Last Monday of 2020, friends. Let me say that again. It’s the L-A-S-T little Monday of this blessed year. May God rest it in peace. And because it’s been quite the year, I figured some good old fashioned reflection was due. It’s time for recalling all my favorites and reminding myself of all that God has done despite the big themes that have happened in our world in the 525,600 minutes. I’m calling it the…
2020 Recap Newsie
(two musical references in the first paragraph… watch out!)
All My Favorites
Books:
(Pinterest Board Link of All the Books I Read & Wanted to Read This Year)
The Bible by God | This book has changed my life and specifically this year has come alive in ways I never knew possible. It’s a must read!
Try Softer by Aundi Kolbert | Incredible book renavigating my desire for healing into a life change of trying softer, rediscovering God’s kind narrative over me. I will read it again in January 2021 and every January from here on out.
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero | This book put into words my desires for a life of healthy spiritual leadership and practical ways I needed to change in order to get there. This will also always be on my January reading list!
The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman | I was plagued by decision fatigue at the end of 2019, not having one clue where to go next, and this book helped me take some practical steps forward into my next right thing. I have a copy near and reference it when I feel stuck in a decision.
Be the Bridge by LaTasha Morrison | With a heavy topic and so many really difficult bridges to cross, Tasha’s storytelling took my hand and led me forward into feeling more confident in how I approach and talk about race issues. I think this should be required reading for every white person on staff at a church. It’s that helpful and good!
Shades of Light by Sharon Garlough Brown | The. Best. Novel. I’ve. Ever. Read. Ever. So incredible. I’m working my way through her “Sensible Shoes” series as well and they’re equally captivating!
Podcasts:
Let Love Ache | Commoners Communion - I have this one downloaded on my phone and play it every time I feel like I need a refill of God’s most precious resource: His love.
Philip’s Daughter | Podcast Parables - I love her story and weaving together hers with others in the New Testament.
Fill the Vault | The Next Right Thing Podcast - This episode is also downloaded on my phone and I listen every so often when I need reminded of how to keep moving forward in a creative way: keep filling the vault. Listen, watch, read, experience things that are inspiring to you and remember that nothing is ever wasted.
Rahab, Salmon, Ruth, & Boaz | Podcast Parables - These four episodes were an absolute joy to write. I LOVE these people and how their stories came together and were woven in the lineage of Jesus!
Annie & Eddie Keep Talking - Annie & Eddie started chatting via podcast in early March because Annie got quarantined right out of the gate. She was nervous about spending 14 days alone so she and Eddie started the day by podcasting. And now they just keep talking! It’s weird but they’re a legitimate part of how I’ve experienced 2020.
Adulterous Woman | Podcast Parables - Her story lit something up in me that made me look at the Bible a new way and experience the words of God alive on the page and in me.
Music:
Hymns/Worship Covers - Excellent background music for a block of writing time; super fun mixes!
Forever Amen Album by Stephanie Gretzinger - favorite album of the year + she has tons of other amazing music out there as well. Highly recommend.
To Fill in the Space for the Sad… - playlist for one of those days…
Sleep Playlist - this has lulled me to dreamland many a time.
Newsletters:
Erin Moon’s The Swipe Up - Don’t subscribe if you don’t like snort laughing on Fridays. She’s a 90’s church girl, Chic-fil-A enthusiast, and has a theatre degree. My three requirements of a pretend internet friend.
Emily P. Freeman’s Weekly, Monthly, & Seasonly Emails - Okay, she’s made three categories now… But she’s legitimately, genuinely, & incredibly talented so I’m not sorry about it.
Vanderbloemen Blog - It’s a little church nerdy but I love their hot takes on the pulse of what’s happening nationally within church-world.
Places I Went:
Hazel Abel Garden - traditional English tea garden, where we wore pink lipstick, read British literature and drank British breakfast tea on a beautiful summer afternoon.
Water Park at Mahoney State Park - See Take four! for more info
Kung Fu Tea Place - Jared took me here for my birthday and it’s a good thing it’s way across town because it was SO good and SO fun!
My mom’s house - I love that she lives close enough to pop in and visit (and drop the kiddos off sometimes…)
My podcast “studio” aka basement closet, but golly, I love that tiny space where the dream began.
Things I Ate:
Lemon Creme Brulee at Fireworks Restaurant- my husband secretly ordered it for me and it was diiiiiivine.
Chai Day Friday - I love a rhyming day theme.
Chic-fil-A - I’m a legit Red Member and they’re mobile order system deserves my business.
Memories I Made:
Crazy Saw-Like Fish swimming in inches of city stream - still don’t know what those things were…
Snails at Schramm State Park - we were all enamored with those little suckers
Watching News Conferences in early March - “Did you see that press conference?” became the most common conversation starter.
Art for Kids Hub - became our go-to for best educational-yet-fun activity during at home schooling.
Launching Podcast Parables while in a doctor’s office waiting room
Kindergarten Line on first day of school; so sweet and cute and masked and I will never forget their impressive line skills on that first morning of kinder!
Mickey Mondays - like I said, I love a rhyming theme day. Mickey Mondays started and caught on quickly in the fourth grade; I am now expanding my collection.
Okay, friends, those are some of my faves in some of my favorite categories of life. Would love to know yours as well! Hope these last few days and hours of this year are beautiful and blessed.
Add your faves here— what 2020 things are you carrying with you into 2021? What things are you leaving behind?
Season 1 - Unnamed Women of the New Testament - precious stories from precious women
Season 2 - Genealogy of Jesus - they paved the way for the Messiah
Season 3 - Bible Kids - COMING JANUARY 1, 2021!
DaySpring After-Christmas Sale - 50% Off - Check out the link for a whole list of things to tuck away in your Christmas tubs!