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

Camp NaNo, Packing, and Deaf Movie Night || April Recap

I could start this post by moaning and exclaiming over how I have no idea where the month went. Which would be an honest reply to how I greeted the first hours of May 2018 seeing as how I went to bed shortly before 1 AM. But since I do that every month... well, we'll just skip it altogether and move right into what y'all are actually here for.

|| Life. || 

>> I attended a Deaf movie night for an American Sign Language assignment and it was SUCH A COOL EXPERIENCE. Are we foreseeing interpreting as a future career choice for Faith? Ya never know...

>> Many days this month were spent planning, talking about, and packing for the trip next month. (Not sure what I'm talking about? See this post.) I'm sure we'll all be running around like a pack of crazies this weekend, but I feel...pretty much prepared?? xD


>> I finished my chemistry textbook and it was SUCH an amazing feeling to cast that thing aside. (Okay, more like add it to a stack of rubbish on my desk because finals are this week so #studying O.O)


>> Spring finally found us. We had some cold days and our fair share of rain, but this warm weather, y'all. <33

We heartily approve of summertime. But half of 'we' does not like pictures. 

|| Books. || 

// Reads 

Into the Sunset compiled by Susan K. Marlow -- 4 stars
The Proving by Beverly Lewis -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
The Women of Easter by Liz Curtis Higgs -- 5 stars
Love Finds You in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts by Melody Carlson -- 4 stars
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard Maybury -- 5 stars
Happy Day by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes -- 4 stars -- Review to come.

I also read the books of 1 Samuel and 2 Timothy. :D

// Books 

Into the Sunset -- contest win
In Bloom -- review book
A Question of Courage -- purchase

|| Writing. || 

Writing was rather grand this month. With Camp NaNo, a short story, other short story ideas, and the tingling inspiration to seek out possible publishers (!!!), it was a month it which I felt like a writer. Loveliness. <3

As y'all already know, yes, I competed in Camp NaNoWriMo this month. It was an amazing experience, as always. My cabins mates were so much fun to sprint, chat, and hang out with, and the month flew by quickly!

My goal was to edit 60k words of A Soldier's Freedom. This novel is about 64k words currently, so that would be editing most of it. (I ended up counting nearly 3,000 words of a short story toward my goal, but still... I'm nearly through with the first edit of ASF!) I'm hoping to finish the edit this week. :D

Speaking of stories... As y'all already know if you've read my Camp updates, I wrote a short story during the first few days of the month and I'm SO tickled over how it turned out. It rates high of the list of favorite things I've written. Or, it would, if there were such a list.... Anywho, I'm looking forward to sharing my little darling with y'all soon! =D

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts 

Flights from the Aerie ~ Reintroduction

A Purpose and a Promise ~ Made for Another World

Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Girl ~ With Them You are Wanted

Ivie Writes ~ Your Words Matter// Spread the Light

Wonderland Creek ~ The Note on the Wall

// My Posts 

Week One ~ Week Two ~ Week Three ~ Week Four

|| Goals. || 

// April Goals 

>> Read 8 books.        Nailed it.

>> Edit A Soldier's Freedom.      I'm technically not done, but nearly so. :D

>> Win Camp NaNoWriMo.     YUS!

>> Finish my Math and Economics courses.      Yup.

>> Finish trip planning.      Pretty much. xD

// May Goals 

>> Take a break.

>> Travel across the continent.

>> Read for pleasure.

>> Write if I feel like it.



Announcement time... I'm going on another blogging hiatus for most of the month of May. I'll be popping in a few times toward the end of the month with some blog tours for some amazing books, and I'll post a May recap (TRIP PICS, Y'ALL! <3), but other than, I'm taking a break.

I know I just took one in January, and I honestly didn't think I'd be doing it this soon, but I need it. But meanwhile, I'll be reading y'all's posts and planning some awesomeness (think: new stories + giveaways + anniversaries) for June... so stay tuned. ;)


How was your month? Any special plans for May? Are you excited for summer? :D 

~Faith

New Release, Good Books, & Snow || March Recap

I would be cliche and say that March flew by. (Which would be true.) But instead I'll just say that I have no idea where it went.

|| Life. || 

>> It snowed like three Wednesday mornings in a row this month. It'd be warmer over the weekend, and then snow midweek. Kinda cool. ;P

>> I had some crazy conversations with my family. Not that that's unusual...

