Finding Joy in the Journey...

We just had family home evening at my sister Becky's house with my family and the lesson topic was President Monson's Oct. Conference talk -  Finding Joy in the Journey. There were so may good reminders for me especially. I find myself getting bogged down with all of the frustrations and challenges and forget that these are all a part of my life experiences for me to learn from and find joy in the process as well as taking the time to have joy in the simple things and in the abundant blessing that are mine. I have a beautiful healthy family and a loving supportive extended family - that in it's self is worth so much. I would be the first to admit that I am one who thinks to myself "next year will be better" or "when I achieve ..... than it will be great" reading these words of President Thomas S. Monson again tonight helped me to refocus my thinking and really want to live my life now and in the present. Enjoy watching my kids at play and spring appearing in this beautiful valley that I live. Be thankful that I have jobs and most of all be thankful that I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I know in Him I have hope. The following are two of my favorite quotes from the lesson and article tonight.
"This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now."
“"Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."
 May we all find joy in our journeys and give each other support and encouragement along the way!!