END OF A YEAR, START OF ANOTHER

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 

I'm wishing you happy new year now, mindful that we still have a few more days left of this year. I was pondering when and what to write. But as I was in my writing flow, I thought why not.

There's been no Christmas newsletter from me and cards posted. Not because I'm mean, but generally time and cost. How do you sum up in a few words the roller coaster of a year. This week I find myself back home and in a transition period between the busyness of Christmas and the pending arrival of a new year. Im sure this is the same for many. I was pondering such thoughts on my walk yesterday.


There has been some health challenges for me and my loved ones this year, but by the grace of God we are on the victory side. These things I'm not going to dwell on but share with you a few highlights. Things that have brought me joy and happiness. I'm not discounting the bad stuff I reconise the loss of friendships, struggles and loosing a very close friend. I have three or four main highlights to share and bless you with. One thing that happened this year was the return of my sister to these shores, now back in the UK permanently. Please join me in praying for her as she settles back into living in the UK. 


PROLIFIC POETESS 


The main highlight centres of cause around my writing. Back in June, It was a joy that the much awaited poetry book 'Prolific Poetess' was published. After many months of editing back and forth with the proof reader/editor, I found myself holding the paper version of my own words in my hand - Phew Praise God. The journey wasn't easy and anyone who thinks it is clearly mistaken.   There have been endless sleepless nights, anxiety and stress in the process.  But there has also been much joy all of which has been a tremendous and glorious experience.

I never realised what an enormous struggle publishing your book of anything would be. I know from fellow writers I'm not alone with these feelings. I wanted to the reader the best of my writing heart. 

https://amzn.eu/d/7GwVcPW click the link to purchase your copy. 


HEART-SCRIBE 

This year I was invited to 'Heartscribe'. Their mission is to celebrate the many different forms of creativity, highlight the creatives' gifts and abilities, and reveal God's love through their work. God is the Creator, and we are made in His image, so we, too, have it in us to create, reflecting who He is and who we are in Him. This came at the right time for me as a writer during the season of parting company with a secular poetry forum and the publication of my book.  

I feel joining the heartscribe community of creative writers has boasted my faith to share my faith through social media platforms, events and reciting them in church. It also fulfilled a proficiency given to me in 2023 about being a 'kingdom writer'. Now I am a regular contributor on heart scribe website https://www.heartscribe.co.uk/


WALKING CHALLENGE 

The other highlight has been the walking challenge i set myself. You can read about this in my previous blog post https://sarahjholden.blogspot.com/2025/12/she-has-done-it.html. This year I've had several opportunities to visit new places. In June shortly after my book was published I took a short break on a coach holiday to Durham and York. Here I found myself walking through the historic bustling streets of the two cities. I enjoyed Durham a lot more than York. Taking a walk down the river, a beautiful city, unfortunately it was Durham University graduation week so it was busy but enjoyable. Perhaps I'll visit again someday when it's not graduation season. 


FINAL THOUGHTS 

So, that's my highlights of this year in a nutshell. A huge amount of blessings to you all my year wouldn't have been the same without you. Praying God blessings on us all as we enter 2026 and all that it holds.  God bless.


Sarah Joy Holden

Prolific Poetess/Kingdom Writer





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