Finding Joy

When I was at "Time Out For Women" a couple weeks ago, the main theme of the meeting was how to find joy in your life. This concept struck a chord with me because my nature does not necessarily seek after joy. It prefers to focus on all of my anxieties and things that I feel are lacking in my life. I have wasted a lot of precious moments being consumed with my frustrations instead of trying to find the joy that is right in front of me. I have tried to be more aware of this since that day and it's interesting to note that joy does not come from external things. They really are right in front of me - in the simplest things. Here are five things that have recently given me joy:

1.Watching the sweetest primary kids present their primary program on Sunday. They have such amazing spirits!

2.Listening to my 12 year old give the FHE lesson on Monday night and bear such a strong testimony of the gospel. And listening to her sisters participate so thoughtfully - their spirits are awesome!

3.Having brunch with some lovely friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. Friends make life grand - it's wonderful to know that there are always girls out there who have your back!

4.Watching my 17 month old niece come running at me, full force, with her arms outstretched when I got to my sister's for dinner the other night. I couldn't love her more if she was my very own! (Same goes for those handsome nephews!)

5.Once again - the 12 year old - excitedly telling us all about the spiritual conversation she had with her non-member friend from school. Instead of watching Shrek with her sisters (there's no school tomorrow), she spent two hours on the phone with her girlfriend from school, sharing all sorts of wonderful gospel things with her and made an "appointment" to pick the conversation back up in the morning at 11:00!

I have numerous worries and concerns but tonight I wanted to document that my cup runneth over and I truly do have joy!