I’ve been wanting to write a blog post for the past five days I’ve been cooped up at home a la snow, but haven’t found the right words to say… so here are some blessings to make you smile!
390.) a stadium filled to the brim with thousands of believers.
391.) singing “Revelation Song” a capella with Kari Jobe and 15,000 others. Heavenly.
392.) spontaneous GNO with mom while the boys to see a movie.
393.) asking Jesus to reset my faith + passion for the lost. (Together 2016— check this out, y’all. Every Christian needs to know about this. It’s seriously amazing, and how I wish I could go!)
394.) sitting outside in the sunshine with a book.
395.) two full days of just me + Matt at home.
396.) spontaneously going to pick up sandwiches for lunch.
397.) “and how are you today?”
398.) Grandmommy checking in on us because she loves us.
399.) spontaneous visits from the grands. ❤
400.) when writerly friends wish to share their (amazing!) ideas.
401.) the last few lovely days of summer (bittersweet).
402.) cloudy days– there’s a tranquility about them that I love.
403.) Sarah is so encouraging + filled with Jesus, and talking to her makes me smile.
404.) there are always so many reasons to rejoice!
405.) He is the ultimate healer + restorer.
406.) the grands coming to Matt’s practice just to bring us a box of fresh donuts.
407.) dual classes: going to school late and/or leaving early.
408.) when we have over 50 students at our first FCA of the year! {For those who don’t know, FCA is Fellowship of Christian Athletes, only you don’t have to be an athlete to join (or else I wouldn’t be in it, ha). It’s basically a student-run school club for believers; ours meets before school every Monday morning for prayer, every Thursday morning for a speaker or music or fellowship or whatever we feel called to do that week. I’m a co-president this year. It’s been so amazing to see all that God has done, and to do ministry with my fellow officers!}
409.) God is doing great things and I get to be a part of them.
410.) making new friends + deepening acquaintances.
411.) everyone is so excited about FCA this year.
412.) ^people I’ve never talked to are approaching me about it!
413.) completing my application to my dream school.
414.) Starbucks dates with friends before school.
415.) I GOT ACCEPTED INTO LIBERTY! Praise the Lord!
416.) getting to talk to a couple of dear friends again, just a bit.
417.) my dual psych teacher is a believer and this is so encouraging.
418.) taking pictures of autumn’s splendor while on a walk.
419.) ^vibrant red trees. They’re so gorgeous.
420.) Invincible by Two Steps– reminds me of Christ’s return.
421.) we are “His chosen vessels of grace”. (SRT Colossians study)
422.) buying tea at World Market (lots of it).
423.) walking around Jonesboro, Tennessee (vintage loveliness).
424.) FCA, still going strong every Thursday morning.
425.) choosing what is godly over what is “normal/fun”– hard but so worth it.
And now it is Quite Late, so I’m off to use the sleep. Goodnight dear lovely people; may the Lord bless you all this week!
For the first time ever, I’m giving this New Year’s Tag a try. It just seems so fun and I’m loving reading everyone else’s answers!
What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?
Oh, so many things! I drove myself (and other people) places, mailed my dear friend for the first time, applied to colleges (and got accepted, praise the Lord!), visited Liberty University (where I’m going to school next year ^_^), took senior photos (BECAME a high school senior), finished my first novel, took college classes, and officially became an adult. There’s other things, of course, but those are the ones that stand out the most.
Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make one this year?
Unfortunately, yes. My grandparents’ dear best friend, Mr. Tommy, passed away this past month after a long battle with illness. He’s sorely missed, but we rejoice in knowing that he’s fully whole and healed and hanging out with Jesus. It doesn’t get better than that. 🙂
What countries/states did you visit?
Tennessee, Virginia, Florida… That’s it for this year.
What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?
Hmm… More of Jesus. Always. And more maturity to face life when I go to college in the fall. (A published novel would be lovely too.)
What date from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory?
December 1st. That’s the day I turned eighteen. 🙂
Did you move anywhere?
No, thank goodness! I won’t be able to say that this time next year though, considering I’ll be (for the most part) living in a dorm room in Virginia. 🙂
What was the best month?
December! It starts with my birthday and ends with Christmas; you really can’t go wrong there. Also, I finished my dual classes that month, and believe me, that is cause for celebration. *shakes head*
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting accepted into Liberty. There was such joy in my household with the news. I’m so grateful and excited to go to that school. 🙂 Also, finishing my first novel back in February! It was an indescribable feeling, really.
What was your biggest failure?
…Not editing/publishing my novel like I said I would. 😛 (That will be THIS year. It will.) And also, not being able to finish NaNoWriMo like I wanted to (though that was due to a crazy stressful amount of research papers I had to write that month, rather than a lack of motivation). I haven’t given up on my NaNo story, though, and there’s always next year!
Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had oral surgery back in July, but other than that and seasonal allergies, no. Thankfully. 🙂
What was the best thing you bought?
My journaling Bible. All the books I’ve read this year. Lovely mugs for tea.
Whose behavior merited celebration?
Um… my whole family, really. They’re all just so amazing and loving, an they make me laugh so much. And also, my dear friend Sarah who is always there and is the best kindred dandelion fluff I could ask for. 🙂
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Supreme Court. Basically the U.S. Government as a whole. And the world in general, with terrorism and hatred and– agh. This world is broken, but ultimately it’s coming to Jesus. If I don’t keep reminding myself of that then I would be very depressed over it all.
Where did most of your money go?
