A New Year Begins

A friend of mine posted something last month that really made me think. She started by posting responses to the thought, "Things I Lost" and then responded to the thought, "Things I Found". The new year is always a time I find my thoughts growing reflective. I think about things that went well during the last year, things I want to do better this year, things that are going well, things that aren't. I loved my friend's list and decided this would be a great exercise for me as well. So here are some things (in no particular order) lost and found in 2009.

Things I Lost (in 2009)...

- my temper (too many times)
- my "leisure" time
- my fear of doing family history work
- my dear and darling and last grandpa
- my friends and home in Mesa (not that we can't be friends anymore, it's just different when you move!)
- my hard won tan legs (hadn't happened in about 10 years until this last summer and 2 years of near constant sun exposure
- my fear of working in cub scouts, thanks to my new calling to serve as the Bear Den Leader
- my sanity, a few times
- my 2 year old and my 5 year old, as Alfredo and Jewel became beautiful 3 and 6 year olds
- my balance, when I had an inner ear infection that left me feeling dizzy for almost 4 weeks
- a little weight (I don't need to mention that I put it back on, do I?)


Things I Found (in 2009)...

- New friends and a brand new house in Rexburg
- A Doctor in the house! As Dr. D completed his doctorate at ASU
- Joy in some of the simple things as we struggled to get through school on a very limited budget
- My car keys
- A Heated Mattress pad that makes bitter cold more bearable
- A renewed desire to strengthen my testimony and relationship with the Lord
- Lots and lots of spiders when we lived with Dr. D's grandma for a few months while our house was being finished.
- A love for healthy eating
- Profound gratitude for people who are willing to help and love me through challenges
- Respect for differing beliefs and views
- Better relationships with some of my new sisters-in-law, since we have moved closer and I've had the chance to spend time with them - what a blessing!!!
- A stronger desire to have another child (even though it scares me to death)
- Strength to get through challenges
- Increased love for the Savior
- Deeper love for the man I am blessed to share my life and eternity with
- The amazing people that my children are growing into

I think both lists are pretty short and definitely not exhaustive of the things I have lost and found during the last year. All in all, it seems to me that I live a very blessed life. A life filled with wonderful things. Now to look forward to a new year to live, learn, and love life.