Men (and Women and Children) Are That They Might Have Joy

This past year has been rather intense in our household with many financial, career, educational, and even emotional concerns.  Granted, there are many around us whose situations in life are much more stressful than ours, but earlier this month I decided that my theme for 2012 is to bring some more balance to my life and find ways to slow down, learn new things, be more creative, relax, have more fun and more joy.  I haven't yet bought my new paint by number set that I promised myself, but last night the girls and I (keep in mind that the youngest, DD4 is now 16) had a few joyous moments singing fun songs and creating snowpeople. 

Have you done anything lately to find Joy?

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."

2 Nephi 2:25

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ

President Monson's ABC's

During the past week I've enjoyed the following posts from Middle-aged Mormon Man, one of my favorite bloggers.  In this one about his New Year's Goals, he introduced his idea of creating an acronym from his new goals.  In this later one he talked about inviting his family to do the same during a Family Home Evening.  I thought this was a clever idea, and decided that my goals or theme for this year could possibly be summed up by  these three words:

                               Read           
                               Art
                               Write

                                             or possibly

                                Write
                                Art
                                Read

but neither of these acronyms lends itself to great artistic creativity, nor do I have access to Photoshop. 

Anyway, the interesting thing is that I then happened to read President Monson's 1st Presidency Message, Living the Abundant Life, where he has challenged us to live the Abundant Life by following these ABC's:

             Attitude - do your best and choose to be happy
             Believe - in yourself, in others, and eternal principles
             Courage - face challenges with courage

Just thought it was interesting.  So, do you have an acronym for 2012?

I'm Grateful for Snow

 The news of the morning here is that it finally snowed during the night!  It does look rather pretty outside, even though it's still cloudy and snizzling.  (is there another word for the tiny little flakes that keep coming down?)  All around me the past few weeks others have been commenting on how they wish that is would snow . . . and inside I've been grateful that it hasn't snowed.  And feeling a bit guilty that I'm so grateful, since we really do need the moisture here in the "desert".

 I'm grateful that it snowed during the night on a Friday and not when I needed to be driving somewhere or shoveling before work.  :)