Living After The Manner of Happiness

From the front of the notebook where I am keeping track of what I am learning.

In the Book of Mormon the prophet Nephi says that his people "lived after the manner of happiness".  In the Bible it says to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart" (Proverbs 3:5), and also, "...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)

I try to be a happy person, and I would say that I try really, really hard to live after the manner of happiness, and yet, I feel like I can do better.  I can be happier.  I can trust God more, and fear less, and find more joy.  It is true that we are not going to feel happy all of the time, but I feel like I can be happy more often.

My niece Emma told me about a talk that Elder Holland gave about this very topic.  I think listening to it was the perfect beginning to my study of this subject.  This is my summary of what he said; We put our head into living after the manner of happiness.  We fight for it.  We strive for it.  We insist upon it.  We participate relentlessly in working for it.  (2015 Devotional given at BYU Idaho titled "Living After the Manner of Happiness)

As hard as I have worked at being happy, this talk made me realize that I have not tried hard enough.  I have not worked relentlessly at keeping my thoughts from being negative, especially when thinking about myself.  I have not worked relentlessly on figuring out how, in the very moment that negative thoughts arise, I can banish them and can feel God's love instead.  I get tired, and give in, and sometimes those thoughts are really persistent and, quite frankly I need to learn to ask for help more often.

I have just begun my study and have already seen a couple of successes.  There was a moment when I was able to stop myself from my usual negative reaction to something, and laugh instead.  There have also been moments when I have realized that I still wait for other people to "make" me happy instead of taking charge of myself.  My goal this year is to learn more about how to live after the manner of happiness, and to practice applying what I learn.

Christmas 2018: Photos

Dan getting ready to
race up the stairs.

Mike, Tia, Sherie, Dan, Derek, Jake, Kayli

Mike and Tia looking at Teddy

Dan enjoying a new book.

Jake and his gifts.

Teddy gets a new toy.

Jake and Dan -- Opening gifts from siblings.

Tia and Kayli and Teddy

Dan loving on Kayli and Jake showing us a gift.

Derek on Christmas morning by his pile of gifts --
and mine (which are on the left)

Kayli hugs Eeyore.
Jake looks on.

My flying pig slippers from Tia and Mike

Jake in his Christmas Eve shirt
(breakfast theme)

Teddy has our back.  (Kayli dressed
him in an old reunion shirt).

Kayli, Mike, Dan, me, Tia, Jake

Derek and me putting our heads
together again.

My shirt from Kayli

Teddy and Jake and Dan

Jake and Teddy

Tris and Travis got to join us on the 26th.  Yay!!

This is Emma's dog -- a Golden Doodle named Sukie.
Emma and Kyle stopped by for a short visit on their way home
to Idaho.

The last week of December we (Derek, me, Jake and Dan) went to St. George to hear Porter talk before his mission.  I took a picture of these in case I wanted to make some myself.

Between Halloween and Christmas: Photos

J.D's Baptism Day

Trent and Michelle and Family

Sherie, Weston and Derek (who I believe was trying
to teach Weston how to be cool:  WORD!)

Amanda Wilcox -- home from her mission!

The traditional thankful turkey

Derek pretending to drink the rest of a
yucky tasting "healthy" drink he wanted
Kayli to drink.

We decorate for Christmas and get new stocking hangers!

Mike had been gone to Army training since July.
Tia moved back home in October.
Mike sent ger a really huge bouquet of roses.

This is the ward party Nativity program.  I spent a lot of time sewing cow and sheep hats.
Sister Allen helped tons, as did Teresa Pugmire and Robin Perkins. 
I am thankful for helpful, nice people.

I went on my second annual trip to Hobby Lobby with
Derek's cousin Melanie and bought the cone
that holds up all of the pine cones in my
kind of funny tree.

 We took a trip to the crowded Salt Lake City to see the
lights.  We took Dan's friend Jocelyn.  She is
always good company.

Pretty lights and one
of the nativities.

I don't know why we took this picture -- but we are cute -- of course.

On December 23rd Mike finally came home.
This picture was taken on Christmas Eve.

Halloween 2018

Dan is the only one who carved a pumpkin
this year!

Halloween Legs.  Tia's, Mine, and Kayli's

The Saturday before Halloween Derek's Mom organized the annual Halloween Party.  We were late -- like last year.  Two different times were given.   I was in St. George when I got the second time, and just hoped it was the same as the first time, but I forgot to check.

Mom C. goes to a lot of trouble to try to make these events fun for everyone.  Unfortunately, some of my kids have struggles with rooms full of people, even if they love all of the people.  Trisa and Jake and Dan had fun playing in the leaves and climbing trees until dinner, while I played games with everyone else.

Derek came at dinner time and the kids came back in (along with Tia who had joined them by then).  We ate and then headed to the Homestead for the "Haunted Woods".  Derek was in charge and had a program worked out.  He and Jake went to get set up and the rest of us came and picked up Kayli and Teddy.  Derek did a good job, but I failed to take pictures at any of the party so you just get our few Halloween like pictures.

The day before Halloween was "Trunk or Treat" along with Chili and rolls at the church.  Derek had to work late.  He came towards the end and froze because he didn't have a jacket in his car and he was afraid he'd miss the whole event if he went home.  It had been a really nice day, but when the sun went down it got cold!

Jake and I made this man to decorate the van.
Teddy gave him a thorough sniffing, but didn't bark.

Here is our trunk and our too much candy.
Jake and Dan were both in the van.  Dan didn't bring a jacket,
and even a jacket wasn't quite adequate.