AN END OF AN ERA | GOODBYE, THE PECULIAR MESSENGER

We are in 2020. A new decade, the roarin’ 20s, all that good stuff. A lot of people have done recaps of the previous decade, a highlight of 2019, but I’m not here to do any of that. Not really. I’m here to say goodbye.

In December 2013, I started a blog. It was pretty random, consisting of my own writings (I wrote a novella serial) and fangirling (I was obsessed with Khan from Star Trek, OK). It was a place I could share poetry (and consequently, have readers ask if I was emotionally OK) and my novella.

But it grew into so much more. The Peculiar Messenger was born and grew over the course of seven years. I learned things about life, writing, and blogging. I met new friends, lost friends, and grew closer to good friends. I started new social media accounts. I published books (and have yet to delete an entire manuscript since that serial novella was lost. Yay, me). I attended Realm Makers, a writer’s conference I only dreamed about back in 2016.

I have grown so much these past 7 years of blogging on this site, y’all. But now, it is time to say goodbye.

My partner in bookish crimes and sister in Christ, Kelly, surprised me with a whole new blog domain. I’ve been intending to do this for years and never got around to it. But now, it’s happening, thanks to Kell. And I MIGHT still be screaming.

My new blog and official author website is…

ANGELA R. WATTS

Click that big ol’ link and you can subscribe to my NEW website (and my newsletter, if you haven’t)! Isn’t this exciting?

Now, what all does this mean? Don’t worry–I am still blogging! But ALL new blog content will be on my official web page + blog! Be sure to follow the new one and join the newsletter. That being said… I have exciting changes!

I have GREAT blog content coming out in 2020, and I’m pumped to share it all. I’ll be spending more time on quality, original posts. And new services! One new feature is… book reviews! You heard me. I am launching a new service in which you guys can send me YOUR book in exchange for an honest review. Check out this page for more info.

And… that’s it. I’m moving blogs, pumping out killer content, and focusing on my editing services this year. I’m going to miss this blog, but seasons change. *cue FFDP in the background* I’m eager to see what else God has in store for me. I hope y’all join me as I enter this new season and start a new blog. Well, I mean, it is new, technically, even if I moved all this content over. 😛

Thank you, each and every one of you, for being supportive, following, commenting, liking, and being yourselves. May God bless your 2020!

See ya on the new blog, God bless!

Ang

 

12DoC |THIS OR THAT?

Let’s shake things up! I’ve no clue who will actually play this with me BUT I hope y’all do. 😛 We’re gonna play a Christmas “this or that?” edition… and I’m tossing it together all by myself. So. Enjoy.

“THIS OR THAT?” CHRISTMAS EDITION

Cookies or pie?

Chocolate chip cookies and milk, you uncultured swine. (*whispers* sorry Dean)

Hot coco or eggnog?

HOT COCO? DUH? Though I’ve never tried eggnog because… ew?

Old Christmas songs or new Christmas songs?

I’m a mix of both, I guess…? I don’t like that “Santa Baby” song but I adore For King & Country’s Christmas album so fight me.

White Christmas or Australian Christmas?

I need a white Christmas, y’all. So very bad. But I live in the South. So Tennessee is still very brown. And dead. And there’s green grass out in the field? Even though it’s dropped below freezing? (Maybe I should go visit my friends up north. Or something.)

Tree decorating or bedroom decorating?

I looooove decorating the tree with my family. I also love having lights up in my room. But honestly, I’ll probably make lights in my room a year round thing. So. Tree decorating. (And I looove my ornaments.)

Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

This one is tough! I’ll go with morning, though. We don’t do gifts on Christmas Eve, but we do a finger food feast, which is fabulous. Christmas morning is full of unwrapping gifts, coffee, ooh-ing over things, insisting to get photos, and helping the kids play with their loot. Of course, Christmas morning means it’s over, and usually someone in the family declares “now we just have another 364 days till Christmas!”. So.

Home Alone or Elf?

Elf. I… never truly realllyyy liked the Home Alone movies. Oops.

Hallmark or Mitch Rapp novels?

HA! I’ve barely watched any Hallmark this year and I’m dying to keep reading the Rapp series. They just… *happy sigh* put me in the winter spirit, for some reason.

Ugly sweater or pretty outfit?

I’m a total sucker for pretty Christmas outfits even if I don’t have them, but, y’know.

Go caroling or act in a nativity scene?

Carolingggggg. Unless we’re talking about that scene in Daddy’s Home 2. *evil cackling*

Be stuck in an airport during a blizzard (on Christmas) or home alone (on Christmas)?

The airport idea sounds the funnest for a novel idea but I don’t like being in hell, so let’s go with home alone. Like a loner. A loser. Why would I be home alone? Did my family forget me? Who knows. But I’ll be making cookies, watching The Office Christmas episodes, and crying!

Read the story of Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas day?

We do it Christmas Eve! ♥

Gift bags or wrapping paper?

PAPERRR. PAPER CAN BE RIPPED APART.

