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| (Emerson enjoying the water fountain at the Wave pool.) |
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| (Grandpa letting the numbing magic work on Lane before pulling three teeth!) |
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| (Checking out the solar oven!) |
It was wonderful. We celebrated my beautiful mother-in-laws' birthday, took the kids to the Wave Pool, went skeet shooting, made a solar oven, got dental work done, ate a lot and watched a ton of TV.
While the three to four movies that were viewed each day by my children were entertaining, by far the best thing that we watched on TV was.....
the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
You know how you feel just anticipating a family reunion - let alone being AT the reunion?
Isn't it the best!
It is indescribable to me.
The love, the sense of family and of belonging that I feel.
THAT is what General Conference is like for me.
It is like a worldwide family reunion of all of my brothers and sisters. When I watch the talks given at Conference, it feels like a giant Skype session with my older brothers and sisters who I admire and look up to and love. And then being able to talk with all my cousins (15 million plus) about the cool messages as we stay up till 1 am eating peanut M&M's and talking and laughing...
Well, something like that.
Anyway - I really just get giddy with excitement to hear the wonderful messages and to feel a part of the wonderful organization that is my church -
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Now - I am not one to make super cutesy crafts or meme's or anything - but here are some of the key messages that I took away from the meetings. One star point for each talk given.
*We must forsake transgression and any HINT of advocacy for it in others.
*Focusing on serving our brothers and sisters...prepares us to LOVE what the Lord LOVES!
*The only filter that ALWAYS works is your personal internal filter.
*Reading the Book of Mormon will give us protection from the whirlwinds of life.
*We need to serve God with JOY and dedication.
*Whenever we choose to make or keep a covenant with God, we leave a heritage of hope for our decedents.
*I need to be securely TIED to GOD and to nothing else.
*People can understand God's love better if they first feel unconditionally loved by us.
*It is IMPOSSIBLE for others to modify God's commandments.
*If we chose to leave the path at all, we will one day feel the bitterness of having set at naught the teachings of God.
*I need to use words that are both SOFT in spirit and FIRM in information.
*Our Family History Centers are now in our homes!
*Forget about our RIGHTS and focus on our RESPONSIBILITIES.
*If anyone ever says "That's just the way I am", they give up their ability to change.
*The Lord provides technology to accomplish HIS purposes, to hasten HIS work.
*3 things that make us "sleepy" in the restoration of the Kingdom of God: selfishness, addictions, and busyness.
*Help people CHOOSE to qualify for eternal life.
*Just be the same person in the dark that you are in the light.
*Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike virtues.
*As we follow UP the Lord will not let us DOWN.
*God accomplishes his miracles ONE prayer, ONE person at a time.
*Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
*Is the LOAD I am carrying producing Spiritual traction to get me unstuck and back on path to God?
*Our burdens are eased not by the Lord removing the challenges, but by the Lord strengthening US.
*Blame keeps wounds open, only forgiveness heals.
*The ultimate end of ALL activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at HOME.
*The more connected we feel to our righteous forefathers, the more likely we are to make wise and righteous choices.
*To succeed in life, we must teach our spirits and our bodies to work together.
*If we want to know the truth of all things, we need to ASK GOD ourselves.
*I need to put more quality time and effort to strengthen family relationships.
*We need to be willing to DO God's will when we find it.
*Repentance...is both POSSIBLE and URGENT!
*Realize how CLOSE He is willing to come; How FAR He is willing to go to help us; and how MUCH he loves us!
Overarching messages:
We will NEVER regret being a little too kind.
and...
Courage, not compromise brings the smile of God's approval.
If you are interested in listening for yourself to the awesome messages of our recent Family Reunion that is General Conference - click on this link here.
See you at the next one in October!
(I'll bring the M&Ms!)
