnmWLRQWtAekXVyJ2R11YhikZXu8qBIlCUtQQOyc9y-FtJXNShAHw7w/s320/IMG_1593.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gWIZepwxHj4G0cjnUJDc0ABoR325vtfwwISjVDWMylG_62v3ypz_DWIr_0m4P0TAdfwZGbM9n_G9Yu20gCEAFQEysfu0n-D98-9Lx6awjiT1lQTaTT5oAZtKFD7Mq4A_-4DGodTnIRjG/s2048/IMG_1642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gWIZepwxHj4G0cjnUJDc0ABoR325vtfwwISjVDWMylG_62v3ypz_DWIr_0m4P0TAdfwZGbM9n_G9Yu20gCEAFQEysfu0n-D98-9Lx6awjiT1lQTaTT5oAZtKFD7Mq4A_-4DGodTnIRjG/s320/IMG_1642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">• • • July </h2><p>Working the weekend of the 4th and trying not to die. FIREWORKS. Buying cute clothes that I'll likely never/rarely wear. Housesitting for over 2 weeks. Rainbows and sunsets and curly hair and lots of coffee. Oh, and finishing the summer semester without dying, yayyy me. I turn 21 next week, what the heck. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01b18QoWVT5XpaXIj0SE3kwwMFOhfaZ6lTsD5GfV-UQJcPKL7xFqVSn4833P37s8dST08acF0OiVqjDtdcnGXbrr2Ye8M78LZSxj91W6V5aDrCbr-QPjr4mjtwKOawJHV3kSwj2GBMS-8/s1334/IMG_2199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01b18QoWVT5XpaXIj0SE3kwwMFOhfaZ6lTsD5GfV-UQJcPKL7xFqVSn4833P37s8dST08acF0OiVqjDtdcnGXbrr2Ye8M78LZSxj91W6V5aDrCbr-QPjr4mjtwKOawJHV3kSwj2GBMS-8/s320/IMG_2199.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65-1DN9YLKukeygZCKyKjmOuxS9J8JhhPldB2XoVEikGFT_guo_zOiik3f7HqFXPjCeCnqL7rEwhVf0gujt_l7b3hPmP7goRfrNiKlX6tTneIwE_RJXMA6sjj9zbvwq_OatYGonaGBwaT/s2048/IMG_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65-1DN9YLKukeygZCKyKjmOuxS9J8JhhPldB2XoVEikGFT_guo_zOiik3f7HqFXPjCeCnqL7rEwhVf0gujt_l7b3hPmP7goRfrNiKlX6tTneIwE_RJXMA6sjj9zbvwq_OatYGonaGBwaT/s320/IMG_2217.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rZT95Dxai0UHB6g_-If8goInXKgXz3Tw5SKmPnAtDOF4AkJe2hhTKkmy8LZKW9_ktQSvj6QkdZ7n43e_2wPddMXQY2Ev_AwTr7l7C4uxFHhzFU46olUrHDJWJB1fDevx6XUCCMqKsc2x/s1334/IMG_2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rZT95Dxai0UHB6g_-If8goInXKgXz3Tw5SKmPnAtDOF4AkJe2hhTKkmy8LZKW9_ktQSvj6QkdZ7n43e_2wPddMXQY2Ev_AwTr7l7C4uxFHhzFU46olUrHDJWJB1fDevx6XUCCMqKsc2x/s320/IMG_2317.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbuRXVdyoZE1DmMIuvwH1OPCmVcPpKeWfLN2kB-8SizPVx4XGu6zYQfAxXiY9HJjqMxgCUwPVCRCGlppWrM8KJB9sBBO9VMh_k4xJG1kCJXaaTGILICb62N_MXF4zvElRYtCsIBISS6n2/s1334/IMG_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbuRXVdyoZE1DmMIuvwH1OPCmVcPpKeWfLN2kB-8SizPVx4XGu6zYQfAxXiY9HJjqMxgCUwPVCRCGlppWrM8KJB9sBBO9VMh_k4xJG1kCJXaaTGILICb62N_MXF4zvElRYtCsIBISS6n2/s320/IMG_2397.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tqjHdkXQz4RNgFD8ooTvJ2J72EIQq8JWyM02MU8Yo2VBvX45Nvs8wRYC6WC82in8ZjyhlmKVTmSNb4Qv0V6LEFCyg0VraHt1EtgdKRw1GeWk-wQo5UeAYCubdusqhQ7id_dHj1KZWFVX/s2048/IMG_2634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3tqjHdkXQz4RNgFD8ooTvJ2J72EIQq8JWyM02MU8Yo2VBvX45Nvs8wRYC6WC82in8ZjyhlmKVTmSNb4Qv0V6LEFCyg0VraHt1EtgdKRw1GeWk-wQo5UeAYCubdusqhQ7id_dHj1KZWFVX/s320/IMG_2634.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>So yeah. There's that. Some days it feels like everything is happening at once and somedays it feels like nothing is moving at all. But it's good and messy and beautiful. More and more I find myself desperately trying to hold onto the tiny, special moments before they're gone, and far too often I fail to miserably. But it's okay. Life goes on. We get more chances, and we still have the memories. </p><p>I feel like I should end this totally disorganized, chaotic ramble by promising that I'm going to get back on track or saying I'll be around more, but I honestly can't. I can't say that because I have no idea if I'll be able to stick to it. Less than a year from now I'll graduate college and I have no idea what life will look like (specifically) after that. </p><p>So am I back? Not really. Am I still writing? Not really, although I dearly want to. Will I share more stories one day? Absolutely. But when? No idea. </p><p>I'm genuinely trying to be okay with all these questions and uncertainties and "I don't know yets". Because I know they won't last forever, and I don't wanna miss a single second of here and now by wishing for tomorrow and the next day. </p><p><br /></p><p>Until next time, I hope you all are doing well (assuming anyone actually still reads this blog). Drop a comment or shoot me a message, and let me know how things are going in your life these days. I'd love to hear. <3 </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. // psalm 86:11</b></span></p>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-52574088291606195862021-02-14T07:00:00.132-05:002021-02-14T09:34:02.570-05:00When Calls the Heart '21 || Underrated Characters <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdew2qU5tbnXYW4-4KoahNyLyCdYyXEkjHCTL3kjXM64Tx_sWpbeo2oYOjHk1FtkFBWdLFfEpY18nKz-7JXpEqn2y-t6hpobqTEvuSCKww0Ej3y86_OZ-_IO6s36lH8xWhyAuS08hasYi/s1242/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1242" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdew2qU5tbnXYW4-4KoahNyLyCdYyXEkjHCTL3kjXM64Tx_sWpbeo2oYOjHk1FtkFBWdLFfEpY18nKz-7JXpEqn2y-t6hpobqTEvuSCKww0Ej3y86_OZ-_IO6s36lH8xWhyAuS08hasYi/w640-h456/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Happy Valentines Day, lovely humans! And welcome back to the final day of the party. It's been fun and a nice way to unwind at the close of a long week...whilst contemplate other people's lives... xD </p><p>So today I'm going to talk about characters that are, in my option, underrated. I'm choosing one from each season. These are characters who a lot of others (fellow characters and viewers alike) didn't really like, and/or characters who didn't get much screentime, whose stories were never finished, who I would have liked to see more of... you get the picture. </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| Underrated Characters from Each Season</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z6gIzo0KJojSLyKEcKrZXwqaAR9JNLXbcUS0pnwnho7J_OHzmcJU4Fr9Pab9UjqGaejH7LwzCwm2_kBSPilSTckBHSJH1nSg_QLdLoBx9Ny-jDz4WWfmIOJr_EUcL-92Hq6DS2DKrOsJ/s640/Ty-Wood-plays-Wyatt-Weaver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Z6gIzo0KJojSLyKEcKrZXwqaAR9JNLXbcUS0pnwnho7J_OHzmcJU4Fr9Pab9UjqGaejH7LwzCwm2_kBSPilSTckBHSJH1nSg_QLdLoBx9Ny-jDz4WWfmIOJr_EUcL-92Hq6DS2DKrOsJ/s320/Ty-Wood-plays-Wyatt-Weaver.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season One - Wyatt Weaver • </h3><p>Anyone else remember him? The smart kid who walked his brothers to school and then went to work in the coal mine? He's only credited in two episodes of season 1 and one episode of season 2. I wish he would've been a recurring character. Plus Wyatt and Gem's relationship, like?! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rgaepWGi87MCIZM4peX5G73vcHIqs40oBWfddpl9uN726ZtU-VVbJf1W5qibGsMrr8AJSguatGOWa5rHA7YzNR-9_JthbTKre-jPEQl6S1mh_LZT7VqTzTTXD6f97MaaqLUM986SrICk/s220/r-j-fetherstonhaugh_3024360.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0rgaepWGi87MCIZM4peX5G73vcHIqs40oBWfddpl9uN726ZtU-VVbJf1W5qibGsMrr8AJSguatGOWa5rHA7YzNR-9_JthbTKre-jPEQl6S1mh_LZT7VqTzTTXD6f97MaaqLUM986SrICk/s0/r-j-fetherstonhaugh_3024360.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Two - Luke McCoy • </h3><p>Ahh, yes, the fellow who's just moved to town and seen hanging around the mercantile discussing rolling pins with Clara. I thought they were really cute together and we don't even see him again after she goes out with him like once (he's credited in two episodes). I'm a fan of her with Jesse, but... what happened to Luke?!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQdBKRM6wpWCIgo1Jbz_uj7n3r8IpHRxq69Emyf0C-plitI3mq0ZtlODph5ZOlxkMCYycYKmpPABKhVpZ7oR5X8O-uVtQ-ZIARQjaasaZyQGELp76srIPsxoLDePQLwOnwRTPmviFgUUE/s600/41d0a5e2f1d1821d97ad54d633358c02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQdBKRM6wpWCIgo1Jbz_uj7n3r8IpHRxq69Emyf0C-plitI3mq0ZtlODph5ZOlxkMCYycYKmpPABKhVpZ7oR5X8O-uVtQ-ZIARQjaasaZyQGELp76srIPsxoLDePQLwOnwRTPmviFgUUE/s320/41d0a5e2f1d1821d97ad54d633358c02.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Three - Edith & Roy Sampson • </h3><p>The estranged couple (with a baby) that were reconciled with a little help from Jack. There story was, technically, not left hanging, but do we ever find out what happened to them after the silver mine closed and the flood? Not that I remember. And, c'mon, they're cute. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfYYgTs_4bdPQjSScY4VZuB6sEeaSQj101fPeifiAQtPb96j6iokuvg_dG3B3_NnGqMWyY1SngX4oUcj2iziwnSRdzHaNiegN-AFMNb-AsDOi7L_OybDNpxOzfsb5Vz6KTjghCb1TzL1f/s670/NM-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfYYgTs_4bdPQjSScY4VZuB6sEeaSQj101fPeifiAQtPb96j6iokuvg_dG3B3_NnGqMWyY1SngX4oUcj2iziwnSRdzHaNiegN-AFMNb-AsDOi7L_OybDNpxOzfsb5Vz6KTjghCb1TzL1f/s320/NM-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Four - Shane & Phillip Cantrell • </h3><p>Again, they're cute. Phillip appears in 13 episodes and is often seen only as one of the school children. His father, Shane, appears in only 5 episodes and at some point is "away for work." Like...who's raising his son while he's gallivanting off to goodness knows where? Shane and Nurse Faith Carter were briefly/almost an item and that was never finished either. After Phillip left for eye surgery in the city, they're never heard from again! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ6ID4w2kNbNJQDNOdODZnEi_IexbVSxp7_66aXvcxa8nYat71OpzWJw0Qs_cbfeHt2-3aMWORi_yJRLnW70qxt5GAey8QdBSwZ0eKA9e72kTNcEQ-BQ-74Per2NO8EqmvNElBtICzrZB/s1060/When-Calls-the-Heart-Home-Is-Where-the-Heart-Is-Recap-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="1060" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZ6ID4w2kNbNJQDNOdODZnEi_IexbVSxp7_66aXvcxa8nYat71OpzWJw0Qs_cbfeHt2-3aMWORi_yJRLnW70qxt5GAey8QdBSwZ0eKA9e72kTNcEQ-BQ-74Per2NO8EqmvNElBtICzrZB/s320/When-Calls-the-Heart-Home-Is-Where-the-Heart-Is-Recap-3.png" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Five - Sofia Connelly • </h3><p>Anyone remember the architect friend of Rosemary's who had a thing with Carson briefly in season 5? Yeah, me too. And I actually really liked seeing their whirlwind romance. While I understand why it couldn't have worked long time without Carson leaving the show, I would like to see a reappearance of her character. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBblnxsiI9Be-sh8l667yqJpa94nPsOYOD5qiSb_wEOPoJs_SUv9x0jvptyxTYufujBYn8Q59ISH5n5NYHVU7nuDJf_d-S17_S4jKDpG-JCf4xnLk_C-bdmIWyvG6cA8C1okir1f5EmFC/s1200/br-hickam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBblnxsiI9Be-sh8l667yqJpa94nPsOYOD5qiSb_wEOPoJs_SUv9x0jvptyxTYufujBYn8Q59ISH5n5NYHVU7nuDJf_d-S17_S4jKDpG-JCf4xnLk_C-bdmIWyvG6cA8C1okir1f5EmFC/s320/br-hickam.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Six - Mike Hickam • </h3><p>I was struggling to find someone for this season, so I decided to throw in this guy that could really have been listed on any season. Yes, Hickam. The actor's IMDb page credits him for 43 episodes of WCTH, yet what do we really know about him? He works for Lee and will do anything Rosemary asks him. Beyond that? #MoreHickamPlotsPlease</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyLJ3txVOoYC5gyhEGoJLwVP-fBGy53O7EVSrxZm-rEGU0kJsxt8AkDb3cqwSMusg_LEHi9WhQCvTuCIR_xD6F4Nxzf0CcBQOCHkKcZCpmvkkqJNo3ZoUYaQKemfACb-oO3V3AtYQ4dI0/s2048/2725762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyLJ3txVOoYC5gyhEGoJLwVP-fBGy53O7EVSrxZm-rEGU0kJsxt8AkDb3cqwSMusg_LEHi9WhQCvTuCIR_xD6F4Nxzf0CcBQOCHkKcZCpmvkkqJNo3ZoUYaQKemfACb-oO3V3AtYQ4dI0/s320/2725762.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">• Season Seven - Fiona Miller • </h3><p>Not necessarily an underrated character... but a really fun one that I haven't got to talk about much. And I can't think of anyone else I want to talk about for season 7. xD She arrived with the telephone in Hope Valley and has been a fun part of the show ever since. Looking forward to seeing her story continue in season 8! </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>*Images and collages are not mine. </p><p>And the giveaway winners are... Abby Elissa (first place) and Sawyer (second place)! Congratulations, lovelies, we'll be in touch! <3 </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">who's your favorite underrated character? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-43058691374298205122021-02-13T07:00:00.061-05:002021-02-13T07:00:08.056-05:00When Calls the Heart '21 || Guest Post: Pros & Cons of Lucas & Nathan<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmytt2rnEnd2Q8zH30FpG-oWEZQKIqvBp6YOANcwAKTn1K03cHn2-p0GXJx57K-fKapZgifwPlsix3t5o9KcTpe0gm0Dl4-5DPuPU4cDfWaXktyHFh3WnDZjxLsgtDlSMWKSYhr6O5ZTXx/s1242/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1242" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmytt2rnEnd2Q8zH30FpG-oWEZQKIqvBp6YOANcwAKTn1K03cHn2-p0GXJx57K-fKapZgifwPlsix3t5o9KcTpe0gm0Dl4-5DPuPU4cDfWaXktyHFh3WnDZjxLsgtDlSMWKSYhr6O5ZTXx/w640-h456/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Yo fam! <div><br /></div><div>Today we have a guest post from my When Calls the Heart buddy... talking about the elephant in the room, the lingering love triangle. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">!! Disclaimer: The following article contains opinions that are not necessarily approved or endorsed by this blog. Stories by Firefly cannot and does not recommend joining #TeamLucas but leaves the final decision in the capable mind of the reader. Proceed with caution. !!</span></i></b></div><div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">You can click over to Rebekah's blog here to read my pros and cons for each guy. ;) </p><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| Guest post w/ RebekahAshleigh</h2><p><br /></p><p>If you’re keeping up with When Calls the Heart you know that there is a love triangle going on. Who will Elizabeth fall in love with? Lucas the saloon owner or Nathan the Mountie??</p><p>I’m Team Lucas all the way! Before I ever “met” either guy I was not wanting Lucas actually. I mean he’s a saloon owner and I thought Nathan was better looking. I don’t think that anymore! You can’t tell that kind of thing from a picture, you have to see them in action to decide for yourself. ;)</p><p>Okay, here are my pros and cons for each guy!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICzS2zROOHqBekHRKzxgh_PkNVJiqxhNsjTVstOSfaoZnxkxhtfqkzNOsRdgUmeAuc1AFcLjJub-KtxlI3on4F5_qEqTlfEFqi_zuNY9Qhm-U2LuYkITJ_PixHi5I2whTa1uoVod_Gq5A/s659/Screen+Shot+2021-02-11+at+9.09.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="659" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICzS2zROOHqBekHRKzxgh_PkNVJiqxhNsjTVstOSfaoZnxkxhtfqkzNOsRdgUmeAuc1AFcLjJub-KtxlI3on4F5_qEqTlfEFqi_zuNY9Qhm-U2LuYkITJ_PixHi5I2whTa1uoVod_Gq5A/w400-h278/Screen+Shot+2021-02-11+at+9.09.17+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Nathan Grant </h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">-pros-</h4><p>1. He is caring. </p><p>2. He is good with little Jack. (I mean there hasn’t been that many interactions, but one specifically stands out.) He also really cares for his niece.</p><p>3. He does a good job of protecting the people of Hope Valley.</p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">-cons-</h4><p>1. Nathan is slightly boring. He likes Elizabeth but won’t make any moves, but he gets mad when Lucas asks her out? Like, don’t be mad Nathan, if you want Elizabeth you have to try.</p><p>2 .Nathan has a very obnoxious niece named Allie. I am sorry, I really like the story of Nathan raising his niece I just can’t stand Allie... (I can only hope she gets better in this new season)</p><p>3. I just don’t think he’s good for Elizabeth. I mean Nathan is caring but yeah, I don’t think Elizabeth should go for another Mountie…</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKfw4edkcp8hAxivTUPHpPdzNmvGkgjq1satGJbYpt_C-XYfEdiWQejrfEVScJsyopQI0VoK8UFC882pxZwkGsdy2hVX61-JI8hp7-u9pkNUAQjMruOf2FQMF3qpVLyIrgfJarCnhJ4ON/s774/Screen+Shot+2020-02-15+at+9.10.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="774" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTKfw4edkcp8hAxivTUPHpPdzNmvGkgjq1satGJbYpt_C-XYfEdiWQejrfEVScJsyopQI0VoK8UFC882pxZwkGsdy2hVX61-JI8hp7-u9pkNUAQjMruOf2FQMF3qpVLyIrgfJarCnhJ4ON/w400-h245/Screen+Shot+2020-02-15+at+9.10.36+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lucas Bouchard </h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">-pros-</h4><p>1.Lucas is very romantic. (and good looking. ;))</p><p>2. He is supportive of Elizabeth’s writing.</p><p>3. He is helping bring progress to Hope Valley. </p><p><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">-cons-</h4><p>1. Lucas does have a bit of a past, and it did catch up with him and put Elizabeth in danger. But it all worked out. Just because someone doesn’t have a great past doesn’t mean they are a bad person.</p><p>2. Some people think he’s trying to buy Elizabeth’s love. He’s not he is just like me and has the gift of giving. Anyways, Jack was also really romantic and I like that Lucas is too.</p><p>3. At one point he was a bit too supportive of Elizabeth’s writing and did something he should’ve had Elizabeth’s permission for, but it all worked out and she forgave him.