Christmas Trees, Shoeboxes, and Meeting a Friend || November Recap

So apparently there's only 31 days left in the year. Faith is slightly in denial over the fact, but since there's little she can do it about... Ya know. Moving on.

|| Life. || 

>> Allll the pretty leaves. *heart eyes* We usually have nice color in mid-October, but it was on into November this year. 

>> So I wore plaid, like, daily this month. Because...because that's what you do when the temperatures droop lower and leaves are changing and there's pumpkin stuff everywhere. (Also, I voted for the first time! And I'm slightly proud of it. Check out the sticker on the back of my phone case. xD)

>> One night, I ended up talking about Marine haircuts with my bro. While brushing my teeth. Yeah, not sure what happened there...

>> Christmas tree harvest...happened. So things are rather crazy at the Potts residence currently. *inserts image of all the baled thingies in the ditch* 

>> I got to meet a sweet online friend in person! I've known Angela (of The Peculiar Messenger fame) for a few years. She was nearby Thanksgiving weekend and we got to hang out. Chatting with this dear was such fun! <3

|| Books. || 

// Books 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson -- 4 stars
Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli -- 4 stars -- Review
When God Calls the Heart at Christmas by Brian Bird & Michelle Cox -- 5 stars -- Review
Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars -- Review
Adventures and Adversities by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars
A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid -- 4 stars
O Come All Ye Faithful by Faith Blum -- 4 stars
Storyteller by Morgan Harper Nichols -- 5 stars
There was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars -- Review
His Law is Love by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

Short Stories // 

Snip by Abigayle Claire -- 4 stars

Homeward by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars

For My Good by Sarah Holman -- 4 stars 

The Christmas She Wanted by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars

Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars

First Christmas in American by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars

A Christmas Disaster by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

Befriended by Sarah Holman -- 3.5 stars 

Some Christmas Camouflage by Elisabeth Grace Foley -- 5 stars 

|| Writing. || 

Writing was kind of crazy this month. As in, crazily non-existent. The only actual writing I did was in a random fan-fiction story, and I've been editing War Tears.

Otherwise my focus was on... Behold! This month, I got the book back from my editor, applied edits, sent it to a formatter, got the final cover, ordered a proof copy, got the Kindle version up for preorder, arranged the blog tour, answered author interviews questions...

Yeah, all that good stuff. ;) Six days until release!

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts 

It Feels Like You Have Forever ~ Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father

This is Good ~ A Purpose and a Promise

Five Ways to Conquer Writers' Block ~ Inside Out Design

<3 ~ Like No Other

// My Posts

|| Goals. || 

// November Goals

>> Read 8 books.     YUSSS.

>> Do the final edit of Behold, get it formatted, and order proof.    *fist pump*

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.     Not quite, but I've made significant progress, so we're counting it. xD

>> Post weekly on both blogs.      Another yes. First time I'm completed all my goals in AGES.

// December Goals 

>> Read 15 books.

>> Publish Behold.

>> Host 12 Days of Christmas blog party.

>> Edit pt.2 of War Tears.



So how was your month, dear reader? Did you write 50k? Start getting ready for Christmas? 
~Faith

Amazing Vacation, Fabulous Friends, and a Class of '18 Grad || May Recap

Guess who's back?! :D I've had an amazing vacation, an inspiring hiatus, and I'm ready to tackle June with gusto! Who else is thrilled that its summertime? ;D

|| Life. ||

>> The bro and I compared actors in a movie (Love's Unending Legacy, for anyone who cares to know) with country singers. It was decided that the guys look like Blake Shelton and Chris Young, which is still debatable.


>> I WENT ON A TRIP. Three glorious weeks of road-trippin' and beautiful sights and inside jokes (cereal, anyone?) and meeting online friends for the first time. <3 Here's a few pictures to 'tide y'all over' until I can write up a real posts with allll the goodness. ^_^

>> I met my Rebe! <3 Rebekah and I have been friends for about 2 1/2 years, and we got to meet in person for the first time. My family met up with her family for ice cream and fries on evening, and then us gals hung out for awhile the next morning. It was such a joy! <3

>> I hung out with my Kansas besties! <3 Jess, Kaitlyn, and I have been dear friends for about 2 years. A little over a week ago, for the first time ever, we were all together. I can't even explain how amazing that was. <3

>> Alllll the GDPR emails. Need I say more? xD


>> When you and your mom look up a verse on angels and end up in a discussion on spiritual warfare and the occult...


