 Every year, my family writes and sends out a family Christmas letter. I can't post that on the Internet, but I decided to start writing my own personal letter for the blog. I'll post the highlights and link back to each month's recap post if you want to read more about anything. (This is a LONG post!) Honestly, this has been the best year I've had since before 2020. I feel like I've started really living again. I've been working on building confidence and healing from a lot of painful things from the past few years. The biggest "bad" thing in my life was that this year I didn't get to see my friend, nieces, and nephews at all and that really makes me sad. Other than that, this was a really, really great year and I did a lot of fun things! While this year flew by in many ways, in other ways I can't believe that certain things happened in 2023! Like the last Ilyon Chronicles book came out and Yesterday's Tides was published (I was on the launch team). I was so pleased with how that series ended and I'd been waiting for it for so long that I actually was little scared to finally read it. Yesterday's Tides was so good that I re-read it six months later! I usually try to wait a year before I re-read a book but I just couldn't wait that long. I did a lot of "firsts" and had some really cool experiences this year! Some of it has to do with my goal to start doing things for myself. In the past, I would only do something if I had someone to do it with, but I am trying to learn to do things solo. Other things are just a result of me trying to find and build community. Here is a list of highlights from this year!
I need to say more about my Bible study. My friend Jenna and I were talking about starting one together, but in March she told me that another mutual friend had invited her to a study and I might like to try it too. I did and halfway through that first night, I already knew I wanted to come back. I've never felt so at home and felt so much like I belonged since leaving my homeschool co-op. These people are the community I was longing for but didn't even think to pray for because I never dreamed anything like this existed. It has been so good for me and it's helping me in so many ways. Speaking of Jenna, I have to mention how fun it's been to live so close to a friend! Other than when I was a very little kid and played with some neighborhood kids, I've never lived close to my friends. One of my best friends lived about 15 minutes from me and she was the closest. (Okay, I may have lived slightly closer to another friend but she moved around 3rd or 4th grade so we didn't live close for long). Jenna lives less then 10 minutes from me and it's so fun! We've gotten to do a lot of things together this year and it's easier to do last minute things as well. I have to highlight some September events. The month was IN-SANE, but it also had some of the best parts of the entire year! My brother and I went to see Owl City in concert, along with some friends, and we also went to the second-to-last Tigers game of the year. That happened to be Miguel Cabrera's second-to-last game as well. It was an amazing game and we had a great time. This year was 10 years from two significant events in my life. May was 10 years since the Relient K concert. That concert stands out in my mind and while two of the people I went with are no longer in my life, one is back in my life through my Bible study. Then, in October, it was 10 years since we went through a painful even with our youth pastor. What is amazing to me is that I didn't think about it at all until the month was over. When November started I went, "hey, that was the 1o year anniversary" but it wasn't painful. It's nice to know that some things do eventually heal. I feel like I need to mention a few business highlights. I mentioned updated my 50mm lens and starting to edit but I also launched a free screensaver pack and a print store this year. I attempted a senior rep team and it turned out that it was a good thing I didn't actually do it because I had my busiest fall ever! I've updated my website and I really like where I'm at. I also got to do some fun photography things like an Easter fair and VBS. And some big news is that I started editing for another photographer!!!!! After trying to get work in that arena for a few years, I finally got connected with a lovely lady in North Carolina. She's so busy that between the family business and my own business, I have not pursued any other photographers because she has enough work for me to do. I am really enjoying working with her. Like I said at the beginning, this year was overall a really good year. Stuff happened that was sad but the good greatly outweighed the bad for me. Thank you for your part in making this year such a good year! Merry Christmas! A Fulfilling January A February Filled Of Friends, Sweets, & Love That's A Wrap On March An Unexpected April I Made It Through May We Have Finished Half of 2023 A Well-Lived July Saying Goodbye To Summer September Wrap-up I Made It! // October 2023 In Review I Feel Very Blessed
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Hi! I'm Sarah!
I am a natural light portrait photographer. I've been taking photos since 2014 and would eat a smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Cafe for lunch everyday if I could. Thank you so much for stopping by. I blog about sessions, things I'm learning, stuff in my life, and information for YOU, my client. If you like what you see around the site, I'd love to work with you! I'd also love to connect with you on Instagram. I'm @sarah_jayne_photo :) Archives
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