Happiness

I've thought a lot about happiness in the last few days and weeks.  In this world there is so much sorrow and sin, but we can find happiness and rejoice in our blessings!  "Heavenly Father desires that we find true, lasting happiness.  Our happiness is the design of all the blessings He gives us - gospel teachings, commandments, priesthood ordinances, family relationships, prophets, temples, the beauties of creation, and even the opportunity to experience adversity...He sent His Beloved Son to carry out the Atonement so we can be happy in this life and receive a fulness of joy in the eternities." [True to the Faith]

I have noticed myself and many others having many "fun" experiences in this life.  Fun experiences are great and often help us in developing lasting relationships with friends and family.  But "remember that the only way to real happiness is to live the gospel.  You will find peaceful, eternal happiness as you strive to keep the commandments, pray for strength, repent of your sins, participate in wholesome activities, and give meaningful service.  You will learn to have fun within the limits set by a loving Father in Heaven." [True to the Faith]

I am learning that I don't have to go out and be surrounded with friends participating in great and extravagant activities in order to feel this happiness.  In fact, as I was serving in the temple last night I felt the happiest I have felt in a long time.  I couldn't stop smiling through the session I was helping with ~ it was an irreplaceable feeling.  President Hoopes gave a thought during our prayer meeting yesterday that has really stuck with me.  He spoke of being happy for others and rejoicing in their achievements and blessings.  He reviewed Elder Holland's talk "The Laborers in the Vineyard."

"We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed.  The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those." I have been guilty of looking around me and wishing for others' blessings, but I have been reminded through study and prayer these last few days that we are all children of our Heavenly Father and He loves us all infinitely.  He loves us so much that He knows when we need certain blessings, and He even knows when we need certain blessings withheld so we can learn important principles and gain deep and lasting testimony.  As I take these opportunities to develop testimony, I know I will feel real happiness.  

I am so grateful to have opportunities to feel pure joy and happiness through this gospel!

Friends

I am so grateful for wonderful friends!  I have been amazed lately at how blessed I am!  I know without a doubt that people are placed in our lives at exactly the right moment, and I also know that sometimes they are pulled out of our lives at exactly the right moment [even if it seems miserable and hard].  But either way, we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who have their hands in our lives.

I have been blessed with many friends who have blessed my life at various times, but I am going to share about a few friends who are acting as major blessings right now ~ I wish I had pictures to share of all of them, but words will have to do for now!

Ali McRae is a wonderful, sweet friend who I met through the singles ward.  Ali worked with Chelsea last summer, and I kept hearing all about how wonderful she is.  A few months later, Ali moved into the ward, and I was blessed to develop a friendship with her.  Ali and I then had the opportunity to serve together in the Relief Society Presidency.  Ali has been such a great example of perseverance and love.  She has invited me to her house on many nights to talk and laugh and cry.  I am so grateful for her listening ear and loving heart!

Haleigh Holt is an angel friend who has been in my life through think and thin.  I grew up in the same ward as Haleigh, but we became especially close in my senior year of high school as I was struggling to find my place among friends.  Haleigh and Whitney were my "go to girls"  when I needed a fun night out!  Haleigh recently returned home from her mission and I have loved the times we have spent talking and sharing our testimonies in the last few months.  She has taught me so much through her quiet strength and love.

Holly Migel is an amazing friend who I met in middle school.  We played sports together in high school and have continued to develop our friendship ever since.  Holly is a great listener, and she knows just when we need to get out and find ourselves an adventure!  I went to visit Holly last week in Idaho Falls and after spending several hours talking, she informed me that she purchased a Harley Davidson!  I seriously couldn't stop laughing!  So we took an awesome ride on her Harley!  It was a blast!

We decided we hadn't had enough adventure, so yesterday we spent the day enjoying warm weather and dizzy heads at Lagoon!   It was the best day to go because we didn't stand in lines for longer than 5-10 minutes.  It was great, until we decided to go on the Samurai twice back-to-back!  Then we had to do some bench sitting while my stomach returned to its normal self!  We spent a few hours relaxing in the lazy river, and then came home!  I know that my Heavenly Father knew from the moment Holly and I met that we would be in the same situation in our lives right now and would need each other to skip, crawl, run, and drag each other through it!

I also wouldn't be where I am without two amazing friends who I met at BYU-Idaho...Ashley Storey and Amanda Jeffrey.  They don't live in Idaho, so visits are seldom but I know that these two will answer every text message and phone call I make.  And I am amazed at how they always say exactly what I need to hear.  I was able to visit Ashley on my way home from Bakersfield this spring, and I will be visiting Amanda for a few days in July; I am so grateful for these two!   They had and still have a great impact in shaping me into who I am today!

I would be missing the greatest friends in my life if I left out my parents and siblings.  I have been blessed with an amazing family!  I have wonderful sisters and an amazing sister-in-law!    They are really all a girl could ask for!  They listen to me, reassure me, tell me things will work out, play the piano with me, learn with me, laugh with me, play games with me, and mostly just love me for who I am!

I also have wonderful brothers and an awesome brother-in-law.  They are great examples of worthy priesthood holders, husbands, and fathers...and I am never worried about whether I will be safe and taken care of properly when they are around!  I hope I can someday find a young man to marry who is just as great as they are...I would consider myself the luckiest girl in the world!  

I also have a mom and dad who are all I could ask for and more.  They are the first to give a comforting hug and say "I love you."  They can read my thoughts and emotions through my eyes and know when I am in need.  My dad is always willing and ready to exercise his priesthood, and I know my mom's prayers are heard and answered through her faith and testimony.  My parents are the best examples I could look to!

And I am blessed with the cutest, sweetest, most adorable nieces and nephews on this planet!  They are so much fun, and I cherish this time I have in my life to develop relationships with them!

