THIRTY greatest hits of TWENTY TWENTY

Fascinating year, man. Such a ride. Instinctively I say that my main theme this year was self-growth. Wait, but isn’t that every year? Well, sure, but this year was freakishly unique. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t agree with me on that.

Self-growth in the sense that I, along with virtually every other person on the planet, had a lot of lifestyle adjusting to do; not necessarily out of choice, but out of necessity, because globally drastic times call for globally drastic measures in order to help make things better, and 2020’s situation was interesting because, regardless of there being billions of humans on the planet, the power of ONE human became a very real thing, to many a mind’s eye. (Oh hello there, 79-word-long sentence.) (You went back and counted them all, didn’t you?) (Stop that.) There was a “patient zero” of this whole ordeal. That was a big whoop. And, in a way, each one of us—even though each of us is just one person—is now seemingly a little bit bigger deal than we previously were, because a clear, certain responsibility is placed upon each of us as it pertains to the well-being of the larger community. That responsibility I guess has always been there, but to me it just seems like it’s never been as obvious as it does now, with the whole “wear you mask, keep your hands clean, and stand back” thing.

Anyway, enough about that, and back to more self-growth talk, haha. I think I’m just gonna attempt to make a chronological bulleted list of the events in my 2020 that provided some sort of opportunity for me to grow, adapt, move on, etc. And maybe plug in some pictures along the way. Because I’m a pictures person, don’t-cha-kno…

1) Familial bonds of love helped me through ALL the months, even before the pandemic hit. They anchor me and keep me afloat simultaneously.

2) The memory of both attending AND performing in live musical productions earlier this year, pre-pandemic, has kept me going. Has kept me realizing that it really, really is going to happen: we really are going to be singing again together IN-PERSON, with LIVE audiences. Soon. The light is in sight.

Unashamed to declare that the utter and complete absence of my busy Tab Choir life has been the absolute hardest part of this year for me, from day one. There’s a gaping hole in each heart belonging to that marvelous organization that I adore being part of, and the hole is noticeable and sad every. freaking. week. But the Sunday reruns have been a massive blessing. And the random lil’ album we put out in May (May, right?)—built from the recordings we did the year before—was stellar, and was such a great pick-me-up at a time when choir was being missed especially dreadfully. LISTEN TO OUR AVENGERS STUFF.

3) I donated blood several times throughout the year! I think I saw it as a way I liked to express my gratitude for a healthily working body. A gift that I wanted to pass forward in some tiny way. Donating blood helped infuse purpose into this year, for me.

4) Experienced my first real earthquake! March 18^th. Not an insignificant first by any stretch. Could have been a lot more gnarly, but it was an attention-grabber, for sure. Made these four items fall off of my living room bookshelves. I think this changed me for the better, in some way or another.

5) I went to physical therapy for my first time this year, for a stretch that lasted from late-January through mid-August. It meant that I haven’t been doing a thing that I love (running) for well over a year, but the therapy was really good for me. I remember feeling kind of scared about the idea of PT, before I started. But ever since I “graduated” from it, I’ve been really missing being able to go!

6) Another super-rough characteristic about 2020 is that it’s been blocking temple-goers from being able to go to the temple! To go inside them to work, at least. I miss that! I miss being able to drive to whatever nearby temple I want, after a workday is through, and spending a bit of time in there to help an ancestor on their spiritual journey (and myself on mine), prior to going home later that night. But what’s been nice is that I still have been able to physically go to my day job at my office and witness the Salt Lake Temple construction progress firsthand. I’ve really liked that. That project is about 25% done now!

7) P.S. I’ve become a fan of masks. There, I said it! And now I know for sure that my breath, in general, is not abhorrent. Because I’m forced to inspect my own breath quite frequently.

 

8) I had a coronabirthday (wouldn’t be surprised to get one more this coming April) and it was actually one of my favorite birthdays! It was a work-from-home, PJs-all-day kind of birthday! Got a whole lotta love on my front door from the sweetest friends, watched some “LOST,” hung out with my pet cockatiel, and my parents and brother came over to surprise the livin’ heck out of me!

