What Thankfulness Looks Like Tonight

Tonight I'm sitting with an open book 

Waiting for me to write down 

All the things I'm thankful for 

I try to think of all the things 

From air, and water, and laughing 

To books, family, and friends

I try to list all the things God gave me 

But I would be lying if I didn't say

That what's filling my mind tonight 

Is what I haven't got 

The way I jump when my phone buzzes 

Hoping it's them calling me 

The way I look on my feed 

Wishing there was a post 

Saying where they've been 

I can't help but feeling the empty space

Like a hole in me today 

And it's hard to be grateful for holes 

But tonight that book's reminding me 

That God gave me everything for a reason 

And the hole is there to remind me 

Of the God who fixes all things 

And I know that He'll hold me until He does

Sometimes gratefulness doesn't look like beaming smiles 

Or long lists of things you love 

Sometimes it looks like tears 

Like three words written on a page 

God's got me

What's Up in My World

                                                                                                           

Hello everyone! I'm kind of drowning in NaNo right now, so I had intended to post something way cooler than just an update, but this is what you get. ;)

I already finished the main story I was working on for NaNo. Which has been a bit of a problem, since I thought it was going to be my only project. I've been experimenting with some flash fiction since I've never really made time to do that before, and have been having a blast! I'll probably polish up some of those and post them here later on. Today I'm going to dive into my next project, so we'll see how that goes!

I took a break from my writing last night to decorate my room for Christmas. I know, it's early for a lot of y'all, but Christmas is just. so. exciting. I couldn't help it. Now I've got pretty lights to look at while I write. =)

I've got to get back to writing, but here's a short (unedited) tidbit of my book where my who MC's (main character are on the road

"Did you pack snacks?" I asked, straining to look behind me.
"Maddie, breakfast was like two hours ago." 
I gave her a pointed look and she just laughed. 
"I packed snacks, but what makes you think I'll share them with you." She gave me a look of mock suspicion.
I rolled my eyes, throwing my hands up. "Come on, Jenny, don't let me starve. All I want is your caramel popcorn and I'll be fine."
"What makes you think I packed caramel popcorn?"
"What makes you think the sun is still in the sky?"
She laughed "I do have a bit of a reputation, don't I?"

Classics

The awesome Gray Marie tagged me for this months ago, and I just now found the time to do it. Oh well, better late than never, right? Here's her post.

Rules: 

1. Link your post to Rebellious Writing 

2. Answer the questions

3. Tag at least 5 bloggers.

What is one classic that hasn’t been made into a movie yet, but really needs to?

Jack and Jill by Louisa May Allcott. Seriously, there are dozens of Little Women movies, but no Jack and Jill ones.

What draws you to classics?

The beautiful writing style. So many classics have amazing writing styles that just make me excited about how words flow. I rarely read books that have as beautiful styles as Jane Austen or Louisa May Allcott.

What is an underrated classic?

The Robe!! That book is so amazing. It encouraged me in my walk with God. And while I didn't agree with 100% of the conclusions the main character came to it left room for me to make my own decisions.

What is one classic that you didn’t expect to love, but ended up loving anyway?

The Bronze Bow. That book was recommended to me a dozen times before I finally read it because I didn't expect to like it. But it was incredible.

What is your most favorite and least favorite classics?

Emma by Jane Austen is my favorite and my least is Robin Hood. I love some movie versions of Robin Hood but I haven't like any of the classic books I've tried. 

What is your favorite character from a classic?

Emma from Emma by Jane Austen. I could relate to her a lot, and I loved how she was always trying to do the right thing, even if that didn't always turn out well. 

What’s a popular classic that you felt wasn’t actually that great?

Robinson Crusoe. I love a few movie adaptations I had seen and was disappointed to find that Robinson wasn't a very nice guy.

Who is your favorite classic author?

Surprise surprise, it's Jane Austen and Louisa May Allcot. Don't ask me to pick between them. I love them both. 

In your opinion, what makes a classic a classic?

A book that's style and theme is potent to all generations, and that has something in it for everyone.

If you would like to do this tag, please do and then drop the link to your post below!

What's your favorite classic? What do you think makes a book a classic?

September and October Highlights

Hey there! Here are my highlights for both September and October, so it's a bit lengthy, sorry!

September

We had some missionary friends come and spend some time with that. It was nice to see them again. They translate Bibles, so it is really cool to hear about their work.

I finished editing my book Just Your Ordinary Sister. It was so satisfying to finish a book after so long. 

