2k16

Y'ALL.  2016 is almost officially over.  Wow.  Isn't this so crazy?. Every year flies by so fast, and at the end of each year it's just like WOAH STOP IT RIGHT THERE JUST STAHP.  For me, it really just puts things in perspective.. Every single second of life is so precious and it's kind of like a semi-harsh shakeup when you realize a whole freaking year is gone by.  WOW.

I hope that 2016 was a beautiful (albeit pretty crazy sometimes, not going to lie) year for you all, but I hope even more that 2017 is an even better, blessed-beyond-measure year for you all.  Last year, I had said that my words for 2016 was  "year of miracles"? As much as I don't know if I can say that actually happened, there were other miracles that happened...not in the way that I expected or wanted, but maybe, that's why it's so easy to miss miracles. 

I was thinking of what I could have as my "word" for 2017, and I don't know know if I'll stick to this , but right now, my word for the upcoming year is:

BELIEVE

To believe that God is still in control, regardless of how life leads.  To believe that all things will work out for good.  To believe that miracles can still happen.  To believe that whatever does happen, God is still good and that is enough for me xx 

OKAY. So what went on in 2016?

So in 2016 I really started looking at writing again.  I had written a novella a few years back, but after that I resorted to basically just writing short stories and articles.  But this year I really felt that urge again, to just WRITE.  Writing has always been and always will be one of my biggest passions, and I knew that I had to start getting words out again.  So...I did.  And it's been going pretty good so far.  I haven't finished my novel, but I'm hoping to sometime early in 2017.

Earlier this year I went to my first writer's conference in Virginia and it was really incredible.  I was honestly so nervous at first, but by the end of the conference I really didn't want it to end.  There was so much INSPIRATION to write, and it was so amazing to meet other writers.  Writing is so, so a thing, guys.  Another fabulous opportunity that came out of the writer's conference was that I met a lady who wanted to start a writer's critique group, and she wondered if I'd like to be a part of it.  I did, and it's been amazing so far.  It's super helpful to stay motivated to actually WRITE.
 So overall, I'd say 2016 was a really good writing year.  I started sending in some of my work to a few magazines and they accepted some of it, which was honestly mind-blowing for me.  I reignited my love for writing this year, and 2017 is going to be an even better writing year.  I can't wait. 

A multitude of things went on in 2016, quite honestly.  In 2016 I... 

§  Saw some of my best friends move three hours away :'(

§ Grew a lot closer to God

§  Started a magazine for kids with my friend

§  Went to a flower show for the first time

§  Got a new violin

§  Went to Washington D.C.

§  Started Instagram and also quit Instagram (and Pinterest) ^_^

§  Cringed while America elected a new president 

§  Moved to a new house! 

§  Attempted NaNoWriMo

§  Got my first DSLR (IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING)
§  Played violin in church!! 

§  Was a part of Freckled Minds (the best zine ever)
§  The waffles vs pancakes war happened. 

Blogging in 2016 was...interesting.  It didn't go too bad, but I don't know if I'd say it was absolutely marvelous either. More like -- somewhere in the middle. I didn't really start out the year with much of a schedule at all, and my posting was kind of sporadic and everywhere.  At the beginning of the year especially, I really wasn't into blogging that much. And in the summer, especially July, I only posted one post in the whole month.  YES YES I KNOW THAT IS LIKE THE BANE OF BLOGGING BUT.....

I actually don't feel that bad about it?? I think blogging should be something a person genuinely loves and I think if for one month I didn't feel it, then that's okay.

Overall though, I think that bit of blogger's block was actually helpful because after that I got a...BOUT OF INSPIRATION and scheduled posts till November.  Not gonna lie, THAT WAS HELPFUL.

So that's how blogging went for the most part this year. The most viewed post in 2016 was inspired #09, and the second most viewed was Reversed Bucket List -- 15 Things I've Done .  AND the third most popular post was Summer Days | Life Lately .  (That was the one post I did in July.  SO APPARENTLY IT COUNTED FOR SOMETHING XD.)

§  I’ve been thinking about doing monthly recaps/goals?!? This was just an idea I had, but I thought that it would be really fun to do…and even helpful for me.  Just to see what all I do every month.  BUT this is just an idea I had so…what do you guys think?

§ And ONE MORE THING (I promise this is the last one).  I know every blogger says this, but I want to make 2017 the best year yet on this blog.  I want to know what you guys want to see...and especially what you actually like. SO. What do we do? Something I've never done before.

A SURVEY. 

AAAH HOW EXCITING.  I'm not sure why I never did one before, but nonetheless, HERE I AM.  I'd be so, so, so, so grateful if you would fill this survey out. (I'LL GIVE YOU WAFFLES AND CAKE.)  Plus it's only 9 questions so I promise it won't take up too much of your time either =)
And you guys can be as honest as you want, since this survey can be completely anonymous (unless you wish to leave me your name in which case BY ALL MEANS DO SO.) But you can say WHATEVER YOU WISH in this survey.  So....thanks.

Powered byTypeform

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART ♥ I hope 2016 was a great year for you, and here's to an even better 2017.  

+++

SO LET'S TALK! HOW WAS THIS YEAR FOR YOU ALL?? Did it go as you expected? How did 2016 treat you? IT'S CRAZY HOW DIFFERENT THINGS ARE FROM WHERE THEY WERE IN JANUARY.  I wonder how things will be next December? OK TOO FAR IN THE FUTURE LET'S FOCUS ON THE HERE AND NOW.  Do you all  set New Years Resolutions? (lol I definitely DO NOT.) What were some of the best things that happened to you this year? 

adiós and I'll see you next year! 

-autumn raelin