Tucker: Why does food get cold but drinks get warm?
Me: Because we like our food hot and our drinks cold.
Tucker: Not necessarily. What about coffee? Or ice cream?
Me:....Ice cream doesn't 'get cold'. Unless you like, put it in the freezer.
Tucker: No, no, you don't get it.
Me: Mhm. Okay. There is no logic here.

*at play practice*
Someone: *gives the cue for the guy who's playing Jesus*
Tucker: *walks out, flipping through his copy* Where are we?
Me: Go back, Thomas. We need Jesus.
Other narrator: We all need Jesus, Faith. It's not just you.
Me: *dies*

Mom: Why isn't all our grass the same?
Dad:...what?
Mom: Seriously! In some places we have real grass, and then we have this weird other grass, and then we have spots of just weeds!
Me: *dies*


>> Our church youth group put on an Easter skit! No pictures, but I would say it was a definite success. :D


>> I read my critique partner's new book. (Translation: I flailed over her new cast of characters and left 9274 comments in the document that were 78.3% inside jokes and 21.7% helpful stuff.) (But hey, at least I can do basic math.)

>> My desk was a disaster most of the month. Like, seriously.

>> I saw I Can Only Imagine at the theater and it was amazing. Give it a watch, y'all. You won't regret it. ;)


>> Amy and I did a 'one-arm day' in the name of research. We attempted to spend the entire day doing most tasks with only one arm/hand. I believe I can speak for both of us in saying that it was more difficult than we expected. ;)

|| Books. || 

I read some really good books this month, y'all. Likkeee... *heart eyes*

// Reads 

Kindred Souls by Patrica MacLachlan -- 5 stars
Passion & Purity by Elisabeth Elliot -- 5 stars
Revelation: In Christ You are an Overcomer by Warren W. Wiersbe -- 4 stars
I Don't Dance by Jesseca Wheaton -- 5 stars
Wedding a Warrior by Hannah R. Conway -- 5 stars
100 Days with Jesus by Diann Cotton -- 3 stars -- Review HERE.
When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke -- 4.5 stars

I also read the books of Judges and Ruth....and my own, Love Needs No Words. xD

// Books

You're the Cream in My Coffee, Go Teen Writers, & When Tides Turn -- B&N
Judah's Wife & Cinderella -- giveaway wins

|| Writing. || 

Things in the writing world went pretty well this month! I'm specifying writing world here, because most of it wasn't actual writing. But that's okay, because I'm still around the stories and all. <3

(Come to think of it, the only writing I can recall was a short story that I wrote off of a song I heard. Speaking of which, would y'all like to read something like that on here?)

On the publishing side, some things that happened were...


       ~ Love Needs No Words was published in paperback and ebook formats.

       ~ I finally published an ebook version of Dandelion Dust on Lulu! 


In other news... *deep breath* I've had some inspiration in the area of War Tears. (Yes, my 127k word baby that's sitting alone on the shelf right now... *cries*) It's not enough to dash into edits yet, but I do have several handwritten pages of notes. So hopefully I'll have more soon. I've been praying about it, and I think I'll be able to dive back into it come June. *fingers crossed*

I'd originally planned to get into the editing of A Soldier's Freedom this month, but I ended up setting that aside and considering it my Camp NaNoWriMo project.

I also had some inspiration for another aforementioned story! Goodness, I have a lot of them, don't I? Some of y'all may remember when I mentioned a prequel to Dandelion Dust last summer? I didn't put much time or effort into it then, but a week or so ago, I had some ideas and made an outline. I don't think it'll be more than 15-20k words, but I'm looking forward to digging deeper into that one sometime soon! (Translation: I'm having Ry+Char withdrawals. It's bad.)

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts

Ladies, Stay on God's Path for You ~ Lady Grace

God is Always There & Hello! ~ Apples of Gold

What If ~ The Ramblings of a Book Worm

Friendship ~ Whimsical Writings for His Glory

Being Single ~ Colorful, Creative Cards

// My Posts

|| Goals. || 

~ March Goals 

>> Read 8 books.        YUSS!

>> Stay caught up on emails.        Ahh...haha. Pretty much. xD

>> Publish Love Needs No Words.        Yeppers!!

>> Edit 9 chapters of A Soldier's Freedom.        No...but for a good reason. ;)

>> Finish my Grammar, Bible, and History courses.        YES!!! I barely got history squeezed in there, but YES. xD

~ April Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

>> Edit A Soldier's Freedom.

>> Win Camp NaNoWriMo.

>> Finish my Math and Economics courses.

>> Finish trip planning.



How was your month, my friends? Are you doing Camp NaNo?? Happy Resurrection Day!! <33

~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