</p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*</div><p><a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-calls-heart-21-season-eight.html" target="_blank">giveaway details are here</a> + leave your comments today to get extra entries! </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">okay, so... are you #TeamLucas or #TeamNathan? </h3></div>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-30024271779918378312021-02-12T07:00:00.123-05:002021-02-12T10:25:41.072-05:00When Calls the Heart '21 || Season Eight Collaboration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0HD1qtM1FR6zlPxHqP-MFuVjeA6ThYjO2TzOnZRWsnH-q-XLcZjEVKWC70R5OIu27GbuZ4CVxxxTnIn5QDSvrDCSbnUQCL21UqxfMYFpSe2MFln6OSPTIoZbKoLNS9hffs-X9EPTjv6t/s1242/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1242" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0HD1qtM1FR6zlPxHqP-MFuVjeA6ThYjO2TzOnZRWsnH-q-XLcZjEVKWC70R5OIu27GbuZ4CVxxxTnIn5QDSvrDCSbnUQCL21UqxfMYFpSe2MFln6OSPTIoZbKoLNS9hffs-X9EPTjv6t/w640-h459/WCTH_2021_final.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Happy Friday, lovelies! </p><p>And welcome to the unofficial fifth annual When Calls the Heart blog party, hosted by yours truly and my friend, <a href="https://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2021/02/when-calls-heart-blog-party-day-1.html" target="_blank">Rebekah</a>. It's a fun thing we do every Valentines week/weekend, as much for our own enjoyment as sharing with y'all. :)</p><p>For day one, we wrote a collab/convo about our speculations for the new season, which premieres in just over a week! </p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| Collab w/ RebekahAshleigh</h2><p><br /></p><p>Rebekah: Welcome to the When Calls the Heart blog party! </p><p><br /></p><p>Faith: Woot, woot! Fifth year in a row :D</p><p><br /></p><p>R: I can’t believe this is our fifth year doing this!</p><p><br /></p><p>F: Me either! We must be getting old… </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Haha, I know right?</p><p><br /></p><p>F: But you know what the best part about another year of this party is? Another season of our beloved series. ;) </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Yes! I am so excited to see where season 8 goes! </p><p>Only a week left until it premiers! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: *tosses confetti* I was thinking about this last night and trying to remember if the new season was season 7 or 8. (I always combine 6 and 7 in my mind for some reason… :P) But wow, 8 years of Hope Valley!</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Yeah, 8 years! It’s hard to believe there’s been that many seasons already. </p><p><br /></p><p>F: What would you say you are most looking forward to about season 8? Or do I have to ask? ;)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: I am really looking forward to Elizabeth picking a guy. ;) A certain saloon owner would be nice. ;) </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQeJiIutWU9vEeqmE-wbruYc3kI-3QM-t2rUwG8esz3EDZ8qIbZxtW4XeP44IRE6P3Ik6UuQkkOaEriEfxWEQVSWnZFd8BuANlBxd83JbWiUzfanVYmnHvWOwPp764FVcxZ1t19dgOm-e/s2000/when-calls-the-heart-season-7-elizabeth-storyline-1586467934.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQeJiIutWU9vEeqmE-wbruYc3kI-3QM-t2rUwG8esz3EDZ8qIbZxtW4XeP44IRE6P3Ik6UuQkkOaEriEfxWEQVSWnZFd8BuANlBxd83JbWiUzfanVYmnHvWOwPp764FVcxZ1t19dgOm-e/s320/when-calls-the-heart-season-7-elizabeth-storyline-1586467934.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>F: Saloon owner, you say? I’m sorry, my dear, you must be mistaken about the fellow’s occupation… He’s a mountie. ;)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: No, no...he is definitely not a Mountie. ;) I do like Nathan, but not for Elizabeth! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: *laughing* okay, I tried… We’ll never agree on this one… I guess we’ll have to wait and see!</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Haha! I think the only Hope Valley couple we actually have agreed on is Lee and Rosemary. </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Yes, true… And Jesse and Clara. But we never did agree on a suitor for Abigail. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: How could I forget Jesse and Clara! They’re a cute couple.</p><p>Yes, we never could agree on Abigail’s love life…. (although Frank was great!) </p><p><br /></p><p>F: I hope to see more of their relationship growth and such in season 8! Wait… who’s Frank again? .... Okay, okay, I’m kidding. xD </p><p><br /></p><p>R: I do too!! </p><p>Faith, you’re killing me here! ;D But Abigail’s not around anymore so I suppose it doesn’t matter too much anymore… </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Hehehe… Okay, since Abigail is no longer on the show, I guess I can drop the Frank thing… Bill is still around, so I’m pleased with that. ;)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Well, since Frank and Abigail are gone I don’t really mind Bill being around still. ;)</p><p><br /></p><p>F: I’ve always thought Bill was an interesting character. Shady enough to keep me guessing (and wondering if he was actually a bad guy sometimes), but I always end up liking him. I especially liked his relationship with Jack. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Exactly! Like I always go between liking Bill and disliking him!</p><p>But yes! I really liked his relationship with Jack too.</p><p>I really like how Bill looks out for Elizabeth and baby Jack. <3</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyekJADibbCQ-FYtYFaFvSfJBpjySV4ygLM3GqjwWBrP-_elO03HbgrofO6tUr-N-OZ2wQGewGn5KqoErcYbixF0C_4YLb-N6sKiww5CNmvICxB6oihA77s5dvKwm-mNuu7v378kIf7_l/s571/tumblr_pqhpooJjiO1slng8ao1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyekJADibbCQ-FYtYFaFvSfJBpjySV4ygLM3GqjwWBrP-_elO03HbgrofO6tUr-N-OZ2wQGewGn5KqoErcYbixF0C_4YLb-N6sKiww5CNmvICxB6oihA77s5dvKwm-mNuu7v378kIf7_l/s320/tumblr_pqhpooJjiO1slng8ao1_500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>F: Yes! And I’ve liked what I’ve seen so far of his relationship with Nathan, how especially in most recent episode they were teasing each other a bit and such. </p><p>Awwww, yes. <3 Proof that Bill does have a heart. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Oh yeah, I had kinda forgotten about Bill’s relationship with Nathan… </p><p>Bill doesn’t seem to really be a fan of Lucas though…</p><p><br /></p><p>F: I don’t remember a lot from season 7 (I need to re-watch next week before the new season starts airing!) but I’m specifically remembering the scene before Bill and Nathan leave for the *spoiler* prisoner transfer that ended in that other Mountie getting killed *spoiler* and Bill was like “yes, we’re leaving now. Get your stuff, let’s go!” And Nathan’s just like, “okay, fine.” xD </p><p>Hmmm… maybe Bill knows something about Lucas that we don’t…? ;)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: (I should do that too!) </p><p>Oh right, I do remember that. (I mean how could I forget with that leading to the whole ending of the season?!)</p><p>Yeah, I don’t know about that. ;) </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Right?! (That hug though… *heart eyes*)</p><p>Hehehe… Maybe he’s just being cautious because he’s looking out for Elizabeth… we’ll see. :P</p><p>Okay, now that we’re thoroughly sidetracked… any other expectations/speculations about season 8??</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR1Mt3v91vORPfgbNtFpWMmaXBxkbLQe3OElWlpgknWSLoxJmoWzf5Lc9btIawhmAEWWStBWP4FYMpyA9ksR0uCYLklyqIuKeyMTEFxDycftREQQCLNmjdUmQtwxzgeLxayxW-0GhBGJQ/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR1Mt3v91vORPfgbNtFpWMmaXBxkbLQe3OElWlpgknWSLoxJmoWzf5Lc9btIawhmAEWWStBWP4FYMpyA9ksR0uCYLklyqIuKeyMTEFxDycftREQQCLNmjdUmQtwxzgeLxayxW-0GhBGJQ/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>R: Yes...the hug...I feel like the hug though was just because of the situation... because I mean there was that sweet scene with Lucas shortly before… ;)</p><p>Haha, right?! Well, I really hope Lee and Rosemary have a baby or adopt a kid. Since about season 6 I think it’s sort of briefly been in there but nothing has happened. </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Maybe… but it was still super sweet. Ahh, yes, Lucas the charmer… how could I forget? ;)</p><p>Oh, I’d forgotten about that! Yes, I would definitely like to see some progression in that possibly-forgotten side-plot. I truly would love to see them adopt a child. I love adoption plots and I think they’d be great parents. <3</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Okay, it was kinda sweet. ;) But the look on Lucas’s face about broke my heart when he saw Elizabeth hug Nathan! (okay, I’m being slightly dramatic. ;))</p><p>It would be so sweet for them to adopt, the two of them would be amazing parents!! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Poor guy… I’m not even being sarcastic this time—either way this goes, one of the guys will get hurt… :’(</p><p>Right?! Plus I always enjoy when they bring in characters from When Hope Calls to WCTH and the other way around. (Speaking of which, did WHC ever get confirmed for a second season?)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: I know! Like I want Elizabeth to pick a guy, but I’ll feel bad for the other guy no matter which one it is.</p><p>I love it when they do that too! When Hope Calls has such a fun cast and I love it when they show up in When Calls the Heart. (No, I never heard anything about a season 2 of WHC. I hope they decide to do one though because I was really enjoying that show!)</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr1fimxb-ciRNkk-tR9fRYtJhobKNiOmlHIP5zyn55061YFKvGnwK5GVSSP4cMOdPAG6NMKPJWXdBVIipBe1d6fRNOQk7c6-32Y4BXK77KRk6mTFM8gVVuXoepaWdBwlqagFRguSW-MAS/s1500/when-hope-calls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidr1fimxb-ciRNkk-tR9fRYtJhobKNiOmlHIP5zyn55061YFKvGnwK5GVSSP4cMOdPAG6NMKPJWXdBVIipBe1d6fRNOQk7c6-32Y4BXK77KRk6mTFM8gVVuXoepaWdBwlqagFRguSW-MAS/s320/when-hope-calls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>F: I know, right? Reason #1 that I’m typically not a fan of love triangles. All the accompanying drama being a close #2. But still, I hope the love triangle gets settled in the new season, one way or another. I don’t like lingering unanswered questions… :P</p><p>(I wish they would!)</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Exactly! </p><p>I feel like the love triangle will get resolved towards the end of the season, because you know how they like to draw things out… ;) </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Don’t I know it! ;) Yeah, I think it probably will be. Especially after seeing the <a href="https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/when-calls-the-heart/videos" target="_blank">video</a> *sorta spoiler* of Elizabeth taking off her wedding band. I’m thinking that’ll happen further into the season maybe before she actually “picks” someone. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Oh my goodness! Yes! That video is both sweet and kinda sad. </p><p>Yeah, probably…</p><p><br /></p><p>F: It definitely shows the bittersweetness of a changing season of life… I’m excited to see what it signifies for a future/growing relationship for her. </p><p>Another thing I’m curious to see in season 8 is how the writers take Faith and Carson’s relationship. I’m struggling to remember where they were with things when season 7 ended. I haven’t always been a total fan of their relationship (sometimes I think he’s too old for her xD), but I’m interested to see how that plays out. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: For sure! <3</p><p>Yes, I’m also excited to see where things go with Carson and Faith. I cannot remember where season 7 left things with them. I remember them saying how they felt about each other and kissing, but I think that was earlier on. </p><p>I like them together, but yeah, sometimes it does seem like he’s too old for her.</p><p>Speaking of relationships, I’m excited to see where season 8 goes with Jesse and Claras as newlyweds! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Yes, I remember that too, but I don’t recall whether or not anything specific happened after that. I know Carson is in that scene with the Elizabeth/Nathan hug, but I don’t remember when we last see Faith. I really do need to rewatch. ;) </p><p>Agreed! They’re so cute. <3</p><p><br /></p><p>R: Right, Carson was in that scene, but yeah, I cannot remember about Faith. I totally need to rewatch season 7 as well. ;)</p><p>I think it would be sweet to see Clara and Jesse have a baby, but I feel like that would be too soon for this season since they just got married in the middle of season 7. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIFhFoxuUfBYqsjhyDBHSOozQUM-VgS801gNF0UdtlBbn-aSrGK9_Q_SbNXqbRQk6CxtP2ufwB106wWnIYQNd1wYlj-9xdfFOgxXS_5CNEvZeENsEmaAn9gKgh5gHFEHnhijseHL4bTIL/s2048/ba45a27f99c075cec27cae9a562f90b3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIFhFoxuUfBYqsjhyDBHSOozQUM-VgS801gNF0UdtlBbn-aSrGK9_Q_SbNXqbRQk6CxtP2ufwB106wWnIYQNd1wYlj-9xdfFOgxXS_5CNEvZeENsEmaAn9gKgh5gHFEHnhijseHL4bTIL/s320/ba45a27f99c075cec27cae9a562f90b3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>F: I was just thinking it would be cute for them to be pregnant in the new season! But yeah, I don’t know if the writers will want for that to happen so soon. They let Elizabeth have a baby right away though… ;P</p><p><br /></p><p>R: That would be so cute! </p><p>True, so there is hope! ;) </p><p><br /></p><p>F: As long as Jesse doesn’t have to die in order for it to happen… </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Right! I don’t want any more deaths to happen!! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: No character deaths this season, please! </p><p>The only other expectation I have for the new season is that I hope to see storylines with Fiona! She’s a fun character. </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Oh yes! Fiona is a really fun character. I hope we get to know her more in the new season. :)</p><p><br /></p><p>F: We could seriously talk about WCTH for days on end. ;) Anything else to add?</p><p><br /></p><p>R: We definitely could! ;)</p><p>Nothing else comes to mind at the moment, although I’m sure I’ll think of more stuff later. ;D </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Haha, right? I’ll think of something as soon as I sign off… xD This has been so much fun! </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Same here. ;)</p><p>Yes, it has been lots of fun! </p><p><br /></p><p>F: Until next time, lovely friend! *waves* </p><p><br /></p><p>R: Goodbye! <3 </p><p><br /></p><p><3 </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| Giveaway</h2><p>Yep, there's a giveaway too. ;) To enter, simply comment on my post and Rebekah's today and tomorrow. Each post commented on counts as a entry, so there's a total number of four possible entries. (In other words, multiple comments per post don't gain additional entries.) Two winners will be chosen at random and announced in Sunday's post. :) </p><p>In the prize stash we have... </p><p>- When Calls the Heart: The Christmas Wishing Tree DVD</p><p>- When Calls the Heart: Heart of the Family DVD</p><p>- When Calls the Heart: Heart and Home DVD</p><p>- When God Calls the Heart to Love Devotional</p><p>First place winner will receive their choice of two items from the list, and the second place winner will receive the other two items. Each will also receive a few Valentines themed stationary items (journal, cards, stickers, pens, etc.). </p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what's your top speculations for season 8? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-4694596409808127132021-01-15T15:38:00.001-05:002021-01-15T15:38:34.468-05:00Top 15 New Reads of 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLAoXZsUU0QFl3G2h3xJBEYzHG21lPnuIw2bMClSW62uR-8hc04S8B_1EtCRoPyOwcXPxJecsOc7jaMItiS0kRFfnwlL6rMkYzK_4kVXi1EtKvI0v65mwLF8xlFwyePPr-AerdvaxNQPm/s1256/insta_2020_favs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1256" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLAoXZsUU0QFl3G2h3xJBEYzHG21lPnuIw2bMClSW62uR-8hc04S8B_1EtCRoPyOwcXPxJecsOc7jaMItiS0kRFfnwlL6rMkYzK_4kVXi1EtKvI0v65mwLF8xlFwyePPr-AerdvaxNQPm/s320/insta_2020_favs.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Hello, lovelies! </p><p>In the midst of reflecting on all that 2020 was and all it wasn't, I decided to delve into the less-serious sides of 2020. Namely, my reading material over the past 12 months. </p><p>I read 81 books in 2020, which sounds good compared to 68 in 2019, but lousy compared to 201 in 2018 or 168 in 2017... Still, it was a nice number, in light of the limited reading time I had for most of the year. </p><p>So yeah, I picked my top five reads in three categories to spotlight! I removed a few books from this list that were Christmas, since I'd already talked about them during 12DoC, or were re-reads to help narrow down the list. Because...I'm terrible at picking favorites. *throws up hands*</p><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">F I C T I O N</h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36394907-a-rumored-fortune" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonlHPlYpenROdud1enoD_f5rLkDSchnkOItav-biBepo72nTh6Gktl_Q3rcnrHyphX8jrEFERkx5J-wREAsX_mQW7sQb0NOiZOhpjmGI3_ZG2FoJcrC3huTwL148Gr1qFAG9kDMuxi503/s320/36394907.