2024 in Review

It was a great year with a lot of time spent at work, serving in Church callings and at the temple, visiting with family and friends, hiking, and exploring some new places! I could have been more focused in my study and learning this year and need to work on my goals for this year better in the coming year, but I'm grateful for all the opportunities and experiences of 2024.

Service

I finished my service as ward Relief Society president in July.  It was a wonderful learning experience that opened my eyes to needs and situations I wouldn't have known, and expanded my heart in multiple ways.  It has also helped me look for those that might need a visit or someone to sit by them or talk to them.  I'm enjoying continued visits with neighbors without the stress of planning for events and all that a Relief Society president worries about.

I also helped with a couple of Christmas events.  I love hosting at the Festival of Trees each year and this year I helped to coordinate part of our stake/community nativity event.  I learned a lot and am grateful for the chance to celebrate the true meaning of the season.

Temples

I attended 13 new temples this year:  Orem Utah, Fort Lauderdale Florida, Orlando Florida, Red Cliffs Utah, Feather River California, Sacramento California, Taylorsville Utah, Layton Utah, Raleigh North Carolina, Richmond Virginia, Hartford Connecticut, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and Deseret Peak Utah.  I've decided to make a goal to attend 100 different temples before I turn 50 (that's a little less than 5 years to get to 31 more).  It's an amazing time to be alive when more and more temples are being dedicated and available for so many more people all across the world to make covenants, receive ordinances, serve ancestors, and worship God!  I also visited a few temples I hadn't been to for a while and love (St. George Utah, Washington D.C., Portland Oregon, Mount Timpanogos, and Bountiful), which was wonderful!  

I had the unique and wonderful privilege of attending the Orem Utah Temple dedication and the Manti Utah Temple rededication.  These were special occasions. 

I love working as an ordinance worker again.  I started again in February at the Draper Utah Temple and it's a blessing to spend Saturday nights helping people to receive eternal blessings and joy.  

I personally performed 200 ordinances this year for 120 different ancestors.  I'm grateful for the blessings of the temple in my life and the opportunity it provides to serve others in a meaningful way.  

Traveling

I'm really grateful for opportunities to travel!  I learn so much when I can explore a new place, and I had some really wonderful adventures this year, some with family, one trip with a friend, and three solo trips that I really quite enjoyed.  Here were some highlights this year:

• Florida -- In January, I flew to Fort Lauderdale to attend the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple.  I haven't spent much time in Florida, so it was fun to drive up the coast and explore a little bit on my way to the Orlando Florida Temple.  I drove out to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Station before flying home.  My way home consisted of a missed flight and overnight in Denver before about 12 hours in St. George to spend time with my parents and go to the Red Cliffs Utah Temple open house.  It was nice to take the shuttle home and enjoy a book on the way back.
• St. George -- In March, for Easter, I made one more trip to St. George, via Manti to see the Manti Utah Temple open house.  While in St. George I attended the newly renovated St. George Utah Temple and the Red Cliffs Utah Temple with mom.  It was so nice to enjoy time there and with my parents.  Luckily, the weather was good enough to make another trip to St. George for Thanksgiving.  It was nice to spend time with Mom and Dad and Cari's family for the holiday.
• California -- In May, I flew to Sacramento with a friend for a couple of days to attend the Feather River California Temple and the Sacramento California Temple.  We also drove down to Modesto to see the play "Come From Away" that was playing there that weekend.  We also drove by the Modesto California Temple site.  
• North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C. -- In July, it was fun to spend a couple of days in Washington, D.C.  I walked around the Mall and the city twice, after having attended the renovated Washington, D.C. Temple which was so nice!  I love that special place and city!  I started the trip in Raleigh, North Carolina where I attended the temple and then drove up to the Richmond Virginia Temple.  They were both so wonderful!  Such peaceful and beautiful places!  And it's a lovely drive through the trees the whole way.  This is a wonderful part of the country!
• Oregon -- In August, I spent my birthday and Labor Day weekend in Portland with Josh, Kirsten, Lia, and got to meet baby Miles.  He's darling!!  Highlight!  We drove out to the coast, visited Oceanside and Tunnel Beach, had dinner at Tillamook, and I even got to go to the Portland Oregon Temple again.  Love that place!
• Colorado -- In September, I spent a few days with my parents in Snowmass Village and Aspen, Colorado.  It was BEAUTIFUL!  The fall colors were perfect!  Dad and I hiked to Buckskin Pass a couple miles past Maroon Bells and Crater Lake.  It was amazing!!!  The next day we drove up to Ashcroft (an old ghost town) and took some pictures and then rode e-bikes up to Maroon Bells again.  Amazing!  Saturday morning (before the afternoon rains and exciting BYU football game), Dad and I drove up to Independence Pass and hiked most of the way to Independence Lake before it started to flurry.  It was a BEAUTIFUL fall scene!  We also walked through the ghost town of Independence, hiked to Weller Lake, and walked around the Grottos.  We attended sacrament meeting in the Aspen Branch and then drove home via Moab, with a quick stop at Double Arch and Dead Horse Point State Park.
• Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio -- In October, I spent a beautiful fall weekend driving across Pennsylvania.  I flew into Hartford and attended the Hartford Connecticut Temple, and stopped at the Wilford Woodruff birthplace, before driving to Ricketts Glen State Park to explore some of the waterfalls, and then drive on to Williamsport where I spent the night.  I stopped to see the Little League World Series Complex and then drove on to the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple, and then to the Kirtland Temple.  I toured the Joseph and Emma Smith home, walked around the temple grounds and Kirtland town area, as well as the Morley Farm.  I went to see the sunset over Lake Erie.  I went to church at the Hiram Ward and then toured the Johnson Farm in Hiram before going back to the temple for a tour there and at the Whitney store.  On a rainy Sunday afternoon, it was sweet to explore these areas and think of the sacrifices and growth and blessings the Lord poured out and continues to send.  I was struck by the faith and goodness of Joseph Smith and others who unequivocally put the Lord first and followed His direction without question and hesitation.  We can continue today to choose Him and follow where He leads.
• Hawaii -- It was another lovely week leading up to Christmas in Kailua.  This time I got to see Matt's family for a few days, and spend time with Mom and Dad and Josh's family who were also in town then.  The highlight was the daily sunrise beach walks, Christmas caroling with family to friends, Church, being with family.  What a dream!

