Mission Trip + Birthday Bash || June Recap

Yes, that says June. Yes, I realize this is two days shy of being a month late. Am I back to a consistent schedule? No, but I'm back for right now. Am I promising I'll do better? No, but I'll try. I could make up a bunch of excuses, but I'm basically just a procrastinator who needed some time after a trip the last week of June. And is still trying to get things re-aligned. :P

All that to say...this may be boring and lame, but I didn't want to break my trend of doing a recap every month. And I didn't rly wanna combine it with July, because they felt like distinctly different months. For some reason. xD

So hey there, friend! Please—forgive me for disappearing. And prepare yourself for a photo dump. Also let's talk and catch-up in the comments. :D

|| Random

• Work, work, work...and did I mention work?  Okay, seriously, I'm not complaining. At all. But sometimes I feel like I spend 60 hours a week in a checkered uniform shirt. xD

• I also spent a lot of time camped out at the library—hoping for a spot by an outlet, wearing a hoodie, chugging coffee, taking up a whole table with my notebooks and planner and schedule and editing notes and...such—because our internet at home has been iffy.

• When your bro comes by where you work...and as he's leaving, you realize that his means of transportation is farm equipment. 

take a look at dat plow boy

|| SOS = Servants on Site

My family and a group from our church participated in the same mission trip/group ministry that we've did for the past few summers. It was an absolute blast, and as good and powerful and life-changing as always. <3

in the chow line ;)

SOS 2019 theme

my work crew!

posing in Smithfield's

that sky tho

hauling home ALLL the dirty clothes...

group scavenger hunt on Thursday night :D

girl time!

my pretty mama <3

I read like one book (A Letter to the One by Abby Rose Nichols) during the month of June...which might have been even worse than May, actually—can't remember. I did acquire several books. Including The Broken Prince by Kara Linaburg which I'm super excited to read sometime! Hopefully soon. :D

(Told you this would be lame and boring.)

|| Freedom Update

Freedom is coming along quite nicely! The lovely Abi Claire finished edits while I was away from home, so as soon as I finish sorting and applying those, the next step is formatting!

Meanwhile, there's a lot of blog tour prep going on behind the scenes. Ya know those situations where you have wayyyy to much to text someone so you call them? That's me and my bestie trying to plan this thing out. It's so crazy—in a good way. xD

Speaking of the blog tour, the lovely Kate and I will be opening the signup form tomorrow! How exciting is that? We'll be sharing an ARC option as well, for anyone who wants to help out but doesn't have a blog and/or just likes to review. ;D

Also, if you're someone who likes for Kindle books to be downloaded directly to their device on the day of release... Freedom is available for preorder!

|| Snippet 

Goodbyes said, I pocket my phone and, foreseeing the opportunity, step ahead to hold the door for the older couple.  

The lady’s eyes lock on mine as she nears. “Was that your girl on the phone?”  

My girl? I can’t help grinning. “Well… she was once.”  

“I hope you’re doing whatever you need to to get her back.”  

“Edna!”

* 

“I could lie and say I hoard phone numbers.”  

The elevator door opens, revealing the walkway to the front doors of the trauma center entrance. I motion for the other couple to exit first and then follow, falling in step a pace behind them over the crosswalk.  

“But that would be a lie. You’re one Lysol can shy of a clean freak.” 

|| Favorite Posts

The Danger of Writing << Ink Blots and Coffee Stains

Waiting for Nothing << The Storybook Journal

|| My Posts

|| Dandelion Dust: Birthday Bash

• For those who missed it or didn't realize something was going on, I hosted a birthday bash for Dandelion Dust in June, since June 30th was the 2nd anniversary of the book's release. Many other bloggers and friends in the community helped spread the dandelion love, shared about the book-birthday, and talked about my books on social media!

>> Abigail Harris did an amazing week-long author spotlight. Which was super sweet and a fabulous idea! Give her posts a read.