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ beautiful eloquent prose / deeply woven mystery / pretty names: Tressa, Trevalyn, Donegan / vineyard setting / one first person POV & one third person POV / oceanside estate / buddy read /</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54735421-untitled" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="307" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnSmiZC6db5wdhBuI7-rlCqHbXxFnjrCmpZsl_MIXsFpt0Kqkykyg_hxvnu85WnQkWaUoNzoUEckxwcGajwS0JNvlOrDAq9QKLIYl_JHXGQitV17iaz43HNTbOX2i972VX5opHcA9zVNN/s320/54735421._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Untitled by Jesseca Wheaton</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ raw, heartfelt prose / WWII - war in the pacific / brotherhood / harsh war fiction / painful / indie fiction / totally broke me / spotlighting the untitled, forgotten ones / </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/11/untitled-by-jesseca-wheaton-review.html" target="_blank">r e v i e w</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48537922-never-say-goodbye" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheY-OQwU1qnI41tG6hUI7EzxO_6agVedI8Pfkclmbjw9avAllUd3-oEEVzf6oHQocWVDRv7w_ahW72iaTQXWlKxIJSscdiVwuMw13I_bS0Eo6wqIO3K0cJejwUpGd5NqNV5j9OIgDqzyDv/s320/48537922.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Never Say Goodbye by Sarah Grace Grzy</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ single father trope / bookstore vibes / broke my heart and put it back together / stunning cover art / sequel to Live Without You / adored the audiobook /</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48611574-tattered-wings" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH-6CBZpFCEbRfJn_dtospEiuda1dvGlVJA-aSYKRgiJQuj5NtaPyxH2xIQcWccwkfEx0UJXMXnoHplV-45kUQHhugz3QZFc6-nen3pJ6cDL1hmhm9HZg5w4-UW-ycmQWKlfZcsk8Ipdh/s320/48611574._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Tattered Wings by Kassie Angle</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ working dog rep / spunky girl MC / strong brotherhood relations / fragments of a memory / wounded soldiers / tattered wings still fly /</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/02/tattered-wings-by-kassie-angle-release.html" target="_blank">r e v i e w</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQrywOrvGca1IiOeRzrZltkYtjhbWZRxK262B8nClDrOU9vPO13vcXHd0We3lEd3WU22qfd3yhpaPijOVKLe_I5Y8-OeKrJU2bATcbt5ybBzTQJ1muV87q9YyoAp9StoUoRaXoR6TYPWE/s475/53531117._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQrywOrvGca1IiOeRzrZltkYtjhbWZRxK262B8nClDrOU9vPO13vcXHd0We3lEd3WU22qfd3yhpaPijOVKLe_I5Y8-OeKrJU2bATcbt5ybBzTQJ1muV87q9YyoAp9StoUoRaXoR6TYPWE/s320/53531117._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">He Wore Brass Buttons by Willowy Whisper</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ beautiful historical collection / intoxicating writing style / one novelette + three short stories / The Tiny Gift was my fav <3 /</p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><br /></h3><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">N O N - F I C T I O N </h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44441884-all-along-you-were-blooming" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8BQEOyws2yy9ssH9Wu2BfMSVW3TlY94Xj5T_wKFF0FypKSrWc90lTUE3RWbMuYNJ8cBnfTT4ORbctDYxnuP1XSClTj69JXCn8gywLne-mrgyXTqJeTpA-JwiPDta1JNSCg4LKsNmqHUw/s320/44441884.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols </h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ thoughts for boundless living / free-style poetry / inspiring artwork / encouragement for every heart / </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/281512.He_Chose_the_Nails" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfo91qbeFfNGPY8uN_pROcLKIb_A1rponcWQPKxGpHTPNJGFo1eSt0vX9O1CvLRm32mUK5VEZsSB_XmB3xFU2jwC7h9i9l0PeJEWWYU3e89Lg9hWswmvXoBOJSb3G5ENJLnrAnNW819si/s320/281512._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ lingering at the foot of the cross / soul-stirring thoughts and reflections / well-done audiobook / </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/951010.War_Letters" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="310" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHDCzethJHxcnnvcBfohlGM3L1d2TgNDyiJUGGeofSYygPj6HBzrJooW7MutJ3bgN3ZM1AkE_4jBDthR-hs8PCiY-8_KXjM2V1mCg4VUlQX7VDr4-sKfWCvrGhjgLXAjz4UKyR7XrBoomk/s320/573142._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">War Letters compiled by Andrew Carroll</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ genuine letters from America's wars / revolutionary war through Iraqi conflict / over 500 pages of history / a total treasure / aside from being abridged, epic audiobook / </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26067641-do-hard-things" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDGhQQOZ-6SdsDyYB6j0BJ92e12Fj6Mr0xbKq7eqjI_hPVQzSgEl5JaLv_MH3pAZe94zr3OFun343H7zVmZpbg4zJQcyHjTJoYjdQHCYpNcUvK14xGMsHppwsWZ72OOH3LpGcMPkLz0GXD/s320/26067641.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ inspiration to use the middle and high school years as something more / teen encouragement / upstart of the Rebelution blog / late to the party on this one / best suited for teens /</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13099738-steal-like-an-artist" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9l1N2SQDNEKeAJlo4NIdsf1odjBjBxcyJ2Eu_p0BMhp7R22-BULMspKotD95wcIBe0F4YE0m0ran-o1OXJyAgaZV83i909Q5dlepjdnVt4bBLbmiqrPX7G_lOm8fHl5S9QnktEsrih2R/s0/13099738.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon </h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ "10 things nobody told you about being creative" / insight into the life of an artist / humorous / oddly inspiring / includes original art / </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="text-align: center;">S H O R T S T O R I E S</h1><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52696291-off-course" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirrm0MkI_GDD4yfzNFegXm2nLV7gHhp7t5A396RMIhFUtVXJVV13UeD984dHd2WUVIFNg3lGtd6RiKoFLtQeABwuuxvvXM3cYAZeTWugFQfhKEq64Es8YLfNr6z5qHkytnqRMxYwI0wYa4/s320/52696291._SX318_SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Off Course by Angie Thompson</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ sibling relationships / foster care and juvenile detention rep / cemeteries always get me / might have cried a lot / </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv0oVQTUNE4UvVmwuPWLYAxsvYKaiEzoEK-9d4r-J8i8SLn289Ev07UoSa9ERjgo7iWVRqfN0VmA7pnALu6mOVB2XIL2pj1pdOOP3bYIS3Ew1DipYg_VuGWBnIoFfqG5u9J4_wjrW6jFJ/s475/51585746._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinv0oVQTUNE4UvVmwuPWLYAxsvYKaiEzoEK-9d4r-J8i8SLn289Ev07UoSa9ERjgo7iWVRqfN0VmA7pnALu6mOVB2XIL2pj1pdOOP3bYIS3Ew1DipYg_VuGWBnIoFfqG5u9J4_wjrW6jFJ/s320/51585746._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h3>A Touch of Purple Paint by Hailey Rose</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">/ broke my heart into pieces / childhood cancer rep / amputee rep / grief and loss / cried so dang hard / </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50660473-what-the-cat-dragged-in" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="317" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqx1v2fWcIzaK0IBTyo3yaYyvvpkAQ2l75qeja4grLOmWB1Pu1WL89PTd8QYBVBa_Jhf7N0YGGjL87psfsohkSNZsCzIkLZ7r5_64ycWEarrxSKBH3wKAI4-2VYvaQgzZ_bEeWcGU6yOb/s320/50660473._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">What the Cat Dragged In by Angie Thompson</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ perfect winter story / adorable little kid / foster care rep / reunited / sibling relationship /</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53352813-lockdown" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4joseusSywhsP5SZdqOe-Oqh_eW-dDLnL333SoQBQ2NYW8h8TSfbGxuSh3vuKX_PiTPzlBFYt68sPT1VCrDPUN0fC8-jPfCBGBfFbrqzXFpUhpYtDIJzA_TNHhcEPPr5gaz_V89zu_5Xt/s320/53352813._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Lockdown by Angela R. Watts</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ prequel to the Infidel Books / 2020 vibes / all the feels / "America forgets too much." /</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25990015-tin-can-serenade" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_eMtfuc13GytTwI79OYHPkrYB5_7z17YrCZhJeoJOrt-fewvEnfiblHHed1CQQvxFXmj9ATIiEH1rXkE4IYxwka9dxPNz_60m91rZMu0lIwTyZY2jl5-Krw1fW3i0GQfU98baS7RXOM2/s320/25990015._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;">Tin Can Serenade by Amanda Dykes</h3><p style="text-align: center;">/ epistolary historical story / adorable story / deeper story than I expected / precious Christmasy tale /</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what was your top favs of 2020? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-27098646802454710772021-01-09T22:30:00.001-05:002021-01-09T22:30:25.839-05:002020 || He is Still Good.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheubZvIjbM_KkekCQecyqxLxtd29a0jp-UQJQCUOt5495ORqe7OtAfqN3DxSsNvanAkWUJGXzOZxMZtunuTqCF44hMANEM0_LdryCarLxa9lnz1K018_noUh-NavOjN-_L6CAWPKE6lT8Q/s2048/IMG_7798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheubZvIjbM_KkekCQecyqxLxtd29a0jp-UQJQCUOt5495ORqe7OtAfqN3DxSsNvanAkWUJGXzOZxMZtunuTqCF44hMANEM0_LdryCarLxa9lnz1K018_noUh-NavOjN-_L6CAWPKE6lT8Q/w640-h480/IMG_7798.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Hello, lovelies <3 </p><p>I'm here today to talk about 2020. Ya know, that "dumpster fire of a year we're calling 2020." (It's like... a train wreck. Except the train is just rows of dumpsters. And they're all on fire.) </p><p>Slightly kidding... ;P It was a rough year, but God is good. At many times, it felt like the whole world was shrouded by pain and fear and grief and loss. So much loss. But no matter what, I know He is still good. </p><p>So yeah, I'm gonna talk about a few things from this year and throw out some random highlights from each month and dump some photos on y'all... Here goes. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">Words of the Year. </h2><p>My words of the year for 2020 were fearless and faithful. </p><p>By fearless, I meant I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to do things that intimidated me. I wanted to work past the fear of the unknown. </p><p>By faithful, I meant I wanted to be faithful to the people in my life. I wanted to be faithful to following the Father's leading and spending time at His feet. I wanted to be faithful to spending quality times with family and friends. I wanted to be faithful to giving my all, no matter the task ahead of me. </p><p>Welp. </p><p>2020 was not what I expected. </p><p>Fearless came to mean being present in the moment, when it was uncomfortable and difficult and painful. It meant showing up to work, when work was exhausting and wearying. Satisfying my heart with peace from my Creator, mustering a smile, and setting forth into another long day. </p><p>Faithful... ahh, what a special word. Instead of me being faithful to others, time after time I experienced others being faithful to me. Friends who showed up and showed love. People—special, lovely, broken, amazing, beautiful people—who loved me through the hard times this year and let me love them back. Faithful friends are an incredible thing and realizing you have several is even better. <3</p><p>(I might talk about faithfulness more sometime... we shall see...) </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">January.</h2><p>• Discovered the early 2000s TV show, Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and my life will never be the same. </p><p>• Ventured off to the Atlanta AmeriMart with work peeps. It was fun, but exhausting. xD</p><p>• House-sitting/pet-sitting for a week. </p><p>• Make plans/goals for the year—most of which didn't happen, ahaha. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XrS99nuTFKQDRYwJWSWU5VEvt3GrvnMoKzs9oVP18T5MLEsd8PoyoNsLPMjVDq1m3HcPmme6hEv3o43KZwNTjpk4kzLKYatzXi_EZ7bfWEgX0oJjlHK7oaXguMUP2fyN5S7RLAXQfWN/s2048/IMG_4125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2XrS99nuTFKQDRYwJWSWU5VEvt3GrvnMoKzs9oVP18T5MLEsd8PoyoNsLPMjVDq1m3HcPmme6hEv3o43KZwNTjpk4kzLKYatzXi_EZ7bfWEgX0oJjlHK7oaXguMUP2fyN5S7RLAXQfWN/s320/IMG_4125.JPG" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgXSHRZ-BPjWLs6e3SYjS1x4KSd5b1XfEL_KjPCJSx1N7V_WprBsczcAn2A7bwYUwr9YpWdve6HXSxTZb_ECSz3IKfU6HPe2kB7g_t-YUF9HIV1Cdir7iX4oqe7Hu4XmES1L-jwamxHdP/s2048/IMG_4143.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvgXSHRZ-BPjWLs6e3SYjS1x4KSd5b1XfEL_KjPCJSx1N7V_WprBsczcAn2A7bwYUwr9YpWdve6HXSxTZb_ECSz3IKfU6HPe2kB7g_t-YUF9HIV1Cdir7iX4oqe7Hu4XmES1L-jwamxHdP/s320/IMG_4143.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">explored cemeteries</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qIXQdE-LQk5tWqvAASlllUXqmJplx_Tk2WAf_G6enjkrmylASehBWbk79yox3AkhgI_OyIt1A4glEq_0X7ptH0Lhiw4mgta7n9qZbuYJXGRhR1BSP9hL2PK30VGhz3Mo_Nt2iOQdvfRz/s1334/fullsizeoutput_741.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qIXQdE-LQk5tWqvAASlllUXqmJplx_Tk2WAf_G6enjkrmylASehBWbk79yox3AkhgI_OyIt1A4glEq_0X7ptH0Lhiw4mgta7n9qZbuYJXGRhR1BSP9hL2PK30VGhz3Mo_Nt2iOQdvfRz/s320/fullsizeoutput_741.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">February. </h2><p>• Took a trip eastward to spend the weekend with special friends. <3</p><p>• Lots of reading and writing. </p><p>• House-sitting/pet-sitting several times. </p><p>• More snow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMI01TJ7hS0M5SHcTqiFDhSafq-h_JodwPEuhtXb5x1a9W9RuGbGfjtmZ7vrmN_j4FrXj0o3Wd6O7N7LqyxQ47u1lMKkRItauckhDX-Wm7IVSPhCYy6CAZ2RVTvhwq8vRCpwh8pXX6xd2v/s2048/IMG_4513.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMI01TJ7hS0M5SHcTqiFDhSafq-h_JodwPEuhtXb5x1a9W9RuGbGfjtmZ7vrmN_j4FrXj0o3Wd6O7N7LqyxQ47u1lMKkRItauckhDX-Wm7IVSPhCYy6CAZ2RVTvhwq8vRCpwh8pXX6xd2v/s320/IMG_4513.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc9LvxrLXDT5N-oF4DY-_iwoDxIHHZtWUKuPs2bqgwLz-zoFHGlLKY42T1WfteSjB95aHU9E7fbaPlCC2_VnYWuYkqCAMKS1L81W9czeaQxOiqJa2u_qdCbsauG588-CG2cAjUC-9rUyp/s2048/IMG_4526.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnc9LvxrLXDT5N-oF4DY-_iwoDxIHHZtWUKuPs2bqgwLz-zoFHGlLKY42T1WfteSjB95aHU9E7fbaPlCC2_VnYWuYkqCAMKS1L81W9czeaQxOiqJa2u_qdCbsauG588-CG2cAjUC-9rUyp/s320/IMG_4526.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWna-TKTJoCzAVpyhyuoTIqWO3mG1sf9ji9-hpRz5rVSc2IJfcGoVMlXq9toOkTuOXjEy52flWP9uJ0CBlZ7yFeXdjBj1RihCxWJaMEQfnrgSuA_egJD8eMVZIoXlX2UJdVLwiUQ5dGQ/s2048/IMG_4546.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGWna-TKTJoCzAVpyhyuoTIqWO3mG1sf9ji9-hpRz5rVSc2IJfcGoVMlXq9toOkTuOXjEy52flWP9uJ0CBlZ7yFeXdjBj1RihCxWJaMEQfnrgSuA_egJD8eMVZIoXlX2UJdVLwiUQ5dGQ/s320/IMG_4546.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVU4sGuR6pH0l2T76M2ycDSH87g4odD5lVR9bbG3jtMhm6MZmozdipJ39RbB5mUBxQsv_Y7xE-o2RaaR-3ADFfVnoBjbWG-uQV8ynyFPt0NwpiWBgZnSXky_qtkyj4EOWHuCtnYTNVd0Z/s2048/IMG_4756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwVU4sGuR6pH0l2T76M2ycDSH87g4odD5lVR9bbG3jtMhm6MZmozdipJ39RbB5mUBxQsv_Y7xE-o2RaaR-3ADFfVnoBjbWG-uQV8ynyFPt0NwpiWBgZnSXky_qtkyj4EOWHuCtnYTNVd0Z/s320/IMG_4756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">March. </h2><p>• Discovered Murdoch Mysteries as a result of watching Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye and quickly became hooked. </p><p>• <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-im-writing-chasing-dream.html" target="_blank">Talked about my <strike>poor, neglected</strike> WIP on here</a>. </p><p>• Work started back up full-time as we prepped and received inventory for what turned out to be a crazy busy summer/fall season.</p><p>• A dear friend, teenage son and brother of a family very close to us, went home to be with Jesus. It was totally unexpected and a very difficult month in many ways<a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/03/when-your-own-words-arent-enough.html" target="_blank">. </a></p><p>• Lockdowns began. Work wasn't immediately affected, but church and other activities were. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC4cB3VKgIhYYyWhSE-2-JhexVydADBPOwhQ8P2S3ydIxxm_-DzO9v9UN2y7_c0xW6X8AamiUrG7eULBE1BMuhpFq1hL1ah6fTRyOwbRGjz3jiXOaMgAK9qPXOEi6NiHzUogWo_oKuJdO/s2048/IMG_5004.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRC4cB3VKgIhYYyWhSE-2-JhexVydADBPOwhQ8P2S3ydIxxm_-DzO9v9UN2y7_c0xW6X8AamiUrG7eULBE1BMuhpFq1hL1ah6fTRyOwbRGjz3jiXOaMgAK9qPXOEi6NiHzUogWo_oKuJdO/s320/IMG_5004.JPG" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mm8UERTEgrn7p6XPqohJKDMV6JDu1LuPtkEVRtkpRTnMG-kfbXIiUV28XIPV_dZZya8EIUuz2DDYZ9BfPivySr7jJ01CGGqgZXIPHGL6pkNI071iA7Q0NgjG-Va22EXENQwGxDvYNphC/s2048/IMG_5022.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mm8UERTEgrn7p6XPqohJKDMV6JDu1LuPtkEVRtkpRTnMG-kfbXIiUV28XIPV_dZZya8EIUuz2DDYZ9BfPivySr7jJ01CGGqgZXIPHGL6pkNI071iA7Q0NgjG-Va22EXENQwGxDvYNphC/s320/IMG_5022.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crazy bro ;P</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">April. </h2><p>• Yellow flowers brightened my room, a thoughtful gift from a friend. <3</p><p>• Apparently I had iced coffee + shrimp&grits for lunch at work a couple times?? #whattacombo</p><p>• Sending lots of snail mail. </p><p>• We started having church services in the parking lot and gathering with other believers was breath of light air in an otherwise heavy time. </p><p>• Work Work Work.</p><p>• Wrote a three-part Easter series that meant a lot to me. <3 </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>{ <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/04/it-is-finished-good-friday-2020.html" target="_blank">friday</a> • <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/04/when-all-is-darkness-saturday.html" target="_blank">saturday</a> • <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/04/light-breaking-forth-easter-2020.html" target="_blank">sunday</a> }</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ck-Df5ZRp9ynT9o6BkTo2t-doOaygBPljiJijxO5PrcB7rbKlPT6FvClrQ4R4Cp9uDrhFaM140aDpZlzKVc43bYxr_a9-ELCLnwMxQzKWhB7HMH5cTa9az0jCzoVmj8Xg8V6HtIdEp0V/s2048/fullsizeoutput_770.