It's conference time
(When I write the things of my heart, I am always conscious that the friends that I treasure come from a variety of different life and internal perspectives. I do not claim to have a corner on the market of understanding, of the things that bring all happiness in life, of good things that inspire each of you in your life. But I share what I feel and hope that you will respect me in my perspectives as I do with your own.)
I am really loving General Conference (a gathering twice-yearly in Salt Lake that is broadcast by internet to the general membership of the LDS Church. We affectionally call it "Pajama Sunday" though it goes all weekend). I have made a particular effort to have it on all weekend which as been SO much easier now that we can stream it through the computer and have it on in multiple rooms as needed. I haven't really had the opportunity to make notes since I'm juggling two babies babies and a sick husband. But I have been able to help Sophie do the "conference grid" that I did as a child-- a large multi-columned sort of tick tack toe board that has topics written into the squares. Then we make tally marks each time a word or topic is spoken so that we can a) pay better attention and b) track the topics spoken. It's been fun to watch her excitedly mark them off.
I love hearing the Brethren speak. I love hearing the women of the auxillaries speak. I love hearing continued affirmation of the role of Heavenly Father and the Savior in our lives, of their constant love and presence. I love hearing of the divine role of families, of testimony, of faith and hope and charity and humility. I love hearing testimony after testimony of the importance of the Book of Mormon, of bearing witness of it to ourselves, to our loved ones, to the world. I love hearing the Apostles affirm their role as Special Witnesses of Christ with humility, and even a little humor. I love the feeling the Spirit in such great abundance in our home. And more than anything, I love feeling the whisperings of that Spirit to my heart of the things that the Lord would have me feel, and know, and do. Sometimes it's gentle whisperings of affirmation that my actions are good, that my life is acceptable, that my heart is changing. And then there are admonishments of things that need to move in a different direction and actions that need to be redirected. I love how my feelings toward my family are strengthened and refined. And as conference comes to a close I feel an urgency to glean all that I can, to watch the talks again in more quiet moments so that I can continue to be taught by my Savior. I don't often bear testimony in this journal but I should. My faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my love for him are real in my life. It strengthens me daily, when I let it. So often I get busy and miss a lot of the things that would help me to be guided by my Heavenly Father. But when I do listen, when I read my scriptures and pray and seek for answers and direction, they come quickly and with great power. I know that that they are there and that, in my life, makes all the difference.
I am really loving General Conference (a gathering twice-yearly in Salt Lake that is broadcast by internet to the general membership of the LDS Church. We affectionally call it "Pajama Sunday" though it goes all weekend). I have made a particular effort to have it on all weekend which as been SO much easier now that we can stream it through the computer and have it on in multiple rooms as needed. I haven't really had the opportunity to make notes since I'm juggling two babies babies and a sick husband. But I have been able to help Sophie do the "conference grid" that I did as a child-- a large multi-columned sort of tick tack toe board that has topics written into the squares. Then we make tally marks each time a word or topic is spoken so that we can a) pay better attention and b) track the topics spoken. It's been fun to watch her excitedly mark them off.
I love hearing the Brethren speak. I love hearing the women of the auxillaries speak. I love hearing continued affirmation of the role of Heavenly Father and the Savior in our lives, of their constant love and presence. I love hearing of the divine role of families, of testimony, of faith and hope and charity and humility. I love hearing testimony after testimony of the importance of the Book of Mormon, of bearing witness of it to ourselves, to our loved ones, to the world. I love hearing the Apostles affirm their role as Special Witnesses of Christ with humility, and even a little humor. I love the feeling the Spirit in such great abundance in our home. And more than anything, I love feeling the whisperings of that Spirit to my heart of the things that the Lord would have me feel, and know, and do. Sometimes it's gentle whisperings of affirmation that my actions are good, that my life is acceptable, that my heart is changing. And then there are admonishments of things that need to move in a different direction and actions that need to be redirected. I love how my feelings toward my family are strengthened and refined. And as conference comes to a close I feel an urgency to glean all that I can, to watch the talks again in more quiet moments so that I can continue to be taught by my Savior. I don't often bear testimony in this journal but I should. My faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and my love for him are real in my life. It strengthens me daily, when I let it. So often I get busy and miss a lot of the things that would help me to be guided by my Heavenly Father. But when I do listen, when I read my scriptures and pray and seek for answers and direction, they come quickly and with great power. I know that that they are there and that, in my life, makes all the difference.