Probably Chickfila. 😛 And books, gas and insurance for my car, and… I think that’s it. Mainly food and books.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Many things. It doesn’t take much to excite me. xD Liberty University. Age of Ultron. The Christmas season. Mere Christianity and Passion and Purity. Various fictional and musical entities. 🙂
What was the best concert you’ve been to this year?
Only one– the Outcry Tour this summer. Especially Lauren Daigle and Kari Jobe. (Because singing Revelation Song acapella with thousands of believers– oh goodness, it’s the most beautiful thing. It’s a little glimpse of heaven!)
What song/album will always remind you of 2015?
Hm… probably the “We Bought A Zoo” soundtrack, and the song “Into the Fire” from the Scarlet Pimpernel musical.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder? I think it’s more about joy– I’ve grown and have a deeper joy and peace in Christ.
thinner or fatter? Doesn’t matter. We’re all beautiful in His sight regardless.
richer or poorer? *shrugs*
What do you wish you’d done more of?
Setting aside time to pray and read the Bible. I’m really bad about not opening the Good Book daily, and that’s one of my unofficial resolutions for this next year. More of Jesus.
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying. Growing impatient. Complaining when frustrated. Basically, less focusing on me.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Oh goodness, so many! Um… Fall Out Boy, Sleeping at Last, the We Bought a Zoo soundtrack, the Scarlet Pimpernel musical, the Little Women musical, Two Steps from Hell (I know, but they do all the epic movie soundtracks and their song “Invincible” reminds me of Christ’s return so I love them)… Those are the major ones.
How did you spend Christmas?
With my family, and the grandparents and aunts and cousins. It was so wonderful. 🙂
How are you spending New Year’s?
My parents are having friends over (in just a few minutes, actually!), and my neighbors are shooting off fireworks. Me? At some point I intend to curl up with my journal and a cuppa tea. But that won’t be until much later. 🙂
Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Considering I don’t really like talking to anyone on the phone… Liberty University?
What was the best book you read?
Again, so very many! Too many to list here. But I especially loved Passion and Purity, the Hardest Peace, and the Wingfeather Saga.
Did you fall in love in 2015?
Nope. Still waiting, trusting God’s timing, and content to “remain as I am”. ^_^
What was your favorite TV show?
Downton Abbey. Always.
What did you want and get?
A car. Books. Vintage loveliness. Several good friendships. A braver spirit.
What did you want and not get?
Nothing worth complaining about. I’m really grateful; it’s been a good year.
What were your favorite films of this year?
Anything Marvel. Cinderella 2015. That’s pretty much it; this year wasn’t the best year for movies-in-theatres. 😛
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned eighteen December 1st, and after waking up to some delightful emails from my lovely Pindreds, I left school after my dual psychology class, and Mom and Grandmommy and I spent the day together– we went to the Chocolate Covered Strawberry for lunch (you guys would LOVE it, it’s such a kindred-spirit-girly-vintage kind of place), and then I spent the afternoon watching Downton Abbey (my aunt got me all 5 seasons for my day of birth, and I was one Happy Em :D). That night I went to Matt’s Christmas concert, and then we had Chickfila. Which was a perfect way to end the day. ^_^
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Vintage. Girly and with softer colors (both the pastels and the deep rich hues). A strong love of florals. Lots of jeans and boots. Less jewelry than I used to wear.
What kept you sane?
God. Knowing that He works everything for good. No matter what.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy most?
I don’t normally fancy celebrities… but Aaron Tveit. That guy is amazing.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Hmm… It was a very good year. But I would have loved to go on a mission trip if the Lord had called me to it. And also, getting to work on publishing the book I still haven’t edited yet. 😛
What political issue stirred you the most?
Those of you who know me well know that I tend to get fired up about a lot of political issues, especially those that have an impact on my faith and liberty.
Who did you miss?
My family who lives across the country. The Pindreds, who live all over the place. (Because yes, you can absolutely miss people you’ve never met if they’re some of your dearest friends. <3)
Who was the best person you met?
Well, it was nice to meet all of you blogging people. You’re all wonderful. 🙂 And I love my FCA officers too– it’s been such a joy doing ministry at school with them.
Tell a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015.
Be brave. Don’t be afraid to grow up. Face change with a joyful spirit and with faith in God’s goodness. Because He will do “abundantly more than you could ever ask for or imagine”.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“No one ever told me
This would be easy
But I never knew
That it could be this hard
Oh the worry the worry the worry
Is weighing on me
Could you help me break down
All these question marks
And make me
Brave
I’ll fight like a soldier
Brave
Rise like a warrior
Brave
Won’t stop till the final day
Brave
I want to be stronger
Brave
Gonna be bolder
Brave
Look up and I see the way
You make me brave
I know I know I’m no superwoman
But impossible is possible with You
So no, no, no more running, no more hiding
Strike the fire so I’ll be fearless too
And make me
Brave!”
// Moriah Peters / Brave //
Five personally significant events of 2015:
-being a National Merit semifinalist
-turning eighteen
-getting accepted into my dream school
-going on road trip adventures
-taking my senior photos
Five things I want to do in 2016:
-graduate high school
-begin college
-go on a mission trip wherever God leads me
-publish a novel and finish another one
-live life with joy and grace
Five people I’d like to know better in 2016:
I won’t give names, but all you lovely blogging people. And people from school, church, and eventually Liberty.
Thanks for reading this whole thing! (I’m impressed, truly.) Have a blessed and Happy New Year! Love you all!
{A Portrait of Grace} 