Hiking

I think my favorite hike this year was with Dad to Buckskin Pass in Aspen, Colorado, on a beautiful fall day!  Desolation Lake the next week with Cari was also a highlight and gorgeous!  I loved Lake Blanche with some co-workers on Juneteenth.  And Albion Basin is always a highlight all of July!  I made it to Cecret Lake a couple of times and Lake Catherine a couple of times, too.  Willow Heights Lake and Bell Canyon Reservoir are beautiful in all seasons.

Reading

I read too much this year--122 books (including several children's books and 16 audio books, which aren't my favorite--I can't remember or follow quite as well when I'm listening; I like to hold an actual book in my hand--but it is nice when you're driving a ways).  Here are some of my favorites:

• The Joy of Movement
• Beyond the Hundredth Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West
• Establishing Zion: Foundations for a Millennial Society
• Faith: A Journey for All
• The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt
• Saints #4: Sounded in Every Ear (1955-2020)
• The Rock of Our Redeemer: Facing the Future with Faith, Hope, and Power
• Habits of a Peacemaker: 10 Habits to Change Our Potentially Toxic Conversations into Healthy Dialogues
• Both Things Are True
• Far Beyond Gold: Running from Fear to Faith
• May You Love and Be Loved: Wishes for Your Life
• Crucial Influence: Leadership Skills to Create Lasting Behavior Change
• The Paris Daughter
• Filled with His Love: Strengthening Our Attachment to God and to Others
• Just Add Water: My Swimming Life
• The Secret Life of Flora Lea
• Jane of Lantern Hill
• The Last Love Note
• To Always Have His Spirit
• Four Thousand Weeks
• Tree. Table. Book.
• The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Caused an Epidemic of Mental Illness
• Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection
• Raising Critical Thinkers: A Parent's Guide to Growing Wise Kids in the Digital Age
• Mostly What God Does
• The Amen Affect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World
• Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Lives
• Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ
• The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11
• The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
• Restorations: Scholars in Dialogue: from Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• The Women
• Where Courage Calls
• Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People
• The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age-Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance
• The Second Coming of the Lord
• Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World
• Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning
• The Unexpected Deliverer
• Enough
• When Tomorrow Comes
• Outlive
• The Wish
• The Warsaw Orphan (I listened to this one, but need to go back and read it--my favorite audio book this year)
• Spells for Lost Things
• The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times
• Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again
• Forty Autumns: A Family's Story of Courage and Survival on Both Sides of the Berlin Wall
• How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen
• Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
• All the World

Of course, the best and most important book I'm always reading, and with a little more focus and study this year, is the Book of Mormon.  I read it twice.  Once focusing on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Disciples of Jesus Christ:

• recognize God's hand in their life and know He is with them
• pray always, speak with the Lord
• obediently follow God's directions
• offer sacrifice and thanks to God
• keep the commandments with steadfastness
• desire to know and diligently seek to understand the mysteries of God
• trust God and do as He commands
• encourage others to be faithful and obedient and come to Jesus Christ
• follow the Spirit, not always knowing beforehand what they'll do
• receive strength and courage from the Lord
• are filled with joy and hope and trust in God's promises
• forgive
• press forward continually holding fast to the iron rod
• heed not the wicked
• hearken to voice of the Lord and His prophets
• look unto God and praise Him, even in afflictions
• read, teach, testify of Christ
• have faith in Jesus Christ
• are determined and persevere
• seek the glory of God and welfare of others
• invite others to look to and come to Jesus
• know Who they trust and wait for the Lord
• know the covenants of the Lord and His wisdom, mercy, goodness, power
• abhor sin, seek righteousness
• remember the words of God
• delight in the Lord and His covenants
• counsel together
• sanctify the Lord
• believe in Christ
• labor diligently to persuade others to believe in Christ and look forward to Him
• talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, prophesy of Christ, write according to prophecies
• have charity
• invite all to come
• believe in a God of miracles
• be meek, have joy in the Lord
• repent
• humbly follow Christ
• receive the Holy Ghost
• think of brethren like selves, serve fellow beings
• seek the kingdom of God
• look to God with firmness of mind and pure hearts
• lift up heads and feast on His love
• love families
• seek not to counsel the Lord but are reconciled to Him
• nourish their own faith and the vineyard
• labor with diligence
• enter at straight gate and continue in the way
• offer whole souls to Christ, fasting, praying, enduring to the end
• receive His words
• beware of contention and pride
• yield to Spirit and put off the natural man, becoming a saint through Christ--as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to Father
• know goodness of God
• believe and do--repent and retain a remission of sins by calling on His name in faith
• live peaceably, walking in truth and loving and serving others
• administer of substance
• remember to retain Jesus's name written in heart
• are steadfast and immovable, abounding in good works
• turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart
• apply hearts to understanding
• believe words of prophets and flee wickedness
• repent, are baptized, and filled with grace of God
• look forward with one eye and hearts knit together in love one towards another
• observe the Sabbath
• give thanks
• labor with own hands
• impart of substance
• establish peace
• bear His name
• are instruments in hands of God
• walk in the ways of the Lord
• establish the Church
• remember the captivity of fathers
• are spiritually born of God and have His image in countenance
• exercise faith in redemption of Christ and look forward with faith
• come to Him, fearing not and laying aside every sin
• labor in the Spirit
• stand with boldness
• remember words of the prophets
• prepare to meet God
• teach His commandments
• preach repentance
• humble selves and call on His holy name
• have all things equal
• have courage
• expound plan of redemption
• call on name of the Lord
• rejoice and praise God, glory in the Lord
• observe commandments and ordinances
• desire to believe, plant word in hearts
• have faith, are humble and patient and charitable
• improve time while in this life
• remember Jesus
• are diligent in fulfilling His words
• abhor wickedness
• counsel with the Lord in all doings
• prepare strongholds
• are valiant and true
• stand fast in liberty
• trust God will deliver them
• seek not for power
• gather together
• build upon rock of Redeemer, Jesus Christ
• preach with power and authority
• declare His word that people may have eternal life
• open ears, listen, hearken, seek to understand
• come and see and feel Him, are healed and saved
• hold up His light
• don't judge
• beware of false prophets
• watch and pray always
• pray for Holy Ghost
• search scriptures
• teach and minister
• love God
• hearken to words of the Lord
• are wise
• ask, believe
• do good
• commend selves unto God
• walk humbly before the Lord
• have faith in Christ
• seek Jesus
• meet together, fast, pray, speak concerning welfare of souls
• have faith, hope, and charity
• search diligently in light of Christ
• labor diligently to conquer enemy of all righteousness
• are faithful in Christ
• remember how merciful the Lord has been, receive His words and know truth by Holy Ghost
• deny not the gifts of God and lay hold upon every good thing which comes of God
• awake and arise
• come unto Christ and be perfected in Him denying yourself of all ungodliness
• love God with all your might, mind, and strength