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And here are the funzies for you to copy/paste and answer in the comments!

Cookies or pie?

Hot coco or eggnog?

Old Christmas music or new Christmas music?

White Christmas or Australian Christmas?

Tree decorating or bedroom decorating?

Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Home Alone or Elf?

Hallmark or Mitch Rapp novels?

Ugly sweater or pretty outfit?

Go caroling or act in a nativity scene?

Be stuck in an airport during a blizzard (on Christmas) or home alone (on Christmas)?

Read the story of Jesus on Christmas Eve or Christmas day?

Gift bags or wrapping paper?

Feel free to add your own! ♥

God bless,

Ang

 

12DoC | HE SEES EVERY SPARROW–AND TREE!

I’ve never had an artificial tree before this year. We always enjoyed the family tradition of either cutting down a tree ourselves from our land, and when those pines grew too tall, we would go choose the best tree at a tree lot.

Well, in the middle of a move and with mom’s health pretty rough, we decided to do an artificial tree for our official tree.

I’d put my little artificial tree up in our camper so I could have some Christmas cheer + a nice place for my Insta Christmas theme. But just last night, we put up a 7.5 ft artificial tree in the big house–the house still isn’t completely finished building and all. We did the hardwood flooring this week in the bottom two rooms so there’s space to kinda “live in”–aka, we can have the tree up, put gifts under it, etc. So that’s what we’ll be doing.

The tree was pretty ugly. I didn’t come out till it was halfway “unfolded” or whatever y’all call it. Kody laughed, telling me it looked like a stick. I helped finish it. And if you were completely clueless like me… the tree limbs have to be pulled apart, one by one. Big limbs, then little ones, move ’em around, spruce ’em up, you get the idea. Well, as we were fixing it, I go, “You know what I just thought of? That thing where God knows every hair on our heads? What if He’s like that with trees and alllll of their little branches?”

And for some reason, it astounded me. Sure, you think about God painting every sunset, but that’s pretty. Trees? Not so… “wowing”. Every single tree, even the skinny, tiny, ugly ones? Every single branch? Kinda mundane to think God put so much effort into a skinny tree that’s not super strong or even beautiful to us. And, what about all the trees we never even see?

But it was such a random, cool thought, y’all. It was neat fluffing out artificial tree and bringing it to life. And it was insane to remember that God puts just as much care and enjoyment into each of us. Am I comparing humans to trees? Maybe. ;P But think about it. Whether we’re strong, weak, big, little… overlooked or sacred… God loves us. He loved us even before He created us in flesh and blood. He came to this earth as a baby boy and died for our sins.

To God, nothing is mundane. The Bible says God know when even a sparrow falls. No matter what is going on in our lives, let’s try to be a bit more like trees, yeah? Let’s stand strong in the storm without snapping or falling. Let’s reach higher to God and let His Light and Love help us grow.

Because life isn’t easy lately, y’all. I’ve had some plans change, some I’m pretty bummed about. But I must focus on growing and becoming who God wants me to be. It helps to take a step back in life and remember how big this world is, how big God is, and then… certain things don’t seem so bad. Or if they are still bad, at least I remember I belong to a pretty powerful God. ♥

Merry Christmas, friends. I hope this rather strange post was encouraging. God bless!

Ang

12DoC | REJOICE… ALWAYS?

I was looking back at my 12DoC posts from 2018, and… I can relate so much to a post I shared then… so I am resharing it. The following post is what I wrote in 2018. ♥

REJOICE

Christmas is a busy time. Stressful. Painful. This year, for my family, it’s been one tough year and things are very chaotic. More so than the usual holiday busyness. To be honest, I’ve had trouble getting in the normal Christmas spirit. I lack time to watch many movies, but I make up for it by blaring For King And Country Christmas music so I can worship God. I lack time to read a lot of fiction, but I focus on reading my Bible and writing my own things. I’ve had to learn how to stay focused on what matters because I don’t have time for everything.

 Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, Rejoice. – Philippians 4:4

Christmas is a time for remembering Jesus’ birth. It is a time to worship. Celebrate. But what we easily forget is that God doesn’t expect us to have everything together. He doesn’t want perfection. He wants us to find joy in HIM. We cannot find joy in gifts. You’ve heard that before. But let’s take a step deeper. Think you’ll have a nicer holiday if that one relative wasn’t so overbearing? Would Christmas be more joyful if it were less loud? Would you be happier if you didn’t have to work so hard to keep up with things? Here’s the answer, folks: no. We cannot find peace or joy in anything but Jesus.

How do we find Jesus in chaos?

Before you wake up to tackle the to-do list, thank God for waking you up.

When your nieces are losing their cool, try to breathe and thank God for your family.

When you put another gift under the sparkling tree, thank the Lord for the Greatest Gift.

When you’re listening to Christmas carols, sing along and praise God.

When you are doing chores, pray for someone.

Above all… REJOICE. No matter what you face, God is there and we can find peace in HIM!