One ~ Two ~ Three ~ Four ~ Five ~ Six ~ Seven

>> Julia @ Lit Aflame and Liz @ Home with the Hummingbirds and Molly @ Qadash - Set Apart, for Him each did a fantabulous interview!  

>> Brooklyne @ Showers of Blessing — This girl's photoshoot, y'all! I am totally in love. *heart eyes* 

>> And let's not forget the epic peeps on Instagram! So many lovely bookstagram pictures. <3  I felt so loved-on. ^_^

• The Kindle ebook was free on the 30th...and I expected *some* downloads. I was thinking, maybe 50-60 at the very maximum. Guys... we topped out with 576 free ebook downloads of Dandelion Dust.

FIVE.HUNDRED.AND.SEVENTY.SIX.

I'm greatly indebted to and appreciative of y'all for spreading the word! I did very little to promote the free day, and the bash in general, so I was absolutely blown away by that number. Wow, y'all. God is good. <3

• I have some DD bookmarks and postcards left over from the party. If anyone would like a couple, shoot me a message or email with your mailing address and I'll send you a few to keep or share with friends. :)

|| June Goals

• Send Freedom to my editor.      YES!

• Celebrate the 2nd book-birthday of Dandelion Dust.         YES! 

• Go on our annual in-country missions trip with the church gang.       YES! 

• Blog weekly.     No-ish?? 

• Read 4 books.      Not quite.... *ahem*

• Resume staying alive.    So it would seem. 

|| July Goals 

• Considering the date, I'm not going to post July goals...because it would sorta kinda probably be cheating to list things I've already did and/or will finish in the next, like, two days. So check back soon for my July recap + August goals. :P 

how was your June? anything exciting happen/happening/happened over the course of your summer? 

Goodbye 2018 >>> Hello 2019

goodbye 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


// Accomplishments

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

hello 2019

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

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

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

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


// Goals

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

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

Christmas Release, 200 Books, & A Blog Party || December Recap

(Yes, this is a tad late. We're going to blame that on the fact that Faith has been enjoying not blogging and reading an exorbitant amount of books. But here I am. Better late than never, am I right?)

I released a book, hosted a Christmas party, read 200 books... Oh, and it's been a year since I last wrote a December recap?? Like, what?? It's 2019—2018 is over? I haven't talked to y'all since last year?!

SAY WHAT.

|| Life. ||

>> We got over a foot of snow. Legit made me so happy. We were snowed in all weekend and I read four books and we got ridiculously tired of each other and it was fab. xD

>> You might be in the south, if the Taco Bell guy says "sorry for the wait, y'all. Alright, y'all have a good day now."

>> Having five dozen wacko conversations like this one.

Bro: a sister is something you have and don't want. A wife is something you want and don't have.

Me: *burst out laughing*

Bro: Wait... I think I said that wrong...?

>> My family went shopping one day, a week or two before Christmas. After hitting several stores and wandering Main Street, we went to Dairy Queen for lunch. And got locked in the restrooms. No joke.

So like, you go through the seating area and through this door into a hall that has restrooms and some employees entrance or something. My mom, bro, and I went in, and when we're headed back to the restaurant where Dad was waiting...the door we'd legit just came through wouldn't open. We all tried it (laughing until we couldn't breathe, of course), and it would wiggle but wouldn't open.

Apparently we were just doing something wrong and laughing too hard to realize it, because a guy on the other side heard us and got up to let us back in. So as we come through, laughing and telling Dad what happened, another guy spoke up across the room—"Y'all seem to be having way too much fun."

Yup, pretty much, sir.


>> Allll the Christmasyness. Christmas play + dinner at church, Christmas music everywhere, all the secrets and wrapping paper and packages received and packages to mail. Decorations, ornaments, nativities, books, outdoor lights *points*, a blog party, and SO MUCH DARN FOOD. Gracious, I love that time of year though. <3

>> Throughout the month, I spent about two weeks house-sitting/pet-sitting, for two different people/couples. One has an ADORABLE puppy who I basically just cuddled and adored and played with for like over a week...