9) Hiking out in the woods and up to the peaks was my ROCK! Put unintentional, or was it? I should’ve tracked the number of miles I went, the number of feet I climbed. It was thousands of feet and definitely more than a hundred miles total. Oh yeah, most certainly more than 100 miles. Which has been awesome, because running was a no-no this year, for my Achilles’ sake!

Oh, and almost failed to mention that hiking is the main reason for the grand number of brand-new extremely dear friends I made this year. What cracks me up is that this pandemic has been going on for SO long now, that some of these friends, whom I already feel like I’ve known forever, have never seen me in my true “I’m too busy with choir” element. They’ll see that at some point in the coming months hehe.

 10) Painted the bejeebers outta my garage! Got new balcony flooring, painted said balcony railings as well as the porch/porch steps, and also my utility closet flooded, with a flood that surely rivaled Noah’s back in the Genesis days. HOMEOWNER JOYS! Again, help from family has been amazing. My family is amazing. So eager to help beautify things and to calm me down when things go atrociously wrong.

11) Held a lamby-bobo at Eastertime! Can’t think of a more precious reminder that I am His lamb and He will always help me to get un-lost again. And again. And again.

12) Oh, and remember when they took the Angel Moroni down for safe-keeping? That was really cool. That’s all.

13) America experienced a lot of unrest in 2020. Political, racial, worries over natural disasters. So much that it made heads spin. There are so many ways that a person can go about dealing with it. I did what came most natural to me: I buckled down, prayed for strength to become a better and more empathetic version of myself, sat down and calmly watched some “Remember the Titans,” then went forth and tried to peacefully invite others to join me in the personal pursuit to be gentler, kinder, and more aware that diversity is actually an extremely beautiful and needful thing.

2020 altogether was a year full of heartache, stress, illness, and other sorts of ailments for a lot of loved ones I care about. These past 12 months have been filled with quiet hours of thinking — thinking about who could use some prayers right now. I think 2020 has helped me to become more thoughtful of others. I want that trend to persist as time continues to roll by.

14) Painted a ton, yo! Spent so much time at home this year, and I NEVER was bored at ANY moment there in my house. Oodles of hours were spent developing more of my creative side. Including loads of music-writing sessions (tried my hand at choral composing recently!).

15) Binge-watched a couple of my favorite shows. Self-growth? Maybe not. Or maybe it is. Because it definitely is self-CARE. It’s a healthy thing to do for your mental and emotional balance during a pandemic. It’s probably scientifically proven by now. Here’s Stanley running during the basketball episode of “The Office.” Look at his hand!!! Stanley’s my favorite.

16) Yeah, I went to Lagoon during the pandemic. With a handful of the best souls. It was the best. It seriously was. Some people would rather not ever go to an amusement park in such times as these, but especially as a single, spouseless, childless person just trying to make her way in the world—particularly during a hard year like this one—quality time with friends has been CRUCIAL. It can be done while still taking the health precautions.

 17) 2020 meant being able to spend bunches of more time at home as a bird mom to this cutie!

18) I still am mildly-to-moderately terrified by technology (I was born 100 years ago), but I did get to Zoom a tiny handful of times with friends just because (later on in the year, I even got to teach a full-fledged church lesson via Zoom!). Here’s me with some of my buddies I made in Cambridge UK last year!

19) Had SOOOOO much puppy time with friends’ coronapuppies. I truly need both of my hands to count the number of pals who impulsively bought dogs during the pandemic hahaha!

20) Also, I actually went on an abnormal number of dates this year. Somewhat ironically. No pix to show here for it. But believe me, it happened. Dating always means personal growth, right? If you’re going about it the right way, which I always hope I am.

 21) There was some glorious, GLORIOUS makeupless times this year. Here’s a middle-of-the-night campsite bathhouse image. You know you wanted to see this.

22) Bought myself multiple self-care bouquets. Need to toss in a dash or two of colorful brightness every now and again in your home nowadays, do you not?

