My 2019 Favorites and 2020 Aspirations

Can you believe that not only has a new year begun, but a new decade as well? 2020 is one of those years that has always sounded like someday in the distant future - I mean, shouldn't we all have flying cars by now?
​Besides that, I am hoping and praying that 2020 is going to be an incredible year filled with new experiences, wins, adventures, and growing in God's Word.

Last year was incredible on so many levels. I attended my very first Writers Conference, which inspired me in my journey as an author like nothing else ever has and left me walking on air for weeks! Three of my devotionals were accepted by the quarterly devotional Unlocked, and I was once again published on The Rebelution. 

Besides writing, I spent many hours trail-riding on our horses with my sisters, began teaching two sweet new music students, experienced camping with my family three times in our new tent (it rained two of those times, but we stayed dry!), and went on a road trip down to Colorado with a group of friends (first road trip without my family + my first time hiking to the top of a mountain). 

In short, my year was literally brimming with new experiences and unforgettable memories. 

There were a lot of challenges as well. I  spent a lot of time feeling stressed, confused, inadequate, and afraid. But I managed to come out on the other side convinced that God is working, even if I can't see Him. 

After all, I really am "too blessed to be stressed." ;-)

Now for 2020. 

I have a lot of goals for this year, but have not officially written them down. A lot of them are simply personal goals that I hope to implement, or healthier habits that I want to form. 

A few are:

• Memorize more scripture
• Read through the Bible in a year (and study it more intensly)
• Write consistently - even if that means waking up extra early
• Submit my work regularly to small publishers
• Expand my musical abilities
• Blog consistently
• Polish up our horses' training
• Garden.... yes, I might try and force myself to enjoy gardening... again
• LOVE MORE

Something that I have noticed is that I tend to get irritable or depressed when I am focusing too much on myself.  My Mom has always told my siblings and I that JOY is Jesus first, Others second, and Yourself last. I'm starting to realize just how true that is. I can't love those around me if I am too focused on myself. Now, to implement it. 

What are some of your goals for the new year? Do you have any favorite memories or "wins" from 2019? As always, I would love to hear about it!