As the sun sets on 2024, I find myself caught between reflection and renewal. This year has been a mosaic of breathtaking highs and aching lows, each piece adding its color to the canvas of my life.
I traveled to places that seemed like whispers from heaven, each destination a reminder of how vast and beautiful this world is. Towering redwoods reaching for the skies, the calming rhythm of the sea, and the laughter shared with loved ones filled my soul. The world’s splendor felt closer than ever, reminding me that even in its imperfection, most often created by the loss of human purpose, creation reflects a divine masterpiece.
Perhaps the most profound joy was witnessing my son thrive with his family. His happiness painted hope across my heart. Seeing the twins grow—those little miracles—was a constant light, even in my darkest days. Yet, the true highlight of the year was spending a week with them, traveling the Oregon Coast down to the Redwoods (I wrote about it here). It was a journey of awe and wonder, as if creation itself were testifying that restoration is ongoing, that there is a plan. The majesty of the waves, the towering trees, and the smiles shared in those moments felt like heaven touching the earth.
But intertwined with these blessings was the ache of absence, the quiet yearning for those who are no longer here. The few good memories of those still here or beyond this world lingered like faint melodies, a bittersweet reminder of distant love that transcends time and place.
This year has been a journey of challenges, stretching my limits and asking more of me than I thought I could give. Each day, I strive to uplift my team, celebrate their victories, and carry us forward while meeting the unrelenting demands of the work. The weight has been heavy, but within it, I’ve sought meaning and purpose, trusting that even the hardest paths can lead to clarity.
In the quieter moments, I’ve found solace in reflection, in spaces that invite stillness and perspective. These moments have reminded me that my worth isn’t measured by what I achieve but by the care and intention I bring to each step.
Some days, it’s the simple things—music, a kind word, prayer, or a brief pause to breathe—that steady me. They offer warmth when the world feels cold, grounding me in the knowledge that even in struggle, there is beauty to be found. Challenges, though weighty, carry lessons if we’re brave enough to uncover them, and sometimes, when we have no other choice, we must find the strength to face them head-on. They teach us to lean into the discomfort, to grow, and to continue forward with hope in our hearts.
As 2024 gives way to a new chapter, I am reminded that while life may never be easy, it can be meaningful. Each trial, each joy, each sacred whisper is a thread in the tapestry God weaves for me. Even when I cannot see the full picture, I trust that it is beautiful somehow, somewhere, and He will allow me to see it someday.
In little boys' giggles, in the sacred stillness of the temple, in the humbling act of prayer, and in the beautiful souls of others who sing the unsaid songs of the heart, we find solace and hope renewed—moments that remind us of grace amid life’s storms. These moments remind me that He cares. Deeply. Unconditionally. Always. They remind me, too, that none of us can stay in this world feeling uncared for forever. And that truth is enough to carry me forward, one faithful step at a time.
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