Saturdays Warrior and Happily ever Afters

So the other day I had a tick and it wasn't going to go away until I got to watch Saturdays Warrior. I found it on YouTube and made my family watch the first half.  Well we've only watched the first half and that's ok.  I've started to realize that this movie shaped my thoughts and desires in a way I never would have intended it to.  In my mind big families were what was to happen no matter what.  I remember as a kid being in love with the idea of a big family, in part, because I came from one but also because I hated Jimmy's friends for trying to sway his heart and accept that the world was over populated.  For years I had such a difficult time not being able to have a big family of my own and coming to the realization that would never happen for Brent and I.  I watched this movie with amazement as all the ideals I had once had appeared on screen before me.  Now these are not bad things by any stretch but for Brent and I they are unrealistic.  I find it almost funny how things like this shape who we are and then when our "happily ever after" doesn't come as promised we have to reevaluate what the meaning of happily ever after means.  I know not one person who has just lived happily ever after.  That's not as the Lord intended and thank goodness it's not!  I can't say I love having challenges but I certainly love the end result!  I was reminded today of this talk by Elder Uchtdorf and thought it would be good to link it here.

These are some great thoughts by Elder Uchtdorf.....

“Sandwiched between their “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” they all had to experience great adversity. Why must all experience sadness and tragedy? Why could we not simply live in bliss and peace, each day filled with wonder, joy, and love?  The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter. Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice?”
  

There was one other thing from the movie that's been constantly on my mind and that's the scripture that's quoted in the movie in song format, "line upon line, precept upon precept".  Emma is in a phase right now where she asks all sorts of questions (a phase I hope lasts for a long time).  She asked me the other day the difference between Christians and Mormons.  It was a fun discussion to share with her.  It was fun for her to realize that she is just like her other Christian friends, that they both share a belief in Jesus Christ!   

This right here is my happily ever after.  It certainly comes with trials and faith building challenges but as you can see it's full of joy!