True Joy

There was a discussion a couple of weeks ago among my daughters about an Institute lesson.  My oldest was complaining that the Institute teacher was saying something about having joy, not fun.  My other daughter was pointing out that it's not joy in the way the world views it.

She wasn't happy with the idea that we're not here to 'have fun'.  We're here to learn, grow and have joy.  There's a big difference between having fun and feeling joy.  Fun is a fleeting thing.  Joy is something that resonates in your soul.

This past week we were privileged to participate in my brother and his wife going through the temple.  The past year has been such an amazing one, with him coming back into activity and her joining the church.  Having them go through the temple was like the pinnacle of the mountain -- what an amazing day!!

When we thought of how our parents were feeling in the spirit world, our emotions couldn't be held back.  In the Celestial room, we had a group hug and I reminded them that mom and dad were there, watching us and so very happy that their children were back where they wanted us to be.  I still tear up just remembering it.

And then they were sealed.

I had really not felt such joy before!  I mean, the day I married my wonderful hubby was pretty close, but I knew so much more how special this was!  This shot is when they came out of the temple and my daughter was blowing bubbles for them.  Inez was helping the bubbles to float up, and it was the cutest thing ever!!!

The emotions and feeling of that day are forever engraved on my heart.  To see my brother so very happy, and to know that he is now part of the eternal family circle, just makes me so very thankful for the many blessings our Heavenly Father has given us.  It's difficult to express!  And I claim to be a writer!  Sigh.

Such a romantic day, so many feelings and such JOY.  That was what I would have loved to have pointed out to my daughter.  There was fun stuff, but this day was all JOY.  We were content.  We were thrilled.  It was such a strong wonderful feeling, that I hope they never loose.  

Thank you Lord.  For my brothers, my wonderful sister-in-laws, and my amazing husband.  I have been so richly blessed.

Count The Blessings...

Have you thought of what this earth would be like if Satan had won? He had promised that we'd never have pain, never be hurt and would all come back to Heavenly Father...

In thinking about that today, (I had loads of time to think, I was working at the cannery, and you know it's not a real brain job...grin) I realized this is one of the reasons we have The Arts.

The Plan of Happiness, is just that -- an eternal plan for our happiness.

Just think if we didn't have the arts in our lives -- there would be no music, theater, no real color, no upliftment. (I'm not sure if that's a word...) The many gifts and talents we have been given as children of our Heavenly Father enrich our lives.

I was thinking of this because I remembered my daughter saying how she didn't like to be like anyone else, she liked to be different -- unique. What is kind of funny about that statement, is that it's usually because they want to look just like their friends...Gangs are another example of this -- they are different, but all the members have to look very similar, have similar clothes, tattoos, etc.

Satan likes to make us think that we have be like others to fit in. That our outward expressions must be like everyone elses, and we have to do certain things to be happy.

Heavenly Father and The Savior have taught us that we are each special in our own way. We are each different, and we each have our own talents and challenges.

I find the idea that we each have our own talents a wonderful thing. Just think if everyone only painted in watercolor, or just in oils, or perhaps only did pen and ink? The world would be soooo limited.

I believe part of the reason we have these wonderful gifts and talents, is to bring us joy. Think about colors for a moment...does the color black make you happy? Bring a smile to your face? Not likely... But how about the color yellow? or a poppy orange? Cheer, brighten and uplift -- that is the purpose of the arts in our lives.

What amazed me is that even when they were first building up this valley, the pioneers made time for music, plays, entertainment, dances. They knew that such things brought enrichment to their lives. They knew that to be without them, life would not be rich -- we would simply be existing.

To simply exist is what Satan wanted. We would come to earth, get our bodies, exist through this trial of time, and then we'd die and go back to Heaven. There was nothing about enrichment, growth and knowledge.

What we are given instead, is a wonderful time of joy, enlightenment, enrichment with family and friends, exploration of senses, places and amazement at the planet he gifted us with. Truly He has given us such wonderful things in this life to enjoy and bring us happiness!

It's hard to realize that this life we live is only a blink in the eternities. When we die and go back home, all will be clear, and we'll realize that everything that seemed important here, is nothing. The only things we will be able to take with us are those thoughts, emotions, memories that we created while here. (Along with family!)

So I urge you to find joy. Find happiness in the world around you. Find it in the arts...whether it be music, painting, theater, movies, who knows...the list is endless and available. We've talked about museums, festivals, the fairs that are going on and coming up. There is food all around us -- it's up to us to partake and find joy.

I wish color, happiness and joy for all of you.

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