New Year: Always a Moment in Time

This is my newest blog that will tackle mostly about my religious faith and how it affected and improved my life and my life’s outlook. As a blast off entry of this blog, I’d like to share my point of view about New Year.

My 2009 New Year was full of inner resolutions. I can only remember a few because as the days passed, I was too busy, reading and writing many things in my other blogs. Some of these writings were not published and can wait due time. According to the Chinese calendar, the year 2009 is the year of the Ox or Buffalo. I am one of the many fans of the the Chinese calendar because I am fascinated with it; and 2009 was my year, and of course, it promised a lot of events and other extraordinary feats. However, in my own view, these promises are made to be done, if only to achieve it.

New Year for me is always a moment in time, a beginning of new beginnings as we continue to journey this life and face the many challenges that may come around. I was taught by many instances that we need to have a New Year’s resolution which you are going to work out, in fact, need to achieve within the year. As I said, I only remember a few, such as: I must read the Book of Mormon throughout the year and pursue translation of the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

I was able to finish translating the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price in our own Bikol dialect, however, I wasn’t able to finish reading the whole Book of Mormon. I just started in the first book of Nephi and it all end there. I have other resolutions in 2009 that was all accomplished in simple way, such as visiting members of the Church every Sunday after sacrament meeting and try to win back the hearts of those inactive and less active members. Being a leader, I felt this as a duty and obligation for the glory of my Heavenly Father.

Sometimes in my visits, I felt some discouragement when members are trying to evade my presence. I felt dismayed over their behavior and negative attitudes about the faith. They seem to forget the covenant they’ve made to our Lord Jesus Christ in the font of baptism. But, even then, it even inspired me to pursue my goal and objectives. I know that I’m not doing the work for my self but to my creator and redeemer.

At the middle of this year, I was released as a bishop of my Ward and took the cudgel of leadership in the stake level. At first, I felt the sense of unworthiness of this calling because I believe there are others who can do the job. I haven’t achieve yet my goal and objectives in my Ward and now a greater work is awaiting. I humbly accepted the call for I know that the Lord will always provide a way to achieve his own purpose.

At first, there was insufficiency in my being, but as days passed, I was able to know the basic principles of leadership that I need to learn. These principles were taught by the many prophets of our Church. One most important principle was taught by Joseph Smith Jr. He said, “Teach them correct principles, and they will govern their own selves.” I testify that this principle is true and appropriate for all. When we know the basic principles of the Gospel, surely, the Holy Spirit will accompany you in achieving all things that matters most for the glory of God.

Another resolution that I’d like to achieve in 2009 was to finish editing the completed translation of the Book of Mormon. But this time, I was short of achieving it. I’ve had a lot of personal commitments from friends, employer and others. The more that I desire to edit, the more commitments come around. I felt overjoyed by the turn of events as it opened up new opportunities. Indeed, the blessings that our Heavenly Father has in stored for me is being showered like an avalanche.

Sometimes, when I get started to edit the first draft of my Bikol translation of the Book of Mormon, a lot of interruptions always tempted me to stop it a while. Thence, a short prayer surely calm me down.

Today is the day beginning of year 2010. I have a series of appointments both for my work and in the Church. I have a new year’s resolution again and I’d like to cite them in this first issue:

1. Finish editing the first draft of the Bikol translation of the Book of Mormon, and pursue editing the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

2. Donate the final draft to the Translation Department of Church by the end of the year.

3. Conduct a series of training for all the leaders of the Stake;

4. Strive to maintain the level of worthiness fitting to a leader of the Church.

5. Conduct family home evening every Monday of the week together with my family.

6. Read again the Book of Mormon completely, thence, pursue reading again the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

7. Write poetry both in Bikol and English.

There are a lot of other resolution which I prefer not to publish and instead find a way to do it.

Finally, I’d like to say that New Year is always a moment in time. The beginning of all seasons in our life. It may be a season of successes or a season of hard failures. Whichever it may become just get on with it, and stand firm in the faith. Remember, our Heavenly Father loves us more than what we ever understood about Him.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!