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My Christmas Miracle

12/19/2021

Maybe it’s just me, but this is the first year that I have seen a public wide recognition of just how hard the Christmas season can be.

Hard for grievers who are experiencing their many “firsts” without their loved one.

Hard for the people who aren’t close with their immediate family.

Hard for the people who maybe don’t have an unlimited budget to spend on their kids for Christmas.

Hard for people with anxiety who’s change in routine is detrimental to their mental health.

Whatever your hard may be, I think this may just be the year to step into the season knowing that you are seen, and heard in your pain.

If you know me, then you know I fall under a couple of the above categories when it comes to the Christmas season. I’m not a scrooge by any means, but Christmas is NOT my favorite holiday, and I feel like as I’ve gotten older it’s gotten worse. I don’t thrive in the busyness of the season, I miss loved ones, and feel for my friends who have lost loved ones. It’s a pretty overwhelming season.

However, this year I have been pleasantly surprised with all the empathy and compassion pouring out, not necessarily to me, but to people I know that need it, and here’s what I learned.

Christmas was never supposed to be about all the things that make me or you anxious. Christmas isn’t about the hustle of the holidays, or the frantic shopping, or chaotic social calendar. In fact, Christmas exists because God knew we would feel this way. No matter what the season. Christmas is about Joy, and Hope, and Peace and Love even when it doesn't feel like it. It’s we who have hollowed out the true meaning of Christmas with our (read also: my) lists and expectations.

Do you think Mary thought it was easy traveling across the desert 9 months pregnant? Do you think she had peace or joy when it came to delivering her baby in a stable? There’s no way. But did she feel love and joy when her baby boy was born? Overwhelmingly so.

Because that’s the point, Christmas doesn’t come for those who want the best parties, or gifts. Jesus was born so that when we think that there is no peace or joy left in the world, He’s proof that there is.

Even if you’ve been cast out like Mary was from her family, for conceiving a child before she was married. Even if you feel lost like Joseph trying to navigate how to raise a family when you have nothing. Even if you're confused like the wisemen were when they received the prophecy. Jesus came anyway.

He came in the middle of the worst, in the confusion and the chaos. He was born anyway and that’s why we celebrate Christmas.

As we reflect on the year behind us, it’s been a long haul. I feel it, and most people I talk to feel it too. It’s dark and cold out. It feels like things just can’t get worse, and then another headline pops up on your phone. You’re not sure what the next year will bring, but guess what?

Baby Jesus was born for you, for this reason. To bring Peace, Joy, and Hope, but most importantly Love.

“ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33

How lucky are we that we know how the story ends. Mary and Joseph sure didn’t, but we do. And that my friends is the true Christmas miracle.

READ IN 2021

12/5/2021

Can you believe we are nearing the end of 2021? It feels like I just wrote Read in 2020.

Nevertheless, it's time to review some books! To be honest, most of the books I read this year were winners so I'm not going to bother sorting best to worst, because the differences would be between tenths of a points and as a personal policy, I don't do math. So instead, enjoy this year's list in alphabetical order by title!

Right out of the gate with a 5 star book. I devoured this book because it was sooooo well done. One of my favorite main characters I’ve ever encountered. A beautiful, witty, thoughtful piece on marriage and what it takes to make it work. Such a heartwarming read, while also not being what you would expect. (Also without realizing it, I ready 4 Taylor Jenkins Reid books this year, and all of them were fantastic!)

Buckle up for a long, sad, bleak, and very realistic story from the Great Depression. While I always appreciate Hannah’s attention to detail, in this case it wasn’t enjoyable. Clearly she did her research, and to accurately capture the Great Depression, she absolutely accomplished that, BUT this was not a book you read to escape, or even really enjoy. It’s a long journey with the family, and an ending that is worth getting to but it won’t be quick, and it won’t be easy.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. It’s got romance, humor, dogs, hiking, psychology, life tips, wilderness tips, tears, amazing characters. My favorite book of 2021 so far. I can’t wait to read this again someday. A+ work for storyline, and character arcs. I could barely get myself to finish it because i didn’t want it to be over!

Uniquely witty. Charming. Insightful, AND with very important societal commentary. If dry and sarcasm is your flavor, this book is for you. And bonus points because it's a short read!

I truly felt gross reading this. Rich and ruthless women and their affairs. The main character is, I’m sorry, a little pathetic and the only reason I finished this book was to find out who dun it. Could have been better if the characters were even a tiny bit relatable, there was strong dialogue and character connection.