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1783" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ck-Df5ZRp9ynT9o6BkTo2t-doOaygBPljiJijxO5PrcB7rbKlPT6FvClrQ4R4Cp9uDrhFaM140aDpZlzKVc43bYxr_a9-ELCLnwMxQzKWhB7HMH5cTa9az0jCzoVmj8Xg8V6HtIdEp0V/s320/fullsizeoutput_770.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbh6rlXr9-AVqvM1NqMz-8yTpb9EWtWIJB8CyqYPOHiXtRoJR5VkkophTzQxJlBenneSyqQWD4p8L0RL2nW-QKZy0FNnHknFYi-JWvRAxsiOPJGTosm4WUgwBL2VaMMJH95ClXDIaPAlz/s2048/IMG_5194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbh6rlXr9-AVqvM1NqMz-8yTpb9EWtWIJB8CyqYPOHiXtRoJR5VkkophTzQxJlBenneSyqQWD4p8L0RL2nW-QKZy0FNnHknFYi-JWvRAxsiOPJGTosm4WUgwBL2VaMMJH95ClXDIaPAlz/s320/IMG_5194.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kUldkfFw1qGpo8SkxMN3k2rW20LGEHZERaPx32hNuVrJMgvORTTQ8jXrDT-KuFtSilRWSQLddNR-uGhEOMuyBONRgrsSC5-c5kc4NCv3Yc7aHkuTMEdv9neDQoG3gcv0gdjp5t9u2m3i/s1334/fullsizeoutput_854.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kUldkfFw1qGpo8SkxMN3k2rW20LGEHZERaPx32hNuVrJMgvORTTQ8jXrDT-KuFtSilRWSQLddNR-uGhEOMuyBONRgrsSC5-c5kc4NCv3Yc7aHkuTMEdv9neDQoG3gcv0gdjp5t9u2m3i/s320/fullsizeoutput_854.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My family... xD</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJuDjKo2gmHctSWnvJo5kfVzYF2Noo1JWkgO9kl-m6tfBR4sDwEaSag4PlDtWSNm8ee3mlxK5rYlQHwoWnb1mYGqAfvHjhlcHdXb1iN_hFFqFbPtiH75CDN8g6NVfAkdxzGhwoRvELvi/s1334/IMG_5133.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycJuDjKo2gmHctSWnvJo5kfVzYF2Noo1JWkgO9kl-m6tfBR4sDwEaSag4PlDtWSNm8ee3mlxK5rYlQHwoWnb1mYGqAfvHjhlcHdXb1iN_hFFqFbPtiH75CDN8g6NVfAkdxzGhwoRvELvi/s320/IMG_5133.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">May. </h2><p>• Spent a Sunday afternoon on the lake with dad. </p><p>• Work shenanigans... like microwaving Doritos. Don't ask. </p><p>• Baking every time I got bored. What is it they say about #QuarantineLife? </p><p>• <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/05/jesus-still-loves-you.html" target="_blank">Shared my heart.</a> </p><p>• A weekend visit from friends. <3 </p><p>• Golf cart races in the dark + getting a plastic cup of Cheerwine thrown in my face during one such race. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOV1Rv79iilaQLdDUpnEbH-uXdXBX77gbDvAIjfUSObHWtSHEb35tLiXhq6IEeWmY3TnVZiKermzNzyMudL_zJL319fQIJWb1vvsmv4DxoQ-B6qV1AhPb-pTQ9cMoe7XSZYKmFY27L_J8/s2048/IMG_5490.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOV1Rv79iilaQLdDUpnEbH-uXdXBX77gbDvAIjfUSObHWtSHEb35tLiXhq6IEeWmY3TnVZiKermzNzyMudL_zJL319fQIJWb1vvsmv4DxoQ-B6qV1AhPb-pTQ9cMoe7XSZYKmFY27L_J8/s320/IMG_5490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq_hWvXkg3BaJw7te-8v_QH9UwLCm1bb7PZVM0J8XqMqgxyJx_N5t1xSY4zqG8soKlkG0N1GEmFGQ6ALvFvpEnATtE4EqIh0-UwwiqHViUYKZX0U7su1ubmm47SDP1oJ9MqzVuDzTAYc_/s2048/IMG_5498.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFq_hWvXkg3BaJw7te-8v_QH9UwLCm1bb7PZVM0J8XqMqgxyJx_N5t1xSY4zqG8soKlkG0N1GEmFGQ6ALvFvpEnATtE4EqIh0-UwwiqHViUYKZX0U7su1ubmm47SDP1oJ9MqzVuDzTAYc_/s320/IMG_5498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XTXTjGYvIZFhGJ9TcNZiEFUxB2-EduXhX2V5xZwp-EDKsdngD3G-cP6exlvVsnrwGvKkiul2TI4-dNKT-QodIUyqUYddoh8jSman2eaWO-RkHxaHMT6Md1niAobVSKRjSG_TtwUUf6V1/s2048/IMG_5776.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XTXTjGYvIZFhGJ9TcNZiEFUxB2-EduXhX2V5xZwp-EDKsdngD3G-cP6exlvVsnrwGvKkiul2TI4-dNKT-QodIUyqUYddoh8jSman2eaWO-RkHxaHMT6Md1niAobVSKRjSG_TtwUUf6V1/s320/IMG_5776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVcBqZLm9iomT2RQEYGXozn8SbHOUNCI2yncSIPRvuEk00bwDkg92bD4tK1kiFhUiTMM9DxEKZgrmuPIqWlFmhFMgUDyDlN89ofQHXkCTKFIkVDvXPEiPYa6YZZ0UUaCz-TU36xFVi59U/s2048/IMG_5786.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVcBqZLm9iomT2RQEYGXozn8SbHOUNCI2yncSIPRvuEk00bwDkg92bD4tK1kiFhUiTMM9DxEKZgrmuPIqWlFmhFMgUDyDlN89ofQHXkCTKFIkVDvXPEiPYa6YZZ0UUaCz-TU36xFVi59U/s320/IMG_5786.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sweet sis <3</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">June. </h2><p>• Began the summer semester with a math and English course. </p><p>• Exploring creepy backroads with the fam. </p><p>• Wore overalls and plaid tops to work many days and felt like a total southern country girl. ;)</p><p>• More work shenanigans. Like wearing cowboy hats and racing in the rain and who-can-carry-the-most-beer... The store where I work opened a deli on the property, and I got to experience working in food service for the first time. It's a lot more fun than I expected. </p><p>• <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/06/window-fellow-short-story-release.html" target="_blank">Published Window Fellow on Amazon Kindle.</a> <3</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vOzYrBSGgoXw8x4pl_ZyN-Cbw5ImsP2waFxohdN4kfACgEAhmK4p0szfctIW418qPbMe_XR5nUWK2xIPfcCN49_toKHCMdz7EANBfseh7_11QFSS2DHIpNWo9HibGHdQFmFwcQUtqKey/s2048/fullsizeoutput_78a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vOzYrBSGgoXw8x4pl_ZyN-Cbw5ImsP2waFxohdN4kfACgEAhmK4p0szfctIW418qPbMe_XR5nUWK2xIPfcCN49_toKHCMdz7EANBfseh7_11QFSS2DHIpNWo9HibGHdQFmFwcQUtqKey/s320/fullsizeoutput_78a.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToD2Wluk88DrzbXCOTgTRMuQWfDNPk38V3-41vn1V99GwhTl6feg9GOAk4BmwpsA9sqAkdMiWmPPk9qeOOMKzlEJQEhYehImWLSHsB3uBL_tnX-HzDS5BwXFR7aXUYUFssAQI_8jZNKXQ/s2048/IMG_5970.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToD2Wluk88DrzbXCOTgTRMuQWfDNPk38V3-41vn1V99GwhTl6feg9GOAk4BmwpsA9sqAkdMiWmPPk9qeOOMKzlEJQEhYehImWLSHsB3uBL_tnX-HzDS5BwXFR7aXUYUFssAQI_8jZNKXQ/s320/IMG_5970.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFnEcIMANDCLG5mUPS9dc6Vhj0oBGJpupx2Xw57FJ0LfMYI_6uB-2FZm_HE5RLUKXt3ceL34u7DPpDCx7OyhcE2o-5J2CM8sljJ9e0PWs56FFcjcN1ZPKVWKmVUvn8MWq3T7V3O58ZcF/s2048/IMG_6012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSFnEcIMANDCLG5mUPS9dc6Vhj0oBGJpupx2Xw57FJ0LfMYI_6uB-2FZm_HE5RLUKXt3ceL34u7DPpDCx7OyhcE2o-5J2CM8sljJ9e0PWs56FFcjcN1ZPKVWKmVUvn8MWq3T7V3O58ZcF/s320/IMG_6012.JPG" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">July. </h2><p>• Spent the Fourth of July weekend pulling long shifts at work. But hey, I decked out in red, white, & blue from head to toe. ;)</p><p>• Sunday afternoons on the lake with the fam, spending every extra minute soaking up the sunshine, and long Jeep rides with the tops off. </p><p>• More house-sitting. </p><p>• Cows! Meet the newest additions to the Potts family farmstead... </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6KbBhe4a5b9uamXSr4XAyWm9s5ZqkMudjC7rSsejxODGNOHHVZlX1KOITiURdPBEtCAdABAx1qvwWJdzuX3uZmX32339pcVDiyqc1tuxdyqsr_hZL2n3ZECi5VjeqV4WfSr47m9n138F/s2048/IMG_6203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6KbBhe4a5b9uamXSr4XAyWm9s5ZqkMudjC7rSsejxODGNOHHVZlX1KOITiURdPBEtCAdABAx1qvwWJdzuX3uZmX32339pcVDiyqc1tuxdyqsr_hZL2n3ZECi5VjeqV4WfSr47m9n138F/s320/IMG_6203.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNkTDXu93BXVDf8CSeJdOdPSZaPoW7b3Mrk84C0qVm5TcAkBRj4sUVHk7xb4p2B2smChVwwxQHh-TrQiUyLH6TNbO_Wb3yVM6MI8ZK5YKXVLuWmw-J5MUpIuD1-yr7zl_TM8iWdD6QjZt/s2048/IMG_6217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNkTDXu93BXVDf8CSeJdOdPSZaPoW7b3Mrk84C0qVm5TcAkBRj4sUVHk7xb4p2B2smChVwwxQHh-TrQiUyLH6TNbO_Wb3yVM6MI8ZK5YKXVLuWmw-J5MUpIuD1-yr7zl_TM8iWdD6QjZt/s320/IMG_6217.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9vr8jpKBq1zE_T5Q-XQ2pNG9SyLhlj9o3F2JZA90mZf8R-ZXXdosBud-Zbe_YWy5_WHm8Y8FGKc9bLLOw_YKONnchz1N3dj5oooSRt6sCcJcVztdqiEKDExiYzE5Mu8zmr5bNph325_l/s2048/IMG_6344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9vr8jpKBq1zE_T5Q-XQ2pNG9SyLhlj9o3F2JZA90mZf8R-ZXXdosBud-Zbe_YWy5_WHm8Y8FGKc9bLLOw_YKONnchz1N3dj5oooSRt6sCcJcVztdqiEKDExiYzE5Mu8zmr5bNph325_l/s320/IMG_6344.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBUc4_XNNL9Zcd4M-CuovZ6CY76J68obP8F1gNwBD94lWGYthThBjipDndHvxhgOgDR5hX05N3mPMsaZkehCTwUIdYtuxbicCKN34baOD_iLjC9lzNA6eObxLbROOHClBJ9kjjWrfDa_p/s2048/IMG_6377.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBUc4_XNNL9Zcd4M-CuovZ6CY76J68obP8F1gNwBD94lWGYthThBjipDndHvxhgOgDR5hX05N3mPMsaZkehCTwUIdYtuxbicCKN34baOD_iLjC9lzNA6eObxLbROOHClBJ9kjjWrfDa_p/s320/IMG_6377.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNsnWb5CK7-ENoDEcOeFTUtEFjHUaxVwf_AtiyNo4sAlrYzO9G1uwk54AHe4H-LPgw2EX9IwBCMcEC5TZLjRoY-CLUE5VqdqcdkGySHP2jqPT_fWjresScBzoB8i2DnLPW8Wgx27e-6cz/s2048/IMG_6463.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNsnWb5CK7-ENoDEcOeFTUtEFjHUaxVwf_AtiyNo4sAlrYzO9G1uwk54AHe4H-LPgw2EX9IwBCMcEC5TZLjRoY-CLUE5VqdqcdkGySHP2jqPT_fWjresScBzoB8i2DnLPW8Wgx27e-6cz/s320/IMG_6463.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain. So much rain.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">August. </h2><p>• Finalized enrollment for the fall semester + ordered textbooks and student ID. First day of official, on-campus classes was the 19th. I feel like such an adult, what is this madness?? </p><p>• Went on an adventure! A lovely gang of us girls took off to the beach for a super sweet 4 day weekend (three and a half days? it felt wwayyy too short). We lounged on the beach, explored the island, and visited Fort Sumter and the USS Yorktown. So many memories. <3</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9E-EThjvJ3D4WN48L63TsJwJHxOddZ-aXvDa1wgYWcZNJ7q_7R7CVpQBaZUyNUAHkDmUeZjs3WMInPLh1zcwpHVoFF__q_N1EPMbRB2Y3JGmUFROnX4BlVHtAyY4mx0DQ1BQ0_lVm7XM/s2048/IMG_6556.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9E-EThjvJ3D4WN48L63TsJwJHxOddZ-aXvDa1wgYWcZNJ7q_7R7CVpQBaZUyNUAHkDmUeZjs3WMInPLh1zcwpHVoFF__q_N1EPMbRB2Y3JGmUFROnX4BlVHtAyY4mx0DQ1BQ0_lVm7XM/s320/IMG_6556.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my favorite dress ever *heart eyes*</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BOW1bvsZdhtSIxZ5MTlyQ47rAgAYCSwjARMpq5nVSwRWW5-wceZRuNsE7hmw3paxmttLOql2fosg02gqyIEWePnbqlj3tvZ3megrYxt3z0yXjIViuXPdXttB_Webngx98BTdtcL9_ETz/s2048/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BOW1bvsZdhtSIxZ5MTlyQ47rAgAYCSwjARMpq5nVSwRWW5-wceZRuNsE7hmw3paxmttLOql2fosg02gqyIEWePnbqlj3tvZ3megrYxt3z0yXjIViuXPdXttB_Webngx98BTdtcL9_ETz/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PJohCKXXaxWSWoMlqmrPQWd8EFoJngRSBlei4c9WnG_IiB1zXTOoA7u4LUQZdL97ORySpvRodDw4aIhMZ1ssqCGTEF8QFofY9c7KpdnPLu1ek-SaJnblMeuygSMcY7KU-Tf4JFSFcrEt/s2048/IMG_6687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PJohCKXXaxWSWoMlqmrPQWd8EFoJngRSBlei4c9WnG_IiB1zXTOoA7u4LUQZdL97ORySpvRodDw4aIhMZ1ssqCGTEF8QFofY9c7KpdnPLu1ek-SaJnblMeuygSMcY7KU-Tf4JFSFcrEt/s320/IMG_6687.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENn_cIMcrYDqyuupk7C9C9o7I8QS4Sw6b2EzVwlLd0ZQvV4aFoBtdkkROYpQT6aftA9RuwD5MjUFfuCp7XvvezDGu4KGDPWYuaI0D14QTb-m2Rez-CDTRy6DIk3Za6Gui0SLhOnUq-EQo/s2048/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENn_cIMcrYDqyuupk7C9C9o7I8QS4Sw6b2EzVwlLd0ZQvV4aFoBtdkkROYpQT6aftA9RuwD5MjUFfuCp7XvvezDGu4KGDPWYuaI0D14QTb-m2Rez-CDTRy6DIk3Za6Gui0SLhOnUq-EQo/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptDYE5yaohQvYVwePj4KLDFKiV79bGLECnQLAUr8avsHVX7Uquk5GI4xbMANlbDDtVnF5iW-bWmSMBqnNF5944__sXZqmpvbV4ltO19p_GcB-LnhowZSPv8gJtxzyLdcE_6L5A8fTg7sB/s2048/FullSizeRender.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjptDYE5yaohQvYVwePj4KLDFKiV79bGLECnQLAUr8avsHVX7Uquk5GI4xbMANlbDDtVnF5iW-bWmSMBqnNF5944__sXZqmpvbV4ltO19p_GcB-LnhowZSPv8gJtxzyLdcE_6L5A8fTg7sB/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3wlGnBzH_orm3uJ6Ie5YZePdV80BTUsQ1vjSeSqxUbVDavw1j4hCv6KZqgJuQrFJhjR0H2G2JmopGMnCOFAJ6kie3M6XgdUpuWwl-R7o0cUxunqSsu4b1V1w_fpwzBbltn9_1XGR0UY8/s2048/IMG_7014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3wlGnBzH_orm3uJ6Ie5YZePdV80BTUsQ1vjSeSqxUbVDavw1j4hCv6KZqgJuQrFJhjR0H2G2JmopGMnCOFAJ6kie3M6XgdUpuWwl-R7o0cUxunqSsu4b1V1w_fpwzBbltn9_1XGR0UY8/s320/IMG_7014.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">September. </h2><p>• I took very few pictures this month, compared to others?? Oh, right, because I was SWAMPED in homework. Ahahahaa... But yeah, seriously, college + a 3hr roundtrip commute a couple nights a week kills your free time, but also allows for lots of audiobook/music jam time, soooo... We ain't complainin'.</p><p>• House-sitting multiple times. The kind where you're home for like one night, gone somewhere, home again, gone again. Add in work and school, and I basically lived in my car sometimes. xD </p><p>• Hung out with the bro one night and helped him change the wheels and tires on his truck, so I'm basically a certified mechanic now. </p><p>• <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/08/what-year.html" target="_blank">Life update</a> + <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/09/nineteen-years-911-tribute.html" target="_blank">9/11 Tribute</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNnE-l-1hm7AVM6CGD-XBn0Bdy1g5s0XwosJDMIHuGqzg6zdEa4_gneT9OTc3JwP470eNuDrU1Grgcm3EMXZQc9od9KrnvSzhdpJVnUU6XC6nwzLIai-UD4W_GBj-AKlMmRpzwzhs9RGZ/s2048/IMG_7392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNnE-l-1hm7AVM6CGD-XBn0Bdy1g5s0XwosJDMIHuGqzg6zdEa4_gneT9OTc3JwP470eNuDrU1Grgcm3EMXZQc9od9KrnvSzhdpJVnUU6XC6nwzLIai-UD4W_GBj-AKlMmRpzwzhs9RGZ/s320/IMG_7392.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_spIlfpF7YZ9_cHZhC4FmsIS-lnKE7C5jaFuJIJ1xfrZeUPY67-iv6BssXhgrgO6BYXC5cdF4WCOXqXAk_7QwU6upLFIJhpSyIye6KmEhA0oMOp3iD6P_Byy3a_NtZkBypvma2VUwSN8/s2048/IMG_7464.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_spIlfpF7YZ9_cHZhC4FmsIS-lnKE7C5jaFuJIJ1xfrZeUPY67-iv6BssXhgrgO6BYXC5cdF4WCOXqXAk_7QwU6upLFIJhpSyIye6KmEhA0oMOp3iD6P_Byy3a_NtZkBypvma2VUwSN8/s320/IMG_7464.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHxLczaYvOE4Q4qwg23EuybSlHdPs9CZuDCCplR0Upa8TjiIKxZlrtZiDIyAk9u8gpOzAlrBvGaCZULUUYV2QT4HAswulJ7NNE3JrjzdvMNhzcvf6OZxgHeNnfxPgu4tYTm380RVuJrnp/s2048/IMG_7470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHxLczaYvOE4Q4qwg23EuybSlHdPs9CZuDCCplR0Upa8TjiIKxZlrtZiDIyAk9u8gpOzAlrBvGaCZULUUYV2QT4HAswulJ7NNE3JrjzdvMNhzcvf6OZxgHeNnfxPgu4tYTm380RVuJrnp/s320/IMG_7470.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJomCSKE_fXOK7gq9y6XjuQIJPeBMPRmy8JayAMy2Dz8MurBgP7hBAKRQtt1COiqxsu82OSNssapHAhwSkA2-YxKNT_GSOEuc9EmWAMkZtS3M7c2LJSkGuo4RoTRFIhCxyCuYGtINyksT/s2048/IMG_7618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJomCSKE_fXOK7gq9y6XjuQIJPeBMPRmy8JayAMy2Dz8MurBgP7hBAKRQtt1COiqxsu82OSNssapHAhwSkA2-YxKNT_GSOEuc9EmWAMkZtS3M7c2LJSkGuo4RoTRFIhCxyCuYGtINyksT/s320/IMG_7618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">October. </h2><p>• More school, more work, more long weeks, more COVID, more being tired all the time.... but never running out of grace. <3</p><p>• Church cookout on the banks of the river was a special time. <3</p><p>• Bought a new ball cap and I LOVE IT. </p><p>• Watched all four seasons of Chesapeake Shores after considering it for awhile. I liked it a lot more than I expected to. ;)</p><p>• Dressing up as Toy Story characters with the work squad. I was the little toy soldier/army dude guy. (<< this coming from the girl who hasn't actually SEEN Toy Story). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugBPuBwLWHIF4tTtpeiiXZDUQzpAV36c1cakndtTk4h_eTBY4lARMAYFnayOpIF7Dtl_2VYkDPhZqe_s2rDCsAX-GTqao9uRWVjUw-hdNRSKscJIbs9saGe3AeNcbKlcz0cwuAkGambxH/s2048/IMG_7760.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugBPuBwLWHIF4tTtpeiiXZDUQzpAV36c1cakndtTk4h_eTBY4lARMAYFnayOpIF7Dtl_2VYkDPhZqe_s2rDCsAX-GTqao9uRWVjUw-hdNRSKscJIbs9saGe3AeNcbKlcz0cwuAkGambxH/s320/IMG_7760.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU5G8oXOh0d8UNb9x7TuWkg_2CjuOotJDOTVm6ooE3NVWey8zGZV0CpZwf-vaVT5GQIS-Fa32JLZfh0whyphenhyphenVr0cMhIXP9J8C3c_r8j4w6P1zymd5Tlwtq8qJMf7CevDJXA19FsUNxxqP-T/s2048/IMG_7781.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWU5G8oXOh0d8UNb9x7TuWkg_2CjuOotJDOTVm6ooE3NVWey8zGZV0CpZwf-vaVT5GQIS-Fa32JLZfh0whyphenhyphenVr0cMhIXP9J8C3c_r8j4w6P1zymd5Tlwtq8qJMf7CevDJXA19FsUNxxqP-T/s320/IMG_7781.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ahahahaha...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf6I-uYMO_ehOmfmfPbNzU0xIYBoRTZOG_fIP-Vtf8RdQ4-WED29GXQUl6gIbhvHDJInD3FJcn3WIvb2pS6G-oNZTKLirKqCkSwCxZ71EW_XnwptfY2RDXRF_oqfMyVai107pGJjpUcRw/s2048/IMG_7881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirf6I-uYMO_ehOmfmfPbNzU0xIYBoRTZOG_fIP-Vtf8RdQ4-WED29GXQUl6gIbhvHDJInD3FJcn3WIvb2pS6G-oNZTKLirKqCkSwCxZ71EW_XnwptfY2RDXRF_oqfMyVai107pGJjpUcRw/s320/IMG_7881.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHc9KVmG6p9zkkPQebDcR4hyphenhyphenv6emIbPYVUCgtGlenHk5W0AUsNplbC0NHX1rKw-O24MFfP78ofdtFDHA75j-FM2C6JY5Ts8Rs4RscOUHPM6U5O48mpr2L60RhO4t-uLwRG5HVw9dAZqwh/s883/IMG_7926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="883" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHc9KVmG6p9zkkPQebDcR4hyphenhyphenv6emIbPYVUCgtGlenHk5W0AUsNplbC0NHX1rKw-O24MFfP78ofdtFDHA75j-FM2C6JY5Ts8Rs4RscOUHPM6U5O48mpr2L60RhO4t-uLwRG5HVw9dAZqwh/s320/IMG_7926.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-80NIBF7qVTsWAQa1F-FMu9Av3pDB0TH82QoSgmXdsLUAWsxO4BIVhrArF-OBKfR79x0w3Y1-uUFjdPY-pP4CarL9qHKAiSkAQbsDfcu4qM4tzNAH6E8dj_cG23ZH4uPsaQ4usnIUJolN/s2048/fullsizeoutput_886.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1537" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-80NIBF7qVTsWAQa1F-FMu9Av3pDB0TH82QoSgmXdsLUAWsxO4BIVhrArF-OBKfR79x0w3Y1-uUFjdPY-pP4CarL9qHKAiSkAQbsDfcu4qM4tzNAH6E8dj_cG23ZH4uPsaQ4usnIUJolN/s320/fullsizeoutput_886.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">November. </h2><p>• The <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/11/hope-peace-for-election-day.html" target="_blank">election</a>...happened. </p><p>• My ASL teacher brought his dog to class and succeeded at distracting everyone from the lecture. </p><p>• Work busyness with holiday crowds + people looking for Christmas tree farms, haha. </p><p>• Enjoyed Thanksgiving with the fam—which consisted of Thanksgiving dinner, and then hauling logs with the bro. xD</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsE1lpuCd4VwrVn0LCjO1qg-n3M9ADGIC6ZNf1b-RM_mtvm0XW4iKQi1MqC_VgJCsw78rW0j5MzTqccFYnoQOBHCyAIfyrHISRBBc4O0uy9qZGbrPWOh3g0Lejscy8_REnh18BsOCChXn/s2048/IMG_8016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsE1lpuCd4VwrVn0LCjO1qg-n3M9ADGIC6ZNf1b-RM_mtvm0XW4iKQi1MqC_VgJCsw78rW0j5MzTqccFYnoQOBHCyAIfyrHISRBBc4O0uy9qZGbrPWOh3g0Lejscy8_REnh18BsOCChXn/s320/IMG_8016.