Lighten up

I love this picture of the first presidency because they look so happy.  Who says life has to be dull and boring all the time.  I'm sure the brethren enjoy a good laugh once in a while.We got a taste of it when Elder Holland came to visit.  The members said they could relate to him because he sounded real and not phony.  The Dutch think that all Americans are phony because we always say we are fine when asked how we are.  I have learned to just say "Hello, good to see you"  If I ask how they are I get to hear about every ache and pain they have or have had throughout their whole life, so no more asking for this gal.

Sometimes as we are walking out the door I comment to Ben that we look like a couple of fundamentalists, all dressed in black.  I have started to wear a colorful scarf and some wild earrings just to look somewhat normal.  The funny thing is,  most of the people here do wear black.  I don't know if colored clothing is more costly or maybe black clothing absorbs the sun more and keeps them warm.  Whatever the reason, it can sure look like everyone is in mourning all the time. Ben's father's family belonged to the Dutch reformed church and everyone always wore black, including stockings and long sleeve dresses.   As a matter of fact, when his parent were making plans to get married, his mother was told that she was to wear a black dress to her own wedding.  She was a hard headed sort of girl and refused to follow their advice and wore a rusty  colored dress just to spite them.  She would never buy anything black the rest of her life because of it. They probably would have had a seizure if they could have seen everyone in white when the family was sealed in the Temple.

Remember, life is great and we have a Father in Heaven who knows us and  still loves us, warts and all, even though we are not perfect in all we do, he wants us back so.......Cheer up folks, don't worry, life can get better if you just follow the rules and lighten up.