This was a sweet book. A little corny at times, but still sweet. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys Hallmark-esque stories lines. I loved the characters and their friendships. Definitely a light read for someone looking to get into fiction.

Wish I could give this a 4.5! I always appreciate Yoons attention to dialogue. Loved the characters in this book and their development! And it’s should have been tittles “instructions for love.” I also LOVE when fiction writers put just a little bit of magic in their stories. Very cute, and very thought provoking. I definitely felt like I walked away having learned something.

The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars was because sometimes it felt a little too bouncy when going between scenes.

Slow beginning and middle, it really takes 75% of the way to really get good. Beautifully strung together ending, and finally, a little too much inner dialogue for my taste.
BUT, this book is up for Book of the Year from Barnes and Nobels, and Goodreads, so I may have gotten this one wrong.

A book I truly savored. It's not QUITE as thrilling and fast paced as the description would lead you to believe and it's actually more about their family dynamic than it is about this "party". It's the perfect sultry summer read.

I loved all of the characters and the back and forth in time lines. Nina stole my heart, that's for sure. I didn't want it to end, but when it did, I have to admit, It was a little disappointing. For me, things weren't quite tied up in a neat little bow. Overall though, I did enjoy this read a lot!

I was soooo disappointed in this book. I'm a sucker for rich momma drama but, the so called “mystery” that is in the background of this storylines has barely ANYTHING to do with 95% of the 3 narrator’s experiences.

The most enjoyable part of this book was the ridiculous emails that go back and forth to coordinate the book club that this book centers around.

One of my favorites of Hannah’s. Your standard American love story with heart wrenching twists. I just wish there would have been a little less corny lens to read the love story through and the pacing was a little odd towards the end. Yes it's a good read, but I would categorize it as forgettable. (because as I'm writing this review, I don't remember reading this one. *Cringe*)

A environmentalist / feminist takes on a closed minded town with her wolves and animal spirit. A dark read with plot twists around every corner.

This is a complicated and intellectual read that, if you reflect on it, is actually extremely well done. Take it at surface level and you won't enjoy it.

What a heart warming story of friendship and lives well lived. I loved Lenin’s character and her story, and I didn’t appreciate Margot’s until the end, when I cried like a baby finishing it.

A slow burn focusing on the main character's experience with abandonment issues and how that shaped her past, present and future. A shallow reflection would indicate a jumpy timeline and whiny main characters, but with some deeper thought this story is about courage, triumph, and the human spirit.

I LOVED this book. It was witty, charming, and warm. Truly the best book to read if you’re actually vacation! Read this in three days in the beach, and can’t wait to read it again someday.

I would categorize this as MY favorite book of 2021.

Such a fun Halloween read! It’s not what I expected at all but was a fantastic change of pace. I love the characters and the author’s style of writing. This book quite literally answers, “who would you choose to help you hide a dead body,” and takes you on a fantastical adventure through the ordinary from there.

I was pleasantly surprised by the book and ended up loving it! Magical, enchanting, and all too real. This book is grounded in grief and love and was so much fun to read.

This book was part of a series I read this year and I would highly recommend it

Yep. Okay. The hype about this one is well deserved. The twists, the turns, the affairs, the vulnerability, they way the ending was in the beginning all along and the timeline was perfectly paced. Everything about this book is a yes!

I lied, THIS is my favorite book of 2021.

Katherine Center does it again! A fantastically relatable main character, and original story line, a hilarious love story with live lessons mixed in. You can't go wrong with this book.

I want to start off by saying there is NOTHING inherently wrong with this book. It’s a good book, but I wanted it to be a GREAT book. The brand is a little too Hallmark Channel for my taste but the pacing just doesn’t make this a page turner. But if you’re looking for a sweet feel good summer read, you found your read

This book is a slow burn. I mean curl up with a blanket, glass of wine, light a candle every time you start to read it. Go into it with that expectation and you’ll love it, anything other than those expectations and you’ll be disappointed. Truly a story about grief and our inner demons.

There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. Nothing. Breathtaking, compelling, thoughtful, interesting, and beautiful, Kalanithi is up there with Whitman, Bronte, Woolf and others. I’ve never been so moved by a memoir and don’t think I will be again. A stunning portrait of grief and bereavement.

Chronicles

My Christmas Miracle

READ IN 2021

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​Chronicles

My Christmas Miracle

READ IN 2021

Purpose:

Want to be the first to know?

Archives

Chronicles