A New Start...

Hi Friends -

So I'm a little late with the New Year's resolutions this year. As many of you know, it was a rough holiday. And just as I was hoping to get my feet under me, I got sick. Yuck! Serious headaches. At first I thought it was a migraine (that lasted for 3 days). Then I finally saw a doc and went on meds to treat a serious sinus infection. BTW - sinus headaches often feel like migraines. FYI. I'm finally doing a bit better. But the headaches still come & go. So we'll see if further follow-up is needed. I'll report back to you all...

But I do want to say that I'm optimistic. I love new starts. I love change. I even love Mondays. So here it goes... a new year, a new single life, a new haircut. Soon to come a new body (a much needed diet is underway), perhaps even a new job or new city (pending the outcome of this scary economic slowdown). Anyway - I'm off to a new start. And I believe talk is cheap - so I'm making myself accountable - to all of you! :)

So... stay tuned for the fabulous adventures of Maren J. And for now, I'm of course keeping busy with work, basketball season, teaching Gospel Doctrine, piano lessons, being super aunt, planning someone else's wedding (no joke... it's a long story...), and trying to keep balance.

I wish you all a fabulous New Year! I love hearing your adventures and of your fabulous families. And even if we don't talk too much - no worries - I blog-stalk all of you. :)

Take care...Lots of loves...
Maren

Joy

This Christmas season has been full of mixed emotions for me. I have felt great joys & deep sorrows. As I sit here now, on Christmas Eve, I reflect on my blessings & the things that bring me the greatest joy & peace. It is truly through my Savior, Jesus Christ, that I have peace of mind & heart. I am grateful for Him and His example and His succor at this time.

And as I think about this Christmas season of 2008 - there are 3 things that have truly filled my heart with joy. In no particular order, here they are:

1. My Little People. I love my role as favorite auntie & work hard to retain the title. :) Here are a few pics from this month. With little Jack (Heather's) and Sassy Miss Sage and little Maggie (Melissa's). So fun!

2. The Bell Choir. It sounds dorky - but playing in the bell choir has been such a treat! I have loved learning how to play, learning the music, growing friendships & performing in several Christmas concerts. Of course I'm not in this pic b/c I was taking it, but here you can see the bells lined up. Too bad I don't have video!

3. Caroling with the Lang Gang. This happened just a few days ago on Sunday night. My bro Jake & I headed out with the Lang Gang to spread some Christmas cheer. The pictures speak for themselves... it was so fun!

Friends...

A few weeks ago, my dear friends Jamie & Nick blessed their little baby Andrew. It was a fantastic day. So many of our old friends got together, it was like a little reunion. And it was really wonderful to attend their ward & feel such joy in family & friends. That's what life is all about - joy in our posterity & dear ones.

This month I also had another mini-reunion with some old Berkeley friends as we celebrated Jerry's 30th birthday. Congrats Old Man Hsieh. :) It was fun a night out for dinner in LA. Unfortunately I didn't get a pic of the whole group, but here is me (with my new short hair!!), Jerry & Michelle.

Football...

Okay. That last post got too long, so I split it up. But the fall always means one thing... football season! The sad reality though - I was so busy that I didn't attend a single Cal game all year. So sad! And I only watched 1 on TV. That alone says how crazy things have been.

But for local sports, I'm still loving my role as our ward sports director. It was flag football season for the guys. Here are a few pics of my guys... they look like a motley crew, but we didn't do too bad. We actually won the league, but lost in the first round of playoffs. Way to go guys!

Now on to basketball season... my favorite... :)

A Busy Fall... Prop 8, Football & Friends

Hi Friends - So I've definitely been a blogger slacker lately. So sorry. As usual, I've been running in a million directions. And since I'm the worst journal-writer of all time, I thought I'd recap, if for no one else other than myself.

So after the September fun of my high school reunion, my dear friend Heather's wedding, my birthday & a dozen of my favorite peoples' birthdays... I thought I'd catch a break in October. Wrong!! I immediately was called to head up the Prop 8 effort for all singles in our region. Let me just say, it was complete madness. Just a few of the highlights:

- Early morning sign waving

- Fundraising for the local newspaper ad

- Nightly calling center

Here's a pic of some of our faithful singles at early morning sign waving. Of course I'm not in the pic because I was taking the pic. But here it is:

But more importantly, here are a few of the strengthening realizations that struck me as part of my involvement:

- A renewed & fortified testimony of the Prophet of God and His role as watchman on the tower.

- Although we were mocked (literally & physically) for our beliefs, it was strengthening to stand on the Lords side and defend the family & the God's plan.

- An overwhelming feeling that the world is polarizing.

- A sadness in seeing many, even those who know the plan, who were ashamed & would not rise to the occassion.

It is hard to truly describe how involed I was and what an impact this fight has had on me. And although I always supported the Prophet & his position, I actually hestitated to jump in right at first (or was too distracted by the events in September). But I know it was with purpose that I was asked to get involved & lend my talents (side note - if this were olden times, I definitely would have been a shepard. I am great at herding masses of people into doing things that they often don't want to do.) :) And it certainly stretched me, strengthened me & has better prepared me for whatever future fights may come.