Joy in the Journy

Conference this past weekend and was wonderful. The boys actually did well. The were to sit through the prayers, the songs and when ever the Prophet spoke.... and they did!! I was so proud of them. I really like Conference and look forward to getting the Ensign so I can read the talks that were given. Now when I heard President Monson speak about this topic "Joy in the Journey" I had to laugh. Because my friend Lucy has a blog called Joy in the Journey. (yes, Lucy I do think he got the idea from your blog)

His talk was truly refreshing. I think sometimes we forget to just enjoy the time we have here on earth "Adam fell that we might be, and men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25) I know that sometime I get to busy and forget to look at the sunset, or see the flowers that are blooming, I miss an important teaching moment, either for myself or the boys because I'm too caught up in the chaos of life. Yes, we are sent here to be tested, and to prove our faithfulness, but we are to smile and laugh too. We have sorrow, so we can truly enjoy the happiness and joy that is around us. I want to have a home that is joyful, where the Spirit can be. I know we won't be happy 100% of the time, but when the boys are grown I want to look back and say "Yes, we experience joy, pure joy." I also think we are to find joy within ourselves. Sometimes trying to make things happy for the boys I forget about myself. What are things that I truly find joy in? Do I go out of my way so that I can find the joy in this life? I don't think this is a selfish thing. It can be as simple as playing a song that I like, or reading a chapter of a book. I know the Lord wants me to be happy, I know that he wants to see me smile.

I know that at times I succumb to life's stresses, especially now since Steve is gone. Sometimes it's hard to find joy in anything let alone just the little things in life. Sometimes it's hard to even want to find the joy that is around us. But I think that if we can take a step back and see the whole picture we will understand what is meant for us. We are all given trials, and how we deal with them, and learn from them says a lot about who we are. Do we get angry, or put our faith in the Lord knowing that all will be well in the end, when ever that is. I think it's so important to find the joy that is there (as hard as it is sometimes) during these times of trials. I know the Lord will never leave me alone, and if I can find the the small ray of light I can follow that out. There is so much that is given to us, so much out there to find joy in. It's the "doing" that takes work. It's easier for some than for others but I know that it's there, that happiness is there for all of us brings hope.

I am so thankful for President Monson and that he was inspired to give this talk for me, and everyone else that was needing to know that we are here to have JOY.