“Much that is good, much that is essential—even sometimes all that is necessary for now—can be achieved in less than ideal circumstances.” D. Todd Christofferson

The last month has been a difficult one. My sisters and I have faced some new challenges in the care of our mom.  Life can change so suddenly.  I was busy planning and preparing for our move, coming up in a few months, when I found myself needing to rearrange schedules, living spaces, and priorities to better watch over Mom. Sometimes life narrows down to a few necessities, and other interests and responsibilities have to be reorganized, delegated, or placed on the back burner for a time. During those times, it’s not easy to keep a clear perspective. We get tunnel vision; all we can see is what’s right in front of us, demanding our attention. Everything feels overwhelming, too much, more than our seemingly small capacity to handle. That’s when we need to ask the Lord to show us the bigger picture and let Him light our way in the darkness.

“All of us, at times in our lives, are completely overwhelmed by our life circumstance or by what we’re asked to do…as we’re consistent in doing the small and simple things, and as we’re trying to seek revelation and going through that work and that process, as we rely on Jesus Christ and His Grace…we will be made equal to those things that we’re being asked to do.” Michelle Craig

This morning, I opened my 2019 calendar and wrote down some of the highlights of the year. After this last month, I’ve found myself feeling like I’d had a rather hard year, but after going over my calendar, I was amazed at the stunning array of blessings and milestones I’d enjoyed (and survived) this year. In a moment, my perspective widened, and I was reminded that seasons change, life surprises us, and through it all, the Lord walks beside us and makes it all for our good.

2019 was filled with love from friends. One cherished friend set aside time to call every week to check in and share the week’s victories and vexations. While we spoke of family and faith, with tears both of heartbreak and laughter, we shouldered the weight of one another’s burdens and they became lighter. One Saturday morning, I was chauffeured to breakfast by loving friends, ministering to me and listening with open hearts. I enjoyed a fabulous girls’ weekend eating healthy food, talking, playing, and strengthening our spirits, with three wonderful, wise ladies. I spent time in the living room of a dear friend, a wonderful listener, who lifted me with her tender care. There have been countless texts, encouraging messages, hugs at church, Facebook comments of support and love, and even packages mailed, throughout the year, from friends who add sweetness to my life.

The year was also blessed by family time.  I spent time with every one of my children and grandchildren multiple times this year. I visited their homes, celebrated a baptism, offered and received help and comfort, shared hotel rooms and meals, received Priesthood blessings, squashed into cars for outings, welcomed them to bring noise, messes, and laughter to my home, went on temple trips, and met new loves.  I had a laughter-filled, many-times-postponed, sister trip, and was thrilled that both my daughter and my sister moved close to me again.

There were some epic milestones for me in 2019. I started my blog and wrote every single week the entire year. I successfully planned and executed my first long-anticipated, fondly-remembered DisneyWorld excursion with my youngest daughter, complete with Harry Potter World (after she read me the entire series), all four Disney parks, and an Orlando Airport debacle. I sold my well-loved, big, family home and purchased a new, smaller home not far away. I survived my youngest daughter’s ten days away with friends and her driving permit and lessons, including rush hour on Jones Boulevard. I achieved 100% debt-freeness! I fulfilled a dream, becoming a temple ordinance worker, which is even better than I imagined.

This year, my Christmas present, from my thoughtful children, was a big jar filled with slips of paper with happy or funny thoughts, memories, and pictures of my children and grands printed on them.  I’m supposed to pull one out each day for a smile. I cheat. Of course, I do! No way can I wait a whole year to open them all, plus I love reading them over and over. This precious gift is another reminder that, although life may become challenging, there is incredible love, light, and laughter too. The rough patches in life tend to hijack our thoughts, causing us to lose perspective; however, when we take the opportunity to see the bigger picture, blessings are everywhere, and love is abundant. Knowing I’m here to learn and grow, I cling to my covenants and cherished promises, trusting the Lord with my life and the lives of those I love.

“With an understanding of God’s plan of salvation, we know that the rejoicing, the striving, the suffering, the tutoring, and the enduring experiences of life all play their part in an intelligible process of helping us, if we will, to become, as the Savior beckoningly invited, ‘even as I am.’” Neal A. Maxwell