As we wind up another year that will soon go down into the books, I thought it would be good to spend a bit of time reflecting on the past year as a Five Minute Friday community.
Before we kick of our reflective free write, two quick announcements.
Below is schedule for the rest of this month and the beginning of next year:
As you can see, next week will be our final Five Minute Friday link-up of 2015 (sniff). We’ll take a two-week break over Christmas and New Year’s, and we’ll be back — refreshed, energized, and bursting to write — on January 8th, 2016.
However, since I know some of you may experience withdrawal symptoms without FMF for two weeks in a row (okay, who am I kidding — I know *I* will be experiencing withdrawal from missing all of you), I’ve scheduled two special edition link-ups during the holiday period.
Most Memorable Posts of 2015
Join us on Monday, December 28th, with a list of the most memorable blog posts you read this past year. The posts that stuck with you long after your eyes left the screen, the ones you still think about from time to time. Your list can be as long as you like — top ten most memorable posts, twenty, five … whatever. Type them out into a post on your own blog, including links to the posts you’ve named, then come link up your list! Can’t wait to see which words impacted you most this past year!
Books I Read in 2015
On Wednesday, December 30th I’ll be posting a list of books I read this past year. I’d love to see your list! Tap the titles into a blog post, and share the list with us on the 30th!
Secondly, I’d love to get your feedback in this anonymous, three-question survey. Click here to share your input on how we can make Five Minute Friday even better! Thanks in advance for your time!
[Tweet “Five Minute Friday wants to hear from you! Take a moment to fill out this brief, anonymous survey.”]
Okay! Announcements over. It’s time to write! Set your timer for five minutes and get ready to:
[Tweet “Join us as we write for five minutes on the prompt, REFLECT.”]
Ready? GO.
We’ve had quite the year here in the Five Minute Friday community, haven’t we?
We’ve written on numbers and colors. We’ve planned, gathered, welcomed, sent, waited, feared, hoped, followed, and celebrated. We’ve risen, hidden, dreamed and doubted.
We’ve been weary and full of joy.
We’ve rejoiced with friends celebrating pregnancies and new babies, and we’ve prayed and mourned for those who are ill.
We made history with our first ever Five Minute Friday retreat. Friendships were forged, hearts were soldered together.
Photo from Mary Geisen, passagethroughgrace.com
Photo courtesy of Melinda Hollis
We partnered with the fabulous work and people behind ViBella Jewelry and Fistbump Media.
We got to know each other through FMF Video Introductions, hosted by our dear Asheritah at OneThingAlone.com.
We’ve had giveaways and top ten lists.
We partied on Twitter like there was no tomorrow.
We survived our second annual month of crazy, in which we wrote not just once a week, but every single day for 31 days straight.
We may have fallen off the edge at the end, when we wrote about bacon. Oh yes, we did. We wrote about bacon.
We processed news events together, and huddled around promises to hold us up, a sturdy raft in unpredictable waters.
We made welcome, gather, break, keep, and learn the five most-viewed FMF posts of 2015.
Perhaps most notable of all is that all of the reflections above start with “We.”
By the grace of God, the “we” became stronger, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. Five Minute Friday would be nothing without the “we.” We’re in this together, and I thank God for every single one of you who make up the “we.”
[Tweet “What was your favorite part of Five Minute Friday in 2015?”]
STOP.
Share your own five minute reflection below — then click the blog linked up before yours, and leave some comment love!
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How I wish I could have been there for the retreat!
Kate, after the most grotesquely painful day and evening, I got a post done…and it squared with something that has been on my mind, ‘reflections’.
But I do want to warn everyone; this topic hurt, and it contains some language that reflects both pain and a sort of victory. I don’t apologise for that, but please understand – you’re getting my reality, and part of it isn’t pretty.
We always welcome the real, Andrew. And to be honest — we’re all just glad (and relieved) you’re still among us. My mom died of cancer four years ago. No need to apologize for a reality that is anything but pretty. Always delighted to have you here.
Yes, I agree with Kate, Andrew. I didn’t get to read your post last week, brother, life has been hectic, but I’m headed there next.
Reality isn’t always pleasant and pretty, Andrew. Your fellow FMF peeps know that and totally get it. We love you and pray earnestly for you and Barbara.
Kate, what a fun post to read. All those great words we pondered and wrote on this year! And that retreat! Yes, I SO wanted to be there. I’m praying about next year. We’ll see what the year holds. Loved the pictures of you ladies. It’s a joy to be a part of this community!
It’s been a fun year, hasn’t it, Jeanne? Such a pleasure to have your words here each week. Grateful for you and the light you shine!
Love the photos and the reflections, Kate :). And, ah, the great BACON accomplishment! I’m pretty proud of that one ;). Thanks for hosting us and for keeping us lively and on our toes each week with your prompts!
Only a pleasure, Anita! Love having you with us. Have a great week!
I do so love the “WE” part of this. I’m coming up on a two-year anniversary with FMF. And, so thankful for the friendships that are being forged, not only now, but for eternity.
My friend Kristy calls it “forever friends”. When we are gone here, we’re all together there. (And a lot more joyful)
Thank you for your leadership and your heart, Kate. It is a commitment you do not take lightly, but with the great responsibility, it is so evident the prayer and preparation and joy that you carry into the FMF and all that it entails.
Many blessings on you and your family as you celebrate Advent together. I’m so thankful to be a part of your FMF family!!
Love,
Tammy
Forever friends! Love it! What a blessing to think that we’ll still be together in eternity. Puts a wonderful perspective on things, doesn’t it? So glad you’ve stuck with FMF for almost two years! Here’s to many more … 😉 Have a wonderful Christmas, Tammy!
Kate, thanks so much for hosting 5 Minute Friday. I really love it and feel it is helping me to grow as a writer. I love this community too. So many new friends I’ve made.
What a great year you had. I loved the retreat pictures.
I’m so glad to hear that, Betsy! FMF wouldn’t be the same without you! Merry Christmas!
Kate-
I love the end of the year outline/calendar/writing topics! FUN fun fun! I have been reading a lot this year too. I look forward to sharing blog posts and books! I’ll have to gather my wits and organize my thoughts a bit. The mommy brain is a bit mushy you know! I hope you have a wonderful Advent time with your boys!
Love,
Jenn Cook
Looking forward to seeing your list of books, Jenn! So glad you’re part of this community. Praying now for sufficient grace and strength for you to end the year well! Have a blessed Christmas!
I went a whole different direction with the word REFLECT! But, I will reflect here. FMF has been a soothing balm to my soul this past year. The camaraderie of community? The BEST! I’ve met great Jesus-loving friends. I was crushed when our plans to attend the retreat were thwarted then God graciously opened a door for me to meet IRL Holly B, Mary G, Asherita and a few others whose names fail me right now. I think if I didn’t write a word all week, I would still participate in the five minute Friday challenge. Thank you, Kate, for being a faithful and gracious host. (((xo))) Christmas blessings to you and yours.
So glad you were able to meet those ladies at Allume, Susan! I was jealous! 😉 Thrilled that you’ve found a home here, among so many fabulous hearts. This community is a gift.