My 2016 New Year's Resolutions

To say that a lot has happened this last year would be a HUGE understatement. :) I know all of you know what I'm talking about.
This post is going to be in two sections. The first section: an abbreviated overview of last year and all the crazy things that kept me busy. The second section: my New Year's resolutions and what I look forward to this next year.

Ready? Set? GOOoooo!

As you might or might not know, I was able to finish math early this year! *sings the Hallelujah Chorus*. That took a huge load off my mind. ;) My senior year of high school started beginning of September, but thankfully due to all the school I did last school year, my senior year has been mostly a relaxing year. :)
Also, I was able to finally self-publish my guinea pig book, "The Silver Flower" and am now working on the final stages of editing my other book, "Alice & Alyssa". This will continue to be a job for me...but hey, at least I can kind of see the end in view. ;)
This last year I read through my Bible with several other people in our church and just completed it after getting home from a New Year's celebration at our church. (I know, I was cutting it AWEFULLY close. :P) It was a blessing, as well as a challenge to get through it all. Even the weird books. But I managed, and I hope to do it again this year. We'll have to see. ;)
I turned seventeen this year at the end of August, and was blessed to have TWO pen pals (one from Kansas, one from Eastern Washington...you know who you are B-) come visit me! It was so fun to meet those two wonderful, Christian young ladies and fellowship with them. And we got to talk about books and characters. ;)
One of my faults...being disorganized. I gave myself a goal of getting more organized last year and since the bar wasn't very high...I was able to do it! I cleaned out my drawers on a more regular basis, made my bed ALMOST every morning, organized my books (thanks to the book tag ;), and kept all my clothes in the closet hung up. :)
I also began buying my own clothes more, which isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be since I enjoy shopping, and I love clothes...so actually it was fun to start taking over some of my own shopping. :)
I got my learner's permit and began learning to drive. A few months afterwards, I successfully drove our family's twelve passenger van to and from church. And I didn't crash. ;) From then on, I was the main driver to church and back simply because I loved driving, so I would ask mom if I could drive whenever the opportunity presented itself. :)
I made a couple new friends through my blog and/or e-mail (love you guys! ;) as well as a few new friends at church. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful young ladies to help me live for Christ. They all help me in my walk with God and I love having them there to give me encouragement or rebuke (we all know I need it sometimes!) :)
And last, but certainly NOT least, I feel that I was indeed able to grow closer to God and my family. Now, I have to say, I get along better with some of my siblings more than others, but I've been working on trying to not be quite so demanding and bossy with those who aren't as easy to get along with. It has helped me learn to pray more. ;)

I can already tell this is going to be a long post...I should have warned you... ;)

Here are my new New Year's Resolutions/things I'm looking forward to doing this next year (not necessarily in order):

1: Finish editing "Alice & Alyssa" and self-publish it
2: GRADUATE!!!! (:D)
3: Turn eighteen and get a driver's license
4: Finish writing "Beyond the Galaxy" and "The Princess & I"
5: Direct and preform in my first play
6: Pray every night for at least ten minutes
7: Read my Bible every day
8: Make new friends (sound familiar? ;P)
9: See my pen pals again! :D (one can always hope, right?)
10: Practice my musical instruments more
11: Grow closer to God and my family
12: Being a wedding coordinator for the first, and hopefully not last, time!

So how was your year? What do you look forward to doing this next year? What are some of the highlights/favorite memories of last year?

God bless you all! :)