Pondering a New Year...

I can't believe how the time flies by. The holidays have come and gone. I took down all my Christmas decor on Tuesday and now the house feels empty (and clean) especially since the kids have gone back to school. It's been a great year! The first half of the year was a struggle financially but we have been blessed so much as Steve's new job is much better than his last one. I have the most wonderful husband who doesn't stress over money problems like I do and always knows how to calm me down. He is such a strength to me. Despite everything, we came out ahead at the end of the year. We are well on our way to being debt free. Yay! This year will be the year!

I wonder why the New Year is when we all look forward to new beginnings and a fresh start? Maybe because the world takes such an interest in New Year's resolutions. If we really think about it, we can have the same feeling of renewal and hope every week as we accept the Lord's attonement and partake of the sacrament. Recently in Family Home Evening, Steve asked each of us to share a time when we have truly felt the Holy Spirit. I have had so many that it was hard to choose just one, but I shared that I've had very spiritual moments in sacrament meetings. (Much easier now that I don't have toddlers or babies distracting me.) I feel the spirit strongly and regularly in sacrament meeting. I am so grateful to be in a ward where our leadership has made sacrament meetings wonderful. The talks are always great and so are the testimonies of our ward members. Most importantly, I am so thankful to be able to take the sacrament every week. I need it and I love it!