2016: A Year With The Fetzer's

2016 is coming to a close. This time of the year always brings a lot of things for me; the excitement of new adventures and plans coming, nervousness for what challenges lie ahead, hope for an even better and brighter new year, and motivation to work towards and reach new goals. Today, it's brought, to me, a lot of reflection on the past 12 months.

2016 has been a challenging year for many. There is a lot of wickedness and unkindness in our world today and many are suffering. I am saddened by all of the hate and anger. I found myself with a heavy heart on many days this year just because of the chaos of the world around me. It is hard to avoid-it's on the news, it's in the paper, it's in an angry Facebook post, it's in the unkind sharing of gossip about a neighbor or ward member. It's on the streets, on our tv, on our computers, in our schools, and at work. It can be found everywhere you go. I am so grateful that my home is a haven away from the storm that is the world we live in. As I think month to month about the different blessings, trials, memories, and tender mercies our family received, I can see that God has been present in our lives all year long, as He always is. We have been so blessed and felt so much love this year. The world can be a dark place but, our homes are sacred places of refuge, protection, and love. I am so grateful for that. I'm also eternally grateful for the lights that are in our world despite the, sometimes overwhelming, dark. The light can be found as easily as the darkness can, if we choose to see it. It's in the kind smile of a stranger, it's in neighbors who are there for you when you need it, it's in friendship and family, it's in charity and service given by strangers to strangers. Light can be found in nearly every corner of the world. The best part is that we can be the ones to bring it. We can be that light in the world.

I hope that each of you have found light in your 2016 as we did and that that light will continue and grow in the next 12 months. I hope we can be that light for each other and can give it to others all year long.

As always, our family had opportunities to create many happy memories this year. These were some of the highlights for me:

A few things I want to remember:

• Emma learned to walk at 11 months old. It was so fun to see her enjoying her newfound independence. 
• Sam and I were called to be scout leaders and have absolutely loved it! Our boys are so funny and sweet and we enjoy hanging out with them. Emma has really enjoyed it too. 
• The three of us had a blast at IF4 (International Fly Fishing Film Festival) in March. Emma and I watched most of the films from the back since she was a little too squirmy to sit through the entire evening but, she did so good. It was a fun trip and we look forward to going again this year. 
• Sam's brother Jake got married to our beautiful, new sister in law, Skylie. They had a lovely wedding at the St. George LDS temple. 
• My cousin, Zack was also married to his sweet wife in the same month and I was blessed to get to make their wedding cupcakes. 
• We had a super fun "birthday month" this year. Sam turned 27, I turned 25, and little miss Emma turned 1. We had a big "tea party" celebration and so many of our friends and family came to show her love. 
• My sister, Olivia moved to Portland. This was a pretty sad day and we miss her all the time but we've had a few visits that have been fun. 
• Sam and I celebrated 5 years of marriage! We had an eventful trip to Zion National Park. There were a few obstacles but it was fun anyway. It was our first night away from Emma and we missed her! 
• We went on our annual cabin trip in July with Sam's family. It was especially wonderful to watch Emma play and enjoy herself there. There will be many more memories made at the family cabin. What a special place. 
• Emma went on her first plane ride and the two of us, along with my mom and aunt Brenda visited my sister in Portland. We saw all of the sights and more importantly, got to spend some time with Olivia. 
• Sam's grandmother passed away in December and we miss her. Because of her passing, we were all able to get together as a family right before Christmas and spend time together in Salt Lake. We visited Temple Square to see the lights and did some pre-Christmas shopping. 
• Christmas was so fun with Emma this year! Santa brought her a kitchen of her very own and she loves it! She is always cooking yummy food for mom, dad, and her baby dolls. 

I am looking forward to another great year in 2017. I'm grateful for the people that love and care about me and my little family and lift us up during the tough times. I'm grateful that I have the ability to do the same for others. It's a wonderful thing to think that we are all brothers and sisters and children of God. I plan to work on having a more Christlike love and spirit of giving for others this year. I was grateful for a sweet sister missionary who spoke in a ward Sam and I visited a few weeks ago. She talked about serving others and said that the best thing to do was simply "find a need and fill it". That has helped me find so many opportunities to help others. I see needs every day, right in front of me, that I can help with. It can be something as small as helping a neighbor move out a piece of furniture or holding a baby for a mother with her hands full. As the, always wise, Winnie the Pooh said, "A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference."

I pray that each of you have wonderful, warm memories of 2016 to reflect on and that you find strength, happiness, peace, and love in the new year. Happy New Year everyone!