Conference

What a wonderful conference this was! I felt the spirit so strongly during so many talks and kept thinking, "Oh this is my favorite." And then thinking it again during the next talk and then the next. I really did LOVE Elder Holland's talk. He gave a similar talk at the MTC and our Bishop had shared the talk with us in July. It really touched me then, and it touched me again today. It really was one of my favorites, but there were many others that were excellent and that I needed to hear. President Eyring's talk was also wonderful and helpful. And I loved Sister Burton's talk, "Observe and then serve."

Usually, I print out activities for my kids to do during conference, but I didn't this time. But we do have a binder of coloring pages that are gospel related that my mom gave us. So they spent a lot of time coloring. Near the end of the last session, Michelle started drawing pictures of the speakers on the white board. Some of them were quite good. My sister Suzy spent the day with us, so she and I each did a little coloring along with the kids. Ella, Suzy and I each colored a page of hearts which Ella wanted to show off.

I feel a great desire to recommit myself to living the gospel fully. I was touched by one speaker that talked about how often we wear our busyness as a badge of honor. But if we reflect on the ministry of the Master, our Savior, he was never too busy to teach or to serve. He was not going from place to place frenetically. I need to slow down at times and make sure I am available for my friends and family. I need to "observe and serve". I liked the counsel to begin each day with a prayer to have an opportunity to bless someone's life...and then to look for those opportunities and take them. Because if we look and listen, we will get these opportunities to serve. I want to be better at meeting other's needs outside of my own family, although it is also noble and important to meet their needs. I want to be certain that I don't get so worried about test scores and data that I don't have time to listen or help my students to know that they are unique and special. I am quite certain that many of the opportunities I have had and will have to serve come while I am at work. I want to be more aware of the promptings I receive and to follow them.

(And by the way, the threshold ritual at home and work is really helping! I don't always remember, every day, to stop at the door and repeat a mantra. But I remember most days and it really helps me to feel gratitude for my blessings. I've decided to change my mantra every month or two, and my wonderful mom sent me several I can use. Thanks, Mom! You're the best. Right now, I am repeating a saying that I've loved for a long time... "Children are God's way of telling you that tomorrow is beautiful." (Anonymous)... and not only is tomorrow beautiful, but today is too. I try to use that to remind myself what a blessing this stage of life is and that it passes all too quickly.)

I want to be certain that my life is a testament to my love for my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I want to be certain that Christ will know the answer to his query of Peter, "Lovest thou me?" I want to be able to answer with certainty, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest I love thee." And I want to feel certain that He does know I love Him, because I have served Him all of my life. I want to feel certain that I have taught my children to love Him.

As I was listening, a song that I learned when I was in the Young Women's program (many years ago) came back to me. We sang this for some program and even learned some sign language to go with it. It is called "Hands of Heaven" and was written by Julie De Azevedo.

"Easing a burden, putting a broken heart together again, guiding a lost friend home...We are the hands of heaven on Earth. Reaching out to each other through our good works. We know the Lord is there. And through us He can answer prayers. We are His hands. The hands of heaven on Earth."

I want this song to describe me...to describe the life I live. I have a long way to go, but I'm going to try harder.