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">0% battery life? #mood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCHiXgOlX6wdnybx7yk1fx9-FjM-m73wDyj5ZBt7tmCGRsIVJv1oBBSvOZVnFGuX_dVZzZka5uWRsKb5BSnKoBEiW3OlOM2nA5ui9Bp1VKNBKja8eohICwU7i4NwIRz26q3t16Z0VHMGr/s2048/IMG_8084.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCHiXgOlX6wdnybx7yk1fx9-FjM-m73wDyj5ZBt7tmCGRsIVJv1oBBSvOZVnFGuX_dVZzZka5uWRsKb5BSnKoBEiW3OlOM2nA5ui9Bp1VKNBKja8eohICwU7i4NwIRz26q3t16Z0VHMGr/s320/IMG_8084.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wEzZgjE79SrhhYjKgrzD5wn3zcgVcSmZkTwygMrJTcI-W0eMIAA0b5QsgJRJ70Xqbs3wdni37f4rNhr2HjntBKkl9Dg7fNb0ZVl_ctPRxUazGq90alzHGWNdDMStu1SVd4pWtyWq1kZJ/s2048/IMG_8121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wEzZgjE79SrhhYjKgrzD5wn3zcgVcSmZkTwygMrJTcI-W0eMIAA0b5QsgJRJ70Xqbs3wdni37f4rNhr2HjntBKkl9Dg7fNb0ZVl_ctPRxUazGq90alzHGWNdDMStu1SVd4pWtyWq1kZJ/s320/IMG_8121.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">December. </h2><p>• Christmas decorations + Christmas baking. </p><p>• Final shifts at work. The company I work for closes during the winter, so we worked to shut down + do inventory the week before Christmas. </p><p>• Hosted <a href="http://fireflysstoryspace.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-day-12-merry.html" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas</a> again and loved it. </p><p>• Work Christmas party + church Christmas gathering. </p><p>• We woke up to a beautiful snow on Christmas morning and it made me deliciously happy. <3</p><p>• New Years Eve visiting + dinner with the cousins. :D</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue-g_UH7MZ2cfkIO8vY9-i9fKNxZpnhtKaESYBP4wMutIkkol7pot5fE324-39Six_kqTNrXfklMBmDhNCK8zoETilBqkN8LhdaoT_OyMCQQxDKfrrR3yXMcNJ0eFrlUttVm11etMgCiA/s1334/fullsizeoutput_889.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue-g_UH7MZ2cfkIO8vY9-i9fKNxZpnhtKaESYBP4wMutIkkol7pot5fE324-39Six_kqTNrXfklMBmDhNCK8zoETilBqkN8LhdaoT_OyMCQQxDKfrrR3yXMcNJ0eFrlUttVm11etMgCiA/s320/fullsizeoutput_889.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkskDmBIJmvU1fWjpg5N47XFlx9iPrRhC9Mr2WfMmIdSO-oT4LYZ0irFImZIAKN5hnMOQFZH8XhETAmPQvCb6GZJIZiOFFQP7hNe3pvumMj5p3jtQH_Nfv2NO2p-Z-qRzuZ4g3OEVL3N8/s1334/71079DA3-A73C-4C78-9204-0A2553373A40.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkskDmBIJmvU1fWjpg5N47XFlx9iPrRhC9Mr2WfMmIdSO-oT4LYZ0irFImZIAKN5hnMOQFZH8XhETAmPQvCb6GZJIZiOFFQP7hNe3pvumMj5p3jtQH_Nfv2NO2p-Z-qRzuZ4g3OEVL3N8/s320/71079DA3-A73C-4C78-9204-0A2553373A40.JPG" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99iMKPv714pAdCkR9rj7MhyphenhyphenDfnJ15q0TBd142dGYLyi0iqLMFT5wId9_SORO8Et7DvRmuxCBi6dg_NigeTnZRKhxiQmWdxUtRzrjTEIT3oKszxxHdZaQPXmKzeiaAs2pLDMHqnl4PwqDe/s2048/IMG_8280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99iMKPv714pAdCkR9rj7MhyphenhyphenDfnJ15q0TBd142dGYLyi0iqLMFT5wId9_SORO8Et7DvRmuxCBi6dg_NigeTnZRKhxiQmWdxUtRzrjTEIT3oKszxxHdZaQPXmKzeiaAs2pLDMHqnl4PwqDe/s320/IMG_8280.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDAWM0_y5JWnqjK39XtjkYFliWt-g-qBKVBMZrfSrhgWfkJtsjub84V_tVeDHDmcWtJDBiMEbRSuPxIA0v4Oi8LOz5UqLaWqGdL9MyF1HggVYlfiu2d2bfYSIa7rnbvvp4DnrVnBDUCHe/s978/fullsizeoutput_892.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="978" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdDAWM0_y5JWnqjK39XtjkYFliWt-g-qBKVBMZrfSrhgWfkJtsjub84V_tVeDHDmcWtJDBiMEbRSuPxIA0v4Oi8LOz5UqLaWqGdL9MyF1HggVYlfiu2d2bfYSIa7rnbvvp4DnrVnBDUCHe/s320/fullsizeoutput_892.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>// list of accomplishments </i></b></p><p>• grew closer to my Savior than I've ever been before </p><p>• bemoaned everything that got canceled...</p><p>• worked 45-50 hours weeks for most of the summer</p><p>• started college & am now 24 credits toward my degree </p><p>• house-sitting/pet-sitting sooo many times</p><p>• only traveled once *sob*</p><p>• read 81 books</p><p>• published my short story, Window Fellow</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what was your bright spots of 2020? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-81953040477279971062020-12-25T08:00:00.144-05:002020-12-25T22:31:40.674-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 12 || Merry Christmas + Favorite Posts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMezLg9h9RIQhmG3rNw4nkoxy2HIewDdqZn2wdQnewF6gsXQlxJ5rDyJCO-DM4kN8Jk8YsnMEf5eDEuLn0UaRE5AH2Th9BDrsgVKnRnLfRHSMszBFV9esdPHpcm5IfsumNmck1uBwHWsu/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMezLg9h9RIQhmG3rNw4nkoxy2HIewDdqZn2wdQnewF6gsXQlxJ5rDyJCO-DM4kN8Jk8YsnMEf5eDEuLn0UaRE5AH2Th9BDrsgVKnRnLfRHSMszBFV9esdPHpcm5IfsumNmck1uBwHWsu/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Merry Christmas, beautiful souls! <div><br /></div><div><div>A special reminder this morning... Jesus Christ came to earth as a baby for you. He came for you. He came to <i>be</i> with you. The hope, the love, the peace He brings—it's all for us. The gift of Christmas was always meant for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><blockquote><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">// matthew 1:23</span></b></div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br />Thank you all for sticking it out through these almost-two-weeks of Christmas-y-ness. I appreciate it so much. <3 I'll enjoy finishing reading and commenting on everyone's posts tonight or tomorrow. We had 122 posts this year! </div><div><br /></div><div>First up, the giveaway winners are Lilly W. and Marion. Congratulations, ladies! I'll be emailing y'all about your prizes shortly.<br /><br />To wrap up the party, I picked my favorite blog post from each participating blog. Which was a lot of fun. ;) </div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-eli-eli-lama-sabachthani/" target="_blank">Angela Watts, Author >> Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? </a><br /><br /><a href="https://katetheauthor.blogspot.com/2020/12/wake-up.html" target="_blank">Kaitlyn Krispense, Author >> Wake Up</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/14/12-days-of-christmas-day-1-word-study-on-lamb/" target="_blank">Faith on the Farm >> Word Study on "Lamb"</a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmas-devo-day.html" target="_blank">Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures >> Christmas Devo</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-12-merry-christmas-2-surprises" target="_blank">Life of Heritage >> Merry Christmas + 2 Surprises</a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/7-favourite-christmas-covers/" target="_blank">Little Blossoms for Jesus >> 7 Favourite Christmas Covers</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://maidensformodesty.com/hope-was-born/" target="_blank">Maidens for Modesty >> Hope was Born</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-must-watch-christmas-movies-12-days.html" target="_blank">Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors >> My Must-Watch Christmas Movies</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/as-in-olden-days-by-jesseca-wheaton.html" target="_blank">Old-Fashioned Book Love >> As in Olden Days by Jesseca Wheaton</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://qadash70.blogspot.com/2020/12/jesus-christ-12-days-of-christmas-blog.html" target="_blank">Qadash - Set Apart, for Him >> Jesus Christ</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://abigailkayharris.wordpress.com/2020/12/14/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-1/" target="_blank">Read Review Rejoice >> 12 Days of Christmas Blog Party: Day 1</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-decorations.html" target="_blank">RebekahAshleigh >> Christmas Decorations</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/12-days-of-christmas-day-9-battle-christmas-book-covers/" target="_blank">Reviews from the Stacks >> Battle of the Christmas Book Covers</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://bensshowersofblessings.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-why-he.html" target="_blank">Showers of Blessings >> Why He Came</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/25/12-days-of-christmas-day-twelve/" target="_blank">Soldier Girl Stories >> 12 Days of Christmas — Day Twelve</a> (read in order!) </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-favorite-thing/" target="_blank">Tower in the Plains >> Christmas Favorites: Favorite Thing</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://jessaswhimsicalwritings.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-short-story.html" target="_blank">Whimsical Writings for His Glory >> Short Story</a></div><div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/25/1-reason-to-celebrate-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">1 Reason to Celebrate Christmas @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/25/12-days-of-christmas-day-twelve/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Twelve @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-merry-christmas.html" target="_blank">The Christmas Story @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-12-merry-christmas-2-surprises" target="_blank">Christmas Surprise @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/25/the-greatest-flf/" target="_blank">The Greatest First Line Friday @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-2020.html" target="_blank">Merry Christmas @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/25/12-days-of-christmas-day-12-merry-christmas/" target="_blank">Merry Christmas @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/25/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-merry-christmas/" target="_blank">Merry Christmas @ Tower in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="http://jessaswhimsicalwritings.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-short-story.html" target="_blank">Short Story @ Whimsical Writings for His Glory</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">merry Christmas & happy new year <3</h3></div></div></div></div></div>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-91916068318176402982020-12-24T08:00:00.162-05:002020-12-24T11:39:06.348-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 11 || Your Pain is Not Forgotten<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAlOLHe7OgHv3Fe8wd0k51M9B9x91a-iD1q04z43RJgDWs2OyMATPspK2owRBW0ZGl0j_Bigw7Z2bEsMXrCB-LuMDWGk6AHfuRPY1pdws9KPZfJ01fYr33FQDUMNOuwMkc6nG745hSNhy/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAlOLHe7OgHv3Fe8wd0k51M9B9x91a-iD1q04z43RJgDWs2OyMATPspK2owRBW0ZGl0j_Bigw7Z2bEsMXrCB-LuMDWGk6AHfuRPY1pdws9KPZfJ01fYr33FQDUMNOuwMkc6nG745hSNhy/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>This isn't the post I had planned for today. If you had told me during previous Christmases that I would be writing this now, I'm not sure I would have believed you. Yet this is the only thing I feel peace about sharing today, Christmas Eve 2020. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*</div><div><br /><p>Christmas has always been my favorite time. But after this year, it feels tarnished. The pressure to be happy and get "into the spirit" seems almost silly after a year marred by heartache, brokenness, and loss. The typical Christmas movie with a scrooge-like character who, through a series of events, discovers the "true meaning of Christmas" isn't a plot I've found as much enjoyment in this year. </p><p>And you know what? That's okay. It's taken me a few weeks to realize, understand, and make peace with the fact that Christmas isn't the same this year and it's not a bad thing. While the earthly things of Christmas—the supposed feeling in the air, the movies, the books, even the gift-giving—doesn't feel as special or meaningful right now, the real reason of Christmas can never change or lose it's glory. </p><p>I have known many families to experience unimaginable loss and pain throughout the course of this year, and it weighs heavy on my heart. While talking with a sweet friend a few weeks ago, she reminded me of a beautiful truth. </p><p><b>Your pain is not forgotten.</b></p><p>My pain, your pain, the pain of everyone on the globe... is not forgotten by the Lord God who created each and every one of us. </p><p>In the midst of a season focused on happiness, it's okay if our hearts still ache. Because He is right there with us, holding us through our pain, healing our hearts. </p><p><br /></p><p>To the family with an empty seat at the table this year, an empty truck in the driveway, and presents under the tree addressed to one who won't be here to open them... your pain is not forgotten. You are seen. You are loved.</p><p><br /></p><p>To the service members far from home, away from family and missing Christmas and all it brings. Just because you signed up for this doesn't mean you aren't allowed to have sadness in your heart. </p><p><br /></p><p>To the one with a worry-filled heart for the addicted family member thats gone astray. Jesus knows and hears and welcomes you both into His loving arms.</p><p><br /></p><p>To the couple unable to have a child in the midst of a season with emphasis on family and children... your pain is not unnoticed, your prayers are not unheard. </p><p><br /></p><p>To the elderly locked away inside nursing homes, unable to see beloved family members this Christmas... You are not forgotten. You are loved and missed and cherished. </p><p><br /></p><p>To the grieving, to the lonely, to the estranged, to the broken, to the hurting, to the worried, to the fearful...</p><p><br /></p><p>Your pain is not forgotten. </p><p>You are seen. You are heard. You are loved. You are held. You are broken, but you are healing. </p><p><br /></p><p>We can rejoice, even with heavy hearts. </p><p>We can rejoice, even though our souls are weary. </p><p>We can rejoice, knowing our pain is not forgotten. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/2-christmas-freebies-12-days-of-christmas-2020/" target="_blank">2 Christmas Freebies @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/24/12-days-of-christmas-day-eleven/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Eleven @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="http://maidensformodesty.com/and-there-were-shepherds-from-the-archives/" target="_blank">And There Were Shepherds @ Maidens of Modesty</a></p><p><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/beasleys-christmas-party-by-booth.html" target="_blank">“Beasley’s Christmas Party” by Booth Tarkington @ Old-Fashioned Book Love</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-favorite-thing/" target="_blank">Christmas Favorites: Favorite Thing @ Tower in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-11-expected-end-part-7" target="_blank">Christmas Story: Expected End, pt.7 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/24/12-days-of-christmas-day-5-decorations/" target="_blank">A Few of My Favorite Things: Room Tour of My Favorite Decorations @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://qadash70.blogspot.com/2020/12/jesus-christ-12-days-of-christmas-blog.html" target="_blank">Jesus Christ @ Qadash - Set Apart, for Him</a></p><p><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-living-like-jesus/" target="_blank">Living Like Jesus @ Angela Watts, Author</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/mini-bookmovie-review.html" target="_blank">Movie/Book Comparison @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-movie-review_24.html" target="_blank">Movie Review: The Nativity @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/2020/08/christmas-short-story-thing-part-1.html" target="_blank">Silver Nights {part 1} @ Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/12-days-of-christmas-day-10-word-study-on-reign/" target="_blank">Word Study on "Reign" @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;">how can I be praying for you this Christmas? </div><div style="text-align: right;">last day to enter the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a652fbb10/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a>! </div></h3></div>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-62132899112965744102020-12-23T08:00:00.115-05:002020-12-23T21:15:00.776-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 10 || Celebration of LIGHT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pMemiv9Sxm8om3MRp5jxz4m6uU3AtD7FN7l-7mIY2NkDlOMK_BpsOBxfu2hP5iX0RLLll1uniXDkxvUG6UQLYjLzbNRp9NU9YVSDXb3R02PIoAgO6ZGHMaolamFds3nf9-kEX34IVGt8/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pMemiv9Sxm8om3MRp5jxz4m6uU3AtD7FN7l-7mIY2NkDlOMK_BpsOBxfu2hP5iX0RLLll1uniXDkxvUG6UQLYjLzbNRp9NU9YVSDXb3R02PIoAgO6ZGHMaolamFds3nf9-kEX34IVGt8/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p>Another random peek into the Christmastime ponderings of Faith on this Christmas Eve Eve... </p><p>Christmas is a celebration of light. Of all that is good in the world. Of goodwill toward men. Of looking out for each other. Of kind deeds and words of love. </p><p>A celebration of light in darkness. </p><p>We celebrate with earthly, glowing, shimmering lights. Christmas lights on houses and in yards. Christmas trees adorned in strands of light, whether glowing white or hues of varying color. The light of candles inside homes and at Christmas candlelight services. Lights shining against nativity scenes and Christmas settings on street corners. Lighted snowflakes, angels, and stars stretch out from streetlamps. </p><p>Everything is lit and glowing at Christmastime. </p><p>But also, more importantly, its a celebration of the Light that came into the world that long-ago night in the village of Bethlehem. The Light that came to save us from our inherent sinfulness. The Light that would once and for always break the bonds of darkness. