WHAT IS FUN?

Definitions and managing expectations is important in good communication.  Our children will accuse us of never taking real vacations, only trips.  As parents, it took a long time for us to understand that calling a trip a vacation totally messed with the expectations of the experience.  We didn't understand that to our children a vacation, especially from school, implied relaxing, having a pool to swim in, and having fun with friends and/or family.  Going to see people or sites without these "fun" things meant it was a trip; thus, we went on more trips than vacations.

We all know sunny, beautiful San Diego, California is a destination place where people often come for a vacation to relax and have fun.  Just mention the words, "southern California" and people automatically think that we are here having the time of our lives and often say things along the lines of, "You must be having so much fun!" 

Up until recently I would cringe inside when things like this were asked, because I feeling way to much responsibility and accountability for it to be fun.  But maybe I have had the wrong definition of "fun".  I've always thought of fun as being entertaining or light-hearted amusement with lots of laughter.  If that is the kind of fun implied, then "no" we are not having "fun" here.  It's a lot of hard work!  

However, there is another part of the definition of "fun" that refers to having "enjoyment" in or taking "pleasure" in something.  This definition holds more potential for a positive response to the fun question.  We are having enjoyment,  and we do take pleasure in the overall experience of what we are doing here.  (But I still would not use the word fun for it.)  We do enjoy the weather and the variety of beautiful flora all around us. We do enjoy the people we have met.  We especially enjoy the feeling of the holy ground we are blessed to serve on and the wonderful people with whom we serve.   These are all substantial enjoyments and we recognize them for the blessings they are.   

But I think the greatest enjoyment I have felt is recognizing the Hand of the Lord in the service being done here in the community.  We have enjoyed seeing people's lives touched by the Spirit they feel at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site.  We have enjoyed seeing the Spirit working in the lives of  the missionaries who serve here. And we have enjoyed experiencing an increase in personal stamina that we know is not natural for us.  We have felt carried through many long days despite experiencing many short nights.  We cannot help but enjoy, appreciate, and be grateful for the increase of love for others we have felt and the thoughts and impressions that are above and beyond our own. 

So, in the future when others want to know if we are having fun, I can honestly say, "Yes, we are enjoying our mission here in sunny, San Diego.  

Pictures: 1) 1st Transfer Sisters and senior couples,   2) 1st time we actually wore our costumes, 3) Pt. Loma Light House at Cabrillo National Monument, 4 & 5) Beaches & seals at La Jolla