Christmas 2008
It’s been said that one of the primary purposes of this life is to learn by experience. If that’s true, then there’s been a lot of learning going on in the Barney Family this year.
Becky’s entire life revolves around learning. She’s in her 2nd year at Brigham Young University and loves living in Provo, Utah. In addition to the learning related to her college classes, Becky has learned a lot about teaching kids in her job as an instructor at a music academy in Utah Valley. Her plan is to continue her formal learning at Utah Valley University next year as she studies to become a dental hygienist. After a quick trip home for Thanksgiving, Becky also learned that winters in Arizona are tough to beat!
Matt continues to polish up his Spanish as well as his knowledge of scriptures and gospel principles as he serves as a missionary in North Carolina. He’s also focused on the learning of his new companion since receiving the assignment to be a trainer of new missionaries. One more thing Matt’s learned is how to quickly figure out how to work new cameras, since he’s now on his 3rd one in 18 months!
Mike is learning how to be a good husband since his wedding to Brenda Recinos in August. Both Mike and Brenda continue their formal education as students at a local community college. In the past two years, Brenda, who is from Guatemala, has learned to speak English very well, and Mike continues to perfect the Spanish he first learned as a missionary in Peru a few years ago. We all learned that Brenda’s parents are wonderful people when they visited Arizona last month for a couple of weeks.
In her new role as a manager at a local Fantastic Sam’s hair salon, Kathy is learning how run a business and deal with employees. She’s discovered that some of those lessons are more fun than others. She’s definitely learned how to spoil her 3 nieces and 1 nephew. She’s really looking forward to learning first-hand about Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico, when she and one of her roommates embark on a cruise in January.
Heather and Dean have learned that life is never boring when you have 4 small children. Taylor (6), and Emily (5) both love learning new things in 1st grade and pre-kindergarten. Anna (3) learns, and uses, new words every day. Brigham (1) has learned everything from crawling to walking to making his grandparents smile. Dean’s learning that there are fewer motorcycles and ATVs to repair in these tough economic times. It’s a good thing Heather’s already learned how to be a frugal home manager.
Sandy is learning that there are plusses and minuses to being empty nesters. She’s learning to value family more than ever, even while she’s learning to really enjoy time to herself to get things done. Her new assignment as choir director at church is creating many opportunities to stretch and learn new things. She continues to learn many new things as a result of her love of and commitment to reading-- everything from novels to scriptures.
After four trips to Utah this year (2 weddings, a family reunion, and taking Becky to school) Larry’s definitely learned how to get there—without a map or GPS device! He’s also learned that the commute to work is much easier when you work weird hours—like 11 pm to 7:30 am, or 4 am to 12:30 pm. He’s learned that there’s no longer anyone at home to delegate certain chores to—like taking out the garbage. And he’s learned that putting up Christmas lights by himself is tougher and less fun than doing it with his sons.
So there you have it. A smorgasbord of learning opportunities in one short year. Evidence that we’ve been actively engaged in living. Chances are good the learning will continue next year, it’s an unavoidable part of life. But we’ve also learned that we often have a choice about the things we study and learn, and that some things are of more value than others. As we look to a new year, may we follow the advice of He who was born in a stable:
“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”
Merry Christmas from the Barneys!
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