General Conference Weekend

 

What a blessing this weekend was! We felt it was especially important, given the hard things in this world, that we commit to stay home and watch all sessions of conference together. (Except for late Saturday night session; Charlie was so tired and Perry went to homecoming) Kaden's girlfriend Suri joined us for lunch & the Sunday afternoon session. She was baptized a couple weeks ago in her Purdue University YSA ward. After that session, we were able to have a nice chat on the back porch.

Conference filled my bucket to over flowing! I feel like a new person. I have a renewed conviction that I really am on the right path and I need to stay here no matter what. I especially need to keep holding my family to the higher standard the Lord has set. Defend my testimony, be a peacemaker, build my family influence in the home, and keep the world’s influence out.

Thanks to Elder Carlos A. Godoy, our family has a new motto: "No complaints; only smiling faces and grateful hearts."

Perry & I loved Elder Kevin G. Brown’s talk about defending and strengthening your testimony. I felt like shouting, “Amen!!” the whole time he spoke. He has a great love and enthusiasm for the Lord and His work. So do I! This was Charlie's favorite talk. Charlie also, loves the Lord with enthusiasm. :)

Josie connected with Sis. J. Anette Dennis' talk. Dad liked ...

Pres. Dallin H. Oaks is going to be our new prophet, now that Pres. Nelson has finished his earthly work. Pres. Oaks’ closing talk was so validating to me and Dad. Often as parents (and humans) we question if we are doing it right. But Pres. Oaks listed many ways to put the family first and protect the family unit. I felt a sweet peaceful reassurance from God, that we are doing and being exactly what our children need in this hard world. Coupled with Elder Brown’s talk, I will continue to defend my testimony and the ways we fight to keep Satan out of our family and home. It’s honestly so exhausting! But there is no way around it. Just in and through Jesus. Giving in to satan is not an option. 

Update 10/7/25-  Kaden texted me later on Sunday "thanks for helping Suri". I didn't know what he was talking about. He explained I helped answer some questions she had. Funny thing is, I didn’t know that. I thought we were just talking getting to know each other; I was sharing my testimony through my love of God and the Book of Mormon as we talked. What I thought was a casual common conversation, the Spirit took and used it to help her in ways I wasn’t aware. Her parents aren’t currently supportive. (Likely because they have been told we are a cult, ha ha ha! Ugh, people throw that around the same way people throw the word “nazi” when someone disagrees with political opinions. Such ignorance, ha ha!) Gratefully, the spirit strongly urged me to reach out to her mom, Tricia. We text, talk on the phone and have even gone to lunch. She is a lovely woman and if I weren’t a “cultish Mormon” I know we could be very good friends! I offer open friendship and honesty to any questions she has and let her know I want to support her. Will she join the church eventually like her daughter? I don't know. But that’s not my goal. My goal is to calm her troubled heart and show her compassion. Because she is concerned for the soul of her daughter. And  I want to help assure her, that we truly follow Jesus the best we know how. Just like she and her husband are doing.