>> I graduated from high school...and I'm still kinda not sure how that happened or what is supposed to happen next, because like WHAT IS THIS?! But yes, I graduated. Super hyped over that and the grand, glorious future stretched out ahead. New season of life and such. <3


>> My fabulous mom took my senior photos!

>> I listened to sooo much country music. Scotty McCreery's Seasons Change and Carrie Underwood's So Small basically sum up my life right now. ;)

|| Books. || 

May was a fabulous month for reading. I think all those hours in the vehicle paid off. ;) At some point, I was 20 books ahead of my 120 book schedule (at 67 books), so I upped my goal to 150...and now I'm 10 books ahead again....

// Reads

Quest for Leviathan by Amanda Tero -- 4.5 stars
In Bloom by Kayla Aimee -- 5 stars
The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan -- 4 stars
Rumplestiltskin by Jenni James -- 4 stars
A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade -- 4.5 stars
Laylie's Daring Quest by Kersten Hamilton -- 5 stars
Letters from Home by Gracelyn Buckner -- 3.5 stars
Shining Grace by Kristen M. Fraser -- 2.5 stars
Hidden Love by Cara Putman -- 4 stars
Jewel by Michelle Rayburn -- 4 stars
Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 4 by Chautona Havig -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 5 by Chautona Havig -- 5 stars
The Vintage Wren: Week 6 by Chautona Havig -- 4.5 stars
Even the Beasts by Rebekah A. Morris -- 3 stars
Dagger's Sleep by Tricia Mingerink -- 4 stars -- Review here
The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
His Mighty Acts by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars
Honor All Men by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
The Rebellion by Livy Jarmusch -- 5 stars -- Review here

I also read the books of 2 Samuel, Galatians, and Jonah.

// Books 

Violet's Hidden Doubts & Praying for your Future Husband -- gift from a friend
Andi Far from Home & Andi Dreams of Gold -- bought
The Rebellion -- bought to fangirl over the cover
The Road Home & Falling for You -- review books

|| Writing. || 

Writing was pretty nonexistent for the majority of the month. During the first week, I reworked my outline for A Soldier's Freedom and made a list of scenes to add. (I have a thing for long books, apparently.)

While we were gone, I didn't write—just soaked up inspiration. Then, on the 24th, Go Teen Writer's 100-for-100 challenge began, so obviously I had to take part! I've only written like two-thousand words so far, but I'm hoping to up that greatly in June. :D

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts

The Write Conversation ~ 26 Blogging Tips

Reveries ~ When Your Writing Just Isn't Enough

Hands Made to Love ~ This Thing We Call Disability, pt.1 & pt.2

Twilight to Dawn ~ We Hold on Too Long

Go Teen Writers ~ How to Write Every Day and Why You Should

Whimsical Writings for His Glory ~ Memorial Day 2018

One Name ~ It's Because of You

|| Goals. || 

// May Goals 

>> Take a break.

>> Travel across the continent.

>> Read for pleasure.

>> Write if I feel like it.

// June Goals 

>> Read 10 books.

>> Write 5,000 words.

>> Work on new scenes for A Soldier's Freedom.

>> Post my short story from April on here.

>> Share about the trip with y'all.

>> Go on a missions trip. (In state. Meaning I'll be on a bus with crazy teens for a five hours, instead of on a plane for 12+. xD)

>> Celebrate my 3rd blogging anniversary and the 1st anniversary of my precious debut novella.

How was your May? Who else is done with school and ready to rock this summer? TELL ME ALL THE STUFF, PEEPS. <3

Later,
~Faith

Goodbye 2017 + Hello 2018

(Yes, I'm combining the two posts. Be a dear and don't complain, m'kay?)

2017 was an interesting year...and that feels like an understatement. I don't think I'd before experienced a year that changed me so much. It was hard sometimes, but it was a truly beautiful journey and one that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

At the beginning of the year, I chose my 'word of the year.' I had never did this before, but it sounded like a fun concept. So I chose cherish.

(If you've read Dandelion Dust, you're probably smirking at me right now. That book taught me a lot.)

When I chose that word I had no idea what God had in plan for me throughout the 365 days that would follow. I did learn to cherish, on a much deeper level than I'd had in mind. But I also learned how fragile time and life and beauty and love truly are.

We're not here by chance. Every single happening in my life and yours didn't come about by chance. It happened because it's a part of the amazing and intricate plan of the Father in Heaven.

