Joni and Friends Family Retreats 2023

Well, it's that time of year again!

Time to sign up for family retreat!

I love going to Joni and Friends retreats every year, although this year it looks like I most likely won't be able to go. A few different personal things are preventing me from going this time, and I will definitely miss it, and am disappointed I can't go, but it is what it is.

Which I am not happy about, but there is always next year, of course.

If you don't know, these retreats are where people with disabilities and their families spend a week relaxing, having fun, and hearing the word of the Lord.

The get filled up with love, acceptance, and the spirit of the Lord at one of the best places ever!!

There are retreats all around the country, as well as other parts of the world, and if you haven't been to one yet, definitely go to one. You won't regret it!!!

To find out more about retreats, you can go HERE, and to find out more about Joni and Friends in general, you can go HERE.

The retreat I go to has a sweet shop, and that is where I have served every time I have volunteered there. I love being in the sweet shop, as I get to see and interact with everyone.

There are also positions for one-on-one buddies for the campers with disabilities, positions in the bookstore, as well as with all the different activities that go on during the week.

If you are interested in volunteering, or in attending as a camper/family, you will not regret it!! It is, in my opinion, the best week you will ever have every year!

My Word for 2023

I have been doing a word of the year for a while now, and it has gone ok, in terms of sticking to my word. But, I can definitely do better.

This year, I have decided that my word for 2023 will be:  SELF-CARE

2022 was on the stressful side for me, and I want to take more time this year, to focus on myself. With having to quit my job, my anxiety being high for a while, and just not taking care of myself, I have decided to put my mental first, and take better care of myself.

Things I would like to incorporate into my self-care routine include:

• A long shower or bath
• Regular walks
• Yoga
• Journaling (prayer, junk, regular journaling)
• Reading
• Going on self-dates
• Painting
• Knitting
• Crocheting
• Watching movies
• Listening to my favorite music
• Play the violin
• Play the ukulele
• Write stories
• Put a puzzle together
• Play a video game
• Paint my nails
• Learn how to apply my own makeup
• Cook
• Bake
• Listen to a podcast
• Naps
• Face masks
• Go thrifting
• Watch a favorite TV show
• Volunteer
• Drink more water
• Talk with friends
• Learn a language
• Have quiet time
• Declutter on a regular basis
• Spend some time with friends and family
• Travel somewhere new

I know this is a lot, but I do not expect to do every single one of these every single day. These are just things I would like to do throughout the year, to help improve my mental health (and my physical health, as well).

What are things you would like to do for your health (mental, physical, spiritual, etc.)?

Current Favorites

It has been a while since I've done a current favorites list, as I was waiting to find out about some new to me things to try before making another favorites list.

I am always up to trying new things (even if I am a bit hesitant with some things), and I love it when something new to me becomes one of my favorite things.

Now that I have tried enough things to make a good enough list to write about, here is what I am currently loving.

• BIC Wite-Out EZ Correct Tape
  A few months ago, I was at Target, getting some things for junk journaling, and came across this form of White Out. I thought it was unusual, but decided to give it a try. It takes a little getting used to, but once I figured out how to use it, I am not going back to liquid White Out again. With the Correction Tape, you apply it where you need it to be, you don't have to wait for it to dry before writing on top of it, and it doesn't make a mess. Whoever thought of making White Out this way is a genius!
  
  
• Junk journaling
  I found out about junk journaling a few months ago, from a YouTuber I like to watch, and have been hooked ever since. It is so much fun deciding on how I want each page to look, and what I want to put in the journal.
  
  
• Get Organized HQ Virtual
  I found out about this conference in 2021, from one of my favorite bloggers. I decided to give it a try, and absolutely loved it! When I found out when the tickets for last year's conference were available, I immediately got mine, and looked forward to it. I learned a lot about organizing, and other topics, and hopefully I can implement some things into my life as soon as possible. I watched the videos that interested me most, and wrote notes that I can look back on when organizing my space.
  
  
• Joni and Friends Planners
  I love planners, so getting the Joni and Friends planner was a no-brainer for me. The artwork, which Joni painted herself, is absolutely beautiful, and it comes with a chronological Bible reading plan for the year, Bible verses, and more. This year's planner is sold out, but you can check out other items in the shop HERE.

