Six years ago today, God told my parents to allow me to start something that would impact the lives of thousands of people.

It’s hard to believe that Delightful World of Dolls has been a part of my life for almost half my life.

Here we are: one domain name change, four website re-designs, six years, hundreds of hearts given to Jesus, 780+ posts, and thousands of doll lovers later!

I share this, not to brag, but to celebrate what God has done and what all of you have been a part of.

I’ve had the time of my life running DWOD, meeting all of you, and sharing not only our love for dolls, but the Gospel too!

just chilling

As most of you probably now, I’m still on my writing and blogging break due to some chronic health conditions.

My break lasted much longer than I’ve expected, but not a day goes by that I don’t think about DWOD and all of you.

Unfortunately, I’m not able to host the big giveaway celebration I had planned this year, but I do have some other exciting things in store…

In fact, today I want to share with you:

  • a few updates about what I’ve been doing
  • what my dolls have been up to
  • and some sneak-peeks of what’s coming next to DWOD as soon I’m well enough to return!

MY LIFE

When I started my break back in June, I hoped it wouldn’t last longer than two months, and it was actually for burnout reasons.

But when my health conditions worsened, my break had to be lengthened indefinitely.

A lot of people believe God put this disease on me to teach me a lesson.

However, I’d like to clear up what I believe about this.

See, I believe—and get a lot of flak for believing it—that Jesus already paid the price for my healing. He took 39 stripes on His back, and there are scientifically 39 routes to all known diseases.

Divine healing is a right I have as a Christian. Sickness and disease are from the devil, not God, and they are trespassers in my body.

That means I don’t believe God gave me this disease. That means I don’t believe doctors or health diets are my only hope.

I use common sense to improve my symptoms and give me a better quality of life, but I have a disease doctors can’t cure.

Only Jesus can take care of it.

It is a lot different than what everyone else believes—I realize that!

That’s because I’m not like everyone else. I’m not going to live like everyone else. I’m a Christian who serves a God of miracles.

During my break, I’m both taking proper care of my body and clinging to these truths.

ANSWERING SOME MORE QUESTIONS

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about when I think I’ll be back or when I’ll post certain things.

To clear up the confusion, I’ll be totally honest!

Why can’t you work on posts? 

I have chronic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which has gotten worse. It hurts to walk, I’ve lost some mobility in both my knees, and it is extremely painful to get up and off the floor.

^ That’s why I can’t take photos or play with my dolls right now.

I also burned out my adrenal glands in April 2018, which has caused adrenal fatigue.

^ Being perpetually exhausted keeps me from posting or writing too.

When will you be back?

I’ve tried multiple health protocols and medicines that have not helped much, and am currently on another protocol we believe will produce results.

I hope now you can see why I can’t promise a definite time I’ll return—I don’t know when I’ll be better.

I have no way of knowing when I’ll be back, and I really wish I did!

But… I hope to be back by December. ?

EDIT 4/26/19: Since December 2018, I’ve been on recovery protocols for both arthritis and adrenal fatigue with my very favorite natural doctors. I’ve not only seen natural recovery, but miraculous recovery that has SHOCKED doctors. Glory to God, I’m recovering with both my energy and my knees! It won’t be long now!!! GET READY. Stay updated with me on Instagram @madisongraceig.

When are you going to post ______?

I’ll figure out a post schedule when I’m able to return, but expect the posts you want shortly after I’m back!

It means a lot to me that you care so much about the content on DWOD that you’re excited for it.

Believe me, the moment I am sustainably healthy and have my skyrocketing energy back…

*in Terminator voice* I’ll be back.

My days consist of resting, trusting God, doing the little bit of school and tasks I have enough energy to do, and chatting with my awesome online buddies. You can email me anytime!

WHAT THE DOLLS HAVE BEEN UP TO

Before my arthritis worsened, I was able to play with my dolls some.

I re-curled Jasmine’s hair using a technique I can’t wait to show you. It looks so much better now, and I love it!