23) I DID get to sing in a tiny choir that one time, didn’t I? With funny little clear face shields! The song was Maurice Duruflé’s “Ubi caritas.” SO much fun. Next time I hope will be with a very NOT tiny ensemble—HINT HINTTTTTTTTT. (Okay, now I think I’m mostly just rattling off my favorite notable things that occurred in my 2020, period. Which is more than fine.)

24) Church life looked much different this year. Thankfully sacrament meetings still are able to take place – in a modified format, at least. Here’s a pic of me and my bishop, at a drive-thru ward activity. I’ve been deeply, deeply grateful for the chances I’ve still been able to have to connect with my bishopric members and other church friends, every once in a while during this funny year.

25) I’ll never forget the wacky inland-USA hurricane we had here in northern Utah! That shook things up in our community, for SURE.

26) In the fall, I had an incredible chance to spend high-quality time with my dad in the wilderness. I got to see him close-up in one of his favorite elements. I knew he was so thrilled to have me there with him, and I was so thrilled to be there too. I learned so much from him during this time, and I’m profoundly—even infinitely—thankful for all he’s taught me throughout the course of my whole life. Also, check out all those hawt layers I have on. It wasn’t too warm out there!

27) Still got to have a touch of comic con taste this year, towards the tail-end of it! My Dan, my Farris, my Jeff, my Harnells… The world is made better because they reside in it. They’re the kind of people who make me want to be better.

28) And let’s just not forget that the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra, and Bells all got to have their very own private live-stream Christmas devotional. I cried, and cried, and crieeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddd………

 

29) I watched people get married!! Via technology!! A couple of times!! Here’s my darling young cousin with her dad/my uncle. As I mentioned before, my technological prowess may not be very impressive, but I do see it as a miracle that we have on our planet today!

30) Christmas was still magical. The world is still magical. Life still has trillions of magical, beautiful moments. Even in the funkiest of years. Here’s to an even more spectacular 2021!

Alison's Favorite Quote from Each April 2020 General Conference Talk

Me and one of my Tabernacle Choir name badges.
Maybe next Conference I'll finally be able to wear it again for real, eh?

 

2020: Turbulent year, man! Makes me appreciate the words of living prophets and other inspired leaders called of God all the more! If it was ever on 2020's mind to stop me from holding onto one of my favorite General Conference traditions, it FAILED! I'm continuing onward with it. Behold, my fav quote from each talk from six months ago (in chronological order):

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION

"This year will be extraordinary as we focus intently on the Savior and His restored gospel. The most important lasting effects of this historic conference will be as our hearts change and we commence a lifelong quest to hear Him."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Opening Message")

"...consider what offering you will present to the Lord in righteousness in the coming days. Be courageous—share it with someone you trust, and most important, please take the time to do it!"

President M. Russell Ballard

("Shall We Not Go On in So Great a Cause?")

"Not only does the Savior heal and restore those who sin in ignorance, but also, for those who sin against the light, the Savior offers healing on the condition of repentance and faith in Him."

Elder James R. Rasband

("Ensuring a Righteous Judgment")

"Our continuing role is to receive continuing revelation."

Sister Joy D. Jones

("An Especially Noble Calling")

"And when someone sets their defining memories aside and is lost or confused, we turn them toward the Savior as we share our faith and memories with them, helping them rediscover those precious spiritual moments they once treasured."

Elder Neil L. Andersen

("Spiritually Defining Memories")

"Seeing others as God does is a gift. I invite all of us to seek for this gift. As our eyes are opened to see, we will also be able to help others see themselves as God does."

Brother Douglas D. Holmes

("Deep in Our Heart")

"Throughout his prophetic ministry, Joseph Smith used prayers of faith to obtain continuous revelation. As we face today's challenges and those yet to come, we too will need to practice the same pattern."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Prayers of Faith")

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

"In March 1830 the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon were published, and today more than 180 million copies have been printed in over a hundred languages."

Elder Ulisses Soares

("The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon")

"Our ability to help others come unto Christ or return to Christ will largely be determined by the example we set through our own personal commitment to stay on the covenant path."

