Conference

CONFERENCE WEEKEND

We decided to go to the cabin for conference. We were able to arrive on Thursday night, so we had a whole day to explore the Fall colors. It was absolutely breathtaking:

Conference was amazing. I loved being spiritually fed. I loved being engulfed in God's nature at the cabin while listening to Conference. My heart was uplifted and I was fortified. My hurts were given a balm of healing. My determination to BECOME was renewed. 

There were many moments in Conference that moved me to tears. Most of those moments were through the messages taught. However two other moments caused me to reflect. First, our prophet had an opposing vote for the second time. I was at the last conference, and I remember being completely blown away at the vote of opposition. My daughters couldn't fathom someone not sustaining our prophet, and it was difficult to keep them quiet through the remainder of the session. (In the conference center, it is absolutely quiet, so conversing about something is out of the question.) This time, I silently prayed that there would be no opposition to our prophet; however, I was disappointed in my hopes. My mind had reflected on the meaning of this opposition, and I can't help but think about the times in which we live. It is so easy to become blinded to the world around us.

It sometimes amazes me how easy it is to allow Satan to obstruct our view. Just last night, my children asked me about a former teacher who has recently left the church. Their concern for their former teacher, touched my heart, and in the process we talked about what it means to keep the faith. Perhaps, my formula is too simple for staying the course, but I don't think so. I honestly think that it is the little things that count. It is daily scripture study, daily prayers, and attending our church meetings that will be the difference maker in our testimonies. I truly believe that if we are doing these things, then no matter what kind of information, or trial that is thrown our way--our testimonies will be solid and we will be able to withstand the storm. 

This past year, my young brother passed away. I have been extremely careful to be absolutely faithful and positive in my conversations about his passing. This "careful" attitude hasn't been an "act". I truly believe that through our faith we will overcome all of our trials. With that being said, there have been extreme moments of struggle. I have no doubt that as I have continued to pray and read my scriptures, I have been carried. I also have no doubt that because I was doing those things prior to Brandon's passing, I was directed to the pathway of healing. My faith has not faltered. My resolve remains the same. In fact, perhaps I am becoming better...slowly...very slowly, but all the same--better. 

I can't imagine living life without God in the picture. I can't imagine having him as a constant confidant. I can't imagine life without the scriptures in my head. I can't imagine FACING life without it. I am so grateful that I have been given tools that keep me safe from Satan, and that keep facing my Savior. 

The second thing (besides the inspired messages) that caused my tears to flow was watching our beloved prophet struggle as he delivered his message. Somehow as he struggled, my mind no longer focused on his message, but his struggle in delivering that message. My heart ached as I prayed for his strength. Perhaps, this second experience illuminates my frustration with the first experience. It illuminates the first, because it demonstrates how much I truly love the prophet and how utterly ridiculous it is for anyone to find fault in him. I am so grateful for all that President Monson does for me on a daily basis. I am so grateful that God, in His mercy, allows us to be led by a holy man of God. I am so grateful that President Monson--once again--offered an example of charity and love for others as he refused to quit, and as he persevered through his message. My ultimate goal is to become as Christ-like as possible prior to my passing into the next life--President Monson is an example of someone who is accomplishing that goal. I am truly grateful to him for his example.

Mushroom Wars From a Mushroom City we Found

I am constantly feeling as if I need to improve as a parent. I am far from perfect. There are many things that I feel I need to improve upon with my parenting skills. However, once in a while, I do something right. The reverence tent is doing something right. I was astounded this weekend as my kids truly focused on conference. The tent seems like a miracle worker in our lives. The kids look forward to conference. They talk about the tent, and then as conference is going--they truly focus. I think this is the 6th or 7th conference with "the tent", and I will never go back.

