Happiness is the object and design of our existence.

Last week I posted about love and this week I'm going to post about happiness. How great is it that the two go hand-in-hand? Joseph Smith stated, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence." and in 1984 President Gordon B. Hinckley gave this inspirational quote,

It is so important to find happiness and joy in this life, after all it's not a mistake that our Heavenly Father's perfect plan is known as The Plan of Happiness. He wants us to have joy. He wants us to be happy. He's given us the tools to do so, but in order to have everlasting joy you must follow his counsel and advice with exactness.
Last week Elder Scott wrote his brother a wonderful letter and included the following thought about happiness:

I hope you are happy and really get to see the beauty that's surrounding us in this life. It's there, trust me. We just have to take the time to find it. It's always there. Even in the toughest, most challenging of times, there's still beauty in life. I honestly hope you can learn and always remember that. It is key. It will bring you peace and joy in this storm that is life in today's world. Don't get distracted by the things that honestly, in the long run, won't matter a single bit. 

There's a key to life; it's work. Work is tied into success. Nothing in this life is ever free. Not a car, not a house, not a family, not even the gospel. They all require some sort of sacrifice to obtain. And the better it is, the more personal the sacrifice. So what are you willing to sacrifice to obtain what really matters; Love, peace, joy, and happiness? I'll give you a hint. The gospel gives you all of those, but you only get out what you put in as a sacrifice. I love you!

Here are some of the many things that brought happiness to Elder Scott last week.

Real chocolate given to him by a
church member.

He thought this was extra delicious.

An impromptu trip to Lima to pick up his visa.
He only found out 25 minutes before he had to
leave and managed to get ready, pack and
eat breakfast in the short amount of allotted time.

Flying to Lima with7 other
friends he hadn't seen in weeks 

Elder Huezo and  
Sister Dallimore

Seeing these gorgeous views.

Elder Scott firmly believes "Happiness is a Choice"
and tries to live by this motto every day.

The streets of Lima.
Okay, so the streets didn't necessarily make
him happy, but the people he was with sure did.

A mini CCM reunion with
Elder Weeks and Elder Weller.

A package filled with tins of homemade cookies
baked by Donna arrived in Perú. Yum!!
He loves her and all of his Publix family.

Ringing in the New Year in Perú.
He wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Hermana Elsa keeps him happy and well fed.

This picture made me happy.
Hahaha!!

A mini panetón to celebrate the season.

Above all, missionary work and the chance
he has to teach about the gospel to the
Peruvian people has brought him more
happiness than any of us could have ever imagined.