Oct 2014 General Conference

we spent our last weekend in our home.  we have a list a mile long of things we need to do, but instead of working on projects, we pulled a mattress downstairs and cuddled up together.  Listening to and watching General Conference.  Our house was filled with good food and music from the motab.  And now, Sunday night we're still all cuddled up together... watching Saturday's Warrior.  My kids had never heard of it before and it's unfortunate we've waited so long to introduce them to such a classic.

Yesterday I posted this status on my fb page and the feelings of peace and comfort have only magnified during the Sunday sessions..

It's been an eventful year for our little family. Aaron and I have been "in limbo" for quite some time.. From injuries to surgeries, dealing with financial hardship and unemployment, having a new baby, postpartum, homeschooling, church service, raising preteens (and a teenager!), starting a new business and finally deciding to sell our home & move closer to family... it's been stressful, to say the least. But even through difficult times of discouragement, we also know we've been incredibly blessed. We've truly grown closer in our marriage and to each of our children. Many have asked how we've managed to stay sane through all the transitions. I know that it is because God is aware of us and even though it seems He's given us very little direction or answers to our prayers, we have felt so much happiness and security. Today while listening to Apostles of Jesus Christ speak in conference, I was overwhelmed with peace. My life should be filled with stress and discouragement and fear, but instead I feel joy and excitement and faith in the future. It really is amazing to me.

If you need more peace in your life, know that God is aware of you personally. If you need to feel uplifted, listen to the messages of hope linked below. If you only have a few minutes (and not 8 hours) I would recommend the messages by Tad Callister & Jorg Klebingat in the Saturday afternoon session. These words spoke to my soul and make me so incredibly grateful for the good and hard experiences in my life. God is real and He is aware of each one of His children, this I know.

I received so much direction during these 10 hours of conference.  i wanted to record a few of my thoughts.. but I will save the personal stuff for my journal, where I scribbled more than 20 pages of goodness.

I listened to Elder Uchtdorf's talk several times.  I really love him and know that there will be so much opposition as we bear testimony of God and things we believe to be true.  There are so many who won't believe, who will criticize and even dislike me for what I share, but that's okay.  We are all going through our own experiences and need certain things in our lives and just because we believe differently doesn't mean we can't get along out appreciate each other for who we are.