Looking Forward

It's time to say good-bye to another year.

Already?!?

Yep. Cray cray.

This time last year I did a nice little summary of 12 major life events in 2012; those kinds of lists popped up all over news outlets and social media. As they are this year, and probably will continue to be as long as people like to read things. Even Facebook has a fancy little app that lists the top 13 events of your year, in case you can't figure it out for yourself.

I, however, will not be making such a list for 2013. This year has been hard, but full of good things too: I moved, learned new cooking skillz, ran two half marathons, actually wrote in my blog, finally got a smart phone, went to my bestie's wedding, won free cat food, etc. But for my New Year's post his year I want to look forward—to believe and hope for all the good things to come.

Elder Holland gave a fabulous New Year's talk at BYU a few years ago (the Mormon Message video version is embedded below). He retold the story of Lot's Wife, the lady who turned to salt because she looked back at a city she and her family were fleeing. Her sin was not necessarily looking back, but wanting to go back—not believing that the Lord could give her something better than what she had in the past.

Here's a highlight from the talk:

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. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.

This year, I didn't set resolutions—I developed a vision of what I want to see in the coming year. In the vein of Elder Holland's wisdom, here are four blessings and events I'm looking forward to in 2014:

1. A Master's Degree.

My baby sister is headed to BYU in the fall. As I helped potty train her, I don't fancy the idea of being her classmate, so I need to graduate in August :-) All I have to finish is my thesis, and that's moving along at a glacial pace—I got stalled by work and stressful life events. BUT I am committing here to make finishing my degree a priority this year. It's past time for me to grow up and get out of school.

2. A Marathon.

Yep, this is how you know I'm crazy :-) I've already ran three half marathons and lots of shorter races. I'm young, I'm healthy, I'm single. I'm in good shape. The coming year is the perfect time for me to tackle this holy grail of running awesomeness. I'm all signed up for the Utah Valley Marathon in June. Maybe after that I'll work toward a triathlon—if marathoning doesn't kill all of my interest in moving my body.

3. A Real Job.
After I accomplish goal No. 1, it will be time for me to be an adult and get an adult job. I'm a bit nervous about the prospect, but oddly calm—the Lord's helped me out in this area in the past; I have faith that the future will be nothing to fear. To prepare for job finding (and getting), I'm setting a budget to help me conserve monies and resources.

4. Family History.
My current Church assignment has me researching my family line hand teaching others how to do the same. I love this work—I want to dedicate more time to it and make it a lifelong hobby. Of course, alongside this goal, I will work toward upping my temple attendance.

Nothing too fancy, but this is where I want to focus in 2014. These are simple things (mostly) within my own control. I'm sure many more good and happy things will come my way next year, and more in the years after :-)

Happy New Year to all my friendies.