Ever since I was a missionary I just have loooved
General Conference. I would soak up all 4 sessions on the mission and take pages and pages of notes and it was then that I even started truly enjoying the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It's like it all clicked into place and I had a true appreciation for it. I remember watching Salt Lake City on the big screen and feeling so far from home but appreciating so much having such inspired leaders. I decided never to take it for granted again! So ever since "Sister Ferrin" I've just really listened more with true intent and it's given me such direction. So here I am again in front of the screen a loooong way from home and soaking up all the inspiration I can. Here are some of the things I loved....
I loved Uchdorft’s talk about the "forget me nots" at the Relief Society Meeting. I watched it at a later broadcast in Portuguese and whatever language- it had the same great message: Don’t forget to be patient with ourselves, don’t forget the difference between a foolish and good sacrifice, don’t forget to be happy now, don’t forget the “whys” of the Gospel and why we truly do things, and to not forget that the Lord loves you! I just felt such a good spirit through this talk and it reminded me that I truly need to live more in the present and be happy and thankful for all that I have. I also loved his talk at conference again testifying that God knows us, our circumstances and knows our heart. I think more than ever in this conference I felt through the spirit that he truly is an apostle of God!
Boyd K. Packer and how the family is the center of God’s plan and also that the voice of the Spirit comes as a feeling more than of a sound.
Neil L. Anderson talked about how we shouldn’t be judgemental of others of how many kids to have and when. That it’s a sacred decision between a husband, wife, and the Lord. I thought about my little family and how large and sacred the responsibility is of being a parent and how I'm so grateful I'm not alone in raising them and that I can rely on the Lord.
Carl B. Cook said we need to have an attitude of “can do” and “will do” and to follow the prophet’s advice of “looking up”. Have a hearing ear and a seeing eye and cheer up and act on it. This was really encouraging for me because I realize I need to rely more on the Lord for strength and that through simple acts we get answers and become more Christ-like.
The Choir sang "I Am a Child of God" and it was so beautiful! And during it Lucas was laying on me and Lee and he would sit back and listen, then lean in and give me a kiss. Then he would sit back and listen to the music and then lean in and give Lee a kiss. It was so sweet. One of those picture perfect moments where you wish you could stop time a bit. :)
L. Tom Perry encouraged me to be a better missionary and that I can share the Gospel better. That the Gospel will prove itself to those who are prepared and ready to receive it. Every time I take a taxi to church (which is quite often) I made a goal to talk to the driver about the church and invite them. I know someday at least one of them will visit! But I need to talk to more people about the Gospel.
Kazuhiko Yamashita- reminded me of my mission and how my dad truly did pass his love for Brazil to me. I thought about what an honor it was to be a missionary and how I'll never forget the sweet amizades that I made on my mission. It's crazy to think how much my mission changed the course of my life. Who would've EVER thought I would be living here in Brazil with my little brazilian family!
Prophet Thomas S. Monson said that the 10 commandments aren’t suggestions but in fact commandments. The world is changing but the laws of God do not. The spirit brings true joy and comes to us by living worthily. It makes me want to do better. I thought it was so sweet that Maile got so excited when she saw him on the tv and said, "It's Thomas S. Monson!" and she was so thrilled that he was wearing a purple tie so that she could color one in her little conference book. :)
And finally he ended saying, “we all have a part to play and may we play our part well.”
Yes it was a very uplifting few days and I feel privileged to be a member of the church and receive direction in my life!
