Life is grand and I want to share some thoughts that I wrote down yesterday. Now, I am in no way a poet so please forgive me if it doesn't flow too well, I was just writing. =)
I know joy.
It looks like investigators at church.
It smells like the perfume of a loved one.
It tastes like the sacrament bread passed by a recent convert.
It feels like a warm hug from a less active who finally came.
It sounds like tongues stumbling over unfamiliar words, but still singing.
Joy is watching someone come unto Christ and knowing that you had the privilege of helping them come to Him.
It's watching their sins fall away in the waters of baptism.
It is smiling so hard it hurts at their confirmation.
Joy is walking into the temple with someone who, just a few weeks ago, couldn't.
It is feeling the love Heavenly Father has for them.
It's crying over their lack of progress one day and then crying over the steps they've taken the next.
Joy is missionary work, God's work, the work of salvation.
I know joy.
This past week has been hard because I am trying to learn street names, people's names, and act as if I know what's going on. It's kinda stressful, but that stress is balanced out with the small joys I see. I love my companions, Hna. Woodhouse and Hna. Playstead; we just get along really well. Because we get along well, we have a lot of fun moments together between lessons, as we're tracting, and every other moment in between. As I have expressed before, happiness is a choice and I love making that choice every day.
I have also learned that there is a difference between happiness and joy. As I said above, joy comes from serving other people and focusing on them. You can have fun and be happy as you serve, but the lasting feeling is called joy. A joyful person is someone who makes the choice to be happy every day, consistently. They put others before themselves, watching for others and their needs. Basically, a joyful person is charitable; why do you think Heavenly Father and Jesus are so joyful?
I have seen the affects of joyful people on others who are less happy. They bring an infectious feeling of peace into the room, causing people to relax and enjoy themselves. Some of my best examples of joyful living are my parents. They have taught me that we can be happy no matter our circumstances, and my mission has only reinforced that truth. I love watching my parents because they are so happy. I know that whenever they are stressed or upset it is only for a short season because that isn't their nature. Another great example is my companion Hna. Playstead. I know she has hard moments, but she actively tries to make others laugh and feel better. While she has sad moments, she always is quick to smile.
Why would you choose to have a gloomy life when you could make it bright and happy?
I love you all and I hope that you're doing well and are choosing each day to count your blessings, serve others, and laugh at the small things. Be good and remember who you are! And SMILE!
Love,
Hermana Lindh
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