Roadblocks and revelations . . .

Yeah, I kind of have a thing for alliteration. | December Newsletter

I’m not sure where you’re at right now.

Maybe you’ve been blasting Christmas music since Halloween was over. Maybe the thought of putting up a tree and decorating makes you tired. Or maybe you’re in a car road trippin’ with your younger sister towards a sleepy Florida town (oops, that one’s probably just me!).

My last month has felt full of roadblocks and revelations.

And yet . . . life is strangely full of opposites. Of hills and valleys, grief and laughter.

It’s something I’m in the middle of right now.

I made zero progress on my novel. But I wrote and performed my first spoken word poetry.

I’m taking time off from work. But my day-to-day living is a LOT of work right now.

My mind has been racing a thousand miles a minute. But I’m being forced to s-l-o-w d-o-w-n in big ways.

I’ve been navigating some health issues—and my doctors have recommended I take two weeks to completely disconnect. I am supposed to:

1. Spend at least six hours outside.

2. Have no artificial light exposure.

3. Get rid of all screens.

There’s a host of other things too that I won’t bore you with. But as you read this, I’ll officially be halfway through that 2-week timeframe.

Hence the roadtrip. I’m fleeing to warmer weather since I have to be outside so much. And if you feel so inclined, I’d appreciate your prayers and well wishes for healing during this time. 💛

I promise, I have a better track record normally than what you’re seeing right now.

Draft 3: 23%

Yep, that’s the same number as last month. But can I share something else with you?

Sometimes, you have to pivot. Sometimes, the words you need to get down on the page will surprise you. My words this past month weren’t for my novel.

Instead, they were for this . . .

Y’all, let me be clear—I am by no means a professional. I didn’t have it perfectly memorized. I still worried what people in the room would think about me. But . . . I did it anyway. I did it scared. I performed it knowing it wouldn’t be perfect.

And maybe that is the real victory.

My hope is that sharing this will help you share. Even when the timing doesn’t feel “perfect.” Or when you feel under-qualified. When you’re uncertain of the response you’ll get.

It takes real bravery to be vulnerable first. It takes real courage to share.

But if you’re feeling especially brave today, I’d love for you to listen to my spoken word performance of What Love Is and then share an age and the impression of love you had at that age.

I can’t wait to read them all. 🫶

(Well, technically I’ll have to wait thanks to this whole no-screens-thing. But I promise I will read all the responses once I’m back online.)

There’s no Book Club pick this month because we’re doing a book swap instead! But don’t worry, since I’ll be screen-free for the foreseeable future I had to load up on some CD books to help get me through the long car rides ahead of me.

So I checked these out from the library:

I’m also revisiting my own bookshelf and am looking forward to starting (or finishing in some cases) books I’ve been meaning to get to but hadn’t found the time for yet. At the top of my bookshelf list? Finishing Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith.

It’s been a BIG month for my house. Or rather . . . it’s been a big month for my yard!

The “jungle” that was my backyard is officially gone. An arborist came out to the property and recommended twelve trees go. (Yes, you read that right. A dozen trees!)

A crew also came in and cleared out part of the underbrush I hadn’t managed to get to yet. It already feels transformed!

Below is September 2023 . . .

Now, let’s take a peek at November 2024. 🤩

What a crazy difference?!

I still have big dreams for this space. Bistro lights swaying in the breeze. A fenced in yard where a dog can one day play. A fire pit for sticky s’mores and cozy conversations.

I’m not there yet, but if homeownership has taught me anything it’s to appreciate the journey. (And to be patient. And to save, save, save.)

Until next month,
Rachel