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. – Psalms 5:11

God is not limited to our to-do lists and expectations. We have to choose to trust Him, even when our stress is high and we want to have a break down. God is in control. He loves us. He gave His son for our sins so we could choose everlasting life. Rejoice in that Love… Because it is enough to not only keep us going, but Jesus’ Love helps us rejoice in the storm. And Jesus’ love is something to celebrate.

… ALWAYS?

Wow. 2019 now and I still relate to this post. Why?  Because we were in the midst of moving then–and we’re moving again now (building a house, then moving in, I should say). It’s been hard to find a lot of “Christmas spirit” this year, also, because of my mom being sick since November because the hemp farm in the neighborhood refuses to stop burning 40+ acres of woods.  If anything, this winter has been many blows of “ha! people are no good!” Which isn’t true. There are good people, kind people, people who love me. People who love you. Sure, there are some bad eggs. But this is the perfect time of year to really hand everything to God… and choose to rejoice.

My mom hasn’t been able to leave the house to do much Christmas shopping at all. But I can rejoice in the small moments of us making cookies, gift shopping online, and talking about Hallmark movies.

My dad has been super busy working and trying to get our house done. But I can rejoice in the time we get to work together, tease each other, and talking.

My siblings are busy, and we don’t always know what the “perfect gift” is (*cough* me, I’m the one who doesn’t know what to get anyone), but we always have each others’ backs. We can always talk to each other and be real with one another.

My nieces are often loud and tiring and like to try jabbing my eyes out (Gabby has an obsession with glasses?)… but they’re sweet, funny, and my little army of blue-eyed children. ;P

All in all, sure, there are things to be upset over. There are family members and friends to miss and mourn. But we can choose to rejoice in every moment… not because we even have a whole long list of blessings, but because Jesus gave us the ultimate Gift. His blood is enough for any worry, fear, or pain we want to bear… we can give it to Him and be washed clean. That is the ultimate thing to rejoice over–Jesus’ love.

I encourage y’all, whether you’re in jolly spirits or you’re in a place of mourning, to take a minute every day to truly think of what God has done for us each.

 

GIVEAWAY

Two winners will receive:  a paperback copy of Behold (by yours truly), a pair of fuzzy Christmas socks, a Christmas ornament, and a few other small goodies (magnet, candy, something like that).

ENTER HERE!

Check out Faith’s blog for the rest of the bloggers’ posts!

God bless,

Ang

12DoC | CHRISTMAS BOOKS

OK, OK, I’m doing this post again this year because, c’mon, how can I resist fangirling about the limited Christmas books I adore? I only get to once a year! 😛

Faith hosts the 12 Days of Christmas over at her blog and I’ve participated since it started, which has been years, and this year… I haven’t been able to post as much as I’d like. We’re in the process of building a house and moving, and besides the usual life chaos, it hasn’t been easy to sit and plan posts. BUT, excuses aside, I WILL PARTICIPATE. And this post is super fun (for me) so I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS BOOKS OF ALL TIME

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

by Charles Dickens

MINI REVIEW

I LOVE THIS LITTLE BOOK SO MUCH. I’m not a huge Dickens fanatic (not yet, anyway) but this book is an absolute delight. Hope mixed with some dark, spooky themes? Sign me up, y’all.

 

BEHOLD

by Faith Potts

MINI REVIEW

MY HEART IS BOTH SHATTERED AND HEALED. Behold is full of short Christmas stories, and as you probably know, Faith is a master at stories with a lot of heart. Behold is dear to my heart.

 

 

KIND

by Kellyn Roth

MINI REVIEW

Obviously, I’m a sucker for short Christmas stories, especially if there is some kind (PUN INTENDED GET IT) of war involved. Kind is short, packs a punch, and leaves you wanting more. *cough cough, Kelly*

 

MACCABEE

by David Carlson

MINI REVIEW

“Angela! This is not a Christmas book!” No, but it is about the Maccabees, and my family celebrates Hanukkah (no, we’re not Jewish, but we celebrate the Biblical holidays. Fun fact: I’ve celebrated more Hanukkahs than I have Christmases!). THIS BOOK IS FULL OF PAIN, WAR, TEARS, AND HOPE. So much hope. The story of the Maccabees is not one we need to forget. This book does a fantastic job at shedding bold light on the story.

 

EMMANUEL

by Angela R. Watts

MINI REVIEW

PSYCHE. I’m not reviewing my own book. But I am reminding you 1) it exists, it is free, and it loves readers. 2) I adore it very much. Sooo much. Also, it hit 31 reviews on Goodreads and is SUPER close to 10 reviews on Amazon. So if you like it, I’d love Amazon reviews. ♥

GIVEAWAY

AAAH! LOOK! Two winners will receive:  a paperback copy of Behold (by yours truly), a pair of fuzzy Christmas socks, a Christmas ornament, and a few other small goodies (magnet, candy, something like that).

ENTER HERE!

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Have you read any of these books? 😀

God bless,
Ang