Ring Out the Old; Ring in the New

I have been thinking, during this first week of January, about the past year and about the year that is before me. I am going to provide a review of some things that I have learned, remembered, and recap some important experiences from the past year. This will be done in order to be grateful for these but to also file them away and move on.

January 07 - March 07

I will be honest. January was one of the hardest months of my life. It was painful and I hope to never, ever relive any of those experiences. However, I learned some great things during this time. The redeeming factor was exactly that....the experience was redeeming. I came to understand the love of the Savior like never before. A quote from Elder Scott changed the way I perceived this event and many more to follow:
"The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. Your progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether you welcome the experience or not. Trust in the Lord."

Other lessons learned during these months:

- Surround yourself with people that believe in you, know you, and love you.

- Have a three day waiting period before doing something that you might regret.

- There can be humor in the worst things in life.

- Sometimes it seems like something is awful but it will truly lead for your benefit.

- There is peace in the Gospel.

April 07- Jun 07

This period of time was filled with preparing to go to the temple by discussing my wishes for my parents to be at the temple with me. We had some great conversations about the truth of the Gospel and the expectations the Lord has from us. During this period of time, I felt strengthened by the grace of the Lord to overcome fears, to forgive, and to be a true friend to someone that had betrayed me. It is amazing how you can be strengthened if you have the desire.

Other lessons:

-It is good to open up to others. They will usually open up back.

-Acceptance will come.

-Usually, single people are a more selfish people.

- Some people change. Some people do not. Don't count on it.

July 07- Sept 07

These months were enjoyable. I went to the beach a few times, I often went to Baltimore, I dated, I dressed as a hick, and built strong friendships. At the end of September, my father and mother committed to also get their temple recommends and went through the temple with me at the end of September. This is one of the sweetest time in my life. The ability to sit in white with my parents and feel their love of me and of the Gospel was overwhelming. I saw a 13 year old prayer come true in the most perfect manner.

Other lessons:

- To be charming is great. Just make sure there is something behind it.

- Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.

- You never know what will happen next in life. Your life can be going in one direction and then take a dramatic turn. Never discount the fact that life could change for the better. It could even change tomorrow. It could change in hills of West Virginia. Or it might not.

Oct 07- Dec 07

These are called the "fun months." We had some great monthly themes during these months, for example, "Go ahead", "We mean business", "I am over it...all over it," "You'll never know, unless you give it a go." Mary and I travelled at least once a month. I also began my consistent temple attendance and learned the joy that is found at the temple. The last part of this period of time, I started to think more heavily than I had ever before about marriage and my career. I felt pressure about both getting married and having a career but got through it and now feel fine about both.

Other lessons:

- You should enjoy conference and drink it up because it always goes down smooth.

- Answers to prayers do not come like a GPS unit telling us every way to turn as the path is coming. Instead there is a map that we might not know exactly how to use it but it get us to where we are going.

-Don't ask the guy you like about another girl.

- Communicate, communicate, communicate.

- Awkward situations can be funny. Just laugh because....well...there is nothing else to do about it.

Now that I have reviewed, it is time to go forward. I am excited about this new year. It has already been great!!! I have set a few goals for the new year: 1. Get to bed at a decent hour (12:30 am). 2. More productive scripture reading. 3. Let it ride. No more analyzing situations to death. I am going to try to put things out there and then see where they go. Wish me luck!!!

P.S. I'd like to hear all of your new slogans for the new year.

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