Finding JOY in MY Journey (longest post ever so get comfortable. You might need a snack and some water. Oh, and take a little potty break.)

Sunday morning, I ended my Ensign reading on the talk by President Thomas S. Monson Finding Joy in the Journey, loved it! After reading it, I thought to myself, I keep saying I'm going to cook that turkey tomorrow, but today I'm going to stop living in that tomorrow and cook it.


After church, I read the directions made about 100 phone calls to my sister Elizabeth, fabulous cook, and mom. I was ready to cook my first turkey.


I pulled the bird out of the package and stared at it for about 2 minutes, wondering, how grossed out I was going to be. I took the ties off it's little legs and began to stick my hand down or up this turkey and pulled out gross, bloody things. I then washed the turkey inside and out. There were feathers still on the turkey, and, Oh gross, I can't believe I survived without throwing up. I stuck a lemon and onion in the turkey, seasoned it, and shoved it in the oven. The turkey was sitting in it's sauna of yummy eating.


1:30 PM was the beginning or this long cooking process.

3:30 PM poured some 7up all over the bird

4:00 PM Basted

4:30 PM Basted

5:00 PM Basted

5:30 PM Basted

6:00 PM Pulled the turkey from the oven for his first check....... Not good!

6:30 PM Basted

7:00 PM Pulled the turkey from the oven for his second check...... Not good and I'm hungry. We let the kids off the hook and they had mashed potatoes and corn on the cob.

7:30 PM Pulled the turkey from the over for his third check......Almost.

8:00 PM Basted

8:30 PM Pulled the turkey out...... took a picture of my first living in the today and went to bed.


I'm such a literal/metaphoric person. If you read the talk from Pres. Monson you would know that this turkey baking process has nothing to do with it. However, it was a little bit of my letting go of living for the tomorrows. John was nice enough to throw it out this morning so I wouldn't be living in my yesterday, Thank you love xoxoxoxxxxxxx!!


So, here was what I really learned about this talk. I find being grateful for the things in my life is the only way to live. If you don't, you get caught up in all the things you don't have and what a selfish place to be. I find a pity party forming and it is never a fun party to be at. Trust me I just spent a month there and it was LAME!


This was the best part of his talk for me:


If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”


I know it was long but well worth the post.


I am so grateful for a prophet who loves me and is constantly counseling me on my journey through mortality. I can't express enough the gratitude I have for my leaders in the church, I look to them, listen to them, and know that they truly care about my eternal salvation. I'm never individually addressed by them, but the spirit testifies to me that I am. I never look at a talk or counsel and think Oh, this isn't for me. I know that all counsel given where I am present in that setting is for me, NEVER exempt.


I am grateful for the callings I have had, all of which the Lord has called me to do. It's never because I am the most qualified, but I have need and a desire to be strengthened.


I am grateful for my kids and the JOY they bring me. Laughing is my favorite thing and nothing they do is short of a smile on my face. Their innocents of life is so humbling to me. What a great responsibility John and I have as parents.


I am so grateful for John, I never imagined that I would be married to a man with such strength and devotion to the Lord. John has truly taught me and has helped me to become the person I am today. Man, I love this guy.....in case you couldn't tell xoxoxxxxx.


I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I know that he is my redeemer and Savior. I know that my relationship with him is personal and one I hold sacred. I know that he has often felt of my pain, heard my prayers, and has wrapped his loving arms around me. Forgiveness never comes as comforting, assuring and as peaceful as it does through Christ.


My list of gratitude could go on and on and on..... and on.......and on!


I just want to end on my final thoughts of the talk. You know Stressin' Out......remember me saying that......Do ya?...... See it down below there....... See it? Well, Pres. Monson caught me in the act of worrying more about my household duties then my bored kids. Now I wonder was it stress or guilt??


I'm adapting to all the recent changes (stress') in my life and finding joy in this journey. Broden's birth, medical bills from Broden's birth, John's new calling, home schooling, my new calling, holidays, missionary illness, death in the family, my illness, new car, job change, watching individuals fall away from the church, watching individuals lose their home, all of which has happened within the last 8 months. At first, I saw them as pains but NOW I see it as GROWTH.


"....my sincere prayer is that we may adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express our gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey.." by Pres. Monson


You are all now looking or reading about a more JOYFUL JOURNEYER!!! My bored kids and husband a wait their new fun, JOYFUL JOURNEYING mom and wife.

Happy Turkey Eating and Sleeping! Loves!