Happy As Can Be

This week's letter is a compilation of responses to what we wrote her ... What we wrote her is in blue.  

Have FUN serving and work well!  The Holy Ghost can help you feel peaceful and comforted, not only when it's good, but when it's tough, too.  Be grateful and Be as Happy as You Can Be!  (Kimara's license plate:  HPYSCNB).  

That is the coolest license plate ever!  that is one thing I have been thinking about lately.   there are so many people we stop and talk to that say that they are not happy.  and i just want to give them some of my happiness! obviously the gospel is the source of true happiness, but even people within the church need to remember that happiness is a choice. being happy isn't going to necessarily change your situation, but neither will be being sad. but it will make the circumstance more bearable. even if you are in the worst situation in the world, there is always something to be grateful to Heavenly Father about.   there is an amazing quote that says:

 "Don't be gloomy. do not dwell on the unkind things. stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. even if you are not happy put a smile on your face. accentuate the positive. look a little deeper for the good. go forward in life with a twinkly in your eye and a smile on your face with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life!"  

President Gordon B Hinckley.    good quote huh.  

I found parts of these quotes in two different talks, so I think it's a combination of two talks ... definitely good ones!  

   (How Can I Become the Woman of My Dreams? and The Spirit of Optimism )  

whats new.... hmmmm... oh well last p-day at like 8:30pm sister benetti said she wanted to do something fun and wanted to do something she could video tape.... she obviously didn't know what she was getting in too, because i then got our mattresses and made ramps down our stairs to surf down. it was so fun, but she jammed her toe on the wall. it turned black and swelled up and was pretty bad. luckily she is an amazing sport and said who cares it was fun so it was worth it haha we then proceeded to run to a bridge near our flat to watch the sunset for the last five minutes before we had to be back home.  it was super windy, and i had the urge to spit off the bridge. idk why.  i hate spitting, but i did and it blew back and hit me in the face. i was reminded why i hate spitting. haha

the funniest thing of the week was when sister benetti got pooped on by a bird.  actually hilarious. she didn't think so but i was rolling on the floor laughing

we have planned an international party. it is going to be fun.  different nationalities from the ward are going to have a booth and have food from their country and then each will have about 20 mins to do a program or teach everyone something from their country.  any suggestions on what we should do for America?? it is going to be really fun and hopefully have lots of members' friends there!

The ward here is so amazing, but very old and tiny. it is sad because in about 20 years it may go extinct without new families! so that is our goal is to find families.... we have a few, kind of out there ideas on how to find new families.... we are trying them out this week, but i won't tell you until next week what they are and how they work. any fun or interesting ideas you can think of to find families?

I love you guys!! Mom you can just pick and choose what you want on the blog i don't care. you guys are the best! literally was SO HAPPY this week reading the emails. you guys are funny. now i know where i get it from.  we are a funny family! weird funny, but stilll funny. 

love you!
rachel

ps I bought a american flag shirt... it is hideous, but you best believe i will be reppin it all day in the flat on the fourth of July, and possibly under my shirt when we go out :) haha

 look up the talk courageous parenting by larry r lawrence i heard it was really good. 

 Courageous Parenting  

Here it is.  She was right.  It was really good.