Elder John A. McCune

("Come unto Christ—Living as Latter-day Saints")

"Because of Christ, all of God's children....regardless of their righteousness, will experience the reuniting of their spirits and bodies through the power of the Resurrection and return to Him to 'be judged.…according to [their] works.'"

Bishop Gérald Caussé

("A Living Witness of the Living Christ")

"In the exuberance of knowing that we can be saved and exalted, we need to remember that salvation and exaltation came at a great cost."

Elder Dale G. Renlund

("Consider the Goodness and Greatness of God")

"Jesus Christ is the Master Physician. Through His Atonement, He binds up our wounds, takes upon Himself our infirmities, and heals our broken hearts. Through His grace our weakness can become strong."

Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai

("The Power of the Book of Mormon in Conversion")

"In a similar way, we might ask ourselves, 'How could this extensive renewal of the Salt Lake Temple inspire us to undergo our own spiritual renewal, reconstruction, rebirth, revitalization, or restoration?'"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

("A Good Foundation against the Time to Come")

SATURDAY EVENING SESSION

"Hosanna is our plea for God to save. Hallelujah expresses our praise to the Lord for the hope of salvation and exaltation. In hosanna and hallelujah we recognize the living Jesus Christ as the heart of Easter and latter-day restoration."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

("Hosanna and Hallelujah—The Living Jesus Christ: The Heart of Restoration and Easter")

"These are not messages from fortune-tellers; these blessings tell us what we need to hear. They are like a Liahona for each one of us. When we put God first and have faith in Him, He will lead us through our own wilderness."

Sister Laudy Ruth Kaouk

("How the Priesthood Blesses Youth")

"Along with our friends and family, the Holy Ghost is one of our most loyal and reliable companions. But in order to invite His constant companionship, we must place ourselves in situations and places where He will want to be present."

Brother Enzo Serge Petelo

("How the Priesthood Blesses Youth")

"Satan incites comparison as a tool to create feelings of being superior or inferior, hiding the eternal truth that men's and women's innate differences are God given and equally valued."

Sister Jean B. Bingham

("United in Accomplishing God's Work")

"...between 7,500 and 8,000 were baptized during the two missions of the Twelve to the British Isles... By the end of the 19th century, some 90,000 had gathered to America, with the most of these coming from the British Isles and Scandinavia."

President Henry B. Eyring

("He Goes before Us")

"...when a father is absent and a mother is the family leader. She presides in her home and is instrumental in bringing the power and blessings of the priesthood into her family through her endowment and sealing in the temple."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("The Melchizedek Priesthood and the Keys")

"...living in a day when the COVID-19 pandemic has put the whole world in commotion, let us not just talk of Christ or preach of Christ or employ a symbol representing Christ... Let us put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ into action!"

President Russell M. Nelson

("Opening the Heavens for Help")

SUNDAY MORNING SESSION

"We do not know when the Savior will return, but this we do know. We must be prepared in heart and mind, worthy to receive Him, and honored to be part of all that was prophesied so long ago."

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

("Fulfillment of Prophecy")

"Now, in case you are thinking, 'These are great 1,000-watt examples, but I'm a 20-watt bulb,' remember that the Savior testified, 'I am the light which ye shall hold up.' He reminds us that He will bring the light if we will just point others to Him."

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon

("That They May See")

"Because the Restoration reaffirmed the foundational truth that God does work in this world, we can hope, we should hope, even when facing the most insurmountable odds."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

("A Perfect Brightness of Hope")

"We do not come to the temple to hide from or escape the evils of the world. Rather, we come to the temple to conquer the world of evil."

Elder David A. Bednar

("'Let This House Be Built unto My Name'")

"It has never been more imperative to know how the Spirit speaks to you than right now. In the Godhead, the Holy Ghost is the messenger. He will bring thoughts to your mind which the Father and Son want you to receive."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Hear Him")

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

"In ways that have not been revealed, our actions in the spirit world have influenced our circumstances in mortality."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("The Great Plan")

"Personal revelation is available to all those who humbly seek guidance from the Lord. It is as important as prophetic revelation."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

("The Blessing of Continuing Revelation to Prophets and Personal Revelation to Guide Our Lives")

"...I have concluded that no matter what kind of storm is battering us—regardless of whether there is a solution to it or whether there is an end in sight—there is only one refuge, and it is the same for all types of storms."