Honestly, though. Just look at that face. And ignore my weird position.

>> Over the final weekend of the month/year, I enjoyed a fabulous readathon with a handful of other gals! It was so much fun. We had crazy-random discussions, read loads of books/pages, and danced in confetti...virtually, of course. ;)

|| Books. ||

// books

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti -- 5 stars -- Review
A Happy Trails Christmas by Roy Rogers & Dale Evans -- 4 stars
Silent Star by Tracie Peterson -- 4 stars -- Review
A Christmas Peril by Diane Moody -- 5 stars
Hope Your Heart Needs by Holley Gerth -- 4 stars -- Review
Savanna's Gift by Camille Eide -- 5 stars -- Review
Decree by Tricia Mingerink -- 4 stars -- Review
The 12 Ways of Christmas by David Jeremiah -- 4 stars
At Your Request by Jen Turano -- 3 stars
Coffee Shop Christmas by Ryana Miller -- 4 stars -- Review
Then Came You by Becky Wade -- 4 stars
The Old Mansion's Secret by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars
The Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson -- 3.5 stars
The Haunted Cabin Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner -- 3 stars
The Angel of Bastogne by Gilbert Morris -- 3.5 stars
Runaway by Dandi Daley Mackall -- 4 stars

short stories //

The Least of These by Kate Willis -- 4 stars

Emmanuel by Angela R. Watts -- 5 stars

Songs in Our Memories by R.A. Rooney -- 3.5 stars

Even in the Grey by Laura Guenot -- 4 stars

Kind by Kellyn Roth -- 4 stars -- Review

The Villain Who Saved Christmas by C.B. Cook -- 4 stars

These Three Things by Gracelyn Buckner -- 5 stars

|| Writing. ||

December in the writing realm was...interesting. I always say that, don't I? I can't say the month was exactly productive... But it wasn't bad? I published a book, wrote a short story, tried to keep up with editing and failed, and planned January to be an EPIC month.

I published my darling collection of Christmas stories! Behold turned out to be such a cute, lovely little book. (Lovely on the outside anyway. I guess y'all will have to be the judges of the inside.) But yup, it's out in the frightening world of Amazon, in paperback and Kindle.

Other progress in the writing world would be the cutesy little Christmas story I finished (after starting in '15 or '16...), edited, and shared on the blog this month. A Carnathan Christmas is a prequel to War Tears, the epic novel y'all have heard me talk, cry, whine, and ramble about for like years. Which I'll hopefully have a major update on by the end of January...so stick around, kay? There will probably be more tears.

|| Blogging. ||

// favorite posts

A Small Dream ~ Important Nothings

it's just part of the story ~ Twilight to Dawn

I See You Growing ~ Dancing in the Rain

// my posts

Day One ~ Day Two ~ Day Three ~ Day Four

One ~ Two ~ Three ~ Four ~ Five ~ Six ~ Seven ~ Eight ~ Nine ~ Ten ~ Eleven ~ Twelve

|| Goals. ||

// December Goals 

>> Read 15 books.     YESS.

>> Publish Behold.     *nods*

>> Host 12 Days of Christmas blog party.    Ahaha, yes.

>> Edit pt.2 of War Tears.    ...no??

// January Goals

>> Read 12+ books. (Yes, I'm crazy.)

>> Finish editing War Tears. (Even if it kills me.)

>> Post weekly on each blog. (Quality posts, at that.)

>> Re-vamp both blogs. (More on this coming soon!)



How was your Christmas? Did you read any adorable Christmas reads? What was the randomest thing that happened to you this month? If you tell me you've also been locked in a DQ hallway, I'll probably laugh until I choke... 
~Faith

12 Days of Christmas // How Christmas Changes Year to Year

Good morning, all!

