So it begins...

HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS!

We made it to 2025! Crazy, right? We are the same amount of time away from the year 2050 as we are, the year 2000. I'm honestly speechless. I've been doing a lot of reflecting as December rolled by and we enter the new year. There is so much to say. But, if I had to sum 2024 up in a single sentence, I'd say: What is for you will come to you.

I say this because, 2024 was a year. I struggled with my faith, fiances, mental health, weight. My family endured trials and tribulation. In spite of all of that, I triumphed. I persevered. I excelled. I saw God move. I grew. I prayed hard. I learned. I achieved a childhood dream. I met all of you. I published my first book.

As I sit here and type this blog before I go to work, I find myself in a state of shock and awe. I wasn't ready for most of what 2024 brought me. The good or the bad. However, I am grateful. I learned to be grateful for the little things because it could be worse. I realized that there are people who pray for the things that I complain about. I had always been aware of that, but I understood it differently in 2024. It really sunk in for me as I turned 28. I guess it's true that age makes you wiser.

I am sharing this with you all because as the year begins, I want to encourage you all to let the past be the past. Take the lessons that you have learned and apply them going forward. Don't dwell on the things that went wrong. Take steps everyday to grow into the person you want to be. If you don't know who that is yet, figure it out.

Go to therapy, practice self care, get to know God (or whatever you believe in, no judgement here). Take everyday that you are given and make the best out of it, even if everything is not perfect. Someone wishes that they had your freedom, your courage, your job, your home, your family, and the list goes on and on. Someone didn't wake up when you did. That is a blessing. There are people that are rooting for you and believe in you. I believe in you.

Now that the reflection part of the blog is done, we are looking towards the future! A new year means new beginnings! For me that means... I AM TRAVELING THIS YEAR! I am embarking on the exciting journey that is known as book events! I am coming to a book event near you! (And hopefully more, if they're not near you). South Carolina, Florida and Texas are confirmed as right now and tickets are available! I have linked everything under my appearances page. So grab some tickets and come meet me in person and a lot of other talented authors in these places.

This is also a call to anyone who has book clubs or any other book signings in 2025 and going forward, I really want to do more! Reach out to me! I have email, Facebook, Instagram, Threads. I'm easy to find, I swear. This is what I dreamed of when I was a little girl and I wanted to be an author. I wanted to meet people and connect with them and share my stories and my life with them. It's why I started this blog and it's why I treat this like a diary almost.

Now for more fun news, I am working on the second book of The Vindication Series! Rose's journey continues! I am hoping to it release this year, but I will keep you updated. Your prayers and well wishes are appreciated so that this can be achieved. I am also seriously beginning work on other ideas that I have for books and series. I will open up about those later on and I am super excited to share these ideas with you all.

I have many plans and goals for this year, however I recognize that I am still learning and growing. I work full time and am hoping for promotion within the month. This year is one of change and courage for me in every sense of the word. I have decided to stop begging and waiting for people to see me, acknowledge or validate me. I won't be timid this year. I am going to go after what is for me. As I embark on this journey, I want to take you all on this journey with me. The good, the bad, the ugly, all of it. I am extremely excited for this journey.

This blog has become quite long so I will end it here. As always I want to thank you for reading this far. I want to thank you for following me along this journey. Thank you for supporting me. I truly love you all. I carry you all in my heart and pray for you all. I want to leave you all with two bible verses for the new year.

Psalms 46:5 NIV/NLT

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. (NIV)

God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. (NLT)

Psalms 119:105 NIV

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.