Goals for 2023

This year, I need some focus and intention and a plan.  I want to become better.  I want to grow.  I want to find joy.  I want to help others find joy.  Here are some things that I hope will help:

• Spiritual:  pray, trust in the Lord, follow the Spirit, read the Book of Mormon every day, read and study the New Testament every week, serve in the temple every week, come to know Jesus better, become more like Him, find and share His light regularly
• Social:  see the good in others, compliment people, express gratitude regularly, listen to and get to know others, love and serve, learn and remember something new about someone each week, be there for family and friends, be more involved in missionary and family history work, learn how to be a good leader
• Physical (I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE MY PRIORITY!):  sleep (go to bed by 10:00 pm), exercise (get up by 6:00 am and exercise at least four days a week), eat well (make and eat healthy foods), drink more water, hike once a week
• Intellectual:  practice Spanish every day, enjoy music, share pretty pictures regularly, travel somewhere new, read and learn, write something meaningful

As I've been thinking about these goals at the start of this year, a couple of initial impressions have come to me about (1) the importance of intentional focus and seeking and (2) the importance of doing the Lord's will.

After traveling to church on a really SNOWY New Year's Day, I was inspired by the few (mostly older) ward members gathered together to worship.  After a 20-minute drive of a few blocks through unplowed roads, the Sunday School teacher's question seemed even more meaningful and poignant: "Why are you here?  What seek ye?"  Hearing that group of Saints (that I've come to love) talk about wanting to know Jesus better was so sweet!  It reminded me how much I love the Lord and want to serve and know Him better.  I'm grateful to start out the year with that focus and reminder.  It's worth every effort to find and feel His love and peace.  

I am also inspired again my Mary's example in Luke 1 when the angel comes to her:

30 Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.

Mary wonders how this great miracle can be and that she is a part of it, but then she answers the angel with great faith and humility, testifying of the Savior and Son of God.  She accepts and follows the will of the Lord for her life.  We have all been blessed by her willingness to do so.  I want to follow that pattern better in my life, to humbly and faithfully do the Lord's will this year. 

2022 in Review

I must admit that I started and ended the year pretty stressed, but I also gratefully realize that this year has been a time to grow and stretch and learn.  (New Year's Eve on Saturday has helped me focus and regroup and prepare as I prepare for the Sabbath--it's kind of my favorite way to celebrate.) 

I began the year conducting Primary (for some reason this terrified me) and also teaching a physical geography class at Ensign College (this was overwhelming, but so great).  These were wonderful chances to learn.  I was blessed by the children's and students' desire to learn and ability to teach.  These experiences helped me remember the simple and beautiful truths of the gospel in the Old Testament and in geography!  

I'm grateful to be reminded how much I love geography!  It forced me to study the specifics of a number of things that I'd forgotten, ;)  It made me even more grateful for the beauty and wonder of this world and our Heavenly Father's creations.  Just as President Nelson has found beauty in understanding the divine laws that govern the body, I found again great beauty in understanding the divine laws that govern the physical geography of our world.  It's incredible!  There is order and purpose and majesty, even amidst challenges and disasters.

It was great to spend time with humble children and to be in a classroom with students eager to learn, and also increase their faith in God and their understanding of His creations.  It was a lot of work, but quite rewarding.  I'm grateful for the wonderful opportunity to learn new knowledge and skills, gain confidence, and practice thinking and teaching and helping others learn, as well as having the chance to bear my testimony often of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the goodness of God.  "All things denote there is a God!"

I also enjoyed working at the Draper Temple on Saturdays.  I saw miracles and blessings and felt a lot of joy in serving and spending so much time in this sacred place of peace.  With these commitments, it was harder to find time to hike and travel, but I did keep up on walks and study groups with friends and phone calls and some great visits with family!  

I had a sweet experience in August where answers to prayers and fasting for direction were answered unexpectedly with an invitation to serve and grow in a new way.  I've stopped working at the temple and teaching for now to focus on getting to know the remarkable women in my neighborhood.  I have a lot to learn, but I have been uplifted by their goodness.  A few weeks later, I was asked to be part of a writing committee that should be another challenging but strengthening opportunity.  I hope to get back to working at the temple and teaching again someday, but for now I'm grateful for new chances to grow.

