2010: The Best Is Yet to Be

Okay, here goes my plug.

Many of you know that I worked for Church magazines for a couple of years after I graduated. I worked for the Liahona, the Church's international magazine, but I was part of the editorial board for all four of the Church magazines. My experience there wasn't quite what I expected it to be, for more reasons that I can or want to get into in this post, but I'll just say that I always dreamed of working there. I dreamed of working there as an editor and not an administrative assistant, but nonetheless, my dream was partially reached, right? But having worked there and having had a "behind-the-scenes" look at how those miraculous magazines come together, I am more than excited to plug the new format of the magazines, which you'll notice in the January 2010 issues. I got my Ensign the other day and LOVED what I saw. Lots of the changes and innovations that I heard talked of when I was there are now in place, and it looks fantastic. Be sure to check it out and read the guide to how to use the new format in the front of the magazine. Some great changes.

Speaking of great changes, a new year is upon us. I am really excited for 2010. I've been waiting for 2010 for many years now. This year has a lot in store for me and my family. This is Grant's graduation year, the year we will brave "the Bar" (dun, dun, dun), the year we will say goodbye to our Oregon era and try to find our places again in Utah, the year Grant will hopefully become an attorney for real and we'll leave our student years behind. And hopefully not too far beyond 2010, becoming "real adults" and buying our first home and adding on to our family ... no wonder I have so much anticipation for the coming year or two!

With all of that in mind, I was very moved and inspired by Elder Holland's message, "The Best Is Yet to Be," in the January issue of the Liahona and Ensign. His message gave me new insights, it gave me courage, it reminded me that faith points to the future and doesn't wallow in the past. It taught me to let people (including myself) repent, grow up, and become better. It reminded me of the counsel given to Lot's wife to "look not behind thee," or as Elder Holland puts it, to not allow my "attachment to the past [outweigh my] confidence in the future." Some great counsel as I face a new year that will be a big one for me and my family.

I feel ready to move forward. I feel ready to not look back, to dive in head first, to allow good things to happen in my life and in the lives of those I love. I feel ready to become a better person and kick some bad habits. I feel ready to watch my husband soar in the new wings of his career. I'm excited to watch my son thrive in the nurturing care of extended family. I'm excited to set ambitious goals for myself and move beyond limits I've set for myself. I'm excited for what our future holds.

Which is a big deal for me. I've had some setbacks in my personal life over the last few years that have hindered my ability to hope. I haven't always allowed myself to believe that good things could happen because I've become terrified of the bad things that can and do happen to people, innocent and good as they may be. I've witnessed suffering in my own family and have wondered if life will ever be normal and happy instead of dysfunctional and scary again. But I feel that finally I'm bursting from my cocoon of fear and realizing that my life is not dependent on my circumstances to be ideal in order for me to experience happiness or to see "hope shining brightly before" me and my family. I really believe that there is light at the end of the dark tunnel I've been traveling in, and I'm ready to embrace that light watch good things unfold for me, for Grant, for Eliot, for all of us.

I have to credit the source of my hope, for fear that you might think it's something I've come by of my own efforts. I know where that peace and happiness is coming from. It's coming from the only true source of light in this "dark and dreary" world. The source of my hope is the only true Source of hope there is -- the Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord truly is my Light. I can't say that I have the strongest relationship with Him lately, but I've been working on some goals in my life to make more room for Him, and slowly, quietly, I am feeling more and more of His influence in my life, and consequently, more and more hope.

Again from Elder Holland, "Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past? To all such of every generation, I call out, 'Remember Lot’s wife.' Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the 'high priest of good things to come' (Hebrews 9:11). Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year’s resolution I ask you to keep."

May your 2010 be filled with light, dreams, and hope.