New

I've never really loved the idea of New Year's Resolutions. I think we should be constantly checking ourselves and making goals not just at the beginning of a new year, but always. But I do love something new. A new day. A new week. A new semester. A new job. A new pair of shoes. A new book. A new shirt. A new year. There is something refreshing about new.

I read this talk by Jeffrey R. Holland. It's entitled The Best is Yet to Be. He talks of Lot's wife and her mistake in looking back, longing for the past. In Genesis 19:17 it states "Look not behind thee". I think of this in two ways. Don't look back to previous mistakes and don't look back longing for the "happier times". As I approach 2012, I think about mistakes I made in 2011, and in previous years, and I also think that there may be times this coming year when I will wish to go back to "happier times". So, I've decided to make "Look not behind thee" my theme for 2012.

Elder Holland's thoughts on "looking not behind thee":

"As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. Remember that faith is always pointed toward the future."

"You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to the Philippians. Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future. God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and with His help where you are willing to go."

Although I don't want to dwell on the past, I do want to learn from it. There are habits I wanna change. And a new year is a great time to change. There are areas I need to improve. And again a new year is a great time to improve. I wanna grow. I can do this without looking behind me. I can also remember all the great times I've had in the past, but also look forward with faith and happiness in the future.

As I think about the new year, 2012, ahead of me I have no idea what it will bring. But I do know one thing. Graduation. After that, I have no idea.

I went to the dentist earlier this week. The dental assistant asked me if I'd like to make a check up for six months. I said "um, sure. I don't know where I'm going be in six months, but I'll just call and change it if I need to." She said "How about Thursday?" I said "uh, sure." She said "How about 3 o'clock?" Again, "uh, sure." It was weird and surreal to think I literally have no idea where I'm going to be when that dentist appointment comes around. Never in my life have I had that before. When I graduated high school I knew I'd be staying in Provo and going to BYU. But now, now I have no idea where I will be in six months. It's terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time.

So the new year. 2012. "Look not behind thee". Change. Improvement. Growth. Graduation. And the unknown.

Elder Holland says that "every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

So I won't be making any New Year's Resolutions this year, but I will be making changes and improvements to start a new year and a new life. I know what I need to do. I know what I want to do. And I know I can do it.

Here's to the refreshment of a new year!

I wish.

I wish I had all the money and time to be able to do what I most desire.

I want to change the world!

I want to go to Africa and Ukraine and Romania and China and Mexico and Ecuador and India. And so many more.

I want to teach them how to read and write. I want to teach them how to find clean

water. I want to teach them good health practices. I want to immunize them and take their blood pressure. I want to teach them about AIDS. I want to take them food. I want to build them homes and toilets. I want to play with the little children. I want to give them glasses. I want to give them shoes. I want to give them clothes. I want to give them my time. I want to give them my love! I want to teach them! I want to improve their lives! I want to change their lives!

I want to change the world!

Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer

My SUMMER list of 2010

I hope to accomplish all these things over the summer along with making money and playing all the time!

-Exercise-

I would love to actually run the WHOLE freedom festival 5k or maybe even the 10k (don't tell my mom)

-Learn to play the guitar-

(Emily gave me her guitar while she is serving the Lord and I even have a book to help)

-Learn to play tennis-

(I want to actually be able to play tennis with Chris when he gets home. I have rackets, but I don't have anyone to teach me)

-READ-

(I've got a list)

-Get a hot tan-

(I'm planning on doing the previous goal outside or even at the pool!)

-Get rid of all my pack rat stuff-

(I don't want to move it at the end of the summer. I've acquired a lot of junk after living in the same place for 2 years.)

-Learn how to cook-

(I have cook books. And roommates who love to cook. And my mom. Hopefully they'll all teach me.)

-Learn how to sew on a button and have it look good.-

(I bet I could learn how to do this on the internet)

-Hike-

(Utah has so many great hiking places. I want to take advantage. I'm starting this weekend with a trip to Moab)

-Finally get my young woman hood award-

(I know what you all are thinking. SINNER! I know, I know. I regret it. But with the new program they just got ANYONE can do it. So I'm going to do it this summer!)

I'll add to list as the summer progresses, so stay tuned!