A Question of Loyalty // Cover Reveal

A lovely Saturday to you, readers! :D As you've probably guessed from the title of this post...I'm here with a cover reveal. For the third book in a series that I absolutely ADORE. <3

Join me in fangirling over the beauty you're about to behold... *insert heart-eyes* <3

Synopsis

A Man. A Brother. A Traitor. 



The war has taken everything Micah Wilson has ever held dear, and with all his being he wishes he could do something to stop the heartache. But he often wonders if he'll ever be able to move on after the war, or forget the brother who left six years before. How can God still have a plan, when it seems that the world around him is falling to pieces, to say nothing of his own heart?  



Ann Wilson has seen two brothers changed by the war. And she's resolved to do something to stop the pain she sees in their eyes from becoming a reality for so many others.  The world is on the brink of Normandy when her nursing unit is shipped to England, and while there, an unexpected encounter promises to change her own life . . . Forever. But it's only the beginning.  As the war in Europe rages on, Ann is caught in the crossfires. And when the unthinkable happens, she comes face to face with the evil of the Third Reich. Is it possible that the reality of it all is more deadly than even her worst nightmares? 



Erich Essler never questioned his duty to his country. All his life he's struggled to live up to his father's expectations, and bring honor to the Essler name. But when the man he thought of as his only friend turns out to be the enemy, he can no longer rid himself of the questions that continue to torment him. Is what he's doing really honorable? And does he owe his loyalty to his country . . . Or a higher power?



Freedom for Europe dawns on the distant horizon.  But in the midst of the fight, four lives will be forever changed, and their loyalty to God and Country brought into question.

*Not final blurb

~Add it on Goodreads~

About the Author

Jesseca is a daughter, sister, and a child of God. Her days are spent reading, cooking, spending time with siblings, or playing piano.  And writing, of course! At an early age words fascinated her, and her love for the printed page has only grown. She lives with her parents and seven siblings in the sunny state of Kansas, and she’s convinced there’s no place like home. Though, being in the sky is pretty awesome, too.

Website~Blog~Amazon~Goodreads~GooglePlus~Pinterest~Instagram 

The Literary Dinner Party Tag!

Hello friends! 

After a month away from the blogging realm, I'm officially back and planning to tackle the stack of tags awaiting me. There will hopefully be a tag every Tuesday this month, starting today and excluding next week...because #reasons.

For today, Ivie @ Ivie Writes tagged me for the Literary Dinner Party tag. It looks like sooo much fun. Here goes :D

1 // A character who can/likes to cook.

Debbie Carmichael from Love Me Tender works in a restaurant, sooo...? *nods* We'll go with that. 

2 // A character who has the money to fund this party.

Legit anyone in the Bradford family, in the Bradford Sisters series by Becky Wade. We'll go with Nora. ;)

3 // A character that might cause a scene.

Andrea Carter in any of the Circle C books. She wouldn't do it intentional...but things don't always go according to plan with her around. :P

4 // A character who is amusing.

I could say my own characters... (Because, y'all, I finished my read-through of A Soldier's Freedom this afternoon, and my characters are SO SNARKY AND GOLD. <3) ...but instead, I'll go with Don and Cyril from the A Life of Faith: Millie Keith series. ;) 

5 // A character who is super popular.

Leith Torren. He may not be popular to the majority of the world, but he definitely is to TBoA fangirls. *points to self*

6 // One villain.

Erich Essler from A Question of Honor. He's like the epic-est, best-est villain ever.

7 // One couple-doesn't have to be romantic.

Riley and Becca from To Get to You are SO-O adorable! 

8 // One hero.

Walt Novak. You thought I was going to get through this without mentioning Sarah Sundin, didn't you? *winks*

9 // One underappreciated character.

This one was rather difficult... but I finally came up with William from The Princess and I. I'm still trying to recover from that ending... *sniffles*

10 // One character of your own choosing.

Sadie from The Pursued. (Jake may accompany her if he so wishes.) She's such a dear thing! <3 

Well, that was harder than I thought it would be... :P I feel like I mention half of these books in every bookish tag, but I am trying to be creative...promise... *wink*

Alrighty, I hereby tag... anyone who read this post while wearing socks.


