Finding Joy

I bought myself a new daily thought calendar for the year. It is by Barbara Johnson and contains thoughts from her book "I Don't Suffer From Insanity...I Enjoy Every Minute of it." I knew it was the right one for me when I read the thought on January 1st: "Deliberately choose to look for joy in every step of your journey through life and to share it with others. When you do, you will be blessed with happiness no matter what your circumstances are." So I decided to use her upbeat ideas to inspire and motivate me throughout the coming year.

Yesterday this first thought proved to be very applicable. Mariah and I spent Friday afternoon searching for a prom dress in Utah County and then the night at Sandy's place visiting and sleeping on their couches. It was delightful. The next morning we shared breakfast with Jason, Aubrey, Mikayla and Mom and then went to the movies in an actual theater (as opposed to the usual ones where your feet stick to the floor and the seat is broken). This was also delightful.

As we left the theater, we got word that Sarah was again having early labor pains and was driving to Evanston Hospital. So we headed for home. All went smoothly until we were just out of the canyons about ten miles out of Evanston. We heard a noise; the temperature gauge dropped and the light came on; steam began streaming out of the hood. We immediately pulled over to assess the damage and determine our course.

Now here's where the "looking for joy in every step" part comes into play!

We were joyful that we were at an exit where we could get off the freeway. We were REALLY joyful that we actually had cell service (in this place that there is NEVER cell service). We rejoiced that we have AAA and they were able to send a tow truck. We found joy in all the people who stopped to offer assistance (one car staying a long time, just to make sure that we were not without help). We enjoyed the pleasant, efficient tow truck driver who came to our aid. We were happy that a hungry mechanic was still in his new shop late on a Saturday evening as the car was towed into town. We were especially joyful that Sarah had had some early labor (that they were able to stop again and give the baby time to grow a bit more), so that she and Jon were already in Evanston and able to give us a ride home to Cokeville.

Yes. We found joy in every step of that adventure and today have to smile about how it all happened. Now we just have to remember that advice when the mechanic calls this week with the damage report! But no matter what, I am determined to live that advice and "find joy in every step" of the year ahead.