Father's Day

I have been blessed with an amazing Dad!  He has an ability to love unconditionally and will always do whatever it takes to make his children happy and comfortable.  He has taught me how to work hard, play hard, take time to enjoy the small moments,  be willing to make adjustments, put people before things, love unconditionally, and prioritize what truly matters most.  I am blessed!

CES Devotionals

I came across a wonderful website this last week that has occupied the quiet times in my life.  The website has video recordings of the last CES Devotionals given.  This last week I listened to Elder Holland's talks "Israel, Israel, God Is Calling" and "Lessons From Liberty Jail," and Elder Bednar's talk "That We Might 'Not...Shrink.'"   I felt especially touched by Elder Bednar's talk this time.  He spoke of having faith "to not be healed."  I began to replace the word "healed" with other words that apply more fully to my life and I am now gaining more faith in my Savior and loving Heavenly Father.

Here is the website for uplifting listening!

CES Devotionals

AromaTouch Technique

I have been praying and pondering lately on what my next step is.  I have debated starting into a second Master Degree or starting work on a PhD.  I have this great yearning to continue learning and growing!  I was introduced to Foot Zoning several months ago by a dear friend, and I have been intrigued each time she works on my feet.  I have felt a desire to learn how to zone feet, but the class being offered would require me to miss 10 days of school...since I am only given 3 personal days each year, I knew it wasn't possible to take the class at this time.  I was feeling frustrated because it is something that interests me.  So I prayed to know what I could do.

Within a few hours of this prayer, my sister-in-law texted me and asked if I wanted to go to an AromaTouch Certification class.  I felt like that was the answer I was waiting for so I quickly committed.  So, Deidre and I spent all day Saturday learning how to administer the technique.  We each received one technique and gave one technique as part of the certification.  It was a cool experience to learn, and I am excited to start helping others find balance in their lives by receiving the technique.  So if this is something that interests you, let me know!  I am now just waiting for my massage table and set of oils to get going!

A Single Voice

I am going to write about one other book that I finished last week.  If I were to choose one book that has impacted me the most in the last year, it would have to be Sister Oaks' book titled, A Single Voice.  Sister Oaks was single until she met Elder Oaks.  In her book, she talks about the emotions that come with living as a single sister in this wonderful church.

I first read this book in December and loved every page.  I decided to reread the book a few weeks ago, and I felt especially touched.  As I read each and every page, I felt like she was perfectly explaining all the feelings and emotions that I feel everyday.  I feel like I could read the book 100 times and something new will touch me each time.  Sister Oaks' example has allowed me to understand that it is okay for me to have minutes here and there where I feel lonely as long as I quickly remember all that I have to be grateful for!  This last week I have been blessed with opportunities to see things to be grateful for...opportunities and experiences that I would have missed out on if I were in the next stage of my life.  I am grateful for wonderful people who help me regain perspective and continue on in faith and love!    

The Work of Creation

With school being out, I have found time to read many good books in the last few weeks.  This last week I reread President Uchtdorf's book The Remarkable Soul of a Woman.  This was a "feel good" book that reminded me of my worth.  There is a section in the book titled "The Work of Creation."  When I got to this section, I honestly debated skipping over it because I imagined that it would be all about having children and raising a family.  But I decided to read it anyway, and much to my surprise it ended up touching me the most.

President Uchtdorf writes about our inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.  We all want to create and we all can create.  "...remember that you are a spirit daughter of the most creative Being in the universe.  Isn't it remarkable to think that your very spirit is fashioned by an endlessly creative and eternally compassionate God?  Think about it - your spirit body is a masterpiece, created with a beauty, function, and capacity beyond imagination..."  He explains that happiness is found through creating.

I felt this happiness this week as a result of creation.  I spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoon and evening working with several wonderful women creating a writing  curriculum and assessment for the 4th grade in our district.  When we finished Wednesday night, the happiness I felt as a result of creating something wonderful was overwhelming!  

So I decided that I need to do better at developing my talents and finding new hobbies that will allow me to create.  So I will be making a trip to Deseret Industries in the next few weeks in hopes to find something that I can restore and make beautiful!  What a simple way to find happiness in this life - CREATE!

Consider the Lilies

As I was reading in 3 Nephi 13 today, I was once again enlightened.  I have always enjoyed the song "Consider the Lilies" but I don't think I have ever taken thought to really listen to and understand the words.  After reading the end of chapter 13, I decided to reread the lyrics:

"Consider the lilies of the field,

how they grow, how they grow."

"Consider the birds in the sky,

How they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds in the sky.

And he will feed those who trust him,

And guide them with His eye."

"Consider the sheep of his fold,

How they follow where he leads.

Though the path may wind across the mountains,

He knows the meadows where they feed."

"He clothes the lilies of the field.

He feeds the birds in the sky,

And he will feed those who trust him,

And guide them with his eye."

"Consider the sweet, tender children

Who must suffer on this earth..."

The pains of all of them he carried

From the day of his birth.

He clothes the lilies of the field,

He feeds the lambs in His fold,

And he will heal those who trust him,

And make their hearts as gold."

My heart was touched as I thought of the faith of those apostles.  Christ told them to go and preach and not worry because He would tend to their every care.  He tested their faith, and they stepped forward a few steps into the dark and then the light began to shine forth.  What great examples!

It caused me to reflect on my own life ~ do I believe Christ?  Do I truly understand that He will guide me and heal me? Am I willing to step into the dark until the light shines through the clouds?  I find that some days and through some trials I can answer with a resounding "YES!"  Other days I feel a more subdued, "yeah,"  but either way ~  I know without a doubt that He will guide me, heal me, love me, care for me, and provide comfort and peace.

He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my Brother, and Best Friend.