We are finally coming to the end of 2020. I don’t know whether to be happy that it’s ending or anxious about what 2021 will hold! I continually remember verses that remind me that God is in control, no matter how many plans I have made:
Mortals make elaborate plans,
but God has the last word.
Proverbs 16:1 MSG
2020 has had its problems, some more detrimental than others. But I wanted to look back and remember the things that “saved my life” during all the drama and difficulties of this year. There’s a musical soundtrack, a book, a journal, a diet plan, a Bible, and soap—because there’s a virus going around.
Hamilton
I have always said that I don’t care for musicals. But after The Greatest Showman and Hamilton, I may have to quit saying that! When Hamilton became available on Disney+, I decided to listen to the music before watching it. And I was hooked.
I love historical fiction and music that has a good beat. I fell in love with the talent, the creativity, and just all of it. To watch Daveed Diggs as Thomas Jefferson go from singing this bouncy, hokey style “What’d I Miss” right into a rap battle in “Cabinet Battle #1” on the very next song makes me listen in amazement each time. I’ve only seen the show once, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack almost daily. I have no other words, except it is so good.
Introverted Mom
I read Introverted Mom in the beginning of the Pandemic sheltering in place orders. I went for a walk outside (to escape the noise in my house), and I remembered this book. I don’t even remember who recommended it, but I knew on that walk that I was an introvert and I needed that book!
I picked it as my top book of the year, and it even impacted my writing right here on this blog. I didn’t even realize I was an introvert until reading this book. Maybe I knew I was an introvert, but I didn’t know how much it impacted my life and my need for solitude.
Martin’s words are a wonderful encouragement to take care of yourself so that you can take care of those living with you.
One Line a Day Journal
I started this journal in 2019 and didn’t do so well—I made it to March. But this year, I picked it back up and started writing in it again. I’ve already enjoyed the hand full of times that I did write something for that same date last year, seeing what happened exactly a year ago.
If you’re not familiar, it’s a five year journal. The date is at the top of the page and you have five spots to write for the next five years. So it’s easy to look back and see what you wrote on that same day in previous years.
The trick for me is not to wait until the end of the day to write in it, but to write in the morning the next day. So, in the morning I look back on my previous day and write whatever stood out to me. Sometimes it’s just what we ate for dinner. This would make a great gift book!
Optavia
I have yet to mention this anywhere, but I have lost 30 pounds this year. It would be neglectful of me not to mention the program I’m using that helped me lose weight during a time where it would have been excusable to gain 30 pounds instead!
I’m not trying to sell anything, but I can share the benefits I’ve seen in my life. I have more energy (Which makes me nicer to my kids, who knew?), I can find clothes that fit (I’m a curvy petite girl, so the bigger I get it the harder it is for me to find pants that aren’t too long.), and I feel healthier (not like I’m starving myself).
If you’re curious, I found a good description of the diet in the book The Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holley Gerth (she is not talking specifically about OPTAvia, but the kind of diet that’s essential for introverts to retain energy): “What I’ve found helps most to conserve energy is being sure I include protein with each meal (especially breakfast), have a snack in between meals, and eat vegetables every day…The goal for introverts when it comes to food and drinks is choosing what helps our blood sugar levels stay steady throughout the day. Highs and lows are very energy expensive.”
If you are interested in learning more about OPTAvia, here is their website where you can find a coach that’s close to you!
Illustrating Bible
For Christmas 2019, I received this huge Bible! I have LOVED being able to write so many notes in my Bible without needing an additional notebook to write in. It is spiral bound which makes it lay flat too!
This is not a Bible you will carry to church with you, but it’s a great tool for your own personal Bible studies at home. It’s by DaySpring and you can find it on Amazon. Mine is the green CSB version. They also have the NIV in pink or dark grey. They even have a neat version that’s only the Psalms and the Proverbs.
Buff City Soap
This store has received so much of my money this year. It’s a new local store, but they also have a website. I went and bought my friend some gifts from there. Her birthday is the first of March, and I mailed her a bunch of soap—perfect gift while living through a pandemic! Their website became my go to for mailed birthday gifts and pick me ups for friends dealing with so much stuff this year.
I’ve bought a lot of Christmas gifts from there too! A set of stuff is fun, but also a bar of soap or a lip scrub is a great little happy to go with a gift card from anywhere. Their top seller is Narcissist (a clean, laundry type smell). Pink Sugar is a nice vanilla smell. And Unicorn is a sweet, fruity smell that my nine-year-old and my mom both love! My favorite product is their Whipped Body Butter. So many have told me they love the shower oil, so I may be getting some of that for my own Christmas gift!
Unfortunately (or fortunately for them), they have had to stop website orders for the rest of 2020, so they can get out all that has already been ordered. But the website will be back open in 2021! Here is the link for some new year shopping or they may have a location near you!
Thank You!
Another favorite thing of mine is writing here on my little website! I’m so thankful for anyone that reads these words, and I hope they are helpful to you! My website has a new look, and I hope you love it. Thanks to Restored316 for this lovely theme that I’m still trying to make my own.
I pray that 2021 brings blessings, growth, and quiet. I pray that we embrace our God-given personalities as gifts, and not burdens. Grace and peace to you!
With love, Natalie
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you, for which I would be so grateful!
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