I'm still working on finding the right balance and boundaries.  Life is busy and hard, but purposeful.  I'm grateful for chances to forget myself and to rely on the Lord.

Here are a few other highlights from 2022:

Things I Learned

• some Spanish (Duolingo is great; in about 45 hours, I learned over 3000 words!)
• the importance of the scientific method, good information and sources, latitude/longitude, map projections, point of view, plate tectonics, the rock cycle, volcanoes and earthquakes, weathering and mass wasting, water and coastlines and ocean basins, atmosphere and weather, climate and climate change, and the effects of physical geography on ancient civilizations
• the importance of awe and wonder and appreciation for the world that testifies of God's goodness
• be sure to see the flowers of Snow Canyon in April
• hike, walk, move, get outside
• read, study, think, learn, try to understand new things, seek truth, and share the good
• enjoy flowers, clouds, rainbows, leaves
• go to the temple
• take vacation days
• find a new trail and do all the old favorites, too (maybe a couple of times)
• spend time with family
• focus on people and relationships
• be patient
• be there
• serve
• enjoy each season
• hike in the rain
• keep friendships
• appreciate and take opportunities
• notice progress
• listen
• get to know someone new
• think of what someone else might need
• ask for help
• be humble
• be kind
• learn from children
• walk on the beach, listen to the waves, relax
• remember where you're from
• appreciate others and express gratitude
• follow the Spirit
• do something fun
• trust in the Lord; He will be with you and help you
• when you're willing, the Lord will magnify your abilities and multiply your time
• we grow and are blessed and find joy when we serve
• make sacrifices
• don't be too hard on yourself or others
• work hard, do your best
• rest and take care of yourself

Family / Relationships
I'm still the obnoxious sister that calls too much, but I'm grateful for each family member and all that they teach me and enjoy any chance I have to talk to or be with my family.  I'm glad I got to see most of them this year.  I missed one sister-in-law and four nephews, but I'm grateful that we've got a date on the calendar in 2023 that we'll all be together!  Walks and hikes with friends and family, as well as Come, Follow Me study groups and sealing sessions continue to be a blessing.  Relationships are important and I want to work harder at making the most important relationships a bigger part of my life.

Traveling
I was grateful to do a little bit of traveling this year.  Here are some of the highlights:

• The office - Construction continues right outside my windows on Temple Square this year.  It has been fun to observe the progress, but I can't wait to see the tulips again someday and be able to walk around the block without having to walk around three!  I was grateful to be back on Trax some to avoid traffic, save on gas, and read more books. ;)
• The mountains - I love the mountains and enjoyed time at some favorite spots and a few new ones: Albion Basin, Cecret Lake, Catherine Pass, Gloria Falls, Lake Blanche, Dog Lake, Desolation Lake, Willow Heights Lake, Lake Mary, Ensign Peak, the Suspension Bridge, the Draper trails, the Lanikai Bunker, the Ehukai pillbox, Laniakea and Ke'Iki and Banzai and Ehukai and Sunset beaches, Johnson Canyon, the Petrified Dunes and Lava Tube areas of Snow Canyon, the Vortex, Red Cliffs, Paradise Rim, Kolob Canyon, White Pine Lake (near Tony Grove), Taggart Lake, Bradley Lake, String Lake, Table Mountain, Skyline Trail (at Mount Rainier), Silver Falls (at the Ohanapecosh River), Silver Falls State Park near Salem, Oregon, Mount Hood, Trilium Lake, Indian Beach and Hug Point.
• Hawaii - It was really fun to be in Hawaii for a week in May with my parents and siblings and their spouses (- Megan + Lia) to celebrate Cari's 40th birthday!  I got to know the North Shore a little bit better and loved time in the old familiar spots to relax.  There is something so rejuvenating about island life. ;)
• Wyoming - I love the Tetons!  It was nice to spend a couple of days at the end of July hiking with my dad, first in Tony Grove (to White Pine Lake) and then the Tetons (Taggart, Bradley, and String Lakes) and halfway to Table Mountain before a stop at the new Pocatello Idaho Temple on the way home.
• Washington / Oregon - It was so nice to spend Labor Day weekend in Washington and Oregon with my parents and Josh's family.  We hiked the Skyline trail at Mount Rainier, Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, Mount Hood area near Trilium Lake, Indian Beach and Hug Point.  It was nice to see Josh and Kirsten's cute neighborhood and be in the Pacific Northwest again.  
• St. George - I enjoyed three trips to St. George this year for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  I loved seeing the flowers blooming in Snow Canyon in April, the fall leaves near Johnson Canyon in November, and finding the Vortex in December.  It was mostly just nice to spend time with my parents! :)

Reading
This year I loved reading and studying the Old Testament.  It was such a blessing to learn about God's love for His children since the very beginning.  He has a plan.  We are His children.  This earth was created for us as a place to learn and grow and prove ourselves so that we can return to Him.  Our covenants with Him bind us to Him forever.  

I also read the Book of Mormon one and a half times this year.  I love this book and how it helps me feel the Spirit and understand our Heavenly Father's constant love and His plan for His children.  