FAVORITES:

There was so much to be gleaned from conference, but here were some of my favorites:

"Exaltation is our goal; discipleship is our journey."
`Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"People wonder if there is going to be anything new, anything exciting in the way of a new announcement or a new tradition. The interesting thing is that everything we teach is old."
`Russell M. Nelson

"He takes us as we are--and makes us more than we ever imagined."
`Neill F. Marriott

"Your responsibility now is to be worthy of the person you wan tot marry. If you want to marry a wholesome, attractive, honest, happy, hardworking, spiritual person, be that kind of person. If you are that person and you are not married, be patient. Wait upon the Lord. I testify that the Lord knows your desires and loves you for your faithful devotion to Him. He has a plan for you, whether it be in this life or the next. Listen to His Spirit."
`Robert D. Hales

"There is no darkness so dense, so menacing, or so difficult that it cannot be overcome by light."
`Vern P. Stanfill

"Your faith will grow not by chance, but by choice."
`Neil L. Anderson

"Our adversary wants us to fail. He spreads lies as part of his effort to destroy our belief. He slyly suggests that the doubter, the skeptic, the cynic is sophisticated and intelligent, while those who have faith in God and His miracles are naive, blind, or brainwashed. Satan will advocate that it is cool to doubt spiritual gifts and the teachings of prophets. I wish I could help everyone to understand this one simple fact: we believe in God because of things we know with our heart and mind, not because of things we do not know. Our spiritual experiences are sometimes too sacred to explain in worldly terms, but that doesn't mean they are not real."
`Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"My message to you tonight is straightforward. It is this: Keep the commandments. God's commandments are not given to frustrate or to become obstacles to our happiness. Just the opposite is true. He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just what we need and when we need it, in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible. He has provided us with guidelines which, if we follow them, will see us safely through this treacherous mortal journey. We remember the words of the familiar hymn: 'Keep the commandments! In this there is safety; in this there is peace.'"
`President Thomas S. Monson

"May I say to all of you, and particularly to you young people, that the world moves further and further away from the principles and guidelines given to us by loving Heavenly Father, we will stand out from the crowd because we are different..."
`President Thomas S. Monson

"The culminating act of all Creation was the creation of woman!"
`Russell M. Nelson

"We can, if we live worthy of it, have the blessings of the Spirit to be with us."
`Henry B. Eyring

"It's important to recognize that God's ultimate purpose is our progress. His desire is that we continue f'from grace to grace, until we receive a fullness' of all that He can give. That requires more than being nice or feeling spiritual. It requires faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism of water and of Spirit, and enduring in faith to the end."
`D. Todd Christofferson

"God never loses sight of our eternal potential, even when we do."
`Carole M. Stephens

"Your Heavenly Father loves you--each of you. That love never changes."
`President Thomas S. Monson

"Focus not on what I can't do but rather what I can do."
`Gary E. Stevenson

"Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time for one will dispel the other."
`Thomas S. Monson

"As the literal spirit children of our loving Heavenly Father, we have unlimited divine potential.
`M. Russell Ballard

"If our lives are centered on Jesus Christ, He can successfully mold us into who we need to be."
`Richard J. Maynes

"As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our conviction."
`Thomas S. Monson

"Do not give up! Never give up!"
`Elder Martino

"Our Heavenly Father knows our divine potential. He rejoices every time we take a step forward."
`Larry R. Lawrence

"We need women who know how to make important things happen by their faith."
`Russell M. Nelson

"To all the mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle--and all will--I say, "Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.'"
`Jeffrey R. Holland

"Once we begin to see the divinity in ourselves, we can see it in others."
`Rosemary M. Wixom

"One man or woman who is willing to testify when the world is going in the opposite direction, can make a difference."
`Gregory A. Schwitzer

"No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child."
`Jeffrey R. Holland

"If you do your best, it will all work out."
`Neill F. Marriott

"What lack I yet?"
`Larry R. Lawrence

"Straighten up and fly right."
`Robert D. Hales

"None of us marry perfection, we marry potential."
`Robert D. Hales

We need to engage in intentional parenting...I've been where you are--I'll help you get through it.
`Bradley D. Foster

"When you do your part, He will magnify you."
`Henry B. Eyring

"Step forward and take your place. More than you ever have before..." (I need to look this one up some more.)
`Russell M. Nelson

"True disciples are not looking to make excuses for the doctrine. True disciples represent the Lord when it's not convenient."
`Gregory A. Schwietzer

"Don't be critical of the barrier, it's offering you protection."
`Elder Keetch

"Ponderize one verse of scripture each week."
`Devin G. Durrant