i love general conference. i love to hear the words of the modern day prophets, telling us things we can do to improve our lives and grow closer to the lord. although i never quite manage to get to watch it all uninterrupted, i managed to sneak one of the sessions in, playing on the laptop while editing some photos, before we watched the sunday morning session as a family. i absolutely loved this quote from sister craven from her talk careful vs. casual. it was an excellent talk and it hit me hard in a good way, a great reminder to do the right thing. to always do the right thing.
i actually had a wonderful experience this time around too, elder uchtdorf spoke during the saturday morning session in his talk: missionary work: sharing what is in your heart. he spoke of the importance of being the one to bring up the gospel, to speak up and not wait for a chance. because not long after listening to that talk, the chance arose for me.
madeline has made a few new friends since the beginning of the school year, which always happens as classes are shuffled and kids are put with new people. one girl she has become very good friends with and has had regular play dates. this girls mother messaged me during the holidays, to ask me to keep a date free for a birthday party, which was - of course, a sunday. most of our friends know we are religious, that we attend church regularly and that when we decline invitations to sunday parties that it's not because we don't want to attend, but because of our church meetings. but this was a new friend, i don't know the mother well and i didn't want to decline and risk it possibly affecting the girls friendship. i'm not saying the mum would be like that and don't think for a minute she would be, but the unfortunate reality is, some people are. so... i thought about it long and hard, how could i respond kindly, but give a good reason for her not being able to make it? elder uchtdorfs talk came clearly into my mind and i found myself typing back that sundays weren't a good day for us as we are very involved in our church community, which takes up our day and that madeline just wouldn't be able to make it. i don't know what i expected to happen, i am a little bit paranoid at the best of times... i guess i just figured that she wouldn't be going. what i didn't expect was a quick response from the mum asking if saturday would work better for us? you could not wipe the smile off my face - and madeline was thrilled to pieces! to speak up even though i was unsure of what it would lead to, had lead to something amazing! i had managed to mention the church to someone and have the best response possible. hooray! that talk was clearly something i needed to hear and i know it will help me to be a lot more brave in the future.
i also loved this talk from president nelson in the sunday morning session: come follow me. how blessed we are to have this amazing man leading our church in these days. he truly is inspired and i know this talk will be something that so many people will need to hear. it is all about how we can become closer to the lord, even if we have strayed from the "covenant path" or even doubt his existence. i hope there are people who hear his words and begin to return to the safety of the gospel.
i mean seriously, he just says all the right things. just when i thought i couldn't love him any more, he came out with this quote in the priesthood session. what a legend.
i can't wait to get into the rest of the sessions, general conference is truly a huge blessing in our lives.
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