• The first time through I studied about God's handiwork and creations.  It's beautiful to see how important the earth is to our Heavenly Father's work--the wilderness, the heavens, precious lands, waters and waves, manna, deserts, rocks, beasts, fowls, seasons, bodies, nations, kindreds, tongues, mountains, fruit, vineyards, thorns, islands, stars, whirlwinds, lightning, fire, branches, roots, pruning, digging, ball or director, interpreters, hills, flocks, seeds, plates, grain, ground, every creature, fields, herds, famine, flood, disease, glory, noise, shaking, works, animals, seashore, planets, trees, life, rivers, clouds, signs and wonders, dust, movement, quaking, great lights, sun, valleys, light, dark, storm and tempests, wind, lilies, elements, heat, change, fish, rain, sheep, ore, tilling the land, plains, gifts.  "All things denote there is a God... [and] witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44).  The "dust of the earth moveth... at the command of our great and everlasting God" (Helaman 12:8).  While He commands the elements, He sends wind to blow to the promised land, provides directors, sends manna, tells us to look for the fruit and teaches us how to make it grow.  There are so many beautiful lessons in studying the handiwork of God.
• The second time through I spent time studying all that the Book of Mormon teaches about leadership.  I'm still working on this one, but there are so many wonderful lessons to learn directly from the Lord and His prophets and other righteous leaders and individuals, as well as bad examples from others.

I also loved studying many articles about physical geography and having a renewed appreciation for the majesty of our Heavenly Father's creations.  All things testify of His Son, the Creator. 

In addition to this study, I read 95 books. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order, but roughly most to least recent):

• Spiritually Anchored in Unsettled Times by Bruce C. Hafen
• Of One Heart by Neal A. Maxwell
• Let's Talk about Religion and Mental Health by Daniel K. Judd
• He Will Give You Rest by Gaye Strathearn
• The Washington D.C. Temple by Dale Van Atta
• Let Your Light Shine by Bonnie H. Cordon
• A Woman's Place by Lynn Austin
• Learning to Love Isaiah by Kerry Muhlstein
• Code Talker by Chester Nez
• Original Grace by Adam S. Miller
• From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks
• Exploring the Apocrypha by Jared Ludlow
• The Law of Love by Steve Young
• Boldly, Nobly, and Independent: Saints, Volume 3
• The Strength of His Hand by Lynn Austin
• To Cheer and To Bless by Deseret Book
• Far Above Rubies by Tammy U. Hall
• Ascending the Mountain of the Lord by David R. Seely
• The Holy Covenants by Anthony Sweat
• Song of Redemption by Lynn Austin
• I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
• Trust and Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The Genius Under the Table by Eugene Yelchin
• Grace To Become by Emily Freeman
• The Golden Son by Shilpi S. Gowda
• Old Testament Insights: The Sacrifice of a Broken Heart by Mary Jane Woodger
• Approaching Holiness by David R. Seely
• Everyday Disciples by Taylor Ricks
• Covenant of Compassion by Sperry Symposium
• Longitude by Dava Sobel
• Finding Christ in the Covenant Path by Jennifer C. Lane
• All the Way to Heaven by David Grandy
• Lighten Up by Chieko Okazaki
• The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
• The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson
• Impact Players by Liz Wiseman
• Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin
• Come Unto Me by Brad Wilcox

Service
I've had some unique and stretching service opportunities this year. 

• Temples - I served as an ordinance worker at the Draper Temple from January through August, most of that time serving as an assistant coordinator, which was a sweet opportunity to get to know the sisters on my shift and learn and teach and testify of the blessings of the temple and its ordinances and covenants.  It gave me a new appreciation for all that's involved in keeping a temple running, the importance of training, and the special privilege of serving in the temple.  I don't think there's a better calling in the church or place where you can see more miracles happen, large and small.  There are so many blessings and so much power in our covenants that bind us to Jesus Christ.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time there.  I miss the consistent extended hours there, but still enjoy my weekly appointments to serve, especially doing sealings monthly with friends.  I added one new temple to the list this year (Pocatello Idaho) and returned to a few that I love (especially Laie Hawaii).
• Church - I started the year serving in the Primary presidency which was a sweet blessing.  I learned to know and love the children.  They helped me gain some confidence and focus on the simple and joyful truths of the gospel.  Their spontaneous testimonies in word and action were such a blessing to me!  I also got to attend baptisms and enjoy time with them on the temple grounds learning of the importance of the blessings of the temple.  We also got to figure out how to combine our Primary with a neighboring ward's, which was an interesting opportunity and a great blessing to our children so that they have more friends to support them.  In September, I received a new calling serving in Relief Society and have already been blessed as I've tried to get to know many of the sisters.  We have a unique demographic in our ward and I'm grateful for each sister who adds so much to our community and ward family.

I'm grateful for all that I've learned this year and look forward to figuring out a better balance and finding and sharing more joy in 2023!

Goals for 2022

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as this new year begins.  I'm grateful for the blessings of life and the opportunities to learn and grow, but with things going on in the world and probably too much in my own life right now, I feel a little out of balance.  I want to find the peace and joy and balance again.  

I feel a need to forget myself, let go of stress and worry, turn to the Lord and trust Him, do my best and then move on, see the good, express gratitude, see others and make their day better, lift where I am.

In order to stress less, I think boundaries, a schedule, and some things to look forward to will help.  Here are some specific goals:

• Spiritual:  pray and remember the Lord each day, ask for His help, read the Book of Mormon every day, study Come Follow Me scriptures and resources every week, find and share light
• Social:  help someone or express gratitude to someone every day, hike or walk with someone at least once a week, talk to family regularly, be there when I can
• Physical:  sleep (go to bed by 10:00 pm), exercise (get up by 6:00 am and exercise each weekday), eat well (make and eat healthy foods), hike once a week
• Intellectual:  learn geography, practice Spanish every day, practice the piano once a week, share a pretty picture once a month, travel somewhere new, write something meaningful, limit social and other media

As I've been thinking about these goals and this new year, I've been studying this week's Sunday School lesson about God creating the heaven and the earth.  There is a wonderful quote in the manual that says:  "One thing the Creation story teaches us is that God can make something magnificent out of something unorganized. That’s helpful to remember when life seems chaotic. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are Creators, and Their creative work with us is not finished. They can make light shine in dark moments in our lives. They can form solid ground in the midst of life’s stormy seas. They can command the elements, and if we obey Their word like the elements did, They can transform us into the beautiful creations we were meant to be."  I love that and want to turn my life over to Them.  I know They can help bring light and purpose and meaning and order when all I see is chaos. ;)

A few things to look forward to:

• a book a week
• temple service each week
• hopefully a trip to Hawaii and/or Iceland

Goals for 2021

I'm grateful for a new year, a new start!