I mentioned that I learned how fragile time is, but I'm also beginning to learn the mystery of waiting. For around a year, I've asked God what He wants me to do. At first He said 'wait, its not time for you to know'...which was not an answer Faith wanted.

But soon after, He gave me an answer. Not a complete answer, but one that's enough for right now. I asked what He wanted me to do, and He said writing.

And yet it took me months to even realize that; I remember the moment clearly. I was talking about writing with a lady at church and she said something about how wonderful it was that, at 16, I already knew what my passion was.

...I'd never thought of writing as a passion. In the few moments that followed that brief conversation, I realize that writing is my passion. I honestly don't think its the only plan God has for me, but it's what I'm supposed to be doing at this moment in time. And for now, that's enough.

2017 also brought a lot of change. Not changes like a move or a new church or a death in the family. But changes inside of me.

I'm a doubter, y'all. I constantly question things, and it's really not good for me.

But this year, I learned that some things are just truths. Things like God's love, how beautiful I am in His sight, and that He has a plan for every bit of pain, every rough spot in the road.

This summer, I learned so many valuable lessons. I discovered who I am in Christ. I grew closer to my Savior than I've ever been before. I held on to Him and learned to rest in His love. <3

(If you're extremely bored, hop over to Chosen Vessels where I wrote more about all that happened this summer.)

Last year around this time, I made a list of goals for 2017. Most of them I accomplished – I read more than 12 books of the Bible, kept a Bible journal for the most part, and grew closer to God. I strengthened my friendships and was (hopefully) a better friend. I finished and published Dandelion Dust *insert squealing* and finished War Tears. I wrote over 190,000 words. I read over 170 books. I started 12th grade.

There were three things on the list that I did not do – go to WinterJam (this year?), keep a writing journal (I legit wrote in it like 3 times), and learn to drive a stick-shift. But I'm not too worried about those things. ;)

A few weeks ago, Shannon Dittemore from Go Teen Writers posted a list of her accomplishments of the year, prompting me to attempt the same. It's quite encouraging to see all that's come about in the past year.

// 2017 accomplishments 

> finished writing, edited, and published by debut indie novella (49k)

> finished writing two other books (127k and 63k)

> wrote 168 blog posts

> hosted/co-hosted two blog parties

> wrote around 190k words 

> read 172 books

> went on a week-long youth/ministry trip

> camped with my family and friends for a week

> met one of my favorite authors in person

> one of my best friends from 1,000 miles away visited for 10 days 

> finished 11th grade and started 12th grade

> took a week-long adult/semi-advanced ceramics/pottery class

> grew closer to God <3 

I suppose that's enough reminiscing. Now for 2018...and for this year, I'm again choosing a word for the year. After flipping the question over in my mind for a few days, I finally settled on Light and Love. I desire to be a light in the world for Christ in everything I do, showing His love to others. <3


Goals for 2018... 

>> Read 15 books of the Bible and continue keeping a journal. 

>> Grow closer to God <3

>> Publish War Tears.

>> Graduate from high school. 

>> Read 120 books. 

>> Write another novel. 

>> Write 125,000 words 

>> Keep up with both blogs. 

>> Meet two online friends in person for the first time. 

Here's to 2018. May it be a year of beauty and growth. Of light and love. Of grace and mercy. Of lessons learned and stories woven.

To God be the glory,
~Faith

**Images from Pinterest. 

SURPRISE! // We're Hijacking her Blog

Twelve days of Christmas is over already.  All of us participants had such an amazing time!!  As a result of all of her hard work, we just wanted to hijack Faith's blog for a day to say "thank you".

Angela Watts

Dear Faith,

Thank you so, so much for spreading the joy of Jesus! Putting together a blog party for the past few years definitely hasn’t been easy - but you not only pull it off like a champ, you also keep spirits lifted to Yahweh through the craziness! Thank you so much for the 12 Days Of Christmas. It means so much to me the past 2 years I’ve participated. You’re definitely amazing, girl. Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

-Angela

Ashley

First off, thank you so much for all the work you do to make 12 Days of Christmas a reality every single year. I know it entails a lot of organization and we’re all so very grateful for everything you do to keep it up and running. I’ve loved being able to participate for these past two years and be able to make blogging connections with you and everyone else who participates. Blogging can be pretty lonely and daunting if you don’t have other blogger friends to support you, and 12DoC helps us all build a little “blogging community” where we can encourage each other. Thank you for your willingness to do this and we hope you know that we’re all here to help support you!

