Our theme for 2018 has been "Live after the Manner of Happiness". We were truly tested in this, but I can honestly say I feel happier than I did a year ago. Happiness is less about what's happening to you and a lot more about what's going on inside. It was a good theme for me. And I'm so glad I feel happier.
But oh my, were we tested! Just a bit...here are a few things we dealt with in 2018:
January
no power for several days
Cooper puking
truck oil leak
truck radiator broke
power out again
truck drive bearing broke
toilet flooded for hours while we were gone
water damage from flood through center of house on all three floors
Cooper puking again
van got hit
February
house repairs
living at Nana's
truck differential broke
computer died
truck differential again
Todd's company went bankrupt and he lost his job
We kind of stopped keeping track at that point, but here are a few more highlights from the year:
Todd's truck broke about 19 more times (ok, maybe not 19...)
My van had three recalls and two flat tires
Todd got shingles
The furnace broke
The garage fridge broke
The garage flooded from the water softener
The oven broke in a display of fireworks out the top
The basement lights did the same thing
truck differential broke
computer died
truck differential again
Todd's company went bankrupt and he lost his job
We kind of stopped keeping track at that point, but here are a few more highlights from the year:
Todd's truck broke about 19 more times (ok, maybe not 19...)
My van had three recalls and two flat tires
Todd got shingles
The furnace broke
The garage fridge broke
The garage flooded from the water softener
The oven broke in a display of fireworks out the top
The basement lights did the same thing
I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in my mouth
Cooper was diagnosed with lazy eye
Various other bouts of puking and fevers
Madeline has a relentless rash on her leg that won't go away
Ethan's allergies don't either
But...BUT...we lived after the manner of happiness. Yes, I think we did. We love each other. We love the Lord. We try to serve and trust and have faith and be kind and forgive and smile and love. And I am not kidding when I say I am happier.
Maybe 2019 will be easier. Maybe it will be worse. I have no idea. But I'm going to keep reading The Book of Mormon and feeling that power. I'm going to keep following the prophet because nothing brings me more joy. And even though 2018 is coming to an end, I am going to keep living after the manner of happiness. Which is trying to be a disciple of Christ and doing things that happy people do. Come what may.
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