Thanks for reading, dears! <3
~Faith 

Time Management, Editing, and a New Focus || January Recap

Hey, people! After a (nearly) month-long, planned hiatus, I'm back into the blogging world. :) Throughout the month, I read most of y'all's posts and left some comments. Now I'm officially back, though still in denial that January is OVER, and ready to take on February. ;)

Sometime in the past few weeks, I came up with a bit of a plan for my monthly recaps for 2018. There isn't much changing, but hopefully it'll be formatted a bit more professionally now. (Did I mention how much easier it is to blog on a laptop than an iPad?! <3)

Let's take a peek into my month. :D

|| Life. ||

>> Y'all... I was super epic at managing my time this month. Which says a lot for someone who can seriously get distracted while doing things like brushing her teeth. It was kind of weird, but I really just didn't waste time. (Okay, I kind of did...some. Read on and when you get to point 3, you'll understand. YouTube is a trap.) But I was pretty productive. I may or may not have folded clothes while doing chemistry. And I totally didn't get toothpaste on my phone case because I was reading while I brushed my teeth. xD 

>> I ate roasted asparagus and mushrooms straight out of the fridge... Let it never be said I'm complicated when it comes to food.


>> I watched an insane amount of Studio C sketches. Worst Lawyer Ever, Worst Doctor Ever, A Friend's Dying Secrets, and We Have Big News are the best ones out there. Suggestions accepted. *nods*


>> Our youth group went snow tubing, which was super epic. Sadly, the only pics I have are from ChickFilA afterwards...and they include weird glares and ketchup...just don't ask.


>> My family did strange (but somehow normal for us...?) things.

Dad: *gets up out of the chair* *kneels in the floor* *sticks his head under the chair*
Mom: *watching him with wide eyes*
Me: *laughing so hard*
Tucker: *whispers* I think he's trying to get out of the rain...

Tucker: *goes to the cabinet for food*
Mom: There's some leftover apple crisp in the fridge
Me: ...no, there's not.
Mom: Oh, never mind.

*watching a movie*
Guy: *proposes*
Me: say no...say no...
Girl: I'm sorry, I can't..
Me; YES.
Dad: *dies laughing*

Dad: *commenting on how much Tucker has eaten*
Me: You know you have to feed him for at least 4 more years, right?
Dad: Mhm. It's getting expensive
Tucker: He's going to rent me out
Me: Nobody would want you once they knew how much you eat.
Tucker: He could rent me out to Little Debbie. I'll be their sampler.
Me: *dies*


>> I was walking down the hall, and I told Mom that I was going to 'take a speedy shower that probably wouldn't be very speedy' and she was like 'yeah, because Faith doesn't take speedy showers' and I'm like DUDE, TIME ME. Needless to say, I nailed it in six minutes flat. Boom.


>> I got good advice from my people.

Faith: Do I need cake?
Friends: No. go do something useful.
Faith: But that book about made me cry.
Friends: Oh, that's different. Eat the entire cake and sob your heart out.


>> I binged season 8 of The Walton's over school break, and since then watched Little House on the Prairie season 1. xD


>> For those of you who may not follow my other blog, you probably didn't know that I joined three other lovely ladies and I'll now be posting (hopefully) twice a month on Living for Jesus Christ. Naomi is our leader *wink*, and Ashley, Olivia, and I will be posting as well. It's great fun, and y'all should totally go check it out. Some good, encouraging stuff on there. ;)  

>> I took weird selfies. Let's just call this editing at it's best.

>> When someone asks you if you're "still writing"... Like, lady, if I could stop, I think I would. At least, some times.


>> I won Abi's signature contest! That was super cool. ;)


>> My favorite songs of the month were: Still a Soldier - Trace Adkins, Love Has Been Spoken and Listen to the Sound - Building 429, and I Am Sure - Dan Bremnes. <33


>> A day in the life of Faith... *stays up after 11:30 editing* *crashes into bed* *sleeps through first alarm* *finally gets up* *edits/does school until class time* *attends class* *edits while eating lunch* *finishes school* *edits another chapter* *goes for a walk* *edits another chapter* *helps with supper* *eats supper* *goes back to editing*

|| Books. || 

This month, I read 21 books...and I'm really not sure how. xD Usually when it looks like I got a lot of reading done, I've actually read a lot of short stuff. Not entirely the case here, since the average page number among these books was 155, giving me a total page count of 3,261. #record

I'm also doing decently with the reading jar challenge. I've only bought three books so far, sooo.... XD

