Happiness Is...

1. Being married to Chad C*.

I'm sure all y'all have other routes to your happiness, but mine is definitely being married to Chad C*. He makes me so happy! He hasn't had to go out of town for work since we went to Ethiopia together (knock on wood), and it has been so good to be with him for five solid months! Here have been some of the fun things we've done recently:

• Had our cute nephews over for dinner, and then Chad took the three oldest to a hockey game while I stayed home with cute Joshie pie.

• Had our cute nieces over for a sleep-over! We love the G* girls sooo much!
• Gone to Beehives/Deacons basketball on Friday nights. They put me (yes, me!) in charge of Beehive Basketball, and my family has been so supportive of me in this. The program is over now, and I am happy to say that it was a success (thanks to everyone who helped, especially my sister Audra!).
• For Valentine's Day Chad and my brothers-in-law made me and my sisters an absolutely DELICIOUS meal. After dinner we watched funny youtube videos and played the Kinect. After playing the Kinect, we ate DELICIOUS cheese-cake. It was such a fun night!

• For Valentine's Day Chad also got me a nice card, roses, pearl necklace, chocolates, and the game "Ticket to Ride." Chad is such a great gift-giver, and I won't deny it--I love getting his gifts! :) (Aren't the roses beautiful?!)

• Yesterday we went on a fun date to celebrate the 75 degree weather (don't be jealous). We went to play miniature golf and then go out to eat. Miniature golf is typically a "dating" or "family" activity, so it was fun to do something unusual for an old married couple with no kids like us. I loved it!

• We bought a sewing machine! I'm so excited to learn how to sew now! At almost 26 years old, I finally feel ready to join the crafty Mormon women club. Or at least make an attempt at it!

• And last, but not least, Chad has really encouraged me to take piano lessons, and so I started taking lessons this month. I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying it! I love practicing the piano so much.
  
  

2. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I feel like I have been really buoyed up by Him recently. Today during church I read some of the verses of my favorite hymn, "How Firm a Foundation," and I was deeply touched by how real and true the words have been in my life. In the song, Jesus is talking to us, and He says:

"Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go, the rivers of sorrow shall not thee overthrow, for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."

This is exactly how I've been feeling recently, like God is carrying me through everything, giving me strength and grace to endure, improve, and even enjoy the experiences I never, ever would have asked for. His hand truly is omnipotent, and I am so grateful for how it is constantly steadying me, supporting me, upholding me, and guiding me.

I know that while being married to Chad is only part of my route to happiness, living the gospel of Jesus Christ is everyone's one-and-only route to lasting happiness.