Scrapbooking is not something I would have thought I would enjoy, but I have loved taping things that are important to me onto paper. I have had so much fun staying up till midnight, watching movies and working on it.

My siblings and I in a nutshell. Top row left to right: Rose, Michael, Grace, Bottom: Rebekkah, Sarah and Me.

My sister and I found the best shave ice place in the town nearest us. It's a little pricey, but it's the best stuff I've ever had. Yes, this is highlight-worthy. 

I started going to a Bible Study Fellowship group, which is just about the best thing ever. We're studying Act's and my small group has the most amazing bunch of girls. 

My sisters and I went to go swimming and just as we got in... a snack dropped in. We got out, and that was the last time we swam this year. ;P

I quilted my first baby blanket. It was little grey elephant's on super soft fabric, and now I want one in my size.

October 

My sisters and I made a blanket fort and watched a movie in it. It was awesome. =) 

I had two skypes with my friend Kate. We shared cheesecake over the miles one time. The next time I sat in the back of my car in the Starbucks parking lot. It was great, except the part where I set off my car alarm and it went off for nearly a full minute while Kate sat patiently by. Let me tell you, sixty seconds seems like a long time when you have forgotten how to turn off the panic. ;D 

I celebrated twelve years of knowing Jesus!! Twelve was a very awkward age before, so I'm hoping it's better in spiritual age. ;)

My church had a picnic, and I got to hang out with a bunch of kids that I babysit. They even gave me permission to go on the bouncy obstacle course so I could be with them. I got some 'carpet' burns from the plastic, and the kids wore me out, but it was a blast. They also had free snow cones, and I had six. ;D

I finally did it, I plotted a book. It was very basic, but I did get a rough outline on paper.

Me at the Bubble Run

My sister Grace and I did The Bubble Run. I didn't know what it was either. Here's a picture of me doing it, but it's pretty hard to describe it. (Here's a Youtube video you can watch it if you want a feel for it.) We walked it, and it was awesome!!

My siblings and I had a two-day retreat at our house. We played so many games, ate so much junk food and had a blast. We filmed a video, and generally had a good time. 

I stood out in the pouring rain to get Toy Story 4 from Redbox. I have dedication to my kid movies. ;) 

My sisters and I re-painted our bathroom. It was a big project, but so worth it. It was nice to say goodbye to the green and go to a Texas theme.

My sister Grace took me out to dinner after a bad day at work. <3

My dad retired!!! This was the highlight of the whole month. My dad has worked so hard, and now he gets to do all the work here he hasn't had time for. And... I get my dad home all the time! =D

                                                    September                                                   October                                         

     

My favorite from September (besides my re-read of Annabeth's War) was Cleftlock by Nicole Sager. 

My favorite from October was a toss-up between No Man and Unoffendable. 

See the Way Brin Lael

Word's Never Said Fifth out of Ten

Once Upon a Dime Little Blossoms for Jesus 

My Favorite Cover Reveal (Ever) Once Upon an Ordinary

Five Favorite Siblings || Cover Reveal of No Man The Destiny of One

Fall Leaves (Art Ideas) and A Sparkling Photoshoot A Farm Girls Lifes

5 Reasons We Need to Eliminate Euphemisms From Our Vocabularies Sunshine and Joy

How was your month? Are you doing NaNo?

Where I Am and What I'm Writing

Hello everyone!! I am writing this from a hotel room. I've got a bit of downtime, so I thought I'd update y'all on what's going on.

One: The reason I am in a hotel room is that some of my family members and I are going to a gospel concert this weekend. It has some groups that I really love: Legacy Five, Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, the Ball Brothers, and more. I went last year, and am super excited about going back now!

Two: I started on NaNoWriMo. I started writing at midnight, which was pretty fun. And I was up anyway packing. Last-minute packing is how I work best. ;) I wrote the rest of today's word count on the way up to the hotel since it's a five-hour trip. I am pretty happy with what I've got so far. If you didn't see it before, I'm writing a contemporary YA  road trip book. My characters are two girls in their late teen's road-tripping from Texas to Colorado. I am so excited about this book!!

Three: You may have (or may not have, if your like me) noticed that there were no highlights posts for September and October. They are coming, they are just going to be smashed into one post next Friday. When I unexpected joined in on Five Fall Favorites all thought of that post just went out of my mind.

That's about it! I need to go now, cause I need to get in a little more writing before the concert starts. =)

How is your month going? Can you believe it's already November?