_{The pictures for this post will be of things I made in 2022. The collection is not exhaustive; but it is probably the best 95% of notable things I made.}

I am thrilled for my 2023 theme verb! As 2022 was winding down, I still had no idea what I wanted to have as my next theme. So, I decided to have a good pondering session about my general life hopes, goals, and aspirations, in hopes that it would guide me to the perfect word that could encompass them all while not being overwhelming. (Perhaps too lofty of a goal for a single verb for a single year…)

I thought of many words that were quite good; but none of them fit the bill exactly or got me really excited. And, for me, it’s immensely satisfying to inaugurate (so to speak) my new year with enthusiasm and momentum, so I needed assistance.

I decided to pray about the word. I know that Heavenly Father likely doesn’t particularly care which verb I select, so long as it is something that can help me come closer to Him and His Son. So I prayed, not for Him to tell me what verb I ought to choose, but rather for Him to enlighten my mind such that I could select my own perfect word. And, I am delighted to report that it absolutely worked! I had the ideal word pop into my head!

This experience gave me a delightful insight I’d like to share about the numerous ways that God can direct and inspire us. I liken our search for Heavenly guidance to us seeking an item in a dark room. We ask Heavenly Father to help us find the item and He can respond by simply retrieving the thing and bringing it to us and putting it in our hand. He gave us what we asked for. Another way He might approach our request for help securing the item is that He might tell us where to walk, where to put our hands, what drawer we ought to open, etc. He guides us to the thing we asked for. The final way I’ve found He can answer our request is to simply turn the light on in the dark room and we find the item ourselves. It is still thanks to Him that we have the item, because all light is His light. But we happened to do the finding.

I feel like the Lord blessed me to find this 2023 theme verb by turning on the light for me!

Anyway, my word for the year 2023 is…

Beautify

I love SO many things about this word! I feel like adding beauty to the various parts of life is a thoroughly enjoyable pursuit, for one; I don’t want my goals to feel like drudgery. But also, it is all encompassing in a fun way! There are so many ways to beautify life and the world around me. I can think beautiful thoughts, make beautiful music, dress beautifully, decorate beautifully, have beautiful experiences. And though that might sound kind of just like stamping a giant “HAPPY” sign on everything, that isn’t how it feels to me.

I have three specific areas of my life I want to beautify this year.

• Myself
• My Home
• My Yard

For myself, I want to beautify my mind and body with exercise, choosing to actually get ready for the day more than 1 time a week, choosing to think beautiful thoughts and do kind things for others, and work on the skills I desire to have.

For my home, I want to add beautiful music, decor, order, kindness, peace, scents, etc. Anything that will make coming home just a little more of a beautiful experience.

For my yard, I want to add the beauty of nature and shade, such that it is a place where our family will want to spend time together making beautiful memories and beautiful connections with God. All this helps me understand the idea of “Beautiful Savior” a lot more.

Anyway, there you have it! I am, again, thrilled to embark on this beautiful year!