One More Year Has Gone

by Anna Arnett

Isn't it hard to believe that 2008 has only hours left to exist? That is, if time ever does really exist. Perhaps it's only a figment of our imagination, yet it dominates our mortal lives. I've tried for about eighty years to train the clock to stop while I goofed off. It should be possible. After all, Joshua asked the sun to "stand still upon Gibeon" and the moon to stay "in the valley of Ajalon", and "the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day" until Joshua and his people "had avenged themselves upon their enemies." We don't dwell much on this story, but still it's translated as such in Joshua 10:12-13. With a sigh of regret, I suppose when one procrastinates, one has no business asking for the time back.

It's been a full year, with many triumphs, but also 2008 leaves behind a lot of unfinished business I'd hoped to have already done. Great. That gives me challenge, renewed hope, and something to live for in 2009.

My thoughts turn to the song I sang as a girl (and even accompanied in Sunday School) at the passing of each year: Here it is, composed by "Mrs. M. B. C. Slade"; No. 44, straight from the old brown book of Deseret Sunday School Songs with only three single word changes to fit us ANWA writers, who are alwo teachers and scholars. Maybe a few of you might even remember it.

"One More Year Has Gone

"One more year has gone! Joyful marching on,
We this height have won; Resting here.
Back a look we cast, O'er the journey past,
Then we'll view, at last, The coming year.

Chorus:
"Teachers, scholars, rally round our banner,
See its motto shining fair and clear;
Onward! Upward! Writers sing hosanna!
God will lead us thro' another year.

Chorus:

"Glad we here have come, Oh, sweet ANWA home,
None from thee would roam, Blessed place!
Here our feet have turned, Here our hearts have burned,
Here our souls have learned The works of grace.

Chorus:

"Forward marching, we Our bright way would see,
Upward, Lord, to Thee, Climbing still.
Be our Guide, we pray--Ev'ry writing day
Teach us, Lord, the way, And Thy dear will.

Chorus:

"Father, hear our call, Let Thy blessings fall
On Thy children all, Drawing near.
May sweet show'rs of love Thy dear presence prove,
While we on-ward move Another year.

Chorus:
"Teachers, scholars, rally round our banner,
See its motto shining fair and clear;
Onward! Upward! Writers sing hosanna!
God will lead us thro' another year."

And He will. Have a joyful, spiritual, blessed, prosperous, productive New Year.