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>// John 1:5</b></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>The secular world, while claiming no allegiance to Christ, still unknowing celebrates light at Christmas. Christmas lights are still put up, candles are lit, lights adorn everything. Yes, because they’re pretty, but we don't do it year round. </p><p>They're all reminders of light in darkness. They're a demonstration that goodness can still overpower evil. No, not because of any goodness that we may think to obtain without ourselves, but because of the goodness of God. </p><p><br /></p><div><div></div><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light. </b></span> </div></blockquote><blockquote><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>// Ephesians 5:8</b></span></div></blockquote><div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><p>Christmas is a season of sharing light and spreading light. Not just holding onto it and keeping it for yourself, but sharing it with those around you so that all can benefit from seeing the Light inside of us. </p></div><div>For many, 2020 has been a particularly dark year. If you don't feel like your light is very bright this year, that's okay. It was never your light to begin with. God can and will still shine His Light through you, even when we don't feel good enough or faithful enough. Hold your light out and like God do the work and have all the glory. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even after a year like 2020, we can still celebrate LIGHT. </div><div><br /></div><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/3-traditional-christmas-foods-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">3 Traditional Christmas Foods @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-10-5-things-i-want-to-do-this-christmas" target="_blank">5 Things I Want to Do on Christmas @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/23/12-days-of-christmas-day-ten/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Ten @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/23/book-review-women-of-christmas/" target="_blank">Book Review: The Women of Christmas by Liz Curtis Higgs @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmasy-story_23.html" target="_blank">A Christmasy Story, Part 2 @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-favorite-christmas-books/" target="_blank">Favorite Christmas Books @ Angela Watts, Author</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/12-days-of-christmas-day-9-in-which-i-attempt-to-write-a-christmas-story/" target="_blank">In Which I Attempt to Write a Christmas Story @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="http://bensshowersofblessings.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-why-he.html" target="_blank">Why He Came @ Showers of Blessings</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what has made you pause and appreciate the Light among us this year? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-30078498829431706742020-12-22T08:00:00.075-05:002020-12-23T21:00:21.727-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 9 || The Innkeeper by John Piper: Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMYxGVSeJXtDC7_SsXqaLwbaQiFge7QzsBzDpY-WKdf7-x9zLI9-KBN1i0uiK7HGk2LjO6ZAK5l-IUl_-CK_wKAhQ_fYVLCLa1IKxzpgL6nm589-3DMDrLcQia9bscDOMP2_kIJB6RTli/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMYxGVSeJXtDC7_SsXqaLwbaQiFge7QzsBzDpY-WKdf7-x9zLI9-KBN1i0uiK7HGk2LjO6ZAK5l-IUl_-CK_wKAhQ_fYVLCLa1IKxzpgL6nm589-3DMDrLcQia9bscDOMP2_kIJB6RTli/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <div>Good morning, lovelies <3 </div><div><br /></div><div>Today I'm reviewing a tiny little book that I picked up at my favorite used bookstore on a whim and totally knocked me off my feet. And just... yeah, everyone should read this. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I'm off to do some official last minute Christmas shopping, and hopefully catch up on reading y'all's posts. What are y'all up to today? <3 </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ahl4mnpQkrqs9MIluw9kIq6cqvnCqdSok0PBxmuZ0-3HZvhjqCK0ycgH8jsLc8Hf0936N_WIvQ8iVzhLUtQdBSL6LgH6P6ngWJGAfigjMn4vGCJox3M8F2UP38gPqf0sFrdzQXsHyezB/s439/227241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ahl4mnpQkrqs9MIluw9kIq6cqvnCqdSok0PBxmuZ0-3HZvhjqCK0ycgH8jsLc8Hf0936N_WIvQ8iVzhLUtQdBSL6LgH6P6ngWJGAfigjMn4vGCJox3M8F2UP38gPqf0sFrdzQXsHyezB/s320/227241.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227241.The_Innkeeper" target="_blank">The Innkeeper by John Piper</a></h4><p></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Only two weeks from His crucifixion, Jesus has stopped in Bethlehem. He has returned to visit someone important--the innkeeper who made a place for Mary and Joseph the night He was born. But His greater purpose in coming is to pay a debt. What did it cost to house the Son of God?</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Through this imaginative poem, John Piper shares a tale of what might have been. The story of an innkeeper whose life was forever altered by the arrival of the Son of God. Ponder the sacrifice that was made that night. Celebrate Christ's birth and the power of His resurrection. Rejoice in the life and light He brings to all. And encounter the hope His life gives you for today--and for eternity.</i></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>This.Was.Incredible. </p><p>Picture this. In the weeks before the Crucifixion, Jesus journeys back to the village of Bethlehem, to the innkeeper who had to turn Mary and Joseph away from his roof, but offered them a place among his livestock. </p><p>There He meets a man, a man who has lived a broken, lonely life for the past thirty years. A man who lost everything because of a choice to unknowingly offer shelter to the infant Messiah. </p><p>The words in this tiny book gave me literally chills. Every Christian should read and ponder this. 10/10 recommended. <3 </p><p><br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"I am the boy</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>That Herod wanted to destroy."</i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>"God's ways are high, and you will know</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In time. But I have come to show</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>You what the Lord prepared the night</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>You made a place for Heaven's Light." </i></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/4-favourite-christmas-posts-10-days-of-christmas-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">4 Favourite Christmas Posts @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/22/12-days-of-christmas-day-nine/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Nine @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/?p=5148" target="_blank">Battle of the Christmas Book Covers @ Review from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-a-tradition/" target="_blank">Christmas Favorites: A Tradition @ Tower in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmas.html" target="_blank">Christmas Photography @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-9-expected-end-part-6" target="_blank">Christmas Story: Expected End, pt.6 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/22/12-days-of-christmas-day-8-encouragement-and-exhortation-for-christmas/" target="_blank">Encouragement & Exhortation at Christmas @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/hear-them-ring-book-review.html" target="_blank">Hear Them Ring // Book Review @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/in-heart-of-christmas-pines-by-leona.html" target="_blank">“In the Heart of the Christmas Pines” by Leona Dalrymple @ Old-Fashioned Book Love</a></p><p><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-silent-night/" target="_blank">Silent Night @ Angela Watts, Author</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;">have you read this book? </div><div style="text-align: right;">have you entered the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a652fbb10/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a>? only two more days!</div></h3></div></div>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-42273652895749662082020-12-21T08:00:00.096-05:002020-12-21T11:01:08.636-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 8 || Favorite Christmas Music of 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFy-b6LT7BGm6LgeEczaUK3ZjVQIu255w4tPdmTn_HBukpP8dWX4LGEHSI25DbAbLgxEzdgdXeouc_6X3s6lMvnAZSMdi8c3q6Fvbn36A0v1Lc9BTUFkxV90xuGDQlDyIt6jnMJsk_6L/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzFy-b6LT7BGm6LgeEczaUK3ZjVQIu255w4tPdmTn_HBukpP8dWX4LGEHSI25DbAbLgxEzdgdXeouc_6X3s6lMvnAZSMdi8c3q6Fvbn36A0v1Lc9BTUFkxV90xuGDQlDyIt6jnMJsk_6L/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>How are y'all doing during this last-few-days-before-Christmas? ;) I'm running errands, doing some cleaning, and maybe <strike>hopefully</strike> figuring out last-minute gift items. :P </p><p>Today I'm sharing some of my current favorite Christmas songs. These aren't necessarily new songs this year, just ones that are special to me right now. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p61t3-zQPkM" width="320" youtube-src-id="p61t3-zQPkM"></iframe></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Here to Stay // Hannah Kerr + Cochren & Co. </h4><p><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Baby in the stable is the only One who's able </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">To bring comfort and peace that's never gonna leave</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Love came down on Christmas Day</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now my Hope is here to stay</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XKJmgq7bsfM" width="320" youtube-src-id="XKJmgq7bsfM"></iframe></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Born in Bethlehem // Third Day</h4><p><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hallelujah, the King is here, given for all men</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Baby Jesus, do You know You'll die for all our sins? </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Don't be afraid for in three days, You will rise again </span></i></p></blockquote><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mXBzrutelZA" width="320" youtube-src-id="mXBzrutelZA"></iframe></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Go Tell it on the Mountain // Zach Williams</h4><p></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>I was a lonely seeker, I sought both day and night</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>And I asked the Lord to help me, and He showed me the way</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>He made me a watchman upon a city wall</i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>And if I am a Christian, I am the least of all</i></span></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UW50aNlIf10" width="320" youtube-src-id="UW50aNlIf10"></iframe></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Christ is Come // Big Daddy Weave</h4><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Those born in darkness have seen a great light </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Redeemer of our hearts has been born this night </span></i></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/5-christmas-decor-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">5 Christmas Decor Items @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/21/12-days-of-christmas-day-eight/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Eight @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/21/christmas-mini-book-review-the-christmas-cat-by-melody-carlson/" target="_blank">Book Review: The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson @ Review from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-christmas-challenge.html" target="_blank">Christmas Challenge @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmas-cookies.html" target="_blank">Christmas Cookies @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com" target="_blank">A Christmas Devotional @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-8-favorite-cookies" target="_blank">Favorite Cookies @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what's your current favorite Christmas song? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-31288382364152518942020-12-20T08:00:00.120-05:002020-12-20T09:50:42.104-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 7 || God With Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOeDplHdoBRqRh-Z71ug3oMI73S41jDEGdd-c_9z32KIgUjT7XMCQEVzSw0epzU86RK0N0cnaqbUG2Mm9u7X6C9niU30BTzH_FL01fevYx_xk-CI7Uk28GF0R6NNP1pj9NZP3Qb9Zs-_n/s850/12DoC20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOeDplHdoBRqRh-Z71ug3oMI73S41jDEGdd-c_9z32KIgUjT7XMCQEVzSw0epzU86RK0N0cnaqbUG2Mm9u7X6C9niU30BTzH_FL01fevYx_xk-CI7Uk28GF0R6NNP1pj9NZP3Qb9Zs-_n/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Happy Sunday, lovely souls. I hope you all have the opportunity today to gather with believers, celebrate Christmas, and worship the Savior. <3 </p><p><br /></p><p>* </p><p><br /></p><p>Another ramble inspired by On This Holy Night. You’re welcome. ;) </p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe it's because I was listening to the audio narration of this book while driving home from school with nothing else to do but think and ponder. But I was totally struck dumb by something I realized. Something that I’d never realized and/or considered before. Maybe I had learned it at some time in the past, but I had never grasped it fully or understood the deeper meaning. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>// luke 1:30-32</b></span></p></blockquote><p></p><p><br /></p><p>In the past, whenever I read about the angel visiting Mary, I didn't pay a lot of attention to the fact that she was also given a name for the baby. Of course His name would be Jesus, He was God's Son. The name means "to deliver, to rescue" because that's what He came to do. </p><p>What I didn't realize until recently is that, at the time of His birth, the name “Jesus” probably wasn’t uncommon. Jesus in Greek, or Yeshua in Hebrew, translates to Joshua in English. Same root word. Nearly same meaning.</p><p><br /></p><div></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jesus: Greek - to deliver, to rescue </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yeshua: Hebrew - to deliver, to rescue</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Joshua: English - God is salvation</span></b></div></blockquote><div></div><p><br /></p><p>Wait wait, hold up... </p><p>Joshua. Joshua means "God is Salvation." </p><p>Joshua, of the Old Testament, was chosen of God to led his people into the Promised Land. </p><p>One day, Jesus will gather His people home to the ultimate Promised Land. </p><p>It was likely a name that Mary and Joseph had heard before. It's reasonable to consider that at the time that Jesus was a growing up boy, living with His family in Nazareth, there were other boys nearby who were always given this name. </p><div><div>Somehow this realization served to deepen my understanding of the total humanity of the Son of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>He lived among ordinary people. He had normal, ordinary parents. He had a name that wasn’t uncommon or unheard of, the name of a Jewish leader in early Old Testament times. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Not only did He live among dirty, messy humans for thirty-three years, He was fully human. The only distinction was His inability to sin. Fully God and fully man. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>And the reason for it? Because the only way He could relate to us in our earthly times of pain and suffering was to come to earth and experience such for himself. He did it all for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Son of God.