Mountains to Climb

Every 6 months before conference our church leaders will usually tell us that if we listen to conference we will find answers to our questions and gain personal revelation. I have always believe that this was true but never had I really experienced it for myself until this past general conference. President Eyring's talk really struck me. It was for me. I believe that Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed to hear. President Eyring talked about trials. I have a great life and an easy life compared to most people around the world, however, it has been a hard year and particularly a hard semester. I feel overwhelmed a lot and at times I feel that I can't succeed. I have a tendency to want to figure things out for myself. I'm always thinking things like 'I can do this, I'm tough and I've got this.' What I should be thinking is 'we can do this.' When the onslaught of trouble and mental and emotional fatigue come that is when I must turn to the Lord. President Eyring said, "I wish to encourage those who are in the midst of hard trials; who feel their faith may be fading under the onslaught of troubles. Trouble itself can be your way to strengthen and finally gain unshakable faith." I know that through trials we are refined and I know that I am not going through this hard experience and journey for no reason. I will come out of this a better person. There is a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is section 122 and the Lord is speaking to Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. In this scripture I substitute the word son for daughter. The Lord says, " ...know thou, my daughter, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known and they years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPF2MBmfkvk

You Raise Me Up

Oh my what a weekend it has been! It started at 7am Saturday morning. I got a call from my best friend and sister Avery. I woke up at the very last ring and didn't answer the first time she called but she left me a message telling me that they were at the airport and that she was bored so she was going to call me...that's my Aves for ya! So I called back and talked to everyone before they left then went back to sleep. Then a few hours later I got another call from Gma DeeAnn. She said that they were coming up, they had tickets to conference, and they wanted to share a weekend with me. I don't think I can fully explain the excitement I felt when I heard this. I had never been to conference live before!

During the day before I was going to leave I spent the day watching conference alone and with friends and getting chores done. While I was watching the Saturday afternoon session I got a call from Aunt Ti-tine and she said that they were coming up from spring break in St. George and they were in Provo and were going to take me to Salt Lake. More excitement!! It was so great to see them and see my little...or not so little cousins :) I always feel at home when I am with extended family even though I might be far from home and my own family.

In Salt Lake we stayed at Little America. Staying there brought back memories from the end of August when I was getting dropped back off at school. I got a hotel room all to myself and I felt so fancy and grown up haha! I got a great nights sleep in a big bed all to myself! I watched the Sunday morning session while getting ready for the day and by then it was time to get something to eat and go to the conference center.

Conference was seriously so amazing. I had been to the conference center before to look around but it is completely different being there in the presence of the Lord's chosen servants. The spirit was amazing. I, like my dad, feel the spirit most through music. I had always kinda under appreciated the tabernacle choir and made fun of how old they are and their ugly outfits but seriously they are amazing. The bring a great spirit. Also, when we all stood and sang as a congregation I could really feel the strength of the saints all around me. It was so great. The whole conference made my proud of my faith and the way that I choose to live my life.

Since this was my first time at conference I had never experienced the protesters that stand around outside the conference center. They are HILARIOUS!! I couldn't help but giggle at the things that they were trying to tell people. I just thought to myself, 'there is nothing you could say that would make me doubt that this church is true...especially after an experience like that.' Ahhh people these days...

Altogether it was a great weekend and a much needed rejuvenation of mind, body, and spirit. Thanks to Ryan for giving Gma and Gpa the tickets and thanks to them for taking me along! Love you all :)