General Conference

Jeff and I had the opportunity to attend the Sunday morning session of April General Conference with my parents in the Conference Center. The Tabernacle Choir was beautiful and inspiring. I liked Craig Jessop as the director, but Mack Wilberg has a different style that I think is going to take the choir to new heights. And of course it was nice to be able to focus on the talks without the inevitable distractions of four little kids--thanks to my parents for the tickets and to Jeff's parents for babysitting! However, I think I actually got more out of conference for me personally from some of the other sessions. I felt the Spirit as I sat in my mini-van Sat. morning listening to the solemn assembly before running in to the rec center to pick Ryan up from his basketball clinic. I know the Spirit was testifying to me that President Monson is the prophet chosen by God to lead us at this time. I was motivated to be a better mother, especially now while my kids are young (Elder Ballard and others), and to try harder to make my home a place where "the storm stops at the door" (President Monson). I was also impressed to keep trying to live the gospel without apology--to keep my standards high and to share my testimony boldly by the way I live, as well as in words. Sometimes with kids it is hard to concentrate and really feel like I've been able to feast on General Conference. This time instead of trying to hear every word and feeling frustrated when it didn't happen, I just tried to listen with my heart to everything that I could. I feel like I did feast and I heard and sensed what I needed to guide my life right now. What a blessing!