This past weekend we had an awesome opportunity to go to the Conference Center for Stake Conference. The Prophet, Elder Packer, Sis Lant and Elder Anderson spoke beautiful messages. I'd love to include photos of the event, but I left the camera in the car and there wasn't much scenery in the parking lot. The temple and all the grounds were beautiful though, even if there had been a minor blizzard the night before.
We took these two with us, of course, and though the prophet was hard to make out from the terrace, they knew he was there and they did a great job listening as well as 4 and 1 1/2 year olds can.
The thoughts that stuck with me most are:
-"Daddy, Jesus says slow down." Elder Anderson's daughter told him that after seeing a sculpture of the Savior w/ His hand outstretched. Take more time to meditate and ponder and pray. Just slow down.
-"Full hands now, full hearts later." A "Grandma" shared that advice w/ Sister Packer as she sat alone trying to keep all the kids quiet in church. It made me really grateful for life. I mean my heart is full now as well, but so are my hands at times. When our hands are full, with anything righteous and praise worthy, it means our hearts will be more full as the years pass. Good things bring good rewards. "Be not weary in well doing...." Eat up every moment, don't worry about spills and schedules etc. I also hope that I can look back w/ a full and grateful heart when my hands and my house are emptied, "for all the life we had."
-"Women who know...." Sister Lant echoed the sentiment of Sister Beck from General Conference about doing LESS, spending less and focusing on family and the gospel more. Loved both talks!
-President Hinckely shared his '4 pillars of a happy home' talk with us. Marco and I received that advice the day we were sealed for time and all eternity nearly 7 years ago, and I'd hear it a million times over! Love it!
-Respect
-Family Prayer
-The Soft Answer
-Financial honesty (both w/ God and our spouse)
Correct me if I was off on any of those, my hands were full and so I couldn't take notes as I would have liked to. :)
He reiterated the old marriage--steam engine comparison about experiencing bumps and smoke and delays, but also thrilling bursts of speed and majestic vistas. He said the trick is to give thanks for being able to take the ride. All wonderful advice from a man married for over half a decade to his sweetheart who has recently passed on. You could hear how much he missed her and how much he wants all of us to give all of ourselves to our own sweetheart while we have them there beside us. Life is rarely predictable. Carpe Diem.
I came away feeling a renewed dedication to my growing family; Marco did too. Sweet guy.
Sorry to get so sentimental, the meeting was just that good.
These are the reasons my hands (and heart) are full.
Love that face!
Enzo thought it was hilarious to find Marco through the handle in the box. Who needs toys, right?
We made an attempt to go w/ our ward playgroup to Gardener Village. I don't know how we missed the meeting time/place, but we didn't find anyone at the church and so we ended up settling for our front porch and pumpkins for a photo op. Not nearly the back drop I'd hoped for, but we'll get there another time.
2 comments:
You should have come! I was 40 minutes late, but we finally made it! We just drove down ourselves and I called Tammy on her cell to find the group. Wish you could have made it, that would have been fun!
Alissa this is one of my favorite things about you, your spiritual sensibilities. You are always inspiring.
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