Happy New Year

Though I should make a New Year's resolution to be better at updating my family's blog, I'm not going to. I realize that this isn't going to come as a blow to most people, but to those of you (like me) who thrive on the new updates of friends and family via one or more products offered by Google, I apologize.

All in all, we had a pretty good year. Sure, we had ups and downs along with the rest of the world, but it turned out to be just fine (as it always does and always will).

Maya came to us in January and has brought so much happiness with her goofy little personality. She and Caden absolutely complete my wife and I. It's amazing I made it this far in my life without those people. Maya's coming, however, wasn't at all easy. A week after she was born, Ai had sudden and unexpected complications that almost took her from me. In fact, doctors were preparing me for the worst. But, I put my hands on her head in a special way and we both knew that she would be fine.

I have always wanted to be a Seminary teacher, but I found out this year that it wasn't to be. This gave me a new resolve to focus on another love: music. I have really worked hard to be a better musician and have found such satisfaction in doing so. I have been able to work with people in the music world that have changed my life. One of them shared this poem with me:

"I sit here as a man humbled
by the gift in my hand.
Burdened by the weight of my humanity,
Amazed by the power of God.
Who am I,
That the God of this world offer me this gift?
Who am I,
That I have been chosen,
to touch the heart with sound?
Really.
It's not because of who I am,
But because of who he is.
He chose what was least in this world,
So that his glory might be seen.
I am by all accounts one who is
Least in this world.
I have failed more times
Than I have succeeded.
Even with the best of intentions,
I get it wrong.
Yet I know,
That when I close my eyes and blow,
He moves through me."
- Maketta Nicole Wilcoxson

I try to practice, teach, and play with that philosophy and it makes a differece. It's amazing what happens when priorities and motives are in the right place.

The kids are well, Ai never ceases to show me what true love really means, and I'm just trying to keep up with them.

Happy New Year! Things were great in '08, and they're gonna be fine in '09!