Though I lived with my family for two months between my mission and school, I'm still hit by the craziness of family life every time I go home. This was the first time that I was there for more than a day or two, and it was awesome. Like I said, crazy, but in a good way.
There were two things that really hit me: 1) family and relationships really are what bring happiness and 2) the family really is in a positive feedback loop with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the family, we are allowed an opportunity to "learn correct principles in a loving atmosphere, and [prepare] for eternal life," and at the same time the the Gospel will bring happiness to any family (see Preach My Gospel, Chapter 3, Lesson 1, The Gospel Blesses Families, page 32).
Spending time with my younger siblings, whether actively engaged or simply sitting next to them on the couch as we read or typed or whatever, was and is a huge blessing. Not to mention massively hilarious. I don't think I've laughed as much as I have this week in months. The same goes for my parents, who are to me a stupefying example of adulthood, responsibility and general awesomeness every time I am blessed with the opportunity to spend time around them. In general, my time with my family was peaceful, happy and rejuvenating.
Which is not to say that we didn't bicker from the first hour that we were back together again. It was in those moments that I realized how true PMG is in saying that "the home is the best place to teach, learn, and apply principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ." Because only there are we in such an environment that we are so relaxed that we are only our true natural selves. Without the lubrication of our social standards, we quickly start to grind on each other. I was surprised how short my patience with some of my siblings' habits and attitudes, and how quickly that got the better of me. Since I've gotten to university, I haven't had this kind of "trial," and even living 24/7 with a single person on my mission was not as hard.
Luckily, the family is also a place of forgiveness, unconditional love, and selective amnesia, especially with the Gospel of Jesus Christ around to encourage charity, compassion and repentance. Thus, though it is in the family that are true selves are exposed and broken, it is also in the family that they are refined, polished, and healed.
I am so grateful for my wonderful family and the opportunity I had to spend time around them this week. Not only was it an enjoyable and refreshing experience, but it was also a great opportunity to have some of my own faults and defects called to my attention so that I may work on improving myself.
I am so grateful for my wonderful family and the opportunity I had to spend time around them this week. Not only was it an enjoyable and refreshing experience, but it was also a great opportunity to have some of my own faults and defects called to my attention so that I may work on improving myself.
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