Seeing The Joy

 

This past weekend we decided to take a drive north to visit a section of road along the shores of Lake Michigan known as The Tunnel of Trees. 

I wanted to see the fall foliage and spend the time on the scenic drive as we listened to General Conference.

We decided to bring our daughter’s dog, Jett, with us.  This would save the cost of boarding or finding a caretaker for him and we thought he might enjoy exploring new areas with us.

He hadn’t been on a road trip with us before and it turned out he laid perfectly still the entire 5 hr journey, not chewing or barking or even looking out the windows.  

He did nothing except pass gas.  

The whole way.

From a stomach that apparently was nervous about the car ride.

The windows would all come down and George and I would cringe and comment.

It continued at the pet friendly hotel with George  exclaiming he couldn’t sleep and his eyes were burning.

All humor aside, we could have focused solely on the negative aspect of this.  

It was real and potent. 

But we determined not to let it be the defining element of the trip.

We were also disappointed that fall colors are late this year so there was more green than red.

But the green was pretty too.  

And so were the shades of turquoise and teal on the water.

There were parks and swings and we had time together.

And the glorious words of prophets and leaders filled our hearts.

There will always be negative parts of this earthly existence .  

Dog farts happen.

But we can choose not to let them take our joy. 

As Elder Kearon reminded us this weekend, we belong to The Church of Joy.  

It’s a gift from Jesus Christ.  

And when we open our spiritual eyes to take in the colors of all that means,  we will see that we are blessed beyond measure.