GOODBYE 2018, HELLO 2019

2018 comes to an end. 2019 is welcoming us, and life moves on, season after season. Change is inevitable. When a new year draws close, people have the illusion they have control over the year to come. We have no control over what life will toss at us. We have no control over how our goals or plans will go.

However, God does. God knows what we will face, and not only does He know all, He will help us through everything. He’ll be there in 2019, whether to pick us up and help us keep toddling on like clumsy toddlers, or to spin us around in triumphant dances. No matter what the seasons hold, we can trust the LORD to guide us. And love us. 

We have control only over ourselves. We have control over how we react and adapt to change. We have the choice to turn to God every time we face a decision. We have the choice to rejoice in the storm.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

I’m not a huge fan of recapping-the-year posts, to be honest. Sure, it is fun seeing how much things change and how much I’ve grown as I ponder 2018. 2018, however, held plenty of sorrows, and I feel like a tired runner who doesn’t want to look back for anything. I just want to focus where I am right now. And right now, my life is jumbled full of changes. Still, I’m writing this post speaking from the heart, and share some things that happened during 2018.

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We bid goodbyes to two of our sweet, friendly horses, Ulu and Ziibi, and our old, loyal dog, Rosie.

Ulu’s passing was a very difficult disaster–she broke through the frozen pond, and we spent the next nonstop 24 hours trying to save her. Ulu passed away, despite our prayers and strenuous efforts. She was a fantastic mama horse and taught my whole family how to love, even when it hurts.

Ziibi was a sweet Ojibwe pony who fought to survive over the span of time he was with us. We said goodbye to him, as well, but find peace in the fact he can run, happy and free, up in heaven.

Rosie was the dog who taught me an old dog can learn new tricks! She was sweet and loyal. We’re grateful she went to heaven peacefully in her sleep.

We sold our house.

This is a recent blessing. We sold the home we built from the ground up–seriously. Name something (framework, roofing, flooring, kitchen, plumbing, electric work) and my Dad did it all himself (with help from our Uncle for super hard electric stuff). It’s sad leaving this home, but God is calling us to move, and we look to God for guidance as we pack up and prepare to move into campers. We also must find land to move to. So, yes, when I say I’m facing changes… moving is a big part. 😉

Welcomed Gabby into the world.

Gabby is my youngest niece and she was born in February. She’s grown into quite the sweet (but secretly rotten!) baby!

I earned my blue and purple belts in Wado Ryu karate.

I didn’t get to compete in the USEWF championships in March, because I got really sick, but Kody did and he got second!

Karate grill out.

So. Fun. I’m not one for sports, but watching a bunch of guys play football with only some skills and the risk of little kids running into the game? Entertaining.

Got my driver’s permit.

This was a 2018 year goal, but I didn’t get my license, though I’m working on it now, so it’ll happen.

Traveled out of state.

We visited my grandparents in North Carolina for Thanksgiving. During this trip, I also got to meet the super sweet Faith Potts!

Celebrated the little things during Mom’s doctor visit trips in Maryville/Knoxville.

I published Seek.

This was a huge goal for 2018. And guess what? I also published The Thief, the Damsel, And the Dragon, Homeward, and Emmanuel. I had a goal of publishing a novella and succeeded. The short stories, Homeward and Emmanuel, weren’t planned. But Seek is out for all the world to see and I’m so blessed!

I am so grateful for the things I learned as a writer in 2018. I won both Camp NaNos, wrote a ton, and published! I also got plenty of new ideas (big shocker there). A big thanks to my online writing community as well as my family.

I’m manager of Reveries Co.

Reveries Co. is a company dedicated to helping authors succeed without spending an arm and a leg. The company is launching January 1st-5th, and it will be very fun. So be sure to follow Reveries Co. on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

We went to the fair!

I haven’t been to the fair in FOREVER. And it was a blast! I love fair rides, even if Kody gets green super easy (teacups, anyone?), but it’s still great fun.

Gardened and produced meals with my bro.

The garden was terrifying when the giant caterpillars got to the tomatoes, but we took care of it.

Reached 250+ WordPress followers (and other social media triumphs).

I created a Twitter and a Instagram in 2018. I also created a Facebook author page. I’m no social media wizard, but 2018 was a great start of learning the ropes.

Read my whole Bible.

Not necessarily cover-to-cover, but I’ve officially read the Bible through and through!

Spread Lyme awareness.

May is Lyme disease awareness month, but I worked to spread awareness through the year, too. This was an important 2018 goal for me.

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I had more goals for 2018, some I failed, some I did, but that’s enough recapping. I’ll now list some (not all, because, hey, some goals ya gotta keep in your journal, friends) goals for 2019!

• Move into camper, sell house #2, etc. Hah. So, survive life, basically. On that note, I want to not just survive the chaos of moving, I want to be able to rejoice through it all. It has been so hard, but I want to focus on God through the frenzy. I want to listen to music and sing while working in my little camper I’ll share with my brother.
• Earn green belt in Wado Ryu. And make it to championships… I can’t get sick this time, ha!
• Read Bible cover to cover.
• Travel out of state.
• Get driver’s license.
• Put Taloowa in the curly field, work with Sugar Baby, train new foal (who will be born in 2019).
• Write AWAKE, the first book of The Infidel Books. Publish it.
• Give JUMP to alphas, rewrite it, and publish it.

And my biggest goal, as always, is to grow closer to the Lord, grow in wisdom and kindness, and above all other goals, follow God’s will for me.

I learned a lot in 2018. While 2018 was full of trials, pain, and feeling lost, God was always there. I learned so much about the Lord this past year, and I’m grateful for the pain and storms, because I learned how close to Jesus you can get during difficult times. For instance, when my family and I were under (another) tornado watch and were hiding in our closet, we prayed and laughed together. We face extreme weather often, and we always have a strange peace when in that kind of danger… We pray aloud and even sing songs of praise as the storm outside brews. God is there during the dark times and we can find peace in Him despite what’s happening. Again, we only have control over ourselves, not the storm.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

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Well, y’all, thank the Lord, I did it! I recapped 2018 and listed some 2019 goals. 😉 I shall see you all in 2019 very soon. *jumps in time machine*

God bless,

Angie

 

HOW WAS YOUR 2018? (IF YOU HAVE A RECAP POST, I’D LOVE TO CHECK IT OUT!) WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS FOR 2019?