I feel a lot of gratitude and hope as this year begins.  This year, I hope to work hard, learn some things, do some good, help others, and take what comes and move forward with faith and gratitude each day.  

Along the way, I'd like to be intentional about a few important things...

• focusing on hearing the Lord's voice and following His direction
• recognizing the Lord's hand and goodness in my life 
• studying what it means to "come unto Christ"
• recording and sharing insights and testimony
• expressing gratitude 
• being involved in family history work
• helping someone else
• being disciplined with my time--sleep, solitude, exercise, work, service, learning, eating, limited electronics
• creating something beautiful or helpful each week--healthy food, an organized home, a pretty picture, something written

Looking Forward to 2019

This year I need some goals.  I need to progress.  I need to accomplish something.  :)

I realize that anything I accomplish will be tied to my desires, so I've spent some time thinking about what I really want and need in my life (What seek ye? - see John 1:38 and Ether 12:41) and hope to connect my goals to these things, so that I'm able to accomplish the most meaningful good and improvement.

Desires:
* To know and love the Savior, Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father better, and have the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit.
* To learn and do His will, to build the kingdom of God, to help gather Israel, to fulfill my mission, to keep my covenants, to be ready, worthy, waiting, watching for the Savior’s return, the celestial kingdom, and eternal life, I want to be there--don't want to miss it!  This probably involves having a broken heart, a contrite spirit, and being humble enough every day to follow Him!
* To find an eternal companion, and build a happy marriage and family; find companionship, real friends, and build meaningful relationships; while always working to strengthen family relationships!
* To find truth, understanding, wisdom, peace, contentment, simplicity, clarity, direction, order, focus, purpose, meaning, happiness, joy.
* To find opportunities to learn, grow, progress, develop skills and talents, serve, help others, be useful and fruitful!
* To improve, repent, get ride of pride, be more selfless, more faithful, more thoughtful, more generous

Goals:
* Consistent faith-filled prayer.  Being more grateful, humble, full of love, and concern for others.
* Consistent meaningful study.  There is much I want to know and understand.  I want to work on gathering together in one the truth I learn.  I hope to find a consistent way to record what I learn, including a revelation/prayer journal, helping me to act on the things I learn and recognize progress in living the gospel better.  I'd like to continue my study of the standard works and the names, words, mission, and characteristics of Christ (including a focus on the Topical Guide and "The Living Christ").  I look forward to studying the New Testament and all of the Come, Follow Me resources for Sunday School this year.  I also plan to read the Book of Mormon at least twice focusing on a specific topic each time.  I'd like to read and study some selected BYU devotionals and continue to add to my favorite talks list, as I have time and hear good ones.  I also hope to find ways to have meaningful gospel discussions with family, friends, and others.

* Consistent meaningful service.  This year I want to find somewhere I can spend regular time helping others, besides the other things I hope to help my friends and family with, as needs arise.
* Consistent temple worship.  I feel like this hardly needs to be a goal--I love the temple and it's a great blessing to be there each week.  I hope to continue this habit and include more of my own family history work in the process.

* Learn, grow.  I hope to learn more this year, by reading and experiencing the world.  I plan to simplify my book reports a bit, but continue to read as much and to write.  I also plan to travel some and learn more about the world around me.  I had a pretty loose goal last year to work on improving my piano skills.  I'd like to be more focused on that and/or possibly Spanish this year.  There may be other gifts, talents, skills I can cultivate and I really want this to be a focus this year of using my time to learn and grow in the best ways and hopefully find joy in the process.  (I was inspired by President Eyring's art exhibit at the Church History Museum the last few months and how he used his "extra" to learn, create beauty, and find joy... I can limit social media and other distractions and do that too, in my own artist ways.)  I also plan to be a diligent journal keeper this year.  It's been a long time since I've been diligent in that regard and want to change.  And in all of these things that I learn, I hope to involve other people. ;)  Learning and growing in relationships is a key.  ;)

* Healthy lifestyle.  I hope, plan, intend to be more healthy this year--eating better, exercising more consistently, etc.  I may sign up for one race this year, I will definitely do a lot of hiking, but mostly I just want to work on being healthy--more water, less sugar and hopefully less weight.  ;)

* Side projects.  I don't know if saying these things out loud/writing them down officially will help them happen (making me more accountable) or jinx me, but I'd like to maybe create a blog or instagram page that's focused on sharing a reason for my hope (about the Savior and his gospel) each day (or so).  I'd also like to gather enough of my studying thoughts into one about some gospel principle that could become a poem and/or hymn.  And several have mentioned they'd like to see some of my instagram photos turned into a book.  Maybe I'll try to get serious about that in someway.  We'll see. ;)

Things I'm Looking Forward To:

I realize that in the past some of my "goals" were really just "things I'm looking forward to."  They're important and make life fun and you do have to plan to make them happen, so here's that list:
* Australia / New Zealand in February
* California in March
* Washington in April and September
* North Dakota + a few other highlights along the way in May/June
* St. George a few times
* Lots of hiking, to include a special all-day favorite in Idaho or Washington ("over the hill party")
* More temples
* Maybe someplace exciting for Christmas?

