Looking Ahead to 2012

I love the start of a new month and a new year! In the words of Anne of Green Gables:

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

Yes, it is very nice indeed! And what's nicer still is to know that God's grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9), even when I fail.

Before I talk more about 2012, I thought I would share a few pictures from Christmas 2011:

Aren't these pajamas fabulous?? A reader/writer's delight! Love 'em! (Thank you, Mom and Dad!)

Oh, nothing beats my grandma's Texas cake! And isn't this one just beautiful? A wonderful Christmas Eve treat!

Muffin Man had such a fun time with the wrapping paper and boxes!

Here comes 2012!

Now, ready or not, 2012 is upon us. Last year in my Countdown to 2011 I wrote separate posts to talk about my blog plans and my New Year's resolutions.

Today, I'm avoiding the specific.

Thinking about this coming year is sometimes scary. I'll be graduating from college in May - and before you ask me what I plan on doing, the answer is that I'm not sure. It feels like 2012 will be full of uncertainty.

But the truth is, no matter what day or month or year it is, there will always be uncertainty, because we just don't know what tomorrow will bring:

"Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
~ James 4:13-15

I take comfort in God's sovereignty, as well as His love for me. He has a plan (Jeremiah 29:11), and in all things He is working for the ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

So, without knowing right now how busy I might be or where God will lead me in the coming year, I don't want to commit to hosting certain blog events or posting a set amount of times a week. I'm hoping to write more devotional posts and maybe do some themed weeks - and of course more books reviews! We'll see how it goes, one day at a time. =)

I really appreciate your friendship, and I hope you'll enjoy the ride this year, wherever we end up!

As for resolutions, while I'm hoping to get back to more writing and exercising, I think the one resolution I really want to make is to trust God. I don't have to be afraid of 2012 and what it might bring, for I have hope in God, and the future is bright indeed through an eternal perspective. I hope the new blog design for winter 2012 conveys excitement for the journey and peace in God's guidance. (The main picture is one I took at Fort Humboldt here in Northern California.)

So, 2012 - I'm ready when you are!

Favorites of 2011

I'm sorry I haven't been around here as much lately... I think I'm going to blame it on Christmas-break laziness. ;) I just haven't had as much energy for blogging lately, but I've been enjoying the time with my family. I am hoping, though, that the new year will bring a new beginning for my blog - hopefully with some more new posts!

But looking ahead to 2012 is for tomorrow. Today I'm looking back on 2011, remembering some of my favorites!

Favorite Books

These are my favorite Christian fiction books published in 2011. I chose 11 for 2011 - but don't let the ranking fool you, as these are all great books!

#11 Torrent

Such a fun time-travel series - full of romance and adventure! Love the quote from this third installment that encompasses the titles of the books in this series (Waterfall, Cascade, and Torrent):

"My eyes shifted to the trickling river. Come spring, it would be ten times as wide and just as deep. On and on it went, rushing toward the distant horizon. Like time. Like life. Sometimes gently falling from one pool into the other, other times fast and cascading, and still other times narrowing into a funnel, a torrent of knots and waves."

#10 Blue Skies Tomorrow

Sundin's writing is so engaging, full of great imagery. Love the characters - American heroes from WWII!

#9 A Wedding Invitation

Wisler's writing strikes a chord with me - especially with the heroine in this book! Unique style and great descriptions make this a sweet, meaningful read.

#8 Undercurrent

After devouring Griep's first book (Gallimore) a while back, it came as no surprise that I fell in love with this book, too! Another time-travel book, this one has vikings, exciting romance, and a message about sacrificial love. Awesome!

#7 The Search

Fisher's writing is so down-to-earth, but also surprising and lovely! This one is my favorite of hers so far, but I do have The Keeper to review soon, so we'll see how it goes... =)

#6 The Colonel's Lady

The story is just as beautiful as the cover! Great historical romance.

#5 A Lasting Impression

Just like The Colonel's Lady - an historical romance that is as lovely as its cover! Very well-done! (In my opinion, it's hard to go wrong with a Laura Frantz or Tamera Alexander book - they're both such talented authors!)

#4 Spring for Susannah

Most of the books on this list are by authors whose work I've loved for a while - so it's not much of a surprise that their more recent works blessed me. But Spring for Susannah was an unexpected treat from a new author - something fresh, different, and oh-so wonderful!

#3 Surrender the Night

Tyndall writes such thrilling sea-faring romance - but how wonderful to discover that she writes great romance on land, too! This is my favorite of the "Surrender to Destiny" series - full of romance, danger, and (of course!) destiny. Loved it!

#2 Yesterday's Tomorrow

When my blogging friend Renee raved about this book, I knew I wanted to read it - and it certainly didn't disappoint! This is a bold, moving look at the Vietnam War with a unique romance story.

#1 There You'll Find Me

Another sweet, sweet surprise! (Well, not a surprise in the sense that others have been praising Jones' work for a while, but a surprise in the sense of how much I loved it!) This book is just so well-written - humorous, romantic, but with a slow-building seriousness and a powerful ending.

Favorite Blog Posts

While I'm discussing favorites, I thought I'd share with you 11 of my favorite posts that I wrote in 2011. I'd love to hear if you have any favorites!

• Sunday by the Sea (How to Train Your Dragon)

• Season of Love Blog Party with MaryLu Tyndall (And just hosting the Season of Love Blog Party in general!)

• Book Discussion: Courting Morrow Little

• Campfire: Third Evening (And all of the Camp Humility posts! I love "going to camp" with you!)

• My Review of Plain Fear: Forsaken (This review was a bit challenging and yet interesting to write!)

• A Magical Vacation (Gotta love Disneyland!)

• Friends, Crafts, and a Mystery! (So fun to share pics of me and Casey meeting in real life!)

• Sherlock Double Feature: A Study in Scarlet (and Pink)

• The Polar Express: A Journey of Faith

• Moved by a Movie: Brother Bear

• Love's Christmas Journey

Blogging has been such a blessing to me, and I'm so glad to know all of you because of it!

Last year I also had a post for my favorite movies of 2010, but I decided to skip that this year. I'd love to hear about your favorites of 2011, though - books, blog posts, or movies!