Whew. I keep saying I'm going to take the time to catch up on everyone's posts, but it (obviously) hasn't happened yet. I was house/pet-sitting Thursday—Saturday, then we had company Saturday night. Yesterday, regular church services, play practice, the play performance, the Christmas dinner, and clean-up meant I was at church for 7.5 hours. Not that I added it up. And today I'm going Christmas shopping, then starting another dog-sitting job tomorrow. Did I mention I have homework due, a story to finish, and gifts to wrap?

Yup, Christmas-craziness. ;) But I'll get around to the posts, I'm sure. Probably more information than y'all wanted, though, yes?

Today I want to talk about how, when you stop and look back, you realize that Christmas changes each year.

(Oh, and don't forget to enter the fabulous giveaway!)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

// How Christmas Changes Year to Year

Christmas will always be special, always memorable and dear. But...it's not always the same, is it?

It isn't. Loved ones pass away or move to another state. Siblings and cousins grow up, go to college, or get married. The family gatherings change each year.

With each passing year, the world shifts the spotlight closer toward the amount of money spent on gifts, the gadgets and merriment, and less time is spent considering the babe in the manger.

When I was young, one parent would take me and my brother shopping to pick out a gift for the opposite parent, and then the other would do the same. It's so different now. I pick out gifts and order most things online, arguing with my brother about who gets to meet the UPS truck—laughing when Mom insists on doing it herself to cover the labels on the packages.

Each year holds something different, something special. Challenges and struggles, yes, but happy times and laughter too. Each year changes us and—hopefully—draws us closer to God, nearer to the person He wants us to be. It's only fitting that, as we celebrate His birth each year, things feel a bit different in our hearts.

So when we stop and see how Christmas is changing, maybe we're looking at it wrong.

Maybe Christmas isn't what's changing. Maybe it's us.

And maybe that's okay.

// today's schedule 

RebekahAshleigh || Five Fun Christmas Party Ideas

The Peculiar Messenger || Books

Inside Out Designs || Writing a Christmas Story

The Ramblings of a Bookworm || The Prescott's Family Christmas Part 2

I Like That || Just for a laugh... Christmas 2018 Edition!

Chosen Vessels || In the Dark Streets Shineth {Book Review}

Lit Aflame || 4 DIY Gift Ideas

Read Another Page || Colors of Christmas

Life of Heritage || Christmas Book Review

Resting Life || Why So Joyful, World? // Joy to the World! // Joy

Hands Made to Love || Guest Post: A Homemade Christmas



How does Christmas change each year in your life? Eight more days! 
~Faith

Homemade Gravestone, Cover Reveal, & Christmas Comes Early || October Recap

Okay, yes, "click-bait" may have popped into my head when I titled this post. But since it's true...that's okay, right?

|| Life. ||

>> After not doing anything with it since spring, I got a couple inches of hair whacked off. It's still below my shoulders, but easier to manage. And cuter, in my opinion. xD

>> So I almost accidentally got two copies of the same book from the library and it wasn't even my fault...

I was reading the If I Live series by Terri Blackstock, (I'm still recovering, by the way. If you've read those, let's chat. Or maybe start a survivors club.) and I needed books #2 and #3. I'd placed #2 on hold, but when I get to the library, I checked the shelves to see if #3 had been returned. It hadn't been...but #2 was still on the shelf.

Faith's brain assumed that it was actually #3 that I had placed a hold on (honestly, who doesn't confuse those titles?!), so I nabbed #2 and went to the front desk. And when the librarian went to get my hold from behind the counter...it was #2 as well.

They'd literally brought another copy of the same book from a different location when there was a perfectly fine copy sitting on a shelf, only a few yards from the desk. I laughed all the way home.


>> The Potts family plowed potatoes! Yes, it was kinda late in the season to finally get around to it. And yes, that's a hand plow. Don't judge. We're traditional. ;P

>> Two girls who I've recently come to know through the blogging world, Maddy and Lillian, started a business to aid indie authors in getting reviews for their books! Stellae Books is an awesome—not to mention, beautiful—website. If you've been wanting to read Dandelion Dust, here's your chance to grab a free copy! Hop on over to their site for details. :)

>> The Potts family also cut and shipped out Christmas trees and I'm still in denial that it's already time for such shenanigans...

