Blessings

It's hard to believe how little I've been posting in the last year, it's shameful really. Over the summer I wasn't so bad, but now things have suddenly started to change. There's a lot going on, and with college tests every week I'm struggling to keep up with everything, but I'm coping.

I don't want this to sound like a big, angry post about how much I hate school, I love school. I'm just busy. It's a full time, and very stressful, job but I do love it. So many wonderful blessings have/are coming from it, and I don't just mean academically.

To put it lightly, I've been blessed this week! Really blessed.

I have a good job (I had my first day of work and it was wonderful!), and I've sold two of my goats! :) This is a huge blessing as I am getting closer and closer to the time when I will start building my own home. Saving now will really help me in that endeavor.

My first day of work went really well and I believe I showed my employers that I can be trusted and that I work hard without having to be babysat. They've even called me to work extra days too! This may sound like an 'Oh no!' but it's actually a good thing! If they want me to come out and work more it means they like me and know I do a good job! I am so blessed and I'm thanking the good Lord for it! :D

Decades Review, the magazine we submitted to, has published our photo and here's the link! Issue Nine Our picture is the one of Clara's eye! We are all very grateful to Mr. Hess who runs the magazine and to Paige for suggesting we enter! And, of course, to the Lord who blessed us with the photo and the opportunity! Thanks so much to everyone! We couldn't be happier!

Then of course things socially have been great. I've been meeting a lot of new and really nice people. I'm very blessed here, very blessed.

Also, sometime wonderful is happening, but I cannot officially say anything. It's just, I'm talking to someone a lot more now...

Yes, I'm being vague, but until it's official I cannot say anything more! :) Just hang tight for possible newsy posts. :)

I just wanted to celebrate! To scream out loud that this fall, the Lord has given me so much, and I am very grateful for it!

Now I just have to survive my science test tomorrow...very nervous...this is my first break today, I've been studying all day and I'm feeling better about the test, but not completely confident! So, I will leave you so I can get back to work! Until next time! :D

Remember, stay tuned!

My Last Day as an Eighteen Year Old!

It's been a long day; most of it spent on the road. Between lugging around countless pieces of luggage to driving six hours my energy level drained out completely. Yet, despite my sleepy state, I'm still excited because tomorrow is my nineteenth birthday! 

Little ole me is finally turning nineteen this year! It's been a thrilling journey to this point, one with a lot of pitfalls and joys. While I know there will be plenty more highs and lows, I'm looking forward to this next chapter of my life! :D My nineteenth year begins within a few hours!

I continue to tell myself what a wonderful period this part of my life is, and how fortunate I am to have had such a wonderful eighteenth year! I still have a lot of spiritual growing to do, and a lot of learning ahead of me, but I will continue to challenge myself to put my trust in the Lord, for he is the master of all things and the guardian of my soul! 

Everyone around me seems to be growing up so fast! Many of my friends will be either turning nineteen this year, graduating High School, or learning to drive for the first time! Big milestones are being reached in our little group, and it fills me with never ending joy! Seeing my friends and their lives beginning to blossom and grow is a happy time! Although, I will say, the driving part does have everyone a little freaked out! :D

Any who, this past week we have been on a vacation to the beach, and we loved every minute of it! My sister was actually very sad about coming home! :( I have a lot of snapshots I'd like to share, but for now I think I'll just post a few!

Last night, such a beautiful display! 

We went to eat at a yummy seafood restaurant with my grandparents the night before we left. On the way home my siblings and I decided to have some fun! 

Got up early to take a last few pictures of the ocean. I'm already missing it! 

We got back in good ole Georgia heartland after lunch time! I was glad to head home, despite my love of the ocean!  

Us being silly! I love this girl! She is such an amazing person and friend! :D So grateful to have her in my life!

Not long after we got home my amazing friend Jessie (whose mom had been keeping the farm for us!) came over and we had a girl's night in! We laughed, talked and celebrated over a delicious dinner of Subway and a few episodes of 'Say Yes to the Dress!' We generally goofed off and clowned around the entire evening, and had a complete blast! I've really missed seeing her! With her work life being so busy these past few weeks, I hadn't gotten to see her for almost a month! It was good to reconnect and spend an evening having fun! 

