“Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves—to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life.” -2 Nephi 10:23

This scripture makes me so happy. It is so freeing to know that we are the architects of our own happiness. I sometimes give into the lie that if my situation would just change, then I could finally be happy. Happiness is absolutely, positively a choice. I still remember after a challenging day, I was beginning to become discouraged and sad. I expressed this to sister Rodriguez and she just played this awesome song by Alex Boye called Lemonade. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It is so cliché but so true.

A couple nights ago I was just really struggling. We were out talking to people on the street. We walked up to a couple cute looking families- 8-9 people standing outside a pizza place. We tried to make friendly conversation but they glared at us and just walked away. We continued to walk with them and asked them where they were from. No reply haha then we heard them mutter “those crazy Mormon girls” and start laughing. That was the last straw for me. Tears stung my eyes and I told sister Rodriguez I had to use the bathroom. We went across the street to Subway. I closed the door behind me, slid to the floor and just cried. I vocally said “God, help me.” Immediately, I thought of a line from Elder Bednars talk that said, “Look outward when the natural man would look inward.” I resolved to get over myself and look outward. Turns out, Wendy was working there! We ended up having an amazing lesson with her and she really opened up to us and told us that she knew God put us in her life. She said, “Remember that night we first met and I told you my life was falling apart? It literally was. You literally saved my life. Thank you for that.” She was in tears and so were we. The spirit was strong. I was able to testify to her so strongly that God was aware of her and she could always turn to Him in prayer. I love Wendy and her family SO MUCH! I believe I was able to testify so strongly because I had experienced that for myself just minutes before. Christ taught me how to use these seemingly negative, sour experiences to create something sweet for myself and those around me. Before leaving that night, I literally bought lemonade to remind us that we can choose happiness. It tasted extra sweet that night.

Christ is that sweet living water that we must add in our lives to create happiness. It is not a passive process. It is actively choosing Christ.

This week, I invite you to take those nasty lemons of life and MAKE LEMONADE! It is only through the Savior that we can create that beautiful glass of happiness. Actively turn to Him. He will make you far greater than you could have imagined!

Oh! Also, I am opening Carthage and training this week! I will miss Manchester like crazy, but excited to fall in love with more of Gods children! I can hear those fonts running already 😉 XOXO