Saturday, December 31, 2016

Hello, Goodbye: A Year of Transformations

2016 is getting a lot of hate from the human race right now. For me, 2016 was the crowning year of God bringing little things into my life and making them really big, life-changing things! Which is awesome if you think about it.

Martin Hospitality. While it didn't fully begin or end this year, I mostly wrote, edited, and self-published this baby in 2016! I kept opening my computer and that transformed me from a writer into an author. It was a discipline and a journey and an adventure. One that is all the more awesome because it's from God through me to you.
I have had this blog for just over 10 months now. Before that all I did was ramble ideas in a notebook. I promise it feels like I've known all of you all my life and that it's perfectly normal to meet you all in the flesh for the first time in my head every day. I've never had a greater joy than being able to share common thoughts and talk with all of you weekly. I never thought I could enjoy blogging, but I underestimated all of you.
 This was thrilling. I graduated high school in May. I didn't want to have a party at my house because I don't like parties for me. I hesitated to join my co-op's because I don't like crowds. I joined the co-op's due to lack of creativity and it was amazing. I got to graduate with all my classmates of 4 years with my family and friends there. I received an actual diploma from my parents and a booklet with photos and biographies of all the faces that surrounded me once a week throughout high school. For liking school, I haven't missed it.
I also turned 18 back in August. And to answer what both my grandfathers ask me every year, yes I feel older. Graduation, attending a writing conference ... all of that was only the beginning. I have been given permission to call certain adults by their first names. I do things on my own, by myself like an adult more often. It's scary most of the time, but it's really freeing at the same time. Like this is what my entire life has been leading up to.
Don't mention this one to my mom. I only just got my driver's license a few days ago. So far she has let me drive to the Walgreens at the front of our neighborhood once completely by myself. But that's just because she ran out of eggs in the middle of holiday baking. I had to borrow my sister's phone and my brother's money, so what does that tell you? 
God bless Goodreads. It has saved my reading life this year. I set a goal for 50 books and I reached it!(Possibly today.) Being able to track, review, and recommend the books I love has been an awesome experience. I'm not quite sure how I got so many book read, but I look forward to conquering at least as many next year as well.
Yay! I decided last year that if I could pick a career to pursue it would be manuscript editing. Thanks to my blog and meeting many new friends through it, I have gained experience. Due to my own studies, reading, and edits received, I have grown in my understanding of the skill. Beginning tomorrow, I am going to begin charging for my services as an editor. There will be a complete blog page with details once I get back from vacation.


Goodbye 2016. You were truly
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
~ Romans 12:2, NKJV ~

~~~~~

No matter the quality of your 2016, I think 2017 is only going to continue to transform. Tranform our relationships with God, our talents, our dreams ... hello 2017.


24 comments:

  1. Aw, Abi! I love this post! Thanks for sharing ways you have changed and grown!! :)

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    1. Of course! Glad you enjoyed. I hope your 2017 is awesome, Rosalie :)

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  2. Well this was basically an 100% FABULOUS way to wrap-up your year. *applause* XD

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    1. *bows* Why thank you! I'll always take 100% fabulous :D

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  3. seriously it seems like you've grown so much!! That's fantastic <3

    onward to 2017

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    1. Thanks! It's pretty mind blowing to think about. 2017 is promising so far :)

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  4. Super cool wrap up! And congrats on graduating!

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    1. Thanks! I've enjoyed no school much more than I thought I would. It gives me more time for things like blogging :) I'm glad you enjoyed and that your 2016 was pretty awesome as well :)

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  5. Wow. *feels like my own 2016 wrap up post is going to be sadly flat in comparison*
    This was so sweet and amazing and godly and inspiring...and did I mention amazing?? *hugs you* *remembers you don't like hugs* Oh, right. Whoops. *fist bump*
    God bless you richly in this coming year Abi!!! <3333

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    1. Psh, you have nothing to worry about ;)

      Aw, thanks :DD *hugs back stiffly* (They're not so bad if you don't surprise me!)

      Thanks so much, Rebekah. I know He has some awesome things in store for the both of us! <3

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  6. I love how much that you've grown this year, Abi! This post was wonderful, just like you. Can't wait for Martin Hospitality to come out!!!

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    1. Thanks, Grace Anne! It's pretty crazy to think about :P You're so sweet ^.^ It'll be here before I know it *dies*

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  7. Sounds like this year was pretty awesome for you. ;)
    Happy 2017! :D

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    1. It really was! Happy 2017 to you, too! It's going to be a great year

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  8. Congratulations on all your accomplishments, Abby! This was a truly big year for you. I too am dumbfounded a little by the hate 2016 gets, for me personally it was a really wonderful year though I suppose the world over it was less so...Still, I'm glad you had so many things that got big for you. Here's to even more in 2017!!

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    1. Thanks, Emily ^.^ I know, I didn't think it was all that bad no matter what way I look at it. It's crazy how terrible one little year can seem to a culture who has no eternal hope and /this/ is their life--all they have. :/ Yes, 2017 is going to be awesome for the both of us :D

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  9. Very quick and sharp wrap up. From reader to reader xD That made me smile :)

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    1. :D Haha, yeah there was just no better way to put that XD Welcome to the new year, Grace!

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  10. Oh my goodness you HAVE transformed so much this year. o.O It's crazy to think about how far you've come! You emailed me early last year, new to the whole blogosphere/writing world, and now your blog is practically famous and you're becoming an author! ;)

    So proud of you and happy that I can be in this journey with you. <3

    katie grace
    a writer's faith

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    1. Right?! It was a little scary to realize. I can't even remember what it felt like to be me at the beginning of 2016.

      ^.^ Well we both know I wouldn't have a blog if it weren't for you. I seriously despised the idea until I got addicted to your blog and brainstormed names for mine with you :P I just can't despise an entire year of my life when I gain people like you <3 Let's keep doing this together. It seems to be working quite well :)

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  11. WOW you had a ton of change happen in 2016 *blinks at the long list*. This was so much fun to read, I loved it! It was so inspiring - may 2017 be just as great! :D

    ~ Savannah
    scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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    1. *whispers* also, your new 'about me' picture is GORGEOUS, you're so pretty! :)

      ~ Savannah
      scattered-scribblings.blogspot.com

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