// Reads

Beloved by Kaitlyn K. (unpublished) -- 5 stars
Wisp by Paul Willis -- 4 stars
Beyond the Horizon by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars
Fly Away by Patricia MacLachlan -- 5 stars
The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado -- 3.5 stars
Seek by Angela W. (unpublished) -- 5 stars
Wrapped in Red by Meghan Gorecki -- 4.5 stars
To Carry Me Through by R.S. Oswald -- 5 stars
Kelly's Chance by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- 5 stars
Flowers by Kellyn Roth -- 4 stars -- Review
A Question of Loyalty by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars
The Pursued by Willowy Whisper -- 5 stars -- Review
Betsy's Return by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- 4 stars
What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller -- 4.5 stars
A New Life by Rebekah A. Morris -- 3.5 stars
Forest Zooks by Gray Marie Cox -- 2.5 stars -- Review
Go Teen Writers by Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson -- 5 stars
Baby by Patricia MacLachlan -- 5 stars
Sarah's Choice by Wanda E. Brunstetter -- 5 stars
While You're Awake by Amber Stokes -- 4.5 stars
Numbers -- 5 stars

// Books Received

I got 5 books this month, and they're all so darling. ^-^

A Question of Loyalty -- from a friend (Not the same AQoL listed above. *wink*)
100 Days with Jesus -- Review book
Out of the Ashes -- Review book
King's Folly -- CBD sale
Sea of Glory -- CBD sale

|| Writing. ||

So, writing was kinda interesting this month. I realize now that I got a ton done, although it didn't really feel like it at the time...? *shrug*

I wrote a short-story and entered it in the Circle C contest. 

I edited/re-wrote Love Needs No Words and sent it to a few beta-readers. 

I edited the first part of War Tears. 

I started reading through the first draft of A Soldier's Freedom (and also allowed my critique partner to see it). 

I celebrated the first anniversary of writing Dandelion Dust. 

I had ideas for two new stories. (More on this next month, perhaps. I'm considering working on outlines, and then writing one of them for Camp NaNo April. We'll see. ;D)

But the biggest/most important thing that happened this month...was that I got a new focus concerning my writing.

As I dove back into editing War Tears (after hardly touching it since like, November), I was badly unsatisfied with how it was turning out. I was distracted, utterly bored with the book in general. The characters are flat, the plot is cliche, and even above that, I couldn't figure out what the theme is. Which...kinda scared me, to be honest. What is a story without a message? Why bother with it at all when there's no purpose?

I whined about it to my critique partner, and another writer friend, and my Mom. The first two assured me that the story is good. Mom reminded me that she hasn't read it, and therefore isn't much help when it comes to plot and characters. (She's very good at pulling me back to earth this way.)

Finally, after trying numerous different ways to 'fix' War Tears, I realized the root of the problem. I couldn't find a purpose in the story, because I didn't want to be working on it at all. The entire time I was trying every possible alternate, my mind was on A Soldier's Freedom. Wrapped up in a story that I adore so, so much. Why? Because it has a message – and I know what it is. (The fact that I was listening to the ASF soundtrack while editing WT should have been a clue, but no, it wasn't. I'm slow like that sometimes.)

So what am I doing now? I'm still editing War Tears, yes. Because I do like that book, horrible as it is. And I'm determined to find a purpose in that hunk of 127,000 words if it kills me. I'm brutally attacking the bad scenes. Glorying in the good. Cutting the unnecessary words. (Seriously, Faith, it doesn't matter if you liked that line. It's pointless, so it needs to go.)

But I'm also reading through my first draft copy of A Soldier's Freedom. A chapter or so a day, depending on how much time I have. And I'm leaving a TON of sticky notes with things I need to change. But I'm also grinning and laughing and tearing up because, y'all, I love this book.

When I pray for God to have His way in my writing, it's A Soldier's Freedom that comes to mind. Not War Tears. And I'm okay with that now. <3

|| Blogging. ||

So....I somehow hit 80 followers this month?! Wow, thanks, y'all! <3 I do find it ironic that I gained several followers when I was hardly around. xD

// Favorite Posts

Taking Dictation // The Probably Deserved a Medal

Twilight to Dawn // Heartbeats Fill the Earth

Geoturtle //Encouragement for the Waiting Girl

Like No Other // You Are

Twin Thoughts // Beloved {My Book}

Scattered Journal Pages // Cry, Pray, Trust 

Inbetwixt // Run Away With Me

Ink Blots and Coffee Stains // Choice After Choice / a poem

// My Posts

|| Goals. || 

~ January Goals 

>> Read 8 books.        Yuusss!! :D

>> Finish editing part one of War Tears, start part two, and send part one to my alphas.        *nods* I'm barely into pt.2, but yes. xD

>> Stay caught up with emails.        Yeah...not as well as I could, but yes.

