New Year thoughts

During the year of 2011, my life journey was full of twists and turns, dips and bumps and every now and again, a patch of straight and uneventful highway. That's nothing new in life's progress but I have learned over the years that the speed limit gets a little higher, the shoulder a bit deeper and the rest stops are a little further apart.

That being said, one of my favorite patches of road led me to my new church family at LDS. I am a new member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So, I'm still meeting folks, still getting to know my way around the meeting house, and still learning history, scripture and hymns.

What I have discovered recently about myself is that I have a strong anticipation and child like joy as Sunday approaches.

I was raised in our hometown church and I raised my children there and for a period of time, I worked as a secretary and pianist at FBC. As busy and involved as I was with family and church activities, I felt a hole where a certain satisfaction should have been. As I got older, I developed a restlessness when questions I asked could not be answered.

I was out of church for about 15 years. I didn't feel distanced from Father God but I felt separated and more cognizant realization of a growing, undefined fulfillment. I prayed for years for answers to questions I didn't really know how to ask.

I requested a Book of Mormon in October. It didn't take very long until two missionaries came to my door with the Book of Mormon I had requested. The Missionaries were very happy to meet and discuss the questions that I asked. The answers were ones I had waited years to hear. We met several times over the next few weeks and I attended services on Sundays.

The day came - December 6th of this year - for my baptism. What a blessed and happy day that was!

I know it is in our human nature to be excited when new things happen in our lives and more times than not, the excitement settles into a routine and the new wears down to a comfortable glow. For me, at this point in my life, this glowing fulfillment will stay with me, hopefully during the rest of my lifetime. I have shared my glorious life change with my children, my siblings, my friends and family. I have found that many of my loved ones have been asking the same questions! I know that my loved ones will get answers just as I did.

My Relief Society Sisters are beautiful women with warm and nurturing hearts. I look forward to learning from and working side by side with my Sisters in Christ as we journey together in this mortal life.

I thank God for this new journey in my life and for all that He has in store for me. I look forward to each day now.