"This blogpost is probably too personal and better suited for a journal entry but..."

Everywhere I go lately, quotes have been popping up in my face about choosing to be happy no matter your circumstance. Especially quotes from LDS Prophet President Hinckley and his wife Marjorie like this one: “The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead. The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful.” 

Actually there’s a whole webpage full of Marjorie’s goodness you can see here: http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/226482.Marjorie_Pay_Hinckley

I remember in my early twenties I had a Bishop at church who always emphasized the importance of being happy.  He said we choose to be happy no matter what is happening around us or to us, happiness is a choice.  Back then I had no problem with this; I firmly believed it and not to have a big head, but I was happiness’s poster child.   Well in spite of the positivity I try and promote on my blog, it has not been an easy 7 months living in a new country nor has it been easy giving up everything I had that was comfortable.  It’s probably important to note that as cool as our little adventure is, we don’t actually live on the beach and drink pina coladas all day. I have found myself in a rut of constant complaining and my husband has made sure to point it out to me because it has been stressing out the whole family.   Over the past couple weeks I have made a stronger effort to stop complaining.   When I first made this commitment I lasted about 30 minutes but now I’m doing much better.

Surely because of my complaining, I’ve also been feeling a darkness in my heart. In my prayers, I haven’t wanted to ask for help because I’ve been trying to express more prayers of gratitude and while that has helped in it’s own way, I forgot that the Lord is with me always and can help me in all things and I could have just expressed my problems to him.  I think another reason I didn’t ask Him for help was because I am stubborn and didn’t want help; I just wanted my way.  I have also felt a darkness in my heart  because I knew I needed to repent for the stress I’ve caused my husband by being so rude to him but I wasn’t repenting because I knew I wasn’t done yet.   I wasn’t done complaining and surely I was going to cause more fights. What it took me a while to appreciate is that my husband does everything for this family and it hasn’t been easy for him moving here either. He misses many of the same things I miss and his job has been very difficult but luckily he finally has a handle on it.  There are many things we know now that we didn’t know before coming here and there are many things we expected that haven’t happened. 

So why am I bearing my awkward soul?  Because I finally get it!  I’m finally feeling this dark spot in my heart starting to be lifted.  I’ve stopped complaining and it’s helping.  It’s not a cure all but it’s helping.  

Do you know how much I love my ward at church here?  My calling with the youth is the most fun ever and I’ve never felt so welcome!  The other night after a youth activity, I asked if someone could walk me home, as American girls shouldn’t be alone at night, and I ended up walking home with a huge possy of teenagers.  I had no fear then. I also know that I am helping lots of people learn English here that I only hope they can use someday. Jesus and I have also made some good friends with some other families and I’m going to be sad and miss them when I do leave eventually.   Not to mention our apartment is a hub for foreigners and we’ve met people from all around the world.  There are so many beautiful parts of this country and I wish I could explore them all in one day but I have to be patient. If you’ve kept up with the blog, you know I’ve already jumped into waterfalls, rode a horse and seen the ocean.  I can’t wait to see Punta Cana!  In November we are heading to an all inclusive resort in Puerto Plata of which I’ve already been to beaches there, but it will be my first all inclusive resort where I can eat anytime I want!  I guess lately I’ve just felt happier and I wanted to share it with you!  This blogpost is probably too personal and better suited for a journal entry but you know me, bearing it all in writing!  I know that I am on an adventure.  I know that my husband is building great career skills and an excellent addition for his resume.  I know that I am doing good where I’m planted.  My son is even learning two langugaes which is much easier for us to do here than in the US.  Now he can speak Spanish with his new cousin being born to my brother and his Mexican wife in March.  There really is a list of things that have benefited us individually and our family here and I hope I can continue in the path of the Hinckleys and their devoutness to happiness.

And because I like blogs with photos here are some current events:

Joaquin dancing with Ellen

Las Aguilas Baseball in Santiago

A little party on a ranch with Jesus's coworkers

Mofungo dinner night with Joaquin helping cook in the back

Incredible Hulk!

When Jesus had a bacterial infection and went to the ER and looked like he was dying but was cured with antibiotics

Jesus seeing where his dad is laid to rest for the first time