>> Survive school.        Mhm. Somehow.

>> Rewrite/edit a short story from last year to, hopefully, publish soon.        Yep! And send it to betas.

>> Write 1-2 short stories for a contest.        *nods* I decided to just submit the one and not try to write a second, but I still entered.

>> Finish a beta-reading project.       #yaasss

>> Take a break from blogging.        Yeppers. Twas kinda nice. ;)

>> Host a bookstagram challenge!        Yes! This was a lot of fun.


Ladies and gentleman, I believe this calls for celebration. This is like one of the only months ever when I accomplished every goal, at least in part. Shall we go for two in a row?? ;D

~ February Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

>> Finish editing War Tears pt.2 and send it to alphas.

>> Stay caught up with emails and blogging.

>> Post on both blogs once a week, plus a couple posts on the group blog.

>> Start applying beta-readers feedback on Love Needs No Words.

>> Finish my read-through of A Soldier's Freedom.



How was your month, lovely readers? Did ya miss me? *wink* There may or may not be a surprise coming in a few weeks for those of you who did miss me... (Kidding, it's for everyone. Well, kinda.)

~Faith

The Pursued // Blog Tour + Book Review

Hello readers! I'm still technically on break, but today I'm dropping in with a blog tour for Willowy Whisper's latest release, The Pursued. :D

// Synopsis 

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.

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?

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.

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?

Add on Goodreads // Purchase on Amazon // Purchase on Blurb

// Review 

I'm not okay. After spending yesterday evening sucked into this book, staying up until the wee hours of the morning to read (I was legit reading while I brushed my teeth), and then awaking this morning and devouring the last 25% in just over an hour, I'm really not okay. 

This story wrenched my heart right out of my chest. It made me eat cake for breakfast—e-reader in hand, of course. My pulse has yet to return to normal, and my poor lungs not even know how to function. My heart hurt, I teared up, I stared wide-eyed, soaking up the words.

Am I exaggerating? Maybe in the slightest. But y'all, this book... <3

I've read all but one of this author's published works, and with every new book that releases, I think I've finally found a favorite. And then the next book comes out and it changes again. :P And yes, that happened here. Why? Sadie.

While I did love Fawn and Adam, Sadie and Jake were my favorite part of the story. The way he protected her, took care of her and looked out for her. Ahh! <3 It was seriously just the sweetest thing. Precious. I loved their story, so, so, SO much. I need a sequel with the two of them, m'kay? ;)

Fawn and Adam's story was darling as well. His backstory and struggles with guilt absolutely broke my heart, and at the same time he infuriated me. ("Just be honest and let healing come, man!") Fawn needed someone to protect her and love her and make sure she was taken care of. And, oh my goodness gracious, Betsy. She was the most precious child I do think I've ever read. So adorable!! <3

Also, the dual storyline. How does the author pull this off so well?! The two stories (well, four really) are not vitally connected. They probably could stand alone. But they're woven together so nicely, loosely drawn together in a darling story that tugs at the heartstrings. <3

As far as the ending goes...it did leave some loose ends hanging, which I personally would have liked to see the outcome off. *spoilers ahead* Like, was Fawn ever reunited with Mrs. Taylor? When/how did Jake learn that she was finally safe? Did Jake ever introduce Sadie to Brock and his family? Some other things were not explained. Like, how did Adam know Fawn was at the laundry? Where did the sheriff disappear to after showing up at the Preston ranch? *end of spoilers*

Aside from that, I adored the book. The Pursued is an amazing tale, with a lovely, simplistic writing style. I was dying to know how everything turned out, and yet I did not want it to ever end. <3

5 stars! Only because that's as high as I'm allowed to go. ;)

**I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.** 



// Favorite Quotes 

Let the sky cry. Let it grieve with him. 

"Did you know that angels watch over us, Sadie?" 

There was a certain feel to it, this night. A calmness, maybe. As if the trees sang songs, as if the wind told tales. Even the sun, lowering across the horizon, blazed in shades more intense, more stirring, than ever before.

// Author Bio

Willowy Whisper is a young, Christian fiction author. She lives in a beautiful place called West Virginia, nestled between mountain and field. She is the author of nine novels, eight of which are published, and numerous short stories. She is also a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, an incurable romantic, and a passionate dreamer. To follow her, visit her blog: www.willowywhisper.com

Have you read any of Miss Willowy's books? Do you have a favorite? :D 

From the Shelves {Winter Reads}

Welcome to the winter edition of From the Shelves! Today I bring to you six winter-ish books, in three fun genres, and two books from winter TBR. :)

My prop for this picture is a dandelion decoration that a friend gave me. It makes me think of a snowflake too, so I figured it would work for this. ;)

It certainly feels like winter here lately – lots of cold! Unfortunately, no snow recently, but maybe soon. 

