Conference Weekend > Finance Weekend

 

This week was full of you guessed it: more work and school. As much as I wanted to stay on top of everything and maybe try to get a little bit ahead on some assignments I started tuning into general conference and ended watching every minute of every session and loved it all. It was just so good and so needed and I always think about how within the next few years we’ll start to have kids and conference weekend will be more about entertaining and chasing down kids then listening and learning. I tell my sister-in-laws that I’ll take notes for them while they chase down kids so that one day they can take notes for me when I’m in that phase of life.

Plus I realized I had to turn around and teach relief society again so soon and use one of the talks from conference. The other instructor and I had swapped weeks when we were out of town last month for spring break so I didn’t have near as l long to prepare and we don’t waste any time jumping into the next session’s talks so I was listening intently to make sure I didn’t miss a talk we should discuss as a group. It didn’t take me long to realize that a total conference recap would be one of the best ways to hear the thoughts and impressions of the ladies and identify which talks would be beneficial to discuss in the future.

I have found that I am often more focused when I take notes and/or doodle. I listen better and am more attentive. So in high school I started doing this thing where I would take sheets of paper and cut them into fourths and would write on the front one quote that stuck out to me from every talk and I’d take my overall notes on the back. Throughout the year I have a little board where I pin up a quotes I like as I restudy the talks. I also take pictures of them and send them to family members and friends as a way to “take notes so they don’t have to” and share what talks stuck out to us.

I have really enjoyed doing this and have found it to enrich my conference experience as I sit and listen to the prophets and other church leader’s voices.

This is a list of my favorite quotes and my corresponding doodles:

• “You are each vital to the Lord.” - Russell M. Nelson
• “The Lord is pleased with your efforts.” - M. Russell Ballard
• “Even our smallest efforts are making a significant difference in the kingdom.” - Reyna Aburto
• “Let us all press on!” - Elder Bednar
• “Choose the path of a peacemaker.” - Neil L. Andersen
• “We don’t see all things… He does.” - Larry S. Kacher
• “I have no more to give you.” - Eduardo Gavarret
• “Stand steady.” - Henry B. Eyring
• “Fear not, believe only and she shall be made whole. She was and so will you.” - Jeffrey R. Holland
• “More than conquerers through Him that loved us, Romans 8:37” - Patrick Kearon
• “God has blessed me richly, far beyond what I imagined.” - Marco A. Aidukaitis
• “Connect the roots and branches of your living tree.” - Gerrit W. Gong
• “Peter trusted the Savior more than his boat.” - Adrian Ochoa
• “Men change their spots every day.” - Kevin S. Hamilton
• “Laboring for the conversion of oneself and others is the most noble task.” - Quentin L. Cook
• “A pinch of salt, a spoonful of leaven, a ray of light… out of small things proceedeth that which is great.” - Susan H. Porter
• “It’s not about the ice cream… it’s not about doing more… it’s about doing what matters.” - Rebecca L. Craven
• “Much of the major growth that is coming to the church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world will be driven to the church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that women of the church reflect righteousness in their lives and are seen as distinct and different in happy ways, from the women of the world.” - Spencer W. Kimball
• “He is there to catch us if we turn to Him.” - Jean B. Bingham
• “A team where only the goalie defends the goal will always lose. Everyone is needed on the Lord’s team.” - Dale G. Renlund
• “Rather than getting angry at God, get closer to God.” - D. Todd Christofferson
• “Our focus shouldn’t be on the way we are delivered but on the Deliverer.” - Amy A. Wright
• “Always be ready for Him to do His work in His way, His time through us.” - Gary E. Stevensen
• “How shall I go up to my father without you with me?” - Michael T. Ringwood
• “Freedom of religion: honors first and second commandment to love God and neighbors, fosters expression of belief, hope and peace, inspires people to help others, acts as a unifying and rallying force for shaping values and morality.” - Ronald A. Rasband
• “Self reliance is a process that lasts a lifetime, not an event.” - Hugo E. Martinez
• “Give Him a fair amount of your time.” - Russell M. Nelson
• “All children of God will end up in a kingdom of glory.” - Dallin H. Oaks
• “We need the spirit to help us navigate through mortality and the sacrament to energize our spiritual being.” - Adeyinka A. Ojediran
• “If we really want to be valiant disciples of Christ, we will find a way.” - Jorg Klebingat
• “When we study scriptures there is no spiritual famine I the land.” - Mark L. Pace
• “May we ever stand in awe of Jesus Christ.” - Ulisses S. Soares
• “The blessings of God are innumerable because they are eternal.” - Randy D. Funk
• “Our offerings may be large or it may be small, but either way it must be our heartfelt all.” - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

 

Other highlights from conference was that during the women’s session I sat at my desk and FaceTimed my mom and grandma and all watched conference “together.” It was really fun and reminded me again how grateful I am for so many faithful women and examples in my life. It was due to the examples of those two that I went on a mission and I will forever be grateful for my experiences in the hills and hollers of Tennessee. 

My mission was fresh on my mind going into conference weekend because President and Sister Pickett hosted their first big mission reunion since returning home. Unfortunately I was across the country and unable to attend but I saw lots of pictures and reached out to many mission friends for notes from the devotional the Pickett’s gave. I am so grateful for the relationships I have made on my mission, relationships built on a spiritual foundation. I was able to cross paths with so many good people and disciples of Christ during my missionary service and I am so grateful for the relationships I continue to maintain with so many of them.

Elder Bednar’s talk was based around the hymn “Let us All Press On,” which was our mission hymn and I’ll never not think of the President Pickett’s booming voice when I hear it so it was extra sweet to hear it cited so much in that talk. It seriously is such a powerful reminder, I’ll never forget the spirit that would fill the room as all of us missionaries would sing together, “FEAR NOT though the enemy deride, COURAGE for the Lord is on our side, we will heed not what the wicked may say, for the Lord alone we will obey!”

And speaking of a sweet and powerful spirit, I was absolutely overcome with joy when I heard the long awaited words that Knoxville, Tennessee would be getting a temple. It still gives me chills writing about it. Tears filled my eyes as I thought of the hundreds of Tennesseans jumping up and down in their homes overcome with emotion at the thought of getting a temple so close to them. I thought of Mama Warren who would drive every month to Nashville to do temple work for her family. Before her husband got baptized he would drive with her every month and sit in the waiting room and wait for her. He has since been baptized, had his own temple work done and they were sealed just in time for him to leave this earth. I know he is on the other side helping teach (and prod) people to listen and receive the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I thought of Brother and Sister Annett who would make the trip each week to Columbia South Carolina to volunteer at the temple as temple workers. And I thought of dozens and dozens of others who will be blessed by the opportunity to go to the temple now that it is so accessible. My heart was and is so full.

It’s weekends like this that are so poignant in reminding us what really matters. The stress of school and work and paying bills and going through our day to day are all part of something so much bigger, so much more important. We’re here to learn and grow and help each other back to our heavenly home. That’s what it’s all about, and conference weekend gives me opportunities to reflect on how I can be a better example and influence in the lives around me and a better disciple and follower of Christ. Because at the end of the day no matter what degrees or callings or roles I have in life that is the most important one.

Peaches
Listening to conference

• “Watching” conference with mom and grandma
• Having friends over for dinner and to watch the Sunday session
• Feeling the spirit
• Knoxville is getting a temple!!!

Pits

• Not getting ahead of homework

Lessons Learned

• No matter the stresses of our everyday it is all part of something bigger and our Heavenly Father and Savior are oh so very aware of us
• Prayers are answered
• My mission continues to bless my life
• Conference is SO much better than finance