Elder Ricardo P. Giménez

("Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life")

"If Jesus spent His mortal life ministering to 'the least of these,' would He not love them today? Is there not a place in His Church for all of God’s children? Even for those who feel unworthy, forgotten, or alone?"

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

("Come and Belong")

"Mortality always brings challenges, but time after time I have seen that those who strive to obey the commandments are blessed to find their way forward with peace and hope. Those blessings are available to everyone."

Elder L. Whitney Clayton

("The Finest Homes")

"If the light of the Holy Spirit burns within us, it will rekindle the Light of Christ within them. What you are lends authenticity to your invitation to come experience the joy of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

("Sharing the Message of the Restoration and the Resurrection")

"...you can still draw upon the power of your temple covenants and endowment as you honor your covenants. Please use this time when temples are closed to continue to live a temple-worthy life or to become temple worthy."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Go Forward with Faith")

Alison's Favorite Quote from Each October 2019 General Conference Talk

Life got a little interestingly wild over the past month or two, as we all well know. But I forcefully kept my tradition alive to tweet out one favorite quote from each of last General Conference's talks (Oct. 2019), according to the order in which they were given, and then throwing them all into one place in a blog post. Here goes:

SATURDAY MORNING

"To grasp the vision we are seeking, the healing that He promises, the significance we somehow know is here, we must cut through the commotion—joyful as it is—and fix our attention on Him."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

("The Message, the Meaning, and the Multitude")

"There is no treasure, nor any hobby, nor any status, nor any social media, nor any video games, nor any sport, nor any association with a celebrity, nor anything on earth that is more precious than eternal life."

Elder Terence M. Vinson
("True Disciples of the Savior")

"The adversary will try to persuade you that spiritual nourishment isn't necessary or, more cunningly, that it can wait. He is the master of distraction and author of procrastination."

Brother Stephen W. Owen

("Be Faithful, Not Faithless")

"In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were 'in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery.' Now, as accountable beings, we find joy in overcoming misery in whatever form...."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

("The Joy of the Saints")

"As you use your agency to carve out time every day to draw close to God's voice, especially in the Book of Mormon, over time His voice will become clearer and more familiar to you."

Sister Michelle Craig

("Spiritual Capacity")

"I invite you to commit to a lifelong process of discipleship. Make and keep covenants. Throw your old ways into deep, churning waterfalls. Completely bury your weapons of rebellion with no handles sticking out."

Elder Dale G. Renlund

("Unwavering Commitment to Jesus Christ")

"There is so much we do not know that our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("Trust in the Lord")

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

"....spiritual complacency and casualness make us vulnerable to the advances of the adversary. Spiritual thoughtlessness invites great danger into our lives."

Elder David A. Bednar

("Watchful unto Prayer Continually")

"Jesus Christ Himself is the Lord of lost things. He cares for lost things."

Elder Rubén V. Alliaud

("Found through the Power of the Book of Mormon")

"....our youth....they are unusually gifted in reaching out to others and sharing what they believe in a convincing fashion."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Witnesses, Aaronic Priesthood Quorums, and Young Women Classes")

"Our youth are being asked to take more individual responsibility at younger ages—without parents and leaders taking over what youth can do for themselves."

Elder Quentin L. Cook

("Adjustments to Strengthen Youth")

"Gratefully, we live in a time when prophets and apostles teach us of the Savior Jesus Christ. Following their counsel helps us establish a firm foundation in Christ."

Brother Mark L. Pace

("Come Follow Me—the Lord's Counterstrategy and Proactive Plan")

"We knew that the happiness he described was not simply pleasure or an elevated mood but a peace and joy that come when we surrender ourselves to God and put our trust in Him in all things."

