We had a really great weekend together as a family listening to the prophet and apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints speak to us. There were many comments that tugged at my heart, but the quote below pretty much sums it all up.



"The most powerful being in the universe is the father of your spirit. He knows you. He loves you with a perfect love. God sees you not only as a mortal being on a small planet who lives for a brief season, He sees you as His child. He sees you as the being you are capable and designed to become. He wants you to know that you matter to Him. May we ever believe, trust, and align our lives so that we will understand our true eternal worth and potential." -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Right now my girls are outside with their friends sledding, yes sledding, while I stare at this photo remembering what spring felt like just a few days ago.

We had such a great weekend with my family in St. George. My sister was in town for her spring break so it made the time together seem like a special event. The kids swam, we watched conference, played games (i lost), saw the movie HOP (lame), and went for walks.


this is what it looked like every morning while the kids quietly waited for the adults to wake up. heaven.




we spent as much time outside as we could knowing what the weather was like back home.










Chris and Amy had a serious game of chess going

reminder

"Life is perfect for none of us. Rather than being judgmental and critical of each other, may we have the pure love of Christ for our fellow travelers in this journey through life. May we recognize that each one is doing her best to deal with the challenges which come her way, and may we strive to do our best to help out."
-President Thomas S. Monson

I've had these thoughts swirling around my head ever since I heard his talk. I can't seem to get it off my mind...I needed it then. I need it now. It's such a great reminder of how similar we all are, how we're all working toward a common goal, how we all deserve the same amount of kindnesses as we go through life, no matter who, what, or where we are. Today while working I listened to it twice more letting he's words sink in a little deeper...hoping if I hear it enough, I will never forget.

"True charity is love in action."

If you'd like to read or listen to the conference talk go here. It's definitely worth your time.

xxox, amy

conference weekend

I am walking away from this conference weekend (for those of you who don't know general conference is a time when the Leaders of the LDS church speak to the entire church. It happens over a two day period every 6 months) feeling edified, with a renewed sense to try harder and do my best. I thought the messages given did not lack great wisdom and inspiration that I needed to hear. Here are just a few of the things that stood out to me.

Richard G. Scott
-Some truths comes when you are not actively seeking (e.g. dangerous situation), however, God will not force you to learn. You must exercise agency and authorize the spirit to teach you. As you do this you'll be more receptive to guidance and when it comes you'll recognize it more.

Russell G. Osguthorpe
-Aim High
-Rely on Lord. He will help you do things you think are impossible.

David A. Bednar
-We can become more faithful and diligent at home as we
1. express love and show it
-what we know isn't always reflected on what we do.
2. bear testimony and live it.
3. be consistent
-out of small things lead to something great.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- For what we love determines what we seek, and what we seek determines what we think and do, and that determines who we are.
-though we are incomplete God loves us completely.
-Don't get discourage the first step is to try and do. Keep trying until the difficult becomes possible and a habit - a part of you.
-love is the factor that takes obedience to dedication.

Dallin H. Oaks
-Laws are there to give us a way to advance (progress) like God.
-God's choicest blessings are contingent on our actions.

Jorge F. Zeballos
-God doesn't expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect as He encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves.
-God does not require more than the best we can give because that wouldn't be just, but He will not expect less than that. Always give your best.

Neil L. Anderson
-it is not easy to repent, to change is difficult.
-Repentance is turning away from some things such as dishonesty and pride, and turning toward other things such as kindness, unselfishness, & patience. It is returning toward God.
-How to decide where our repentance should be focused? Humbly petition the Lord. The answers will come and we will feel what changes we need to make.
-Christ knows how difficult it is.

Boyd K. Packer
-Know matter who you are or what you've done you're always worthy to pray.
-Prayer is your personal key to heaven and the lock is on your side of the veil.
-He concludes prayer with "they will be done". Do not expect to be free entirely from trouble, pain or discouragement. Theses are the things were sent to learn on earth.

Henry B. Erying
-We can and must expect to become better
-love is the motivating purpose
-husbands and wife pray for love that make weaknesses seem small
-you feel love of Savior when you try to do the things you know He would do.

L. Tom Perry
-looking to the past will help us find a better way to face the future.

H. David Burton
-faith will diminish if we follow world
-parents need to start in home by being an example

Ann Dibb
-We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness.
-Thomas S. Monson said, "Remember that you are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He didn't call you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary He know your skill, realizes your devotion and will convert your inadequacies to recognize strength."
-God has given us all what we need to return to Him. It is up to us to choose whether we use it or not.

Russell M. Nelson
-Generous gift God gave us is personal revelation...we need to be ready to receive it.
-Real intent means really intending to follow counsel given.
-We are given gifts precisely to fulfill Heavenly Father's purposes.

Prophet Thomas S. Monson
-What did you do for someone today? Each of us can do something
*"Whosoever shall lose his life for my save shall save it." I believe the Savior is telling us unless we lose ourselves in serving others there is little purpose to our lives.
-"Man's greatest happiness comes from losing self in others." - David O. Mckay
-We are one with you in moving forward this marvelous work. I testify to you that every man, woman and child has a part to play. May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well.

Jeffery R. Holland
-One cannot come to full faith until one accepts the Book Of Mormon and Christ which it testifies of.
-God always provides safety for the soul and has done it through BOM.

