General Conference

The week of General Conference was a whirlwind.

The Career Fair was on Wednesday and the BYUPAS annual board meeting and luncheon were on Saturday. It was quite eventful.

Our board meeting ended around 9:15 so we walked to the Blue Lemon caddy-corner from temple square. We knew we would likely run into the first session, so around 10:05 or so we parted ways and headed to listen.

As I was walking along South Temple, I made eye contact with, said hello, and smiled at a man handing out pamphlets on the street. I knew it was likely anti-Mormon literature, so when he offered me one, I simply smiled and said no thank you.

About 10 or 15 steps further up the street I felt that I should go back and thank him for being respectful. I was hesitant at first, but I'm not one that can easily ignore those kind of impressions.

As I walked back (not having a clue what to say) I made eye contact with him and simply thank him for being respectful. He commented that he wasn't here to bash, simply to share his beliefs. I thanked him for that as well, wished him a good day, and walked to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with a smile on my face.

As I found a seat in the gorgeous chapel (that I didn't know existed), President Monson was concluding his remarks. I historic announcement changing missionary age from 19 to (a possible) 18 for men and from 21 to 19 for women. Neat.

The rest of the weekend was nice. Ryan, Adi, and I spent Saturday with his family and then we spent Sunday with my family. It was a neat weekend and spiritually uplifting. I love listening to the Prophet and Apostles.

JSMB Chapel (it reminds me of the Salt Lake Temple)

Conference Bingo 

Girls (and kids') Night Out!

Jennifer, Adi, and Gavin shoppin' around town!

Adi and Grandpa reading 

Forget Me Not

Last week, my friend Kali, invited me to go with her to the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was such a fun surprise, and I am so grateful I went.

I enjoyed the spirit that Sister Beck and her counselors shared with the sisters of the church and became excited to learn more about and read the new book about the history of Relief Society.

However, it was the powerful message that came last that really shared with me an eternal perspective.

President Uchtdorf, a prophet, seer, and revelator in our time spoke to women across the world last week. Yet, he spoke to me.

His talk was "Five Things to Forget Not".

He spoke of the tiny Forget Me Not flowers that mirror the sky (I always enjoy his aviation jokes, puns, and stories). He mentioned their size and insignificance; smaller than pennies, they are often forgotten.

Yet, his purpose was to build us up, reguvinate us, and tell us of God's love for us.

He mentioned five "forget nots" that I have really come to love:

   1) Forget not to be patient with yourself

   2) Forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice

   3) Forget not to be happy now

   4) Forget not the “why” of the gospel

   5) Forget not that the Lord loves you

He mentioned that some of the things we do may be small and insignificant and unappreciated by the world, but that our Heavenly Father knows of them. This stood out to me not because of the small or insignificant, but because of the unappreciated. Often I feel like my education, in another social setting, would be of greater value. More important.  Yet, I know that my Heavenly Father is proud of my hard work and accomplishments. He helps me to be patient with myself and to be happy now. He knows me, and when I need it most, sends someone with a small gift of recognition, but more importantly appreciation.

In closing, President Uchdorft bore a beautiful testimony of our Savior and looked into the camera with these words: 

“Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time." 

I am grateful for President Uchdorft's inspired words and a loving God that has placed prophets on the earth to teach and guide us. 

Conference Gumbo

One of the many amazing Conference traditions that my in-laws have is delicious, gourmet food. As I already mentioned there is "Cabin Breakfast", named so because we have it most weekend that we spend at the cabin. However, once a year my mother-in-law makes Gumbo in honor of our deep-rooted southern heritage (well, not so deeply rooted, but with returned missionaries from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, we figure that it might as well be).

Anyway, after cabin breakfast this morning, everyone was definitely in a 'food coma', so we waited until this afternoon to indulge in... (feel free to be jealous).

Southern Gumbo with seafood

Close up (pardon the blurriness), yummy.

Conference Weekend

This morning as I post, I am sitting in my in-laws kitchen listening to the sounds of cooking and "Music and the Spoken Word". Ryan and I woke up and started peeling potatoes for the delicious 'cabin breakfast' that my father-in-law is famous for (homemade hash-browns, eggs, bacon, toast... yummy!). I am salivating just thinking about it.

Another wonderful thing about being here for Conference is that I get to spend time with our nephew, Gavin. He is a year and a half next week, and I can't believe it! I must admit that he is one of the absolute cutest kids ever. Period. As evidenced by the following pictures (pardon the pixilation)...

Our cook Gavin in his over-sized apron/toga!

Gavin selecting the spices and herbs for Grandpa.

Feeding Grandma... yummy!

The perfect recipe... cute and lovable!