Finding the Silver Lining

This past Sunday, the main theme I went home with was Happiness. I am so glad that I am able to find happiness in my daily life. This has not always been the case. I heard so many great things I wanted to share, that we decided to have our FHE on this topic. Here is what we did:

1st I read from the True to theFaith manual.

Testifying of God’s “eternal purposes,” the prophet Lehi taught, “Men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:15, 25).

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. His plan for our salvation is often called “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8). 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.

Many people try to find happiness and fulfillment in activities that are contrary to the Lord’s commandments. Ignoring God’s plan for them, they reject the only source of real happiness. They give in to the devil, who “seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). Eventually they learn the truth of Alma’s warning to his son Corianton: “Wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).

Others seek only to have fun in life. With this as their main goal, they allow temporary pleasure to distract them from lasting happiness. They rob themselves of the enduring joys of spiritual growth, service, and hard work.

As you seek to be happy, 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.

Your happiness can be contagious. As others observe you, they may desire to know the source of your joy. Then they can also experience the happiness that comes through living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Then I shared some things I heard in sacrament meeting that rang true. First of all, happiness is based on our attitude. We have to want to be happy, in order to BE happy. Serving will bring us happiness. Reading the scriptures, expecially the Book of Mormon, will bring us happiness. Saying our prayers and listening to the Holy Ghost will make us happy. Also, happiness is a consequence.

Then a story was told about traveling and in heavy traffic seeing a vehical full of a family with a lot of kids. On a bumper sticker were the words: Are we having fun yet? The speaker asked us if we were having fun yet in our journey.
Happiness will remind us of heaven. If we are choosing the right, we will be truely happy no matter what is happening. But if we are not choosing the right, we will not be truely happy.

In Relief Society, the lesson was based on the conference talk by President Uchtdorf, The Infinite Power of Hope. The main points that I took home are: Hope has the power to fill our lives with happiness.The things we hope for are usually future events. The things we hope in sustain us through our daily lives. And, we learn to cultivate hope the same way we learn to walk, one step at a time.

We have had someone sick in our house for the past three weeks. This has taken a toll on all of us. When Emma ended up in the hospital, I felt bad. I needed to take care of all the children, but didn't want to leave her alone. I decided to stay with her and return home for short periods of time. I would go home to help get the kids to bed, or to have lunch with them. I used this time to spend great one-on-one time with Emma. I held her quite a bit. Then when she would be awake and feeling a little better, we would sing songs and do finger plays/stories. We had a lot of fun. She now will come up to me and do a hand motion to a song or play and want us to do this together.
Then last week when we were all sick again with colds and stomach flu, it was also TV free week. I was so wanting to give up (and finally did on Friday when three little girls and I were sick). But I decided that I could read books to them. So we would sit on the couch surrounded by books and kids, and we would read. Then when they were feeling more happy, I would quickly go re-start the laundry or pick up really quick. I also decided that since I don't watch TV, I would give up the computer. I did balance my checkbook and check my e-mail and facebook a few times, but I didn't go to any blogs (until Saturday when we were rechecking how to do Elyse's hair for prom, but I'll tell more about that later).
I did let Jayden play the wii one day with is friends, but just until Ari got home, as he is the only one who was really participating.
So basically, my house is still quite behind in the clean department, but I did get to spend some great one-on-one time with the kids. I do still want all this sickness to leave us. And now it is hard with the little ones being a bit too needy, but we did have fun reading and singing. Pin It