A Bowl Full of Skittles

That's what made our Conference weekend a success. Would you believe that I actually listened to all four sessions? Yes! I loved the article from last month's Ensign about getting your kids excited for Conference, so I implemented some of those ideas, like giving Bekah and Jacob Skittles when they would hear certain words (Family, Baptism, Missionary, Jesus Christ, Temple...). I also printed out a conference packet for Bekah that had coloring pages and activities. She did awesome, and Jacob was a terd. We gave up on him halfway through Saturday morning's session and told him to go find some trucks to play with.
I have never been good at devoting my weekend to Conference, but for the last few years I have been trying to do better, wanting to do better, and this weekend everything seemed to work out. I feel incredibly uplifted and focused, mainly because now I see so many areas in which I need to improve. (Great, huh. I'm a glass-half-full kind of girl...otherwise I'd be sitting here feeling like crap because the General Authorities pointed out all my shortcomings) Here are some of my favorite thoughts/quotes from Conference:

*Robert D. Hales who gave two lessons to Provident living (i.e. joyfully living within our means) said that when you go to purchase something, ask/tell yourself 1. "We can't afford it, even if we need it" and 2. "We can afford it , but we don't need it." (Obviously this would help to whittle out unnecessary purchases. Don't do this in front of the milk aisle. Or diaper aisle. Or chocolate aisle.)

*D. Todd Christofferson who said "Personal righteousness does not preclude all adversity and suffering." We can feel comfortable so long that we begin to feel like we deserve it, and then when trials come we get mad and think it's unfair. (I get nervous that life is too good sometimes. I truly feel blessed for all that I have. My sister Amy doesn't help any, either. She says every person gets one BIG trial and likes to come up with crazy ideas about what mine will be. She's also the person who cheered when I gained 40 lbs with the last baby. A sister only a sister could love...kidding, kidding :)

*Henry B. Eyring talking about adversity and the Savior's example...he said that Jesus Christ could have learned about how to comfort us through revelation, but he chose to learn how to comfort us through his own personal experiences with trials. He also said to examine your life to be sure you've done all you can to be worthy of the Lord's help.

*Russell M. Nelson who spoke about prayer and said you don't need to go overboard with prayer and fasting, but quoted Joseph F. Smith who said, "The Lord will accept that which is enough."

*Dieter F. Uchtdorf quoting Joseph B. Wirthlin, who said, "His (God's) love is such that even if we give up on ourselves, he will not give up on us."

*Steven E. Snow giving us four ways to prepare for change and to be able to face life's unexpected challenges: 1. Follow the Prophets, 2. Keep an eternal perspective, 3. Have faith!, 4. Be of good cheer. (They really talked a lot about adversity, change, and preparing for the future. I loved the simple answers, and especially the next quote by President Monson)

*Thomas S. Monson (the Prophet), saying, "The future is as bright as your faith."

*Dallin H. Oaks quoting Mother Teresa, "We cannot do great things, only small things with great love." (I want to make this into a sign and hang it over my tub so I can read it every day. Sometimes I get in a crazy mood to do something BIG and then get discouraged when I can't, and it's good to remind myself that really a phone call is enough, I don't need to bake cookies the shape of roses, complete with pink frosting and rare edible flower petals...and then make a cute box to put them in tied with handspun silk ribbon and embossed card complete with calligraphy)

*L. Tom Perry talking about missionary work and saying, "Open your mouths and they shall be filled"...you will be given what to say. (I always tell myself I don't have any non-member friends because I don't go anywhere. Then a little chastising voice reminds me that none of my neighbors are LDS, so that's a good place to start.)

Hmmm...are you wishing I hadn't watched all four sessions? You'll have to let me know what your favorite parts were if you watched it. And if you didn't watch it but would like to, click here!

Have a happy week!

Oh. Yes. I almost forgot. If you are observant and noticed Jacob's mohawk, just know that Rus did it to him and I was embarrassed everywhere we took him. I made him wear a hat. It didn't help that his sweater was from Halloween and said, "SCARE you later!" He looked (and acted) like a punk!