Quentin L. Cook
-Try to do what is right because we love God not because someone else wants us to.
-When we are accountable to God we see how foolish our rationalizations are.
-Remember having religious observance in home is as important as feeding family.

Dale G. Renlund
-do not be casual about the small acts of praying and reading scriptures.
-consider where you heart is

Michael T. Ringwood
-Pray til you have faith in Christ
-daily living of Gospel brings a softness of heart.

This is just a glimpse of the goodness and a rough one at that coming from me. I am not so good at note taking, but I do my best. If you are interested in hearing the entire talks go here.









Besides the great talks that were given we had a great weekend together. I was so pleased with my girls that they were able to stay the whole time while conference was on. For the most part Bella sat and listened while Megan quietly (at times not) set up a closet for her stuffed animals and changed there clothes and Tess colored and hopefully heard some of the messages. We also had a fire going which makes everything seem a little cozier. When we weren't watching we made rolls for Sunday dinner, played go fish, ate a delicious turkey dinner, and carved pumpkins (yet to take a picture). It was delightful and was so grateful at the ease of 8 hours in front of the TV with little ones.

tender mercies

I woke up in a bad way this morning. I can't pin point it's origin, but I'm struggling with my self worth and an understanding of what my purpose is here on this earth. I'm grateful of all weekends that my mood fell on a day that could devote to listening to the words of the Prophet and the Apostles. As I sat listening I could see the tender mercies of a loving Heavenly Father in my life. Many of the talks and the words spoken today felt like they were just for me and a direct answer to my prayers.



There were many fabulous talks that got me to think, and made me more fully appreciate my life and my knowledge of the Gospel. I'll just share with you a few that spoke to me this morning that truly gave me hope, especially considering the place I found myself this morning.

Neil L Anderson
"While there are many experiences like the one we are having today full of spiritual power and confirmation, there are also days when we feel inadequate and unprepared. When doubt and confusion enter our spirits, when we have difficulty finding our spiritual footing, part of the victory as disciples of Christ is what we do when these feelings come."

"You don't know everything, but you know enough."

"Faith is not only a feeling, it's a decision."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Hope is a gift of the spirit...a principle of promise as well as a commandment, and with all commandments we have the responsibility to make it an active part of our lives and overcome the temptation to lose hope."

"No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations."

"The things we hope in, sustain us during our daily walk. They uphold us through trials, temptations, and sorrow. Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in, can uphold us and carry us until once again we walk in the light."

Joseph B. Wirthlin
"I do believe the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be. If we approach adversities wisely our hardest times can be of greatest growth that in time can lead to greatest happiness."

If you didn't get a chance to listen to it, it's definitely worth your time. Go here to find the videos from both sessions.

four for friday

I'm up. I don't know why I'm up, but I really shouldn't be surprised. It's been like this all week long for me. I can't quite figure out why I've been sleeping so badly. It's frustrating, but all and all I think I'm dealing with it pretty well during the day considering how wasted I feel by the end.

1. While laying in bed before I finally got up this morning I remembered my friend Melissa emailed me about the Making Memories warehouse sale that was happening this weekend. I went to it about 4 or 5 years ago and thought it was pretty cool, but wasn't so impressed that I went back. Now that it's been so long, and so many more products later, I think I might go take a peek to see what they have. I just checked my email again thinking it went until Saturday, but today is the last day. It's open from 10-6pm though if you want to give it a try.



2. Yesterday I started an online class at Big Picture Scrapbooking called Design you Life by Cathy Zielske. It's a class all about design and although I feel like I'm fairly familiar with design, it's not like I'm taking a painting class where I don't know anything, I couldn't help but get a chance to learn from one of my all time favorite scrapbookers. When I listen to what she has to say and I see her work I know I'm where I'm suppose to be. I love design and hope this will be my first official of many design classes I'll take (I'd really love to go back to school in a few years and get a graphic design degree). I think registration is still open until sometime next week so if you're interested go here.

3. My friend Tami and I have been emailing back and forth about whether or not you can get the LDS conferences as a podcast. I thought there would have to be a way to at least get the archives, but wasn't so sure about the conference this weekend. Well, as it turns out Tami sent me the link this morning that has the conferences and a few other LDS podcasts. Just click on the conference link and it will open up itunes store where you can get a subscription. Anyway, it has podcasts of conference talks as far back as 2004 all the way to apr 2008. I'm really excited to have these on my ipod now. Thanks Tami for finding it.

4. This week I took on Ali Edwards challenge to document my life. I remember way back in 2005 when she was teaching a week in your life class at CKU and I always wanted to do it. In fact I printed the pdf packet from creating keepsakes that told you everything you needed to know, but I never did do it so this time I decided it was a must. Right now I would give anything to have a piece of what my life was like back in 2005 because today they are vastly different.

















Ok with that said, this project has not been all flowers and sunshine for me. In the beginning I had a hard time, I rarely remembered to take pictures of things, and I was almost irritated that I had to (as if someone was making me). It wasn't until about Wednesday that it all started to click and I enjoyed the process of documenting my life. I embraced the fact that I basically did some of the same things everyday and just allowed myself to appreciate how a similar task can be a little different each day. It really has made me see my life differently, enjoy what it is I do, and see how all of those pieces together make my days unique. I'm realizing this is going to be a lot of work from start to finish, but I know the end result will be totally worth it. You should try it.