Finding Joy in the Journey

This past Sunday was General Conference, which is a Sunday twice a year that we wake up and don't rush around to get to church. Instead we get to wake up and watch the big meeting that is broadcast from Salt Lake City on our own television. This was the first conference that had happened since the kids came to live with us, and Lynnae was pretty excited to be able to watch church on TV in her pajamas. I woke the kids up at about 8:30, we ate breakfast, and started watching the talks. There was one that Lynnae and I agreed was our favorite. It was the final talk of the morning session, by President Monson, and it was called "Finding Joy in the Journey." Lynnae enjoyed his comments on the inevitability of change... the unfair truth that change will always happen, both good and bad, and often without our control. This is something that she is very familiar with. He went on to speak about living each moment, making the most of what you are given despite change that may be difficult or stressful... Enjoying every bit of the "journey" of life. This spoke very strongly to me. As he spoke, I found myself questioning whether I had been doing that with the kids lately. Had I been spending too much time worrying and nagging? Were we enjoying our very new journey as a family, or had we already slipped into a different pattern?


When conference ended we had lunch as a family, and I looked outside and noticed the sun was out. (It hadn't been out in awhile... this is Seattle!) I decided to do something different with the time that we had before the afternoon session, and enjoy something new with my kids. Poor Andy had an obligation and missed out on the fun! After lunch we put on our clothes and headed over to the park near our house. We spent the next hour and a half gathering leaves of every shape, size and color. (We also gathered cedar, pinecones, and many sticks!) It was so much fun for me, and the kids really enjoyed it as well.



After the afternoon session, we sat down to do something with the leaves. I really had no idea what to do with them... so I took out some paper plates and had the kids finger paint the rims. We then taped the leaves to the surface. Lynnae made a "leaf man" on her plate... and Charlie just told me where to stick the leaves and then helped me press them down! After dinner we went upstairs and hung their creations on their doors.



One day does not equal a changed habit... but this was one fantastic day that has inspired me to want to change. I hope that you are all doing well, and trust me... take time to enjoy the journey. It is so worth it. Again, I apologize for the lack of pictures of the kids, but until we can post those up - I have tried to get better at taking pictures of other things!!!