Faith

So, putting aside our sharing the greatest name ever (;)), I just wanted to say thank you for putting this together. You took time out of your season to create a HUGE blog party, and it’s been super fun! I wasn’t able to post much, but what I got to put up and read was amazing. We love you--thank you so much for all your dedication and work to make this Christmas season terrific!

Janelle

Faith!!!! This has been my first year participating in the 12DOC and wow, you my dear are amazing! December is probably the craziest time of the year and then add blogging every day!  Thank you so much for organizing this! It's been quite a pleasure to be a part of Celebrating Christmas and most importantly honoring  the Birth of Christ! Also how Fantastic is this that we get to connect with people we've never met before! This has been such a wonderful experience for me to be a part of! Thanks again!

Merry Christmas!

Jesseca Wheaton

Wow, Faith, this is seriously the busiest time of year for you, on top of having a crazy busy year, and yet you still take the time to put together an amazing blog link up. You're epic dearie.

I love ya lots and am so blessed to be able to have been a part of the 12DoC every year since it's started. It's been a blessing to me, and I know it's blessed so many others as well.

Kaitlyn

Wow, girlie.  During the Christmas season, you’re not just getting ready for Christmas.  You’re doing school, making wreaths, helping out on the tree farm, practicing for a Christmas play, AND AMONG ALL THIS, you’re organizing a twelve-day-long blog party, posting twenty-four times within those twelve days.  Yet, through all this, I’ve seen how you focus on God and His reason for Christmas.  The fact that He sent His son to earth.  For us.  Faith, you’re an inspiration.  I’m blessed to be a part of 12DOC.

Kell

Hey Faith! I’m just participating in 12DOC for the first time this year, and wow! How do you manage to do so much during such a busy time of the year? I’m beyond impressed! I know how crazy it is to get posts out on time sometimes - and twelve at a time? While organizing twenty-one other bloggers? YOU ARE A SUPERHEROINE. And I love that you’re doing it all to the glory of God. I can only imagine how many people will be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas this year! So … thank you. Thank you for giving me (and all these other bloggers) an opportunity to be a part of this. With love, Kell

Marrok MacIntyre

Hello Faith. I’m just swinging by to say thank you. You have truly done something amazing here. For the past 3 years you have takab random bloggers from all over the world, all different walks of life, who didn’t know each other, to all participate in a 12 day Christmas blog party. I know it isn’t easy. And I know you do a ton of work for this. So, thank you for all your hard work this year and every year. I hope to be able to continue to participate and hopefully help you out in the coming years. Again thank you for all your hard work and have a blessed Christmas and New Years!

Megan

Faith!! Thank you SO much for all your hard work in putting together the 12 DoC blog party again this year. It’s been so fun participating with you all (though I wasn’t able to do as much as normal, apologies for that :P) and it’s been equally amazing seeing how the party has grown in the past three years. Talking about the past...can you believe it’s been three years since we “met”?? Crazy!! It’s been awesome seeing how you and your love for Christ has shone the past few years through your blog. Keep up the amazing work, girl!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! <3

Michaila

Faith, I just wanna say thank you. You multitask it all like a pro and have given everyone apart of this such a great time. I know it takes a supreme level of patience to take care of everyone’s needs in a blog party, and a whole lot of communicating...and you aced it.

Thanks so much for making this Christmas shine brighter & for bringing Christ’s joy into the spotlight!

Lotsa love girl,

Merry Christmas

Olivia

Ahh Faith, you have done so much this year in organizing the 12 Days of Christmas blog party, and I’m so glad I get to be apart of it! You are truly an example of a hardworking, cheerful, beautiful Christian girl, and I really appreciate all you’ve done!! The 12DoC blog linkup has helped me to focus more on Jesus as Christmas arrives, and that’s a really really good thing. You’ve created something that people are blessed by and THANK YOU for that. You’re amazing to have done all of this ON TOP of everything else you have in your life, like schoolwork, homework, Christmas planning, and whatever else in between!! You’re an inspiration and a light for Jesus. Keep it up! I hope you have the best of Christmases and an awesome New Year.