Well, that's my last eighteen year old day. It was beautiful, sad, exciting, magical, and scary all at the same time! Thanks so much to my Lord who continues to provide, protect and love me everyday! Thanks so much to everyone who has stuck with me during this past year, and to all of you who have listened to my rants and boring news over and over again! Thanks to everyone who stood, and continue to stand, beside me as I grow into the woman God wants me to be!

Thanks to everyone!

Tiny Tidbits and Lovely Pictures!

I was, as usual, perusing Pinterest and found a million pictures. Fortunately for you, I won't show all of them, but here are a few of them!

So here's a post for all of you Tumblr and Pinterest peeps!

I have so many DIY projects that I really want to show you, but I can't right now! When I can, I'll show you them! So far, they are very fangirl, so stay tuned! :D 

Last Week of the Lend Your Name Giveaway!

Hello everyone! 

I just wanted to give you all a quick heads up that the Lend Your Name Giveaway ends in just one week!

My how the time flies! I've loved getting to read all of your entries and I can't wait to see who wins!  

For a brief recap, the Lend Your Name Giveaway started about a month ago and is a chance for you to inspire a character that will be put into the sequel to my up coming novel Code! This new character can fight either along side the leads or against them, you decide! If you haven't already entered, or if you have but would like to change your answers, just comment below and answer these questions! 

1) What's Your First Name?

Just your first name, I will make something up for your last name if I need to. And yes, if you're a girl the character will be a girl and if you're a boy the character will be a boy.

2) What Side is This Character On?

Here are the two sides: 

On the good side is a rough and tough colonel who doesn't always play by the rules, but who has a good heart and fights for freedom and equality. He is truly at his greatest when he is in combat, and he is a watchful guardian over his men. He cares deeply for all those around him, and holds himself personally responsible for their lives. He's rugged, loud, brash and boldly heroic.

On the bad side is a mastermind of deception and manipulation. He rules by inciting anarchy and by stirring up long standing feelings of hatred and unrest. He offers the people under him their deepest desires, but only because it benefits him. He is an invisible puppet master, controlling everyone around him by letting people believe that he can give them what they want, when in reality he is enslaving them. 

Not a very good pic, but it gets the point across.

3) What is Their Military Rank?

Since this book is composed of mainly military characters, you will be able to choose this character's rank. You can go all the way up to general if you like, it's fine with me! 

4) Do They Live or Die? 

The million dollar question! Note, if you choose death, you won't be able to choose how they die, simply because I alone know when and where they could die, but if you want them to die then say so! Either way it really doesn't matter to me. So go on, channel your inner Steven Moffat! 

Also, for legalities sake, I must say this: NOTE, by entering this contest you are giving me legal right to use your first name and any suggestions about this character. Please understand that you do not own this character I do. Don't worry, I'm not going to make them do anything disgusting, but I just want everyone to understand this up front so there are no issues later. Also, please don't use the name of anyone in your own work (stories, poems, movies, ect) when entering your first name. Just use your real first name. :)

The contest ends on July 25th and the winner will be announced on the 27th. I'm thinking of doing a video announcement, that is, if I can get my voice back in shape. I've got a nasty little cold that has affected my voice really badly; right now I'm just hoping it doesn't turn into laryngitis!

I'm so excited to see so many entries! I have really enjoyed reading them and I can tell that all of you have put a great amount of thought into them! I can hardly wait to see who wins! I think everyone's entries have just made my excitement grow! Each person has a new vision; a new image for this character, and I think I'm in love with each one! You guys are amazing; thanks so much for entering! :D 

Again, I'm thinking of doing a video announcement, but that's only if my voice is back to normal. Surely it will be better in a week...right?! Come on, I'm tired of sounding like a cigarette crazy frog!

Well anyway, the contest is nearly over and I'm very glad that so many people have entered! Thanks so much and I'll see you all on July 27th for the big reveal! :D 

If you would like to link to this post, or if you know someone who would like to enter, please feel free to share!

Your Busy Blogger,

Rebecca