Goodbye, 2019, the Year of Growth // The Year in Review

Well, it's not quiiiiite the end of the year, but it almost is and I doubt anything big will happen in the two days left. XD 

2019 was a crazy big year for me. It pretty much rocked my world. I'm not sure how to do this, so I'm just going to do a bullet point list.

Highlights of 2019: 

• I went to a Youth Camp for the first time in my life. It was completely bewildering, fun, frightening, and painful. Read more here. I don't want to do it again, but I'm super grateful I did get to do it. 
• I launched my blog. I was scared silly but one day I just desperately told myself, "now or never. Nothing venture, nothing win," and clicked that fateful button. Since then my blog has made me grow, learn, meet new friends... I'm so glad I decided to be brave and do this.
• I launched my reviews blog too. 
• I made new friends & deepened old friendships. I LOVE people and I'm so happy to have made some new friends, and to keep in contact with old ones. My bestie & I started drifting earlier but we decided to hold tight to our friendship and make time for it, and I think we are better friends than ever now. <33
• I wrote two novels that people fangirled over & loved & even got people i barely knew to beta-read it. I reached a goal of 46,526 words with Chords and met my favourite character of mine ever. Then in November Broken made me pass my dream goal of 50k and even my highest ambition of 70k. 
• Listening to the Messiah on repeat almost daily. <33 This oratorio is now in my heart nd memory and I love that. 
• I had a book proofread by a real proofreader and I made it available to the world. It was then reviewed on a well-known indie author website and was even put on Goodreads.  
• I buddy-read with about five different people simultaneously and basically buddy-read A LOT. It was fun. :) I also did a book-journaling of my favourite book. <33 I also did several readathons & read many ARCs and review copies!
• This deserves a point of itself... buddy-reading mysteries with Bethany & trying to solve them, as well as forming a Holmes, Watson, & Lestrade threesome with Mary & Bethany and having proper British conversations pretending to be those chaps. and laughing ourselves sick with our hilarious nonsense. And discussing Enemy Brothers and Emily & Brent from the Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott with Mary. <33 
• I reached my dream goal of reading 365 books & ended up reading over 530 books & short stories. And I met so, so, so many good books. 
• I finally did NaNo & wrote over 55k words in less than 30 days. 
• I went to a pastors' conference in November & was so blessed.
• I passed my theoretical driver's test at first try & then passed my practical one on my second try.
• I discovered Scottish folk songs & Christmas carols and fell helplessly in love.
• I discovered just how fun Snoopy is. XD
• I created a bookstagram challenge & launched a reading challenge and a writing tag. 
• I voted! xD
• I FINALLY FINISHED GRAMMAR REVOLUTION AFTER WANTING TO FOR YEARS YAYYYY. 
• I participated in several linkups/blog parties (Five Fall Favourites, unofficially; 12 Days of Christmas; Happy Fall Blog Party; a Cover Reveal Blog Party; and two Book Release Blog Tours--one on here and one on Old-Fashioned Book Love.) I also joined in some bookstagram challenges and stuff. It was so fun :) 
• My grandparents came to visit after a over a year of not being able to see them. <33
• We went to the lake and I thiiiiiiink I learned to swim lol. And we went to the Zoo with my uncle & cousin and that was a blast.
• I turned 18 and my family threw a party. I enjoyed that SO MUCH. And I got my first bouquet which was lovely. ^_^

This I Learned in 2019:

• How to disagree politely, accept other people's opinions, & not be bitter about the way I'm treated. 
• That God answers prayers when it's best for us, not when we demand it. 
• That fear costs so much, and faith & courage is so rewarding. 
• That dreams come true when you surrender to Christ.
• That we really, really need missionaries in QC (and I'm finally willing to be the wife of a minister.)
• That you can be terrified of starting something and end up really loving it.
• That dedication & perseverance pays off.
• Laziness costs so much; hard work is so rewarding.
• Schedules & to-do lists & planners (and outlines) can be your best friends. 
• That when you let yourself down, you need to forgive yourself, pick yourself up, and try again. 
• That it's oh-so-worth-it to be honest & real & vulnerable.
• People-pleasing is absolutely crippling. 
• That I can talk about deep subjects & things God has laid on my heart.
• That the world needs proofreaders! XD 

Yes, 2019 was a year of change and growth. I matured. I saw my flaws. I learned a lot. It was a hard year but a good one. I thank God for the friends He gave me this year to support me as I navigated this (adult) life. I thank Him for fulfilling my dreams. I praise Him for changing my heart. I've changed a lot over this year.

So, 2019, goodbye. Thank you for teaching me so much. Thank you for forcing me to be honest and see my flaws.

I look forwards to 2020, the year of change.