</div><div><br /></div><div>Son of man. </div><div><br /></div><div>Emmanuel. </div><div><br /></div><div>God with us. </div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/6-scriptures-10-days-of-christmas-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">6 Christmas Scriptures @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmas-devo-day.html" target="_blank">A Christmas Devo @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-a-hymn/" target="_blank">Christmas Favorites: A Hymn @ Tower in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-7-expected-end-part-5" target="_blank">Christmas Story: Expected End, pt.5 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-christmas-tag.html" target="_blank">Christmas Tag @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/12-days-of-christmas-2020-day-7/" target="_blank">Christmas Traditions to Carry on in 2020 @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Word Study on on "Emmanuel" @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">only 5 days until Christmas... O.o</h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-88921510080328241302020-12-19T08:00:00.151-05:002020-12-21T23:17:26.959-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 6 || Why Nativity Scenes Shouldn't Be Pretty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8DHQoayvsP9QXzLthXooM0Mw5LwT4htYTduLaxLWsQGEunsNO5h6QUxTgRuvMFNQvk8W2ROJl3z6g_vWWgff-7ufYzWPdU1wiWv1OcX-cQFUQNJfJoXG7qXx3hTVlMmxWVAIQZOUkZHR/s850/12DoC20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8DHQoayvsP9QXzLthXooM0Mw5LwT4htYTduLaxLWsQGEunsNO5h6QUxTgRuvMFNQvk8W2ROJl3z6g_vWWgff-7ufYzWPdU1wiWv1OcX-cQFUQNJfJoXG7qXx3hTVlMmxWVAIQZOUkZHR/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A thought occurred to me while reading <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28068073-on-this-holy-night" target="_blank">On This Holy Night</a></i> a few weeks ago. It's something that has stuck with me ever since, and I felt inclined to share. </p><p>*</p><p>Nativity scenes. We see them everywhere during this time of year. Hearths, chimneys, coffee tables, kitchen counters, front lawns, street corners. Anywhere from fit-in-your-pocket tiny to life-sized large, you can find imitations of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, sheep, donkey, camels... the whole Christmas cast, right? </p><p>Now, let's further consider how they usually look. Are their appearances true to their roles in the true Biblical story of Christ's entry to the world? </p><p>Mary is usually depicted as beautiful, innocent, serene, contented, almost angelic. Almost always wears blue while kneeling beside the manger. She typically does <i>not</i> look like a woman who just gave birth. Joseph, the strong, handsome husband, often holding a light over Mary and also looking perfectly content. The manger looks cleaner than any feeding troughs I've ever seen. Perfectly clean hay. Perfectly clean Baby. </p><p>(Sometimes the Christ Child even has a halo or a glow of golden glory around Him. Sorry, people, but the Bible doesn't mention this. He was the fully and totally God, clothed in fleshly humanity!) </p><p>For the sake of not boring y'all, I won't even get off on the shepherds... But overall, it's what one might call pretty, isn't it? Visually appealing. Nice to look at. </p><p>But...what if nativities shouldn't be pretty? What if that's the whole point? </p><p><b>What if—in our self-focused drive to make Christmas more appealing, more trendy, more comfortable—we lost the very thing that gives the story power? </b></p><p>Mary and Joseph were completely human. Was God with them? Yes. Absolutely. 100%. But that doesn't mean they weren't scared. Gosh, I can't even imagine how scared they were. Not only were they tasked with raising the Son of God in their own home, but who was going to believe their story? It's common for new parents to be scared and apprehensive of what's to come. How much more were the couple in our nativity scenes burdened by what the future may hold for the two of them and their child? </p><p>It's my belief that we make nativity scenes pretty because we don't enjoy looking at ugliness. Dirty, ugly, marred things (and people) make us uncomfortable. We want to view, be around, and associate ourselves with pretty things and homes, put-together people and flawless relationships. </p><p>We. Don't. Like. Ugly. </p><p>But we should. </p><p>Jesus did. </p><p>Jesus loved ugly, dirty people. </p><p><b>Jesus <i>died for</i> dirty, ugly me and dirty, ugly you. </b></p><p>He didn't enter this world because we were good enough for Him. </p><p>He came because we are ugly and dirty and need saving. </p><p>He didn't come because we deserve it. </p><p>He came because He loves us and wants better for us. </p><p>He didn't come because He needs us. </p><p>He came because we need Him. </p><p>When we beautify the nativity scene and story, we take away the power of the story. </p><p>Holy, sinless, life-giving Savior chooses to come and dwell among broken, sinful, depraved humanity. </p><p>Nativity scenes shouldn't be pretty. They should be dirty, because that's the whole point of the story. </p><p><br /></p><p>* </p><p>(Little issue with the blog this morning, but all is running well now. :) ) </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/7-favourite-christmas-covers/ " target="_blank">7 Favourite Christmas Covers @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/19/12-days-of-christmas-day-six/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Six @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-decorations.html" target="_blank">Christmas Decorations @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-6-expected-end-part-4" target="_blank">Christmas Story, Expected End Pt.4 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-christmas-traditions/" target="_blank">Christmas Traditions @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-its-christmas-time.html" target="_blank">It's Christmas Time! Tag @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/12-days-of-christmas-day-6-my-favorite-christmas-movies/" target="_blank">My Favorite Christmas Movies @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-police-force-for-christmas-by-rebekah.html" target="_blank">“A Police Force for Christmas” by Rebekah A. Morris @ Old-Fashioned Book Love</a></p><p><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-proof-of-your-love/" target="_blank">Proof of Your Love @ Angela Watts, Author</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">thoughts on my little spiel? :P </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-26160114590421153592020-12-18T08:00:00.129-05:002020-12-18T10:34:24.119-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 5 || Favorite Christmas Stories of 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxSmBzCRpnYNNNIoV7GYfQgeZLwpxytq2NzUu8ejDv2vSNP4KfV5vTeGtDTzD4a7oWhn6QA-n_tFgXFrk8zKsgmuUCDq2HUch7pNoo0L0q4NpadLvyWVuxbpMyQ4ofn7U5gKvCWB1oN4G/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxSmBzCRpnYNNNIoV7GYfQgeZLwpxytq2NzUu8ejDv2vSNP4KfV5vTeGtDTzD4a7oWhn6QA-n_tFgXFrk8zKsgmuUCDq2HUch7pNoo0L0q4NpadLvyWVuxbpMyQ4ofn7U5gKvCWB1oN4G/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Only a week until Christmas... what a lovely season, eh? :) Today I'm sharing four lovely Christmas books that I've enjoyed so far this Christmas season. And then we have oodles of posts by everyone else, linked below!</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't forget to enter the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a652fbb10/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a>! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2kNISzLdSiz9OUT4nG80rlFvlZHWtFhZLCn1N2fOMfe7le_TQSagOeYuec3EKNrj2lAbVi932NVg5Pn-7UXqKsVdFvCbhbkpUIivhuhmuD4UACdJBObDdsBWL5tNSHV8Vzr0AmAXxl00/s475/25990015._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="315" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2kNISzLdSiz9OUT4nG80rlFvlZHWtFhZLCn1N2fOMfe7le_TQSagOeYuec3EKNrj2lAbVi932NVg5Pn-7UXqKsVdFvCbhbkpUIivhuhmuD4UACdJBObDdsBWL5tNSHV8Vzr0AmAXxl00/s320/25990015._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Tin Can Serenade by Amanda Dykes</h4><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></div><blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two homes in the mountains </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Snowed in for winter’s keep; </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">A river in between them, </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">A rope tight o’er the deep</span></i><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">… </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">So begins the plucky correspondence of Timothy and Genevieve, two children about to uncover a story long-buried... one filled with love, with loss, and with hope. An enchanting Christmas story laced with joy, God's healing hand in the broken places of life weaves through each letter passed over the river in that tin-can strung from the rusted pulley. </span></i></div></div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This one was just too cute. I loved the epistolary style, and the kids' personalities were shone very well. Somewhat predictable, but that didn't subtract from the loveliness. <3</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUdkkkHGc9KQbeSa_ghDD4JSFWznb5vEzd3FSl6DaCqalrs-PikWIX41yXwH7te03IZ3rt-SC8b538CIv7GQFlfEj3Dj7evMk77Z3x0raCh4rJZ8Qew9jsqjOF3lN4QUE9ZOiXetjNPpP/s475/55130989._SY475_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUdkkkHGc9KQbeSa_ghDD4JSFWznb5vEzd3FSl6DaCqalrs-PikWIX41yXwH7te03IZ3rt-SC8b538CIv7GQFlfEj3Dj7evMk77Z3x0raCh4rJZ8Qew9jsqjOF3lN4QUE9ZOiXetjNPpP/s320/55130989._SY475_.jpg" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Go Tell It by Rebekah Morris</h4><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">When an alleged shortcut leads Frank passed a group of mountain homes on Christmas Day, he discovers something shocking– No one celebrates Christmas. The children doesn't even know what Christmas is about. Is Frank's shortcut a chance to "go tell it on the mountain"?</span></i></div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A heartwarming short story about sharing the gospel of Christ at Christmas time! The characters were sweet and charming and I loved the heart of the story. <3</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAUYMPQxP32x0tRn9xMMMYSJQ99eI-YwjwnypKd74upCR6aY5rONJh9M4kRBCUgqvb_QTx_ST_VYuCIjuS1trL0VFSWbL0DyQGELU9izvGJdJXpKomKN37Rf5lZxHYECg-iBJsACEZO2n/s500/52542294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="323" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAUYMPQxP32x0tRn9xMMMYSJQ99eI-YwjwnypKd74upCR6aY5rONJh9M4kRBCUgqvb_QTx_ST_VYuCIjuS1trL0VFSWbL0DyQGELU9izvGJdJXpKomKN37Rf5lZxHYECg-iBJsACEZO2n/s320/52542294.jpg" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Far as the Curse is Found (Joy to the World) by Amanda Barratt</h4><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></div><blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In Joy to the World, three popular romance authors come together to offer a heartwarming collection of holiday Regency romance. Based on lines from a beloved Christmas carol, these three novellas have depth, faith, and satisfying stories all packed into the perfect length for readers to curl up and take a brief break from their holiday busyness.</i></span></span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div></div></blockquote><blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Far as the Curse is Found: One winter night, a woman struggling to provide for her illegitimate child encounters a scarred veteran of the Napoleonic Wars on the streets of London. Can love conquer the darkness of two broken pasts?</span></i></div></div><div></div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful story. I didn't start reading this until late one night and stayed up until wee mornings hours to finish it. So precious, so lovely. It's broken hearts healed and lives mended and love conquering evil. It was neat to see how the title tied into the storyline, too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">A truly beautiful story, definitely my favorite Christmas tale so far this year. <3</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Out of this collection, I've only read the middle story—Far as the Curse as Found. I'll probably go back and read the others soon.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTLCb6Sk393RW8T2ey6nADnpHUsf9XcceNUvH7j9BwYpIPzQ7t0u3F80Xec76aVnAO6lJo-R9ZWxgPUkGoarwnzdYQc5gZsj2pqlX4f6obxXxruXD8dTLeoEVTuvYmTOkKE-kIEhchhYJ/s475/18221496.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTLCb6Sk393RW8T2ey6nADnpHUsf9XcceNUvH7j9BwYpIPzQ7t0u3F80Xec76aVnAO6lJo-R9ZWxgPUkGoarwnzdYQc5gZsj2pqlX4f6obxXxruXD8dTLeoEVTuvYmTOkKE-kIEhchhYJ/s320/18221496.jpg" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">A December Bride by Denise Hunter</h4><p style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career...and his heart?</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy—the best friend of Layla O’Reilly’s ex-fiancé—would be the last person she’d marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency—a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she’s landed her client.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">For Layla, it’s the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it’s his last chance to win her heart.</span></i></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Having watched the Hallmark movie adaption of this story (several times, actually), I knew the basic storyline. Still, it was fun to read and catch the differences and similarities between book and movie. Not an all-time favorite, but a cute story. </p><p><br /></p><p>(Apologies for the late posting—everything *should* be on schedule after today. <3)</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/18/8-activities-10-days-of-christmas/" target="_blank">8 Christmas Activities @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/18/12-days-of-christmas-day-five/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Five @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/18/christmas-book-review-the-bridge-by-karen-kingsbury/" target="_blank">Book Review: The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="http://maidensformodesty.com/christmas-books/" target="_blank">Christmas Books @ Maidens of Modesty</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/18/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-a-story/" target="_blank">Christmas Favorites: A Story @ Towers in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-5-expected-end-part-3" target="_blank">Christmas Story: Expected End, pt.3 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmasy-story.html" target="_blank">A Christmasy Story @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/circle-c-christmas-book-review.html" target="_blank">Circle C Christmas - Book Review @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://angelarwatts.com/12-days-of-christmas-eli-eli-lama-sabachthani/" target="_blank">Eli Eli Lama Sabachthani @ Angela Watts, Author</a></p><p><a href="https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-must-watch-christmas-movies-12-days.html" target="_blank">My Must-Watch Christmas Movies @ Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors</a></p><p><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com" target="_blank">Pictures/Aesthetics @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;">have you read any of these? </div><div style="text-align: right;">what new favorite Christmas story have you discovered recently?</div></h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-1713474978579752482020-12-17T08:00:00.098-05:002020-12-17T09:28:56.765-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 4 || Favorite Christmas Movies of 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6XoB-LhuTjkYFG-TUHpAiDcvoih0A0PnY2d8QeUhCcXdqeKO-N-07VtsgDzw2mIe-M2v_7ueRJubZr9W8Ubkp2IbEP60h8bjUqkZV_LF4u2pafCASGvgV7hFtHrjjWxrREUqtAQrZpDh/s850/12DoC20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6XoB-LhuTjkYFG-TUHpAiDcvoih0A0PnY2d8QeUhCcXdqeKO-N-07VtsgDzw2mIe-M2v_7ueRJubZr9W8Ubkp2IbEP60h8bjUqkZV_LF4u2pafCASGvgV7hFtHrjjWxrREUqtAQrZpDh/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Good morning, lovelies! </p><p>Can you believe it's only eight days until Christmas? School is officially finished and after I take care of some work things today + mail Christmas goodies, it's time for full-on Christmas baking. ;) </p><p>Today, I'm sharing three of the few Christmas movies I've seen this year! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yLDgphQKupwBURW8wJWM14WQu3PnnyyYaqom12ZQ9qg5J_eFWTG025LCdesZk4avmpVwKblwYLQhjSrPl-a3lqoVp49g85pY5AOg7ZmjFeX_bstlSztv3M0iSotAgsP4E40y2sHihbEf/s2048/0*tKVWw_s7_bVKxIAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0yLDgphQKupwBURW8wJWM14WQu3PnnyyYaqom12ZQ9qg5J_eFWTG025LCdesZk4avmpVwKblwYLQhjSrPl-a3lqoVp49g85pY5AOg7ZmjFeX_bstlSztv3M0iSotAgsP4E40y2sHihbEf/w400-h225/0*tKVWw_s7_bVKxIAW.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">USS Christmas </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><blockquote><span style="font-family: georgia;">Maddie, a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship's archive room.</span></blockquote></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having been aboard the USS Yorktown (where much of this movie was filmed), my bestie and I knew we had to watch this movie as soon as it was announced. It ended up being a lot sweeter than I expected, and I adored the "mystery" story. <3 </div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwluZr5m42tPZgvi36_-rhBsiTsE0Bw0NnxwU3OdMMH4hU4mXuykCTWab514uKBoM_U6fpJN8UQfBqwsege6KDBxhNwnxNkBrHHUIzTju0yibSWZxQ1vyB8bBe9Gp0nfmi1lIUp7B2oMF/s512/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwluZr5m42tPZgvi36_-rhBsiTsE0Bw0NnxwU3OdMMH4hU4mXuykCTWab514uKBoM_U6fpJN8UQfBqwsege6KDBxhNwnxNkBrHHUIzTju0yibSWZxQ1vyB8bBe9Gp0nfmi1lIUp7B2oMF/w400-h225/unnamed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Angel of Christmas</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Susan gets a chance at her first real article, writing about the family angel, which were handcrafted by her great-grandfather. It is said to have a history of bringing people together. Working hard to get the article done on time, she is torn between the handsome, successful Derek and the free-spirited artist Brady.