2018 Year in Review and Resolutions for 2019

2018 was a great year.  We reviewed last year's resolutions and none of us did as well as we would have liked...except our family goal was to increase our family unity and harmony and while there is still room for improvement, I do feel that was something that we made great progress in this past year.  Still, despite not being as diligent at our resolutions as we would like, we all learned and grew and tried new things and become better and stronger.  It was a great year!

Here are some of the things we felt were highlights:

*We took a fabulous trip to Washington D.C. and New York City!!

*Michelle loves seminary.  She really loves her teacher, Brother Garner.  She had two great teachers last year as well.

*Visiting the Utah Temples with the Smiths.  Especially taking the weekend trip to St. George/Cedar City.

*Michelle loved going to Lagoon with Morgan.

*Our YW group did really well playing volleyball in the regional games.
*We loved the ward campout and hope that becomes an annual tradition.

*Michelle loves her English teacher this year, Mr. Johnson.
*Michelle was SO thrilled to pass her AP Human Geography test last year.
*Visiting the trampoline park with cousins over Christmas break.

*Ella LOVED Oakcrest.  She had such a good time there.  And we were so glad when she came back home.

*Youth Conference at Temple Square.

*Ella and Gabby both really enjoy dance.  Gabby is so, so happy that she made it on to Jazz Attitude.

*Our trip to Yellowstone.

*Gabby loves being in Miss Gunkel's class for 5th grade!!

*Our cousins came to visit twice in 2018!!! That was definitely a highlight of the year.

*Our grandparents moved to Utah!  We were able to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas and other days with them.

*Girls camp is always a highlight.

*The girls all got their own rooms.

*Reading the Book of Mormon together in 3 months as President Nelson challenged the girls and women to do.

*We have such remarkable people in our lives.  I can't possibly include a photo or a memory from every one, but we have an amazing ward filled with such wonderful men and women.  We have lovely friends...some from work, some from church, some from school, some from the neighborhood and some from other places.  But each one of us is blessed to have dear friends that touch our lives for good...and we also have some friends that are more like family.  And we have family nearby and far away that we love so dearly.  It is our relationships with one another and with others that make this life worth living and that bring such joy, peace, and richness to us.  Our hearts are full!

And aside from these highlights, I had the following highlights personally:

*President Nelson Conference Talk challenge...over the summer I read or listened to every conference talk that President Nelson has ever given since being called as an apostle.  I created a Facebook group where we read and studied them together and where we've worked together to accomplish some of his other challenges as well.  What a great blessing that has been to come to know and love our dear prophet better!

*Being called as YW President in my ward.  I know this call came from Heavenly Father, and I dearly love the Young Women of my ward. It's such a blessing and a privilege to serve them and to spend time with them.

*Participating with my oldest two daughters and the Young Women in the activities in preparation for the Jordan River Temple rededication and the cultural celebration.  

*Really increasing my temple attendance this year.  It's been such a blessing in my life to take my daughters to the temple regularly and also to attend the temple regularly myself.  Especially since President Nelson challenged us to attend more frequently in general conference.  I have seen that as I strive to follow the prophet, the Lord not only blesses me but also provides ways to make that possible more than I had anticipated.

Favorite Books of the Year:

Michelle:

As I Lay Dying

First They Killed My Father

Gabby:

Restart

Harry Potter #6

Ella:

The Infinite Atonement (she got this for Christmas so she hasn't finished it yet, but she is diligently reading and studying it, taking notes, recording what she's learning in her journal).

She's also excited to read How to Ride a Bike in a Dress by our stake young women's president, Donna Young.

Jenny:

The Infinite Atonement by Tad Callister

Refugee by Alan Gratz

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Led by Divine Design by Ronald A Rasband

Seek this Jesus by Neill Marriott

That We May Be One by Tom Christofferson

Russell M. Nelson:  Father, Surgeon, Apostle by Spencer J. Condie

Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson

Resolutions for 2019:

Michelle:  Not procrastinate homework

Read the scriptures every day

Ella:  Not procrastinate homework

Read The Infinite Atonement and the scriptures

Gabby:  Continue to improve in dance

Pray morning and night and read the scriptures by herself

Me:  Gather More Light (through Come Follow Me for Families, scripture study, temple attendance, prayer, service).   I read these words from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf on New Year's Day and they really touched me:  

"As the new year approaches, we often think about changes we can make to improve our lives. Though setting goals and making resolutions can lead to positive changes, nothing will change your life this year as significantly as seeking to gather God’s light into your souls and allowing your spirits to be filled with the shining truth of heavenly things.

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Gathering light is a full-time privilege and process. It is not something you get from a class or a sermon. It cannot be checked off a list and considered completed. It is a process of every day and every hour. When you awake in the morning, you begin your quest for light. And when you finish the day, you evaluate your engagement in the task.
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Unfortunately, you will certainly experience times of sorrow and trial in your life. But as a light gatherer and disciple of Jesus Christ you will experience His abiding joy in the midst of your trials. You will feel His watchful hand guiding your steps. As you receive this light, let it shine so that others will see it and glorify God because of it."