Elder L. Todd Budge

("Consistent and Resilient Trust")

"We cannot assume that our children will learn to love the gospel on their own; it is our responsibility to teach them."

Elder Jorge M. Alvarado

("After the Trial of Our Faith")

"How important is it to you to keep your word? to be trusted? to do what you say you will do? to strive to honor your sacred covenants?"

Elder Ronald A. Rasband

("Standing by Our Promises and Covenants")

WOMEN'S SESSION

"Even if we do not know how to relate to what others are going through, validating that their pain is real can be an important first step in finding understanding and healing."

Sister Reyna I. Aburto

("Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!")

"The name we were given at birth reflects our individual identity and gives us belonging within our earthly families. However, when we were 'born again' at baptism, our understanding of who we are was enlarged."

Sister Lisa L. Harkness

("Honoring His Name")

"With a prayer in your heart, continue to reach out and be that force for good. As you do so, your life will be filled with kindness. You will have a better feeling toward others and will begin to see their goodness in return."

Sister Bonnie H. Cordon

("Beloved Daughters")

"Becoming a covenant woman in partnership with God is how great and good daughters of God have always mothered, led, and ministered, serving in whatever way and place He has prepared for them."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Covenant Women in Partnership with God")

"Regretfully, some persons facing these issues continue to feel marginalized and rejected by some members and leaders in our families, wards, and stakes. We must all strive to be kinder and more civil."

President Dallin H. Oaks

("Two Great Commandments")

"Let me be very clear about this: if the world loses the moral rectitude of its women, the world will never recover."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Spiritual Treasures")

SUNDAY MORNING

"Along life's path, we may lose faith in God, but He never loses faith in us. As it were, His porch light is always on."

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

("Covenant Belonging")

"Can we be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ, and share with others what brings us joy to our lives?"

Sister Cristina B. Franco

("Finding Joy in Sharing the Gospel")

"By the gift and power of moral agency, we determined that the potential of what we could learn and eternally become was well worth the risk.... And so, trusting the promises and power of God and His Beloved Son, we accepted the challenge."

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

("Your Great Adventure")

"If you feel that in any way you are not clean, if you feel broken, please know that you can be made clean, you can be mended, because He loves you. Trust that nothing bad can come from Him."

Elder Walter F. González

("The Savior's Touch")

"Command the enemy of your soul by saying: 'Go away! You have no glory. Do not tempt or lie to me! For I know I am a child of God. And I will always call upon my God for His help.'"

Elder Gary E. Stevenson

("Deceive Me Not")

"When we love God with all our hearts, He turns our hearts to the well-being of others in a beautiful, virtuous cycle."

President Russell M. Nelson

("The Second Great Commandment")

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

"Greater holiness will not come simply by asking for it. It will come by doing what is needed for God to change us."

President Henry B. Eyring

("Holiness and the Plan of Happiness")

"We all know where we can do better. There is no need to repeatedly remind each other, but there is a need to love and minister to each other and, in doing so, provide a climate of willingness to change."

Elder Hans T. Boom

("Knowing, Loving, and Growing")

"Brothers and sisters, please do not miss an opportunity to look into the eyes of your family members with love. Children and parents, reach out to each other and express your love and appreciation."

President M. Russell Ballard

("Giving Our Spirits Control over Our Bodies")

"My dear friends, please do not let anyone steal your happiness. Do not compare yourself to others."

Elder Peter M. Johnson

("Power to Overcome the Adversary")

"Please never give up after subsequent failures and consider yourself incapable of abandoning sins and overcoming addiction. You cannot afford to stop trying and thereafter continue in weakness and sin!"

Elder Ulisses Soares

("Take Up Our Cross")

"Please don't allow your questions, the insults of others, faithless friends, or unfortunate mistakes and disappointments to turn you away from the sweet, pure, and soul-satisfying blessings that come from the precious fruit of the tree."

Elder Neil L. Andersen

("Fruit")

"General conference next April will be different from any previous conference. In the next six months, I hope that every member and every family will prepare for a unique conference that will commemorate the very foundations of the restored gospel."

President Russell M. Nelson

("Closing Remarks")