My 2017 in Review!

I cannot believe that we're to the end of 2017.  What a year it's been!  On January 2, I recorded in my journal eleven resolutions.  I'm never one for setting New Years' resolutions, usually I make my goals when we're in Snowbird every August.  

I'm happy to look back at my list, and see that the majority of my list has been completed.  I love reflecting back, and seeing that I stuck to it. One resolution that I made was to act on a prompting, the first time I felt the prompting.  This all came from an experience in 2016 where I had the impression to stop and visit my grandma's sister, Ann, at her rest home one day.  I was in a hurry for some work thing, but thought to myself I'd see her sometime soon, and went about my business.  I found out later that her daughter moved her that very day to Florida.  I was never able to say goodbye to her, and she passed away this last spring. Then this talk confirmed my thoughts on needing to listen quicker to the promptings.   

2017 was a year of change for me.  One of my resolutions was to stand up for myself.  I had an opportunity in January for some closure on a difficult situation.  Instead of just taking the negativity, I called someone on his bad behavior, and really said what I meant.  It felt so good!  That moment changed me for the better- other than maybe some foul language that came out :).  I also attend Time Out for Women for the first time ever.  It was wonderful and an experience to help me grow!

Then in February I quit my job.  This was one of those moments where I was able to stand up for myself.  I made a stand and a move.  I had planned to quit my job when I was paid for a large project I was working on, which was supposed to be in May, but had a prompting after this difficult situation, while I was on a job, that I needed to quit then. It was the first time in my life to do something like that without a plan.  I just followed a prompting, and trusted the Lord. 

One of the resolutions was to remove negativity from my life, and although there's still negativity from time to time, it's been an amazing thing to change my circumstances and situations, to have more positive experiences.  

In March, I saw Lion King at the Eccles Theatre.  It was a new experience attending that theatre and that show was amazing!  I've never seen anything like it!  I had the chance to serve at Apple Village more than I had before.  I also took time to drive to my favorite areas and take pictures.  There's something so relaxing about seeing the beautiful creations of our Heavenly Father.  I love to take pictures!

In May, I saw a post on Facebook about Shoshone Falls in Idaho, and decided to drive there to see it!  It was amazing!  It was such a fun road trip with my mom!  Totally worth the four hour drive!

During the summer, we had so many soccer games!  ReAL started in March, Monarchs started in April, and then my niece and nephews played in a lot of games!  We went to Montana as a family, and saw places and things we'd never seen before!  I discovered a new love of bodies of water.  I've never been one to get in lakes, because of how dirty they are, and the things that are living in them.  However, the kids wanted to play in the lakes, so I got in, and I absolutely love being in it!  This leads me to the kayaks we bought!  A year of change for sure!

I went back to school!!!  It's been such a blessing in my life!  I heard a devotional on KBYU in February, where I heard the church announce the Pathways Worldwide program, and knew it was an answer to my prayers.  When I started school in September, I had no idea what changes were ahead of me.  I actually had thought that since I already studied the gospel so much, that my focus would just change to what they wanted me to study, instead of what I wanted to study.  However, it's changed my entire life!  I've been able to feel the spirit so much stronger, and I think I've been able to recognize promptings quicker.

I've been able to speak at a few events this year, a few relief society nights and girls camp.  It's been so much fun to share my testimony in these different ways.  I was able to sing in the choir for the Inauguration of the Pathways-Worldwide president.  That was an experience I will always be grateful for.  

This Christmas season has been busy, and I was struggling to feel the Christmas spirit, but I was able to attend a few events to help me get in the mood.  I love my tree!  I can't stand the thought of taking it down, because it's so beautiful, to just sit here in the dark with the lights on the tree. So peaceful!

I feel like I've grown closer to my family this year, had more opportunities to serve, and have grown so much closer to my Savior.  I've developed characteristics and talents that I'm so grateful for, and I'm thankful for opportunities to share them!  I think I've gained a better understanding of what this life is about, and about what one of my roles is in it.  

As 2018 starts, I will be looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me, and looking for more ways to serve Him.  My theme will continue to be "Hope" for the next year!