Guys. January just happened. 

Well technically, January is still happening, but it's time for a quick monthly highlights post. Are y'all ready? *dives in*

-I had a good friend from SC come stay for a few days. We go to do some epic things like staying up until five in the morning (I don't know HOW), going to the mall, and watching chick flicks like Pride and Prejudice and A Walk To Remember (and of course I cried during that movie who wouldn't?). Miss you, Amy!

-Speaking of movies... I also rotted my brain watching Unbroken, Queen of Katwe, and I Am Not Ashamed. WHY MUST I WATCH MOVIES THAT MAKE ME CRY??? *blows nose*

-My sister and I have become part of an awesome Bible Study. We absolutely LOVE our weekly meetings, and not just because there's lots of sugar involved. =) It's amazing, being able to study the Bible with other girls and make new friends. *hugs my bible study*

-Imagine this: five kids, two parents, and one dog in a van driving around the Olympic Peninsula. Well... It happened. Once I take the pictures off my camera,, I'll photo dump you all. But for now, enjoy the sunset. =)

RUNAWAY. There's a lot of fun going on, but I just realized that both Kyle and I... Well, we didn't exactly, er, plan ahead when the whole running away thing happened (aka I didn't think it through as well as I thought my brilliant self had). So we're sitting on a park bench wondering what to do figuring that out, but besides that, everything is going well, in my opinion. *dodges Connor's glare* And because you guys are the best, I have a snippet to share. =)

*thinks for a moment* *decides to give another snippet* 

So far I've read... Four measly books. I FAILED AT READING THIS MONTH. But considering I read one of my new favorite series and am currently enjoying The Language of Sparrows and Sense and Sensibility, it's been a good month for reading. =)

*flails for all eternity* THESE BOOKS GUYS. Like... I COULDN'T STOP READING I READ THEM ALL IN FIVE DAYS. *rubs eyes at lack sleep* But seriously, rarely does a book change me. These books DID. They challenged me to look at how I'm using my time, where I'm putting my hope in, and they encouraged me to live for the King of Kings. Did I mention that the plot and characters (PARVIN YES) all earned a gazillion out of five stars? =) 

If I had to pick one word to describe this novel it would be amazing. This book kept me reading for about three days until the very end. It was a sweet, heartwarming read that yanked me all over World War II and left me shutting it with a sigh. *sighs thinking of the pretty book* 

The amazing Hannah of Furious Ever Afters helped me figure out how to make an Apple playlist on my blog... So voila! My very first monthly playlist! 

How was YOUR month? Tell me aaallll about it. Did you watch any movies that made you grab a tissue? If not, watch Matthias's video. How about read any good books? Listen to any amazing music? And did you make these super easy yet super yummy treats? 

Eight Of My Favorite Writing Resources

There are so many wonderful resources for writers-books, blogs, mentorship opportunities. Here are eight of my favorite writing resources that I hope will help you in whatever stage you're in. 

When I was a beginning writer, I had NO CLUE how to do anything. *insert head bang here* I needed someone to come alongside me and help me grow in my writing and teach me about the industry. The amazing Tessa Emily Hall did just that for me-and more. Click here for details.

The Go Teen Writers blog is extremely helpful-tips and encouragement for teen writers are posted often on here. My blogger friend Savannah recently guest posted on there, so definitely go check it out! And not only is there a blog...

But there's also a book! *happy dance* Go Teen Writers by Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson has advice for editing, platforming, formatting your manuscript, pitching your novel, and more. I'm currently macro-editing and this book has been SO helpful. If you have a first draft on your hands, definitely go read this. 

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is another book on writing that I love. It includes ways a person might feel internally during a certain emotion, how it looks externally, signs of a suppressed emotion, and quick writing tips after each entry. I highly recommend it for people like me who need some help showing and not telling, or for anyone who would like some help in describing their characters.

She's Novel is absolutely AMAZING.  The blog has helpful tips for writers, plus there's workshops, novel planners, and more! I'd definitely recommend She's Novel for all writers. 

Jody Hedlund's blog also has helpful advice for writers. I also LOVE her medieval YA series and am currently waiting excitedly for the next book... *stares at calendar* 

And when you thought I couldn't link to enough blogs... *laughs* I LOVE BLOGS. Tessa's blog Christ Is Write is one of my favorites. Not only does she post advice and encouragement for writers, but she also has a Monday's Minute Challenge writing prompt contest that is super fun. *shoos you away to check it out*

Recently, the Rebelution has started a couple programs for writers. There's a WriterScore tool to measure your growth and development as a writer, new blog posts, and upcoming Young Writers Workshop. Go join in all the awesomeness! 

*gapes at all the links I added* *decides that's fine because I had to put something together and hope this is not as messy as I think* I hope that some of these resources will be able to help you as a writer!

What are some writing resources you'd recommend? What types of posts do you put together last minute? Have you heard of or used any of these resources? 

Beautiful Books-2017 Writing Goals

It's 2017, guys. Which means it's time to start hacking away at our writing goals. Which means I'll be doing the Beautiful Books 2017 Writing Goals Link-Up. The draft I'm going to be rambling non stop about talking about today is the first draft of Runaway, my novel (learn more about Connor and Kyle's story here).

Shall we begin with the questions?

Just Keep Swimming...

Is anyone else excited about the new Finding Dory movie? I sure am, even though I haven’t seen it yet. *hides face in shame* All of the excitement about the new film has me thinking about the blue fish’s chant from the first movie.

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...

Matthias

Once upon a time, I went to Uganda with the ministry of Sixty Feet. 

In Uganda, I saw things. I saw kids without parents and homes. I felt God chipping away at my heart and I saw Him work on my parents' hearts. He laid on my family a call to adopt. We then began the adoption process with AWAA. 

Nearly two years later, we have little Matthias home. Today, I want to share the video I made about my family's adoption story. It's a happy story, full of waiting and excitement, prayer and tears, with the best ending I could ever imagine. God is good. 

Thank you to everyone who supported us and prayed for us during this journey. You mean so much to us! 

2017

Can anyone else believe that it’s 2017? I mean, it feels like it was 2016 just yesterday…

Wait a second, it was 2016 yesterday.