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Delights of 2010

2010 has been my year. It was nothing short of magical. I can truly say that I have been blessed beyond anything I ever expected and feel spoiled without compare. With all that has taken place this past year, I can't help but wonder what mysteries the new year holds. It would be a shame to think that I have arrived and it will all be downhill from here! What adventures wait for me? I have a lot of high hopes for this year. Hopefully I won't stand in the way of letting heaven lead me to the greatest delights yet!

Highlights of 2010

1. I survived Student Teaching

2. The most dashing man on the planet wrote me a book to ask my hand in marriage

3. I finally graduated from Brigham Young University with my Bachelor's degree

4. I went wedding dress shopping with my mom and we each picked out a dress

5. I was able to see my Mom truly joyful for the first time in my life

6. Being able to witness my mom kneel at the altar with her true love

7. Teaching piano lessons

8. Being guided by the spirit to find my first real job

9. Kneeling across the altar myself and giggling ridiculously because I didn't know where else to let the delight escape for fear that I might otherwise explode! Marrying my one true and perfect prince

10. I created a pretty darn cute cowboy classroom and have enjoyed many 4th grade adventures so far







Goal for 2011: Consecrate my life to the Lord

I find it more difficult than it should be to connect each aspect of my life to a central purpose. Sometimes I become unbalanced and lose my desire and passion because I lose sight of anything worth seeing. It is so easy to get caught up in daily living and tasks to be completed that I often forget the point of why I run around getting things done in the first place. I hope to learn to live a meaningful life and to figure out what it means to keep my eye single to the glory of God. Amy was actually the one that reminded me of Elder Christofferson's talk from October Conference, "Reflections on a Consecrated Life," and the silliness of new year's resolutions without a clear and valid motivation. As the new year begins, this is a natural time of reflection and I want to renew my efforts to live a consecrated life. I think the way he outlines this talk is interesting. Generally when I have approached goal setting in the past, there are always categories: physical, social, mental, spiritual, etc. But he did not conform with these categories. He said, five elements of a consecrated life are "purity, work, respect for one’s physical body, service, and integrity." I am going to focus on these five areas as I strive to live a more consecrated life this year.

Read and write about scripture every day
Do something physically active for 30 minutes 6 days each week
Prepare at least two home cooked meals each week
Learn how to make homemade bread
Keep weekly journal
DREAM Project
Monthly Fast
Monthly Temple attendance
Teach compassionately to the individual student

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