"You thought these emails were for free"

"This week i was asked by an investigator in a lesson if i was happy like
with my life because the guy is really stubborn and first he asked my
companion he was like elder rengifo are you happy and then he turned
to me after he answered and asked me if i was happy and i said "psssh
of course i am!" and then after he said "seguro" like if i was sure
and then i bore him my testimony of why i´m happy and i explained to
him how i had a period in my life where i wasn't happy and now it´s
clear to me of what things i need to do in my life to feel true
happiness not just a momentary bliss of happiness. i went more into
depth with him but i just don´t have time to write everything but when
he asked me it i didn't just say i was happy just to say i was happy i
said it because i truly am happy with my life right now and i said i
was happy because i truly meant it and it really made me reflect on
my life and think of why i am happy, rather than, why i SHOULD be
happy. and i have a favor to ask of everyone who reads this i want you
to send me an email explaining why you are happy but not only in one
sentence really reflect on why you are happy. if you´re not well then
what is it that you think you should do to be happy? ya you guys
thought this emails were free but NOPE! ha ha k well i need to go now
i´ll talk to you guys in a week and on the phone in about 10 more
Sundays! and if i don´t get any emails of why you are happy...i hope
you can sleep at night...ha ha just messin' but i´d really like to know!
i love you guys soo much! chow from Ecuador!"

So this was the thought/assignment from my little brother's last letter. It got me thinking and honestly a memory from this passed weekend came right to my mind....

I have heard over and over that family dinner time is essential to family closeness. I believe it! I really do. I have a lot of memories growing up of times and conversations at the dinner table. I will admit though, that with Kevin not getting home until 6:30, the boys and I have usually eaten by the time he comes through the door.
This past Sunday, we got to eat dinner together at the table. After the prayer, Kevin told the boys how great they were in Sacrament, which then lead to asking the boys what they had learned in their classes. I asked Wyatt what songs he sang, when he started singing "Child of God...and he has sent me heeeya" and we all started laughing... I remember laughing and looking at the boys and at Kevin and thinking (really!, I thought this before Cam gave us our assignment)"This is why we should have family dinner, this makes me so happy." Just being with them and talking and laughing with them make up my everything. Those three boys are my happiness. They teach me so much about myself. SO MUCH in fact, that I get to grow daily. They challenge me, they love me, and they serve me... EVERY SINGLE DAY... and the great thing about it is that they don't even know it.
Where I used to get lost with the many hats us Mom's and Wives wear, I don't lose myself anymore. They don't let me. I have found myself and my place with them and in this world and that in and of itself does great things for a person... and that lucky person, is me ;)

On Valentines day, Dax was at school, Wyatt was still asleep (he slept till 11:30, he was so sick) and I was ironing. It was so quiet and peaceful and I had such a feeling of contentment. I felt so much love and appreciation for all that I have and for all of the blessings in my life. I have a healthy family and a great Marriage and wonderful kids that make me laugh every single day.
The past little while I've struggled with how to raise my kids so that they stay strong to the principles and commandments that the Church teaches, and close to their Heavenly Father as they grow older. To be honest, I've felt so much hopelessness... I mean, the world is so harsh and unkind and unaccommodating to what I want for them... but in that small, little, mindless moment, I felt content for what Kevin and I are doing with and for them, to help them know where to turn and how to always feel like they have a place in this world, for where our lives are as a whole. I can't tell you what that did for my day... actually, for my entire week. It gave me so much enthusiasm for dinner together AND for Family Home Evening. BOTH made all the difference this week.

I'm thankful for Camren's assignment. It made me write this experience down. I used to be so great at updating my journal with every day happenings, but it just hasn't been happening. So there it is... Maybe this will help you reflect on why you are happy and not just why you should be... what it really is that gives you that feeling....