The Comfort of Conference

Every 6 months in April and October we listen to our Prophet and Apostles, who are the mouthpiece of our Heavenly Father. We are counseled and taught, uplifted and edified and I couldn't think of a better time of year to do this than in the fall, when the leaves are changing and the weather is cool and inviting and in the Spring when the flowers are blooming and the world is waking from a long winter. These two weekends of the year D and I love to just put on our pjs and reminisce, talk of those things our leaders teach us and how they strike change in us. We enjoy yummy food and snuggle with the kids. I love it! At this time of year I know many of you as well as myself are concerned with our economy, who will lead our country and how to better protect our children and families from this big bad world. I don't normally follow politics. I do try to support important issues that I feel strongly about but this year has been different. I have followed things closely. D and I have been out of work 2 times in our 11 years together. We were out of work for about 6 months each time. It was very scary for us, but we were blessed to have just enough to meet our needs and the help of family. My faith and testimony grew during those times. I wondered during those times how we would get through, what would happen, if my prayers were being heard and when D finally found work, we were blessed far and above what we thought possible. It just happened in His timing, not ours and we learned to have great faith. I know from those experiences that my Father in Heaven will not leave us without and destitute if we would do our part and trust in him. This conference reaffirmed this in me. There were so many talks that spoke of being prepared, living within our means, being tolerant, kind, compassionate and of service to others, enjoying the here and now, sharing the gospel and the list goes on. What struck me most were the words of laying aside the things of the world, to be less selfish and to realize our true worth. Elaine Dalton (General Young Womens President) was amazing and I love her talk best! She spoke of the temple of how it is central to all we do in the church. She spoke of Virtue.

Virtue means strength... President Monson has counseled You be the one to stand for right, even if you stand alone....

...What could be more deceptive than to entice women, young and old, you and me to be so involved in ourselves, our looks, our clothes, our body shape and size that we lose sight of our divine identity and our ability to change the world through our virtuous influence...

...Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly, cleave to your covenants, stand in holy places, lay aside things of the world, believe that ye must repent, always remember him and keep his commandments, and if there is anything lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, seek after these things...

...Today, there can be no more powerful force for virtue in the world, you must never underestimate the power of your righteous influence...

I think I would be lying if I didn't admit to really struggling with those things in my life, and I don't think I would be alone in this.

Thomas S. Monson

...We should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future. If your still in the process of raising children, beware that the tiny finger prints that show up on almost every newly clean surface, toys spread about the house, the piles and piles of laundry spread about the house, will disappear almost all too soon, and you will, to your surprise, miss them profoundly. Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances, we must deal with them best we can, but we should not let them get in the way of what is most important and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume they must know how much we love them. We must never assume, we must let them know...

I love meeting people who make me feel as though I'm the most important person in their life. What I love most about these people is that they make everyone feel this way.

Well, not to go on a long tangent I just had these thoughts jumbling around in my head and had to share them. It is who I am, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is mine and it is very much a part of me and my family and I have to share these things. I told my kids that if they took good notes or drew pictures about what conference was about that I would give them 25 cents. Yes, I know this is probably a pathetic bribe, but it works. Hailey, of course wrote pages on each person. Abby listened with lots of reminding and coaxing from me ;) and Rachel and Joe drew pictures as well. I don't know how much they soaked in but at least getting in the habit of know what happens twice a year is important and that we stop all things to listen is what I hope they will learn and when they are old enough to understand like Hailey is, they will take more from it. I was sad to see the weekend end but was so excited about what I learned and how much more validated and important what I do as a mom everyday is and how I can do better. I hope you all will share your thoughts a feelings about conference, I look forward to reading them!