We had stake conference this weekend. I received a call Friday from the stake secretary Friday and so my heart was in my nose but he only needed me to say a prayer at conference. PHEW. It was a wonderful conference and the boys are now invited to both sessions so they came with us Saturday night and we had Torcy's Tacos for a bribery treat for Blake. Our visiting seventy was Elder Reen sp? from New Mexico. President Parker talked about his twin son and daughter who are both serving missions. He said his daughter recently wrote how she loved hearing her families spiritual experiences and also her brother's but doesn't feel like she has up to their level of experiences. All she knows is that she is happy and her testimony is growing. President Parker said that often we try to measure up to others spiritual experience and in the comparison we get discouraged. Satan discourages us. He then said that Mormon said that "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God." He then said we are being inspired and influenced by the Holy Ghost every time we do something good. Our choosing to attend conference was an example. He listed several things as examples and I had never thought about it in that light. One speaker didn't show so they called our stake patriarch out of the audience. If anyone can deliver the spirit with power off the cuff it is him. He has so much joy and enthusiasm for the gospel that he just makes you smile. He shared this story about Brigham Young. Brigham Young (not long in the Church) approached the Prophet's father who was the Patriarch. "I would like," he said, "a patriarchal blessing." For some reason the senior Joseph Smith was committed to something, could not pull away, and said to Brother Brigham Young: "Here. Here is a piece of paper. Sit down at this table and write down every good thing you seek in righteousness, and I will sign it and that will be your patriarchal blessing." Our patriarch promised us that if we would go home and think of a righteous desire and blessing that we would like and if we attached it to our blessings and lived worthy of it, it will come to pass. Another talk reminded us of the temple and how that it is the balance staff. It helps keep our lives in order and priorities in perspective. Our stake president, President Huntsman gave us council to pray for help and wisdom as we parent this generation. I had written along with that to be a kind wife and I underlined kind a few times. Apparently Blake was reading my notes and so after we had been home for a bit and we were eating dinner, he mentioned it. He said he was going to hold on to it until I was frustrated or upset and then he was going to remind me of my note. I told him he should still do that! Elder Reen told several examples of people who were living consecrated lives and how we need to strive for that. He also said all of us have something amiss in our hearts but that the Savior can change hearts. He also shared a story of grandparents who took on the raising of their handicapped granddaughter who needed everything done for her. They had been doing it for 30 years. He asked the grandmother to speak on sacrifice at a conference. She gave a wonderful talk but did not mention that immense sacrifice that she and her husband had given to raise this granddaughter. When he asked her about it, she said because we love her so much it has not been a sacrifice. It was a wonderful conference and reminded to keep enduring and to pray for those missionary opportunities!
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