Elle’s birthday was last Monday. She turned 12 years old! As we considered what we could do to celebrate Elle’s 12th birthday, lyrics from one of my brother’s songs came into my mind. “Don’t whisper softly the things that you want loudly to be.”

I cried Monday morning in yoga. Not bawling crying, not ugly crying — but a tear did roll down my cheek as I lay in shavasana. I cried about German Chocolate Cake.

About 6 years ago, I read this article in the Ensign about a man who memorized “The Family: A Proclamation to the World”. He wrote about how his life was blessed and touched by the memorization. After reading this man’s experience, I was inspired to memorize The Family Proclamation as well. I wanted the words and doctrine written in my heart.

We call it Family Council in Mormonland. The rest of you probaby call it a Family Meeting. Either way it’s important for families to have them. Like really important. In my mind, Family Meetings are right up there with Family Scripture Study and Family Prayer. In fact, I consider Family Council to be one of the weapons we have to use in the war to save families.

The moment you have all been waiting for….(you probably didn’t even notice I hadn’t told you yet)… My word for 2014… (20 days into January)… Drum roll please….

I realized if I said NO to this public speaking opportunity just out of laziness, then who am I to dream about public speaking? That’s like wanting to marry Ryan Gosling and then saying no when he asks you out on a date.