Love,

Olivia

Rebekah

Faith, I've been enjoying this link-up since the very first year, and it never fails to encourage me and introduce me to other amazing blogger's who seek to glorify God during the Christmas season. I have the awesome privilege to call you my friend, and I sincerely hope this little post we’re doing on your blog can scratch the surface of the gratitude we all feel for the time and effort you put into this fun blog series. :)

It hit me yesterday as I worked on scheduling my first post that having this link-up to look forward to each year has become a highlight of December for me. That's the highest compliment I can give anything, Faith, because December is one of my favorite months of the year, and there are so many things to keep me busy...but I wouldn't want to miss being a part of this link-up even with everything going on in my life right now. It has become one of those things that make my Christmas, like the decoration of our house, watching “It's a Wonderful Life”, and making Christmas cookies at my grandma’s house.

So thank you for everything you do to make this possible. I hope this post we’re putting together blesses you as much as your effort toward the link-up has blessed all of us. <3  I can honestly say that my Christmas would not be the same without it.

From all of us here,

THANK YOU, FAITH! :D

The Year at a Glance ~ 2015 Wrap-up Post

So here we are and it's....wait, WHAT?!?!? The last day of 2016? No way, Jose! B-) Anyways... I decided to do a wrap-up post of my year, 2015. I got this idea after reading Katie Grace's post. Here goes!! 

Writing. 

This was the first FULL year that I've been at this writing 'thing'. I have several books started along with a few short stories and some fan-fiction stuff. ;) (At the rate I'm going they'll all be completed by the time I'm...50?? B-) hahaha.) 

Sometime next year (by that I mean like tomorrow. haha.) you all will be getting to read a short story I'm working on. ;) I think y'all will enjoy it!! (And throw rocks at me for all the cliffhangers....*cough, cough* ) 

I did not enter/complete NaNoWriMo this year. *sad face* I wanted to, but November is chaos for Christmas tree farmers (and Christmas tree farmers daughters...) BUT...I'm planning to hold my own 'NaNo' sometime this coming summer. Probably June or August. Anyone interested in doing it with me? :D I'd love to have ya!!! 

Reading. 

In preparation for this post I pulled out the notebook I use to keep track of what books I'd read (including those I'm currently reading) and...*gasp* Only 34????  I'm going to say 35 because I read another but it's not technically published yet... *wink* 

I read... 

Decent Exposure by Jessica Rey and Leah Darrow 

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin 

A Dream Not Imagined by Shantelle Mary Hannu 

Thick as Thieves by Susan K. Marlow 

Heartbreak Trail by Susan K. Marlow 

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 

Another Homecoming by Janette Oke

My Secret War by Mary Pope Osborne 

The Journey by Wanda E. Brunstetter 

A Distant Melody by Sarah Sundin 

A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin 

The Attacks of September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshis 

Dark Storms Rising by Jesseca Wheaton

Gift From the Storm by Rebekah A. Morris

Avery's Battlefield by Deanna K. Klingel 

Avery's Crossroads by Deanna K. Klingel

Tales From the Circle C Ranch by Susan K. Marlow

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple by Karen Cushman 

Currently reading...

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin 

With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin 

Christmas at Rose Hill Farm by Suzanne Woods Fisher 

The Battle of Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick 

Kinship by Trudy Krisher 

Books of the Bible...

Genesis 

Exodus 

Leviticus

Malachi 

John 

Ebooks that I read... 

While You're Awake by Amber Stokes 

How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes

A Christmas Peril by Diane Moody

Currently reading to review... 

The Battle Plan of Prayer by Stephen and Alex Kendrick 

Twelve Days of Christmas by Michelle Paige Holmes (ebook) 

Danny's Girl by Susan Alyworth (ebook) 

Blogging. 

I started a blog this year!!! *throws bucketfuls of confetti* Actually, two. :) I've had so much fun with this and all you followers have been THE BEST!!! ;) 

Life. 

Groundbreaking(?) things that have happened this year. ;) 

- a new church 

- taking drivers Ed./learning to drive/getting my permit 

- finishing 9th grade and starting 10th

- going camping with friends (and acting positively goofy for an entire week) 

I'll let y'all guess which ones are me and my brother B-) 

- photographing my own Indiana Jones...

- sunsets 

- going on my first mission trip 

- traveling with my family across this beautiful land 

- losing my self to fictional folks and then learning that they die.... 

- discovering lots of great movies. Like "The Shunning", "The Confession", "Seasons of Gray", "Letters to God", "The Christmas Candle" and "Hoovey" to mention a few. 

Are these two ADORABLE or what??? :) 

I mean seriously?!?!?!? :D 

I'll have another post sometime this weekend/next week about my goals for 2016 in writing, reading, bloggin and life in general. :) 

Until then! 

~Faith