Joy

I've been really trying to achieve a state of Joy.  Does that sound bleak?  I don't mean it to sound bleak.  I mean, Pure Joy.  A STATE of Pure Joy.  Not just a moment, an hour, or maybe even a day...a STATE.  Unmoving, staunch,  steady.  Yes, life isn't supposed to be, nor will it be perfect and joyful all of the time, constantly.  But, I believe it can be what you make it.  I'm trying to make mine more joyful.  

I came across a quote by Thomas S. Monson, our beloved prophet.  He stated:

"Be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith."

It's a great easy quote to remember throughout the day.  I'm going to try to do that.  Hopefully, that will help my faith grow a little more, too.  

What have we been up to?

Well.  We have a fun addition to our household.  My mom came on Tuesday of last week and that's been fun.  She and I saw The Hunger Games at the dollar movies on Saturday (she hadn't seen it, and loved it.  It was my second time and I loved it more than I did the first time!)  

She came to church with us on Sunday and we had a great lesson in Sunday School about being an influence of good upon our children.  I made the comment that I appreciate the scriptures, but find that I am really frustrated sometimes because I wish there was a manual for moms that said things like, "When thy son throws toast at thy face, thou shalt ______________" and give me what it is I should do to handle the situation.  Does that makes sense?  Well, I got a laugh at that in class, but then a great [inspired] man in the class later pointed out that this life isn't meant to be easy.  It's meant to build our character.  [Yes, I've heard that before] And then he went on to say that those feelings of inadequacy we feel as parents [or in any other situations] and the heavy feelings of guilt that ride us [or is it just me, Jessica Ride The Guilt Train Everywhere Holfeltz?] are not of God and Jesus Christ.  Satan wants to drag us down to Hell.  Sure, Hell can be the ultimate Hell where we go after this life and after judgment if we digress and never again progress.  But, I've seen glimpses of that Hell that is of inner-torture...anxiety, grief, emotional pain, depression, and self worthlessness.  Not because of a sin, but just because [I] am letting the wrong being influence my thoughts.  God and Jesus Christ are not about the downward spirals of desolation, emotional stress, guilt, depression, anxiousness, and inadequacy.  God and Jesus Christ exude patience, peace, brightness, joy, confidence [but, not over-confidence], love, and knowledge. 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland magnifies joy in these quotes that I love:

“If we constantly focus only on the stones in our mortal path, we will
almost surely miss the beautiful flower or cool stream provided by the
loving Father who outlined our journey. Each day can bring more joy
than sorrow when our mortal and spiritual eyes are open to God's
goodness. Joy in the gospel is not something that begins only in the
next life. It is our privilege now, this very day. We must never allow
our burdens to obscure our blessings. There will always be more
blessings than burdens--even if some days it doesn't seem so. Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly." Enjoy those blessings right now. They are yours and
always will be.” 
― Jeffrey R. Holland

“Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.” ¹¹ You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” ¹² And it will make your children whole as well.” 
― Jeffrey R Holland