• A website called Set It Down
  Set It Down is a craft website, that have macrame kits for sale. I found out about them just before Christmas through an ad on Facebook and it seemed interesting. I bought a snowflake kit, and it was very easy to learn how to do. I have been wanting to learn how to do macrame, so this was a perfect way to start out in this craft.
  
  
• Roll Break
  Roll break is a snack that consists of a rolled hollow wafer, with cream inside. There are 4 different cream flavors: chocolate, hazelnut, strawberry, and espresso. I am not a fan of coffee, so I don't plan on trying the espresso flavor, but I have tried the others, and absolutely love them! I recently found out about this snack, when one of my brothers brought some home after work, and I am so glad he got some.
  
  
• Sherpa Lined Blanket
  One of the things I got for Christmas was a sherpa blanket, and I absolutely love it! It is warm, soft, and cozy, and I have been using it a lot this winter so far. I am so thankful that I got it, and will definitely be using it a lot in the future.
  
  
• The newest tote bag from The Frey Life
  I bought myself the newest tote bag from one of my YouTube channels, The Frey Life, and it is awesome! It is big, so I can fit a lot of stuff in it, which really helps. It is still available, in case you are interested in getting one yourself.
  

What are some things you are currently loving? What are some things that you would like to try?

23 Things I Would Like to Learn in 2023

Since it is now 2023, I have decided to make a list of 23 things I would like to learn this year.

I love learning new things, and expanding my mind. It helps keep my mind active and sharp, and I can say that I know how to do something, once I've learned how to do it.

I love to be creative, so many of the things on my list are ways I want to be creative in my life. I want to enjoy life more, so learning something new everyday is a great way to do that!

So, in no particular order, here is what I would like to learn this year:

1. Sewing
2. Macrame
3. Curling my hair
4. Applying my own makeup
5. Spanish
6. Songwriting
7. Video editing
8. Photography 
9. French braiding
10. Reading musical notes
11. Playing the violin (again)
12. Playing the ukulele
13. Playing the guitar
14. Self defense
15. Managing my money better
16. To be confident in myself
17. To improve my baking and decorating skills
18. How to get and stay more organized
19. To be more confident in my driving abilities
20. To decorate cakes and cookies
21. How to draw
22. How to paint with acrylics and watercolor
23. How to find the best deals on groceries

What are some things you would like to learn this year?

My Goals and Bucket List for 2023

Happy new year!!! I can't believe another year is over, and a new one has come again! Where has the time gone?!

Every year, I like to make a list of goals and a bucket list of things I would like to do by the end of the year, and this year is no exception.

In no particular order, here are my goals and bucket list for 2023:

• Get a new job that I will love
• Get bedroom cleaned up
• Redecorate bedroom
• Be an STM at a Joni and Friends retreat
• Dye my hair purple
• Get a second piercing in both ears
• Get a tattoo in memory of my mom
• Relearn how to play the violin, and play on a regular basis
• Learn how to play the ukulele
• Learn Spanish
• Work on writing a book
• Get my driver's license
• Drink more water
• Visit a friend in another state
• Read the bible in one year
• Go on regular walks
• Have regular self-care/spa days
• Put 3D Downton Abbey puzzle together (it's almost 900 pieces!! I've been putting off putting it together because of that!)
• Practice my baking and cake decorating skills on a regular basis
• Learn to sew
• Get into a healthy, loving relationship with a significant other
• Pray every day
• Practice yoga regularly
• Spend between one week and one month off of social media
• Make more friends
• Learn how to be more self-confident
• Purchase a DSLR camera, and learn how to take better photos
• Create and keep up a regular skincare routine
• Create and keep up a regular haircare routine
• Go ice skating
• Go sledding
• Try making macarons
• Learn how to manage my money better
• Knit or crochet a blanket
• Improve my posture
• Learn how to play the guitar, and play on a regular basis
• Write at least one song
• Go to at least 2 concerts/plays
• Go on a road trip with friends
• Declutter anything I don't want/need anymore
• Take self-defense classes
• Learn how to apply my own makeup
• Learn how to curl my hair
• Learn how to edit videos
• Start my own YouTube channel, and post regularly

What are your goals/things you would like to do in 2023? 

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and that this year is good to you!