Looking Back with Gratitude: What a Year God Has Given Us!

What a Year It’s Been!

Can you believe 2024 is almost over? This year has been filled with changes, challenges, and so many unexpected blessings. When the year began, I was nervously wondering what God had in store for Makin’ Macon. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined where we are now! Sure, I’m not knocking on the door of 1,000 followers (yet!), but the milestones reached this year have been nothing short of miraculous.

Big Decisions, New Adventures

The year began with a major life shift: stepping down from teaching to focus on homeschooling and the blog. It wasn’t an easy decision. My mom retired, and suddenly homeschooling became our best option. I’ll admit, I wasn’t thrilled about it initially. My youngest is a bundle of energy, and I knew balancing homeschooling with blogging would take some serious strategy (and probably more coffee).

Fast forward to December, and we’ve found our rhythm. Homeschooling has been tough but rewarding, and I’ve learned so much alongside my kids. They’re my little miracles, and God has reminded me time and again to cherish these moments and steward this season well.

Series That Touched Lives

This summer, God opened doors to connect with amazing people for our Marriage Matters, Homemaking Harmony, Family Matters, and Ministry Matters series. Each contributor poured out wisdom and encouragement, reminding us that chaos doesn’t have to steal our joy. Your response was incredible, and I’m excited to bring these series back next summer!

Unexpected Growth and Milestones

Before school started, things really took off. YouTube and the blog began gaining traction, and I even launched a 15 Frugal Family Meals download with help from a dear lady at church. To everyone who’s donated, thank you! And yes, one day I’ll master the technology so downloading doesn’t require divine intervention. 😂

Then came the Fobenta Dinnerware collaboration. When they reached out, I thought, This must be a joke. My husband set me straight: “Honey, this is legit!” A week later, I had new dishes, and my video went live on their Amazon page. Mind blown. We absolutely love these dishes—they’re stylish, practical, and durable. If you’re curious, you can check them out here. (Affiliate link disclosure below!)

Partnering with Trusted Brands

This year brought more surprises: affiliate partnerships with Simply Earth, NutriMill, and Amazon.

Simply Earth: I’ve always loved their essential oils, but what truly inspires me is their mission to end human trafficking. Becoming their affiliate felt like a natural fit. Check out their amazing Recipe Boxes here. Use code MAKINMACONFREE for a $45 gift card with your first box, PLUS a free bonus box and access to the Essential Oil Hero Course!
NutriMill: When NutriMill reached out after seeing one of my old videos, I was floored. It reminded me to stop underestimating myself and trust God’s timing. Their kitchen tools are phenomenal—you can find them here. Get $20 off NutriMill with my code MAKINMACON20—even on sale items!”
Amazon: Since I’m always sharing my favorite finds, it just made sense to join their affiliate program. I’ve included links to some of my go-to products throughout this post, so if you see something you’re interested in, feel free to click and take a look!

These partnerships allow me to promote products I genuinely believe in, and it’s a blessing to see how God is using Makin’ Macon to make a difference.

Lessons from Analytics (Yes, Analytics!)

Let’s talk about Pinterest. Out of nowhere, it started booming—proof that sometimes the less we stress, the more God works. Then there’s the blog. I’ve worked hard to keep it ad-free because, let’s face it, nothing ruins a recipe search like pop-up ads every five seconds. Your likes, shares, and comments make all the difference in keeping Makin’ Maconthriving.

Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

This blog has always been about more than recipes or encouragement—it’s been about shining God’s light. Each Mid-Week Encouragement post has come from my heart, and every recipe has been shared to make your life a little brighter.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)

I don’t want to hide the light God has placed in me. If Makin’ Macon touches even one life, every late-night brainstorming session and every ounce of effort will have been worth it.

Looking Ahead with Joy

As we close this year, my prayer is that Makin’ Macon continues to be a source of encouragement for you. May it remind you that God sees you in the chaos and cares deeply for your heart.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends. Shine bright in 2025—God’s not finished with us yet!

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

Affiliate Disclosure
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. Thank you for supporting Makin’ Macon! Your support helps keep the blog ad-free so we can focus on creating content that encourages and inspires.

Hey there! I’m Susan Raynor, the voice behind Makin’ Macon. As a pastor’s wife, mom of two, and homeschooling mama, my life is full of beautiful chaos—and I wouldn’t have it any other way! Here on the blog, I love sharing a little bit of everything: from faith-filled encouragement to frugal living tips, and of course, recipes that will make your family’s hearts (and bellies) happy. My goal is to bring a smile to your face and a bit of peace to your day, no matter what kind of craziness life throws your way. Let’s navigate this wild ride together, finding joy and laughter even in the messiest moments.

Susan