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I watched this one with a friend too, and it also had a background/mystery story! It was really sweet and had some laughable moments as well. Susan's friend was my favorite. </div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR5a0GJUeMQa58WrjTJlqddJ5Ryz8DKxgYALZADPDtCFchiygSDmb_PILOR1byKBXHK6Hms-fjvOungn7vIs7QdovN7S_K-JR-vz6yl_WIsUsGeeaJWQtPe1C6spnhHYN3AQ0rNq9vwpo/s1120/1200x630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1120" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGR5a0GJUeMQa58WrjTJlqddJ5Ryz8DKxgYALZADPDtCFchiygSDmb_PILOR1byKBXHK6Hms-fjvOungn7vIs7QdovN7S_K-JR-vz6yl_WIsUsGeeaJWQtPe1C6spnhHYN3AQ0rNq9vwpo/w400-h225/1200x630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">Hitched for the Holidays</h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">An attractive pair agrees to be each other's supposed significant other throughout the holidays to keep their meddling families at bay.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one was...almost totally comedy. Not an all-time favorite, for sure, but it was funny and amusing. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a sweet Christmas movie with a lot of heart, but if you need a laugh and something entertaining, this isn't a bad choice. :)</div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/9-writing-prompts-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">9 Christmas Writing Prompts @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/17/12-days-of-christmas-day-four/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Four @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-birds-christmas-carol-by-mrs-kate.html" target="_blank">“The Birds’ Christmas Carol” by Mrs. Kate Douglas Smith Wiggins @ Old-Fashioned Book Love</a></p><p><a href="https://katetheauthor.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-christmas-blessing-by.html" target="_blank">Book Review: The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson @ Kaitlyn Krispense, Author</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-4-the-christmas-miracle-of-jonathan-toomey" target="_blank">Movie Review @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-movie-review.html" target="_blank">Movie Review: Christmas Oranges @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><div><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/12-days-of-christmas-day-4-top-10-songs-on-my-2020-christmas-playlist/" target="_blank">Top 10 Songs on My 2020 Christmas Playlist @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://farmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/17/12-days-of-christmas-day-4/" target="_blank">Word Study on "Gift" @ Faith on the Farm</a></div></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">have you seen any of these? </h3><h3 style="text-align: right;">what's the best Christmas movie you've seen so far this year? </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-64402442234189033682020-12-16T08:00:00.101-05:002020-12-16T09:28:56.758-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 3 || Once Upon a Dickens Christmas - Series Review<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dYKxIZi6gkupnciHgZMW9a-HZrOZKszU1QbDvrQxrZPqG6tMzPVuMP6g3fA3-wvdiahbDlnz83uaTlgyEg4i6-ymv7QJr2o0p5J3gD9YUbqSrMDEzpPLEErm0pmpL-OcPTz6Zsmp1_qw/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7dYKxIZi6gkupnciHgZMW9a-HZrOZKszU1QbDvrQxrZPqG6tMzPVuMP6g3fA3-wvdiahbDlnz83uaTlgyEg4i6-ymv7QJr2o0p5J3gD9YUbqSrMDEzpPLEErm0pmpL-OcPTz6Zsmp1_qw/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>Good morning, lovelies! </p><p>I had hopes of getting this up earlier, but after Christmas shopping most of yesterday and then doing homework all evening/night, I didn't get my post written and readied ahead of time. So here we are. ;) </p><p>I had the joy of diving into some darling books by Michelle Griep in the not-too-decent past. And now, I will attempt to scream about my love for them enough to convince you to read them while also refraining from divulging spoilers. Also can we talk about these covers??</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ghgPqURnQUwOgeE_8hNa7Ea7ho0GVqDzvdjxSxMAVf-p4Tsx0LU9mPfsrMnAQD04NEbJvuR_OnLmfMJOgx7vJG3sAQP1zsetgSBerK40DvcToEenU1Wjc1rFx4yJxrP9_4fE9JMfcWEb/s463/33554888._SX318_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ghgPqURnQUwOgeE_8hNa7Ea7ho0GVqDzvdjxSxMAVf-p4Tsx0LU9mPfsrMnAQD04NEbJvuR_OnLmfMJOgx7vJG3sAQP1zsetgSBerK40DvcToEenU1Wjc1rFx4yJxrP9_4fE9JMfcWEb/s320/33554888._SX318_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i></i></div></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">When Clara Chapman receives an intriguing invitation to spend Christmas 1850 at an English manor home, she is hesitant yet compelled to attend—for if she remains the duration of the twelve-day celebration, she is promised a sum of five hundred pounds. That’s enough money to bring her brother back from America and reinstate their stolen family fortune. But is she walking into danger? It appears so, especially when she comes face to face with one of the other guests—her former fiancé, Benjamin Lane.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Imprisoned unjustly, Ben wants revenge on the unknown person who stole his honor. When he’s given the chance to gain his freedom, he jumps at it—and is blindsided by the anger of the woman he left at the altar.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Brought together under mysterious circumstances for the 12 Days of Christmas, Clara and Ben discover that what they've been striving for isn't what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.</span></i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Started reading last Christmas and finished shortly into January. The beginning was slow, but the rest of the book made up for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• A group of strangers (except two and that wasn't planned) trapped in a dark creepy mansion, all uncertain what they're doing there and why? Mysteries and adventures and secrets abound! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• Clara and Ben were my favorites until I read book #2 and loved those people just as much... But I dunno, these two might still be my favs... I loved the full-circle effect of their past history and the way it shaped their futures. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• The Victorian style (in relation to literally everything) was so well done. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">• THE PROSE. So beautiful. So amazing. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExiKOjgCMs-mXjSMhW02WNwge3ZKxHEyPJ7-HefNJ4AaxpZsptZkFA1eqhI1fig8zRVzrYkiG7xJT0rFZnivruNCxTCo4PF2XzG86qbF4gfSBTjaPfjGLvXpPtyk1PWwDcGkkm8gEor1v/s442/38746239._SX318_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExiKOjgCMs-mXjSMhW02WNwge3ZKxHEyPJ7-HefNJ4AaxpZsptZkFA1eqhI1fig8zRVzrYkiG7xJT0rFZnivruNCxTCo4PF2XzG86qbF4gfSBTjaPfjGLvXpPtyk1PWwDcGkkm8gEor1v/s320/38746239._SX318_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">London, 1853: Innkeeper’s daughter Mina Scott will do anything to escape the drudgery of her life, for there’s nothing more mundane than serving customers day after day. Every minute she can, she reads lovely stories and dreams of someday becoming a real lady—and catching the eye of William Barlow, a frequent guest at the inn.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">William is a gentleman’s son, a charming-but-penniless rogue. However, his bachelor uncle will soon name an heir—either William or his scheming cousin Percy. In an effort to secure the inheritance, William gives his uncle the impression he’s married—a perfect plan until Uncle invites William to bring his wife for a visit.</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">William asks Mina to be his pretend bride, only until his uncle names an heir on Christmas Day. Mina is flattered and frustrated by the offer, for she wants a true relationship with William. Yet, she agrees. . .then wishes she hadn’t. So does William. Deceiving the old man may mean that more than just money is lost. </span></i></div></div><br /><p>• There is something about let's-pretend-to-be-a-couple plots that always draw me in. Whether it's a Hallmark movie or a book like this one, something about the trope always draws me in. Sometimes I end up enjoying the story that follows and sometimes not, but this was definitely one of the good ones. </p><p>• Will and Fitz's relationship <333</p><p>• Can we talk about the beautiful prose again?? I will most assuredly be reading more of Michelle Griep's eloquent words. </p><p>• Alllll the Dickens references and connections. <3</p><p>• I listened to most of this one on audiobook driving to and from school, and I absolutely adored it. The narrator did such a fantastic job with the accents—it was a true delight. </p><p>• May or may not be lowkey crushing on William Barlow. </p><p>• Miss Whymsy. Miss Whymsy. Miss Whymsy. <3</p><p><br /></p><p>I've just started reading book #3, <i>The Old Lace Shop</i>, and I'm hoping I enjoy it was much as these two! <3</p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/10-songs-from-my-christmas-playlist-10-days-of-christmas-blog-party-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">10 Songs From my Christmas Playlist @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/16/12-days-of-christmas-day-three/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas — Day Three @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/2020/12/the-best-of-hallmark-christmas-take-2.html" target="_blank">The Best of Hallmark Take 2 @ Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/christmas-book-review-yesterdays-christmas-by-a-m-heath/" target="_blank">Book Review: Yesterday's Christmas by A.M. Heath @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="http://maidensformodesty.com/the-carpenter-from-the-archives/" target="_blank">The Carpenter @ Maidens of Modesty</a></p><p><a href="https://towerintheplains.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-christmas-favorites-a-song/" target="_blank">Christmas Favorites: A Song @ Tower in the Plains</a></p><p><a href="https://public-api.wordpress.com/bar/?stat=groovemails-events&bin=wpcom_email_click&redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Ffarmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com%2F2020%2F12%2F16%2F12-days-of-christmas-day-3-christmas-recipes%2F&sr=1&signature=73071430cf512e14f3c3b1dd35fcfafe&user=185653561&_e=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&_z=z" target="_blank">Christmas Recipes @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-3-expected-end-part-2" target="_blank">Christmas Story: Expected End, Pt.2 @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-diy-christmas.html" target="_blank">DIY Christmas Cards @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-book-recommendations.html" target="_blank">Christmas Book Recommendations @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: right;">have you read this series?</h3><h3 style="text-align: right;">don't forget to enter the <a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a652fbb10/?" target="_blank">giveaway</a>! </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7765609215944755752.post-4681549188444268472020-12-15T08:00:00.132-05:002020-12-23T18:10:24.170-05:0012 Days of Christmas || Day 2 || 20 Little Christmas Lovelies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-epLF0TC_0KhBmDaozLXKS9weCwV2N-qmj9DFBHV9iupvrZs6hcYElsNwTjU10BWJqlXgUsPb15pV5gGNf-4uWkRcrmjxlxBg4r2nqD5OTYjn83wBepKl840-zLKS4YMmfZAmT3HM7Ai/s850/12DoC20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="850" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-epLF0TC_0KhBmDaozLXKS9weCwV2N-qmj9DFBHV9iupvrZs6hcYElsNwTjU10BWJqlXgUsPb15pV5gGNf-4uWkRcrmjxlxBg4r2nqD5OTYjn83wBepKl840-zLKS4YMmfZAmT3HM7Ai/w640-h442/12DoC20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Because this year has been a continual lesson in learning to find the good among the bad, savor the moments while you have them, and remember what's truly important in life, I thought I would share 20 things that I've found a fuller appreciation for during Christmas 2020. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• christmas lights everywhere on my drive home •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• peppermint everything •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• a lighted and decorated tree gracing the living room • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(even if it took us nearly three days to get around to getting it finished)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• discovering new books <3 • </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• the fact that I had many more ideas for this post <i>before</i> I actually sat down to write it •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• the two light snows we've already had + a chance of snow later this week • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(winter weather is my JIVE)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• christmas movie nights with special people • </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• speciality coffees + drinks •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• the need for coats and scarves and leggings and sweaters and boots and the like • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(warm comfy clothes make me happy)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• christmas-y church services + hymns • </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• those people who go all out and even attach christmas decor to their vehicles • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(saw an adorable decorated jeep last night and I'm kinda diggin' it)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• planning + picking out gifts for my people •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• christmas music on every. single. station. • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(is it just me or does it seem like even the country stations started playing Christmas music earlier this year?)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• looping christmas lights through my bookshelf and giving my space a sweet glow •</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• sales. sales. sales. • </p><p style="text-align: center;">(this totally counts)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXBzrutelZA" target="_blank">Zach William's version of Go Tell It on the Mountain</a> • </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">• hugging people •</p><p style="text-align: center;">(do not yell at me. I miss the days when no one frowned at hugging people randomly and fully and without judgement)</p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">• the fact that there's not actually twenty things on this list, but you wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't told you • </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">• this blog party and all it means to me <3 • </div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;">|| 12 Days of Christmas</h2><p><a href="https://littleblossomsforjesus.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/11-favourite-indie-christmas-books-12-doc-2020/" target="_blank">11 Favourite Indie Christmas Books @ Little Blossoms for Jesus</a></p><p><a href="https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2020/12/15/12-days-of-christmas-day-two/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas: Day 2 @ Soldier Girl Stories</a></p><p><a href="https://abigailkayharris.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-2/" target="_blank">12 Days of Christmas: Day 2 @ Read Review Rejoice</a></p><p><a href="https://old-fashionedbooklove.blogspot.com/2020/12/as-in-olden-days-by-jesseca-wheaton.html" target="_blank">“As In Olden Days” by Jesseca Wheaton @ Old-Fashioned Book Love</a></p><p><a href="https://www.lifeofheritage.com/the-blog/12-days-of-christmas-blog-party-day-2-bing-crosby-christmas-songs" target="_blank">Bing Crosby Christmas Songs @ Life of Heritage</a></p><p><a href="https://farmandphotographylife.blogspot.com/2020/12/12-days-of-christmas-book-review.html" target="_blank">Book Review: A Storybook for Advent Series @ Farm Life: Autumn's Adventures</a></p><p><a href="https://public-api.wordpress.com/bar/?stat=groovemails-events&bin=wpcom_email_click&redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Ffarmgirl4jesus.wordpress.com%2F2020%2F12%2F15%2F12-days-of-christmas-day-2-christmas-books%2F&sr=1&signature=41db07166ef60a38d6175124baf96363&user=185653561&_e=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&_z=z" target="_blank">Christmas Books @ Faith on the Farm</a></p><p><a href="http://rebekahashleigh.blogspot.com/2020/12/christmas-movies.html" target="_blank">Christmas Movies @ RebekahAshleigh</a></p><p><a href="https://reviewsfromthestacks.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/spell-the-month-in-christmas-books-december-2020/" target="_blank">Spell the Month in (Christmas!) Books // December 2020 @ Reviews from the Stacks</a></p><p><a href="https://katetheauthor.blogspot.com/2020/12/wake-up.html" target="_blank">Wake Up @ Kaitlyn Krispense, Author</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: right;">what's making the Christmas season special for you this year? <3</h3><h3 style="text-align: right;">(please say a prayer for some friends of ours today—they got the worst kind of news.) </h3>Faith P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12321422384005620538noreply@blogger.com26