2018 Goals

In reflecting back on 2017 and thinking about some goals I've been trying to work on for a while, this year I want to simplify and focus on relationships!  Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to "love the Lord...with all [our] heart,... soul, and... mind" and then to "love [our] neighbour."  I know this and say it a lot, but this year I want to live it and prioritize it better.

I've been thinking about this the last few days and then when I heard of President Monson's passing early this morning, one of the first quotes I saw someone remember him by was from a 2008 talk where he said, "Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."  He talked so much about love and lifting others, "Every day of our lives we are given opportunities to show love and kindness to those around us.... Love is expressed in many recognizable ways: a smile, a wave, a kind comment, a compliment. Other expressions may be more subtle, such as showing interest in another’s activities, teaching a principle with kindness and patience, visiting one who is ill or homebound. These words and actions and many others can communicate love. May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way."  And even more than he talked about it, President Monson lived it, and blessed so many individually and all of us by his example.

I want this to be my focus this year - people, relationships, love, kindness, and the Spirit that will help to direct and lead to the best ways to serve and the people that need to be noticed.  It's easy to get caught up in schedules, do-to lists, goals, checklists (even if they have some good things on them), but I think for me some of these have become a distraction from what's most important.

When I say I want to focus on relationships, here are a few specific ways:

• Heavenly Father - Most importantly, I want to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Father.  I'm a pretty consistent pray-er in my heart.  I feel like many and most of my thoughts are drawn out to and directed towards Him - expressing gratitude here and there, asking for help and guidance, thinking about His tender mercies - but I know that I need to be more focused in more formal and faith-filled prayers and will make this my highest priority this year.

• Jesus Christ - Knowing the Savior better is related and important.  He is my Advocate with the Father and the perfect example for what I need to become to make it home to Heavenly Father.  I loved and learned a lot last year studying the Book of Mormon specifically looking for the Savior - his words, his names, his mission, and his character.  I hope to continue this study in the Old Testament and other scriptures this year. 

• Holy Ghost - We learn truth and are guided and comforted by the Holy Ghost.  I would like more of that in my life and hope to be more attuned to His direction and ready to act.

• Me - One part of my focus on relationships this year is about me, I hope not selfishly, but I'd like to better know and love myself, be true to myself, worry less about others' expectations, and give myself permission to be me. :)  I want to learn and work on cultivating some talents - music, photography, writing, reading, language, hiking, running, cooking - and of course include some travel time (maybe Australia/New Zealand, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Florida?). 

• Family - I want to be more thoughtful about meaningful time with my family members this year - grandmothers, parents, siblings (and their spouses), niece/nephews, and extended family.

• Friends - Friends add much to the joy of life and I'd like to deepen relationships this year.

• Strangers - I hope to always be aware of those around me and find ways to lift and help.  I hope to find ways to consistently serve.

I realize, even in thinking about and articulating these goals, that relationships are work.  It takes being proactive and selfless, vulnerable and open, thinking more about someone else, listening, giving, being thoughtful, but I know relationships are rewarding and the reason we're here - there are people to love!  I want to do better.  <3

Happy New Year!

2017 Highlights

2017 was a great year!  I worked towards some of my goals - I tried to simplify, pray, express gratitude, build relationships, learn, travel, serve, read, hike/exercise, and I think there was a little more purpose and light.  Here are a few more specifics and highlights of the year....

Traveling

• St. George - I made it to St. George twice this year - President's Day weekend and Thanksgiving.  It was nice to relax and spend time with my parents.  This year included hiking in and around Snow Canyon; biking the river trail and into Zion's National Park on Thanksgiving - really fun; putting up Christmas decorations and watching Hallmark movies (two of my favorite things); and the temple.
• Phoenix - Cari and I went on a first ever sisters' trip.  It was really fun!  We spent Easter weekend in Phoenix attending the three temples in that city (Mesa, Phoenix, and Gilbert), watching the Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant, and hiking most of Camelback Mountain.  It was a great weekend and fun new tradition (I hope)!
• Kansas City to St. Louis - I spent a long weekend meeting up with Mom and Dad on part of their cross country trip.  I got to drive across Missouri with them.  I flew into Kansas City and we attended the Kansas City Temple, visited the Independence Visitors' Center and the Harry Truman Library.  Then we got to visit Sedalia and head on to Jefferson City for a couple of nights.  We stayed near the state capitol building and explored that as well as the path along the Missouri River (which was extremely high and muddy this May) and the MKT Trail in Columbia.  We watched a few tornado clouds along the way, too, which was kind of exciting!  (We're not in Kansas anymore.)  Then we made our way to St. Louis.  We biked part of the Katy Trail in St. Charles, attended the St. Louis Temple, saw the St. Louis Arch, and walked across part of the famous Eads Bridge.  It was really fun to explore Missouri and spend time with my parents.
• San Diego, Oahu, and The Big Island - The big trip this year was to Hawaii and it was wonderful!  We met as an immediate family and spouses on the Big Island for a week.  Some of the highlights included Waipio Valley, our own private beach (with manta rays and sea urchins), Pu'uhonua O'Hanaunau, swimming/kayaking with the dolphins at Kealakekua Bay, sunset at Kahaluu Beach and Makalawena Beach, Punaluu Black Sand Beach with the turtles, Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls of Hilo, Saddle Road, the Waikaloa, Pololu Valley, Kailua-Kona town walking, and the Kona Hawaii Temple.  I left a few days early to stop in San Diego where I visited the San Diego Temple and the Mormon Battalion Historic Site and the sea lions at La Jolla.  Then I got to visit Oahu for a couple of days to do all my favorite things - sunrise at Lanikai, hike to the bunker, run the beach from the boat ramp to the rock, swim at Kalama Beach, Kailua pool, Makapuu, hike to the lighthouse, Kokohead Stairs, and friends at church in the Keolu Ward.  It was a wonderful trip!
• New York City - It was a real highlight to spend Christmas weekend with Matt and Megan and their family in New York City.  It was rainy and freezing but wonderful!  I walked nearly 50 miles while I was there from Times Square, to the Upper West Side and all the "You've Got Mail" sites, to Riverside Church and Columbia University, to Central Park (and the Columbus Circle Holiday Market), to the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, Wall Street, the Freedom Tower, Washington Square Park, Soho, Greenwich, the Flatiron Building, to Bryant Park, the Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall (and the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular), the High Line, Chelsea Market, Christmas Eve Children's Nativity Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church, the Lincoln Center and to Church/the Temple.  It was fun to see the city all decorated for Christmas and to explore, but the best part was spending time with Matt's family.  Some of my favorite things - scootering around town and the Bryant Park "race track" (even in the cold and rain), learning about all the subways, finding all the best parks and bagels and books, watching and singing Star Wars, racing cars, putting together puzzles, acting out the nativity, eating chocolate and all of Megan's delicious dishes, praying, playing, and just talking and being together. :)