Here goes! :D

Historical. 

Ahh, the Little House books. I have read this series at least two or three times. When my brother and I were young, we read the entire series aloud as a family more than once, and then I read the series as a unit study in fifth grade. The Long Winter is one of my favorites and a definite winter read!

classic // historical fiction // always re-readable

This is another precious series that I've read more than once! Caleb's Story is my least favorite of the five, probably because it's from Caleb's POV and the others are from one of the sisters' POVs. It's a very sweet story though. I just love Cassie and Grandpa! <3

historical fiction // children's book // reunion story

I was scouring my shelves for wintery books, thinking I needed a Janette Oke book to make the selection complete, when I spotted this one. It starts with a blizzard, so it's obviously a winter book... And such a wonderful one too! :D

historical fiction // christian fiction // romance // western

This is a super sweet story of winter on a family farm in the '30s!! I really enjoyed the A Life of Faith: Kathleen McKenzie series, and this was one of my favorite books! The extended McKenzie family is barrels of fun. ;)

historial fiction // christian fiction // great depression era

Contemporary.

The Rachel Yoder: Always Trouble Somewhere series was one that I really enjoyed as a preteen. Book three, Out of Control, is a wintery book that has to do with snow and sledding and the like. Very cute story!

contemporary // amish // juvenile fiction

Fantasy. 

The Blades of Acktar is an amazing fantasy series, and one of my top favorites. Dare starts with one of our main characters walking around during a blizzard... Definitely a winter book! It's been around two years since I started reading them, and I'm looking forward to re-reading these books soon. 

*Read my full review of this book here. 

fantasy // christian fiction // no magic

TBR. 

// Little Women by Louisa May Alcott // 

In New England while their chaplain father serves during the Civil War, mother "Marmee" watches the four March sisters grow up. Beautiful capable Meg, tomboy writer Jo, shy musical Beth, and selfish temperamental Amy struggle to pursue their dreams. Kindly neighbor Mr Laurence and his grandson "Teddie" soon become part of the friendly family.

I actually started this book last month, but I'm only about one-quarter of the way through it. It's so sweet and whimsy! I'm really enjoying it. Winter is the perfect time for lengthy reads.

// Winter is not Forever by Janette Oke // 

"What are you gonna do after graduation?"

Everybody's been askin' me that question. With graduation only a month away, it seems like I'm the only one in our little school who doesn't know what he's gonna do after the big day. I've been prayin' about it, but I still don't have an answer.

Is God nudgin' me to become a minister? A farmer? A husband? Life is filled with choices. The hard thing is figurin' out what to do!

I've read the first two books in this series and somehow it's taken me forever to get around to reading the last two! What better time than winter to read it wth a title like that, am I right? ;)

Have you read any of these? Got any favorite winter reads? :D

~Faith

Reading Jar Challenge // Wanna Join?!

Good morning, readers! :)

Today I bring to you a reading challenge that I recently came up with. Upon realizing that I have lots of books that I have not even read (and I'm constantly buying more... O.O), I decided that I need to remedy that.

Thus, the challenge.

And what's a challenge without friends to keep me accountable? ;) If you'd like to take part in the reading challenge, you can do so for any reason. It's not hard – just read books!

In my case, the purpose of the challenge is to encourage myself to read all the books I own but have not read. (Yes, there are literal tons of them.) Then, I'll reward myself with a money system. Once I finish a book, I'll put money in the jar (pictured above) according to how much the book is worth. Then I'll only use money from the jar to buy more books!

Here's what I'm planning to do...

Owned book -- $2

Library book -- $1

All review books (physical copy and e-copies) -- $2

Ebook -- $1

If y'all want to join, you can decide what type of reward would work best for you. Maybe you want to use candy or free time. Maybe you want to finish multiple books before sticking something 'in the jar'. Or maybe you want to follow the system I set for myself. It's totally up to you! :D 

Y'all wanna join? Post the graphic on your blog (if you have one, and then only if you want xD), and read, read, READ! :D I'll be adding updates to how this is going in my monthly recaps this year as well as on the new '2018 Reads'.

Have a blessed day, all! :)
~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.