I did the same thing on Molly’s hair, though because her hair is textured and it didn’t last…

I gave her a makeover instead—I can’t wait to show you about this, too!

I re-curled Cécile’s hair using the same technique, and although it gave me a bit of trouble, I love how it eventually turned out.

I also dressed Emelie and Katy Christine up in Josefina’s clothes to match the new outfit I bought for her.

Unfortunately, I think I’ve lost Josefina’s original meet sash and had to use a scrap of fabric for Katy’s sash. I tore up my doll area trying to find it!

Delaney insisted on trying a new hairstyle that was “epic enough for her”, so I gave her this double crown braid.

She loved it, and I have to say I think it suits her too.

I tried this new hairstyle on Taryn and died over it. Doesn’t it look so cute?!

I also really love her meet dress right now. The colors suit her perfectly.

And, I bet you didn’t know this, but… Delaney likes hugs.

I was discouraged about everything one day, so I just picked her up and hugged her.

Then I walked out of my room and said with a happy sigh, “I really love my dolls. They’re just so cute and awesome. I love them.”

I’m such a mature 15-year-old. ?

It’s amazing to see how God has used my doll-collecting hobby to share His Son with tons of other doll lovers. There’s no telling what He can do through someone who is willing to live for Him!

SNEAK PEEKS OF POSSIBLE UPCOMING POSTS

*rubs hands evilly* There are a few times when fatigue doesn’t affect my creativity.

And when insomnia strikes, I’m up to the early hours of the morning banging out them DWOD ideas.

I can’t share too much. People have a habit of stealing things from DWOD, so I’m a little paranoid they’ll snatch my ideas before I’m well enough to make them happen.

However, I can share some sneak peeks!

HANG ON TO HOPE

Unfortunately, there will not be a fourth season this year.

However, I hope to have one next year. Here are some snippets from my planning!

HOTH Season 4 Planning

Start with the premise. Everything is easier from there!

Theme scripture: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NLT

DWOD BLOG POST IDEAS

I can’t share the titles of most these, but I did find these funny snippets.

Mmm yummy apple bowl filling… Cécile as special guest too.

Where did that even come from ? Food on the brain…

Though perhaps it would be better if she treated just the dolls and not blog readers?

This was one of those ideas I got super excited about, then thought it was really stupid five seconds later.

Any dummy loves learning from experts, don’t they? Well, that’s exactly what I am! … An expert, not a dummy.

This makes me die laughing every time I read it.

To be perfectly clear, one of my dolls said that, not me. I’m not an expert in anything. ?

(DWOD blog post idea) The Chronicles of How I Perpetually Annoy American Girl’s Customer Service

Oh, yes. After some interesting adventures, American Girl now refers to me as “Ms. Grace”. ?

(Dollaween) Delaney — Pirate and she steals everyone’s “loot” candy ?? My one eye is better than all of y’alls’ combined.

Gotta love Del.

He likes being cool, pop culture, and being cool.

He. A boy doll, perhaps?

And a final one from another failed idea:

Well it seemed like a good idea at the time…

Don’t all ideas?

CONCLUSION

That wraps up this little update post, and as much as I wish it had been a big giveaway celebration, thank you for reading it anyway.

I also want to thank you for being part of Delightful World of Dolls.

A lot of people look at their blogs like a one-man show with a bunch of “followers”, but honestly, I feel like we’re accomplishing great things and impacting lives together, because it literally would not exist if it weren’t for you.

So, thank you for making the past six years the best ever, and all glory to God.

Here’s to the next six years—and everything coming next to DWOD as soon as I recover!

Be sure to sign up for The DWOD Digest, the soon-to-come weekly newsletter for doll lovers, to be instantly notified when I come back and when all of the exciting plans debut.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN? WHAT CRAZY SHENANIGANS HAVE YOUR DOLLS (OR YOU…) GOTTEN INTO?