1-6-14

Alrighty, well this week was interesting. The worms are gone, I think haha. We hope, at least. Just be glad we don't have them in the states. That's all I'm saying about that. So, New Year's was pretty cool. We had to stay inside our apartment, but we had a little party with the roomies and watched the hundreds of fireworks blast throughout the city. It was incredible. There were more fireworks than a Disney show. We made some resolutions and ate some dark chocolate M&Ms. So speaking of resolutions, what are those anyway? Shouldn't we always be making goals? Still, I can never resist making a resolution. Oddly enough, after thinking of all the things I need to improve on, I realized there is just one that is worth writing down: Be Happy. 

I don't know that there is anything more important than this one thing. If we aren't happy, then what is the point of any other achievement anyway? God said that "Men are that they might have joy" so that really is the big goal. I think sometimes we focus on all the things we need to Do and Be and we get overwhelmed and before we know it, we are miserable because we only see what we haven't done. But here is the thing. 

I know a lot of missionaries come to the field to learn how to work, but I really think I'm here right now to learn how to rest. That might sound odd, but I have always pushed myself to the limit, and then still I'm only thinking about the next thing to do. But what if I had enjoyed every day, stopped for more people on the way, smiled and laughed at the crazy things that happen instead of getting frustrated? Wouldn't this be more meaningful in the end? I know that hard work is super important. I love feeling the sense of accomplishment after giving it all I got, but after experiencing some suffering (that's all I'll say about it), Sis S and I have really been learning the lesson that we simply CAN'T control our circumstances. We can only control how we react. So, my goal this year is to be happy with any circumstance. I know I can't be happy every single second of every day, but I want to end every day with a laugh and a smile. My resolution for this year is to make every day better than the last. Just imagine how great my last day of the year will be! I hope that by the time I come home, I will be a more optimistic, happy person, so I will be worthy to spend Christmas with all you incredible people. 

BE HAPPY! its really so simple. Smile even when things are hard and the scenery will suddenly change.