>> I spent a day last week wandering around cemeteries with my mom and great-aunt. And if that freaks you out, well, you don't know what you're missing. Check out these....

Isn't that just the best?! xD

Apparently homemade gravestones were a thing in the '80s....
Sorry I missed that fad. 

>> I listened to oodles of songs on repeat this month. In particular, Burn the Ships and God Only Knows by For King & Country, Stuck on Me + You by Emily Ann Roberts, Die from a Broken Heart by Maddie & Tae, I'm Listening by Tenth Avenue North, and Olivia Mae by Brett Young. Someone flail over these gems with me. <33

|| Books. ||

// Reads

If I Run by Terri Blackstock -- 5 stars
Falling for You by Becky Wade -- 3.5 stars -- Review
The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner -- 3 stars
If I'm Found by Terri Blackstock -- 5 stars
The Christmas Child by Max Lucado -- 3 stars
Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner -- 3 stars
Mystery Ranch by Gertrude Chandler Warner -- 3 stars
The Waltons: The Accident by Virginia McDonnell -- 4 stars
If I Live by Terri Blackstock -- 5 stars
Plot Bunny to Novel by Kellyn Roth -- 4 stars
Never Fear Anything by Robert Terkla -- 3.5 stars
The Christmas Prayer by Wanda Brunstetter -- 2.5 stars
Kate's Dilemma by Sarah Holman -- 4 stars
The View from the Lighthouse by Melody Carlson -- 3.5 stars
In the Dark Streets Shineth by David McCullough -- 5 stars

// Short Stories

Heritage of Praise by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

True Love by R.A. Rooney -- 4 stars

A Change of Heart by Anika Walkes -- 5 stars

Unto Him by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars

One December Night by Melissa Tagg -- 5 stars

The Christmas Robe by Jennifer Lamont Leo -- 4 stars

So, yeah, I kinda read a ton this month.... I also bought a ton of books. :P Eleven from a used book store and these three lovelies from a CBD sale!

|| Writing. ||

Unlike with recent previous months, I actually have something to say in this section, without rambling for 7.4 minutes, boring y'all to tears, and getting no where.

First off, I finished the final story in Behold and got the collection off to betas. Betas finished a week or so ago, and I applied their edits and then got the manuscript sent to my editor.  The December 7th deadline is quickly approaching! Meanwhile, I'm diving into editing War Tears, until it's time to do the final edit and format. :)

Another fabulous happenings this month... I got Behold's cover! Sarah Grace from Estetico Designs did an amazing job and I'm so happy with how it turned out. :D

|| Blogging. ||

// Favorite Posts 

More Precious than Gold ~ Turn to God

A Purpose and a Promise ~ Let There Be Light

Having a Heart Like His ~ You Have a Purposeful Calling

Loved Before Time ~ What is Surrender?

Twilight to Dawn ~ Give Up Ideals

Important Nothings ~ Maybe Love

Showers of Blessings ~ Words to Live By

// My Posts 

Day One ~ Day Two ~ Day Three ~ Day Four ~ Day Five ~ Day Six

|| Goals. || 

~ October Goals

>> Read 8 books.     Several times over, yes...

>> Start working full-time.      Ha, no. Long story there. But soon. xP

>> Send Behold to betas and apply feedback.      Yup! It's in the hands of a fabulous editor. ;)

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.      Um, no? Behold took too much of my time. Hopefully this month I'll get into that. xD

>> Take part in the Five Fall Favorites party.      YESSS!

~ November Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

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

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.

>> Post weekly on both blogs.

How was your October? Can you believe the holiday season is creeping up on us so quickly? What's one of your goals for the month? If you're doing NaNo, I might be jealous.
~Faith