happiness: noun

a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy

b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience 

It's a simple definition for a simple feeling of bliss and contentment--a feeling that I've become rather accustomed to here. There are so many things that I would add to the definition of happiness. Friends, can I tell you a bit more about what defines happiness in my mind?

Happiness is singing hymns on the Sabbath at the Garden Tomb.

Happiness is hiking through fields laden with wildflowers in Galilee.

Happiness is poking jellyfish while collecting seashells and sea glass along the Mediterranean waterside (despite the look of disgust on my face).

Don't worry--it was dead & I only touched the top anyway; I learned my lesson from Finding Nemo.

Happiness is looking out across this beautiful ocean.

Happiness is discovering that your suitcase's handles double as straps & that you must have been a Sherpa in a previous life. 

This was even more impressive when I was carrying my backpack in front of me & holding the bus doc bag.

Happiness is blue skies smiling down on fields of gold.

Happiness is climbing trees in Chorazin.

Look how color coordinated we are!

Happiness is hiking with the little ones.

Cam has such a way with children.

Happiness is poppies and pillars.

Happiness is castles in a storm & Catholic saints spangled with the light of stained glass windows.

Happiness is playing April Fools jokes on/with your best friends.

Sorry boys, Carrie & I couldn't resist. Neither could the dozen people that called both of you. :)

Happiness is wind blowing through your hair under an ancient Roman arch & not even caring because you're under an ancient Roman arch along the Mediterranean. 

But perhaps the key to the blissful feeling I have on this lovely Sunday morning in Jerusalem: Happiness is staying up until 1 a.m. to watch General Conference, streaming live from Salt Lake City. 

 

If you're looking for something uplifting to do this weekend, I suggest you tune in for some prophetic messages of hope, faith, and happiness. What could be better than listening to wise words about our Saviors love and the importance of the family?

Not much. 

Except for maybe wandering around here afterwords:

The Way I Am

So, there's been a serious lack of blogging on my part lately, but when you spend all your time writing essays, writing just for fun looses a bit of its allure. However, I shall be going home to my beloved little hick town this summer & will have a LOT of free time. And as we all know, a lot of free time = a lot of random ramblings on my part.

Also - I would like to officially welcome Mr. Keaton Jolley, whose name fits him so perfectly it's astounding, to this little blogging circle. You should check out his blog, he's got some pretty spiffy stuff going.

Oh, blogging... what a wonderful journey of self expression and self discovery. Try it. You'll be addicted, but in a good way, like you get addicted to running or swimming or chocolate. :) I know a lot of my posts don't really seem to have a point, but just know, they are always inspired by whatever I'm musing about most. Sometimes you lucky people just get to read the thoughts that spill over - sometimes there's not room in my head for all of it, so this is where it goes.

Lastly, Happy Easter! I love Easter - I love all the trees in bloom, the fresh green grass, the promise of summer on the way. And mostly I love my Savior. I am so grateful for His sacrifice so that I might be able to live with Him and my family after this life. He can be our constant help and companion if we just let Him in to our lives and hearts.

THIS is very tender and very applicable to each and every one of us.

Reflections on Forever

I know I've been writing about the temple a lot, but it's been on my mind a lot. This is actually a paper that I wrote for my missionary preparation class. I sort of forgot about it until this morning, but this idea for a post has been floating around in my head all weekend, so it wasn't too hard to turn into a paper.

Families Can Be Together Forever

One of the first songs we learn as children in Primary is “Families Can Be Together Forever.” We grow up with this beautiful knowledge planted deep within us, never needing to wonder if we will see our loved ones after death. Through the blessings and ordinances of the covenants made in the temple, we can be sealed to our spouse for time and all eternity. There is no disclaimer of “’til death do you part.” This simple truth about the eternal nature of marriage and families sets The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart.

In Matthew 18:18 it says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” By being obedient to the covenants we make, we can guarantee ourselves a place in the celestial kingdom with the one we love by our side. The doctrine of eternal families is crucial to the teachings of the Gospel and has been since the beginning of time with Adam and Eve.

