Happiness is...

The longer I am here on this dusty old earth, the more I long for home. Jesus wasn't kidding when he said {and I quote} "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33)

He didn't say "you MAY have trouble." He said, "you WILL have trouble."

Can I get an "amen!?"

Not wanting to ramble here, but just been thinking about JOY and Happiness and the difference between the two.

There are so many "things" going on right now in our family, both in this house and outside our walls with our parents and those close to us. Sometimes when I stop to pray about all of it, I just get so overwhelmed. And it's a constant giving back to God all of my issues, problems, petitions, requests, needs, wants, and desires. And if I let it, it just all brings me down. It keeps me from experiencing the joys of today, this moment.

So...I've been really asking God to help me live in the moment and experience the joys through all the rough stuff. Part of it is realizing that welling up of happiness is much different from joy...an everlasting peace. So, I've been writing my moments down.

And in case you need some happiness, you can share some of mine...

Happiness is...singing at the top of our lungs as a family. Love will hold us together.
Happiness is...Ruby's giggles.
Happiness is...waking up from a 2 hour nap, realizing your son has snuggled up and napped with you.
Happiness is...getting a call back for a 2nd interview (for the Mister, that is)
Happiness is...Dillon fake sneezing to make Ruby laugh.
Happiness is...Ruby coughing when she takes a bite of food, making it go EVERYWHERE.
Happiness is...watching Monk at the end of every day with my Mister.
Happiness is...getting a piece of snail mail.
Happiness is...a phone call from my bestie.
Happiness is...a little wave as D turns around right before going in to school for the day.
Happiness is...these two gems below. {Thank you, Jesus, for your gifts.}

Photo taken by my s-i-l @ Rockwell Photo Indy