Well, here we go! The sand in the hour glass for 2018 has emptied out and I mentally flipped it over to let that nice full glass start the emptying for 2019. Happy New Year!!
Our celebration?...it's midnight somewhere so we just went to bed when we felt like it. No big discussion of summing up the year but we did count our blessings and the winner in the #1 place?!...our family and a close 2nd... friends but the over arching gold star blessing in our life???...the Gospel!!
We have spent more time talking about all the newness in the Church and how we are going to do things than review of the past. I will say that this year was a challenge for us in many ways in dealing with Terry feeling sub-par but we know this is what mortality is all about...figuring out how to get the ox out of pit occasionally. or was the ox in the mire? well, wherever it was, sometimes we had to work like the dickens to get it out to the point of exhaustion and frustration and stress and anxiety. That is where the gospel comes into play with the message of hope and peace at those feeling heavy laden times, which is a part of this earthly trek. Family has helped us and friends that appear with the right words and love and cheer are as helpful and refreshing as an oasis in the dessert when I'm flattened out and parched. (boy, am I the drama queen or what?!)
We have been preparing for 2019, as I mentioned before, I think it started really seriously as a team event in October CR 2017. Before April CR 2018, we felt there would be changes and we had no idea how many there would actually be, but Terry said...Whatever comes out of Conference we will do it. I agreed. It's been real busy for sure! And then comes October 2018!! And more things to make room for and adjust. Surely this is just so exciting and President Nelson has told us...me paraphrasing...You ain't seen nothin' yet!!
One of the reasons we are trying to do what is asked, is we don't want to be trying to play catch-up when more things come out.
Now we have our first new week of this new way of doing things. I am thankful for the 4 years of the pilot program as I know they have worked out the majority of the kinks. 35 Stakes in 7 countries, now that is surely a cross section of the membership and shows that this one size will fit all.
As women we were asked to do 4 things by President Nelson. One request was reading the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I'd been reading it daily and was almost finished with it and it had been a quick read and I actually considered for a minute or so....I think this qualifies for me. No. The Prophet didn't say that. He said read it. Again. Now. So I did. I wanted to finish it by my sister's birthday...Dec. 15. It made me feel close to her. I really love reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. Also...I wanted the promised blessings. Not being selfish or uppity but hey! a Prophet promised and the Lord delivers when a Prophet promises. We definitely see that in the Book of Mormon. Obey...be blessed with the specific promise. I tell my precious Primary class that Prophets don't lie and they can with confidence do what he counsels.
So speaking of my class that I adore. A little complicated but here is the story. So the Valiant 11 class is no longer a part of Primary so come January 1, today!, I would have no Church calling. On the 23rd, the day of our Christmas program...the Bishop called me in and to my utter joy he called me to teach a new SS class and it would be my same class that I now have!! I told him I'd give him a virtual hug. He said I'd get set apart on the 30th.
Now I've already been released again...I have no calling! Here's the happenings... We met together on the 23rd with the Toppenish Ward for a Christmas program. Then we met together again with them on the 30th. The Toppenish Ward was dissolved and all members were released as a group from any and all callings. Then the newly sustained Bishop, of the 2 Wards being combined, thanked all of the Zillah people for their effort and then he released all of us from our callings! By the way, the Bishop of the new Zillah Ward is our former Bishop. So our Ward ended up on Sunday with the Priesthood leadership in place and not one single soul called to any position. As the Bishop said...it's going to be a busy week!
I'm hoping I get to continue on, for 2019, with my sweet class but at this stage and age of my life...hopefully I get a calling of any sort!!
Today feels so fresh and new...a new Ward of sorts...a new Church program on all levels...and more things to come. love it!!
I am not making a creed list again. Those things are pretty much in my head. I just want to live life to the fullest that I can. I am going to try Tai Chi (hopefully I've not jinxed myself by sharing that!)...yesterday I went to the Dr. and am getting an overall physical as a part of getting as healthy as I can be...I want to start a study group for women about the counsel from the most recent Gen. Conf. not a specific talk but just overall. I think it will evolve into something helpful and uniting us or perhaps it will fizzle but I want to try it...I am determined to do something creative with quilting. I have in mind what I want to do. now don't laugh as you have heard me mention quilts a million times...Terry and I talked about me being more supportive of social things at the Church. I don't go to the monthly luncheon that is held after Church so I'm going to give it my overall best to attend that and functions at the Church in the evening...well, you see what I'm saying...I just want to improve. Do the best I can. Be nice. Act on feelings. Probably just like you!!
I enjoyed this morning...I marked all birthdays of my family on my new calendar. For this year my calendar choice is one that is from way back...a flat one that is on my desk top. then I purchased a small one and am going to keep it in my purse for announcements. Oh! they won't make announcements at Church plus they said we don't feed the Missionaries anymore! Well, I'll bring it anyhow!
I love to share e-cards with friends and family and I will continue that but maybe limit how many I send! that is probably a lie! I'll just do what feels right.
Happy, HAPPY New Year!! One thing also...I'm going to be more reliable in posting on my blog and I want to learn how to use my new phone so I can put pictures on here. You are special to me and I appreciate you hanging in there with me!
Summation- Reality check....Probably I'll be doing good, really good, in 2019, to just breathe and keep my head above water but a girl can dream can't she???
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