The LDS Church invests a great deal of time and money into the construction of temples. These beautiful structures now dot the globe. Why put so much into building temples? The ordinances and covenants made within the temple are key to our religion. It is within the walls of the temple that we can learn the answers to “the terrible why questions” as my dad, a convert to the LDS Faith, likes to call them. We are taught about our origin before this mortal life, our purpose on this earth, our relationship to God, and the life to come. In an article entitled, “Why These Temples?” Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Parents are partners with God in bringing to pass his eternal purposes with reference to his children. The family, therefore, is a divine institution, the most important both in mortality and in eternity.” Families play a crucial role in the Gospel; the importance of families was emphasized in “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” as well as countless addresses given by leaders of the LDS Church.

The Sealing Room in the Draper Temple.

This past week I was able to attend the Draper Temple open-house, once with my parents and later with my fabulous friend, Samanta. Both experiences were wonderful; I felt enfolded in a sense of peace and pure joy. While visiting the temple with my parents, I felt a strong reaffirmation of the knowledge that our families can be together for eternity. This year has been tough on my family. My dad, who has been battling Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for years suffered his second relapse in October. Although we have been incredibly blessed and comforted, treatments have not been as successful as we had hoped and we have had to face the idea of our family being separated in this life. Standing in the sealing room with my mom and dad beside me, I looked into the mirrors and saw our little family reflected for eternity. I felt a feeling of comfort as I looked at our smiling reflection and knew that no matter what trials we face in the coming months, we are sealed to each other for time and all eternity. The bonds between us cannot be broken by time or death. They are the result of an enduring holy covenant that has been ordained by God.

I am so grateful for the knowledge of the eternal nature of families. Like it says in the Primary song, I know that families can be together forever through Heavenly Father’s plan. In Ecclesiastes 3:14 it says, “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it.” The beauty of the temple itself only serves to highlight the beautiful simplicity and truth of this doctrine. We do not promise to be true and faithful until the end of this life; we promise for eternity. Like the reflection in the mirror, my family will continue to stand together forever, in this life as well as into the next.

My Purpose

I originally started this blog for a New Testament class I was enrolled in last semester here at Brigham Young University. I was blogging to share my beliefs, my thoughts, my dreams. As of late, I've been slacking off on the spiritual/serious blogs a bit. I'd like to go back to the roots of this blog.

To quote a great children's hymn, "I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know who I am; I know God's plan, I'll follow Him in faith. I believe in the Savior Jesus Christ, I'll honor His name. I'll do what is right, I'll follow His light - His truth I will proclaim!"

When I was younger, that was one of my very favorite children's hymns. And it still holds true. So, I am going back to my roots & the roots of this blog & shall again be posting about things of a more spiritual nature. No worries, I'll probably still right odes to my favorite colors & post about cake, but it's been awhile since I've written anything with much meaning. That should change.

Also, if you've just tripped on to my blog, please check out some of the things I've written in the past & leave your comments. I LOVE COMMENTS & if you have any questions, whether about cancer, BYU, the LDS Faith, or just me, I'd love to try and answer them as best as I can.

Forever

I went to an open house for the newly constructed Temple in Draper, Utah last night. When my roommate called to see if I wanted to go, I almost said no. I was sort of grumpy, I had just stepped in a puddle, my swimming class had been a bit pointless, & she was planning on leaving in fifteen minutes. I was currently 10 minutes from home, slightly wet, & smelling of chlorine. But I decided to get over myself & go. I am so incredibly grateful that I did.
A Temple open house is a chance for everyone to go to a newly built temple and see what it's really like before it is dedicated for worship services. Temples are beautiful, peaceful, holy pieces of heaven on earth. As soon as we were within sight of the temple, all my grouchiness melted away. During our tour of this incredible building, I felt a spirit of peace and happiness.

Temples are perhaps the most important element of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon Church). In temples we are taught important principles of the Gospel, we are given commandments that help us return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and, most importantly, we are sealed to our families for time & all eternity. In a temple marriage, there is no "'til death do you part." We believe that by being sealed to your husband or wife in the temple, you are sealed together forever by a bond that even death cannot break.

I am not a great teacher. I am not a great speaker. But I do have great faith. Because of the beautiful comforting spirit I have felt in the temples I have attended, I have no doubt that my family will be together forever. I know that that blessing is available to every person on this earth who is willing to live the commandments given by God. I don't know all the answers, but I will share what I know.

For a great article about why we have temples, click HERE.

Click here for more general information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS Temples.

Also - yes, I am aware that sometimes my music choices to go w/ my blogs are a bit cheesy. But these are two of my favorite forever songs. :D & I like cheese.