We've spent a week in Utah and now are in California, and I have loved spending so much time with family. It's a lot easier to take care of a toddler when you have the help of 3-5 other adults! I've been so spoiled, it's going to be an adjustment when it's back to just me and Isaac during the day.
This last Sunday an elderly lady gave an excellent talk in church. She was energetic, intelligent, well-spoken, and wise. She said that often as we set new year's resolutions we focus on the failures of the previous year. She counseled us to instead focus on the successes. Then for the rest of her talk she spoke of the good in our lives that comes from knowing and living the gospel.
This was something that was so nice for me to hear, because looking back on the last year it's easy for me to see the ways I fell short. In fact, in many ways I have felt weaker this year than perhaps any other. But I also have so much to be grateful for.
Gratitude was the word I chose for 2012. I definitely did not perfect or even remember that this was my goal for the year, but here are some things I'm grateful for this year: my loving family, my kind husband, my healthy son, our relatively clean apartment, my neighbors and friends, my testimony, the temple, play group, dates with Brent, my jogging stroller, ateachermom, Primary, visiting teaching, air conditioning, all physical comforts, good health, prescription meds that fix my thyroid problem, wise grandparents, vacations, when easily Isaac goes down for naps and bedtime, beautiful weather, facetime with my family, dark chocolate, Isaac's kissable cheeks, friends from far away who call to chat, the fact that Brent only has to travel once a month now, water heaters, fresh fruit, quality entertainment, a safe neighborhood, General Conference talks, trees (CA feels like a desert after living in Houston), soothing music, christmas trees, warm soup, fresh lemonade (with lemons from my Grandma's lemon bush), playing games, dinner parties, Relief Society, good books, the mormon channel, strangers who tell me Isaac is cute, a fun extended family, Marie's mission call to South Dakota, my ancestors, my marriage, and motherhood.
2012 was a year of change, growth, stress, and challenges. But was also filled with love and goodness. I may feel weak at times, but I've held on. I'm glad I made this list. I feel very blessed.
2 comments:
I know this was only a tiny mention in this blog post, I'm glad I'm not the only one who sometimes feels weaker than she felt in the past. When you said that it reminded me of a talk I heard from Sis. Dalton while I was in the MTC. (I think I've mentioned this before?) She said that sometimes when we're on the path of progression, we sometimes feel like we're falling back, but really we're just changing gears. We're shifting from a lower ability of performance to a higher level, and sometimes it feels like we're lost or struggling, but if we push through, we'll find ourselves at a higher level of ability and strength.
I was having a "slump" moment when I was feeling like I hit my prime of righteousness (and maybe of everything??) at, like, 17 (do you have these moments, too?) when President Uchtdorf said this in October 2009 conference:
"My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. . . . Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."
I think you're fantastic, and you've definitely helped me remember to be grateful this year. Thanks for being such a good influence. :)
Amanda, thank you so much for your comment! I didn't remember that quote from Elder Uchtdoft. I especially like, "Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you." I think I may need to memorize that. Thanks for being such a great friend.
Post a Comment