I love the quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Although the silence was painful after our family left, I have begun to order my thoughts about the past year, journaling, reading notes, reviewing my planner, and organizing myself for the new year.
I love reflecting on questions like these during the quiet hours. I will include a few of my answers, too.
What are the lessons from 2025?
- God can fix things so quickly, so completely, and so elegantly.
- I have true friends on whom I can call when I need help.
- I can trust God’s wisdom when my trials don’t go away.
What books and people did I keep close to me?
- Book List Here, with my favorites in bold. I read the Doctrine and Covenants the most because I was teaching it.
- People: my family, a few close friends.
What do I want to remember?
- How Tim and Queenie looked in the sealing room at the temple on their wedding day.
- Playing with our grandson in the backyard and at the beach.
How have I grown?
- I trust God a bit more.
What were some triumphs?
- Wedding luncheon for Tim.
- A few special moments during lessons I taught in church.
How did the Savior show up in my life?
- In word: the scriptures, words of prophets, impressions during prayer and in the House of the Lord.
- In power: to endure challenges.
- In music: during my most challenging moments, good music came to my mind. (Shalom by Dan Forrest; Slow Down, sung by Sissel; Seek the Lord by my mom, in her voice; I Want to Be Strong, a song we sang at Girls Camp 30+ years ago.)
- Through people who listened to me and loved me.
- In fresh ideas
- In chastening: He helped me change my thinking. Often.