[Disclaimer: this post contains many shameless plugs about the newest YA devotional anthology, Kingdom Disciple, featuring Willow Hoffer.]

Happy Tuesday, people! This month has been a long one but also I’ve done pretty close to nothing! So maybe this post will be shorter. Let’s dive in!

What did I do this month?

Well we started off the month strong on May 1st with going to prom with my friend, Noah! We’ve been friends since middle school when we met in Massachusetts. When I moved to Washington, he moved to Texas, and then he moved to North Carolina and then I moved to North Carolina, three hours away. So it was fun to see him again!

Prom’s theme was ‘Midnight memories’ which, leading up to it (before we saw the decorations) was officially The Stupidest Theme Ever. Last year (according to Noah) it was sneaker-themed, so everybody wore high tops and I’m like HECK YEAH but what is ‘midnight memories’ implying?! Do I want to know why we are making memories at midnight? What kind of memories? What is happening at midnight?

But then it was pretty much a gothic fantasy kind of vibe. Also dumb. And the music—apparently the DJ took requests and he…pretty much failed at his job. Only the last hour (out of five) had good music and even then, they were all short excerpts of the songs. And the songs that got played fully were metal or rap that was not danceable. (You heard that right, Willow deemed them un-dancable.)

But, aside from those few not-great songs, we had a fantastic time. We got lunch beforehand at this BBQ place (as one does in the south) and then hung out and made prom transition videos before we got all done up.

Then a few days later my brother, cousin, and I all went to a KB concert which was so fun! It was a small venue, and so the music was pretty loud which I loved. It was a night full of mosh-pitting and screaming. It was quite lovely.

Aside from that, not much has happened! We’ve been wrapping up final classes and homework submissions before summer break starts—and I am so ready to be done. ONE MORE YEAR, THANK YOU JESUS.

There’s not many great pictures from this month, so we’ll just leave it at that.

What did I read?

This month I read a book in which you have likely heard of many times now but you shall hear about again:

In all seriousness, I’ve been reading the others’ devotional entries and wow, they are fantastic. It’s truly inspired me, everyone’s faith and hope in the next generation!

That’s pretty much all I read this month…so let’s just go to the next section.

What did I listen to?

We’ve had a lot of replays but also new songs this month—some of which are newer and some of which are…not.

1. P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) by Michael Jackson
2. Man I Need by Olivia Dean
3. Jesus You Alone by Highlands Worship
4. A Place With No Name by Michael Jackson
5. Give Me Jesus/Closer by Common Gathering
6. Room by Tiffany Hudson & John Wilds
7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Stevie Wonder
8. I Can’t Love You Anymore by Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen
9. Sarah’s Place by Zach Bryan & Noah Kahan

Next!

What did I write?

This month I’ve been wrapping up the final phase of the Young Writers Honor’s Academy and with that, editing my short story that I’ve been working on for this past semester. Y’all, quick note:

If you are considering going the Young Writers Honor’s Academy, then let me tell you: you will not regret joining it! It is a phenomenal program, and I have learned more in the YWHA than I have through watching YouTube videos and I’ve made such great friends! Today is my final Honors call and I’m sad to be finished but so excited to meet several of the kids at the YWW retreat in August!

I’ve also been editing my nonfiction devotional project which has been fun, especially during CEW. Aside from that, there hasn’t been much more interesting writing going on here.

What happens next?

Well, in like, four days, (on June 6th) I’m going to a Sam Barber concert. I am so excited, it’s going to be amazing. He’s one of my favorite artists and I highly recommend his music! Hopefully it’s not going to be too hot or humid that night because the venue is outside, but either way it’s going to be a great experience.

In a couple weeks (probably next week, ahhhh) I’m going to start a Bible study and I’ve invited a coworker and some kids from my church, and I’m really hopeful to see God cultivate the relationships in it! Prayers for that would be so amazing, I’m kind of nervous but I’m confident that it will go well after some trial and error.

I believe that’s it, for the most part I’m not doing much else this month! I know I’ll be working more in the summer, and have some summer trips planned but the month of June is chill.

What are your plans for June? Any fun things going on? I’d love to hear about them!

Thanks for reading everybody, have a great day!
~Willow