Reading
I read 90 books this year, plus the Book of Mormon twice.  The first time through I studied about love and charity - and it's FULL of love!  ;)  The second time through I studied about Jesus Christ, his names/titles, his words, his characteristics, and his mission - I learned a lot about our Heavenly Father, as well, and our Savior's mission and love.  Truly the Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation, our purpose here on earth.  I'm grateful for it and know it's the word of God.  This was a wonderful experience and I hope to continue this focus as I read the Old Testament next year!  I also read much of the Doctrine and Covenants, and about 1,100 General Conference talks (from 1983 to 2001).  I'm grateful for chances to learn and study.  

Here were some of my favorites books of 2017: 

• Seek This Jesus by Neill F. Marriott
• That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon's Perspective on Faith & Family by Tom Christofferson
• One by One by David A. Bednar
• Be Thou An Example by Gordon B. Hinckley
• Changed Through His Grace by Brad Wilcox
• Worth the Wrestle by Sheri Dew
• Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt by Patrick Q. Mason
• Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue by Barry H. Corey
• Let God Love You: why we don't, how we can by Wendy Ulrich
• Loveable: Embracing What Is Truest About You, So You Can Truly Embrace Your Life by Kelly Flanagan
• Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living by Shauna Niequist
• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
• Friends Divided: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson by Gordon S. Wood
• Joseph Smith: The Prophet and Seer by Richard Neitzel Holzapfel
• How We Got the Book of Mormon by Richard E. Turley, Jr.
• The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration by Tad R. Callister
• The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-Day Saint Women's History by Jill Mulvay Derr
• At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint Women by Jennifer Reeder
• The Witness of Women: Firsthand Experiences and Testimonies from the Restoration by Janiece Johnson
• QB: My Life Behind the Spiral by Steve Young
• An Unseen Angel: A Mother's Story of Faith, Hope and Healing after Sandy Hook by Alissa Parker
• Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry
• Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
• The Girl With Seven Names: A North Korean Defector's Story by Hyeonseo Lee
• A Hope More Powerful Than the Sea: One Refugee's Incredible Story of Love, Loss, and Survival by Melissa Fleming
• The Lightless Sky: A Twelve-Year-Old Refugee's Harrowing Escape from Afghanistan and His Extraordinary Journey Across Half the World by Gulwali Passarlay
• The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth by Chris Burkard

Service / Learning / Other Exploring

• Temples - This year (in addition to the weekly temple visits here in the Salt Lake valley) I attended six new temples - Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Arizona, Gilbert Arizona, Kansas City Missouri, St. Louis Missouri, and San Diego California.  I'm grateful for the blessings of the temple in my life!
• Service - I finished my weekly teaching at the ESLC in May, but have filled in as a sub a few times and still enjoy being a part of the community and learning with the sweet refugees.  I also helped at a Mother's Day event for homeless women in May, and was a hostess again at the Festival of Trees in November.  I also started to develop a giving strategy, setting aside some money that I'd like to give each year to worthy causes to help make a difference for good in the world and community.
• Church - I was involved in my ward this year and got to know a lot of people, mostly through visiting teaching and missionary outreach - we had two baptism this year.  I also enjoyed our ward choir and a chance to sing in an interfaith concert in April.
• Fitness and Nature - I ran the American Fork Half Marathon in June (my new favorite half - I might have to do it again).  I also spent a good amount of time hiking and in nature - my happy place!  I tried to bring along friends and family a few more times this year, which was fun.  Some of the highlights include Lake Blanche, Red Pine Lake, White Pine Lake, the Snowbird Tram, Willow Heights Lake, Dog Lake, Cecret Lake, Albion Basin, Lakes Mary, Martha, and Catherine, Bell Canyon, The Living Room, and lots of other adventures in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons and the Draper trails.  I'm grateful for our Heavenly Father's beautiful creations and how being out in them helps me feel close to Him!  
• Relationships - This year I tried to focus more on individual relationships with family, friends, and everyone around me.  I don't know that I made it to my goal of 365 thank you notes, but I was more conscious of goodness and blessings around me and tried to express that any chance I got to friends and strangers.
• Other Events - I finished up as our BYU MPA class rep this year, but not before I had the chance to help out with some presentation reviews for the EMPA graduating class, and attend our yearly board meeting.  I also attended our yearly picnic and an Education Week fireside which was nice.  The best MPA related news this year though, was a Loto Taha reunion - it was so fun to spend time with my first team of great friends!  A couple of other fun events - I don't see many movies, but this year I did really enjoy La La Land (by myself on Valentine's Day - kind of great!) and Wonder.  I also loved seeing the Nutcracker, hearing the Christmas concert at the Cathedral of Madeline, and taking a tour of the Provo MTC's new addition - brought back so many sweet memories!  

Life is great!